10-K 1 d489725d10k.htm FROM 10-K From 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

(Mark One)

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012

or

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             .

Commission File Number 1-11921

 

 

E*TRADE Financial Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   94-2844166

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

1271 Avenue of the Americas, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10020

(Address of principal executive offices and Zip Code)

(646) 521-4300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the act:

 

Title of Each Class   Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share  

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

NASDAQ Global Select Market

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  x    No   ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No   x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendments to this Form 10-K.    x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   x   Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer     ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

At June 30, 2012, the aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $1.7 billion (based upon the closing price per share of the registrant’s common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market on that date). Shares of common stock held by each officer, director and holder of 5% or more of the outstanding common stock have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

As of February 22, 2013, there were 286,626,031 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Certain portions of the definitive Proxy Statement related to the Company’s 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed hereafter (incorporated into Part III hereof).

 

 

 


Table of Contents

E*TRADE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

For the Year Ended December 31, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I

    
Forward-Looking Statements      1   

Item 1.

  Business      1   
 

Overview

     1   
 

Strategy

     2   
 

Products and Services

     2   
 

Sales and Customer Service

     4   
 

Technology

     5   
 

Competition

     5   
 

Regulation

     5   
 

Available Information

     8   

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

     9   

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

     21   

Item 2.

 

Properties

     21   

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

     22   

Item 4.

 

Mine Safety Disclosures

     27   

PART II

    

Item 5.

  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities      28   

Item 6.

  Selected Consolidated Financial Data      30   

Item 7.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      32   
 

Overview

     32   
 

Earnings Overview

     36   
 

Segment Results Review

     49   
 

Balance Sheet Overview

     55   
 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     60   
 

Risk Management

     65   
 

Concentrations of Credit Risk

     69   
 

Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

     79   
 

Statistical Disclosure by Bank Holding Companies

     87   
 

Glossary of Terms

     92   

Item 7A.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk      98   

Item 8.

  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data      101   
 

Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

     101   
 

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     102   
 

Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss)

     104   
 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     105   
 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

     106   
 

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity

     107   
 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

     108   
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     110   
 

Note 1—Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

     110   
 

Note 2—Operating Interest Income and Operating Interest Expense

     120   
 

Note 3—Fair Value Disclosures

     120   
 

Note 4—Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity Securities

     130   
 

Note 5—Loans Receivable, Net

     135   

 

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Note 6—Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

     144   
 

Note 7—Property and Equipment, Net

     147   
 

Note 8—Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net

     148   
 

Note 9—Other Assets

     149   
 

Note 10—Deposits

     149   
 

Note 11—Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase and FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings

     151   
 

Note 12—Corporate Debt

     153   
 

Note 13—Other Liabilities

     155   
 

Note 14—Income Taxes

     155   
 

Note 15—Shareholders’ Equity

     160   
 

Note 16—Earnings (Loss) per Share

     161   
 

Note 17—Regulatory Requirements

     162   
 

Note 18—Lease Arrangements

     164   
 

Note 19—Commitments, Contingencies and Other Regulatory Matters

     164   
 

Note 20—Segment Information

     171   
 

Note 21—Condensed Financial Information (Parent Company Only)

     173   
 

Note 22—Quarterly Data (Unaudited)

     175   

Item 9.

  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure      175   

Item 9A.

  Controls and Procedures      175   

Item 9B.

  Other Information      176   

PART III

  

PART IV

  

Item 15.

  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules      177   

Signatures

     180   

 

 

Unless otherwise indicated, references to “the Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “E*TRADE” mean E*TRADE Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries.

E*TRADE, E*TRADE Financial, E*TRADE Bank, Equity Edge, OptionsLink and the Converging Arrows logo are registered trademarks of E*TRADE Financial Corporation in the United States and in other countries.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to our future plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as “expect,” “may,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan” and similar expressions. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements, and we caution that we do not undertake to update these statements. Factors that could contribute to our actual results differing from any forward-looking statements include those discussed under Risk Factors, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and elsewhere in this report. The cautionary statements made in this report should be read as being applicable to all forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this report. We further caution that there may be risks associated with owning our securities other than those discussed in our filings.

 

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

E*TRADE Financial Corporation is a financial services company that provides online brokerage and related products and services primarily to individual retail investors under the brand “E*TRADE Financial.” Our primary focus is to profitably grow our online brokerage business, which includes our self-directed trading and investing customers. We also provide investor-focused banking products, primarily sweep deposits and savings products, to retail investors. Our competitive strategy is to attract and retain customers by emphasizing value beyond price, ease of use and innovation, with delivery of our products and services primarily through online and technology-intensive channels.

Our corporate offices are located at 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10020. We were incorporated in California in 1982 and reincorporated in Delaware in July 1996. We had approximately 3,000 employees at December 31, 2012. We operate directly and through numerous subsidiaries, many of which are overseen by governmental and self-regulatory organizations. Our most significant subsidiaries are described below:

 

   

E*TRADE Bank is a federally chartered savings bank that provides investor-focused banking products to retail customers nationwide and deposit accounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”);

 

   

E*TRADE Securities LLC is a registered broker-dealer and is a wholly-owned operating subsidiary of E*TRADE Bank. It is the primary provider of brokerage products and services to our customers;

 

   

E*TRADE Clearing LLC is the clearing firm for our brokerage subsidiaries and is a wholly-owned operating subsidiary of E*TRADE Bank. Its main purpose is to clear and settle securities transactions for customers of other broker-dealers, including E*TRADE Securities LLC; and

 

   

G1 Execution Services, LLC (formerly known as E*TRADE Capital Markets, LLC) is a registered broker-dealer and market maker.

A complete list of our subsidiaries at December 31, 2012 can be found in Exhibit 21.1.

We provide services to customers in the U.S. through our website at www.etrade.com. In addition to our website, we also provide services through our network of customer service representatives and financial consultants. We also provide these services over the phone or in person through our 30 E*TRADE branches. Information on our website is not a part of this report.

 

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STRATEGY

Our core business is our trading and investing customer franchise. Building on the strengths of this franchise, our strategy is focused on:

 

   

Strengthening our overall financial and franchise position. We are focused on achieving a more efficient distribution of capital between our regulated entities, improving capital ratios by reducing risk, deleveraging the balance sheet and reducing costs, and enhancing our enterprise-wide risk management culture and capabilities.

 

   

Improving our market position in our retail brokerage business. We plan to accelerate the growth in our customer franchise and to continue enhancing the customer experience.

 

   

Capitalizing on the value of our complementary brokerage businesses. Our corporate services and market making businesses enhance our strategy by allowing us to realize additional economic benefit from our retail brokerage business.

 

   

Enhancing our position in retirement and investing. We believe growing our retirement and investing products and services is key to our long term success. Our primary focus is to expand the reach of our brand along with the awareness of our products to this key customer segment.

 

   

Continuing to manage and de-risk the Bank. We are focused on optimizing the value of customer deposits, while continuing to mitigate credit losses in our loan portfolio, and improving the Bank’s risk profile. In addition, we do not plan to offer new banking products to customers, including mortgages.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

We assess the performance of our business based on our segments, trading and investing and balance sheet management. We consider multiple factors, including the competitiveness of our pricing compared to similar products and services in the market, the overall profitability of our businesses and customer relationships when pricing our various products and services. We manage the performance of our business using various customer activity and financial metrics, including daily average revenue trades (“DARTs”), average commission per trade, margin receivables, end of period brokerage accounts, net new brokerage accounts, brokerage account attrition rate, customer assets, net new brokerage assets, brokerage related cash, corporate cash, E*TRADE Financial Tier 1 leverage and common ratios, E*TRADE Bank Tier 1 leverage ratio, special mention loan delinquencies, allowance for loan losses, enterprise net interest spread and average enterprise interest-earning assets. Costs associated with certain functions that are centrally-managed are separately reported in a corporate/other category.

Trading and Investing

Our trading and investing segment offers a full suite of financial products and services to individual retail investors. The most significant of these products and services are described below:

Trading Products and Services

 

   

automated order placement and execution of U.S. equities, futures, options, exchange-traded funds, forex and bond orders;

 

   

FDIC insured sweep deposit accounts that automatically transfer funds to and from customer brokerage accounts;

 

   

access to E*TRADE Mobile, which allows customers to securely trade, monitor real-time investment, market and account information and transfer funds between accounts via iPhone®, iPad®, AndroidTM, Windows® Phone or BlackBerry®;

 

   

use of E*TRADE Pro, our desktop trading software for qualified active traders, which provides customers with customization capabilities, an expanded feature set, news and information, plus live streaming news via CNBC TV;

 

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two-second execution guarantee on all qualified market orders for Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 stocks and exchange-traded funds;

 

   

margin accounts allowing customers to borrow against their securities;

 

   

cross-border trading, which allows customers residing outside of the U.S. to trade in U.S. securities;

 

   

access to 77 international markets with American depositary receipts (“ADRs”), exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), and mutual funds, plus online equity trading in local currencies in Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan and the United Kingdom; and

 

   

research and trading idea generation tools that assist customers with identifying investment opportunities including Analyst and Technical research, Consensus Ratings, and market commentary from Morningstar, Dreyfus and BondDesk Group.

Retirement and Investing Products and Services

 

   

no annual fee and no minimum individual retirement accounts; plus, Rollover Specialists to guide customers through the rollover process;

 

   

retirement planning resources including our easy-to-use Retirement planning calculator that provides a customized action plan to help customers get on track with personal retirement savings goals, and access to Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorsSM who can provide customers with one-on-one portfolio evaluations and personalized plans;

 

   

OneStop Rollover, a simplified, online rollover program that enables investors to invest their 401(k) savings from a previous employer into a professionally-managed portfolio;

 

   

access to all ETFs sold, including over 80 commission-free ETFs from leading independent providers, and over 7,700 non-proprietary mutual funds;

 

   

managed investment portfolio advisory services with an investment of $25,000 or more from an affiliated registered investment advisor, which provides one-on-one professional portfolio management;

 

   

unified managed account advisory services with an investment of $250,000 or more from an affiliated registered investment advisor, which provides customers the opportunity to work with a dedicated investment professional to obtain a comprehensive, integrated approach to asset allocation, investments, portfolio rebalancing and tax management;

 

   

comprehensive Online Portfolio Advisor to help customers identify the right asset allocation and provide a range of solutions including a one-time investment portfolio or a managed investment account;

 

   

fixed income tools in our Bond Resource Center aimed at helping customers identify, evaluate and implement fixed income investment strategies;

 

   

comprehensive Investor Education Center that provides investing and trading resources via online videos, web seminars and web tutorials; and

 

   

FDIC insured deposit accounts, including checking, savings and money market accounts.

Corporate Services

We offer software and services for managing equity compensation plans for corporate customers. Our Equity Edge OnlineTM platform facilitates the management of employee stock option plans, employee stock purchase plans and restricted stock plans, including necessary accounting and reporting functions. This is a product of the trading and investing segment since it serves as an introduction to E*TRADE for many employees

 

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of our corporate customers who conduct equity option and restricted stock transactions, with our goal being that these individuals will also use our retail products and services. Equity Edge OnlineTM was rated #1 in overall satisfaction and loyalty by Group Five, an independent consulting and research firm, in its 2012 Stock Plan Administration Study Industry Report.

Market Making

Our trading and investing segment also includes market making activities which match buyers and sellers of securities from our retail brokerage business and unrelated third parties. As a market maker, we take positions in securities and function as a wholesale trader by combining trading lots to match buyers and sellers of securities. Trading gains and losses result from these activities. Our revenues are influenced by overall trading volumes, trade mix and the number of stocks for which we act as a market maker and the trading volumes and volatility of those specific stocks.

Balance Sheet Management

The balance sheet management segment consists of the management of our balance sheet, focusing on asset allocation and managing credit, liquidity and interest rate risks. The balance sheet management segment manages loans previously originated or purchased from third parties as well as our customer cash and deposits, which originate in the trading and investing segment.

For statistical information regarding products and services, see Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”). Three years of segment financial performance and data can be found in the MD&A and in Note 20—Segment Information of Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

SALES AND CUSTOMER SERVICE

We believe providing superior sales and customer service is fundamental to our business. We also strive to maintain a high standard of customer service by staffing the customer support team with appropriately trained personnel who are equipped to handle customer inquiries in a prompt yet thorough manner. Our customer service representatives utilize our proprietary web-based platform to provide customers with answers to their inquiries. We also have specialized customer service programs that are tailored to the needs of each customer group.

We provide sales and customer support through the following channels of our registered broker-dealer and investment advisory subsidiaries:

 

   

Branches—we have 30 branches located in the U.S. where retail investors can go to service any of their needs while receiving face to face customer support. Financial consultants are also available on-site to help customers assess their current asset allocation and develop plans to help them achieve their investment goals. Customers can also contact our financial consultants via phone or e-mail if they cannot visit the branches.

 

   

Online—we have an Online Advisor tool available that provides asset allocation and a range of investment solutions that can be managed online or through a dedicated investment professional. We also have an Online Service Center where customers can request services on their accounts and obtain answers to frequently asked questions. The online service center also provides customers with the ability to send a secure message and/or engage in Live Chat with one of our customer service representatives.

 

   

Telephonic—we have a toll free number that connects customers to an automated phone system which will help ensure that they are directed to the appropriate department where a financial consultant or licensed customer service representative can assist with their inquiry.

 

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TECHNOLOGY

We believe our focus on being a technological leader in the financial services industry enhances our competitive position. This focus allows us to deploy a secure, scalable technology and back office platform that promotes innovative product development and delivery. We continued to invest in these critical platforms in 2012, helping to drive significant efficiencies as well as enhancing our service and operational support capabilities. Our technology platform also enabled us to deliver trading and investing functionality with the introduction of E*TRADE 360, enhanced mobile offerings across new devices and upgrades to our trading platforms.

COMPETITION

The online financial services market continues to evolve rapidly and we expect it to remain highly competitive. Our trading and investing segment competes with full commission brokerage firms, discount brokerage firms, online brokerage firms, Internet banks, traditional “brick & mortar” retail banks and thrifts and market making firms. Some of these competitors provide Internet trading and banking services, investment advisor services, touchtone telephone and voice response banking services, electronic bill payment services and a host of other financial products. Our balance sheet management segment competes with investment banking firms and other users of market liquidity, in addition to the competitors above, in its quest for the least expensive source of funding.

The financial services industry has become more concentrated as companies involved in a broad range of financial services have been acquired, merged or have declared bankruptcy. We believe we can continue to attract customers by appealing to retail investors by providing them with easy to use and innovative financial products and services.

We also face competition in attracting and retaining qualified employees. Our ability to compete effectively in financial services will depend upon our ability to attract new employees and retain and motivate our existing employees while efficiently managing compensation related costs.

REGULATION

Our business is subject to regulation by U.S. federal and state regulatory and self-regulatory agencies and securities exchanges and by various non-U.S. governmental agencies or regulatory or self-regulatory bodies, securities exchanges and central banks, each of which has been charged with the protection of the financial markets and the protection of the interests of those participating in those markets.

Our regulators, rulemaking agencies and primary securities exchanges in the U.S. include, among others, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (“NASDAQ”), the FDIC, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”), the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”).

Both our brokerage and banking entities are subject to the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by the USA PATRIOT ACT of 2001 (“BSA/USA PATRIOT Act”), which requires financial institutions to develop anti-money laundering (“AML”) programs to assist in the prevention and detection of money laundering. In order to comply with the BSA/USA PATRIOT Act, we have an AML department that is responsible for developing and implementing our enterprise-wide programs for compliance with the various anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing laws and regulations. Our brokerage and banking entities are also subject to U.S. sanctions laws administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control and we have policies and procedures in place to comply with these laws.

 

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For customer privacy and information security, under the rules of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, our brokerage and banking entities are required to disclose their privacy policies and practices related to sharing customer information with affiliates and non-affiliates. The rules also give customers the ability to “opt out” of having non-public information disclosed to third parties or receiving marketing solicitations from affiliates and non-affiliates based on non-public information received from our brokerage and banking entities.

Brokerage Regulation

Our broker-dealers are registered with the SEC and are subject to regulation by the SEC and by self-regulatory organizations, such as FINRA and the securities exchanges of which each is a member, as well as various state regulators. Such regulation covers all aspects of the brokerage business, including, but not limited to, client protection, net capital requirements, required books and records, safekeeping of funds and securities, trading, prohibited transactions, public offerings, margin lending, customer qualifications for margin and options transactions, registration of personnel and transactions with affiliates. Our international broker-dealers are regulated by their respective local regulators such as the United Kingdom Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) and Hong Kong Securities & Futures Commission.

Banking Regulation

Our banking entities are subject to regulation, supervision and examination for safety and soundness by the OCC, the Federal Reserve, the FDIC and by the CFPB for compliance with federal consumer finance laws. Such regulation covers all aspects of the banking business, including lending practices, safeguarding deposits, customer privacy and information security, capital structure, transactions with affiliates and conduct and qualifications of personnel.

Each of our banking entities has deposits insured by the FDIC and pays quarterly assessments to the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”), maintained by the FDIC, to pay for this insurance coverage. As of April 1, 2011, the assessment base for insured depository institutions was changed from domestic deposits, with some adjustments, to average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity. The FDIC also changed its methodology for calculating the assessment rate for E*TRADE Bank and other large and highly complex depository institutions. The new risk-based assessment utilizes a scorecard method for calculating a large depository institution’s assessment rate based on a number of factors, including the institution’s CAMELS ratings, asset quality and brokered deposits. In October 2012, the FDIC amended its 2011 rule to revise the definition of certain higher risk assets used to calculate the quarterly insurance assessment beginning on April 1, 2013. The FDIC will continue to assess the changes to the assessment rates at least annually.

Financial Regulatory Reform Legislation and Basel III Framework

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”) was signed into law on July 21, 2010 and includes comprehensive changes to the financial services industry. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, our former primary federal bank regulator, the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”), was abolished in July 2011 and its functions and personnel distributed among the OCC, the FDIC and Federal Reserve. In addition, the CFPB will oversee compliance by the Company with federal consumer finance laws. Although the Dodd-Frank Act maintains the federal thrift charter, it eliminates certain benefits of the charter and imposes new penalties for failure to comply with the qualified thrift lender test. The Dodd-Frank Act also requires all companies, including savings and loan holding companies, that directly or indirectly control an insured depository institution to serve as a source of strength for the institution.

The Dodd-Frank Act requires various federal agencies to adopt a broad range of new rules and regulations, the details, substance and impact of which may not fully be known for months or years. However, the implementation of holding company capital requirements will impact us as the parent company was not previously subject to regulatory capital requirements. These requirements are expected to become effective

 

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within the next three years. We believe these capital ratios are an important measure of capital strength and accordingly we manage our capital against the current capital ratios that apply to bank holding companies in preparation for the application of these requirements. We are currently in compliance with the current capital requirements that apply to bank holding companies and we have no plans to raise additional capital as a result of this new law.

The current risk-based capital guidelines that apply to E*TRADE Bank are based upon the 1988 capital accords of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (“BCBS”), a committee of central banks and bank supervisors, as implemented by the U.S. Federal banking agencies, including the OCC, commonly known as Basel I. The Basel II framework was finalized by U.S. banking agencies in 2007; however, E*TRADE Bank did not meet the threshold requirements for Basel II and, therefore, has never been subject to the requirements of Basel II. In September 2010, the Group of Governors and Heads of Supervision, the oversight body of the BCBS, announced agreement on the calibration and phase-in arrangements for a strengthened set of capital and liquidity requirements, known as the Basel III framework. The final Basel III framework was released in December 2010 and is subject to individual adoption by member nations, including the U.S. The Basel III framework is intended to strengthen the prudential standards for large and internationally active banks; however, it may be applied by U.S. regulators to other banking institutions.

In June 2012, the U.S. Federal banking agencies published notices of proposed rulemaking for comment related to the implementation of the Basel III framework for the calculation and components of a banking organization’s regulatory capital and a U.S. version of the international standardized approach for calculating a banking organization’s risk-weighted assets. In November 2012, the banking agencies announced a delay in the implementation of Basel III in the U.S. and have not yet issued final Basel III rules. We believe the most relevant elements of the proposal to us relate to the proposed risk-weighting of mortgage loans and margin receivables in addition to the inclusion in the calculation of Common Tier 1 capital of unrealized gains (losses) on all available-for-sale debt securities. Under the current proposal, we do not believe the incorporation of these elements have a significant impact on our current capital ratios. However, the final impact of the Basel III capital standards on regulatory requirements will remain uncertain until the final rules for implementing Basel III are adopted for U.S. institutions. We will continue to monitor the ongoing rule-making and comment process to assess both the timing and the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and Basel III capital standards on our business.

On October 9, 2012, the Federal Reserve adopted final regulations implementing the requirement for certain Federal Reserve-regulated savings and loan holding companies including the Company to conduct company-run stress tests on an annual basis. Under the Federal Reserve’s stress test regulations, we will be required to utilize stress-testing methodologies providing for results under at least three different sets of conditions, including baseline, adverse, and severely adverse conditions. The final regulations will apply to the Company in the fall of the calendar year after it becomes subject to minimum capital requirements, a period which has not yet been specified. We conducted a company-run stress test for the Company, which we believe is consistent with the Federal Reserve’s methodologies, and provided the results to the Federal Reserve with the submission of the long-term strategic and capital plan.

Also on October 9, 2012, the OCC adopted final regulations implementing the requirement for national banks or federal savings associations with over $10 billion in average total consolidated assets, including E*TRADE Bank to conduct company-run stress tests on an annual basis. Under the OCC’s stress test regulations, E*TRADE Bank also will be required to utilize stress-testing methodologies providing for results under at least three different sets of conditions, including baseline, adverse and severely adverse scenarios. The final regulations require E*TRADE Bank to conduct its first stress test using financial statement data as of September 30, 2013, and it will be required to report results to the OCC on or before March 31, 2014. We conducted a company-run stress test for E*TRADE Bank, which we believe is consistent with the OCC’s methodologies, and provided the results to the OCC with the submission of the long-term strategic and capital plan.

 

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For additional regulatory information on our brokerage and banking regulations, see Note 17—Regulatory Requirements of Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We make our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, available free of charge at our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been filed with the SEC. Our website address is www.etrade.com.

The public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website that contains the materials we file with the SEC at www.sec.gov.

 

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ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

The following factors which could materially affect our business, financial condition and results of operations should be carefully considered in addition to the other information set forth in this report. Although the risks described below are those that management believes are the most significant, these are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently do not deem to be material may also materially affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Relating to the Nature and Operation of Our Business

We have incurred significant losses in recent years and cannot assure that we will be profitable in the future.

We incurred net losses of $112.6 million and $28.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2010, respectively. The loss in 2010 was due primarily to the credit losses in the loan portfolio and, in 2012, the loss was due primarily to a $256.9 million loss on the early extinguishment of all the 12 1/2% springing lien notes due November 2017 (“12 1/2% Springing lien notes”) and 7 7/8% senior notes due December 2015 (“7 7/8% Notes”). Although we have taken a significant number of steps to reduce our credit exposure and reported net income of $156.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, we likely will continue to suffer credit losses in 2013. In late 2007, we experienced a substantial diminution of customer assets and accounts as a result of customer concerns regarding our credit related exposures. While we were able to stabilize our retail franchise during the ensuing period, it could take additional time to fully mitigate the credit issues in our loan portfolio, which could result in a continued net loss position.

We will continue to experience losses in our mortgage loan portfolio.

At December 31, 2012, the principal balance of our home equity loan portfolio was $4.2 billion and the allowance for loan losses for this portfolio was $257.3 million. At December 31, 2012, the principal balance of our one- to four-family loan portfolio was $5.4 billion and the allowance for loan losses for this portfolio was $183.9 million. Although the provision for loan losses has improved in recent periods, performance is subject to variability in any given quarter and we cannot state with certainty that the declining loan loss trend will continue. In addition, a significant portion of our mortgage loan portfolio is secured by properties worth less than the outstanding balance of loans secured by such properties. There can be no assurance that our allowance for loan losses will be adequate if the residential real estate and credit markets deteriorate beyond our expectations. During the normal course of conducting examinations, our banking regulators, the OCC and Federal Reserve, continue to review our business and practices. This process is dynamic and ongoing and we cannot be certain that additional changes or actions will not result from their continuing review. We may be required under such circumstances to further increase the allowance for loan losses, which could have an adverse effect on our regulatory capital position and our results of operations in future periods.

The carrying value of the home equity and one- to four-family loan portfolios was $4.0 billion and $5.3 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2012. The home equity and one- to four-family loan portfolios are held on the consolidated balance sheet at carrying value because they are classified as held for investment, which indicates that we have the intent and ability to hold them for the foreseeable future or until maturity. The fair value of our home equity and one- to four-family loan portfolios was estimated to be $3.6 billion and $4.6 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2012, in accordance with the fair value measurements accounting guidance, as disclosed in Note 3—Fair Value Disclosures of Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. The fair value of the home equity and one- to four-family loan portfolios was estimated using a modeling technique that discounted future cash flows based on estimated principal and interest payments over the life of the loans, including expected losses and prepayments. There was limited or no observable market data for the home equity and one- to four-family loan portfolios. Given the limited market data, the fair value measurements cannot be determined with precision and the amount that would be realized in a forced liquidation, an actual sale or immediate settlement could be significantly lower than both the carrying value and the estimated fair value of

 

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the portfolio. In addition, changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the results of current or future fair value estimates.

Certain characteristics of our mortgage loan portfolio indicate an increased risk of loss. For example, at December 31, 2012:

 

   

approximately 50% and 60% of the one- to four-family and home equity loan portfolios, respectively, had a current loan-to-value (“LTV”)/combined loan-to-value (“CLTV”) of greater than 100%;

 

   

approximately 57% and 49% of the one- to four-family and home equity loan portfolios, respectively, were originated with low or no documentation;

 

   

borrowers with current FICO scores less than 700 consisted of approximately 39% and 37% of the one- to four-family and home equity loan portfolios, respectively; and

 

   

approximately 82% and 88% of the one- to four-family and home equity loan portfolios, respectively, were purchased from a third party.

The foregoing factors are among the key items we track to predict and monitor credit risk in our mortgage portfolio, together with loan type, housing prices, loan vintage and geographic location of the underlying property. We believe the relative importance of these factors varies, depending upon economic conditions.

Home equity loans have certain characteristics that result in higher risk than first lien, amortizing one- to four-family loans.

Approximately 85% of the home equity loan portfolio consists of second lien loans on residential real estate properties. The average estimated current CLTV on our home equity loan portfolio was 114% as of December 31, 2012. We hold both the first and second lien positions in less than 1% of the home equity loan portfolio, exposing us to risk associated with the actions and inactions of the first lien lender.

We monitor our borrowers by refreshing FICO scores and CLTV information on a quarterly basis. We do not receive complete data on the first lien positions of second lien home equity loans. In addition, we rely on third party servicers to provide payment information on home equity loans, including which borrowers are paying only the minimum amount due. We have incomplete information regarding the number of borrowers paying only the minimum amounts, which impacts our ability to accurately report on whether borrowers are repaying any principal during the draw period across the aggregate portfolio.

Home equity lines of credit convert to amortizing loans at the end of the draw period, which ranges from five to ten years. At December 31, 2012, the vast majority of the home equity line of credit portfolio had not converted from the interest-only draw period to an amortizing loan. In addition, approximately 80% of the home equity line of credit portfolio will not begin amortizing until after 2014. As a result, we do not yet have sufficient data relating to loan default and delinquency of amortizing home equity lines of credit to determine if the performance is different than the trends observed for home equity lines of credit in an interest-only draw period.

We rely on third party service providers to perform certain functions.

We rely on third party service providers for certain technology, processing, servicing and support functions. These third party service providers are also subject to operational and technology vulnerabilities, which may impact our business. An interruption in or the cessation of service by any third party service provider and our inability to make alternative arrangements in a timely manner could have a material impact on our business and financial performance.

We do not directly service any of our loans and as a result, we rely on third party vendors and servicers to provide information on our loan portfolio. From time to time we have discovered that these vendors and servicers

 

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have provided incomplete or untimely information to us about our loan portfolio. For example, provision for loan losses increased in the third quarter of 2012 in connection with our discovery that one of our third party loan servicers had not been reporting historical bankruptcy data to us on a timely basis and as a result, we recorded additional charge-offs in the third quarter of 2012. In connection with this discovery, we implemented an enhanced procedure around all servicer reporting to corroborate bankruptcy reporting with independent third party data.

We could experience significant losses on other securities held on the balance sheet.

At December 31, 2012, we held $260.1 million in amortized cost of non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMO”) on our consolidated balance sheet. We incurred net impairment charges of $16.9 million during 2012, which was a result of the deterioration in the expected credit performance of the underlying loans in the securities. If the credit quality of these securities further deteriorates, we may incur additional impairment charges which would have an adverse effect on our regulatory capital position and our results of operations in future periods.

Loss of customers and assets could destabilize the Company or result in lower revenues in future periods.

During November 2007, well-publicized concerns about E*TRADE Bank’s holdings of asset-backed securities led to widespread concerns about our continued viability. From the beginning of this crisis through December 31, 2007, when the situation stabilized, customers withdrew approximately $5.6 billion of net cash and approximately $12.2 billion of net assets from our bank and brokerage businesses. Many of the accounts that were closed belonged to sophisticated and active customers with large cash and securities balances. While we were able to stabilize our retail franchise, concerns about our viability may recur, which could lead to destabilization and asset and customer attrition. If such destabilization should occur, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully rebuild our franchise by reclaiming customers and growing assets. If we are unable to sustain or, if necessary, rebuild our franchise, in future periods our revenues could be lower and our losses could be greater than we have experienced.

We have a large amount of corporate debt.

We have issued a substantial amount of corporate debt, with restrictive financial and other covenants and our expected annual interest cash outlay is approximately $110 million. Our ratio of corporate debt to equity (expressed as a percentage) was 36% at December 31, 2012. The degree to which we are leveraged could have important consequences, including: 1) a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations is dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the funds available for other purposes; 2) our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other corporate needs is significantly limited; and 3) our substantial leverage may place us at a competitive disadvantage, hinder our ability to adjust rapidly to changing market conditions and make us more vulnerable in the event of a further downturn in general economic conditions or our business. In addition, a significant reduction in revenues could have a material adverse effect on our ability to meet our debt obligations.

We conduct all of our operations through subsidiaries and have no revenue sources other than dividends from our subsidiaries, which are subject to advance regulatory approval in the case of our most significant subsidiaries.

We depend on dividends, distributions and other payments from our subsidiaries to fund payments on our obligations, including our debt obligations. Regulatory and other legal restrictions limit our ability to transfer funds to or from our subsidiaries. In addition, many of our subsidiaries are subject to laws and regulations that authorize regulatory bodies to block or reduce the flow of funds to us, or that prohibit such transfers altogether in certain circumstances. These laws and regulations may hinder our ability to access funds that we may need to make payments on our obligations, including our debt obligations. The majority of our capital is invested in our

 

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banking subsidiary E*TRADE Bank, which may not pay dividends to us without approval from the OCC and the Federal Reserve. Our primary brokerage subsidiaries, E*TRADE Securities LLC and E*TRADE Clearing LLC, are both subsidiaries of E*TRADE Bank; therefore, the OCC, together with the Federal Reserve, controls our ability to receive dividend payments from our brokerage business as well. Furthermore, even if we receive the approval of the OCC and the Federal Reserve to receive dividend payments from our brokerage business, in the event of our bankruptcy or liquidation or E*TRADE Bank’s receivership, we would not be entitled to receive any cash or other property or assets from our subsidiaries (including E*TRADE Bank, E*TRADE Clearing LLC and E*TRADE Securities LLC) until those subsidiaries pay in full their respective creditors, including customers of those subsidiaries and, as applicable, the FDIC and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation.

We submitted an initial long-term strategic and capital plan to the OCC and Federal Reserve during the second quarter of 2012. The plan included: our five-year business strategy; forecasts of our business results and capital ratios; capital distribution plans in current and adverse operating conditions; and internally developed stress tests. During the third quarter of 2012, we received initial feedback from our regulators on this plan and we believe that key elements of this plan, specifically reducing risk, deleveraging the balance sheet and the development of an enterprise risk management function, are critical. We submitted an updated long-term strategic and capital plan to the OCC and Federal Reserve in February 2013, which included the key elements outlined in the initial plan as well as the progress made during 2012 on those key elements. We believe that our targets for capital levels at E*TRADE Bank and corresponding distributions of capital from E*TRADE Bank and its subsidiaries to the parent company will be achievable over time. We plan to continue an active and ongoing dialogue with our regulators to ensure our execution of the plan is consistent with their expectations.

We are subject to investigations and lawsuits as a result of our losses from mortgage loans and asset-backed securities.

In 2007, we recognized an increased provision expense totaling $640 million and asset losses and impairments of $2.45 billion, including the sale of our asset-backed securities portfolio to Citadel. As a result, various plaintiffs filed class actions and derivative lawsuits, which were subsequently consolidated into one class action and one derivative lawsuit, alleging disclosure violations regarding our home equity, mortgage and securities portfolios during 2007. The class action has been resolved by a settlement that was approved by the Court. The shareholder derivative action is subject to a settlement agreement that is pending Court approval.

Many of our competitors have greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources.

The financial services industry is highly competitive, with multiple industry participants competing for the same customers. Many of our competitors have longer operating histories and greater resources than we have and offer a wider range of financial products and services. Other of our competitors offer a more narrow range of financial products and services and have not been as susceptible to the disruptions in the credit markets that have impacted our Company, and therefore have not suffered the losses we have. The impact of competitors with superior name recognition, greater market acceptance, larger customer bases or stronger capital positions could adversely affect our revenue growth and customer retention. Our competitors may also be able to respond more quickly to new or changing opportunities and demands and withstand changing market conditions better than we can. Competitors may conduct extensive promotional activities, offering better terms, lower prices and/or different products and services or combination of products and services that could attract current E*TRADE customers and potentially result in price wars within the industry. Some of our competitors may also benefit from established relationships among themselves or with third parties enhancing their products and services.

Turmoil in the global financial markets could reduce trade volumes and margin borrowing and increase our dependence on our more active customers who receive lower pricing.

Online investing services to the retail customer, including trading and margin lending, account for a significant portion of our revenues. Turmoil in the global financial markets could lead to changes in volume and

 

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price levels of securities and futures transactions which may, in turn, result in lower trading volumes and margin lending. In particular, a decrease in trading activity within our lower activity accounts could impact revenues and increase dependence on more active trading customers who receive more favorable pricing based on their trade volume. A decrease in trading activity or securities prices would also typically be expected to result in a decrease in margin borrowing, which would reduce the revenue that we generate from interest charged on margin borrowing.

We rely heavily on technology, and technology can be subject to interruption and instability.

We rely on technology, particularly the Internet, to conduct much of our activity. Our technology operations are vulnerable to disruptions from human error, natural disasters, power loss, computer viruses, spam attacks, unauthorized access and other similar events. Disruptions to or instability of our technology or external technology that allows our customers to use our products and services could harm our business and our reputation. In addition, technology systems, whether they be our own proprietary systems or the systems of third parties on whom we rely to conduct portions of our operations, are potentially vulnerable to security breaches and unauthorized usage. An actual or perceived breach of the security of our technology could harm our business and our reputation.

Vulnerability of our customers’ computers and mobile devices could lead to significant losses related to identity theft or other fraud and harm our reputation and financial performance.

Because our business model relies heavily on our customers’ use of their own personal computers, mobile devices and the Internet, our business and reputation could be harmed by security breaches of our customers and third parties. Computer viruses and other attacks on our customers’ personal computer systems and mobile devices could create losses for our customers even without any breach in the security of our systems, and could thereby harm our business and our reputation. As part of our E*TRADE Complete Protection Guarantee, we reimburse our customers for losses caused by a breach of security of the customers’ own personal systems. Such reimbursements could have a material impact on our financial performance.

Downturns in the securities markets increase the credit risk associated with margin lending or securities loaned transactions.

We permit certain customers to purchase securities on margin. A downturn in securities markets may impact the value of collateral held in connection with margin receivables and may reduce its value below the amount borrowed, potentially creating collections issues with our margin receivables. In addition, we frequently borrow securities from and lend securities to other broker-dealers. Under regulatory guidelines, when we borrow or lend securities, we must simultaneously disburse or receive cash deposits. A sharp change in security market values may result in losses if counterparties to the borrowing and lending transactions fail to honor their commitments.

We may be unsuccessful in managing the effects of changes in interest rates and the enterprise interest-earning assets in our portfolio.

Net operating interest income is an important source of our revenue. Our results of operations depend, in part, on our level of net operating interest income and our effective management of the impact of changing interest rates and varying asset and liability maturities. Our ability to manage interest rate risk could impact our financial condition. We use derivatives to help manage interest rate risk. However, the derivatives we utilize may not be completely effective at managing this risk and changes in market interest rates and the yield curve could reduce the value of our financial assets and reduce net operating interest income. We expect enterprise net interest spread will continue to compress in 2013; however, enterprise net interest spread may further fluctuate based on the size and mix of the balance sheet, as well as the impact from the level of interest rates. Among other items, we periodically enter into repurchase agreements to support the funding and liquidity requirements of E*TRADE Bank. If we are unsuccessful in maintaining our relationships with counterparties, we could recognize substantial losses on the derivatives we utilized to hedge repurchase agreements.

 

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If we do not successfully participate in consolidation opportunities, we could be at a competitive disadvantage.

There has recently been significant consolidation in the financial services industry and this consolidation is likely to continue in the future. Should we be excluded from or fail to take advantage of viable consolidation opportunities, our competitors may be able to capitalize on those opportunities and create greater scale and cost efficiencies to our detriment.

Although we are currently constrained by the terms of our corporate debt and the memoranda of understanding we and E*TRADE Bank entered into with our primary banking regulators, we may seek to acquire businesses in the future. The assets of businesses we have acquired in the past were primarily customer accounts. In future acquisitions, our retention of customers’ assets may be impacted by our ability to successfully integrate the acquired operations, products (including pricing) and personnel. Diversion of management attention from other business concerns could have a negative impact. If we are not successful in our integration efforts, we may experience significant attrition in the acquired accounts or experience other issues that would prevent us from achieving the level of revenue enhancements and cost savings that we expect with respect to an acquisition.

Risks associated with principal trading transactions could result in trading losses.

A majority of our market making revenues are derived from trading as a principal. We may incur trading losses relating to the purchase, sale or short sale of securities. We carry equity security positions on a daily basis and from time to time, we may carry large positions in securities of a single issuer or issuers engaged in a specific industry. Sudden changes in the value of these positions could impact our financial results.

Reduced spreads in securities pricing, levels of trading activity and trading through market makers could harm our market maker business.

Technological advances, competition and regulatory changes in the marketplace may continue to tighten securities spreads. Tighter spreads could reduce revenue capture per share by our market maker, thus reducing revenues for this line of business.

Advisory services subject us to additional risks.

We provide advisory services to investors to aid them in their decision making. Investment decisions and suggestions are based on publicly available documents and communications with investors regarding investment preferences and risk tolerances. Publicly available documents may be inaccurate and misleading, resulting in recommendations or transactions that are inconsistent with the investors’ intended results. In addition, advisors may not understand investor needs or risk tolerances, which may result in the recommendation or purchase of a portfolio of assets that may not be suitable for the investor. To the extent that we fail to know our customers or improperly advise them, we could be found liable for losses suffered by such customers, which could harm our reputation and business.

We have a significant deferred tax asset and cannot assure it will be fully realized.

We had net deferred tax assets of $1,416.2 million as of December 31, 2012. We did not establish a valuation allowance against our federal net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2012 as we believe that it is more likely than not that all of these assets will be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, we estimated future taxable income based on management approved forecasts. This process required significant judgment by management about matters that are by nature uncertain. If future events differ significantly from our current forecasts, a valuation allowance may need to be established, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and our financial condition.

 

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As a result of the Public Equity Offering, the Debt Exchange and related transactions in 2009, we believe that we experienced an “ownership change” for tax purposes that could cause us to permanently lose a significant portion of our U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets.

As a result of the Public Equity Offering, the Debt Exchange and related transactions in 2009, we believe that we experienced an “ownership change” as defined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 382”) (which is generally a greater than 50 percentage point increase by certain “5% shareholders” over a rolling three year period). Section 382 imposes an annual limitation on the utilization of deferred tax assets, such as net operating loss carry forwards and other tax attributes, once an ownership change has occurred. Depending on the size of the annual limitation (which is in part a function of our market capitalization at the time of the ownership change) and the remaining carry forward period of the tax assets (U.S. federal net operating losses generally may be carried forward for a period of 20 years), we could realize a permanent loss of a portion of our U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets and certain built-in losses that have not been recognized for tax purposes. We believe the tax ownership change will extend the period of time it will take to fully utilize our pre-ownership change net operating losses (“NOLs”), but will not limit the total amount of pre-ownership change federal NOLs we can utilize. This is a complex analysis and requires the Company to make certain judgments in determining the annual limitation. As a result, it is possible that we could ultimately lose a significant portion of deferred tax assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Relating to the Regulation of Our Business

We are subject to extensive government regulation, including banking and securities rules and regulations, which could restrict our business practices.

The securities and banking industries are subject to extensive regulation. All of our broker-dealer subsidiaries have to comply with many laws and rules, including rules relating to sales practices and the suitability of recommendations to customers, possession and control of customer funds and securities, margin lending, execution and settlement of transactions and anti-money laundering. We are also subject to additional laws and rules as a result of our market maker operations.

Similarly, E*TRADE Financial Corporation and ETB Holdings, Inc., as savings and loan holding companies, and E*TRADE Bank and E*TRADE Savings Bank, as federally chartered savings banks, are subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by the OCC and the Federal Reserve (including pursuant to the terms of the memoranda of understanding that E*TRADE Financial Corporation entered into with the Federal Reserve and that E*TRADE Bank entered into with the OCC) and, in the case of the savings banks, also the FDIC. Such regulation covers all banking business, including lending practices, safeguarding deposits, capital structure, recordkeeping, transactions with affiliates and conduct and qualifications of personnel.

Recently enacted regulatory reform legislation may have a material impact on our operations. In addition, if we are unable to meet these new requirements, we could face negative regulatory consequences, which would have a material negative effect on our business.

On July 21, 2010, the President signed into law the Dodd-Frank Act. This law contains various provisions designed to enhance financial stability and to reduce the likelihood of another financial crisis and significantly changed the bank regulatory structure for our Company and its thrift subsidiaries. Portions of the Dodd-Frank Act were effective immediately, but many provisions will only be effective after the adoption of implementing regulations, which have been delayed in numerous cases. The key effects of the Dodd-Frank Act, when fully implemented, on our business are:

 

   

changes to the thrift supervisory structure;

 

   

changes to regulatory capital requirements;

 

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changes to the assessment base used by depository institutions to calculate their FDIC insurance premiums, increases in the minimum reserve ratio for the FDIC’s deposit insurance fund to 1.35%, and imposition of the additional costs of this increase on depository institutions with assets of $10 billion or more; and

 

   

establishment of the CFPB with broad authority to implement new consumer protection regulations and, for banks and thrifts with $10 billion or more in assets, to examine and enforce compliance with federal consumer laws.

The Federal Reserve has primary jurisdiction for the supervision and regulation of savings and loan holding companies, including the Company; and the OCC has primary supervision and regulation of federal savings associations, such as the Company’s two thrift subsidiaries. Although the Dodd-Frank Act maintains the federal thrift charter, it eliminates certain preemption, branching and other benefits of the charter and imposes new penalties for failure to comply with the qualified thrift lender test. The Dodd-Frank Act also requires all companies, including savings and loan holding companies that directly or indirectly control an insured depository institution, to serve as a source of strength for the institution, including committing necessary capital and liquidity support.

We are required to file periodic reports with the Federal Reserve and are subject to examination and supervision by it. The Federal Reserve also has certain types of enforcement powers over us, ETB Holdings, Inc., and our non-depository institution subsidiaries, including the ability to issue cease-and-desist orders, force divestiture of our thrift subsidiaries and impose civil and monetary penalties for violations of federal banking laws and regulations or for unsafe or unsound banking practices. Our thrift subsidiaries are subject to similar reporting, examination, supervision and enforcement oversight by the OCC. The Federal Reserve has issued guidance aligning the supervisory and regulatory standards of savings and loan holding companies more closely with the standards applicable to bank holding companies. The Federal Reserve had also indicated that its supervision of savings and loan holding companies may entail a more rigorous level of review than previously applied by the OTS.

The Dodd-Frank Act also created a new independent regulatory body, the CFPB, which has been given broad rulemaking authority to implement the consumer protection laws that apply to banks and thrifts and to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices. For all banks and thrifts with total consolidated assets over $10 billion, including E*TRADE Bank, the CFPB has exclusive rulemaking and examination, and primary enforcement authority, under federal consumer financial laws and regulations. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act permits states to adopt consumer protection laws and regulations that are stricter than those regulations promulgated by the CFPB.

For us, one of the most significant changes under the new law is that savings and loan holding companies such as our Company for the first time will become subject to the same capital and activity requirements as those applicable to bank holding companies. In addition, we will be subject to the same capital requirements as those applied to banks, which requirements exclude, on a phase-out basis, all trust preferred securities from Tier 1 capital. The Dodd-Frank Act provides for a five year phase-in period for these new capital requirements. We fully expect to meet the capital requirements applicable to thrift holding companies as they are phased in. However, it is possible that our regulators may impose more stringent capital and other prudential standards on us prior to the end of the five year phase-in period. For example, both the OCC and the Federal Reserve have issued final regulations that will require E*TRADE Bank and will ultimately also require the parent company to conduct capital adequacy stress tests on their operations. E*TRADE Bank will be required to disclose a summary of these stress test results to the OCC on or before March 31, 2014 and the Company will ultimately also be required to disclose a summary of its stress test results, although the date remains undetermined.

The Dodd-Frank Act requires various federal agencies to adopt a broad range of new rules and regulations, the details, substance, and impact of which may not be fully known for months or years. It is difficult to predict

 

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at this time all of the specific impacts the Dodd-Frank Act and the yet-to-be-written rules and regulations may have on us. However, given that the legislation is likely to materially change the regulatory environment for the financial services industry in which we operate, we expect at a minimum that our compliance costs will increase.

If we fail to comply with applicable securities and banking laws, rules and regulations, either domestically or internationally, we could be subject to disciplinary actions, damages, penalties or restrictions that could significantly harm our business.

The SEC, FINRA and other self-regulatory organizations and state securities commissions, among other things, can censure, fine, issue cease-and-desist orders or suspend or expel a broker-dealer or any of its officers or employees. The OCC and Federal Reserve may take similar action with respect to our banking and other financial activities, respectively. Similarly, the attorneys general of each state could bring legal action on behalf of the citizens of the various states to ensure compliance with local laws. Regulatory agencies in countries outside of the U.S. have similar authority. The ability to comply with applicable laws and rules is dependent in part on the establishment and maintenance of a reasonable compliance function. The failure to establish and enforce reasonable compliance procedures, even if unintentional, could subject us to significant losses or disciplinary or other actions.

The Company recently completed a review of order handling practices and pricing for order flow between E*TRADE Securities LLC and G1 Execution Services, LLC (G1X). The purpose of the review was to examine whether E*TRADE Securities LLC was providing “best execution” of customer orders as well as otherwise complying with applicable securities laws and dealing appropriately with its market making affiliate under applicable federal bank regulatory standards. The review was conducted by separate firms of outside broker-dealer and bank regulatory counsel. The firms’ reports identified shortcomings in the Company’s historical methods of measuring best execution quality and suggested additions and changes to the Company’s standards, processes and procedures for measuring execution quality and for monitoring and testing transactions between the Bank and non-Bank affiliates to ensure compliance with relevant regulations. The Company is in the process of implementing the recommended changes, and expects to complete the process in the near future. Banking regulators and federal securities regulators were regularly updated during the course of the review. The Company’s regulators may initiate investigations into its historical practices which could subject it to monetary penalties and cease-and-desist orders, which could also prompt claims by customers of E*TRADE Securities LLC. Any of these actions could materially and adversely affect the Company’s market making and trade execution businesses.

If we do not maintain the capital levels required by regulators, we may be fined or even forced out of business.

The SEC, FINRA, the OCC, the Federal Reserve and various other regulatory agencies have stringent rules with respect to the maintenance of specific levels of regulatory capital by banks and net capital by securities broker-dealers. E*TRADE Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the OCC, and E*TRADE Financial Corporation will, for the first time, become subject to specific capital requirements administered by the Federal Reserve. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can trigger certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could harm E*TRADE Bank’s and E*TRADE Financial Corporation’s operations and financial statements.

E*TRADE Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of E*TRADE Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require E*TRADE Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of total and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and of Tier 1 leverage. To satisfy the capital requirements for a “well capitalized” financial institution, E*TRADE Bank must maintain higher total and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and Tier 1 leverage ratios. E*TRADE Bank’s capital amounts and classification are subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about the strength of components of its capital, risk weightings of assets, off-balance sheet transactions and other factors. Any significant reduction in

 

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E*TRADE Bank’s regulatory capital could result in E*TRADE Bank being less than “well capitalized” or “adequately capitalized” under applicable capital rules. A failure of E*TRADE Bank to be “adequately capitalized” which is not cured within time periods specified in the indentures governing our debt securities would constitute a default under our debt securities and likely result in the debt securities becoming immediately due and payable at their full face value.

The regulators may request we raise equity to increase the regulatory capital of E*TRADE Bank or to further reduce debt. If we were unable to raise equity, we could face negative regulatory consequences, such as restrictions on our activities, requirements that we divest ourselves of certain businesses and requirements that we dispose of certain assets and liabilities within a prescribed period. Any such actions could have a material negative effect on our business.

Similarly, failure to maintain the required net capital by our securities broker-dealers could result in suspension or revocation of registration by the SEC and suspension or expulsion by FINRA, and could ultimately lead to the firm’s liquidation. If such net capital rules are changed or expanded, or if there is an unusually large charge against net capital, operations that require an intensive use of capital could be limited. Such operations may include investing activities, marketing and the financing of customer account balances. Also, our ability to withdraw capital from brokerage subsidiaries could be restricted.

In June 2012, the U.S. Federal banking agencies published notices of proposed rulemaking for comment related to the implementation of the Basel III framework for the calculation and components of a banking organization’s regulatory capital and a U.S. version of the international standardized approach for calculating a banking organization’s risk-weighted assets. In November 2012, the banking agencies announced a delay in the implementation of Basel III in the U.S. and have not yet issued final Basel III rules. We believe the most relevant elements of the proposal to us relate to the proposed risk-weighting of mortgage loans and margin receivables in addition to the inclusion in the calculation of Common Tier 1 capital of unrealized gains (losses) on all available-for-sale debt securities. Under the current proposal, we do not believe the incorporation of these elements have a significant impact on our current capital ratios. However, the final impact of the Basel III capital standards on regulatory requirements will remain uncertain until the final rules for implementing Basel III are adopted for U.S. institutions. We will continue to monitor the ongoing rule-making and comment process to assess both the timing and the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and Basel III capital standards on our business.

As a non-grandfathered savings and loan holding company, we are subject to activity limitations and requirements that could restrict our ability to engage in certain activities and take advantage of business opportunities.

Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, our activities are restricted to those that are financial in nature and certain real estate-related activities. We believe all of our existing activities and investments are permissible under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999. At the same time, we are unable to pursue future activities that are not financial in nature or otherwise real-estate related. We are also limited in our ability to invest in other savings and loan holding companies. The Dodd-Frank Act also requires savings and loan holding companies like ours, as well as all of our thrift subsidiaries, to be both “well capitalized” and “well managed” in order for us to conduct certain financial activities, such as market making and securities underwriting. We believe that we will be able to continue to engage in all of our current financial activities. However, if we and our thrift subsidiaries are unable to satisfy the above “well capitalized” and “well managed” requirements, we could be subject to activity restrictions that could prevent us from engaging in market making and securities underwriting, as well as other negative regulatory actions.

In addition, E*TRADE Bank is subject to extensive regulation of its activities and investments, capitalization, community reinvestment, risk management policies and procedures and relationships with affiliated companies. Acquisitions of and mergers with other financial institutions, purchases of deposits and loan portfolios, the establishment of new depository institution subsidiaries and the commencement of new activities by bank subsidiaries require the prior approval of the OCC and the Federal Reserve, and in some cases the FDIC,

 

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which may deny approval or limit the scope of our planned activity. Our compliance with these regulations and conditions could place us at a competitive disadvantage in an environment in which consolidation within the financial services industry is prevalent. Also, these regulations and conditions could affect our ability to realize synergies from future acquisitions, could negatively affect us following an acquisition and could also delay or prevent the development, introduction and marketing of new products and services. In addition, E*TRADE Clearing LLC and E*TRADE Securities LLC, as operating subsidiaries of E*TRADE Bank, are subject to increased regulatory oversight and the same activity restrictions that are applicable to E*TRADE Bank.

Risks Relating to Owning Our Stock

We are substantially restricted by the terms of our corporate debt.

The indentures governing our corporate debt contain various covenants and restrictions that place limitations on our ability and certain of our subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things:

 

   

incur additional indebtedness;

 

   

create liens;

 

   

pay dividends or make other distributions;

 

   

repurchase or redeem capital stock;

 

   

make investments or other restricted payments;

 

   

enter into transactions with our shareholders or affiliates;

 

   

sell assets or shares of capital stock of our subsidiaries;

 

   

receive dividend or other payments from our subsidiaries; and

 

   

merge, consolidate or transfer substantially all of our assets.

As a result of the covenants and restrictions contained in the indentures, we are limited in how we conduct our business and we may be unable to raise additional debt or equity financing to compete effectively or to take advantage of new business opportunities. Each of these series of our corporate debt contains a limitation, subject to important exceptions, on our ability to incur additional debt if our Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the relevant indentures) is less than or equal to 2.5 to 1.0 under the terms of our outstanding convertible notes and 2.0 to 1.0 under the terms of our other outstanding series of notes. As of December 31, 2012, our Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio was (0.1) to 1.0. The terms of any future indebtedness could include more restrictive covenants.

Although these covenants provide substantial flexibility, for example the ability to incur “refinancing indebtedness” and to incur up to $300 million of secured debt under a credit facility, the covenants, among other things, generally limit our ability to incur additional debt even if we were to substantially reduce our existing debt through debt exchange transactions. We could be forced to repay immediately all our outstanding debt securities at their full principal amount if we were to breach these covenants and did not cure the breach within the cure periods (if any) specified in the respective indentures. Further, if we experience a change of control, as defined in the indentures, we could be required to offer to purchase our debt securities at 101% of their principal amount. Under certain of our debt securities a “change of control” would occur if, among other things, a person became the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the total voting power of our voting stock which, with respect to the 6 3/4% senior notes due May 2016, 6% senior notes due November 2017 and 6 3/8% senior notes due November 2019, would need to be coupled with a ratings downgrade before we would be required to offer to purchase those securities.

We cannot assure that we will be able to remain in compliance with these covenants in the future and, if we fail to do so, that we will be able to obtain waivers from the appropriate parties and/or amend the covenants.

 

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The value of our common stock may be diluted if we need additional funds in the future or engage in debt-for-equity exchanges in the future.

In the future, we may need to raise additional funds via debt and/or equity instruments, which may not be available on favorable terms, if available at all. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to fund our capital needs and our plans for the growth of our business. In addition, if funds are available, the issuance of equity securities could significantly dilute the value of our shares of our common stock and cause the market price of our common stock to fall. We have the ability to issue a significant number of shares of stock in future transactions, which would substantially dilute existing shareholders, without seeking further shareholder approval.

In recent periods, the global financial markets were in turmoil and the equity and credit markets experienced extreme volatility, which caused already weak economic conditions to worsen. Continued turmoil in the global financial markets could further restrict our access to the equity and debt markets.

The market price of our common stock may continue to be volatile.

From January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2012, the price per share of our common stock ranged from a low of $7.08 to a high of $19.90. The market price of our common stock has been, and is likely to continue to be, highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations. In the past, volatility in the market price of a company’s securities has often led to securities class action litigation. Such litigation could result in substantial costs to us and divert our attention and resources, which could harm our business. As discussed in Note 19—Commitments, Contingencies and Other Regulatory Matters of Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, we were a party to litigation related to the decline in the market price of our stock and such litigation could occur again in the future. Declines in the market price of our common stock or failure of the market price to increase could also harm our ability to retain key employees, reduce our access to capital, impact our ability to utilize deferred tax assets in the event of another ownership change and otherwise harm our business.

We have various mechanisms in place that may discourage takeover attempts.

Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a third party from acquiring control of us in a merger, acquisition or similar transaction that a shareholder may consider favorable. Such provisions include:

 

   

authorization for the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock;

 

   

the prohibition of cumulative voting in the election of directors;

 

   

a super-majority voting requirement to effect business combinations and certain amendments to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws;

 

   

limits on the persons who may call special meetings of shareholders;

 

   

the prohibition of shareholder action by written consent; and

 

   

advance notice requirements for nominations to the Board or for proposing matters that can be acted on by shareholders at shareholder meetings.

In addition, certain provisions of our stock incentive plans, management retention and employment agreements (including severance payments and stock option acceleration), certain provisions of Delaware law and the requirements under our debt securities to offer to purchase such securities at 101% of their principal amount may also discourage, delay or prevent someone from acquiring or merging with us.

 

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We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations depends on our financial condition, operating performance and our ability to receive dividend payments from our subsidiaries, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions, regulatory approval and certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. We may not be able to maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness.

If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, or to sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. In addition, the terms of existing or future debt instruments may restrict us from adopting some of these alternatives.

Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. In addition, any failure to make payments of interest and principal on our outstanding indebtedness on a timely basis would likely result in a reduction of our credit rating, which could harm our ability to incur additional indebtedness. If our cash flows and available cash are insufficient to meet our debt service obligations, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions or to obtain the proceeds that we could realize from them, and these proceeds may not be adequate to meet any debt service obligations then due.

ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

A summary of our significant locations at December 31, 2012 is shown in the following table. All facilities are leased, except for 165,000 square feet of our office in Alpharetta, Georgia. Square footage amounts are net of space that has been sublet or part of a facility restructuring.

 

Location

   Approximate Square Footage  

Alpharetta, Georgia

     254,000  

Jersey City, New Jersey

     107,000  

Arlington, Virginia

     102,000  

Menlo Park, California

     91,000  

Sandy, Utah

     66,000  

New York, New York

     39,000  

Chicago, Illinois

     25,000  

All of our facilities are used by either our trading and investing or balance sheet management segments, in addition to the corporate/other category. All other leased facilities with space of less than 25,000 square feet are not listed by location. In addition to the significant facilities above, we also lease all 30 E*TRADE branches, ranging in space from approximately 2,500 to 8,000 square feet. We believe our facilities space is adequate to meet our needs in 2013.

 

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ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On October 27, 2000, Ajaxo, Inc. (“Ajaxo”) filed a complaint in the Superior Court for the State of California, County of Santa Clara. Ajaxo sought damages and certain non-monetary relief for the Company’s alleged breach of a non-disclosure agreement with Ajaxo pertaining to certain wireless technology that Ajaxo offered the Company as well as damages and other relief against the Company for their alleged misappropriation of Ajaxo’s trade secrets. Following a jury trial, a judgment was entered in 2003 in favor of Ajaxo against the Company for $1.3 million for breach of the Ajaxo non-disclosure agreement. Although the jury found in favor of Ajaxo on its claim against the Company for misappropriation of trade secrets, the trial court subsequently denied Ajaxo’s requests for additional damages and relief. On December 21, 2005, the California Court of Appeal affirmed the above-described award against the Company for breach of the nondisclosure agreement but remanded the case to the trial court for the limited purpose of determining what, if any, additional damages Ajaxo may be entitled to as a result of the jury’s previous finding in favor of Ajaxo on its claim against the Company for misappropriation of trade secrets. Although the Company paid Ajaxo the full amount due on the above-described judgment, the case was remanded back to the trial court, and on May 30, 2008, a jury returned a verdict in favor of the Company denying all claims raised and demands for damages against the Company. Following the trial court’s filing of entry of judgment in favor of the Company on September 5, 2008, Ajaxo filed post-trial motions for vacating this entry of judgment and requesting a new trial. By order dated November 4, 2008, the trial court denied these motions. On December 2, 2008, Ajaxo filed a notice of appeal with the Court of Appeal of the State of California for the Sixth District. Oral argument on the appeal was heard on July 15, 2010. On August 30, 2010, the Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s verdict in part and reversed the verdict in part, remanding the case. The Company petitioned the Supreme Court of California for review of the Court of Appeal decision. On December 16, 2010, the California Supreme Court denied the Company’s petition for review and remanded for further proceedings to the trial court. On September 20, 2011, the trial court granted limited discovery at a conference on November 4, 2011. The testimonial phase of the third trial in this matter commenced on February 21 and 22, 2012 and concluded on June 12, 2012. The parties await decision on whether there will be a second phase of this bench trial. The Company will continue to defend itself vigorously.

On October 2, 2007, a class action complaint alleging violations of the federal securities laws was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company and its then Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Mitchell H. Caplan and Robert J. Simmons, respectively, by Larry Freudenberg on his own behalf and on behalf of others similarly situated (the “Freudenberg Action”). On July 17, 2008, the trial court consolidated this action with four other purported class actions, all of which were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and which were based on the same facts and circumstances. On January 16, 2009, plaintiffs served their consolidated amended class action complaint in which they also named Dennis Webb, the Company’s former Capital Markets Division President, as a defendant. Plaintiffs contended, among other things, that the value of the Company’s stock between April 19, 2006 and November 9, 2007 was artificially inflated because the defendants issued materially false and misleading statements and failed to disclose that the Company was experiencing a rise in delinquency rates in its mortgage and home equity portfolios; failed to timely record an impairment on its mortgage and home equity portfolios; materially overvalued its securities portfolio, which included assets backed by mortgages; and based on the foregoing, lacked a reasonable basis for the positive statements made about the Company’s earnings and prospects. The parties entered into a Stipulation of Settlement on May 17, 2012, which was submitted to the Court for approval. The settlement was approved by the Court and the class was certified by a final judgment and order of dismissal dated October 22, 2012. Under the terms of the settlement, the Company and its insurance carriers paid $79.0 million in return for full releases. Approximately $11.0 million of the total settlement figure was paid by the Company, which was expensed in the year ended December 31, 2011. As of January 14, 2013, all appeals and requests for attorneys’ fees have been resolved and the settlement is final.

On October 17, 2007, the SEC initiated an informal inquiry into matters related to the Company’s mortgage loan and mortgage-related securities investment portfolios. The Company is cooperating fully with the SEC in this matter.

 

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On April 2, 2008, a class action complaint alleging violations of the federal securities laws was filed by John W. Oughtred on his own behalf and on behalf of all others similarly situated in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company. Plaintiff contends, among other things, that the Company committed various sales practice violations in the sale of certain auction rate securities to investors between April 2, 2003, and February 13, 2008 by allegedly misrepresenting that these securities were highly liquid and safe investments for short term investing. On December 18, 2008, plaintiffs filed their first amended class action complaint. Defendants filed their pending motion to dismiss plaintiffs’ amended complaint on February 5, 2009, and briefing on defendants’ motion to dismiss was completed on April 15, 2009. Plaintiffs seek to recover damages in an amount to be proven at trial, or, in the alternative, rescission of auction rate securities purchases, plus interest and attorneys’ fees and costs. On March 18, 2010, the District Court dismissed the complaint without prejudice. On April 22, 2010, Plaintiffs amended their complaint. The Company has moved to dismiss the amended complaint. By an Order dated March 31, 2011, the Court granted the Company’s motion and dismissed the action with prejudice. On May 2, 2011, plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Plaintiffs filed their brief on August 12, 2011. The Company’s responsive brief was filed October 26, 2011. Plaintiffs’ reply brief was filed on November 21, 2011. Prior to any hearings on the appeal, the lead plaintiffs in this action accepted the terms of the Purchase Offer in connection with the North American Securities Administrators Association (“NASAA”) settlement (see Regulatory Matters below), and this class action was dismissed with prejudice in February 2012.

On August 15, 2008, Ronald M. Tate as trustee of the Ronald M. Tate Trust Dtd 4/13/88, and George Avakian filed an action in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company, Mitchell H. Caplan and Robert J. Simmons based on the same facts and circumstances, and containing the same claims, as the Freudenberg consolidated actions discussed above. By agreement of the parties and approval of the court, the Tate action was consolidated with the Freudenberg consolidated actions for the purpose of pre-trial discovery. Plaintiffs seek to recover damages in an amount to be proven at trial, including interest, attorneys’ and expert fees and costs. The plaintiffs in this action moved for exclusion from the settlement class in Freudenberg. The Court granted that relief on October 11, 2012 and ordered the parties to provide a status update within 30 of final approval of that order. Tate and Avakian filed an amended complaint on January 23, 2013, adding an additional claim under California law. The Company will continue to defend itself vigorously in this matter.

Based upon the same facts and circumstances alleged in the Freudenberg consolidated actions discussed above, a verified shareholder derivative complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on October 4, 2007 by Catherine Rubery, against the Company and its then Chief Executive Officer, President/Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and individual members of its board of directors. The Rubery complaint was consolidated with another shareholder derivative complaint brought by shareholder Marilyn Clark in the same court and against the same named defendants. On July 26, 2010, plaintiffs served their consolidated amended complaint, in which they also named Dennis Webb, the Company’s former Capital Markets Division President, as a defendant. Plaintiffs allege, among other things, causes of action for breach of fiduciary duty, waste of corporate assets, unjust enrichment, and violation of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. The complaint seeks, among other things, unspecified monetary damages in favor of the Company, changes to certain corporate governance procedures and various forms of injunctive relief. The parties agreed to settle this action and a Stipulation of Settlement was signed on October 2, 2012, which included an agreement to implement or maintain certain corporate governance procedures. The parties did not reach an agreement on the issue of plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees, however. Plaintiffs submitted the Stipulation of Settlement to the Court on November 2, 2012, in connection with an unopposed motion for preliminary approval of the settlement. The parties are awaiting the scheduling of a hearing for preliminary approval of the settlement. The Stipulation of Settlement contemplates that the issue of plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees will be litigated in parallel with, but have no bearing on, final approval of the settlement. The Company will continue to defend itself vigorously in this matter.

 

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Beginning in approximately August 2008, representatives of various states attorneys general and FINRA initiated inquiries regarding the purchase of auction rate securities by E*TRADE Securities LLC’s customers. On February 9, 2011, E*TRADE Securities LLC received a “Wells Notice” from FINRA Staff stating that they have made a preliminary determination to recommend that disciplinary action be brought against E*TRADE Securities LLC for alleged violations of certain FINRA rules in connection with the purchases of auction rate securities by customers of E*TRADE Securities LLC. E*TRADE Securities LLC is cooperating with these inquiries and has submitted a Wells response to FINRA setting forth the bases for E*TRADE Securities LLC’s belief that disciplinary action is not warranted. On June 27, 2012, FINRA advised E*TRADE Securities LLC that it would not recommend disciplinary action in connection with this matter.

On January 19, 2010, the North Carolina Securities Division filed an administrative petition before the North Carolina Secretary of State against E*TRADE Securities LLC seeking to revoke the North Carolina securities dealer registration of E*TRADE Securities LLC or, alternatively, to suspend that registration until all North Carolina residents are made whole for their investments in auction rate securities purchased through E*TRADE Securities LLC. On March 8, 2011, E*TRADE Securities LLC, without admitting or denying the underlying allegations, findings or conclusions, resolved the North Carolina administrative action by entering into a consent order (“North Carolina Order”) pursuant to which E*TRADE Securities LLC agreed to pay a $25,000 civil penalty and to reimburse the North Carolina Securities Division’s investigative costs of $400,000. E*TRADE Securities LLC also agreed to various undertakings set forth in the North Carolina Order, including additional internal training on fixed income products and the retention of an independent consultant to review E*TRADE Securities LLC’s policies and procedures related to the approval and sale of fixed income products. As of December 31, 2012, no existing North Carolina customers held any auction rate securities.

On February 3, 2010, a class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against E*TRADE Securities LLC by Joseph Roling on his own behalf and on behalf of all others similarly situated. The lead plaintiff alleges that E*TRADE Securities LLC unlawfully charged and collected certain account activity fees from its customers. Claimant, on behalf of himself and the putative class, asserts breach of contract, unjust enrichment and violation of California Civil Code Section 1671 and seeks equitable and injunctive relief for alleged illegal, unfair and fraudulent practices under California’s Unfair Competition Law, California Business and Professional Code Section 17200 et seq. The plaintiff seeks, among other things, certification of the class action on behalf of alleged similarly situated plaintiffs, unspecified damages and restitution of amounts allegedly wrongfully collected by E*TRADE Securities LLC, attorneys’ fees and expenses and injunctive relief. The Company moved to transfer venue on the case to the Southern District of New York; that motion was denied. The Court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss in part and denied the motion to dismiss in part. The Court bifurcated discovery to permit initial discovery on individual claims and class certification. Following preliminary discovery, Plaintiffs moved to amend their verified complaint for a second time, to assert new allegations and to add a plaintiff. The Company filed its opposition to this motion on December 27, 2011. On March 27, 2012, the Court granted the Company’s motion for summary judgement and granted the Company’s motion to dismiss. However, the Court allowed plaintiffs to seek a new class representative and permitted limited discovery on a narrow issue as to when the fee increase was posted on the Company’s website in 2005. On September 10, 2012, plaintiffs voluntarily withdrew the action with prejudice. The Company paid no consideration for this dismissal, which was endorsed by the Court. There have been no appeals of the Court’s order dismissing the action. This action is now closed.

On July 21, 2010, the Colorado Division of Securities filed an administrative complaint in the Colorado Office of Administrative Courts against E*TRADE Securities LLC based upon purchases of auction rate securities through E*TRADE Securities LLC by Colorado residents. On October 19, 2011, E*TRADE Securities LLC and the Colorado Division of Securities reached an agreement in principle to settle the Colorado proceeding whereby E*TRADE Securities LLC offered to purchase auction rate securities held by Colorado customers who found themselves unable to sell their securities after those securities had been frozen in the broader auction rate securities market. The agreement in principle also included an agreement with the NASAA whereby E*TRADE

 

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Securities LLC offered to purchase auction rate securities purchased through E*TRADE Securities LLC on a nationwide basis and pay a $5 million penalty to be allocated among 48 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands but exclusive of North Carolina and South Carolina with which E*TRADE Securities LLC previously had reached separate settlements. Under the agreement in principle each state will receive its allocated share of the $5 million penalty pursuant to administrative consent cease and desist orders to be entered into by each state. A Consent Order memorializing the agreement in principle as it related to Colorado customers was entered by the Colorado Securities Commissioner on November 16, 2011, and amended on November 23, 2011, whereby E*TRADE Securities LLC, without admitting or denying the underlying allegations, agreed to pay an administrative penalty to Colorado of $84,202, which amount constituted Colorado’s share of the total NASAA state settlement amount of $5 million, and to reimburse the Colorado Division of Securities’ costs associated with the administrative action in the amount of $596,580. Under the terms of the Consent Order, E*TRADE Securities LLC offered to purchase (or offered to arrange a third party to purchase), at par plus accrued and unpaid dividends and interest, from eligible investors nationwide their auction rate securities purchased through E*TRADE Securities LLC, or through an entity acquired by the Company, on or before February 13, 2008, if such auction rate securities had failed at auction at least once since February 13, 2008 (“the Purchase Offer”). E*TRADE Securities LLC also agreed to identify eligible investors who purchased auction rate securities through E*TRADE Securities LLC on or before February 13, 2008, and sold those securities below par between February 13, 2008, and November 16, 2011, and to reimburse those sellers the difference between par value and the actual sales price plus reasonable interest. E*TRADE Securities LLC agreed to hold open the Purchase Offer until May 15, 2012, and to various other undertakings set forth in the Consent Order, including the establishment of a dedicated toll-free telephone assistance line and website to provide information and to respond to questions regarding the Consent Order. As of December 31, 2012, no existing Colorado customers held any auction rate securities, and the total amount of auction rate securities held by E*TRADE Securities LLC customers nationwide was approximately $2.6 million. The Company recorded an estimated liability of $48 million during the year ended December 31, 2011. During the second quarter of 2012, the Company recorded a benefit of $10.2 million related to a reduction in the estimated liability as a result of the completion of the Purchase Offer which expired on May 15, 2012. The estimated liability represented the Company’s estimate of the current fair value relative to par value of auction rate securities held by E*TRADE Securities LLC customers, as well as former customers who purchased auction rate securities through E*TRADE Securities LLC and are covered by the Consent Order. The estimated liability also included penalties and other estimated settlement costs. The agreement included the resolution of all material individual auction rate securities arbitrations and litigations.

On August 24, 2010, the South Carolina Securities Division filed an administrative complaint before the Securities Commissioner of South Carolina against E*TRADE Securities LLC based upon purchases of auction rate securities through E*TRADE Securities LLC by South Carolina residents. The complaint sought to suspend the South Carolina broker-dealer license of E*TRADE Securities LLC until South Carolina customers who purchased auction rate securities through E*TRADE Securities LLC and who wished to liquidate those positions were able to do so, and sought a fine not to exceed $10,000 for each potential violation of South Carolina statutes or rules. On March 25, 2011, E*TRADE Securities LLC, without admitting or denying the underlying allegations, findings or conclusions, resolved the South Carolina administrative action by entering into a consent order, pursuant to which E*TRADE Securities LLC agreed to pay a $10,000 civil penalty and to reimburse the South Carolina Securities Division’s investigative costs of $2,500. As of December 31, 2012, no existing South Carolina customers held any auction rate securities.

On May 16, 2011, Droplets Inc., the holder of two patents pertaining to user interface servers, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against E*TRADE Financial Corporation, E*TRADE Securities LLC, E*TRADE Bank and multiple other unaffiliated financial services firms. Plaintiff contends that the defendants engaged in patent infringement under federal law. Plaintiff seeks unspecified damages and an injunction against future infringements, plus royalties, costs, interest and attorneys’ fees. On September 30, 2011, the Company and several co-defendants filed a motion to transfer the case to the Southern District of New York. Venue discovery occurred throughout December 2011. On January 1, 2012, a new judge

 

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was assigned to the case. On March 28, 2012, a change of venue was granted and the case has been transferred to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The Company filed its answer and counterclaim on June 13, 2012 and plaintiff has moved to dismiss the counterclaim. The Company filed a motion for summary judgment. Plaintiffs sought to change venue back to the Eastern District of Texas on the theory that this case is one of several matters that should be consolidated in a single multi-district litigation. On December 12, 2012, the Multidistrict Litigation Panel denied the transfer of this action to Texas. The Company will defend itself vigorously in this matter.

Several cases have been filed nationwide involving the April 2007 leveraged buyout (“LBO”) of the Tribune Company (“Tribune”) by Sam Zell, and the subsequent bankruptcy of Tribune. In William Niese et al. v. A.G. Edwards et al., in Superior Court of Delaware, New Castle County, former Tribune employees and retirees claimed that Tribune was actually insolvent at the time of the LBO and that the LBO constituted a fraudulent transaction that depleted the plaintiffs’ retirement plans, rendering them worthless. E*TRADE Clearing LLC, along with numerous other financial institutions, is a named defendant in this case, but has not been served with process. One of the defendants removed the action to federal district court in Delaware on July 1, 2011. In Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas et al. v. Adaly Opportunity Fund et al., filed in the Supreme Court of New York, New York County on June 3, 2011, the Trustees of certain notes issued by Tribune allege wrongdoing in connection with the LBO. In particular the Trustees claim that the LBO constituted a constructive fraudulent transfer under various state laws. G1 Execution Services, LLC (formerly known as E*TRADE Capital Markets, LLC), along with numerous other financial institutions, is a named defendant in this case. In Deutsche Bank et al. v. Ohlson et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, noteholders of Tribune asserted claims of constructive fraud and G1 Execution Services, LLC is a named defendant in this case. In EGI-TRB LLC et al. v. ABN-AMRO et al., filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County Illinois, creditors of Tribune assert fraudulent conveyance claims against multiple shareholder defendants and E*TRADE Clearing LLC is a named defendant in this case. There have been several motions filed by various parties to transfer venue and to consolidate these actions. The Company’s time to answer or otherwise respond to the complaints has been stayed pending further orders of the Court. The Court has set a motion schedule for omnibus motion to dismiss to be heard on March 1, 2013. Discovery remains stayed during this period. The Company will defend itself vigorously in these matters.

The Company recently completed a review of order handling practices and pricing for order flow between E*TRADE Securities LLC and G1 Execution Services, LLC (G1X). The purpose of the review was to examine whether E*TRADE Securities LLC was providing “best execution” of customer orders as well as otherwise complying with applicable securities laws and dealing appropriately with its market making affiliate under applicable federal bank regulatory standards. The review was conducted by separate firms of outside broker-dealer and bank regulatory counsel. The firms’ reports identified shortcomings in the Company’s historical methods of measuring best execution quality and suggested additions and changes to the Company’s standards, processes and procedures for measuring execution quality and for monitoring and testing transactions between the Bank and non-Bank affiliates to ensure compliance with relevant regulations. The Company is in the process of implementing the recommended changes, and expects to complete the process in the near future. Banking regulators and federal securities regulators were regularly updated during the course of the review. The Company’s regulators may initiate investigations into its historical practices which could subject it to monetary penalties and cease-and-desist orders, which could also prompt claims by customers of E*TRADE Securities LLC. Any of these actions could materially and adversely affect the Company’s market making and trade execution businesses.

In addition to the matters described above, the Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the normal course of business. In each pending matter, the Company contests liability or the amount of claimed damages. In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of such matters, particularly in cases where claimants seek substantial or indeterminate damages, or where investigation or discovery have yet to be completed, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate a range of possible losses on its remaining

 

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outstanding legal proceedings; however, the Company believes any losses would not be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

An unfavorable outcome in any matter could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, even if the ultimate outcomes are resolved in the Company’s favor, the defense of such litigation could entail considerable cost or the diversion of the efforts of management, either of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company maintains insurance coverage that management believes is reasonable and prudent. The principal insurance coverage it maintains covers commercial general liability; property damage; hardware/software damage; cyber liability; directors and officers; employment practices liability; certain criminal acts against the Company; and errors and omissions. The Company believes that such insurance coverage is adequate for the purpose of its business. The Company’s ability to maintain this level of insurance coverage in the future, however, is subject to the availability of affordable insurance in the marketplace.

 

ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Price Range of Common Stock

The following table shows the high and low sale prices of our common stock as reported by the NASDAQ for the periods indicated:

 

     High      Low  

2012:

     

First Quarter

   $ 11.50      $ 7.77  

Second Quarter

   $ 11.16      $ 7.39  

Third Quarter

   $ 10.09      $ 7.08  

Fourth Quarter

   $ 9.54      $ 7.70  

2011:

     

First Quarter

   $ 18.13      $ 14.60  

Second Quarter

   $ 16.83      $ 13.23  

Third Quarter

   $ 16.66      $ 9.07  

Fourth Quarter

   $ 11.69      $ 7.42  

The closing sale price of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ on February 22, 2013 was $10.84 per share. At that date, there were 1,459 holders of record of our common stock.

Dividends

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. The terms of our corporate debt currently prohibit the payment of dividends and will continue to prohibit the payment of dividends for the foreseeable future. E*TRADE Bank may not pay dividends to the parent company without approval from its regulators. This dividend restriction includes E*TRADE Securities LLC and E*TRADE Clearing LLC as they are subsidiaries of E*TRADE Bank.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

In 2005, the Company adopted and the shareholders approved the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (“2005 Plan”) to replace the 1996 Stock Incentive Plan (“1996 Plan”) which provides for the grant of nonqualified or incentive stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units to officers, directors and certain key employees and consultants for the purchase of newly issued shares of the Company’s common stock at a price determined by the Board at the date of the grant. The Company does not have a specific policy for issuing shares upon stock option exercises and share unit conversions; however, new shares are typically issued in connection with exercises and conversions. The Company intends to continue to issue new shares for future exercises and conversions.

Options are generally exercisable ratably over a two- to four-year period from the date the option is granted and most options expire within seven years from the date of grant. Certain options provide for accelerated vesting upon a change in control. Exercise prices are generally equal to the fair value of the shares on the grant date. As of December 31, 2012, there were 2.4 million shares outstanding related to non-vested stock options with a weighted average exercise price of $68.97.

The Company issues restricted stock awards and restricted stock units to certain employees. Each restricted stock unit can be converted into one share of the Company’s common stock upon vesting. These awards are issued at the fair value on the date of grant and vest ratably over the period, generally two to four years. The fair value is calculated as the market price upon issuance. As of December 31, 2012, there were 3.2 million units outstanding related to non-vested awards.

 

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Under the 2005 Plan, the remaining unissued authorized shares of the 1996 Plan, up to 4.2 million shares, were authorized for issuance. Additionally, any shares that had been awarded but remained unissued under the 1996 Plan that were subsequently canceled, would be authorized for issuance under the 2005 Plan, up to 3.9 million shares. In May 2009 and 2010, an additional 3.0 million and 12.5 million shares, respectively, were authorized for issuance under the 2005 Plan at the Company’s shareholders’ annual meetings in each of those respective years. As of December 31, 2012, 9.8 million shares were available for grant under the 2005 Plan.

Performance Graph

The following performance graph shows the cumulative total return to a holder of the Company’s common stock, assuming dividend reinvestment, compared with the cumulative total return, assuming dividend reinvestment, of the S&P 500, the S&P Composite 1500 Diversified Funds, and the Dow Jones US Financials Index during the period from December 31, 2007 through December 31, 2012.

 

LOGO

 

     12/07      12/08      12/09      12/10      12/11      12/12  

E*TRADE Financial Corporation

     100.00        32.39        49.58        45.07        22.42        25.21  

S&P 500

     100.00        63.00        79.67        91.67        93.61        108.59  

S&P Composite 1500 Diversified Funds

     100.00        46.03        61.52        65.22        46.83        65.17  

Dow Jones US Financials Index

     100.00        49.60        58.09        65.48        57.07        72.39  

 

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ITEM 6.    SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

(Dollars in millions, shares in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Year Ended December 31,     Variance  
     2012     2011      2010     2009     2008     2012 vs. 2011  

Results of Operations:(1)

             

Net operating interest income

   $ 1,085.1      $ 1,220.0      $ 1,226.3     $ 1,260.6     $ 1,268.0       (11 )% 

Total net revenue

   $ 1,899.5      $ 2,036.6      $ 2,077.9     $ 2,217.0     $ 1,925.6       (7 )% 

Provision for loan losses

   $ 354.6      $ 440.6      $ 779.4     $ 1,498.1     $ 1,583.7       (20 )% 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ (112.6   $ 156.7      $ (28.5   $ (1,297.8   $ (809.4     *   

Net income (loss)

   $ (112.6   $ 156.7      $ (28.5   $ (1,297.8   $ (511.8     *   

Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

   $ (0.39   $ 0.59      $ (0.13   $ (11.85   $ (15.88     *   

Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

   $ (0.39   $ 0.54      $ (0.13   $ (11.85   $ (15.88     *   

Basic net earnings (loss) per share

   $ (0.39   $ 0.59      $ (0.13   $ (11.85   $ (10.04     *   

Diluted net earnings (loss) per
share

   $ (0.39   $ 0.54      $ (0.13   $ (11.85   $ (10.04     *   

Weighted average shares—basic

     285,748       267,291        211,302       109,544       50,986       7

Weighted average shares—
diluted

     285,748       289,822        211,302       109,544       50,986       (1 )% 

 

* Percentage not meaningful.
(1) 

In 2008, the Company sold its Canadian brokerage business and exited its direct retail lending business.

(Dollars in millions):

 

     December 31,      Variance  
     2012      2011      2010      2009      2008      2012 vs. 2011  

Financial Condition:

                 

Available-for-sale securities

   $ 13,443.0      $ 15,651.5      $ 14,805.7      $ 13,319.7      $ 10,806.1        (14 )% 

Held-to-maturity securities

   $ 9,539.9      $ 6,079.5      $ 2,462.7      $ —        $ —          57

Margin receivables

   $ 5,804.0      $ 4,826.3      $ 5,120.6      $ 3,827.2      $ 2,791.2        20

Loans receivable, net

   $ 10,098.7      $ 12,332.8      $ 15,121.9      $ 19,167.1      $ 24,451.8        (18 )% 

Total assets

   $ 47,386.7      $ 47,940.5      $ 46,373.0      $ 47,366.5      $ 48,538.2        (1 )% 

Deposits

   $ 28,392.5      $ 26,460.0      $ 25,240.3      $ 25,597.7      $ 26,136.2        7

Corporate debt

                 

Interest-bearing

   $ 1,722.3      $ 1,450.5      $ 1,441.9      $ 1,437.8      $ 2,750.5        19

Non-interest-bearing

   $ 42.7      $ 43.0      $ 704.0      $ 1,020.9      $ —          (1 )% 

Shareholders’ equity

   $ 4,904.5      $ 4,928.0      $ 4,052.4      $ 3,749.6      $ 2,591.5        (0 )% 

 

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    As of or For the Year Ended December 31,     Variance  
    2012     2011     2010     2009     2008     2012 vs. 2011  

Customer Activity Metrics:(1)

           

DARTs

    138,112       157,475       150,532       179,183       169,075       (12 )% 

Average commission per trade

  $ 11.01     $ 11.01     $ 11.21     $ 11.33     $ 10.98       0

Margin receivables (dollars in
billions)

  $ 5.8     $ 4.8     $ 5.1     $ 3.7     $ 2.7       21

End of period brokerage accounts

    2,903,191       2,783,012       2,684,311       2,630,079       2,515,806       4

Net new brokerage accounts

    120,179       98,701       54,232       114,273       142,541       22

Brokerage account attrition rate

    9.0     10.3     12.2     13.2     16.9     *   

Customer assets (dollars in billions)

  $ 201.2     $ 172.4     $ 176.2     $ 150.5     $ 110.1       17

Net new brokerage assets (dollars in billions)

  $ 10.4     $ 9.7     $ 8.1     $ 7.2     $ 3.9       7

Brokerage related cash (dollars in billions)

  $ 33.9     $ 27.7     $ 24.5     $ 20.4     $ 15.8       22

Company Metrics:

           

Corporate cash (dollars in millions)

  $ 407.6     $ 484.4     $ 470.5     $ 393.2     $ 434.9       (16 )% 

E*TRADE Financial Tier 1 leverage ratio

    5.5     5.7     3.6     N/A        N/A        (0.2 )% 

E*TRADE Financial Tier 1 common ratio

    10.3     9.4     4.8     N/A        N/A        0.9

E*TRADE Bank Tier 1 leverage ratio(2)

    8.7     7.8     7.3     6.7     6.3     0.9

Special mention loan delinquencies (dollars in millions)

  $ 342.2     $ 467.1     $ 589.4     $ 804.5     $ 1,035.1       (27 )% 

Allowance for loan losses (dollars in millions)

  $ 480.7     $ 822.8     $ 1,031.2     $ 1,182.7     $ 1,080.6       (42 )% 

Enterprise net interest spread

    2.39     2.79     2.91     2.72     2.52     (0.40 )% 

Enterprise interest-earning assets (average dollars in billions)

  $ 44.3     $ 42.7     $ 41.1     $ 44.5     $ 46.9       4

Total employees (period end)

    2,988       3,240       2,962       3,084       3,249       (8 )% 

 

* Percentage not meaningful.
(1)

Metrics have been represented to exclude activity from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2008, and international local market trading for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.

(2)

The Company transitioned from reporting under the OTS reporting requirements to reporting under the OCC reporting requirements in the first quarter of 2012. The Tier 1 leverage ratio is the OCC Tier 1 leverage ratio as of December 31, 2012 and the OTS Tier 1 capital ratio at December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008. The OTS Tier 1 capital ratio and OCC Tier 1 leverage ratio are both calculated in the same manner using adjusted total assets.

The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this document.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

In analyzing and discussing our business, we utilize certain metrics, ratios and other terms that are defined in the Glossary of Terms, which is located at the end of Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

OVERVIEW

Strategy

Our core business is our trading and investing customer franchise. Building on the strengths of this franchise, our strategy is focused on:

 

   

Strengthening our overall financial and franchise position. We are focused on achieving a more efficient distribution of capital between our regulated entities, improving capital ratios by reducing risk, deleveraging the balance sheet and reducing costs, and enhancing our enterprise-wide risk management culture and capabilities.

 

   

Improving our market position in our retail brokerage business. We plan to accelerate the growth in our customer franchise and to continue enhancing the customer experience.

 

   

Capitalizing on the value of our complementary brokerage businesses. Our corporate services and market making businesses enhance our strategy by allowing us to realize additional economic benefit from our retail brokerage business.

 

   

Enhancing our position in retirement and investing. We believe growing our retirement and investing products and services is key to our long term success. Our primary focus is to expand the reach of our brand along with the awareness of our products to this key customer segment.

 

   

Continuing to manage and de-risk the Bank. We are focused on optimizing the value of customer deposits, while continuing to mitigate credit losses in our loan portfolio, and improving the Bank’s risk profile. In addition, we do not plan to offer new banking products to customers, including mortgages.

Key Factors Affecting Financial Performance

Our financial performance is affected by a number of factors outside of our control, including:

 

   

customer demand for financial products and services;

 

   

weakness or strength of the residential real estate and credit markets;

 

   

performance, volume and volatility of the equity and capital markets;

 

   

customer perception of the financial strength of our franchise;

 

   

market demand and liquidity in the secondary market for mortgage loans and securities;

 

   

market demand and liquidity in the wholesale borrowings market, including securities sold under agreements to repurchase;

 

   

our ability to obtain regulatory approval to move capital from our bank to our parent company; and

 

   

changes to the rules and regulations governing the financial services industry.

 

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In addition to the items noted above, our success in the future will depend upon, among other things, our ability to:

 

   

have continued success in the acquisition, growth and retention of brokerage customers;

 

   

generate meaningful growth in the retirement and investing customer group;

 

   

strengthen our risk management capabilities;

 

   

reduce credit costs and the size of the balance sheet;

 

   

generate capital sufficient to meet our operating needs at both our bank and our parent company;

 

   

assess and manage interest rate risk; and

 

   

have disciplined expense control and improved operational efficiency.

Management monitors a number of metrics in evaluating the Company’s performance. The most significant of these are shown in the table and discussed in the text below:

 

      As of or For the
Year Ended December 31,
    Variance  
     2012     2011     2010     2012 vs. 2011  

Customer Activity Metrics:

        

DARTs

     138,112       157,475       150,532       (12 )% 

Average commission per trade

   $ 11.01     $ 11.01     $ 11.21       0

Margin receivables (dollars in billions)

   $ 5.8     $ 4.8     $ 5.1       21

End of period brokerage accounts

     2,903,191       2,783,012       2,684,311       4

Net new brokerage accounts

     120,179       98,701       54,232       22

Brokerage account attrition rate

     9.0     10.3     12.2     *   

Customer assets (dollars in billions)

   $ 201.2     $ 172.4     $ 176.2       17

Net new brokerage assets (dollars in billions)

   $ 10.4     $ 9.7     $ 8.1       7

Brokerage related cash (dollars in billions)

   $ 33.9     $ 27.7     $ 24.5       22

Company Financial Metrics:

        

Corporate cash (dollars in millions)

   $ 407.6     $ 484.4     $ 470.5       (16 )% 

E*TRADE Financial Tier 1 leverage ratio

     5.5     5.7     3.6     (0.2 )% 

E*TRADE Financial Tier 1 common ratio

     10.3     9.4     4.8     0.9

E*TRADE Bank Tier 1 leverage ratio(1)

     8.7     7.8     7.3     0.9

Special mention loan delinquencies (dollars in millions)

   $ 342.2     $ 467.1     $ 589.4       (27 )% 

Allowance for loan losses (dollars in millions)

   $ 480.7     $ 822.8     $ 1,031.2       (42 )% 

Enterprise net interest spread

     2.39     2.79     2.91     (0.40 )% 

Enterprise interest-earning assets (average dollars in billions)

   $ 44.3     $ 42.7     $ 41.1       4

 

* Percentage not meaningful.
(1) 

The Company transitioned from reporting under the OTS reporting requirements to reporting under the OCC reporting requirements in the first quarter of 2012. The Tier 1 leverage ratio is the OCC Tier 1 leverage ratio as of December 31, 2012 and the OTS Tier 1 capital ratio at December 31, 2011 and 2010. The OTS Tier 1 capital ratio and OCC Tier 1 leverage ratio are both calculated in the same manner using adjusted total assets.

Customer Activity Metrics

 

   

DARTs are the predominant driver of commissions revenue from our customers.

 

   

Average commission per trade is an indicator of changes in our customer mix, product mix and/or product pricing.

 

   

Margin receivables represent credit extended to customers to finance their purchases of securities by borrowing against securities they own. Margin receivables are a key driver of net operating interest income.

 

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End of period brokerage accounts, net new brokerage accounts and brokerage account attrition rate are indicators of our ability to attract and retain brokerage customers. The brokerage account attrition rate is calculated by dividing attriting brokerage accounts, which are gross new brokerage accounts less net new brokerage accounts, by total brokerage accounts at the previous period end.

 

   

Changes in customer assets are an indicator of the value of our relationship with the customer. An increase in customer assets generally indicates that the use of our products and services by existing and new customers is expanding. Changes in this metric are also driven by changes in the valuations of our customers’ underlying securities.

 

   

Net new brokerage assets are total inflows to all new and existing brokerage accounts less total outflows from all closed and existing brokerage accounts and are a general indicator of the use of our products and services by existing and new brokerage customers.

 

   

Brokerage related cash is an indicator of the level of engagement with our brokerage customers and is a key driver of net operating interest income.

Company Financial Metrics

 

   

Corporate cash is an indicator of the liquidity at the parent company. It is the primary source of capital above and beyond the capital deployed in our regulated subsidiaries.

 

   

E*TRADE Financial Tier 1 leverage ratio is Tier 1 capital divided by average total assets for leverage capital purposes for the parent company. E*TRADE Financial Tier 1 common ratio is Tier 1 capital less elements of Tier 1 capital that are not in the form of common equity, such as trust preferred securities, divided by total risk-weighted assets for the holding company. The Tier 1 leverage and Tier 1 common ratios are non-GAAP measures as the parent company is not yet held to these regulatory capital requirements and are indications of E*TRADE Financial’s capital adequacy. See Liquidity and Capital Resources for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the comparable GAAP measures.

 

   

E*TRADE Bank Tier 1 leverage ratio is Tier 1 capital divided by adjusted total assets for E*TRADE Bank and is an indication of E*TRADE Bank’s capital adequacy.

 

   

Special mention loan delinquencies are loans 30-89 days past due and are an indicator of the expected trend for charge-offs in future periods as these loans have a greater propensity to migrate into nonaccrual status and ultimately charge-off.

 

   

Allowance for loan losses is an estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date and is typically equal to management’s forecast of loan losses in the twelve months following the balance sheet date as well as the forecasted losses, including economic concessions to borrowers, over the estimated remaining life of loans modified as troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”). See Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates for a discussion of the estimates and assumptions used in the allowance for loan losses.

 

   

Enterprise interest-earning assets, in conjunction with our enterprise net interest spread, are indicators of our ability to generate net operating interest income.

Significant Events in 2012

Extinguishment of High Cost Senior Notes

 

   

During the fourth quarter, we issued an aggregate principal amount of $505 million of 6% senior notes due November 2017 and $800 million of 6  3/8% senior notes due November 2019. We used the proceeds to redeem all of the 12 1/2% Springing lien notes due November 2017 and 7 7/8% senior notes due December 2015, including paying the associated redemption premiums, accrued interest and related fees and expenses. This transaction will result in an annual after-tax savings of approximately $60 million.

 

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Submission of Our Strategic and Capital Plan

 

   

We submitted a long-term strategic and capital plan to the OCC and Federal Reserve, which included: our five-year business strategy; forecasts of our business results and capital ratios; capital distribution plans in current and adverse operating conditions; and internally developed stress tests.

Enhancements to Our Trading and Investing Products and Services

 

   

We launched E*TRADE 360, a fully dynamic and customizable online investing dashboard now available to all customers including real-time streaming quotes to all customers;

 

   

We launched our redesigned public website featuring simplified navigation, personalization based on objectives and experience levels and enhanced content;

 

   

We launched OneStop Rollover, an online program to simplify the process for individuals to invest their 401(k) savings from a previous employer into a professionally-managed portfolio;

 

   

We introduced E*TRADE FX, a no-fee platform enabling customers to trade 56 currency pairs with the additional support of advanced charting, news and analysis, access to Forex Trading Specialists, and paper trading;

 

   

We redesigned our Bond Resource Center, which offers streamlined access to news, education, intuitive screeners to select individual bonds, and tools to help customers build out their fixed income portfolio;

 

   

We enhanced our E*TRADE Pro platform by adding new tools including a trading ladder, advanced charting capabilities, redesigned strategy scanning tools and other changes to simplify the overall user experience for active traders;

 

   

We launched voice recognition on E*TRADE Mobile for the iPhone®, which allows customers to verbally prompt stock quotes, news and options chains, navigate to their portfolios and launch a stock order ticket;

 

   

We launched a voluntary program that enables customers to donate small or unwanted shareholdings to a charitable organization, ShareGift USA;

 

   

We continued to offer investor education comprising seminars, webinars and videos, both live and on-demand;

 

   

We launched a number of online resources to assist clients with investing including the investing insights center with thematic investing education, videos and products, as well as Managed Accounts and Guidance pages; and

 

   

We opened two new branches, Cupertino, California and New York, New York, which increased our total network to 30 branches.

Market Recognition

 

   

We were ranked the nation’s #1 online broker by Kiplinger’s magazine, receiving a five star rating in both the customer service and investment choices categories; and

 

   

Our corporate services business received top-ratings in overall satisfaction for our commercial administration systems, plan reporting and technology platform by Group Five, an independent consulting and research firm, in their 2012 Stock Plan Administration Study Industry Report.

 

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EARNINGS OVERVIEW

2012 Compared to 2011

We incurred a net loss of $112.6 million, or $(0.39) per diluted share, on total net revenue of $1.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012. The net loss for the year ended December 31, 2012 was primarily the result of losses of $256.9 million from the early extinguishment of all the 12 1/2% Springing lien notes and 7 7/8% Notes during 2012.

Net operating interest income decreased 11% to $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011, which was driven primarily by a decrease in enterprise net interest spread during 2012. Commissions, fees and service charges, principal transactions and other revenue decreased 11% to $630.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to 2011, which was driven primarily by a decrease in trading activity during 2012. In addition, gains on loans and securities, net increased 67% to $200.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. We recognized additional gains from securities sold as a result of our continued deleveraging efforts, primarily related to a reduction in wholesale funding obligations, which resulted in losses on early extinguishment of debt of $78.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2012.

Provision for loan losses declined 20% to $354.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. The decline was driven primarily by improving credit trends and loan portfolio run-off, offset by an increase of $50 million related to charge-offs associated with newly identified bankruptcy filings during the third quarter of 2012. Total operating expenses decreased 6% to $1.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. This decrease was driven primarily by decreases in clearing and servicing and other operating expenses, partially offset by an increase in compensation and benefits expense for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The following sections describe in detail the changes in key operating factors and other changes and events that affected net revenue, provision for loan losses, operating expense, other income (expense) and income tax expense (benefit).

Revenue

The components of revenue and the resulting variances are as follows (dollars in millions):

 

                 Variance  
     Year Ended December 31,     2012 vs. 2011  
             2012                 2011         Amount     %  

Net operating interest income

   $ 1,085.1     $ 1,220.0     $ (134.9     (11 )% 

Commissions

     377.8       436.2       (58.4     (13 )% 

Fees and service charges

     122.2       130.4       (8.2     (6 )% 

Principal transactions

     93.1       105.4       (12.3     (12 )% 

Gains on loans and securities, net

     200.4       120.2       80.2       67

Net impairment

     (16.9     (14.9     (2.0     *   

Other revenues

     37.8       39.3       (1.5     (4 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total non-interest income

     814.4       816.6       (2.2     (0 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total net revenue

   $       1,899.5     $ 2,036.6     $ (137.1     (7 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

* Percentage not meaningful.

Net Operating Interest Income

Net operating interest income decreased 11% to $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. Net operating interest income is earned primarily through investing customer cash and deposits in enterprise interest-earning assets, which include: real estate loans, margin receivables, available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities.

 

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The following tables present enterprise average balance sheet data and enterprise income and expense data for our operations, as well as the related net interest spread, yields and rates and have been prepared on the basis required by the SEC’s Industry Guide 3, “Statistical Disclosure by Bank Holding Companies” (dollars in millions):

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2012     2011     2010  
    Average
Balance
    Operating
Interest
Inc./Exp.
    Average
Yield/
Cost
    Average
Balance
    Operating
Interest
Inc./Exp.
    Average
Yield/
Cost
    Average
Balance
    Operating
Interest
Inc./Exp.
    Average
Yield/
Cost
 

Enterprise interest-earning assets:

                 

Loans(1)

  $ 12,027.6      $ 496.4       4.13   $ 14,689.8     $ 692.1       4.71   $ 18,302.2     $ 879.0       4.80

Available-for-sale securities

    15,236.9       361.1       2.37     15,326.5       422.5       2.76     13,275.9       387.5       2.92

Held-to-maturity securities

    8,408.9       237.0       2.82     4,177.1       136.9       3.28     1,085.8       35.9       3.31

Margin receivables

    5,471.2       216.1       3.95     5,374.8       221.7       4.13     4,532.5       200.3       4.42

Cash and equivalents

    1,668.3       3.6       0.21     1,618.9       3.2       0.20     2,414.3       5.4       0.22

Segregated cash

    956.0       0.7       0.08     915.6       0.9       0.10     857.1       1.9       0.22

Securities borrowed and other

    577.2       48.7       8.43     620.9       48.8       7.85     662.9       29.4       4.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total enterprise interest-earning assets

    44,346.1       1,363.6       3.07     42,723.6       1,526.1       3.57     41,130.7       1,539.4       3.74
   

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

   

Non-operating interest-earning and non-interest earning assets(2)

    5,068.9           4,339.5           4,395.1      
 

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

     

Total assets

  $ 49,415.0         $ 47,063.1         $ 45,525.8      
 

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

     

Enterprise interest-bearing liabilities:

                 

Deposits:

                 

Sweep Deposits

  $ 20,776.0        14.7       0.07   $ 17,513.1       13.4       0.08   $ 14,014.4       10.1       0.07

Complete savings deposits

    5,389.1       3.6       0.07     6,174.4       16.1       0.26     7,577.0       28.6       0.38

Other money market and savings deposits

    1,015.8       0.7       0.07     1,071.5       2.5       0.23     1,114.6       2.8       0.25

Checking deposits

    890.4       0.7       0.08     783.2       0.8       0.10     761.9       0.9       0.11

Certificates of deposit

    166.0       4.4       2.59     319.5       10.0       3.13     910.6       20.4       2.24

Customer payables

    5,648.4       10.4       0.18     5,456.3       8.6       0.16     4,713.2       7.0       0.15

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

    4,775.1       158.5       3.32     5,417.2       153.1       2.83     6,154.3       129.6       2.11

Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances and other borrowings

    2,464.9       92.6       3.76     2,741.1       106.2       3.87     2,754.3       119.3       4.33

Securities loaned and other

    676.0       0.3       0.04     634.8       1.5       0.23     622.4       1.6       0.26
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total enterprise interest-bearing liabilities

    41,801.7       285.9       0.68     40,111.1       312.2       0.78     38,622.7       320.3       0.83
   

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

   

Non-operating interest-bearing and non-interest bearing liabilities(3)

    2,580.0           2,285.9           2,876.4      
 

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

     

Total liabilities

    44,381.7           42,397.0           41,499.1      

Total shareholders’ equity

    5,033.3           4,666.1           4,026.7      
 

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

     

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

  $ 49,415.0         $ 47,063.1         $ 45,525.8      
 

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

     

Excess of enterprise interest-earning assets over enterprise interest-bearing liabilities/Enterprise net interest income/Spread

  $ 2,544.4      $ 1,077.7       2.39   $ 2,612.5     $ 1,213.9       2.79   $ 2,508.0     $ 1,219.1       2.91
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Reconciliation from enterprise net interest income to net operating interest income (dollars in millions):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Enterprise net interest income

   $ 1,077.7      $ 1,213.9     $ 1,219.1  

Taxable equivalent interest adjustment

     (1.1     (1.2     (1.2

Customer cash held by third parties and other(4)

     8.5       7.3       8.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net operating interest income

   $ 1,085.1      $ 1,220.0     $ 1,226.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Nonaccrual loans are included in the average loan balances. Interest payments received on nonaccrual loans are recognized on a cash basis in operating interest income until it is doubtful that full payment will be collected, at which point payments are applied to principal.

(2) 

Non-operating interest-earning and non-interest earning assets consist of certain segregated cash balances, property and equipment, net, goodwill, other intangibles, net and other assets that do not generate operating interest income. Some of these assets generate corporate interest income.

(3) 

Non-operating interest-bearing and non-interest bearing liabilities consist of corporate debt and other liabilities that do not generate operating interest expense. Some of these liabilities generate corporate interest expense.

(4) 

Includes revenue earned on average customer assets of $4.3 billion, $3.7 billion and $3.1 billion for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, held by third parties outside the Company, including money market funds and sweep deposit accounts at unaffiliated financial institutions.

 

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     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Enterprise net interest:

      

Spread

     2.39     2.79     2.91

Margin (net yield on interest-earning assets)

     2.43     2.84     2.96

Ratio of enterprise interest-earning assets to enterprise interest-bearing liabilities

     106.09     106.51     106.49

Return on average:

      

Total assets

     (0.23 )%      0.33     (0.06 )% 

Total shareholders’ equity

     (2.24 )%      3.36     (0.71 )% 

Average total shareholders’ equity to average total assets

     10.19     9.91     8.84

The fluctuation in enterprise interest-earning assets is driven primarily by changes in enterprise interest-bearing liabilities, specifically customer cash and deposits. Average enterprise interest-earning assets increased 4% to $44.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. This was primarily a result of the increases in average held-to-maturity securities, offset by a decrease in average loans.

Average enterprise interest-bearing liabilities increased 4% to $41.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. The increase in average enterprise interest-bearing liabilities was due primarily to an increase in average deposits offset by a decrease in average securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

Enterprise net interest spread decreased by 40 basis points to 2.39% for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011, due primarily to lower yields on loans and the impact of the interest rate environment, which remains challenging. We expect enterprise net interest spread will continue to compress in 2013 and anticipate a decrease of approximately 10 basis points from 2012; however, enterprise net interest spread may further fluctuate based on the size and mix of the balance sheet, as well as the impact from the level of interest rates.

Commissions

Commissions revenue decreased 13% to $377.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. The main factors that affect commissions are DARTs, average commission per trade and the number of trading days during the period. Average commission per trade is impacted by customer mix and the different commission rates on various trade types (e.g. equities, options, fixed income, stock plan, exchange-traded funds, mutual funds, forex and cross border). Accordingly, changes in the mix of trade types will impact average commission per trade.

DART volume decreased 12% to 138,112 for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. Option-related DARTs as a percentage of total DARTs represented 24% of trading volume for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 20% in 2011. Exchange-traded funds-related DARTs as a percentage of total DARTs represented 8% of trading volume for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 11% in 2011. Average commission per trade was $11.01 for both years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

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Fees and Service Charges

Fees and service charges decreased 6% to $122.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. The table below shows the components of fees and service charges and the resulting variances (dollars in millions):

 

            Variance  
     Year Ended December 31,      2012 vs. 2011  
         2012              2011          Amount     %  

Order flow revenue

   $ 58.4      $ 59.1      $ (0.7     (1 )% 

Mutual fund service fees

     16.4        15.7        0.7       4

Foreign exchange revenue

     10.3        11.0        (0.7     (6 )% 

Reorganization fees

     7.7        13.4        (5.7     (43 )% 

Advisor management fees

     6.4        4.4        2.0       45

Other fees and service charges

     23.0        26.8        (3.8     (14 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total fees and service charges

   $ 122.2      $ 130.4      $ (8.2     (6 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

The decrease in fees and services charges for the year ended December 31, 2012 was driven primarily by lower reorganization fee revenue in 2012 related to a large public company reorganization in the second quarter of 2011, and by a decline in other fees and service charges due to decreased customer activity.

Principal Transactions

Principal transactions decreased 12% to $93.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. Principal transactions are derived from our market making business in which we act as a market-maker for our brokerage customers’ orders as well as orders from third party customers. The decrease in principal transactions revenue was driven primarily by a decrease in trading volume, partially offset by an increase in average revenue per share earned.

Gains on Loans and Securities, Net

Gains on loans and securities, net increased 67% to $200.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. We recognized additional gains from securities sold as a result of our continued deleveraging efforts, primarily related to a reduction in wholesale funding obligations, which resulted in losses on early extinguishment of debt of $78.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2012. The table below shows the activity and resulting variances (dollars in millions):

 

           Variance  
     Year Ended December 31,     2012 vs. 2011  
         2012             2011         Amount     %  

Gains on loans, net

   $ 0.6     $ 0.1     $ 0.5        *   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gains on available-for-sale securities, net

     207.3       124.4       82.9       67

Losses on trading securities, net

     (0.3     (1.9     1.6        *   

Hedge ineffectiveness

     (7.2     (2.4     (4.8     *   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gains on securities, net

     199.8       120.1       79.7       66
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gains on loans and securities, net

   $ 200.4     $ 120.2     $ 80.2       67
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

* Percentage not meaningful.

 

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Net Impairment

We recognized $16.9 million and $14.9 million of net impairment during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, on certain securities in our non-agency CMO portfolio due to continued deterioration in the expected credit performance of the underlying loans in those specific securities. The gross other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) and the noncredit portion of OTTI, which was or had been previously recorded through other comprehensive income (loss), are shown in the table below (dollars in millions):

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
    
         2012             2011      

Other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”)

   $ (19.8   $ (9.2

Less: noncredit portion of OTTI recognized into (out of) other comprehensive income (loss) (before tax)

     2.9       (5.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net impairment

   $ (16.9)      $ (14.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for Loan Losses

Provision for loan losses decreased 20% to $354.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. The decrease in provision for loan losses was driven primarily by improving credit trends, as evidenced by the lower levels of delinquent loans in the one- to four-family and home equity loan portfolios, and loan portfolio run-off. The decrease was partially offset by $50 million in charge-offs associated with newly identified bankruptcy filings during the third quarter of 2012, with approximately 80% related to prior years. We utilize third party loan servicers to obtain bankruptcy data on our borrowers and during the third quarter of 2012, we identified an increase in bankruptcies reported by one specific servicer. In researching this increase, we discovered that the servicer had not been reporting historical bankruptcy data on a timely basis. As a result, we implemented an enhanced procedure around all servicer reporting to corroborate bankruptcy reporting with independent third party data. Through this additional process, approximately $90 million of loans were identified in which servicers failed to report the bankruptcy filing to us, approximately 90% of which were current at the end of the third quarter of 2012. As a result, these loans were written down to the estimated current value of the underlying property less estimated selling costs, or approximately $40 million, during the third quarter of 2012. These charge-offs resulted in an increase to provision for loan losses of $50 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The provision for loan losses has declined four consecutive years, down 78% from its peak of $1.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2008. We expect provision for loan losses to continue to decline over the long term, although it is subject to variability in any given quarter.

 

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Operating Expense

The components of operating expense and the resulting variances are as follows (dollars in millions):

 

            Variance  
     Year Ended December 31,      2012 vs. 2011  
         2012              2011          Amount     %  

Compensation and benefits

   $ 352.7      $ 333.6      $ 19.1       6

Advertising and market development

     139.5        145.2        (5.7     (4 )% 

Clearing and servicing

     128.6        147.1        (18.5     (13 )% 

FDIC insurance premiums

     117.2        105.4        11.8       11

Professional services

     86.3        89.7        (3.4     (4 )% 

Occupancy and equipment

     74.4        68.8        5.6       8

Communications

     73.1        67.3        5.8       8

Depreciation and amortization

     90.6        89.6        1.0       1

Amortization of other intangibles

     25.2        26.2        (1.0     (4 )% 

Facility restructuring and other exit activities

     7.7        7.7        —         0

Other operating expenses

     66.8        154.3        (87.5     (57 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total operating expense

   $ 1,162.1      $ 1,234.9      $ (72.8     (6 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits increased 6% to $352.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. The increase resulted primarily from $13 million in severance associated with the departure of our former Chief Executive Officer that was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2012.

Clearing and Servicing

Clearing and servicing decreased 13% to $128.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. These decreases resulted primarily from lower trading volumes and lower loan balances compared to 2011.

FDIC Insurance Premiums

FDIC insurance premiums increased 11% to $117.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2012 was due primarily to the new FDIC insurance premium assessment calculation, effective in the second quarter of 2011.

Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses decreased 57% to $66.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. The decrease was driven primarily by an estimated liability of $48 million related to an offer to purchase auction rate securities from eligible holders recorded in 2011. The costs of this program, which expired on May 15, 2012, were approximately $10.2 million less than our previous estimate and a $10.2 million benefit was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2012. In addition, there was a decrease in expenses related to real estate owned (“REO”) and repossessed assets for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011.

 

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Other Income (Expense)

Other income (expense) increased 192% to $513.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011 as shown in the following table (dollars in millions):

 

           Variance  
     Year Ended December 31,     2012 vs. 2011  
         2012             2011         Amount     %  

Corporate interest income

   $ 0.1     $ 0.7     $ (0.6     *   

Corporate interest expense

     (179.9     (177.8     (2.1     1

Gains (losses) on early extinguishment of debt:

        

Corporate debt

     (256.9     3.1       (260.0     *   

Wholesale borrowings

     (78.3     —         (78.3     *   

Equity in income (loss) of investments and venture funds

     1.3       (1.8     3.1        *   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total other income (expense)

   $ (513.7   $ (175.8   $ (337.9     192
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

* Percentage not meaningful.

Total other income (expense) included corporate interest expense on interest-bearing corporate debt for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. Corporate interest expense increased 1% to $179.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011.

In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2012, $256.9 million in losses on early extinguishment of corporate debt were recorded, as a result of the early extinguishment of all of the 12 1/2% Springing lien notes and 7 7/8% Notes during 2012. We also had $78.3 million in losses on early extinguishment of wholesale borrowings as a result of the early extinguishment of approximately $1.1 billion in wholesale borrowings during 2012. During the year ended December 31, 2011, we had $3.1 million in gains on early extinguishment of debt related to the call of the 7 3/8% senior notes due September 2013 (“7 3/8% Notes”) in the second quarter of 2011.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

Income tax benefit was $(18.4) million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to tax expense of $28.6 million in 2011. The effective tax rate was (14.0)% for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 15.4% in 2011.

During the first quarter of 2012, we recorded an income tax benefit of $26.3 million related to certain losses on the 2009 Debt Exchange that were previously considered non-deductible. Through additional research completed in the first quarter of 2012, we identified that a portion of those losses were incorrectly treated as non-deductible in 2009 and were deductible for tax purposes. The $26.3 million tax benefit resulted in a corresponding increase to the net deferred tax asset.

In November 2012, California voters approved Proposition 39, which requires most multistate taxpayers to use a sales factor-only apportionment formula, combined with market–based sourcing for sales, other than sales of tangible personal property, effective for years beginning on or after January 1, 2013. As a result, the overall California apportionment for the company’s unitary group decreased significantly and we expect this will decrease our taxable income in California in future periods. As a result, we no longer expect to utilize net operating losses in California and we recognized tax expense of $25.1 million consisting of establishing valuation allowances for California net operating losses, research and development credits and other deferred tax assets.

During the third quarter of 2011, we recorded an income tax benefit of $61.7 million related to the taxable liquidation of a European subsidiary. The subsidiary was liquidated for U.S. tax purposes in connection with our

 

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international restructuring activities. This liquidation resulted in the taxable recognition of certain losses, including historical acquisition premiums that we incurred internationally. This tax benefit resulted in a corresponding increase to the net deferred tax asset.

Valuation Allowance

The net deferred tax asset was $1,416.2 million and $1,578.7 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We are required to establish a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and record a charge to income if we determine, based on available evidence at the time the determination is made, that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. If we did conclude that a valuation allowance was required, the resulting loss could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. For the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, we were no longer in a cumulative book loss position. As of December 31, 2012, we did not establish a valuation allowance against federal deferred tax assets as we believe that it is more likely than not that all of these assets will be realized. Approximately half of existing federal deferred tax assets are not related to net operating losses and therefore, have no expiration date. We expect to utilize the vast majority of the existing federal deferred tax assets within the next six years.

Our evaluation of the need for a valuation allowance focused on identifying significant, objective evidence that we will be able to realize the deferred tax assets in the future. We determined that our expectations regarding future earnings are objectively verifiable due to various factors. One factor is the consistent profitability of the core business, the trading and investing segment, which has generated substantial income for each of the last nine years, including through uncertain economic and regulatory environments. The core business is driven by brokerage customer activity and includes trading, brokerage cash, margin lending, retirement and investing, and other brokerage related activities. These activities drive variable expenses that correlate to the volume of customer activity, which has resulted in stable, ongoing profitability in this business.

Another factor is the mitigation of losses in the balance sheet management segment, which generated a large net operating loss in 2007 caused by the crisis in the residential real estate and credit markets. Much of this loss came from the sale of the asset-backed securities portfolio and credit losses from the mortgage loan portfolio. We no longer hold any of those asset-backed securities and shut down mortgage loan acquisition activities in 2007. In effect, the key business activities that led to the generation of the deferred tax assets were shut down over five years ago. As a result, the losses have continued to decline significantly and the balance sheet management segment became profitable in 2012. In addition, we continue to realize the benefit of various credit loss mitigation activities for the mortgage loans purchased in 2007 and prior, most notably, actively reducing or closing unused home equity lines of credit and aggressively exercising put-back clauses to sell back improperly documented loans to the originators. As a result of these loss containment measures, provision for loan losses has declined for four consecutive years, down 78% from its peak of $1.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2008.

We maintain a valuation allowance for certain of our state deferred tax assets as it is more likely than not that they will not be realized. At December 31, 2012, we had state deferred tax assets of approximately $136.5 million that related to our state net operating loss carry forwards and temporary differences with a valuation allowance of $52.2 million against such deferred tax assets.

Tax Ownership Change

During the third quarter of 2009, we exchanged $1.7 billion principal amount of interest-bearing debt for an equal principal amount of non-interest-bearing convertible debentures. Subsequent to the 2009 Debt Exchange, $592.3 million and $128.7 million debentures were converted into 57.2 million and 12.5 million shares of common stock during the third and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively. As a result of these conversions, we believe we experienced a tax ownership change during the third quarter of 2009.

 

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As of the date of the ownership change, we had federal NOLs available to carry forward of approximately $1,886.3 million. This amount includes $479.7 million in federal NOLs that were recorded in the third quarter of 2012 due to amended tax returns we filed that related primarily to additional tax deductions on the 2009 Debt Exchange and additional tax losses on bad debts. Section 382 imposes an annual limitation on the use of a corporation’s NOLs, certain recognized built-in losses and other carryovers after an “ownership change” occurs. Section 382 rules governing when a change in ownership occurs are complex and subject to interpretation; however, an ownership change generally occurs when there has been a cumulative change in the stock ownership of a corporation by certain “5% shareholders” of more than 50 percentage points over a rolling three-year period.

Section 382 imposes an annual limitation on the amount of post-ownership change taxable income a corporation may offset with pre-ownership change NOLs. In general, the annual limitation is determined by multiplying the value of the corporation’s stock immediately before the ownership change (subject to certain adjustments) by the applicable long-term tax-exempt rate. Any unused portion of the annual limitation is available for use in future years until such NOLs are scheduled to expire (in general, NOLs may be carried forward 20 years). In addition, the limitation may, under certain circumstances, be increased or decreased by built-in gains or losses, respectively, which may be present with respect to assets held at the time of the ownership change that are recognized in the five-year period (one-year for loans) after the ownership change. The use of NOLs arising after the date of an ownership change would not be affected unless a corporation experienced an additional ownership change in a future period.

We believe the tax ownership change will extend the period of time it will take to fully utilize our pre-ownership change NOLs, but will not limit the total amount of pre-ownership change federal NOLs we can utilize. Our updated estimate is that we will be subject to an overall annual limitation on the use of our pre-ownership change NOLs of approximately $194 million. The overall pre-ownership change federal NOLs, which were approximately $1,886.3 million, have a statutory carry forward period of 20 years (the majority of which expire in 15 years). As a result, we believe we will be able to fully utilize these NOLs in future periods.

Our ability to utilize the pre-ownership change NOLs is dependent on our ability to generate sufficient taxable income over the duration of the carry forward periods and will not be impacted by our ability or inability to generate taxable income in an individual year.

2011 Compared to 2010

We generated net income of $156.7 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, on total revenue of $2.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011. Commissions, fees and service charges, principal transactions and other revenue decreased 2% to $711.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010, which was driven by the elimination of all account activity fees, which took effect in the second quarter of 2010. In addition, gains on loans and securities, net and net impairment decreased 18% to $105.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010.

Provision for loan losses declined 43% to $440.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010, driven by improving credit trends and loan portfolio run-off. Total operating expense increased 8% to $1.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. This increase was driven primarily by increases in advertising and market development expense, FDIC insurance premiums and other operating expenses during the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

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The following sections describe in detail the changes in key operating factors and other changes and events that affected net revenue, provision for loan losses, operating expense, other income (expense) and income tax expense (benefit).

Revenue

The components of revenue and the resulting variances are as follows (dollars in millions):

 

                 Variance  
     Year Ended December 31,     2011 vs. 2010  
     2011     2010     Amount     %  

Net operating interest income

   $ 1,220.0     $ 1,226.3     $ (6.3     (1 )% 

Commissions

     436.2       431.0       5.2       1

Fees and service charges

     130.4       142.4       (12.0     (8 )% 

Principal transactions

     105.4       103.4       2.0       2

Gains on loans and securities, net

     120.2       166.2       (46.0     (28 )% 

Net impairment

     (14.9     (37.7     22.8       (60 )% 

Other revenues

     39.3       46.3       (7.0     (15 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total non-interest income

     816.6       851.6       (35.0     (4 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total net revenue

   $ 2,036.6     $ 2,077.9     $ (41.3     (2 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net Operating Interest Income

Net operating interest income decreased 1% to $1.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. Average enterprise interest-earning assets increased 4% to $42.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. This was primarily a result of the increases in average margin receivables and average available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities, offset by decreases in average loans and average cash and equivalents.

Average enterprise interest-bearing liabilities increased 4% to $40.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The increase in average enterprise interest-bearing liabilities was primarily due to increases in average sweep deposits and average customer payables, offset by a decrease in average securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

Enterprise net interest spread decreased by 12 basis points to 2.79% for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010, reflecting yields on average enterprise interest-earning assets and the interest rate environment.

Commissions

Commissions revenue increased 1% to $436.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. DART volume increased 5% to 157,475 for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared 2010. Option-related DARTs as a percentage of total DARTs represented 20% of trading volume for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 17% in 2010. Exchange-traded funds-related DARTs as a percentage of total DARTs represented 11% of trading volume for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 10% in 2010.

Average commission per trade decreased 2% to $11.01 for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The decrease was driven by a change in customer mix; specifically customers who have a higher commission per trade traded less during the year compared to active trader customers, who generally have lower commissions per trade, when compared to 2010.

 

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Fees and Service Charges

Fees and service charges decreased 8% to $130.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The table below shows the components of fees and service charges and the resulting variances (dollars in millions):

 

            Variance  
     Year Ended December 31,      2011 vs. 2010  
           2011                  2010            Amount     %  

Order flow revenue

   $ 59.1      $ 60.8      $ (1.7     (3 )% 

Mutual fund service fees

     15.7        13.2        2.5       19

Foreign exchange revenue

     11.0        10.3        0.7       7

Reorganization fees

     13.4        9.2        4.2       46

Advisor management fees

     4.4        12.2        (7.8     (64 )% 

Account activity fees

     —          8.0        (8.0     (100 )% 

Other fees and service charges

     26.8        28.7        (1.9     (7 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total fees and service charges

   $ 130.4      $ 142.4      $ (12.0     (8 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

The decrease in fees and services charges for the year ended December 31, 2011 was primarily due to the elimination of all account activity fees, which became effective in the second quarter of 2010, and due to a decrease in advisor management fees. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in reorganization fee revenue related to a large public company reorganization in the second quarter of 2011.

Principal Transactions

Principal transactions increased 2% to $105.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The increase in principal transactions revenue was driven by a favorable mix of trading volume and revenue earned per share, as well as a continued focus on expanding our external customer base, when compared to 2010.

Gains on Loans and Securities, Net

Gains on loans and securities, net were $120.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $166.2 million in 2010 as shown in the following table (dollars in millions):

 

           Variance  
     Year Ended December 31,     2011 vs. 2010  
           2011                 2010           Amount     %  

Gains on loans, net

   $ 0.1     $ 6.3     $ (6.2     *   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gains on available-for-sale securities, net

     124.4       160.7       (36.3     (23 )% 

Gains (losses) on trading securities, net

     (1.9     0.2       (2.1     *   

Hedge ineffectiveness

     (2.4     (1.0     (1.4     *   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gains on securities, net

     120.1       159.9       (39.8     (25 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gains on loans and securities, net

   $ 120.2     $ 166.2     $ (46.0     (28 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

* Percentage not meaningful.

Net Impairment

We recognized $14.9 million and $37.7 million of net impairment during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, on certain securities in our non-agency CMO portfolio due to continued

 

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deterioration in the expected credit performance of the underlying loans in those specific securities. The gross OTTI and the noncredit portion of OTTI, which was or had been previously recorded through other comprehensive income (loss), are shown in the table below (dollars in millions):

 

     Year Ended December, 31,  
         2011             2010      

Other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”)

   $ (9.2   $ (41.5

Less: noncredit portion of OTTI recognized into (out of) other comprehensive income (loss) (before tax)

     (5.7     3.8  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net impairment

   $ (14.9   $ (37.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Revenues

Other revenues decreased 15% to $39.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The decrease was due primarily to the gain on sale of approximately $1 billion in savings accounts to Discover Financial Services in the first quarter of 2010, which increased other revenues during the year ended December 31, 2010.

Provision for Loan Losses

Provision for loan losses decreased 43% to $440.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The decrease in provision for loan losses was driven by improving credit trends and loan portfolio run-off, as evidenced by the lower levels of delinquent loans in the one- to four-family and home equity loan portfolios.

Operating Expense

The components of operating expense and the resulting variances are as follows (dollars in millions):

 

            Variance  
     Year Ended December 31,      2011 vs. 2010  
          2011                2010           Amount     %  

Compensation and benefits

   $ 333.6      $ 325.0      $ 8.6       3

Advertising and market development

     145.2        132.2        13.0       10

Clearing and servicing

     147.1        147.5        (0.4     (0 )% 

FDIC insurance premiums

     105.4        77.7        27.7       36

Professional services

     89.7        81.2        8.5       10

Occupancy and equipment

     68.8        70.9        (2.1     (3 )% 

Communications

     67.3        73.3        (6.0     (8 )% 

Depreciation and amortization

     89.6        87.9        1.7       2

Amortization of other intangibles

     26.2        28.5        (2.3     (8 )% 

Facility restructuring and other exit activities

     7.7        14.4        (6.7     *   

Other operating expenses

     154.3        104.0        50.3       48
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total operating expense

   $ 1,234.9      $ 1,142.6      $ 92.3       8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

* Percentage not meaningful.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits increased 3% to $333.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The increase resulted primarily from higher compensation expense as a result of an increase of 42% in financial consultants, partially offset by a decrease in incentive compensation.

 

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Advertising and Market Development

Advertising and market development expense increased 10% to $145.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. This fluctuation was due largely to a planned increase in advertising expenditures in our continuing effort to attract new accounts and customer assets during the year ended December 31, 2011.

FDIC Insurance Premiums

FDIC insurance premiums increased 36% to $105.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The increase was due primarily to an industry wide change in the FDIC insurance premium assessment calculation, effective in the second quarter of 2011.

Professional Services

Professional services increased 10% to $89.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The increase was due primarily to a $6.0 million credit in connection with a legal settlement in the third quarter of 2010, which decreased professional services for the year ended December 31, 2010. There were no similar settlements made during the year ended December 31, 2011.

Communications

Communications expense decreased 8% to $67.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The decrease was driven primarily by a decline in vendor services fees compared to 2010.

Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses increased 48% to $154.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The increase was driven by an estimated liability of $48 million related to an offer to purchase auction rate securities held by customers of E*TRADE Securities LLC, as well as former customers who purchased auction rate securities through E*TRADE Securities LLC. This estimated liability related primarily to our estimate of the securities’ current fair value relative to their par value and included penalties and other estimated settlement costs. We also entered into a memorandum of understanding to settle the Freudenberg Action, which resulted in the recording of a net estimated liability of $10.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Other Income (Expense)

Other income (expense) increased 11% to $175.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010 as shown in the following table (dollars in millions):

 

           Variance  
     Year Ended December 31,     2011 vs. 2010  
           2011                 2010           Amount     %  

Corporate interest income

   $ 0.7     $ 6.2     $ (5.5     (89 )% 

Corporate interest expense

     (177.8     (167.1     (10.7     6

Gains on sales of investments, net

     —         2.7       (2.7     *   

Gains on early extinguishment of debt

     3.1       —         3.1        *   

Equity in loss of investments and venture funds

     (1.8     (0.8     (1.0     *   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total other income (expense)

   $ (175.8   $ (159.0   $ (16.8     11
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

* Percentage not meaningful.

 

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Total other income (expense) for the year ended December 31, 2011 primarily consisted of corporate interest expense on interest-bearing corporate debt. Corporate interest expense increased 6% to $177.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. In addition to the stated interest on corporate debt, the corporate interest expense line item included the benefit of discontinued fair value hedges on corporate debt, which decreased $7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. Offsetting interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 was a $3.1 million gain on early extinguishment of debt related to the call of the 7 3/8% Notes in the second quarter of 2011. Offsetting corporate interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2010 was a benefit of $6.0 million related to a legal settlement.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

Income tax expense was $28.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $25.3 million in 2010. The effective tax rate was 15.4% for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 806.3% in 2010. During the third quarter of 2011, we recorded an income tax benefit of $61.7 million related to the taxable liquidation of a European subsidiary. The subsidiary was liquidated for U.S. tax purposes in connection with our international restructuring activities. This liquidation resulted in the taxable recognition of certain losses, including historical acquisition premiums that we incurred internationally. This tax benefit resulted in a corresponding increase to the deferred tax assets, which were $1,578.7 million as of December 31, 2011. For the year ended December 31, 2010, our reported pre-tax loss was relatively close to breakeven, which resulted in an unusually high effective tax rate.

Valuation Allowance

During the year ended December 31, 2011, we did not maintain a valuation allowance against federal deferred tax assets as we believed that it was more likely than not that all of these assets will be realized. Our evaluation focused on identifying significant, objective evidence that we would be able to realize the deferred tax assets in the future. Our analysis of the need for a valuation allowance recognized that we were in a cumulative book loss position as of the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, which is considered significant and objective evidence that we may not be able to realize some portion of deferred tax assets in the future. However, we believed we were able to rely on our forecasts of future taxable income and overcome the uncertainty created by the cumulative loss position.

SEGMENT RESULTS REVIEW

We report operating results in two segments: 1) trading and investing; and 2) balance sheet management. Trading and investing includes retail brokerage products and services; investor-focused banking products; market making; and corporate services. Balance sheet management includes the management of asset allocation; loans previously originated by the Company or purchased from third parties; customer cash and deposits; and credit, liquidity and interest rate risk for the Company as described in the Risk Management section. Costs associated with certain functions that are centrally-managed are separately reported in a corporate/other category. For more information on our segments, see Note 20—Segment Information in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

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Trading and Investing

The following table summarizes trading and investing financial information and key metrics as of and for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in millions, except for key metrics):

 

     Year Ended December 31,      Variance  
      2012 vs. 2011  
     2012     2011      2010      Amount     %  

Net operating interest income

   $640.5       $ 746.1      $ 763.0      $ (105.6     (14 )% 

Commissions

     377.8       436.2        431.0        (58.4     (13 )% 

Fees and service charges

     119.4       128.0        139.1        (8.6     (7 )% 

Principal transactions

     93.2       105.4        103.4        (12.2     (12 )% 

Other revenues

     32.0       31.2        37.9        0.8       3
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total net revenue

     1,262.9       1,446.9        1,474.4        (184.0     (13 )% 

Total operating expense

     769.2       825.9        752.6        (56.7     (7 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Trading and investing income

   $ 493.7     $ 621.0      $ 721.8      $ (127.3     (20 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   
            

Key Metrics:

            

DARTs

     138,112       157,475        150,532        (19,363     (12 )% 

Average commission per trade

   $11.01       $ 11.01      $ 11.21      $ —         0

Margin receivables (dollars in billions)

   $5.8       $ 4.8      $ 5.1      $ 1.0       21

End of period brokerage accounts

     2,903,191       2,783,012        2,684,311        120,179       4

Net new brokerage accounts

     120,179       98,701        54,232        21,478       22

Brokerage account attrition rate

     9.0     10.3%         12.2%         (1.3)%        *   

Customer assets (dollars in billions)

   $201.2       $ 172.4      $ 176.2      $ 28.8       17

Net new brokerage assets (dollars in billions)

   $10.4       $ 9.7      $ 8.1      $ 0.7       7

Brokerage related cash (dollars in billions)

   $33.9       $ 27.7      $ 24.5      $ 6.2       22

 

* Percentage not meaningful.

The trading and investing segment offers products and services to individual retail investors, generating revenue from these brokerage and banking relationships and from market making and corporate services activities. This segment generates five main sources of revenue: net operating interest income; commissions; fees and service charges; principal transactions; and other revenues. Net operating interest income is generated primarily from margin receivables and from a deposit transfer pricing arrangement with the balance sheet management segment. The balance sheet management segment utilizes the vast majority of customer cash and deposits and compensates the trading and investing segment via a market-based transfer pricing arrangement. This compensation is reflected in segment results as operating interest income for the trading and investing segment and operating interest expense for the balance sheet management segment and is eliminated in consolidation. Customer cash and deposits utilized by the balance sheet management segment include retail deposits and customer payables. Other revenues include results from providing software and services for managing equity compensation plans from corporate customers, as we ultimately service retail investors through these corporate relationships.

2012 Compared to 2011

Trading and investing income decreased 20% to $493.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. We continued to generate net new brokerage accounts, ending the year with 2.9 million accounts. Brokerage related cash, which is one of our most profitable sources of funding, increased by $6.2 billion when compared to 2011.

Trading and investing commissions decreased 13% to $377.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. This decrease in commissions was primarily the result of a decrease in DARTs of 12% to 138,112 for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011.

 

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Trading and investing fees and service charges decreased 7% to $119.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. This decrease for the year ended December 31, 2012 was driven by lower reorganization fee revenue in 2012 related to a large public company reorganization in the second quarter of 2011.

Trading and investing principal transactions decreased 12% to $93.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. The decrease in principal transactions revenue was driven primarily by a decrease in trading volume, partially offset by an increase in average revenue per share earned, when compared to 2011.

Trading and investing operating expense decreased 7% to $769.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. The decrease for the year ended December 31, 2012 was driven primarily by an estimated liability of $48 million that was recorded in 2011 related to an offer to purchase auction rate securities from eligible holders. The costs of this program, which expired on May 15, 2012, were approximately $10.2 million less than our previous estimate and a $10.2 million benefit was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2012.

As of December 31, 2012, we had approximately 2.9 million brokerage accounts, 1.1 million stock plan accounts and 0.4 million banking accounts. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, our brokerage products contributed 71% and 69%, respectively, and our banking products contributed 29% and 31%, respectively, of total trading and investing net revenue.

2011 Compared to 2010

Trading and investing segment income decreased 14% to $621.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. We continued to generate net new brokerage accounts, ending the year with 2.8 million accounts. Brokerage related cash increased by $3.2 billion when compared to 2010.

Trading and investing commissions increased 1% to $436.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The increase in commissions was primarily the result of an increase in DARTs of 5% to 157,475 for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010.

Trading and investing fees and service charges decreased 8% to $128.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The decrease for the year ended December 31, 2011 was driven primarily by the elimination of all account activity fees, which took effect in the second quarter of 2010.

Trading and investing principal transactions increased 2% to $105.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The increase in principal transactions revenue was driven by a favorable mix of trading volume and revenue earned per share, as well as the continued focus on expanding our external customer base, when compared to 2010.

Trading and investing operating expense increased 10% to $825.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2011 was driven primarily by an estimated liability of $48 million related to an offer to purchase auction rate securities held by customers of E*TRADE Securities LLC, as well as former customers who purchased auction rate securities through E*TRADE Securities LLC. This estimated liability related primarily to our estimate of the securities’ current fair value relative to their par value and included penalties and other estimated settlement costs. In addition, compensation and benefits expense increased 8% to $245.8 million as a result of an increase of 42% in financial consultants.

As of December 31, 2011, we had approximately 2.8 million brokerage accounts, 1.1 million stock plan accounts and 0.5 million banking accounts. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, our brokerage

 

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products contributed 69% and 67%, respectively, and our banking products contributed 31% and 33%, respectively, of total trading and investing net revenue.

Balance Sheet Management

The following table summarizes balance sheet management financial information and key metrics as of and for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in millions):

 

                       Variance  
     Year Ended December 31,     2012 vs. 2011  
     2012     2011     2010     Amount     %  

Net operating interest income

   $ 444.6     $ 473.9     $ 463.3     $ (29.3     (6 )% 

Fees and service charges

     2.8       2.4       3.2       0.4       17

Gains on loans and securities, net

     200.8       121.2       166.3       79.6       66

Net impairment

     (16.9     (14.9     (37.7     (2.0     *   

Other revenues

     5.5       7.2       8.4       (1.7     (24 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total net revenue

     636.8       589.8       603.5       47.0       8

Provision for loan losses

     354.6       440.6       779.4       (86.0     (20 )% 

Total operating expense

     220.6       238.4       215.5       (17.8     (7 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Balance sheet management income (loss)

   $ 61.6     $ (89.2   $ (391.4   $ 150.8        *   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Key Metrics:

          

Special mention loan delinquencies

   $ 342.2     $ 467.1     $ 589.4     $ (124.9     (27 )% 

Allowance for loan losses

   $ 480.7     $ 822.8     $ 1,031.2     $ (342.1     (42 )% 

 

* Percentage not meaningful.

The balance sheet management segment generates revenue from managing loans previously originated by the Company or purchased from third parties, as well as utilizing customer cash and deposits to generate additional net operating interest income. The balance sheet management segment utilizes customer cash and deposits from the trading and investing segment, wholesale borrowings and proceeds from loan pay-downs to invest in available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities. Net operating interest income is generated from interest earned on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities and loans receivable, net of interest paid on wholesale borrowings and on a deposit transfer pricing arrangement with the trading and investing segment. The balance sheet management segment utilizes the vast majority of customer cash and deposits and compensates the trading and investing segment via a market-based transfer pricing arrangement. This compensation is reflected in segment results as operating interest income for the trading and investing segment and operating interest expense for the balance sheet management segment and is eliminated in consolidation. Customer cash and deposits utilized by the balance sheet management segment include retail deposits and customer payables.

2012 Compared to 2011

The balance sheet management segment reported income of $61.6 million and a loss of $89.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Balance sheet management income was due primarily to a decrease in provision for loan losses of 20% to $354.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Gains on loans and securities, net increased 66% to $200.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. We recognized additional gains from securities sold as a result of our continued deleveraging efforts, primarily related to a reduction in wholesale funding obligations, which resulted in losses on early extinguishment of debt of $78.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

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We recognized $16.9 million and $14.9 million of net impairment during the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, on certain securities in the non-agency CMO portfolio due to continued deterioration in the expected credit performance of the underlying loans in those specific securities.

Provision for loan losses decreased 20% to $354.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. The decrease in provision for loan losses was driven primarily by improving credit trends, as evidenced by the lower levels of delinquent loans in the one- to four-family and home equity loan portfolios, and loan portfolio run-off. The decrease was partially offset by $50 million in charge-offs associated with newly identified bankruptcy filings during the third quarter of 2012, with approximately 80% related to prior years. We utilize third party loan servicers to obtain bankruptcy data on our borrowers and during the third quarter of 2012, we identified an increase in bankruptcies reported by one specific servicer. In researching this increase, we discovered that the servicer had not been reporting historical bankruptcy data on a timely basis. As a result, we implemented an enhanced procedure around all servicer reporting to corroborate bankruptcy reporting with independent third party data. Through this additional process, approximately $90 million of loans were identified in which servicers failed to report the bankruptcy filing to us, approximately 90% of which were current at the end of the third quarter of 2012. As a result, these loans were written down to the estimated current value of the underlying property less estimated selling costs, or approximately $40 million, during the third quarter of 2012. These charge-offs resulted in an increase to provision for loan losses of $50 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Total balance sheet management operating expense decreased 7% to $220.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. The decrease in operating expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 resulted primarily from lower clearing and service expense due to lower loan balances compared to 2011, and a decrease in expenses related to REO and repossessed assets. These decreases were offset by an increase in FDIC insurance premium expense as a result of an industry wide change in the FDIC insurance premium assessment calculation, effective in the second quarter of 2011.

2011 Compared to 2010

The balance sheet management segment reported losses of $89.2 million and $391.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The losses in this segment were due primarily to the provision for loan losses of $440.6 million and $779.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Gains on loans and securities, net were $121.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $166.3 million in 2010. The decrease in gains on loans and securities, net was primarily due to more trading volatility in the markets in 2010 when compared to 2011.

We recognized $14.9 million and $37.7 million of net impairment during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, on certain securities in our non-agency CMO portfolio due to continued deterioration in the expected credit performance of the underlying loans in the securities.

Provision for loan losses decreased 43% to $440.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The decrease in the provision for loan losses was driven by improving credit trends and loan portfolio run-off, as evidenced by lower levels of delinquent loans in the one- to four- family and home equity loan portfolios.

Total balance sheet management operating expense increased 11% to $238.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The increase in operating expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 was due primarily to increased FDIC insurance premiums as a result of an industry wide change in the FDIC insurance premium assessment calculation, effective in the second quarter of 2011.

 

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Corporate/Other

The following table summarizes corporate/other financial information for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in millions):

 

           Variance  
     Year Ended December 31,     2012 vs. 2011  
     2012     2011     2010     Amount     %  

Total net revenue

   $ (0.2   $ (0.1   $ —       $ (0.1     *   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Compensation and benefits

     81.0       70.3       80.2       10.7       15

Professional services

     37.5       35.4       28.9       2.1       6

Occupancy and equipment

     5.5       2.7       2.6       2.8       104

Communications

     1.7       1.5       1.7       0.2       13

Depreciation and amortization

     16.3       18.4       21.0       (2.1     (11 )% 

Facility restructuring and other exit activities

     7.7       7.7       14.3       —         0

Other operating expenses

     22.6       34.5       25.8       (11.9     (34 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expense

     172.3       170.5       174.5       1.8       1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating loss

     (172.5     (170.6     (174.5     (1.9     1

Total other income (expense)

     (513.7     (175.8     (159.0     (337.9     192
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Corporate/other loss

   $ (686.2   $ (346.4   $ (333.5   $ (339.8     98
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

* Percentage not meaningful.

The corporate/other category includes costs that are centrally-managed, technology related costs incurred to support centrally-managed functions, restructuring and other exit activities, corporate debt and corporate investments.

2012 Compared to 2011

The corporate/other loss before income taxes was $686.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $346.4 million in 2011.

The operating loss increased 1% to $172.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011 due primarily to an increase in compensation and benefits as a result of $13 million in severance associated with the departure of our former Chief Executive Officer that was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2012. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in other operating expense primarily due to the recording of a net estimated liability of $10.8 million related to a memorandum of understanding that we entered into to settle the Freudenberg Action during the year ended December 31, 2011, for which there was no similar expense in 2012.

Total other income (expense) included corporate interest expense on interest-bearing corporate debt for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. Corporate interest expense increased 1% to $179.9 million year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2012, $256.9 million in losses on early extinguishment of debt were recorded, driven by the early extinguishment of all of the outstanding 12  1/2% Springing lien notes and 7  7/8% Notes during 2012. Offsetting corporate interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 as a $3.1 million in gain on early extinguishment of debt related to the call of the 7  3/8% Notes in the second quarter of 2011.

2011 Compared to 2010

The corporate/other loss before income tax was $346.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $333.5 million in 2010. Compensation and benefits decreased 12% to $70.3 million due primarily to

 

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a decrease in incentive compensation during the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The increase in professional services was due primarily to a $6.0 million credit in connection with a legal settlement in the third quarter of 2010, which decreased professional services for the year ended December 31, 2010. Other operating expenses increased 34% to $34.5 million primarily due to the recording of a net estimated liability of $10.8 million related a memorandum of understanding that was entered into to settle the Freudenberg Action during the year ended December 31, 2011.

Total other income (expense) consisted primarily of $177.8 million in corporate interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 on interest-bearing corporate debt. In addition to the stated interest on corporate debt, the corporate interest expense line item included the benefit of discontinued fair value hedges on corporate debt, which decreased $7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. Offsetting interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 was a $3.1 million gain on early extinguishment of debt related to the call of the 7  3/8% Notes in the second quarter of 2011.

BALANCE SHEET OVERVIEW

The following table sets forth the significant components of the consolidated balance sheet (dollars in millions):

 

                   Variance  
     December 31,      2012 vs. 2011  
     2012      2011      Amount     %  

Assets:

          

Cash and equivalents

   $ 2,761.5      $ 2,099.8      $ 661.7       32

Segregated cash

     376.9        1,275.6        (898.7     (70 )% 

Securities(1)

     23,084.2        21,785.4        1,298.8       6

Margin receivables

     5,804.0        4,826.3        977.7       20

Loans receivable, net

     10,098.7        12,332.8        (2,234.1     (18 )% 

Investment in FHLB stock

     67.4        140.2        (72.8     (52 )% 

Other(2)

     5,194.0        5,480.4        (286.4     (5 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total assets

   $ 47,386.7      $ 47,940.5      $ (553.8     (1 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity:

          

Deposits

   $ 28,392.5      $ 26,460.0      $ 1,932.5       7

Wholesale borrowings(3)

     5,715.6        7,752.4        (2,036.8     (26 )% 

Customer payables

     4,964.9        5,590.9        (626.0     (11 )% 

Corporate debt

     1,765.0        1,493.5        271.5       18

Other liabilities

     1,644.2        1,715.7        (71.5     (4 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total liabilities

     42,482.2        43,012.5        (530.3     (1 )% 

Shareholders’ equity

     4,904.5        4,928.0        (23.5     (1 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 47,386.7      $ 47,940.5      $ (553.8     (1 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

(1) 

Includes balance sheet line items trading, available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities.

(2) 

Includes balance sheet line items property and equipment, net, goodwill, other intangibles, net and other assets.

(3) 

Includes balance sheet line items securities sold under agreements to repurchase and FHLB advances and other borrowings.

Segregated Cash

Segregated cash decreased by $0.9 billion during the year ended December 31, 2012. The level of cash required to be segregated under federal or other regulations, or segregated cash, is driven largely by customer cash and securities lending balances we hold as a liability in excess of the amount of margin receivables and

 

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securities borrowed balances we hold as an asset. The excess represents customer cash that we are required by our regulators to segregate for the exclusive benefit of our brokerage customers.

Securities

Trading, available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities are summarized as follows (dollars in millions):

 

          Variance  
    December 31,     2012 vs. 2011  
    2012     2011     Amount     %  

Trading securities

  $ 101.3     $ 54.4     $ 46.9       86%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Available-for-sale securities:

       

Residential mortgage-backed securities:

       

Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs

  $ 12,097.2     $ 13,965.7     $ (1,868.5     (13)%   

Non-agency CMOs

    235.2       341.6       (106.4     (31)%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total residential mortgage-backed securities

    12,332.4       14,307.3       (1,974.9     (14)%   

Investment securities

    1,110.6       1,344.2       (233.6     (17)%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total available-for-sale securities

  $ 13,443.0     $ 15,651.5     $ (2,208.5     (14)%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Held-to-maturity securities:

       

Residential mortgage-backed securities:

       

Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs

  $ 7,887.5     $ 5,296.5     $ 2,591.0       49%   

Investment securities

    1,652.4       783.0       869.4       111%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total held-to-maturity securities

  $ 9,539.9     $ 6,079.5     $ 3,460.4       57%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total securities

  $ 23,084.2     $ 21,785.4     $ 1,298.8       6%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Securities represented 49% and 45% of total assets at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The decline in available-for-sale securities during the year ended December 31, 2012 was due primarily to a decrease of $1.9 billion in agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs. We sold agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs to reduce asset balances driven primarily by the reduction of $2.0 billion in wholesale borrowings, $1.5 billion of which was due to deleveraging initiatives.

The increase in held-to-maturity securities was due primarily to an increase of $2.6 billion in agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs. The purchases of securities were driven primarily by the increase in customer deposits during the first nine months of 2012, which we invested in available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities.

 

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Loans Receivable, Net

Loans receivable, net are summarized as follows (dollars in millions):

 

           Variance  
     December 31,     2012 vs. 2011  
     2012     2011     Amount     %  

One- to four-family

   $ 5,442.2     $ 6,615.8     $ (1,173.6     (18 )% 

Home equity

     4,223.4       5,328.7       (1,105.3     (21 )% 

Consumer and other

     844.9       1,113.2       (268.3     (24 )% 

Unamortized premiums, net

     68.9       97.9       (29.0     (30 )% 

Allowance for loan losses

     (480.7     (822.8     342.1       (42 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total loans receivable, net

   $ 10,098.7     $ 12,332.8     $ (2,234.1     (18 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Loans receivable, net decreased 18% to $10.1 billion at December 31, 2012 from $12.3 billion at December 31, 2011. This decline was due primarily to our strategy of reducing balance sheet risk by allowing the loan portfolio to pay down, which we plan to do for the foreseeable future.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the allowance for loan losses decreased by $342.1 million from the level at December 31, 2011. During the first quarter of 2012, we completed an evaluation of certain programs and practices that were designed in accordance with guidance from our former regulator, the OTS. This evaluation was initiated in connection with our transition from the OTS to the OCC, our new primary banking regulator. As a result of our evaluation, loan modification policies and procedures were aligned with the guidance from the OCC. The review resulted in a significant increase in charge-offs during the first quarter of 2012. The majority of the losses associated with these charge-offs were previously reflected in the specific valuation allowance and qualitative component of the general allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2011. See Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates for a discussion of the estimates and assumptions used in the allowance for loan losses, including the qualitative component.

Deposits

Deposits are summarized as follows (dollars in millions):

 

            Variance  
     December 31,      2012 vs. 2011  
     2012      2011      Amount     %  

Sweep deposits

   $ 21,253.6      $ 18,619.0      $ 2,634.6       14

Complete savings deposits

     4,981.6        5,720.8        (739.2     (13 )% 

Checking deposits

     1,055.4        863.3        192.1       22

Other money market and savings deposits

     995.2        1,033.2        (38.0     (4 )% 

Time deposits

     106.7        223.7        (117.0     (52 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total deposits

   $ 28,392.5      $ 26,460.0      $ 1,932.5       7
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Deposits represented 67% and 62% of total liabilities at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. At December 31, 2012, 92% of our customer deposits were covered by FDIC insurance. Deposits provide the benefit of lower interest costs compared with wholesale funding alternatives. Deposits increased 7% to $28.4 billion at December 31, 2012 from $26.5 billion at December 31, 2011. The increase was driven primarily by an increase of $2.6 billion in sweep deposits. The increase in sweep deposits was driven by an increase in customer inflows during the year ended December 31, 2012, offset by a reduction of $1.7 billion in sweep deposits that were transferred off of the balance sheet to third parties, as a result of deleveraging initiatives and the dissolution of our third bank charter.

 

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The deposits balance is a component of the total customer cash and deposits balance reported as a customer activity metric of $41.0 billion and $35.5 billion at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The total customer cash and deposits balance is summarized as follows (dollars in millions):

 

           Variance  
     December 31,     2012 vs. 2011  
     2012     2011     Amount     %  

Deposits

   $ 28,392.5     $ 26,460.0     $ 1,932.5       7

Less: brokered certificates of deposit

     (11.2     (33.2     22.0       (66 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Retail deposits

     28,381.3       26,426.8       1,954.5       7

Customer payables

     4,964.9       5,590.9       (626.0     (11 )% 

Customer cash balances held by third parties and other

     7,644.2       3,520.1       4,124.1       117
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total customer cash and deposits

   $ 40,990.4     $ 35,537.8     $ 5,452.6       15
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

The decrease in customer payables during the year ended December 31 2012 was primarily due to deleveraging initiatives as $0.9 billion was transferred off of the balance sheet to third parties during the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase in customer cash balances held by third parties and other was also related to deleveraging initiatives and consisted of sweep deposits and customer payables that were transferred off of the balance sheet during the year ended December 31, 2012 in addition to customer cash that is being directed to third party money funds upon new account opening.

Wholesale Borrowings

Wholesale borrowings, which consist of securities sold under agreements to repurchase and FHLB advances

and other borrowings, are summarized as follows (dollars in millions):

 

       Variance  
     December 31,      2012 vs. 2011  
     2012      2011      Amount     %  

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

   $ 4,454.7      $ 5,015.5      $ (560.8     (11 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

FHLB advances

   $ 831.7      $ 2,302.7      $ (1,471.0     (64 )% 

Subordinated debentures

     427.7        427.6        0.1       0

Other

     1.5        6.6        (5.1     (77 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total FHLB advances and other borrowings

   $ 1,260.9      $ 2,736.9      $ (1,476.0     (54 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total wholesale borrowings

   $ 5,715.6      $ 7,752.4      $ (2,036.8     (26 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Wholesale borrowings represented 13% and 18% of total liabilities at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and FHLB advances are the primary wholesale funding sources of the Bank. The decline in wholesale borrowings of $2.0 billion during the year ended December 31, 2012 was driven by decreases of $1.5 billion in FHLB advances and $560.8 million in securities sold under agreements to repurchase. These decreases included $1.5 billion as part of our deleveraging initiatives, $1.1 billion of which were early terminations of the wholesale borrowings that resulted in approximately $78 million of losses on early extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

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Corporate Debt

Corporate debt by type is shown as follows (dollars in millions):

 

     Face Value     Discount     Fair Value Hedge
Adjustment
    Net  

December 31, 2012

        

Interest-bearing notes:

        

6 3/4% Notes, due 2016

   $ 435.0     $ (5.8   $ —        $ 429.2  

6% Notes, due 2017

     505.0       (4.6     —         500.4  

6 3/8% Notes, due 2019

     800.0       (7.3     —         792.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest-bearing notes

     1,740.0       (17.7     —         1,722.3  

Non-interest-bearing debt:

        

0% Convertible debentures, due 2019

     42.7       —         —         42.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total corporate debt

   $ 1,782.7     $ (17.7   $ —       $ 1,765.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Face Value     Discount     Fair Value Hedge
Adjustment
    Net  

December 31, 2011

        

Interest-bearing notes:

        

7 7/8% Notes, due 2015

   $ 243.2     $ (1.2   $ 7.4     $ 249.4  

6 3/4% Notes, due 2016

     435.0       (7.4     —         427.6  

12 1/2% Springing lien notes, due 2017

     930.2       (162.9     6.2       773.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest-bearing notes

     1,608.4       (171.5     13.6       1,450.5  

Non-interest-bearing debt:

        

0% Convertible debentures, due 2019

     43.0       —         —         43.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total corporate debt

   $ 1,651.4     $ (171.5   $ 13.6     $ 1,493.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

During the fourth quarter of 2012, we issued an aggregate principal amount of $505 million of 6% Notes and $800 million of 6 3/8% Notes. We used the proceeds to redeem all of the outstanding 12 1/2% Springing lien notes and 7 7/8% Notes, which resulted in $256.9 million in losses on early extinguishment for the year ended December 31, 2012. This transaction will result in an annual after-tax savings of approximately $60 million.

Shareholders’ Equity

The activity in shareholders’ equity during the year ended December 31, 2012 is summarized as follows (dollars in millions):

 

     Common Stock /
Additional Paid-In
Capital
     Accumulated Deficit  /
Other
Comprehensive Loss
    Total  

Beginning balance, December 31, 2011

   $ 7,309.7      $ (2,381.7   $ 4,928.0  

Net loss

     —          (112.6     (112.6

Net change from available-for-sale securities

     —          68.6       68.6  

Net change from cash flow hedging instruments

     —          5.6       5.6  

Other(1)

     12.4        2.5       14.9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance, December 31, 2012

   $ 7,322.1      $ (2,417.6   $ 4,904.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Other includes employee share-based compensation, conversions of convertible debentures and changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss from foreign currency translation.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We have established liquidity and capital policies to support the successful execution of our business strategies, while ensuring ongoing and sufficient liquidity through the business cycle. These policies are especially important during periods of stress in the financial markets, which have been ongoing since the fourth quarter of 2007.

We believe liquidity is of critical importance to the Company and especially important within E*TRADE Bank. The objective of our policies is to ensure that we can meet our corporate and banking liquidity needs under both normal operating conditions and under periods of stress in the financial markets. Our corporate liquidity needs are primarily driven by the amount of principal and interest due on our corporate debt as well as any capital needs at E*TRADE Bank. Our banking liquidity needs are driven primarily by the level and volatility of our customer deposits. Management maintains an extensive set of liquidity sources and monitors certain business trends and market metrics closely in an effort to ensure we have sufficient liquidity and to avoid dependence on other more expensive sources of funding. Management believes the following sources of liquidity are of critical importance in maintaining ample funding for liquidity needs: Corporate cash, Bank cash, deposits and unused FHLB borrowing capacity. Management believes that within deposits, sweep deposits are of particular importance as they are the most stable source of liquidity for E*TRADE Bank when compared to non-sweep deposits. Overall, management believes that these liquidity sources, which can fluctuate in any given period, are more than sufficient to meet our needs for the foreseeable future.

Capital is generated primarily through the business operations of the trading and investing and balance sheet management segments, which are primarily contained within E*TRADE Bank; therefore, we believe a key indicator of the capital generated or used in our business operations is the level of regulatory capital in E*TRADE Bank. As of December 31, 2012, E*TRADE Bank’s Tier 1 leverage ratio was 8.7%, an increase from 7.8% at December 31, 2011. We are focused on improving the Tier 1 leverage ratio at E*TRADE Bank through deleveraging the balance sheet by a reduction in wholesale borrowings, retail deposits and customer payables.

We submitted an initial long-term strategic and capital plan to the OCC and Federal Reserve during the second quarter of 2012. The plan included: our five-year business strategy; forecasts of our business results and capital ratios; capital distribution plans in current and adverse operating conditions; and internally developed stress tests. During the third quarter of 2012, we received initial feedback from our regulators on this plan and we believe that key elements of this plan, specifically reducing risk, deleveraging the balance sheet and the development of an enterprise risk management function, are critical. We submitted an updated long-term strategic and capital plan to the OCC and Federal Reserve in February 2013, which included the key elements outlined in the initial plan as well as the progress made during 2012 on those key elements. We believe that our targets for capital levels at E*TRADE Bank and corresponding distributions of capital from E*TRADE Bank and its subsidiaries to the parent company will be achievable over time. We plan to continue an active and ongoing dialogue with our regulators to ensure our execution of the plan is consistent with their expectations.

Consolidated Cash and Equivalents

The consolidated cash and equivalents balance increased by $661.7 million to $2.8 billion at December 31, 2012 when compared to 2011. The majority of this balance is cash held in regulated subsidiaries, primarily the Bank, outlined as follows (dollars in millions):

 

     December 31,      Variance  
     2012      2011      2012 vs. 2011  

Corporate cash

   $ 407.6      $ 484.4      $ (76.8

Bank cash

     2,319.6        1,574.1        745.5  

International brokerage and other cash

     34.3        41.3        (7.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total consolidated cash and equivalents

   $ 2,761.5      $ 2,099.8      $ 661.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Corporate cash is the primary source of liquidity at the parent company. We define corporate cash as cash held at the parent company as well as cash held in certain subsidiaries that can distribute cash to the parent company without any regulatory approval. We believe corporate cash is a useful measure of the parent company’s liquidity as it is the primary source of capital above and beyond the capital deployed in our regulated subsidiaries. Corporate cash can fluctuate in any given quarter and is impacted primarily by tax settlements, approval and timing of subsidiary dividends, debt service costs and other overhead cost sharing arrangements. In the fourth quarter of 2012, we refinanced $1.3 billion of our higher yielding corporate debt resulting in a decrease in our annual debt service costs of approximately $55 million. We target corporate cash to be at least two times our annual debt service, or approximately $220 million. From the level of corporate cash at December 31, 2012, we expect that it will decline generally in line with our corporate interest expense. However, the parent company has approximately $450 million in net deferred tax assets, which will ultimately become sources of corporate cash as the parent’s subsidiaries reimburse the parent for the use of its deferred tax assets.

Liquidity Available from Subsidiaries

Liquidity available to the Company from its subsidiaries is limited by regulatory requirements. In addition, neither E*TRADE Bank nor its subsidiaries may pay dividends to the parent company without approval from its regulators. Loans by E*TRADE Bank to the parent company and its other non-bank subsidiaries are subject to various quantitative, arm’s length, collateralization and other requirements.

E*TRADE Bank is subject to capital requirements determined by its primary regulators. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, E*TRADE Bank had $1.6 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, of Tier 1 leverage capital in excess of the regulatory minimum level required to be considered “well capitalized.”

The Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to capital requirements determined by their respective regulators. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, all of our brokerage subsidiaries met their minimum net capital requirements. Our broker-dealer subsidiaries had excess net capital of $655.1 million at December 31, 2012, a decrease of $20.0 million from $675.1 million at December 31, 2011. The excess net capital of the broker-dealer subsidiaries at December 31, 2012 included $535.3 million and $79.1 million of excess net capital at E*TRADE Clearing LLC and E*TRADE Securities LLC, respectively, which are subsidiaries of E*TRADE Bank and are also included in the excess capital of E*TRADE Bank.

Financial Regulatory Reform Legislation and Basel III Framework

Under the Dodd-Frank Act, our former primary regulator, the OTS, was abolished in July 2011 and its functions and personnel distributed among the OCC, the FDIC and the Federal Reserve. Although the Dodd-Frank Act maintains the federal thrift charter, it eliminates certain benefits of the charter and imposes new penalties for failure to comply with the qualified thrift lender test. The Dodd-Frank Act also requires all companies, including savings and loan holding companies, that directly or indirectly control an insured depository institution to serve as a source of strength for the institution.

The implementation of holding company capital requirements will impact us as the parent company was not previously subject to regulatory capital requirements. These requirements are expected to become effective within the next three years. We believe these capital ratios are an important measure of capital strength and accordingly manage our capital against the current capital ratios that apply to bank holding companies in

 

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preparation for the application of these requirements. The Tier 1 leverage, Tier 1 risk-based capital and total risk-based capital ratios are non-GAAP measures as the parent company is not yet held to these regulatory capital requirements and are calculated as follows (dollars in millions):

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Shareholders’ equity

   $ 4,904.5     $ 4,928.0     $ 4,052.4  

Deduct:

      

Losses in other comprehensive income on available-for-sale debt securities and cash flow hedges, net of tax

     (315.4     (389.6     (439.9

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net of deferred tax liabilities

     1,899.4       1,947.5       2,046.4  

Add:

      

Qualifying restricted core capital elements

     433.0       433.0       433.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     3,753.5       3,803.1       2,878.9  

Deduct:

      

Disallowed servicing assets and deferred tax assets

     1,278.9       1,331.0       1,351.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tier 1 capital

     2,474.6       2,472.1       1,527.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Add:

      

Allowable allowance for loan losses

     251.8       277.6       295.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capital

   $ 2,726.4     $ 2,749.7     $ 1,823.2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total average assets

   $ 48,152.7     $ 46,964.2     $ 46,043.4  

Deduct:

      

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net of deferred tax liabilities

     1,899.4       1,947.5       2,046.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     46,253.3       45,016.7       43,997.0  

Deduct:

      

Disallowed servicing assets and deferred tax assets

     1,278.9       1,331.0       1,351.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average total assets for leverage capital purposes

   $ 44,974.4     $ 43,685.7     $ 42,645.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      

Total risk-weighted assets(1)

   $ 19,849.9     $ 21,668.1     $ 22,915.8  
      

Tier 1 leverage ratio (Tier 1 capital / Average total assets for leverage capital purposes)

     5.5     5.7     3.6
      

Tier 1 capital / Total risk-weighted assets

     12.5     11.4     6.7

Total capital / Total risk-weighted assets

     13.7     12.7     8.0

 

(1) Under the regulatory guidelines for risk-based capital, on-balance sheet assets and credit equivalent amounts of derivatives and off-balance sheet items are assigned to one of several broad risk categories according to the obligor or, if relevant, the guarantor or the nature of any collateral. The aggregate dollar amount in each risk category is then multiplied by the risk weight associated with that category. The resulting weighted values from each of the risk categories are aggregated for determining total risk-weighted assets.

As of December 31, 2012, the parent company Tier 1 leverage ratio was approximately 5.5% compared to the minimum ratio required to be “well capitalized” of 5%, the Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was approximately 12.5% compared to the minimum ratio required to be “well capitalized” of 6%, and the total risk-based capital ratio was approximately 13.7% compared to the minimum ratio required to be “well capitalized” of 10%.

Our Tier 1 common ratio, which is a non-GAAP measure and currently has no mandated minimum or “well capitalized” standard, was 10.3% as of December 31, 2012. We believe this ratio is an important measure of our capital strength. The Tier 1 common ratio is defined as Tier 1 capital less elements of Tier 1 capital that are not

 

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in the form of common equity, such as trust preferred securities, divided by total risk-weighted assets. The following table shows the calculation of the Tier 1 common ratio (dollars in millions):

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Shareholders’ equity

   $ 4,904.5     $ 4,928.0     $ 4,052.4  

Deduct:

      

Losses in other comprehensive income on available-for-sale debt securities and cash flow hedges, net of tax

     (315.4     (389.6     (439.9

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net of deferred tax liabilities

     1,899.4       1,947.5       2,046.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     3,320.5       3,370.1       2,445.9  

Deduct:

      

Disallowed servicing assets and deferred tax assets

     1,278.9       1,331.0       1,351.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tier 1 common

   $ 2,041.6     $ 2,039.1     $ 1,094.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total risk-weighted assets

   $ 19,849.9     $ 21,668.1     $ 22,915.8  

Tier 1 common ratio (Tier 1 common / Total risk-weighted assets)

     10.3     9.4     4.8

In June 2012, the U.S. Federal banking agencies published notices of proposed rulemaking for comment related to the implementation of the Basel III framework for the calculation and components of a banking organization’s regulatory capital and a U.S. version of the international standardized approach for calculating a banking organization’s risk-weighted assets. In November 2012, the banking agencies announced a delay in the implementation of Basel III in the U.S. and have not yet issued final Basel III rules. We believe the most relevant elements of the proposal to us relate to the proposed risk-weighting of mortgage loans and margin receivables in addition to the inclusion in the calculation of Common Tier 1 capital of unrealized gains (losses) on all available-for-sale debt securities. Under the current proposal, we do not believe the incorporation of these elements have a significant impact on our current capital ratios; however, the final impact of the Basel III capital standards on regulatory requirements will remain uncertain until the final rules implementing Basel III are adopted for U.S. institutions. We will continue to monitor the ongoing rule-making and comment process to assess both the timing and the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and Basel III capital standards on our business.

On October 9, 2012, the Federal Reserve adopted final regulations implementing the requirement for certain Federal Reserve-regulated savings and loan holding companies, including the Company, to conduct company-run stress tests on an annual basis. Under the Federal Reserve’s stress test regulations, we will be required to utilize stress-testing methodologies providing for results under at least three different sets of conditions, including baseline, adverse, and severely adverse conditions. The final regulations will apply to the Company in the fall of the calendar year after it becomes subject to minimum capital requirements, a period which has not yet been specified. We conducted a company-run stress test for the Company, which we believe is consistent with the Federal Reserve’s methodologies, and provided the results to the Federal Reserve with the submission of the long-term strategic and capital plan.

Also on October 9, 2012, the OCC adopted final regulations implementing the requirement for national banks or federal savings associations with over $10 billion in average total consolidated assets, including E*TRADE Bank, to conduct company-run stress tests on an annual basis. Under the OCC’s stress test regulations, E*TRADE Bank also will be required to utilize stress-testing methodologies providing for results under at least three different sets of conditions, including baseline, adverse and severely adverse scenarios. The final regulations require E*TRADE Bank to conduct its first stress test using financial statement data as of September 30, 2013, and it will be required to report results to the OCC on or before March 31, 2014. We conducted a company-run stress test for E*TRADE Bank, which we believe is consistent with the OCC’s methodologies, and provided the results to the OCC with submission of the long-term strategic and capital plan.

 

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Other Sources of Liquidity

We also maintain uncommitted lines of credit with unaffiliated banks to finance margin lending, with available balances subject to approval when utilized. At December 31, 2012, there were no outstanding balances.

We rely on borrowed funds, from sources such as securities sold under agreements to repurchase and FHLB advances, to provide liquidity for E*TRADE Bank. Our ability to borrow these funds is dependent upon the continued availability of funding in the wholesale borrowings market. In addition, we can borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank’s discount window to meet short-term liquidity requirements, although it is not viewed as a primary source of funding. At December 31, 2012, E*TRADE Bank had approximately $3.9 billion and $1.1 billion in additional collateralized borrowing capacity with the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank, respectively. We also have the ability to generate liquidity in the form of additional deposits by raising the yield on our customer deposit account products.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We enter into various off-balance-sheet arrangements in the ordinary course of business, primarily to meet the needs of our customers and to reduce our own exposure to interest rate risk. These arrangements include firm commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. Additionally, we enter into guarantees and other similar arrangements as part of transactions in the ordinary course of business. For additional information on each of these arrangements, see Note 19—Commitments, Contingencies and Other Regulatory Matters of Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at December 31, 2012 and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods (dollars in millions):

 

     Payments Due by Period  
     Less Than 1
Year
     1-3 Years      3-5 Years      Thereafter      Total  

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase(1)

   $ 3,421.1      $ 578.9      $ 514.6      $ —        $ 4,514.6  

FHLB advances and other borrowings(1)(2)

     188.3        136.7        688.4        648.2        1,661.6  

Corporate debt(3)

     110.7        221.3        1,111.0        938.3        2,381.3  

Uncertain tax positions

     1.3        1.9        136.6        352.2        492.0  

Certificates of deposit and brokered certificates of deposit(1)(4)

     66.3        34.0        9.0        0.4        109.7  

Operating lease payments(5)

     21.5        44.4        41.4        58.4        165.7  

Purchase obligations(6)

     59.2        24.5        —          —          83.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

   $ 3,868.4      $ 1,041.7      $ 2,501.0      $ 1,997.5      $ 9,408.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Includes annual interest based on the contractual features of each transaction, using market rates at December 31, 2012. Interest rates are assumed to remain at current levels over the life of all adjustable rate instruments.

(2) 

For subordinated debentures included in other borrowings, does not assume early redemption under current conversion provisions.

(3) 

Includes annual interest payments. Does not assume conversion for the non-interest bearing convertible debentures due 2019.

(4) 

Does not include sweep deposits, complete savings deposits, other money market and savings deposits or checking deposits as there are no stated maturity dates and /or scheduled contractual payments.

(5) 

Includes facilities restructuring leases with initial or remaining terms in excess of one year and is net of estimated future sublease income.

(6) 

Includes material purchase obligations for goods and services covered by non-cancelable contracts and contracts with termination clauses. Includes contracts through the termination date, even if the contract is renewable.

 

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As of December 31, 2012, the Company had $0.3 billion of unused lines of credit available to customers under home equity lines of credit and $0.3 billion of unused consumer and other lines. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had no commitments to purchase or originate loans and had a commitment to sell mortgage loans of $1.0 million. The Company had a commitment to purchase and sell securities of $335.1 million and $282.2 million, respectively. The Company also had $4.4 million in commitments to fund low income housing tax credit partnerships and other limited partnerships as of December 31, 2012. Additional information related to commitments and contingent liabilities is detailed in Note 19—Commitments, Contingencies and Other Regulatory Matters of Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

RISK MANAGEMENT

As a financial services company, our business exposes us to certain risks. The identification, mitigation and management of existing and potential risks are key to effective enterprise risk management. There are certain risks that are inherent to our business (e.g. execution of transactions) whereas other risks will present themselves through the conduct of that business. We seek to monitor and manage our significant risk exposures through a set of board approved limits as well as Key Risk Indicators (“KRIs”) or metrics. We have in place a governance framework that regularly reports metrics, major risks and exposures to senior management and the Board of Directors. In 2013, we will continue to enhance our risk culture and capabilities while complying with evolving regulatory guidelines and expectations.

We developed a Board-approved Risk Appetite Statement (“RAS”) which was disseminated to all employees and specifies the significant risks we are exposed to and our tolerance of those risks. As described in the RAS, our business exposes us to the following eight major categories of risk:

 

   

Credit Risk—the risk of loss arising from the inability or failure of a borrower or counterparty to meet its credit obligations.

 

   

Interest Rate Risk—the risk of loss of income or value of future income due to changes in interest rates arising from the Company’s balance sheet position. This includes convexity risk, which arises from optionality in the balance sheet, related to deposit flows or to prepayments in mortgage assets.

 

   

Liquidity Risk—the potential inability to meet contractual and contingent financial obligations either on- or off-balance sheet, as they come due.

 

   

Market Risk—the risk that asset values or income streams will be adversely affected by changes in market prices.

 

   

Operational Risk—the risk of loss due to failure of people, processes and systems, or damage to physical assets caused by unexpected events.

 

   

Strategic Risk—sometimes called business risk, is the risk of loss of market size, market share or margin in any business.

 

   

Reputational Risk—the potential that negative perceptions regarding our conduct or business practices will adversely affect valuation, profitability, operations or customer base or require costly litigation or other measures.

 

   

Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Risk—the current and prospective risk to earnings or capital arising from violations of, or non-conformance with, laws, rules, regulations, prescribed practices, internal policies, and procedures, or ethical standards.

We are also subject to other risks that could impact our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in future periods. See Part I—Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

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We manage risk through a governance structure involving senior management and several risk committees that include members of the Board of Directors. We use senior management-level risk committees to help ensure that business decisions are executed within our stated risk profile and consistent with the RAS. A variety of methodologies and measures are used to monitor, quantify, assess and forecast risk. Measurement criteria, methodologies and calculations are reviewed periodically to assure that risks are represented appropriately. Certain risks are described in the RAS and related policies which establish processes and limits. The RAS and these policies are reviewed, challenged and approved by the Board of Directors on at least an annual basis.

The Risk Oversight Committee, which consists of members of the Board of Directors, reviews, challenges and approves the RAS and risk policies each year, receives regular reports on the status of certain limits and KRIs as well as discusses certain key risks. In addition to this Board-level committee, various management risk committees and departments throughout the Company aid in the identification, measurement and management of risks, including:

 

   

Enterprise Risk Management Committee—the Enterprise Risk Management Committee (“ERMC”) is the senior-most risk management committee and has primary responsibility for approving risk limits and monitoring the Company’s risk management activities. The ERMC also resolves issues escalated by the other risk management committees and in certain instances approves exceptions to risk policies.

 

   

Asset Liability Committee—the Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”) has primary responsibility for monitoring of market, interest rate and liquidity risk, and recommends related risk limits to be approved by the ERMC.

 

   

Credit Committee—the Credit Committee has responsibility for monitoring credit risks and approving risk limits or recommending risk limits to be approved by the ERMC.

 

   

Operational Risk Committee—the Operational Risk Committee (“ORC”) has responsibility for the oversight and management of the operational risks in all business lines, legal entities, and departments, including the development and reporting of key operational risk metrics. The ORC has oversight of operational risk management in the existing enterprise risk categories, including: transactions execution risk, security risk, legal and regulatory risks, systems and information technology risks, and employment risks.

Credit Risk Management

Credit risk is the risk of loss arising from the inability or failure of a borrower or counterparty to meet its credit obligations. We are exposed to credit risk in the following areas:

 

   

We hold credit risk exposure in our loan portfolio. We are not currently originating or purchasing loans for investment. Even though the portfolio is running off, losses are likely to remain significant.

 

   

We hold credit risk exposure to non-agency CMOs in our investment securities portfolio. We are not currently purchasing non-agency CMOs for investment. Even though the portfolio is running off, impairments are likely to continue in the future.

 

   

We extend margin loans to our brokerage customers which exposes us to the risk of credit losses in the event we cannot liquidate collateral during significant market movements.

 

   

We engage in financial transactions with counterparties which expose us to credit losses in the event a counterparty cannot meet its obligations. These financial transactions include our invested cash, securities lending, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements and derivatives contracts, as well as the settlement of trades.

Credit risk is monitored by our Credit Committee, whose objective is to evaluate current and expected credit performance of the Company’s loans, investments, borrowers and counterparties relative to market conditions and the probable impact on the Company’s financial performance. The Credit Committee establishes credit risk

 

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guidelines in accordance with the Company’s strategic objectives and existing policies. The Credit Committee reviews investment and lending activities involving credit risk to ensure consistency with those established guidelines. These reviews involve an analysis of portfolio balances, delinquencies, losses, recoveries, default management and collateral liquidation performance, as well as any credit risk mitigation efforts relating to the portfolios. In addition, the Credit Committee reviews and approves credit related counterparties engaged in financial transactions with the Company.

Loss Mitigation on the Loan Portfolio

We have a credit risk operations team that focuses on the mitigation of potential losses in the loan portfolio. Through a variety of strategies, including voluntary line closures, automatically freezing lines on all delinquent accounts, and freezing lines on loans with materially reduced home equity, we have reduced our exposure to open home equity lines from a high of over $7 billion in 2007 to $0.3 billion as of December 31, 2012.

We utilize third party loan servicers to obtain bankruptcy data on our borrowers and during the third quarter of 2012, we identified an increase in bankruptcies reported by one specific servicer. In researching this increase, we discovered that the servicer had not been reporting historical bankruptcy data on a timely basis. As a result, we implemented an enhanced procedure around all servicer reporting to corroborate bankruptcy reporting with independent third party data. Through this additional process, approximately $90 million of loans were identified in which servicers failed to report the bankruptcy filing to us. As a result, these loans were written down to the estimated current value of the underlying property less estimated selling costs, or approximately $40 million, during the third quarter of 2012. These charge-offs resulted in an increase to provision for loan losses of $50 million in the third quarter of 2012.

We have an initiative to assess our servicing relationships and, where appropriate, transfer certain mortgage loans to servicers that specialize in managing troubled assets. We believe this initiative has improved and will continue to improve the credit performance of the loans transferred in future periods when compared to the expected credit performance of these same loans if they had not been transferred. A total of $2.8 billion of our mortgage loans were held at servicers that specialize in managing troubled assets as of December 31, 2012.

We have a loan modification program that focuses on the mitigation of potential losses in the loan portfolio. We consider modifications in which we make an economic concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty a TDR. During the year ended December 31, 2012, we modified $339.1 million and $31.7 million of one- to four-family and home equity loans, respectively, in which the modification was considered a TDR. During the first quarter of 2012, we completed an evaluation of certain programs and practices that were designed in accordance with guidance from our former regulator, the OTS. This evaluation was initiated in connection with our transition from the OTS to the OCC, our new primary banking regulator. As a result of our evaluation, loan modification policies and procedures were aligned with the guidance from the OCC. During the fourth quarter of 2011, we suspended certain home equity loan modification programs that required changes. These suspended programs were discontinued in the first quarter of 2012, which has resulted in a decrease in the volume of TDRs in 2012.

Trial modifications are classified immediately as TDRs and continue to be reported as delinquent until the successful completion of the trial period, which is typically 90 days. The loan is then classified as current and becomes a permanent modification.

We also processed minor modifications on a number of loans through traditional collections actions taken in the normal course of servicing delinquent accounts. These actions typically result in an insignificant delay in the timing of payments; therefore, we do not consider such activities to be economic concessions to the borrowers. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, we had $33.4 million and $41.7 million of mortgage loans, respectively, in which the modification was not considered a TDR due to the insignificant delay in the timing of payments. Approximately 8% of these loans were classified as nonperforming at both December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

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We continue to review the mortgage loan portfolio in order to identify loans to be repurchased by the originator. Our review is primarily focused on identifying loans with violations of transaction representations and warranties or material misrepresentation on the part of the seller. Any loans identified with these deficiencies are submitted to the original seller for repurchase. During the second quarter of 2012, we agreed to settlements with two particular originators specific to loans sold to us by those originators. One-time payments of $11.2 million were made to us to satisfy in full all pending and future repurchase requests with those specific originators. We applied the full amount during the second quarter of 2012 to the allowance for loan losses, resulting in a corresponding reduction to net charge-offs as well as our provision for loan losses. Approximately $41.7 million of loans were repurchased by or settled with the original sellers for the year ended December 31, 2012. A total of $408.5 million of loans were repurchased by the original sellers, including global settlements, since we actively started reviewing our purchased loan portfolio beginning in 2008.

Interest Rate Risk Management

Interest rate risks are monitored and managed by the ALCO, including the analysis of earnings sensitivity to changes in market interest rates under various scenarios. The scenarios assume both parallel and non-parallel shifts in the yield curve. See Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk for additional information about our interest rate risks.

Liquidity Risk Management

Liquidity risk is monitored by the ALCO. We have in place a comprehensive set of liquidity and funding policies as well as contingency funding plans that are intended to maintain our flexibility to address liquidity events specific to us or the market in general. See Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources for additional information.

Market Risk Management

Market risks are monitored through a sub-committee of the ALCO. These risks include holding positions associated with principal trading transactions in our market making business, reduced spreads in securities pricing, and in our limited securities underwriting activities. See Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk for additional information about our market risks.

Operational Risk Management

Operational risks exist in most areas of the Company from processing a transaction to customer service. We are also exposed to fraud risk from unauthorized use of customer and corporate funds and resources. We monitor customer transactions and use scoring tools which prevent a significant number of fraudulent transactions on a daily basis. However, new techniques and strategies are constantly being developed by perpetrators to commit fraud. In order to minimize this threat, we offer our customers various security measures, including a token based multi-factor verification system.

The failure of a third party vendor to adequately meet its responsibilities which could result in financial loss and impact our reputation is another significant operational risk. The Vendor Management group regularly reports to the ERMC and monitors our vendor relationships. The vendor risk identification process includes reviews of contracts, financial soundness of providers, information security, business continuity and risk management scoring.

Strategic Risk Management

Strategic risks are reviewed, challenged and monitored by various risk committees, the ERMC and Board committees. These risks include potential loss of customers or adverse changes in customer mix in the brokerage

 

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business, including trading activity as well as income from related businesses, including market making, securities lending and margin lending; turmoil in the global financial markets which could reduce trade volumes and margin borrowing and increase our dependence on our more active customers who receive lower pricing; and new entrants into the discount brokerage market which could put pressure on margins and thus reduce revenues.

Reputational Risk Management

Reputational risks are reviewed, challenged and monitored by various risk committees and the ERMC. We recognize that reputational risk can manifest itself in all areas of our business often in conjunction with other risk types. We acknowledge that there is particular reputational risk from many factors including, but not limited to:

 

   

deterioration in the loan portfolios;

 

   

impact of investigations and lawsuits;

 

   

failure of controls supporting the accuracy of financial reports and disclosures;

 

   

risk of business disruption and system failures;

 

   

risk of security breaches and identity theft; and

 

   

risk of public regulatory findings.

Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Risk Management

Legal, regulatory and compliance risks are reviewed, challenged and monitored by various risk committees and the ERMC. We recognize that legal, regulatory and compliance risks can manifest in all areas of our business. Particularly pertinent risks include extensive government regulation, including banking and securities rules and regulations, which could restrict our business practices; recently enacted regulatory reform legislation which may have a material impact on our operations; and investigations and lawsuits. In addition, if we are unable to meet these new requirements, we could face negative regulatory consequences, which would have a material negative effect on our business; not complying with applicable securities and banking laws, rules and regulations, either domestically or internationally could subject us to disciplinary actions, damages, penalties or restrictions that could significantly harm our business; and not maintaining the capital levels required by regulators could subject us to prompt correction actions, increasingly strong sanctions, cease-and-desist orders, and ultimately FDIC receivership.

These risks also arise in situations where the laws or rules governing certain regulated products or activities may be ambiguous, untested, or in the process of significant change or revision. This risk exposes us to fines, civil money penalties, payment of damages, and the voiding of contracts. It can lead to diminished reputation, reduced franchise value, limited business opportunities, reduced expansion potential, and an inability to enforce contracts.

CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK

Loans

We track and review factors to predict and monitor credit risk in the mortgage loan portfolio on an ongoing basis. These factors include: loan type, estimated current loan-to-value (“LTV”)/combined loan-to-value (“CLTV”) ratios, delinquency history, documentation type, borrowers’ current credit scores, housing prices, loan acquisition channel, loan vintage and geographic location of the property. In economic conditions in which housing prices generally appreciate, we believe that loan type, LTV/CLTV ratios, documentation type and credit scores are the key factors in determining future loan performance. In a housing market with declining home prices and less credit available for refinance, we believe the LTV/CLTV ratio becomes a more important factor in predicting and monitoring credit risk. These factors are updated on at least a quarterly basis. We track and review delinquency status to predict and monitor credit risk in the consumer and other loan portfolio on at least a quarterly basis.

 

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The home equity loan portfolio is primarily second lien loans on residential real estate properties, which have a higher level of credit risk than first lien mortgage loans. Approximately 15% of the home equity portfolio was in the first lien position as of December 31, 2012. We hold both the first and second lien positions in less than 1% of the home equity loan portfolio. The home equity loan portfolio consists of approximately 21% of home equity installment loans and approximately 79% of home equity lines of credit.

Home equity installment loans are primarily fixed rate and fixed term, fully amortizing loans that do not offer the option of an interest-only payment. Home equity lines of credit convert to amortizing loans at the end of the draw period, which ranges from five to ten years. At December 31, 2012, the vast majority of the home equity line of credit portfolio had not converted from the interest-only draw period to an amortizing loan. In addition, approximately 80% of the home equity line of credit portfolio will not begin amortizing until after 2014. The following table outlines when home equity lines of credit convert to amortizing for the home equity line of credit portfolio as of December 31, 2012:

 

Period of Conversion to Amortizing Loan

   % of Home Equity Line of
Credit Portfolio
 

Already amortizing

     9

Year ending December 31, 2013

     4

Year ending December 31, 2014

     7

Year ending December 31, 2015

     26

Year ending December 31, 2016

     41

Year ending December 31, 2017

     13

The following tables show the distribution of the mortgage loan portfolios by credit quality indicator (dollars in millions):

 

      One- to Four-Family     Home Equity  
      December 31,     December 31,  

Current LTV/CLTV (1)

   2012     2011     2012     2011  

<=80%

   $ 1,324.2     $ 1,596.3     $ 927.5     $ 1,168.9  

80%-100%

     1,404.4       1,716.8       776.2       967.9  

100%-120%

     1,231.5       1,527.3       932.0       1,191.9  

>120%

     1,482.1       1,775.4       1,587.7       2,000.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans receivable

   $ 5,442.2     $ 6,615.8     $ 4,223.4     $ 5,328.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        

Average estimated current LTV/CLTV (2)

     108.1     106.7     113.8     112.1

Average LTV/CLTV at loan origination (3)

     71.2     71.0     79.4     79.2

 

(1) 

Current CLTV calculations for home equity loans are based on the maximum available line for home equity lines of credit and outstanding principal balance for home equity installment loans. Current property values are updated on a quarterly basis using the most recent property value data available to us. For properties in which we did not have an updated valuation, we utilized home price indices to estimate the current property value.

(2) 

The average estimated current LTV/CLTV ratio reflects the outstanding balance at the balance sheet date and the maximum available line for home equity lines of credit, divided by the estimated current value of the underlying property.

(3) 

Average LTV/CLTV at loan origination calculations are based on LTV/CLTV at time of purchase for one- to four-family purchased loans and undrawn balances for home equity loans.

 

      One- to Four-Family      Home Equity  
      December 31,      December 31,  

Documentation Type

   2012      2011      2012      2011  

Full documentation

   $ 2,317.9      $ 2,845.6      $ 2,166.5      $ 2,699.2  

Low/no documentation

     3,124.3        3,770.2        2,056.9        2,629.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans receivable

   $ 5,442.2      $ 6,615.8      $ 4,223.4      $ 5,328.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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      One- to Four-Family      Home Equity  
      December 31,      December 31,  

Current FICO (1)

   2012      2011      2012      2011  

>=720

   $ 2,819.5      $ 3,557.6      $ 2,238.3      $ 2,780.2  

719 - 700

     498.1        585.2        417.9        497.7  

699 - 680

     425.5        448.6        345.8        408.8  

679 - 660

     347.2        385.0        279.7        325.8  

659 - 620

     494.0        525.9        370.3        447.9  

<620

     857.9        1,113.5        571.4        868.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans receivable

   $ 5,442.2      $ 6,615.8      $ 4,223.4      $ 5,328.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

FICO scores are updated on a quarterly basis; however, as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, there were some loans for which the updated FICO scores were not available. The current FICO distribution as of December 31, 2012 included original FICO scores for approximately $121 million and $20 million of one- to four-family and home equity loans, respectively. The current FICO distribution as of December 31, 2011 included original FICO scores for approximately $153 million and $30 million of one- to four-family and home equity loans, respectively.

 

      One- to Four-Family      Home Equity  
      December 31,      December 31,  

Acquisition Channel

   2012      2011      2012      2011  

Purchased from a third party

   $ 4,484.3      $ 5,420.8      $ 3,723.2      $ 4,669.6  

Originated by the Company

     957.9        1,195.0        500.2        659.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans receivable

   $ 5,442.2      $ 6,615.8      $ 4,223.4      $ 5,328.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

      One- to Four-Family      Home Equity  
      December 31,      December 31,  

Vintage Year

   2012      2011      2012      2011  

2003 and prior

   $ 190.4      $ 239.9      $ 218.2      $ 302.6  

2004

     514.3        620.5        359.7        472.9  

2005

     1,095.1        1,377.7        1,131.3        1,387.0  

2006

     2,123.4        2,528.5        1,962.9        2,480.0  

2007

     1,515.0        1,841.1        542.2        674.8  

2008

     4.0        8.1        9.1        11.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans receivable

   $ 5,442.2      $ 6,615.8      $ 4,223.4      $ 5,328.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average age of mortgage loans receivable (years)

     6.7        5.7        6.9        5.9  

 

     One- to Four-Family      Home Equity  
     December 31,      December 31,  

Geographic Location

   2012      2011      2012      2011  

California

   $ 2,568.7      $ 3,096.0      $ 1,333.3      $ 1,690.3  

New York

     386.4        488.2        313.1        387.0  

Florida

     368.3        458.2        298.9        377.8  

Virginia

     235.0        280.8        192.1        234.1  

Other states

     1,883.8        2,292.6        2,086.0        2,639.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans receivable

   $ 5,442.2      $ 6,615.8      $ 4,223.4      $ 5,328.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Approximately 40% of the Company’s real estate loans were concentrated in California at both December 31, 2012 and 2011. No other state had concentrations of real estate loans that represented 10% or more of the Company’s real estate portfolio.

 

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Additionally, in the current and anticipated interest rate environment, we do not expect interest rate resets to be a material driver of credit costs in the near future. As of December 31, 2012, a total of $2.6 billion of one- to four-family loans had already reset for the first time and another $2.3 billion were expected to reset for the first time in the next five years. We expect approximately $2.5 billion in one- to four-family loans that have already reset to experience another interest rate reset in 2013. We estimate that less than 1% of all one- to four-family loans expected to reset in 2013 will experience a payment increase of more than 10% and nearly 83% are expected to reset to a lower payment in 2013. The following table outlines the percentage of one- to four-family loans that have reset and are expected to reset for the first time as of December 31, 2012:

 

Period of First Interest Rate Reset

   % of Total One-to Four-Family
First Resets
 

Already reset

     53 

Year ending December 31, 2013

    

Year ending December 31, 2014

    

Year ending December 31, 2015

    

Year ending December 31, 2016

     15 

Year ending December 31, 2017

     19 

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is management’s estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. The estimate of the allowance for loan losses is based on a variety of quantitative and qualitative factors, including the composition and quality of the portfolio; delinquency levels and trends; current and historical charge-off and loss experience; our historical loss mitigation experience; the condition of the real estate market and geographic concentrations within the loan portfolio; the interest rate climate; the overall availability of housing credit; and general economic conditions. The allowance for loan losses is typically equal to management’s forecast of loan losses in the twelve months following the balance sheet date as well as the forecasted losses, including economic concessions to borrowers, over the estimated remaining life of loans modified as TDRs. The following table presents the allowance for loan losses by major loan category (dollars in millions):

 

    One- to Four-Family     Home Equity     Consumer and Other     Total  
    Allowance     Allowance as
a % of  Loans
Receivable(1)
    Allowance     Allowance as
a % of  Loans
Receivable(1)
    Allowance     Allowance as
a % of  Loans
Receivable(1)
    Allowance     Allowance as
a % of  Loans
Receivable(1)
 

December 31, 2012

  $ 183.9       3.37%      $ 257.3       6.04%      $ 39.5       4.62%      $ 480.7       4.54%   

December 31, 2011

  $ 314.2       4.73%      $ 463.3       8.60%      $ 45.3       4.02%      $ 822.8       6.25%   

 

(1) 

Allowance as a percentage of loans receivable is calculated based on the gross loans receivable for each respective category.

 

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During the year ended December 31, 2012, the allowance for loan losses decreased by $342.1 million from the level at December 31, 2011. During the first quarter of 2012, we completed an evaluation of certain programs and practices that were designed in accordance with guidance from our former regulator, the OTS. This evaluation was initiated in connection with our transition from the OTS to the OCC, our new primary banking regulator. As a result of our evaluation, loan modification policies and procedures were aligned with the guidance from the OCC. The review resulted in a significant increase in charge-offs during the first quarter of 2012. The majority of the losses associated with these charge-offs were previously reflected in the specific valuation allowance and qualitative component of the general allowance for loan losses. See Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates for a discussion of the estimates and assumptions used in the allowance for loan losses, including the qualitative reserve. The following table shows the trend of the ratio of the general allowance for loan losses, excluding the qualitative component, to loans that are 90+ days delinquent excluding modified TDRs (dollars in millions):

 

     Total 90+ Days
Delinquent
Loans, Excluding
Modified TDRs
     General
Allowance for
Loan Losses
     Coverage
Ratio
 

December 31, 2012

   $ 348.7      $ 265.2        76

September 30, 2012

   $ 383.3      $ 276.5        72

June 30, 2012

   $ 432.6      $ 290.4        67

March 31, 2012

   $ 520.9      $ 326.6        63

December 31, 2011

   $ 595.9      $ 378.6        64

Troubled Debt Restructurings

TDRs include loan modifications completed under our programs that involve granting an economic concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2012, loans that have been charged-off based on the estimated current value of the underlying property less estimated selling costs due to bankruptcy notification are also considered TDRs. As of December 31, 2012, we had $216.6 million net investment of TDRs that had been charged-off due to bankruptcy notification, $119.2 million of which were classified as performing.

The following table shows the TDRs by delinquency category as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in millions):

 

     TDRs
Current
     TDRs  30-89
Days
Delinquent
     TDRs  90-179
Days
Delinquent
     TDRs  180+
Days
Delinquent
     Total Recorded
Investment in
TDRs
 

December 31, 2012

              

One- to four-family

   $ 927.6      $ 118.8      $ 48.6      $ 134.1      $ 1,229.1  

Home equity

     231.9        17.6        7.9        19.6        277.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,159.5      $ 136.4      $ 56.5      $ 153.7      $ 1,506.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

              

One- to four-family

   $ 767.3      $ 88.2      $ 33.2      $ 84.3      $ 973.0  

Home equity

     351.6        51.4        34.5        8.4        445.9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,118.9      $ 139.6      $ 67.7      $ 92.7      $ 1,418.9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TDRs on accrual status, which are current and have made six or more consecutive payments, were $980.2 million and $795.3 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Troubled Debt Restructurings – Loan Modifications

Historically, we reported the average re-delinquency rates for TDR loan modifications twelve months after the modification occurred as this metric was a key indication of the effectiveness of our modification programs.

 

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As a result of an overall decline in delinquent loans and the elimination of certain modification programs in the first quarter of 2012, modification volumes have decreased significantly in 2012. While the re-delinquency rates twelve months after modification have remained stable, this metric has become less meaningful as the vast majority of our modifications are beyond twelve months since modification date. Therefore, we have ceased using this measure as a key indicator of TDR performance. The overall delinquency status of TDR loan modifications is now the primary measure we use to evaluate the performance. The following table shows TDR loan modifications by delinquency category as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in millions):

 

     Modifications
Current
     Modifications
30-89 Days
Delinquent
     Modifications
90-179 Days
Delinquent
     Modifications
180+ Days
Delinquent
     Total Recorded
Investment in
Modifications
 

December 31, 2012

              

One- to four-family

   $ 838.0      $ 105.2      $ 43.9      $ 79.1      $ 1,066.2  

Home equity

     195.0        15.1        6.2        7.1        223.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,033.0      $ 120.3      $ 50.1      $ 86.2      $ 1,289.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

              

One- to four-family

   $ 767.3      $ 88.2      $ 33.2      $ 84.3      $ 973.0  

Home equity

     351.6        51.4        34.5        8.4        445.9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,118.9      $ 139.6      $ 67.7      $ 92.7      $ 1,418.9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Included in allowance for loan losses was a specific valuation allowance of $171.4 million and $320.1 million that was established for modifications at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The specific valuation allowance for these individually impaired loans represents the forecasted losses over the remaining life of the loan, including the economic concession to the borrower. The following table shows TDR loan modifications and the specific valuation allowance by loan portfolio as well as the percentage of total expected losses as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in millions):

 

    Recorded
Investment in
Modifications
before Charge-
offs
    Charge-offs     Recorded
Investment in
Modifications
    Specific
Valuation
Allowance
    Net Investment in
Modifications
    Specific Valuation
Allowance as a %
of Modifications
    Total
Expected
Losses
 

December 31, 2012

             

One- to four-family

  $ 1,383.3     $ (317.1   $ 1,066.2     $ (89.7   $ 976.5       8     29

Home equity

    382.6       (159.2     223.4       (81.7     141.7       37     63
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total

  $ 1,765.9     $ (476.3   $ 1,289.6     $ (171.4   $ 1,118.2       13     37
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

December 31, 2011

             

One- to four-family

  $ 1,209.4     $ (236.4   $ 973.0     $ (101.2   $ 871.8       10     28

Home equity

    490.4       (44.5     445.9       (218.9     227.0       49     55
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total

  $ 1,699.8     $ (280.9   $ 1,418.9     $ (320.1   $ 1,098.8       23     35
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

The recorded investment in TDR loan modifications includes the charge-offs related to certain loans that were written down to the estimated current value of the underlying property less estimated costs to sell. These charge-offs were recorded on modified loans that were delinquent in excess of 180 days or in bankruptcy and on TDRs when certain characteristics of the loan, including CLTV, borrower’s credit and type of modification, cast substantial doubt on the borrower’s ability to repay the loan. The total expected loss on TDR loan modifications includes both the previously recorded charge-offs and the specific valuation allowance. Total expected losses on TDR loan modifications increased slightly from 35% at December 31, 2011 to 37% at December 31, 2012.

 

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Net Charge-offs

The following table provides an analysis of the allowance for loan losses and net charge-offs for the past five years (dollars in millions):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012      2011      2010      2009      2008  

Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period

   $ 822.8      $ 1,031.2      $ 1,182.7      $ 1,080.6      $ 508.2  

Provision for loan losses

     354.6        440.6        779.4        1,498.1        1,583.7  

Charge-offs:

              

One- to four-family

     (189.9)         (228.9)         (302.6)         (364.3)         (138.0)   

Home equity

     (517.2)         (457.3)         (600.0)         (966.3)         (820.2)   

Consumer and other

     (51.1)         (59.3)         (80.3)         (111.6)         (84.8)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total charge-offs

     (758.2)         (745.5)         (982.9)         (1,442.2)         (1,043.0)   

Recoveries:

              

One- to four-family

     9.3        20.8        —          —          0.4  

Home equity

     40.2        58.1        26.6        15.3        8.2  

Consumer and other

     12.0        17.6        25.4        30.9        23.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total recoveries

     61.5        96.5        52.0        46.2        31.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net charge-offs

     (696.7)         (649.0)         (930.9)         (1,396.0)         (1,011.3)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses, end of period

   $ 480.7      $ 822.8      $ 1,031.2      $ 1,182.7      $ 1,080.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net charge-offs to average loans receivable outstanding

     5.80%         4.42%         5.10%         6.04%         3.64%   

The following table allocates the allowance for loan losses by loan category for the past five years (dollars in millions):

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010     2009     2008  
     Amount      %(1)     Amount      %(1)     Amount      %(1)     Amount      %(1)     Amount      %(1)  

One- to four-family

   $ 183.9        51.8   $ 314.2        50.7   $ 389.6        51.0   $ 489.9        52.4   $ 185.2        51.3

Home equity

     257.3        40.2       463.3        40.8       576.1        40.0       620.0        38.5       833.8        39.6  

Consumer and other

     39.5        8.0       45.3        8.5       65.5        9.0       72.8        9.1       61.6        9.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total allowance for loan losses

   $ 480.7        100.0   $822.8          100.0   $1,031.2          100.0   $1,182.7          100.0   $1,080.6          100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Represents percentage of loans receivable in the category to total loans receivable, excluding premiums (discounts).

Loan losses are recognized when it is probable that a loss has been incurred. The charge-off policy for both one- to four-family and home equity loans is to assess the value of the property when the loan has been delinquent for 180 days or is in bankruptcy, regardless of whether or not the property is in foreclosure, and charge-off the amount of the loan balance in excess of the estimated current value of the underlying property less estimated costs to sell. TDRs are charged-off when they are identified as collateral dependent based on the terms of the modification, which includes assigning a higher level of risk to loans in which the LTV or CLTV is greater than 110%, a borrower’s credit score is less than 600 and certain types of modifications, such as interest-only payments and terms longer than 30 years. Closed-end consumer loans are charged-off when the loan has been 120 days delinquent or when it is determined that collection is not probable.

Net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011 increased by $47.7 million. The timing and magnitude of charge-offs are affected by many factors and we anticipate variability from quarter to quarter while continuing to see a downward trend over the long term.

 

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During the first quarter of 2012 we completed an evaluation of certain programs and practices that were designed in accordance with guidance from our former regulator, the OTS. This evaluation was initiated in connection with our transition from the OTS to the OCC, our new primary banking regulator. As a result of our evaluation, loan modification policies and procedures were aligned with the guidance from the OCC. The review resulted in a significant increase in charge-offs during the first quarter of 2012.

We utilize third party loan servicers to obtain bankruptcy data on our borrowers and during the third quarter of 2012, we identified an increase in bankruptcies reported by one specific servicer. In researching this increase, we discovered that the servicer had not been reporting historical bankruptcy data on a timely basis. As a result, we implemented an enhanced procedure around all servicer reporting to corroborate bankruptcy reporting with independent third party data. Through this additional process, approximately $90 million of loans were identified in which servicers failed to report the bankruptcy filing to us, approximately 90% of which were current at the end of the third quarter of 2012. As a result, these loans were written down to the estimated current value of the underlying property less estimated selling costs, or approximately $40 million, during the third quarter of 2012. These newly identified bankruptcy filings resulted in an increase to net charge-offs and provision for loan losses of $50 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, with approximately 80% related to prior years.

Nonperforming Assets

We classify loans as nonperforming when they are no longer accruing interest, which includes loans that are 90 days and greater past due, TDRs that are on nonaccrual status for all classes of loans and certain junior liens that have a delinquent senior lien. The following table shows the comparative data for nonperforming loans and assets for the past five years (dollars in millions):

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010     2009     2008  

One- to four-family

   $ 639.1     $ 930.2     $ 1,256.2     $ 1,335.9     $ 593.1  

Home equity

     247.5       281.4       360.8       430.2       341.2  

Consumer and other

     6.4       4.5       5.5       6.7       7.8  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total nonperforming loans

     893.0       1,216.1       1,622.5       1,772.8       942.1  

REO and other repossessed assets, net

     71.2       87.6       133.5       115.7       108.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total nonperforming assets, net

   $ 964.2     $ 1,303.7     $ 1,756.0     $ 1,888.5     $ 1,050.2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nonperforming loans receivable as a percentage of gross loans receivable

     8.44     9.24     10.04     8.71     3.69

One- to four-family allowance for loan losses as a percentage of one- to four-family nonperforming loans

     28.77     33.78     31.01     36.67     31.22

Home equity allowance for loan losses as a percentage of home equity nonperforming loans

     103.96     164.64     159.67     144.15     244.34

Consumer and other allowance for loan losses as a percentage of consumer and other nonperforming loans

     617.19     1000.46     1194.56     1082.29     790.72

Total allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total nonperforming loans

     53.83     67.66     63.56     66.73     114.70

During the year ended December 31, 2012, nonperforming assets, net decreased $339.5 million to $964.2 million when compared to December 31, 2011. This decrease was due to both improving credit trends and the additional charge-offs recorded as a result of the completion of the evaluation of certain programs and practices that were designed in accordance with guidance from our former regulator, the OTS. This evaluation was initiated in connection with our transition from the OTS to the OCC, our new primary banking regulator. As a

 

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result of our evaluation, loan modification policies and procedures were aligned with the guidance from the OCC. The review resulted in a significant increase in charge-offs during the first quarter of 2012, which also decreased the loans receivable balance. This decrease was partially offset by the additional second lien home equity loans placed on nonaccrual status during the second quarter of 2012.

During the first quarter of 2012, interagency supervisory guidance related to practices associated with loans and lines of credit secured by junior liens on one- to four-family residential properties was issued. The guidance indicated that if a senior lien is delinquent, it should be considered in determining the income recognition of the junior lien. The vast majority of our home equity loans were purchased in the secondary market; therefore, we hold both the first and second lien positions in less than 1% of the home equity loan portfolio. We do not directly service our loans and as a result, rely on third party vendors and servicers to provide information on the home equity portfolio, including data on the first lien positions related to second lien home equity loans. During the second quarter of 2012, we engaged additional third parties in order to receive expanded information on the lien senior to the borrower’s junior lien, including delinquency and modification status. As a result, approximately $180 million of unpaid principal balance, or approximately 4% of performing second lien home equity loans, were placed on nonaccrual status as a result of the interagency supervisory guidance during the second quarter of 2012.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, we recognized $22.1 million of operating interest income on loans that were nonperforming at December 31, 2012. If our nonperforming loans at December 31, 2012 had been performing in accordance with their terms, we would have recorded additional operating interest income of approximately $30.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. At December 31, 2012 there were no commitments to lend additional funds to any of these borrowers.

Delinquent Loans

We believe the distinction between loans delinquent 90 to 179 days and loans delinquent 180 days and greater is important as loans delinquent 180 days and greater have been written down to their expected recovery value, whereas loans delinquent 90 to 179 days have not (unless they are in process of bankruptcy or are modifications that have substantial doubt as to the borrower’s ability to repay the loan). We believe loans delinquent 90 to 179 days are an important measure because these loans are expected to drive the vast majority of future charge-offs. Additional charge-offs on loans delinquent 180 days and greater are possible if home prices decline beyond current expectations, but we do not anticipate these charge-offs to be significant, particularly when compared to the expected charge-offs on loans delinquent 90 to 179 days. We expect the balances of one- to four-family loans delinquent 180 days and greater to decline over time; however, we expect the balances to remain at high levels in the near term due to the extensive amount of time it takes to foreclose on a property in the current real estate market. The following table shows the comparative data for loans delinquent 90 to 179 days (dollars in millions):

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011  

One- to four-family

   $ 94.7     $ 136.2  

Home equity

     64.2       99.7  

Consumer and other loans

     6.2       4.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total loans delinquent 90-179 days(1)

   $ 165.1     $ 240.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans delinquent 90-179 days as a percentage of gross loans receivable

     1.56     1.82

 

(1) 

The decrease in loans delinquent 90-179 days includes the impact of loan modification programs in which borrowers who were 90-179 days past due were made current. Loans modified as TDRs are accounted for as nonaccrual loans at the time of modification and return to accrual status after six consecutive payments are made in accordance with the modified terms.

 

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One- to four-family loans delinquent 90-179 days declined $41.5 million to $94.7 million and home equity loans delinquent 90-179 days declined $35.5 million to $64.2 million due to both improving credit trends and the additional charge-offs recorded as a result of the completion of the evaluation of certain programs and practices, as previously discussed. The review resulted in a significant increase in charge-offs during the first quarter of 2012, which also decreased the loans receivable balance.

In addition to nonperforming assets, we monitor loans in which a borrower’s current credit history casts doubt on their ability to repay a loan. We classify loans as special mention when they are between 30 and 89 days past due. The following table shows the comparative data for special mention loans (dollars in millions):

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011  

One- to four-family

   $ 233.8     $ 294.8  

Home equity

     89.3       154.6  

Consumer and other loans

     19.1       17.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total special mention loans(1)

   $ 342.2     $ 467.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Special mention loans receivable as a percentage of gross loans receivable

     3.23     3.55

 

(1) 

The decrease in special mention loans includes the impact of loan modification programs in which borrowers who were 30 to 89 days past due were made current. Loans modified as TDRs are accounted for as nonaccrual loans at the time of modification and return to accrual status after six consecutive payments are made in accordance with the modified terms.

The trend in special mention loan balances is generally indicative of the expected trend for charge-offs in future periods, as these loans have a greater propensity to migrate into nonaccrual status and ultimately charge-off. One- to four-family loans are generally secured in a first lien position by real estate assets, reducing the potential loss when compared to an unsecured loan. Home equity loans are generally secured by real estate assets; however, the majority of these loans are secured in a second lien position, which substantially increases the potential loss when compared to a first lien position. The loss severity of our second lien home equity loans is approximately 95%.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, special mention loans decreased by $124.9 million to $342.2 million and are down 67% from their peak of $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2008. This decrease was largely due to both improving credit trends and the additional charge-offs recorded as a result of the completion of the evaluation of certain programs and practices, as previously discussed. The review resulted in a significant increase in charge-offs during the first quarter of 2012, which also decreased the loans receivable balance. While the level of special mention loans can fluctuate significantly in any given period, we believe the continued decrease is an encouraging sign regarding the future credit performance of the mortgage loan portfolio.

Securities

We focus primarily on security type and credit rating to monitor credit risk in our securities portfolios. We believe our highest concentration of credit risk within this portfolio is the non-agency CMO portfolio. The table

 

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below details the amortized cost of non-agency debt securities, municipal bonds and corporate bonds by average credit ratings and type of asset as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in millions):

 

December 31, 2012

   AAA      AA      A      BBB      Below
Investment
Grade and
Non-Rated
     Total  

Non-agency CMOs

   $ 3.9      $ 3.0      $ 7.4      $ 8.2      $ 237.6      $ 260.1  

Municipal bonds and corporate bonds

     10.3        19.9        —          5.5        —          35.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 14.2      $ 22.9      $ 7.4      $ 13.7      $ 237.6      $ 295.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

   AAA      AA      A      BBB      Below
Investment
Grade and
Non-Rated
     Total  

Non-agency CMOs

   $ 5.6      $ 9.9      $ 8.0      $ 16.1      $ 383.0      $ 422.6  

Municipal bonds and corporate bonds

     10.3        20.0        8.0        9.5        19.9        67.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 15.9      $ 29.9      $ 16.0      $ 25.6      $ 402.9      $ 490.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

We also held $22.5 billion and $21.1 billion of agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs, agency debentures and agency debt securities at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We consider securities backed by the U.S. government or its agencies to have low credit risk as the long-term debt rating of the U.S. government is AA+ by S&P and AAA by Moody’s and Fitch.

Certain non-agency CMOs were other-than-temporarily impaired as a result of the deterioration in the expected credit performance of the underlying loans in those specific securities. As of December 31, 2012, we held approximately $179.9 million in amortized cost of non-agency CMOs that had been other-than-temporarily impaired. We recorded $16.9 million, $14.9 million and $37.7 million of net impairment for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to other-than-temporarily impaired non-agency CMOs. Further declines in the performance of our non-agency CMO portfolio could result in additional impairments in future periods.

SUMMARY OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with GAAP. Note 1—Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data contains a summary of our significant accounting policies, many of which require the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and related notes for the periods presented. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, the following are noteworthy because they are based on estimates and assumptions that require complex and subjective judgments by management. Changes in these estimates or assumptions could materially impact our financial condition and results of operations and actual results could differ from our estimates.

Allowance for Loan Losses

Description

The allowance for loan losses is management’s estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. In determining the adequacy of the allowance, we perform periodic evaluations of the loan portfolio and loss forecasting assumptions. As of December 31, 2012, the allowance for loan losses was $480.7 million on $10.5 billion of total loans receivable designated as held-for-investment.

 

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Judgments

Determining the adequacy of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Subsequent evaluations of the loan portfolio, in light of the factors then prevailing, may result in significant changes in the allowance for loan losses in future periods. We evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses by loan portfolio segment: one- to four-family, home equity and consumer and other. The estimate of the allowance for loan losses is based on a variety of quantitative and qualitative factors, including the composition and quality of the portfolio; delinquency levels and trends; current and historical charge-off and loss experience; our historical loss mitigation experience; the condition of the real estate market and geographic concentrations within the loan portfolio; the interest rate climate; the overall availability of housing credit; and general economic conditions. The allowance for loan losses is typically equal to management’s forecast of loan losses in the twelve months following the balance sheet date as well as the forecasted losses, including economic concessions to borrowers, over the estimated remaining life of loans modified as TDRs.

For loans that are not TDRs, we established a general allowance. The one- to four-family and home equity loan portfolios are separated into risk segments based on key risk factors, which include but are not limited to loan type, delinquency history, documentation type, LTV/CLTV ratio and borrowers’ credit scores. For home equity loans in the second lien position, the original balance of the first lien loan at origination date and updated valuations on the property underlying the loan are used to calculate CLTV. Both current CLTV and FICO scores are among the factors utilized to categorize the risk associated with mortgage loans and assign a probability assumption of future default. We utilize historical mortgage loan performance data to develop the forecast of delinquency and default for these risk segments. The consumer and other loan portfolio is separated into risk segments by product and delinquency status. We utilize historical performance data and historical recovery rates on collateral liquidation to forecast delinquency and loss at the product level. The one- to four-family and home equity loan portfolios represented 52% and 40%, respectively, of total loans receivable as of December 31, 2012. The consumer and other loan portfolio represented 8% of total loans receivable as of December 31, 2012.

The general allowance for loan losses also included a qualitative component to account for a variety of factors that are not directly considered in the quantitative loss model but are factors we believe may impact the level of credit losses. Examples of these factors are: external factors, such as changes in the macro-economic, legal and regulatory environment; internal factors, such as procedural changes and reliance on third parties; and portfolio specific factors, such as the impact of payment resets and historical loan modification activity, which impacts the historical performance data used to forecast delinquency and default in the general allowance for loan losses.

The total qualitative component was $44 million and $124 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The qualitative component for the one- to four-family and home equity loan portfolios was 17% and 35% of the general allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The decrease in the qualitative reserve in these loan portfolios from December 31, 2011 to December 31, 2012 reflects the completion of our evaluation of certain programs and practices that were designed in accordance with guidance from our former regulator, the OTS. This evaluation was initiated in connection with the transition from the OTS to the OCC. As a result of the evaluation, loan modification policies and procedures were aligned with the guidance from the OCC. The qualitative component was increased to 35% during the fourth quarter of 2011 to reflect additional estimated losses due to this evaluation. The review resulted in a significant increase in charge-offs during the year ended December 31, 2012 and a corresponding decrease in the qualitative component. The qualitative component for the consumer and other loan portfolio was 17% and 15% of the general allowance at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

For modified loans accounted for as TDRs that are valued using the discounted cash flow model, we established a specific allowance. The specific allowance for TDRs factors in the historical default rate of an individual loan before being modified as a TDR in the discounted cash flow analysis in order to determine that

 

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specific loan’s expected impairment. Specifically, a loan that has a more severe delinquency history prior to modification will have a higher future default rate in the discounted cash flow analysis than a loan that was not as severely delinquent. For both of the one- to four-family and home equity loan portfolio segments, the pre-modification delinquency status, the borrower’s current credit score and other credit bureau attributes, in addition to each loan’s individual default experience and credit characteristics, are incorporated into the calculation of the specific allowance. A specific allowance is established to the extent that the recorded investment exceeds the discounted cash flows of a TDR with a corresponding charge to provision for loan losses. The specific allowance for these individually impaired loans represents the forecasted losses over the estimated remaining life of the loan, including the economic concession to the borrower.

Effects if Actual Results Differ

The crisis in the residential real estate and credit markets has substantially increased the complexity and uncertainty involved in estimating the losses inherent in the loan portfolio. In the current market it is difficult to estimate how potential changes in the quantitative and qualitative factors might impact the allowance for loan losses. If our underlying assumptions and judgments prove to be inaccurate, the allowance for loan losses could be insufficient to cover actual losses. We may be required under such circumstances to further increase the provision for loan losses, which could have an adverse effect on the regulatory capital position and results of operations in future periods.

During the normal course of conducting examinations, our banking regulators, the OCC and Federal Reserve, continue to review our business and practices. This process is dynamic and ongoing and we cannot be certain that additional changes or actions will not result from their continuing review.

Valuation of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Description

Goodwill and other intangible assets are evaluated for impairment on at least an annual basis or when events or changes indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Goodwill and other intangible assets net of amortization were $1.9 billion and $0.3 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2012.

Judgments

Estimating the fair value of reporting units and the assets, liabilities and intangible assets of a reporting unit is a subjective process that involves the use of estimates and judgments, particularly related to cash flows, the appropriate discount rates and an applicable control premium. Management judgment is required to assess whether the carrying value of the reporting unit can be supported by the fair value of the individual reporting unit. There are various valuation methodologies, such as the market approach or discounted cash flow methods, that may be used to estimate the fair value of reporting units. In applying these methodologies, we utilize a number of factors, including actual operating results, future business plans, economic projections, and market data.

Goodwill is allocated to reporting units, which are components of the business that are one level below operating segments. Each reporting unit is tested for impairment individually during the annual evaluation. In conducting the goodwill impairment test for 2012, we determined the fair value of our reporting units using both a discounted cash flow analysis, a form of the income approach, and the publicly traded company method, a form of the market approach, combined with a control premium. The discounted cash flow analysis required management to make projections about future revenue and costs, discounting the cash flows to present value using a risk-adjusted discount rate. The publicly traded company method consisted of identifying similar publicly traded companies. Based on the results of step one of the goodwill impairment test, we determined that the fair value of each of the reporting units, including goodwill, exceeded the carrying value for each reporting unit. As such, none of the reporting units were impaired at December 31, 2012.

 

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There is no goodwill assigned to reporting units within the balance sheet management segment. The following table shows the amount of goodwill allocated to each of the reporting units and the fair value as a percentage of book value for the reporting units in the trading and investing segment (dollars in millions):

 

     December 31, 2012  
Reporting Unit    Goodwill      % of Fair Value to
Book Value
 

Retail Brokerage

   $ 1,791.8        190

Market Making

     142.4        115
  

 

 

    

Total goodwill

   $ 1,934.2     
  

 

 

    

We also evaluate the remaining useful lives on intangible assets each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. Other intangible assets have a weighted average remaining useful life of 13 years. We did not recognize impairment on our other intangible assets in the periods presented.

Effects if Actual Results Differ

If our estimates of fair value for the reporting units change due to changes in our business or other factors, we may determine that an impairment charge is necessary. Estimates of fair value are determined based on a complex model using estimated future cash flows and company comparisons. If actual cash flows are less than estimated future cash flows used in the annual assessment, then goodwill would have to be tested for impairment.

The estimated fair value of the market making reporting unit as a percentage of book value was approximately 115%; therefore, if actual cash flows are less than our estimated cash flows, goodwill impairment could occur in the market making reporting unit in the future. These cash flows will be monitored closely to determine if a further evaluation of potential impairment is necessary so that impairment could be recognized in a timely manner. In addition, following the review of order handling practices and pricing for order flow between E*TRADE Securities LLC and GI Execution Services, LLC, our regulators may initiate investigations into our historical practices which could subject us to monetary penalties and cease-and-desist orders, which could also prompt claims by customers of E*TRADE Securities LLC. Any of these actions could materially and adversely affect our market making and trade execution businesses, which could impact future cash flows and could result in goodwill impairment.

Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. If changes in the estimated underlying revenue occur, impairment or a change in the remaining life may need to be recognized.

Estimates of Effective Tax Rates, Deferred Taxes and Valuation Allowance

Description

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, we calculate income tax expense (benefit) based on our interpretation of the tax laws in the various jurisdictions where we conduct business. This requires us to estimate current tax obligations and the realizability of uncertain tax positions and to assess temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, the net amount of which we show as other assets or other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. We must also assess the likelihood that each of the deferred tax assets will be realized. To the extent we believe that realization is not more likely than not, we establish a valuation allowance. When we establish a valuation allowance or increase this allowance in a reporting period, we generally record a corresponding tax expense in the consolidated statement of income (loss). Conversely, to the extent circumstances indicate that a valuation allowance is no longer necessary, that portion of the valuation allowance is reversed, which generally reduces overall income tax expense. At December 31, 2012 we had net deferred tax assets of $1,416.2 million, net of a valuation allowance (on state, foreign country and charitable contribution deferred tax assets) of $97.8 million.

 

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Judgments

Management must make significant judgments to determine the provision for income tax expense (benefit), deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance to be recorded against deferred tax assets. Changes in our estimate of these taxes occur periodically due to changes in the tax rates, changes in business operations, implementation of tax planning strategies, the expiration of relevant statutes of limitations, resolution with taxing authorities of uncertain tax positions and newly enacted statutory, judicial and regulatory guidance.

The most significant tax related judgment made by management was the determination of whether to provide for a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets. We are required to establish a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and record a charge to income if it is determined, based on available evidence at the time the determination is made, that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. If we were to conclude that a valuation allowance was required, the resulting loss could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. For the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, we were no longer in a cumulative book loss position. As of December 31, 2012, we did not establish a valuation allowance against federal deferred tax assets as we believe that it is more likely than not that all of these assets will be realized. Approximately half of existing federal deferred tax assets are not related to net operating losses and therefore, have no expiration date. We expect to utilize the vast majority of the existing federal deferred tax assets within the next six years.

Our evaluation of the need of valuation allowance focused on identifying significant, objective evidence that we will be able to realize the deferred tax assets in the future. We determined that our expectations regarding future earnings are objectively verifiable due to various factors. One factor is the consistent profitability of the core business, the trading and investing segment, which has generated substantial income for each of the last nine years, including through uncertain economic and regulatory environments. The core business is driven by brokerage customer activity and includes trading, brokerage cash, margin lending, retirement and investing, and other brokerage related activities. These activities drive variable expenses that correlate to the volume of customer activity, which has resulted in stable, ongoing profitability.

Another factor is the mitigation of losses in the balance sheet management segment, which generated a large net operating loss in 2007 caused by the crisis in the residential real estate and credit markets. Much of this loss came from the sale of the asset-backed securities portfolio and credit losses from the mortgage loan portfolio. We no longer hold any of those asset-backed securities and shut down mortgage loan acquisition activities in 2007. In effect, the key business activities that led to the generation of the deferred tax assets were shut down over five years ago. As a result, the losses have continued to decline significantly and the balance sheet management segment became profitable in 2012. In addition, we continue to realize the benefit of various credit loss mitigation activities for the mortgage loans purchased in 2007 and prior, most notably, actively reducing or closing unused home equity lines of credit and aggressively exercising put-back clauses to sell back improperly documented loans to the originators. As a result of these loss containment measures, provision for loan losses has declined for four consecutive years, down 78% from its peak of $1.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2008.

We maintain a valuation allowance for certain of our state deferred tax assets as we have concluded that it is more likely than not that they will not be realized. At December 31, 2012, we had state deferred tax assets of approximately $136.5 million that related to our state net operating loss carry forwards and temporary differences with a valuation allowance of $52.2 million against such deferred tax assets.

Effects if Actual Results Differ

Changes in tax expense (benefit) due to the actual effective tax rates differing from our estimates affect accrued taxes and could be material to results of operations for any particular reporting period. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, we estimated future taxable income based on management-approved forecasts.

 

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This process required significant judgment by management about matters that are by nature uncertain. If future events differ significantly from our current forecasts, a valuation allowance may need to be established, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Classification and Valuation of Certain Investments

Description

The classification of an investment determines its accounting treatment. We classify our investments in securities as trading, available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. Trading securities are carried at fair value and both unrealized and realized gains and losses are recognized in the consolidated statement of income (loss). Securities classified as available-for-sale are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost based on our positive intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity. Declines in fair value for available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that we believe to be other-than-temporary are included in the consolidated statement of income (loss) in the net impairment line item. As of December 31, 2012, the available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities portfolios consisted of debt securities, the majority of which were agency residential mortgage-backed securities.

Available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities that have unrealized or unrecognized losses (impaired securities) are evaluated for OTTI at each balance sheet date. We consider OTTI for an available-for-sale or held-to-maturity debt security to have occurred if one of the following conditions are met: we intend to sell the impaired debt security as of the balance sheet date; it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the impaired debt security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis; or we do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. If we intend to sell an impaired debt security or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the impaired debt security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis, we will recognize OTTI in earnings equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and the security’s fair value. For impaired debt securities that we do not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis, if we do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the securities, we will separate OTTI into two components: 1) the amount related to credit loss, recognized in earnings; and 2) the noncredit portion of OTTI, recognized through other comprehensive income (loss). For the year ended December 31, 2012, we recognized $16.9 million of net impairment on certain securities in the non-agency CMO portfolio.

Judgments

Our evaluation of whether we intend to sell an impaired debt security considers whether management has decided to sell the security as of the balance sheet date. Our evaluation of whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell an impaired debt security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis considers the likelihood of sales that involve legal, regulatory or operational requirements. For impaired debt securities that we do not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis, we use both qualitative and quantitative valuation measures to evaluate whether we expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. We consider all available information relevant to the collectibility of the security, including credit enhancements, security structure, vintage, credit ratings and other relevant collateral characteristics.

Effects if Actual Results Differ

Determining if a security has OTTI is complex and requires judgment by management about circumstances that are inherently uncertain. Subsequent evaluations of these securities, in light of factors then prevailing, may result in additional OTTI in future periods. If all available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities with fair values lower than amortized cost as of December 31, 2012 were other-than-temporarily impaired and the gross OTTI was recorded through earnings, we would have recorded a pre-tax loss of $54.7 million.

 

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Accounting for Derivative Instruments

Description

We enter into derivative transactions primarily to protect against interest rate risk on the value of certain assets, liabilities and future cash flows. Accounting for derivatives differs significantly depending on whether a derivative is designated as a hedge. Derivative instruments in hedging relationships that mitigate exposure to changes in the fair value of assets or liabilities are considered fair value hedges. Derivative instruments designated in hedging relationships that mitigate exposure to the variability in expected future cash flows or other forecasted transactions are considered cash flow hedges. In order to qualify for hedge accounting treatment, documentation must indicate the intention to designate the derivative as a hedge of a specific asset or liability or a future cash flow. Effectiveness of the hedge must be monitored over the life of the derivative instrument.

Each derivative instrument is recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value as a freestanding asset or liability. Fair value hedges are accounted for by recording the fair value of the derivative instrument and the fair value of the asset or liability being hedged on the consolidated balance sheet. Changes in the fair value of both of the derivatives and the underlying assets or liabilities are recognized in the gains on loans and securities, net line item in the consolidated statement of income (loss). To the extent that the hedge is ineffective, the changes in the fair values will not offset and the difference, or hedge ineffectiveness, is reflected in the gains on loans and securities, net line item in the consolidated statement of income (loss). Cash flow hedges are accounted for by recording the fair value of the derivative instrument on the consolidated balance sheet. The effective portion of the changes in fair value of the derivative instrument in a cash flow hedge is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax in the consolidated balance sheet, for both active and terminated hedges. Amounts are then included in net operating interest income as a yield adjustment in the same period the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the changes in fair value of the derivative instrument in a cash flow hedge is reported in the gains on loans and securities, net line item in the consolidated statement of income (loss).

Cash flow hedge relationships are treated as effective hedges as long as the hedged forecasted transactions remain probable and the hedges continue to meet the requirements of derivatives and hedging accounting guidance. If it becomes probable that a hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the specific hedging instruments would be immediately reclassified into the gains on loans and securities, net line item in the consolidated statement of income (loss). As of December 31, 2012, we had an unrealized pre-tax loss reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $718.0 million related to cash flow hedges.

Judgments

The future issuances of liabilities underlying cash flow hedge relationships, including repurchase agreements, are largely dependent on the market demand and liquidity in the wholesale borrowings market. As of December 31, 2012, we believe the forecasted issuance of all liabilities in cash flow hedge relationships is probable. However, unexpected changes in market conditions in future periods could impact our ability to issue these liabilities. We believe the forecasted issuance of liabilities in the form of repurchase agreements is most susceptible to an unexpected change in market conditions.

Effects if Actual Results Differ

If our hedging strategies were to no longer meet the effectiveness criterion or our assumptions about the nature and timing of forecasted transactions were to be inaccurate, we could no longer apply hedge accounting and our reported results would be significantly affected. For example, if we determined that the forecasted issuance of repurchase agreements associated with our cash flow hedges was no longer probable, the $579.8 million pre-tax loss in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow hedges on repurchase agreements would be reclassified into the gains on loans and securities, net line item in the consolidated

 

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statement of income (loss) in the period in which this determination was made. This loss would have a material adverse effect on our regulatory capital position and results of operations.

Fair Value Measurements

Description

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As of December 31, 2012, 29% and 1% of total assets and total liabilities, respectively, represented instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value measurement accounting guidance describes the following three levels used to classify fair value measurements:

 

   

Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible by the Company.

 

   

Level 2—Quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.

 

   

Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

In determining fair value, we may use various valuation approaches, including market, income and/or cost approaches. The fair value hierarchy requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant. Accordingly, even when market assumptions are not readily available, our own assumptions reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The availability of observable inputs can vary and in certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and consideration of factors specific to the asset or liability.

Judgments

Of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, 91% were available-for-sale residential mortgage-backed securities as of December 31, 2012. Our available-for-sale residential mortgage-backed securities portfolio was composed of: 1) agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs; and 2) non-agency CMOs. The fair value of agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs was determined using quoted market prices, recent market transactions, spread data and our own trading activities for identical or similar instruments and were categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Non-agency CMOs were valued using market and income approaches with market observable data, including recent market transactions when available. We also utilized a pricing service to corroborate the market observability of our inputs used in the fair value measurements of non-agency CMOs. The valuations of non-agency CMOs reflect our best estimate of what market participants would consider in pricing the financial instruments. We consider the price transparency for these financial instruments to be a key determinant of the degree of judgment involved in determining the fair value. As of December 31, 2012, the non-agency CMOs were categorized in Level 2 and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Effects if Actual Results Differ

The use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value. As of December 31, 2012, less than 1% of total assets and none of total liabilities represented instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis categorized as Level 3. While our recurring fair value estimates of Level 3 instruments utilized observable inputs where available, the valuations included significant management judgment in determining the relevance and reliability of market information considered.

 

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STATISTICAL DISCLOSURE BY BANK HOLDING COMPANIES

The following table outlines the information required by the SEC’s Industry Guide 3, “Statistical Disclosure by Bank Holding Companies.” These disclosures are at the enterprise level.

 

Required Disclosure

   Page  

Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity; Interest Rates and Operating Interest Differential

  

Average Balance Sheet and Analysis of Net Interest Income

     37   

Net Operating Interest Income—Volumes and Rates Analysis

     88   

Investment Portfolio

  

Investment Portfolio—Book Value and Fair Value

     90   

Investment Portfolio Maturity

     91   

Loan Portfolio

  

Loans by Type

     89   

Loan Maturities

     89   

Loan Sensitivities

     89   

Risk Elements

  

Nonaccrual, Past Due and Restructured Loans

     76   

Past Due Interest

     77   

Policy for Nonaccrual

     112   

Potential Problem Loans

     78   

Summary of Loan Loss Experience

  

Analysis of Allowance for Loan Losses

     75   

Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses

     75   

Deposits

  

Average Balance and Average Rates Paid

     37   

Time Deposit Maturities

     150   

Time Deposits in Excess of the FDIC Deposit Insurance Coverage Limits

     150   

Return on Equity and Assets

     38   

Short-Term Borrowings

     92   

 

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Interest Rates and Operating Interest Differential

Increases and decreases in operating interest income and operating interest expense result from changes in average balances (volume) of enterprise interest-earning assets and enterprise interest-bearing liabilities, as well as changes in average interest rates (rate). The following table shows the effect that these factors had on the interest earned on our enterprise interest-earning assets and the interest incurred on our enterprise interest-bearing liabilities. The effect of changes in volume is determined by multiplying the change in volume by the previous year’s average yield/cost. Similarly, the effect of rate changes is calculated by multiplying the change in average yield/cost by the previous year’s volume. Changes applicable to both volume and rate have been allocated proportionately (dollars in millions):

 

     2012 Compared to 2011
Increase (Decrease) Due To
    2011 Compared to 2010
Increase (Decrease) Due To
 
     Volume     Rate     Total     Volume     Rate     Total  

Enterprise interest-earning assets:

            

Loans(1)

   $ (116.2   $ (79.5   $ (195.7   $ (170.5   $ (16.4   $ (186.9

Available-for-sale securities

     (2.5     (58.9     (61.4     57.4       (22.4     35.0  

Held-to-maturity securities

     121.7       (21.6     100.1       101.3       (0.3     101.0  

Margin receivables

     3.9       (9.5     (5.6     35.4       (14.0     21.4  

Cash and equivalents

     0.1       0.3       0.4       (1.6     (0.6     (2.2

Segregated cash

     —         (0.2     (0.2     0.1       (1.1     (1.0

Securities borrowed and other

     (3.5     3.4       (0.1     (1.9     21.3       19.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total enterprise interest-earning assets(2)

     3.5       (166.0     (162.5     20.2       (33.5     (13.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Enterprise interest-bearing liabilities:

            

Deposits

     3.7       (22.4     (18.7     (0.3     (19.7     (20.0

Customer payables

     0.3       1.5       1.8       1.2       0.4       1.6  

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     (19.4     24.8       5.4       (16.9     40.4       23.5  

FHLB advances and other borrowings

     (10.5     (3.1     (13.6     (0.5     (12.6     (13.1

Securities loaned and other

     0.1       (1.3     (1.2     —         (0.1     (0.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total enterprise interest-bearing liabilities

     (25.8     (0.5     (26.3     (16.5     8.4       (8.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in enterprise net interest income

   $ 29.3     $ (165.5   $ (136.2   $ 36.7     $ (41.9   $ (5.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Nonaccrual loans are included in the average loan balances. Interest payments received on nonaccrual loans are recognized on a cash basis in operating interest income until it is doubtful that full payment will be collected, at which point payments are applied to principal.

(2) 

Amount includes a taxable equivalent increase in operating interest income of $1.1 million, $1.2 million and $1.2 million for years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

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Lending Activities

The following table presents the balance and associated percentage of each major loan category (dollars in millions):

 

    December 31,  
    2012     2011     2010     2009     2008  
    Balance     %     Balance     %     Balance     %     Balance     %     Balance     %  

One- to four-family

  $ 5,442.2       51.8   $ 6,615.8       50.7   $ 8,170.3       51.0   $ 10,567.1       52.4   $ 12,979.8       51.3

Home equity

    4,223.4       40.2       5,328.7       40.8       6,410.3       40.0       7,769.7       38.5       10,017.2       39.6  

Consumer and other:

    844.9       8.0       1,113.2       8.5       1,443.4       9.0       1,841.3       9.1       2,298.6       9.1  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total loans receivable

    10,510.5       100.0     13,057.7       100.0     16,024.0       100.0     20,178.1       100.0     25,295.6       100.0
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments:

                   

Premiums (discounts)and deferred fees on loans

    68.9         97.9         129.1         171.6         236.8    

Allowance for loan losses

    (480.7       (822.8       (1,031.2       (1,182.7       (1,080.6  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total adjustments

    (411.8       (724.9       (902.1       (1,011.1       (843.8  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Loans receivable, net

  $ 10,098.7       $ 12,332.8       $ 15,121.9       $ 19,167.0       $ 24,451.8    
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

The following table shows the contractual maturities of the loan portfolio at December 31, 2012, including scheduled principal repayments. This table does not, however, include any estimate of prepayments. These prepayments could significantly shorten the average loan lives and cause the actual timing of the loan repayments to differ from those shown in the following table (dollars in millions):

 

     Due in(1)         
     < 1 Year      1-5 Years      >5 Years      Total  

One- to four-family

   $124.5        $ 553.1      $ 4,764.6      $5,442.2    

Home equity

     188.4        854.0        3,181.0        4,223.4  

Consumer and other

     111.6        320.3        413.0        844.9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total loans receivable

   $424.5        $ 1,727.4      $ 8,358.6      $10,510.5    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Estimated scheduled principal repayments are calculated using weighted-average interest rate and weighted-average remaining maturity of each loan portfolio.

The following table shows the distribution of those loans that mature in more than one year between fixed and adjustable interest rate loans at December 31, 2012 (dollars in millions):

 

     Interest Rate Type         
     Fixed      Adjustable      Total  

One- to four-family

   $ 1,142.4      $ 4,175.3      $ 5,317.7  

Home equity

     840.2        3,194.8        4,035.0  

Consumer and other

     726.1        7.2        733.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total loans receivable

   $ 2,708.7      $ 7,377.3      $ 10,086.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Securities

Our portfolio of mortgage-backed and investment securities is classified into three categories: trading, available-for-sale or held-to-maturity.

Our mortgage-backed securities portfolio is primarily composed of:

 

   

Fannie Mae participation certificates, guaranteed by Fannie Mae;

 

   

Freddie Mac participation certificates, guaranteed by Freddie Mac;

 

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Ginnie Mae participation certificates, guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.; and

 

   

Collateralized mortgage obligations.

The majority of the investment securities portfolio is composed of agency debt securities guaranteed by the Small Business Administration and agency debentures which are unsecured senior debt offered by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other government agencies.

Trading securities are carried at fair value with any realized or unrealized gains and losses reflected in our consolidated statement of income (loss) as gains on loans and securities, net. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with the unrealized gains and losses reflected as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost based on the Company’s positive intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity.

The following table shows the amortized cost and fair value of our mortgage-backed and investment securities portfolio that the Company held and classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity (dollars in millions):

 

    December 31,  
    2012     2011     2010  
    Amortized
Cost
    Fair Value     Amortized
Cost
    Fair Value     Amortized
Cost
    Fair Value  

Available-for-sale securities:

           

Residential mortgage-backed securities:

           

Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs

  $ 11,881.2     $ 12,097.2     $ 13,772.1     $ 13,965.7     $ 13,017.8     $ 12,898.1  

Non-agency CMOs

    260.1       235.2       422.6       341.6       490.3       395.4  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total residential mortgage-backed securities

    12,141.3       12,332.4       14,194.7       14,307.3       13,508.1       13,293.5  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment securities:

           

Agency debentures

    516.0       528.0       743.3       731.2       1,324.5       1,269.6  

Agency debt securities

    525.4       546.8       541.0       554.2       187.6       187.5  

Municipal bonds

    30.2       31.3       42.3       41.1       42.4       37.3  

Corporate bonds

    5.5       4.5       25.4       17.7       25.3       17.8  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment securities

    1,077.1       1,110.6       1,352.0       1,344.2       1,579.8       1,512.2  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

  $ 13,218.4     $ 13,443.0     $ 15,546.7     $ 15,651.5     $ 15,087.9     $ 14,805.7  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities:

           

Residential mortgage-backed securities:

           

Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs

  $ 7,887.5     $ 8,182.1     $ 5,296.5     $ 5,458.0     $ 1,928.6     $ 1,897.0  

Investment securities:

           

Agency debentures

    163.4       169.8       163.4       169.2       219.2       216.2  

Agency debt securities

    1,489.0       1,558.6       619.6       655.8       314.9       309.1  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment securities

    1,652.4       1,728.4       783.0       825.0       534.1       525.3  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total held-to-maturity securities

  $ 9,539.9     $ 9,910.5     $ 6,079.5     $ 6,283.0     $ 2,462.7     $ 2,422.3  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The following table shows the scheduled maturities, carrying values and current yields for the Company’s available-for-sale and held-to-maturity investment portfolio at December 31, 2012 (dollars in millions):

 

    Within One Year     One to Five Years     Five to Ten Years     After Ten Years     Total  
  Balance
Due
    Weighted
Average
Yield
    Balance
Due
    Weighted
Average
Yield
    Balance
Due
    Weighted
Average
Yield
    Balance
Due
    Weighted
Average
Yield
    Balance
Due
    Weighted
Average
Yield
 

Available-for-sale securities:

                   

Residential mortgage-backed securities:

                   

Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs

  $ —         —       $ 66.6       3.59   $ 635.2       2.35   $ 11,179.4       3.31   $ 11,881.2       3.26

Non-agency CMOs

    —         —         —         —         —         —         260.1       3.18     260.1       3.18
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total residential mortgage-backed securities

    —           66.6         635.2         11,439.5         12,141.3    
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Investment securities:

                   

Agency debentures

    —         —         —         —         32.0       5.18     484.0       3.08     516.0       3.19

Agency debt securities

    —         —         —         —         406.1       3.02     119.3       2.79     525.4       2.97

Municipal bonds(1)

    —         —         —         —         —         —         30.2       4.80     30.2       4.80

Corporate bonds

    —         —         —         —         —         —         5.5       0.81     5.5       0.81
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total investment securities

    —           —           438.1         639.0         1,077.1    
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total available-for-sale securities

  $ —         $ 66.6       $ 1,073.3       $ 12,078.5       $ 13,218.4    
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Held-to-maturity securities:

                   

Residential mortgage-backed securities:

                   

Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs

  $ —         —       $ 159.1       2.62   $ 2,109.3       3.17   $ 5,619.1       3.52   $ 7,887.5       3.41

Investment securities:

                   

Agency debentures

    —         —         163.4       2.00     —         —         —         —         163.4       2.00

Agency debt securities

    —         —         0.1       4.50     786.4       3.01     702.5       2.75     1,489.0       2.89
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total investment securities

    —           163.5         786.4         702.5         1,652.4    
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total held-to-maturity securities

  $ —         $ 322.6       $ 2,895.7       $ 6,321.6       $ 9,539.9    
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

(1) 

Yields on tax-exempt obligations are computed on a tax-equivalent basis.

Borrowings

Deposits represent our most significant source of funding. In addition, we borrow from the FHLB and sell securities under repurchase agreements.

We are a member of, and own capital stock in, the FHLB system. The FHLB provides us with reserve credit capacity and authorizes us to apply for advances based on the security of pledged home mortgages and other assets—principally securities that are obligations of, or guaranteed by, the U.S. Government—provided we meet certain creditworthiness standards. At December 31, 2012, outstanding advances from the FHLB totaled $920.0 million at interest rates ranging from 0.28% to 0.76% and at a weighted-average rate of 0.47%.

We also raise funds by selling securities under agreements to repurchase the same or similar securities. The counterparties to these agreements hold the securities in custody. We treat repurchase agreements as borrowings and secure them with designated fixed- and variable-rate securities. We also participate in the Federal Reserve

 

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Bank’s term investment option and treasury, tax and loan borrowing programs. We use the proceeds from these transactions to meet our cash flow or asset/liability matching needs.

The following table sets forth information regarding the weighted-average interest rates and the highest and average month-end balances of borrowings (dollars in millions):

 

     Ending
Balance
     Weighted-
Average Interest
Rate (1)
    Maximum
Amount at
Month-End
     Weighted-Average  
                Balance        Interest
Rate(2)
 

At or for the year ended December 31, 2012:

             

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

   $ 4,454.7        0.70   $ 5,025.4      $ 4,775.1        3.32

FHLB advances and other borrowings (3)

   $ 1,259.4        1.27   $ 2,744.1      $ 2,464.9        3.76

At or for the year ended December 31, 2011:

             

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

   $ 5,015.5        0.95   $ 5,891.6      $ 5,417.2        2.83

FHLB advances and other borrowings (3)

   $ 2,732.5        3.19   $ 2,759.7      $ 2,741.1        3.87

At or for the year ended December 31, 2010:

             

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

   $ 5,888.3        0.63   $ 6,458.1      $ 6,154.3        2.11

FHLB advances and other borrowings (3)

   $ 2,731.4        3.09   $ 3,102.1      $ 2,754.3        4.33

 

(1) 

Weighted-average interest rates are based on ending balances and exclude hedging costs.

(2) 

Weighted-average interest rates are based on average balances and include hedging costs.

(3) 

Excludes other borrowings of the parent company of $1.5 million, $4.4 million and $0.3 million at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, which do not generate operating interest expense. These liabilities generate corporate interest expense.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

2009 Debt Exchange—In the third quarter of 2009, we exchanged $1.7 billion aggregate principal amount of our corporate debt, including $1.3 billion principal amount of the 12  1/2% springing lien notes due November 2017 and $0.4 billion principal amount of the 8% senior notes due June 2011, for an equal principal amount of newly-issued non-interest-bearing convertible debentures due 2019.

Active accounts—Accounts with a balance of $25 or more or a trade in the last six months.

Active customers—Customers that have an account with a balance of $25 or more or a trade in the last six months.

Active Trader—The customer group that includes those who execute 30 or more trades per quarter.

Adjusted total assets—E*TRADE Bank-only assets composed of total assets plus/(less) unrealized losses (gains) on available-for-sale securities, less disallowed deferred tax assets, goodwill and certain other intangible assets.

Agency—U.S. Government sponsored and federal agencies, such as Federal National Mortgage Association, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Government National Mortgage Association, the Small Business Administration and the Federal Home Loan Bank.

ALCO—Asset Liability Committee.

AML—Anti-Money Laundering.

APIC—Additional paid-in capital.

Average commission per trade—Total trading and investing segment commissions revenue divided by total number of trades.

 

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Average equity to average total assets—Average total shareholders’ equity divided by average total assets.

Bank—ETB Holdings, Inc. (“ETBH”), the entity that is our bank holding company and parent to E*TRADE Bank.

Basis point—One one-hundredth of a percentage point.

BCBS—International Basel Committee on Banking Supervision.

BOLI—Bank-Owned Life Insurance.

Brokerage account attrition rate—Attriting brokerage accounts, which are gross new brokerage accounts less net new brokerage accounts, divided by total brokerage accounts at the previous period end.

CAMELS rating—A U.S. supervisory rating of a bank’s overall condition. The components of the rating consist of Capital adequacy, Asset quality, Management, Earnings, Liquidity and Sensitivity to market risk.

Cash flow hedge—A derivative instrument designated in a hedging relationship that mitigates exposure to variability in expected future cash flows attributable to a particular risk.

CFPB—Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Charge-off—The result of removing a loan or portion of a loan from an entity’s balance sheet because the loan is considered to be uncollectible.

CLTV—Combined loan-to-value.

CMOs—Collateralized mortgage obligations.

Corporate cash—Cash held at the parent company as well as cash held in certain subsidiaries that can distribute cash to the parent company without any regulatory approval.

Customer assets—Market value of all customer assets held by the Company including security holdings, customer cash and deposits and vested unexercised options.

Customer cash and deposits—Customer cash, deposits, customer payables and money market balances, including those held by third parties.

Daily average revenue trades (“DARTs”)—Total revenue trades in a period divided by the number of trading days during that period.

Derivative—A financial instrument or other contract, the price of which is directly dependent upon the value of one or more underlying securities, interest rates or any agreed upon pricing index. Derivatives cover a wide assortment of financial contracts, including forward contracts, options and swaps.

DIF—Depositors Insurance Fund.

Economic Value of Equity (“EVE”)—The present value of expected cash inflows from existing assets, minus the present value of expected cash outflows from existing liabilities, plus the expected cash inflows and outflows from existing derivatives and forward commitments. This calculation is performed for E*TRADE Bank.

 

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Enterprise interest-bearing liabilities—Liabilities such as customer deposits, repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and other borrowings, certain customer credit balances and securities loaned programs on which the Company pays interest; excludes customer money market balances held by third parties.

Enterprise interest-earning assets—Consists of the primary interest-earning assets of the Company and includes: loans, available-for-sale securities, held-to-maturity securities, margin receivables, trading securities, securities borrowed balances and cash and investments required to be segregated under regulatory guidelines that earn interest for the Company.

Enterprise net interest income—The taxable equivalent basis net operating interest income excluding corporate interest income and corporate interest expense and interest earned on customer cash held by third parties.

Enterprise net interest margin—The enterprise net operating interest income divided by total enterprise interest-earning assets.

Enterprise net interest spread—The taxable equivalent rate earned on average enterprise interest-earning assets less the rate paid on average enterprise interest-bearing liabilities, excluding corporate interest-earning assets and liabilities and customer cash held by third parties.

Exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”)—A fund that invests in a group of securities and trades like an individual stock on an exchange.

Fair value—The price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

Fair value hedge—A derivative instrument designated in a hedging relationship that mitigates exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or a firm commitment.

Fannie Mae—Federal National Mortgage Association.

FASB—Financial Accounting Standards Board.

FDIC—Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Federal Reserve—Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

FHLB—Federal Home Loan Bank.

FICO—Fair Isaac Credit Organization.

FINRA—Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

Fixed charge coverage ratio—Net income before taxes, depreciation and amortization and corporate interest expense divided by corporate interest expense. This ratio indicates the Company’s ability to satisfy fixed financing expenses.

Forex—A type of trade that involves buying one currency while simultaneously selling another. Currencies are traded in pairs consisting of a “base currency” and a “quote currency.”

Freddie Mac—Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.

 

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FSA—United Kingdom Financial Services Authority.

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”)—Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Ginnie Mae—Government National Mortgage Association.

Gross loans receivable—Includes unpaid principal balances and premiums (discounts).

IFRS—International Financial Reporting Standards.

Interest rate cap—An options contract that puts an upper limit on a floating exchange rate. The writer of the cap has to pay the holder of the cap the difference between the floating rate and the upper limit when that upper limit is breached. There is usually a premium paid by the buyer of such a contract.

Interest rate floor—An options contract that puts a lower limit on a floating exchange rate. The writer of the floor has to pay the holder of the floor the difference between the floating rate and the lower limit when that lower limit is breached. There is usually a premium paid by the buyer of such a contract.

Interest rate swaps—Contracts that are entered into primarily as an asset/liability management strategy to reduce interest rate risk. Interest rate swap contracts are exchanges of interest rate payments, such as fixed-rate payments for floating-rate payments, based on notional principal amounts.

LIBOR—London Interbank Offered Rate. LIBOR is the interest rate at which banks borrow funds from other banks in the London wholesale money market (or interbank market).

Long-term investor—The customer group that includes those who invest for the long term.

LTV—Loan-to-value.

NASAA—North American Securities Administrators Association.

NASDAQ—National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations.

Net new customer asset flows—The total inflows to all new and existing customer accounts less total outflows from all closed and existing customer accounts, excluding the effects of market movements in the value of customer assets.

NOLs—Net operating losses.

Nonperforming assets—Assets that do not earn income, including those originally acquired to earn income (nonperforming loans) and those not intended to earn income (REO). Loans are classified as nonperforming when they are no longer accruing interest, which includes loans that are 90 days and greater past due, TDRs that are on nonaccrual status for all classes of loans and certain junior liens that have a delinquent senior lien.

Notional amount—The specified dollar amount underlying a derivative on which the calculated payments are based.

NYSE—New York Stock Exchange.

OCC—Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

 

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Operating margin—Income before other income (expense), income tax expense and discontinued operations, if applicable.

Options—Contracts that grant the purchaser, for a premium payment, the right, but not the obligation, to either purchase or sell the associated financial instrument at a set price during a period or at a specified date in the future.

OTTI—Other-than-temporary impairment.

OTS—Office of Thrift Supervision.

Real estate owned (“REO”) and other repossessed assets—Ownership or physical possession of real property by the Company, generally acquired as a result of foreclosure or repossession.

Recovery—Cash proceeds received on a loan that had been previously charged off.

Repurchase agreement—An agreement giving the seller of an asset the right or obligation to buy back the same or similar securities at a specified price on a given date. These agreements are generally collateralized by mortgage-backed or investment-grade securities.

Retail deposits—Balances of customer cash held at the Bank; excludes brokered certificates of deposit.

Return on average total assets—Annualized net income divided by average assets.

Return on average total shareholders’ equity—Annualized net income divided by average shareholders’ equity.

Risk-weighted assets—Primarily computed by the assignment of specific risk-weightings assigned by the regulators to assets and off-balance sheet instruments for capital adequacy calculations.

S&P—Standard & Poor’s.

SEC—U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Special mention loans—Loans where a borrower’s current credit history casts doubt on their ability to repay a loan. Loans are classified as special mention when loans are between 30 and 89 days past due.

Stock plan trades—Trades that originate from our corporate services business, which provides software and services to assist corporate customers in managing their equity compensation plans. The trades typically occur when an employee of a corporate customer exercises a stock option or sells restricted stock.

Sweep deposit accounts—Accounts with the functionality to transfer brokerage cash balances to and from a FDIC insured account at the banking subsidiaries.

Sub-prime—Defined as borrowers with FICO scores less than 620 at the time of origination.

Taxable equivalent interest adjustment—The operating interest income earned on certain assets is completely or partially exempt from federal and/or state income tax. These tax-exempt instruments typically yield lower returns than a taxable investment. To provide more meaningful comparison of yields and margins for all interest-earning assets, the interest income earned on tax exempt assets is increased to make it fully equivalent to interest income on other taxable investments. This adjustment is done for the analytic purposes in the net enterprise interest income/spread calculation and is not made on the consolidated statement of income, as that is not permitted under GAAP.

 

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Tier 1 capital—Adjusted equity capital used in the calculation of capital adequacy ratios. Tier 1 capital equals: total shareholders’ equity, plus/(less) unrealized losses (gains) on available-for-sale securities and cash flow hedges and qualifying restricted core capital elements, less disallowed servicing and deferred tax assets, goodwill and certain other intangible assets.

Troubled Debt Restructuring (“TDR”)—A loan modification that involves granting an economic concession to a borrower who is experiencing financial difficulty, and loans that have been charged-off due to bankruptcy notification.

Wholesale borrowings—Borrowings that consist of securities sold under agreements to repurchase and FHLB advances and other borrowings.

 

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The following discussion about market risk disclosure includes forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth in Item 1A. Risk Factors in this report.

Interest Rate Risk

Our exposure to interest rate risk is related primarily to interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the vast majority of which are held for non-trading purposes. The management of interest rate risk is essential to profitability. The primary objective of the management of interest rate risk is to control exposure to interest rates within the Board-approved limits, as outlined in the scenario analysis below, and with limited exposure to earnings volatility resulting from interest rate fluctuations. Our general strategies to manage interest rate risk include balancing variable-rate and fixed-rate assets and liabilities and utilizing derivatives in a way that reduces overall exposure to changes in interest rates. Exposure to interest rate risk requires management to make complex assumptions regarding maturities, market interest rates and customer behavior. Changes in interest rates, including the following, could impact interest income and expense:

 

   

Interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities may re-price at different times or by different amounts creating a mismatch.

 

   

The yield curve may steepen, flatten or change shape affecting the spread between short- and long-term rates. Widening or narrowing spreads could impact net interest income.

 

   

Market interest rates may influence prepayments resulting in maturity mismatches. In addition, prepayments could impact yields as premium and discounts amortize.

Exposure to interest rate risk is dependent upon the distribution and composition of interest-earning assets, interest-bearing liabilities and derivatives. The differing risk characteristics of each product are managed to mitigate our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. At December 31, 2012, 89% of our total assets were enterprise interest-earning assets.

At December 31, 2012, approximately 63% of total assets were residential real estate loans and available-for-sale and held-to-maturity mortgage-backed securities. The values of these assets are sensitive to changes in interest rates, as well as expected prepayment levels. As interest rates increase, fixed rate residential mortgages and mortgage-backed securities tend to exhibit lower prepayments. The inverse is true in a falling rate environment.

When real estate loans prepay, unamortized premiums are written off. Depending on the timing of the prepayment, the write-offs of unamortized premiums may result in lower than anticipated yields. The ALCO reviews estimates of the impact of changing market rates on prepayments. This information is incorporated into our interest rate risk management strategy.

Our liability structure consists of two central sources of funding: deposits and wholesale borrowings. Cash provided to us through deposits is the primary source of funding. Key deposit products include sweep accounts, complete savings accounts and other money market and savings accounts. Wholesale borrowings include securities sold under agreements to repurchase and FHLB advances. Other sources of funding include customer payables, which is customer cash contained within our broker-dealers, and corporate debt issued by the parent company.

 

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Deposit accounts and customer payables tend to be less rate-sensitive than wholesale borrowings. Agreements to repurchase securities and the majority of FHLB advances re-price as agreements reset. Sweep accounts, complete savings accounts and other money market and savings accounts re-price at management’s discretion. Corporate debt has fixed rates.

Derivative Instruments

We use derivative instruments to help manage interest rate risk. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange of fixed-rate and variable-rate interest payments between two parties based on a contractual underlying notional amount, but do not involve the exchange of the underlying notional amounts. Option products are utilized primarily to decrease the market value changes resulting from the prepayment dynamics of the mortgage portfolio, as well as to protect against increases in funding costs. The types of options employed include Cap Options (“Caps”), Floor Options (“Floors”), “Payor Swaptions” and “Receiver Swaptions”. Caps mitigate the market risk associated with increases in interest rates while Floors mitigate the risk associated with decreases in market interest rates. Similarly, Payor and Receiver Swaptions mitigate the market risk associated with the respective increases and decreases in interest rates. See derivative instruments discussion in Note 6—Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Scenario Analysis

Scenario analysis is an advanced approach to estimating interest rate risk exposure. Under the Economic Value of Equity (“EVE”) approach, the present value of all existing interest-earning assets, interest-bearing liabilities, derivatives and forward commitments are estimated and then combined to produce an EVE figure. The approach values only the current balance sheet in which the most significant assumptions are the prepayment rates of the loan portfolio and mortgage-backed securities and the repricing of deposits. This approach does not incorporate assumptions related to business growth, or liquidation and re-investment of instruments. This approach provides an indicator of future earnings and capital levels because changes in EVE indicate the anticipated change in the value of future cash flows. The sensitivity of this value to changes in interest rates is then determined by applying alternative interest rate scenarios, which include, but are not limited to, instantaneous parallel shifts up 100, 200 and 300 basis points and down 100 basis points. The change in EVE amounts fluctuate based on the parallel shifts in interest rates primarily due to the change in timing of cash flows in the Company’s residential loan and mortgage-backed securities portfolios. Expected prepayment rates on residential mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities increase as interest rates decline. In a rising interest rate environment, expected prepayment rates decrease.

The EVE method is used at the E*TRADE Bank level and not for the Company. The ALCO monitors E*TRADE Bank’s interest rate risk position. E*TRADE Bank had nearly 100% and 99% of enterprise interest-earning assets at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and held 99% and 98% of enterprise interest-bearing liabilities at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The sensitivity of EVE at December 31, 2012 and 2011 and the limits established by E*TRADE Bank’s Board of Directors are listed below (dollars in millions):

 

Parallel Change in Interest Rates (basis points)(1)

  Change in EVE        
  December 31, 2012     December 31, 2011    
  Amount     Percentage(2)     Amount     Percentage(2)     Board Limit  

+300

  $ (446.3     (11.1 )%    $ (18.7     (0.5 )%      (25 )% 

+200

  $ (168.5     (4.2 )%    $ 120.2        3.4     (15 )% 

+100

  $ 23.6        0.6   $ 153.6        4.4     (10 )% 

-100

  $ (175.6     (4.4 )%    $ (324.0     (9.2 )%      (10 )% 

 

(1) 

On December 31, 2012 and 2011, the yield for the three-month treasury bill was 0.05% and 0.02%, respectively. As a result, the requirements of the EVE model were temporarily modified, resulting in the removal of the minus 200 and 300 basis points scenarios for the periods ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

(2) 

The percentage change represents the amount of change in EVE divided by the base EVE as calculated in the current interest rate environment.

 

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We actively manage interest rate risk positions. As interest rates change, we will re-adjust our strategy and mix of assets, liabilities and derivatives to optimize our position. For example, a 100 basis points increase in rates may not result in a change in value as indicated above. The Company compares the parallel shift in interest rate changes in EVE to the established board limits in order to assess the Company’s interest rate risk on a monthly basis. In the event that the percentage change in EVE exceeds the board limits, E*TRADE Bank’s Chief Risk Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer must all be promptly notified in writing and decide upon a plan of remediation. In addition, E*TRADE Bank’s Board of Directors must be promptly notified of the exception and the planned resolution.

Market Risk

Equity Securities Risk

Equity securities risk is the risk of potential loss from investing in public and private equity securities. Our market maker facilitates customer orders and carries equity security positions on a daily basis. From time to time, we may carry large positions in securities of a single issuer or issuers engaged in a specific industry. As of December 31, 2012, we held securities with a fair value of $101.3 million in long positions and $87.6 million in short positions, for a net exposure of $13.7 million.

We are also indirectly exposed to equity securities risk in connection with securities collateralizing margin receivables to customers, securities loaned to customers in our securities loaned programs and securities borrowed from and lent to other broker-dealers. In order to manage equity securities risk, we may require additional cash or collateral when necessary based upon the fair value of securities purchased on margin, securities loaned or the underlying collateral for securities borrowed.

 

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

MANAGEMENT REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The management of E*TRADE Financial Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. E*TRADE Financial Corporation’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the company’s management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that:

 

   

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;

 

   

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and

 

   

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

E*TRADE Financial Corporation’s management assessed the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in “Internal Control—Integrated Framework.” Based on management’s assessment, management believes as of December 31, 2012, that E*TRADE Financial Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

E*TRADE Financial Corporation’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has issued an audit report regarding E*TRADE Financial Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting. The report of Deloitte & Touche LLP appears on the next page.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

E*TRADE Financial Corporation

New York, New York

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of E*TRADE Financial Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012 of the Company and our report dated February 26, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

McLean, Virginia
February 26, 2013

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

E*TRADE Financial Corporation

New York, New York

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of E*TRADE Financial Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of income (loss), comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of E*TRADE Financial Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 26, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

McLean, Virginia
February 26, 2013

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Revenue:

      

Operating interest income

   $ 1,371,098     $ 1,532,339     $ 1,546,713  

Operating interest expense

     (286,033     (312,380     (320,430
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net operating interest income

     1,085,065       1,219,959       1,226,283  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commissions

     377,843       436,243       431,000  

Fees and service charges

     122,170       130,452       142,377  

Principal transactions

     93,156       105,359       103,346  

Gains on loans and securities, net

     200,366       120,233       166,212  

Other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”)

     (19,799     (9,190     (41,510

Less: noncredit portion of OTTI recognized into (out of) other comprehensive income (loss) (before tax)

     2,874       (5,717     3,840  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net impairment

     (16,925     (14,907     (37,670

Other revenues

     37,821       39,260       46,327  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-interest income

     814,431       816,640       851,592  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net revenue

     1,899,496       2,036,599       2,077,875  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for loan losses

     354,637       440,614       779,412  

Operating expense:

      

Compensation and benefits

     352,725       333,646       325,044  

Advertising and market development

     139,451       145,172       132,150  

Clearing and servicing

     128,635       147,052       147,493  

FDIC insurance premiums

     117,240       105,442       77,728  

Professional services

     86,321       89,672       81,177  

Occupancy and equipment

     74,346       68,840       70,915  

Communications

     73,054       67,335       73,342  

Depreciation and amortization

     90,616       89,583       87,931  

Amortization of other intangibles

     25,183       26,151       28,475  

Facility restructuring and other exit activities

     7,689       7,706       14,346  

Other operating expenses

     66,825       154,305       103,976  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expense

     1,162,085       1,234,904       1,142,577  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before other income (expense) and income tax expense (benefit)

     382,774       361,081       155,886  

Other income (expense):

      

Corporate interest income

     90       702       6,188  

Corporate interest expense

     (179,877     (177,829     (167,130

Gains on sales of investments, net

     18       44       2,655  

Gains (losses) on early extinguishment of debt

     (335,261     3,091       —    

Equity in income (loss) of investments and venture funds

     1,292       (1,759     (740
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     (513,738     (175,751     (159,027
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

     (130,964     185,330       (3,141

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (18,381     28,629       25,331  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ (112,583   $ 156,701     $ (28,472
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share

   $ (0.39   $ 0.59     $ (0.13

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

   $ (0.39   $ 0.54     $ (0.13

Shares used in computation of per share data:

      

Basic

     285,748       267,291       211,302  

Diluted

     285,748       289,822       211,302  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Net income (loss)

   $ (112,583   $ 156,701     $ (28,472

Other comprehensive income (loss)

      

Available-for-sale securities:

      

OTTI, net(1)

     12,285       5,709       25,662  

Noncredit portion of OTTI reclassification (into) out of other comprehensive income (loss), net(2)

     (1,843     3,589       (2,320

Unrealized gains, net(3)

     186,348       268,405       74,826  

Reclassification into earnings, net(4)

     (128,148     (78,060     (98,408
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change from available-for-sale securities

     68,642       199,643       (240
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flow hedging instruments:

      

Unrealized losses, net(5)

     (72,119     (216,302     (77,724

Reclassification into earnings, net(6)

     77,731       66,847       47,774  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change from cash flow hedging instruments

     5,612       (149,455     (29,950
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation gains (losses), net

     2,447       1,823       (4,320
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     76,701       52,011       (34,510
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (35,882   $ 208,712     $ (62,982
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Amounts are net of benefit from income taxes of $7.5 million, $3.5 million and $15.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(2) 

Amounts are net of benefit from income taxes of $1.0 million, $2.1 million and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(3) 

Amounts are net of provision for income taxes of $111.6 million, $161.0 million and $48.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(4) 

Amounts are net of provision for income taxes of $78.9 million, $46.3 million and $60.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(5) 

Amounts are net of benefit from income taxes of $41.4 million, $133.9 million and $40.2 million for years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(6) 

Amounts are net of benefit from income taxes of $51.9 million, $43.3 million and $26.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(In thousands, except share data)

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011  
ASSETS     

Cash and equivalents

   $ 2,761,494     $ 2,099,839  

Cash required to be segregated under federal or other regulations

     376,898       1,275,587  

Trading securities

     101,270       54,372  

Available-for-sale securities (includes securities pledged to creditors with the right to sell or repledge of $2,372,197 and $3,916,927 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively)

     13,443,020       15,651,493  

Held-to-maturity securities (fair value of $9,910,496 and $6,282,989 at December 31, 2012 and 2011 respectively; includes securities pledged to creditors with the right to sell or repledge of $2,944,714 and $2,092,570 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively)

     9,539,948       6,079,512  

Margin receivables

     5,804,041       4,826,256  

Loans receivable, net (net of allowance for loan losses of $480,751 and $822,816 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively)

     10,098,723       12,332,807  

Investment in FHLB stock

     67,400       140,183  

Property and equipment, net

     288,170       299,693  

Goodwill

     1,934,232       1,934,232  

Other intangibles, net

     260,622       285,805  

Other assets

     2,710,921       2,960,673  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 47,386,739     $ 47,940,452  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Liabilities:

    

Deposits

   $ 28,392,552     $ 26,459,985  

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     4,454,661       5,015,499  

Customer payables

     4,964,922       5,590,858  

FHLB advances and other borrowings

     1,260,916       2,736,935  

Corporate debt

     1,764,982       1,493,552  

Other liabilities

     1,644,236       1,715,673  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     42,482,269       43,012,502  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (see Note 19)

    

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Common stock, $0.01 par value, shares authorized: 400,000,000 at December 31, 2012 and 2011; shares issued and outstanding: 286,114,334 and 285,368,075 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively

     2,861       2,854  

Additional paid-in-capital (“APIC”)

     7,319,257       7,306,862  

Accumulated deficit

     (2,107,720     (1,995,137

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (309,928     (386,629
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     4,904,470       4,927,950  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 47,386,739     $ 47,940,452  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands)

 

    Common Stock     Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
           
    Shares     Amount          

Balance, December 31, 2009

    189,397     $ 1,894     $ 6,275,157     $ (2,123,366   $ (404,130   $ 3,749,555  

Net loss

    —         —         —         (28,472     —         (28,472

Other comprehensive loss

    —         —         —         —         (34,510     (34,510

Conversion of convertible debentures

    30,653       306       316,677       —         —         316,983  

Exercise of stock options and related tax effects

    19       —         (4,306     —         —         (4,306

Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures and retirements to pay taxes

    772       8       (7,035     —         —         (7,027

Share-based compensation

    —         —         25,361       —         —         25,361  

Claims settlement under Section 16(b)

    —         —         35,000           35,000  

Other

    —         —         (139     —         —         (139
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2010

    220,841     $ 2,208     $ 6,640,715     $ (2,151,838   $ (438,640   $ 4,052,445  

Net income

    —         —         —         156,701       —         156,701  

Other comprehensive income

    —         —         —         —         52,011       52,011  

Conversion of convertible debentures

    63,918       639       660,307       —         —         660,946  

Exercise of stock options and related tax effects

    42       1       (2,882     —         —         (2,881

Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures and retirements to pay taxes

    567       6       (5,719     —         —         (5,713

Share-based compensation

    —         —         14,456       —         —         14,456  

Other

    —         —         (15     —         —         (15
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2011

    285,368     $ 2,854     $ 7,306,862     $ (1,995,137   $ (386,629   $ 4,927,950  

Net loss

    —         —         —         (112,583     —         (112,583

Other comprehensive income

    —         —         —         —         76,701       76,701  

Conversion of convertible debentures

    34       —         355       —         —         355  

Exercise of stock options and related tax effects

    2       —         (5,053     —         —         (5,053

Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures and retirements to pay taxes

    710       7       (3,677     —         —         (3,670

Share-based compensation

    —         —         20,764       —         —         20,764  

Other

    —         —         6       —         —         6  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2012

    286,114     $ 2,861     $ 7,319,257     $ (2,107,720   $ (309,928   $ 4,904,470  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income (loss)

   $ (112,583   $ 156,701     $ (28,472

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

      

Provision for loan losses

     354,637       440,614       779,412  

Depreciation and amortization (including discount amortization and accretion)

     409,561       340,691       339,085  

Net impairment, gains on loans and securities, net and gains on sales of investments, net

     (183,459     (105,370     (131,197

Equity in (income) loss of investments and venture funds

     (1,292     1,759       740  

(Gains) losses on early extinguishment of debt

     134,548       (3,091     —    

Share-based compensation

     20,764       14,456       25,361  

Deferred taxes

     (137,076     7,895       (86,199

Other

     (497     4,806       (8,600

Net effect of changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Decrease (increase) in cash required to be segregated under federal or other regulations

     898,689       (666,077     823,626  

(Increase) decrease in margin receivables

     (977,785     294,319       (1,366,093

(Decrease) increase in customer payables

     (625,936     570,772       136,525  

Proceeds from sales of loans held-for-sale

     342,696       123,441       154,603  

Originations of loans held-for-sale

     (331,538     (129,654     (138,043

Net (increase) decrease in trading securities

     (46,822     16,874       (24,887

Decrease in other assets

     265,082       32,787       369,720  

(Decrease) increase in other liabilities

     (167,748     (4,968     203,714  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (158,759     1,095,955       1,049,295  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

     (10,049,145     (10,251,611     (16,981,702

Proceeds from sales, maturities of and principal payments on available-for-sale securities

     12,445,566       9,929,506       15,681,935  

Purchases of held-to-maturity securities

     (4,814,251     (4,040,208     (2,626,409

Proceeds from maturities of and principal payments on held-to-maturity securities

     1,308,212       408,674       160,590  

Net decrease in loans receivable

     1,765,847       2,201,838       2,745,200  

Capital expenditures for property and equipment

     (79,840     (89,410     (82,076

Proceeds from sale of REO and repossessed assets

     102,471       156,991       213,926  

Net cash flow from derivatives hedging assets

     (85,224     14,899       (53,604

Other

     70,784       39,147       (130,714
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

   $ 664,420     $ (1,630,174   $ (1,072,854
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS—(Continued)

(In thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Net increase in deposits

   $ 1,931,452     $ 1,219,455     $ 626,291  

Sale of deposits

     —         —         (980,549

Net decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     (560,838     (872,750     (552,793

Advances from FHLB

     2,930,000       2,220,000       2,350,000  

Payments on advances from FHLB

     (4,283,600     (2,250,000     (2,350,000

Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes

     1,305,000       427,331       —    

Payments on senior and springing lien notes

     (1,173,736     (425,956     —    

Net cash flow from derivatives hedging liabilities

     25,253       (41,292     (218,185

Other

     (17,537     (17,076     39,106  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     155,994       259,712       (1,086,130
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rates on cash

     —         —         797  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents

     661,655       (274,507     (1,108,892

Cash and equivalents, beginning of period

     2,099,839       2,374,346       3,483,238  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents, end of period

   $ 2,761,494     $ 2,099,839     $ 2,374,346  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures:

      

Cash paid for interest

   $ 592,005     $ 435,776     $ 425,211  

Cash paid (refund received) for income taxes

   $ 6,370     $ (6,606   $ (78,734

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

      

Transfers from loans to other real estate owned and repossessed assets

   $ 128,401     $ 180,964     $ 314,514  

Conversion of convertible debentures to common stock

   $ 355     $ 660,946     $ 316,983  

Reclassification of loans held-for-investment to loans held-for-sale

   $ —       $ —       $ 252,627  

Transfers from loans to available-for-sale securities

   $ —       $ —       $ 222,729  

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—ORGANIZATION, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Organization—E*TRADE Financial Corporation is a financial services company that provides online brokerage and related products and services primarily to individual retail investors under the brand “E*TRADE Financial.” The Company also provides investor-focused banking products, primarily sweep deposits and savings products, to retail investors. The Company’s most significant subsidiaries are described below:

 

   

E*TRADE Bank is a federally chartered savings bank that provides investor-focused banking products to retail customers nationwide and deposit accounts insured by the FDIC;

 

   

E*TRADE Securities LLC is a registered broker-dealer and is a wholly-owned operating subsidiary of E*TRADE Bank. It is the primary provider of brokerage products and services to the Company’s customers;

 

   

E*TRADE Clearing LLC is the clearing firm for the Company’s brokerage subsidiaries and is a wholly-owned operating subsidiary of E*TRADE Bank. Its main purpose is to clear and settle securities transactions for customers of other broker-dealers, including E*TRADE Securities LLC; and

 

   

G1 Execution Services, LLC (formerly known as E*TRADE Capital Markets, LLC) is a registered broker-dealer and market maker.

Basis of Presentation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries as determined under the voting interest model. Entities in which the Company holds at least a 20% ownership interest or in which there are other indicators of significant influence are generally accounted for by the equity method. Entities in which the Company holds less than a 20% ownership interest and does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over are generally carried at cost. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The Company also evaluates its continuing involvement with certain entities to determine if the Company is required to consolidate the entities under the variable interest entity model. This evaluation is based on a qualitative assessment of whether the Company has both: 1) the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the activities of the variable interest entity; and 2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the variable interest entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity.

Certain prior period items in these consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are all normal and recurring in nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.

The Company reports corporate interest income and corporate interest expense separately from operating interest income and operating interest expense. The Company believes reporting these two items separately provides a clearer picture of the financial performance of the Company’s operations than would a presentation that combined these two items. Operating interest income and operating interest expense is generated from the operations of the Company. Corporate debt, which is the primary source of corporate interest expense, has been issued primarily in connection with recapitalization transactions and past acquisitions.

Similarly, the Company reports gains on sales of investments, net separately from gains on loans and securities, net. The Company believes reporting these two items separately provides a clearer picture of the financial performance of its operations than would a presentation that combined these two items. Gains on loans and securities, net are the result of activities in the Company’s operations, namely its balance sheet management segment. Gains on sales of investments, net relate to investments of the Company at the corporate level and are not related to the ongoing business of the Company’s operating subsidiaries.

 

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Related PartiesBased upon the Company’s review of publicly available information, as of December 31, 2012, Citadel was one of the Company’s largest shareholders and the Company believes Citadel owned approximately 9.6% of its outstanding common stock and none of its outstanding debt. In addition, Kenneth Griffin, President and CEO of Citadel, joined the Board of Directors on June 8, 2009 pursuant to a director nomination right granted to Citadel in 2007. During the periods presented, the Company routed a portion of its customer equity orders in exchange-listed options and Regulation NMS Securities to an affiliate of Citadel for order handling and execution. Payments for these customer equity orders represented approximately 1% of the Company’s total net revenue for each of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Joseph M. Velli, Chairman and CEO of ConvergEx Group, joined the Board of Directors in January 2010. During the periods presented, the Company used ConvergEx Group for clearing and transfer agent services. Payments for these services represented less than 1% of the Company’s total operating expenses for each of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Use of Estimates—The consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and related notes for the periods presented. Actual results could differ from management’s estimates. Certain significant accounting policies are noteworthy because they are based on estimates and assumptions that require complex and subjective judgments by management. Changes in these estimates or assumptions could materially impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Material estimates in which management believes changes could reasonably occur include: allowance for loan losses; valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets; estimates of effective tax rates, deferred taxes and valuation allowance; classification and valuation of certain investments; accounting for derivative instruments; and fair value measurements.

Financial Statement Descriptions and Related Accounting Policies—Below are descriptions and accounting policies for certain of the Company’s financial statement categories:

Cash and Equivalents—For the purpose of reporting cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments with original or remaining maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase that are not required to be segregated under federal or other regulations to be cash and equivalents. Cash and equivalents included $2.1 billion and $1.0 billion at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, of overnight cash deposits, a portion of which the Company is required to maintain with the Federal Reserve Bank.

Cash Required to be Segregated Under Federal or Other Regulations—Certain cash balances that are required to be segregated for the exclusive benefit of the Company’s brokerage customers are included in the cash required to be segregated under federal or other regulations line item.

Trading Securities—Trading securities are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term and are carried at fair value. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading securities from banking activities are included in the gains on loans and securities, net line item and are derived using the specific identification method. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading securities from market making activities are included in the principal transactions line item and are also derived by the specific identification method.

Available-for-Sale Securities—Available-for-sale securities consist of debt securities, primarily residential mortgage-backed securities. Securities classified as available-for-sale are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses reflected as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax. Realized and unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale debt securities are computed using the specific identification method. Interest earned on available-for-sale debt securities is included in operating interest income. Amortization or accretion of premiums and discounts are also recognized in operating interest income using the

 

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effective interest method over the life of the security. Realized gains and losses on available-for-sale debt securities, other than OTTI, are included in the gains on loans and securities, net line item. Available-for-sale securities that have an unrealized loss (impaired securities) are evaluated for OTTI at each balance sheet date.

Held-to-Maturity Securities—Held-to-maturity securities consist of debt securities, primarily residential mortgage-backed securities. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost based on the Company’s positive intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity. Interest earned on held-to-maturity debt securities is included in operating interest income. Amortization or accretion of premiums and discounts are also recognized in operating interest income using the effective interest method over the life of the security. Held-to-maturity securities that have an unrecognized loss (impaired securities) are evaluated for OTTI at each balance sheet date in a manner consistent with available-for-sale debt securities.

Margin Receivables—Margin receivables represent credit extended to customers to finance their purchases of securities by borrowing against securities the customers own. Securities owned by customers are held as collateral for amounts due on the margin receivables, the value of which is not reflected in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company is permitted to sell or re-pledge these securities held as collateral and use the securities to enter into securities lending transactions, to collateralize borrowings or for delivery to counterparties to cover customer short positions. The fair value of securities that the Company received as collateral in connection with margin receivables and securities borrowing activities, where the Company is permitted to sell or re-pledge the securities, was approximately $8.2 billion and $6.8 billion as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Of this amount, $1.5 billion and $1.3 billion had been pledged or sold in connection with securities loans, bank borrowings and deposits with clearing organizations as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Loans Receivable, Net—Loans receivable, net consists of real estate and consumer loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity, also known as loans held-for-investment. Loans held for investment are carried at amortized cost adjusted for net charge-offs, allowance for loan losses, deferred fees or costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Deferred fees or costs on originated loans and premiums or discounts on purchased loans are recognized in operating interest income using the effective interest method over the contractual life of the loans and are adjusted for actual prepayments. The Company’s classes of loans are one- to four-family, home equity and consumer and other loans.

Nonperforming Loans—The Company classifies loans as nonperforming when they are no longer accruing interest, which includes loans that are 90 days and greater past due, TDRs that are on nonaccrual status for all classes of loans and certain junior liens that have a delinquent senior lien. Interest previously accrued, but not collected, is reversed against current income when a loan is placed on nonaccrual status. Interest payments received on nonperforming loans are recognized on a cash basis in operating interest income until it is doubtful that full payment will be collected, at which point payments are applied to principal. The recognition of deferred fees or costs on originated loans and premiums or discounts on purchased loans in operating interest income is discontinued for nonperforming loans. Nonperforming loans, excluding loans that were modified as a TDR and certain junior liens that have a delinquent senior lien, return to accrual status when the loan becomes less than 90 days past due. TDRs return to accrual status after six consecutive payments have been made in accordance with the modified terms.

Loan losses are recognized when it is probable that a loss has been incurred. The Company’s charge-off policy for both one- to four-family and home equity loans is to assess the value of the property when the loan has been delinquent for 180 days or it is in bankruptcy, regardless of whether or not the property is in foreclosure, and charge-off the amount of the loan balance in excess of the estimated current value of the underlying property less estimated costs to sell. TDRs are charged-off when certain characteristics of the loan, including CLTV, borrower’s credit and type of modification, cast substantial doubt on the borrower’s ability to repay the loan. Closed-end consumer loans are charged-off when the loan has been delinquent for 120 days or when it is determined that collection is not probable.

 

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During the first quarter of 2012, interagency supervisory guidance related to practices associated with loans and lines of credit secured by junior liens on one- to four-family residential properties was issued. The guidance indicated that if a senior lien is delinquent, it should be considered in determining the income recognition of the junior lien. As of December 31, 2012, approximately $139 million of unpaid principal balance, or approximately 3.4% of performing second lien home equity loans, were on nonaccrual status as a result of the interagency supervisory guidance.

Impaired Loans—A loan is impaired when it meets the definition of a TDR. Impaired loans exclude smaller-balance homogeneous one- to four-family, home equity and consumer and other loans that have not been modified as TDRs and are collectively evaluated for impairment.

TDRs—Modified loans in which economic concessions were granted to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty are considered TDRs. TDRs also include loans that have been charged-off due to bankruptcy notification even if the loan has not been modified under the Company’s programs. Upon being classified as a TDR, such loan is categorized as an impaired loan and is considered impaired until maturity regardless of whether the borrower performs under the terms of the loan.

Impairment on loan modifications is measured on an individual basis, generally using a discounted cash flow model. When certain characteristics of the modified loan cast substantial doubt on the borrower’s ability to repay the loan, the Company identifies the loan as collateral dependent and charges-off the amount of the modified loan balance in excess of the estimated current value of the underlying property less estimated costs to sell. Collateral dependent TDRs are identified based on the terms of the modification, which includes assigning a higher level of risk to loans in which the LTV or CLTV is greater than 110%, a borrower’s credit score is less than 600 and certain types of modifications, such as interest-only payments and terms longer than 30 years. TDRs that are not identified as higher risk using this risk assessment process and for which impairment is measured using a discounted cash flow model, continue to be evaluated in the event that they become higher risk collateral dependent TDRs.

The Company utilizes its own modification programs in pursuing TDRs. The various types of economic concessions that may be granted in a loan modification typically consist of interest rate reductions, maturity date extensions, principal forgiveness or a combination of these concessions. The Company also processed minor modifications on a number of loans through traditional collections actions taken in the normal course of servicing delinquent accounts. These actions typically result in an insignificant delay in the timing of payments; therefore, the Company does not consider such activities to be economic concessions to borrowers and these minor loan modifications are not classified as TDRs.

The Company uses specialized servicers that focus on loan modifications and pursue trial modifications for loans that are more than 180 days delinquent. Trial modifications are classified immediately as TDRs and continue to be reported as delinquent until the successful completion of the trial period, which is typically 90 days. The loan is then classified as current and becomes a permanent modification.

Both one- to four-family and home equity TDRs, including trial modifications, are accounted for as nonaccrual loans at the time of modification and return to accrual status after six consecutive payments are made in accordance with the modified terms. TDRs are classified as nonperforming until six consecutive payments have been made.

Allowance for Loan Losses—The allowance for loan losses is management’s estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. The Company’s segments are one- to four-family, home equity and consumer and other. For loans that are not TDRs, the Company established a general allowance. The estimate of the allowance for loan losses is based on a variety of quantitative and qualitative factors, including the composition and quality of the portfolio; delinquency levels and trends; current and historical charge-off and loss experience; the Company’s historical loss mitigation experience; the condition of the real

 

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estate market and geographic concentrations within the loan portfolio; the interest rate climate; the overall availability of housing credit; and general economic conditions. The one- to four-family and home equity loan portfolios are separated into risk segments based on key risk factors, which include but are not limited to loan type, delinquency history, documentation type, LTV/CLTV ratio and borrowers’ credit scores. For home equity loans in the second lien position, the original balance of the first lien loan at origination date and updated valuations on the property underlying the loan are used to calculate CLTV. Both current CLTV and FICO scores are among the factors utilized to categorize the risk associated with loans and assign a probability assumption of future default. Based upon the segmentation, the Company utilizes historical performance data to develop the forecast of delinquency and default for these risk segments. The Company’s consumer and other loan portfolio is separated into risk segments by product and delinquency status. The Company utilizes historical performance data and historical recovery rates on collateral liquidation to forecast delinquency and loss at the product level. The general allowance for loan losses is typically equal to management’s forecast of loan losses in the twelve months following the balance sheet date.

The general allowance for loan losses also included a qualitative component to account for a variety of factors that are not directly considered in the quantitative loss model but are factors the Company believes may impact the level of credit losses. Examples of these factors are: external factors, such as changes in the macro-economic, legal and regulatory environment; internal factors, such as procedural changes and reliance on third parties; and portfolio specific factors, such as the impact of payment resets and historical loan modification activity, which impacts the historical performance data used to forecast delinquency and default in the general allowance for loan losses.

The total qualitative component was $44 million and $124 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The qualitative component for the one- to four-family and home equity loan portfolios was 17% and 35% of the general allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The decrease in the qualitative component in these loan portfolios from December 31, 2011 to December 31, 2012 reflects the completion of the Company’s evaluation of certain programs and practices that were designed in accordance with guidance from the Company’s former regulator, the OTS. This evaluation was initiated in connection with the transition from the OTS to the OCC. As a result of the evaluation, loan modification policies and procedures were aligned with the guidance from the OCC. The qualitative component was increased to 35% during the fourth quarter of 2011 to reflect additional estimated losses due to this evaluation. The review resulted in a significant increase in charge-offs during the year ended December 31, 2012 and a corresponding decrease in the qualitative component. The qualitative component for the consumer and other loan portfolio was 17% and 15% of the general allowance at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

For modified loans accounted for as TDRs that are valued using the discounted cash flow model, the Company established a specific allowance. The specific allowance for TDRs factors in the historical default rate of an individual loan before being modified as a TDR in the discounted cash flow analysis in order to determine that specific loan’s expected impairment. Specifically, a loan that has a more severe delinquency history prior to modification will have a higher future default rate in the discounted cash flow analysis than a loan that was not as severely delinquent. For both of the one- to four-family and home equity loan portfolio segments, the pre-modification delinquency status, the borrower’s current credit score and other credit bureau attributes, in addition to each loan’s individual default experience and credit characteristics, are incorporated into the calculation of the specific allowance. A specific allowance is established to the extent that the recorded investment exceeds the discounted cash flows of a TDR with a corresponding charge to provision for loan losses. The specific allowance for these individually impaired loans represents the forecasted losses over the estimated remaining life of the loan, including the economic concession to the borrower.

Investment in FHLB stock—The Company is a member of, and owns capital stock in, the FHLB system. The FHLB provides the Company with reserve credit capacity and authorizes advances based on the security of pledged home mortgages and other assets (principally securities that are obligations of, or guaranteed by, the U.S. Government) provided the Company meets certain creditworthiness standards. FHLB advances, included in

 

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the FHLB advances and other borrowings line item, is a wholesale funding source of E*TRADE Bank. As a condition of its membership in the FHLB, the Company is required to maintain a FHLB stock investment. The Company accounts for its investment in FHLB stock as a cost method investment.

Property and Equipment, Net—Property and equipment are carried at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, generally three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their estimated useful lives or lease terms. Buildings are depreciated over the lesser of their estimated useful lives or thirty five years. Land is carried at cost. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value.

The costs of internally developed software that qualify for capitalization are included in the property and equipment, net line item. For qualifying internal-use software costs, capitalization begins when the conceptual formulation, design and testing of possible software project alternatives are complete and management authorizes and commits to funding the project. The Company does not capitalize pilot projects and projects where it believes that future economic benefits are less than probable. Technology development costs incurred in the development and enhancement of software used in connection with services provided by the Company that do not otherwise qualify for capitalization treatment are expensed as incurred.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net—Goodwill and other intangibles, net represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net tangible assets acquired through the Company’s business combinations. The Company tests goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment on at least an annual basis or when events or changes indicate the carrying value of an asset exceeds its fair value and the loss may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates the remaining useful lives of intangible assets with finite lives each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization.

Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets—Real estate owned and repossessed assets are included in the other assets line item in the consolidated balance sheet. Real estate owned (“REO”) represents real estate acquired through foreclosure and also includes those properties for which the Company has taken physical possession, even though legal foreclosure or repossession proceedings have not taken place. Both REO and the repossessed assets are carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value, less estimated costs to sell.

Income Taxes—Deferred income taxes are recorded when revenues and expenses are recognized in different periods for financial statement purposes than for tax return purposes. Deferred tax asset or liability account balances are calculated at the balance sheet date using current tax laws and rates in effect. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a portion or all of a given deferred tax asset will not be realized. Income tax expense (benefit) includes (i) deferred tax expense (benefit), which generally represents the net change in the deferred tax asset or liability balance during the year plus any change in valuation allowances, and (ii) current tax expense (benefit), which represents the amount of tax currently payable to or receivable from a taxing authority. Uncertain tax positions are only recognized to the extent they satisfy the accounting for uncertain tax positions criteria included in the income taxes accounting guidance, which states that in order to recognize an uncertain tax position it must be more likely than not that it will be sustained upon examination. For uncertain tax positions, tax benefit is recognized for cases in which it is more than fifty percent likely of being sustained on ultimate settlement. For additional information on income taxes, see Note 14—Income Taxes.

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase—Securities sold under agreements to repurchase the same or similar securities, also known as repurchase agreements, are collateralized by fixed- and variable-rate mortgage-backed securities or investment grade securities. Repurchase agreements are treated as secured borrowings for financial statement purposes and the obligations to repurchase securities sold are therefore reflected as liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.

 

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Customer Payables—Customer payables to customers and non-customers represent credit balances in customer accounts arising from deposits of funds and sales of securities and other funds pending completion of securities transactions. Customer payables primarily represent customer cash contained within the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries. The Company pays interest on certain customer payables balances.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)—The Company’s comprehensive income (loss) is composed of net income (loss), noncredit portion of OTTI on debt securities, unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, the effective portion of the unrealized losses on derivatives in cash flow hedge relationships and foreign currency translation gains (losses), net of reclassification adjustments and related tax.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—The Company enters into derivative transactions primarily to protect against interest rate risk on the value of certain assets, liabilities and future cash flows. Each derivative is recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value as a freestanding asset or liability. For financial statement purposes, the Company’s policy is to not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments and fair value amounts related to collateral arrangements under master netting arrangements.

Accounting for derivatives differs significantly depending on whether a derivative is designated as a hedge and, if designated as a hedge, the type of hedge designation. Derivative instruments designated in hedging relationships that mitigate the exposure to the variability in expected future cash flows or other forecasted transactions are considered cash flow hedges. Derivative instruments in hedging relationships that mitigate exposure to changes in the fair value of assets or liabilities are considered fair value hedges. The Company formally documents at inception all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items and the risk management objective and strategy for each hedge transaction. Cash flow and fair value hedge ineffectiveness is re-measured on a quarterly basis and is included in the gains on loans and securities, net line item in the consolidated statement of income (loss). Cash flows from derivative instruments in hedging relationships are classified in the same category on the consolidated statement of cash flows as the cash flows from the items being hedged. The Company also recognizes certain contracts and commitments as derivatives when the characteristics of those contracts and commitments meet the definition of a derivative. Gains and losses on derivatives that are not held as accounting hedges are recognized in the gains on loans and securities, net line item in the consolidated statement of income (loss). For additional information on derivative instruments and hedging activities, see Note 6—Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

Fair Value—Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company determines the fair value for its financial instruments and for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis. In addition, the Company determines the fair value for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities on a nonrecurring basis as required during impairment testing or by other accounting guidance. For additional information on fair value, see Note 3—Fair Value Disclosures.

Operating Interest Income—Operating interest income is recognized as earned through holding interest-earning assets, such as loans, available-for-sale securities, held-to-maturity securities, margin receivables, cash and equivalents, segregated cash, and securities borrowed and other balances. Operating interest income also includes the impact of the Company’s derivative transactions related to interest-earning assets.

Operating Interest Expense—Operating interest expense is recognized as incurred through holding interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits, customer payables, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, FHLB advances and other borrowings, and securities loaned and other balances. Operating interest expense also includes the impact of the Company’s derivative transactions related to interest-bearing liabilities.

Commissions—Commissions are derived primarily from the Company’s customers and are impacted by both trade types and trade mix. Commissions from securities transactions are recognized on a trade-date basis.

 

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Fees and Service Charges—Fees and service charges consist of order flow revenue, mutual fund service fees, foreign exchange revenue, reorganization fees, advisor management fees and other fees and service charges. Order flow revenue is accrued in the same period in which the related securities transactions are completed or related services are rendered.

Principal Transactions—Principal transactions consist of revenue from market making activities. Market making activities are the matching of buyers and sellers of securities and include transactions where the Company purchases securities for its balance sheet with the intention of resale to transact the customer’s buy or sell order. Principal transactions earned on the Company’s market making activities are recorded on a trade-date basis.

Gains on Loans and Securities, Net—Gains on loans and securities, net includes gains or losses resulting from the sale of available-for-sale securities; gains or losses on trading securities; gains or losses resulting from sales of loans; hedge ineffectiveness; and gains or losses on derivative instruments that are not accounted for as hedging instruments. Gains or losses resulting from the sale of available-for-sale securities are recognized at the trade-date, based on the difference between the anticipated proceeds and the amortized cost of the specific securities sold.

Other-than-temporary Impairment (“OTTI”)—The Company considers OTTI for an available-for-sale or held-to-maturity debt security to have occurred if one of the following conditions are met: the Company intends to sell the impaired debt security; it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the impaired debt security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis; or the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. The Company’s evaluation of whether it intends to sell an impaired debt security considers whether management has decided to sell the security as of the balance sheet date. The Company’s evaluation of whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell an impaired debt security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis considers the likelihood of sales that involve legal, regulatory or operational requirements. For impaired debt securities that the Company does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis, the Company uses both qualitative and quantitative valuation measures to evaluate whether the Company expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. The Company considers all available information relevant to the collectability of the security, including credit enhancements, security structure, vintage, credit ratings and other relevant collateral characteristics.

If the Company intends to sell an impaired debt security or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the impaired debt security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis, the Company will recognize OTTI in earnings equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and the security’s fair value. If the Company does not intend to sell the impaired debt security and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the impaired debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis but the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security, the Company will separate OTTI into two components: 1) the amount related to credit loss, recognized in earnings; and 2) the noncredit portion of OTTI, recognized through other comprehensive income (loss).

Net Impairment—Net impairment includes OTTI net of the noncredit portion of OTTI on debt securities recognized through other comprehensive income (loss) before tax.

Other Revenues—Other revenues primarily consist of fees from software and services for managing equity compensation plans, which are recognized in accordance with applicable accounting guidance, including software revenue recognition accounting guidance. Other revenues also include revenue ancillary to the Company’s customer transactions and income from the cash surrender value of BOLI.

Share-Based Payments—In 2005, the Company adopted and the shareholders approved the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (“2005 Plan”) to replace the 1996 Stock Incentive Plan (“1996 Plan”) which provides for the grant

 

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of nonqualified or incentive stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units to officers, directors and certain key employees and consultants for the purchase of newly issued shares of the Company’s common stock at a price determined by the Board at the date of the grant. The Company does not have a specific policy for issuing shares upon stock option exercises and share unit conversions; however, new shares are typically issued in connection with exercises and conversions. The Company intends to continue to issue new shares for future exercises and conversions.

Options are generally exercisable ratably over a two- to four-year period from the date the option is granted and most options expire within seven years from the date of grant. Certain options provide for accelerated vesting upon a change in control. Exercise prices are generally equal to the fair value of the shares on the grant date. As of December 31, 2012, there were 2.4 million shares outstanding and $1.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.5 years. The Company recognized $2.8 million, $2.4 million and $8.4 million in compensation expense for stock options for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

The Company issues restricted stock awards and restricted stock units to certain employees. Each restricted stock unit can be converted into one share of the Company’s common stock upon vesting. These awards are issued at the fair value on the date of grant and vest ratably over the period, generally two to four years. The fair value is calculated as the market price upon issuance. As of December 31, 2012, there were 3.2 million units outstanding and $22.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.6 years. The total fair value of restricted shares and restricted stock units vested was $9.9 million, $15.4 million and $20.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company recognized $17.7 million, $11.7 million and $17.0 million in compensation expense for restricted stock awards and restricted stock units for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Under the 2005 Plan, the remaining unissued authorized shares of the 1996 Plan, up to 4.2 million shares, were authorized for issuance. Additionally, any shares that had been awarded but remained unissued under the 1996 Plan that were subsequently canceled, would be authorized for issuance under the 2005 Plan, up to 3.9 million shares. In May 2009 and 2010, an additional 3.0 million and 12.5 million shares, respectively, were authorized for issuance under the 2005 Plan at the Company’s shareholders’ annual meetings in each of those respective years. As of December 31, 2012, 9.8 million shares were available for grant under the 2005 Plan.

The Company records share-based payments expense in accordance with the stock compensation accounting guidance. The Company records compensation cost at the grant date fair value of a share-based payment award over the vesting period less estimated forfeitures. Share-based payments expense is included in the compensation and benefits line item.

Advertising and Market Development—Advertising production costs are expensed when the initial advertisement is run.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share—Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. The Company excludes from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share stock options, unvested restricted stock awards and units and shares related to convertible debentures that would have been anti-dilutive.

New Accounting and Disclosure Guidance—Below is the new accounting and disclosure guidance that relates to activities in which the Company is engaged.

 

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Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements

In April 2011, the FASB amended the accounting guidance for repurchase agreements. The amendments change the effective control assessment by removing the criterion that required the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the transferee, and the collateral maintenance guidance related to that criterion. The amended accounting guidance became effective January 1, 2012 for the Company, and was applied prospectively to transactions or modifications of existing transactions that occurred on or after January 1, 2012. The adoption of the amended accounting guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs

In May 2011, the FASB amended the accounting and disclosure guidance related to fair value measurements. The amended guidance will result in common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in GAAP and IFRSs. The amended guidance changes the descriptions of certain requirements in GAAP for measuring fair value and the requirements for disclosing information about fair value measurement. The amended accounting guidance became effective January 1, 2012 for the Company, and was applied prospectively. The adoption of the amended guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows and the Company’s disclosures reflect the adoption of the amended disclosure guidance in Note 3—Fair Value Disclosures.

Presentation of Comprehensive Income

In June 2011, the FASB amended the presentation guidance for comprehensive income. Among other presentation changes, the amended guidance provides the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The amended presentation guidance became effective January 1, 2012 for the Company. The Company’s presentation of the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income in two separate but consecutive statements reflects the adoption of the amended presentation guidance.

Testing Goodwill for Impairment

In September 2011, the FASB amended the guidance on testing goodwill for impairment. The amended guidance provides an option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is impaired as a basis for determining if further testing of goodwill for impairment is necessary. The amended guidance became effective January 1, 2012 for the Company. The adoption of the amended accounting guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

In December 2011, the FASB amended the disclosure guidance about offsetting assets and liabilities. The amended disclosure guidance will enable users of the Company’s financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on the Company’s financial position. This includes the effect or potential effect of rights of setoff between recognized assets and recognized liabilities within the scope of amended disclosure guidance, such as derivative instruments, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions. The amended disclosure guidance became effective for annual and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2013 for the Company and will be applied retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The Company’s disclosures will reflect the adoption of the amended disclosure guidance in the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ending March 31, 2013.

 

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Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

In February 2013, the FASB amended the presentation guidance on the reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amended guidance does not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements. However, the guidance amends the presentation of the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, the amended guidance requires the presentation, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income. The amended guidance became effective for annual and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2013 for the Company and will be applied prospectively. The Company’s disclosures will reflect the adoption of the amended presentation guidance in the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ending March 31, 2013.

NOTE 2—OPERATING INTEREST INCOME AND OPERATING INTEREST EXPENSE

The following table shows the components of operating interest income and operating interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Operating interest income:

      

Loans

   $ 496,466     $ 692,127     $ 879,013  

Available-for-sale securities

     359,977       421,304       386,347  

Held-to-maturity securities

     236,961       136,953       35,930  

Margin receivables

     216,086       221,717       200,260  

Securities borrowed and other

     61,608       60,238       45,163  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating interest income(1)

     1,371,098       1,532,339       1,546,713  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating interest expense:

      

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     (158,518     (153,079     (129,574

FHLB advances and other borrowings

     (92,630     (106,201     (119,344

Deposits

     (24,042     (42,879     (62,828

Customer payables and other

     (10,843     (10,221     (8,684
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating interest expense(2)

     (286,033     (312,380     (320,430
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net operating interest income

   $ 1,085,065     $ 1,219,959     $ 1,226,283  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Operating interest income reflects $(9.7) million, $(10.3) million, and $21.9 million in income on hedges that qualify for hedge accounting for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

(2) 

Operating interest expense reflects $142.1 million, $136.7 million, and $122.4 million in expense on hedges that qualify for hedge accounting for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

NOTE 3—FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company may use various valuation approaches, including market, income and/or cost approaches. The fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant. Accordingly, even when market assumptions are not readily available, the Company’s own assumptions reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement

 

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date. The fair value measurement accounting guidance describes the following three levels used to classify fair value measurements:

 

   

Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible by the Company.

 

   

Level 2—Quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.

 

   

Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The availability of observable inputs can vary and in certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment and consideration of factors specific to the asset or liability.

Recurring Fair Value Measurement Techniques

U.S. Treasury Securities and Agency Debentures

The fair value measurements of U.S. Treasury securities were classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy as they were based on quoted market prices in active markets. The fair value measurements of agency debentures were classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as they were based on quoted market prices observable in the marketplace.

Residential Mortgage-backed Securities

The Company’s residential mortgage-backed securities portfolio was comprised of agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs, which represented the majority of the portfolio, and non-agency CMOs. Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs are guaranteed by U.S. government sponsored and federal agencies. The majority of the Company’s non-agency CMOs were backed by first lien mortgages and were below investment grade or non-rated as of December 31, 2012. The weighted average coupon rates for the residential mortgage-backed securities as of December 31, 2012 are shown in the following table:

 

     Weighted Average
Coupon Rate
 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

     3.18 

Agency CMOs

     3.43 

Non-agency CMOs

     3.18 

The fair value of agency mortgage-backed securities was determined using a market approach with quoted market prices, recent market transactions and spread data for similar instruments. The fair value of agency CMOs was determined using market and income approaches with the Company’s own trading activities for identical or similar instruments. Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs were categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Non-agency CMOs were valued using market and income approaches with market observable data, including recent market transactions when available. The Company also utilized a pricing service to corroborate the market observability of the Company’s inputs used in the fair value measurements. The valuations of non-agency CMOs reflect the Company’s best estimate of what market participants would consider in pricing the financial instruments.

 

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The Company considers the price transparency for non-agency CMOs to be a key determinant of the degree of judgment involved in determining the fair value. As of December 31, 2012, the Company’s non-agency CMOs were categorized in Level 2 and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company’s portfolio management group determines the fair value measurements using a discounted cash flow methodology for non-agency CMOs on a monthly basis with market observable data to the extent available, and a pricing service is utilized to corroborate the market observability of significant inputs. The fair value measurements, valuation techniques and level classification methodology are reviewed and compared to prior periods on a quarterly basis by management from the finance, credit, enterprise risk management and compliance departments.

The significant inputs used in the fair value measurement of non-agency CMOs are yield, default rate, loss severity and prepayment rate. Significant changes in any of those inputs in isolation would result in a significant change in the fair value. Generally, an increase in the yield, default rate or loss severity in isolation would result in a decrease in the fair value, and an increase in the prepayment rate would result in an increase in the fair value. In addition, an increase in the assumption used for the prepayment rate generally will result in an increase in yield.

The following table presents additional information about the underlying loans and significant inputs used in discounted cash flow methodologies for the valuation of non-agency CMOs that were categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2012:

 

      Weighted
Average
    Range  

Underlying loans:

    

Coupon rate

     3.51     2.56%-6.83%   

Maturity (years)

     21       14-25        

Significant inputs:

    

Yield

     4     2%-16%     

Default rate(1)

     12     1%-61%     

Loss severity

     42     19%-100%   

Prepayment rate

     10     0%-87%     

 

(1) 

The default rate reflects the implied rate necessary to equate market price to the book yield given the market credit assumption.

Other Debt Securities

The fair value measurements of agency debt securities were determined using market and income approaches along with the Company’s own trading activities for identical or similar instruments and were categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Company’s municipal bonds are revenue bonds issued by state and other local government agencies. The valuation of corporate bonds is impacted by the credit worthiness of the corporate issuer. The majority of the Company’s municipal bonds and corporate bonds were rated investment grade as of December 31, 2012. These securities were valued using a market approach with pricing service valuations corroborated by recent market transactions for identical or similar bonds. Municipal bonds and corporate bonds were categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Derivative Instruments

Interest rate swap and option contracts were valued with an income approach using pricing models that are commonly used by the financial services industry. The market observable inputs used in the pricing models include the swap curve, the volatility surface, and prime or overnight indexed swap basis from a financial data provider. The Company does not consider these models to involve significant judgment on the part of

 

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management, and the Company corroborated the fair value measurements with counterparty valuations. The Company’s derivative instruments were categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The consideration of credit risk, the Company’s or the counterparty’s, did not result in an adjustment to the valuation of its derivative instruments in the periods presented.

Securities Owned and Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased

Securities transactions entered into by broker-dealer subsidiaries are included in trading securities and securities sold, not yet purchased in the Company’s fair value disclosures. For equity securities, the Company’s definition of actively traded is based on average daily volume and other market trading statistics. The fair value of securities owned and securities sold, not yet purchased was determined using listed or quoted market prices and the majority were categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurement Techniques

Loans Receivable and REO

The Company records certain other assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis: 1) one- to four-family and home equity loans in which the amount of the loan balance in excess of the estimated current value of the underlying property less estimated costs to sell has been charged-off; and 2) real estate acquired through physical possession of property or upon foreclosure that is carried at the lower of the property’s carrying value or fair value, less estimated selling costs.

Loans that have been delinquent for 180 days or in bankruptcy are charged-off based on the estimated current value of the underlying property less estimated selling costs and are classified as nonperforming loans. These loans continue to be reported as nonperforming unless they subsequently meet the requirements for being reported as performing loans. TDRs that are charged-off based on the estimated current value of the underlying property less estimated selling costs are classified as nonperforming loans at the time of modification and return to accrual status after six consecutive payments are made in accordance with the modified terms. Property valuations for these one- to four-family and home equity loans are based on the most recent “as is” property valuation data available, which may include appraisals, broker price opinions, prices for similar properties, automated valuation models or home price indices. Subsequent to the recording of an initial fair value measurement, these loans continue to be measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, utilizing the estimated value of the underlying property less estimated selling costs. These property valuations are updated on a monthly, quarterly or semi-annual basis depending on the type of valuation initially used. If the value of the underlying property has declined, an additional charge-off is recorded. If the value of the underlying property has increased, previously charged-off amounts are not reversed. If the valuation data obtained is significantly different from the valuation previously received, the Company orders additional property valuation data to corroborate or update the valuation.

Property valuations for real estate acquired through physical possession of property or upon foreclosure are based on the lowest value of the most recent property valuation data available, which may include appraisals, listing prices or approved offer prices. Nonrecurring fair value measurements on one- to four-family and home equity loans and real estate owned were classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as the majority of the valuations included Level 3 inputs that were significant to the estimate of fair value.

Real estate owned and loans receivable that have been subject to fair value measurement requirements are evaluated on a quarterly basis in accordance with policies and procedures that were designed to be in compliance with guidance from the Company’s regulators. These policies and procedures govern the frequency of the review, the use of acceptable valuation methods, and the consideration of estimated selling costs.

 

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The following table presents additional information about significant unobservable inputs used in the valuation of assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis that were categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

 

    

Unobservable Inputs

   Average      Range

One- to four-family

   Appraised value    $ 371      $6-$3,025

Home equity

   Appraised value    $ 276      $9-$1,900

Real estate owned

   Appraised value    $ 329      $1-$3,100

Recurring and Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value at December 31, 2012 and 2011 are summarized in the following tables (dollars in thousands):

 

    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total
Fair Value
 

December 31, 2012:

       

Recurring fair value measurements:

       

Assets

       

Trading securities

  $ 100,259     $ 1,011     $ —       $ 101,270  

Available-for-sale securities:

       

Residential mortgage-backed securities:

       

Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs

    —         12,097,298       —         12,097,298  

Non-agency CMOs

    —         185,668       49,495       235,163  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total residential mortgage-backed securities

    —         12,282,966       49,495       12,332,461  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment securities:

       

Agency debentures

    —         527,996       —         527,996  

Agency debt securities

    —         546,762       —         546,762  

Municipal bonds

    —         31,346       —         31,346  

Corporate bonds

    —         4,455       —         4,455  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment securities

    —         1,110,559       —         1,110,559  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

    —         13,393,525       49,495       13,443,020  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other assets:

       

Derivative assets(1)

    —         14,890       —         14,890  

Deposits with clearing organizations(2)

    32,000       —         —         32,000  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis

    32,000       14,890       —         46,890  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis(3)

  $ 132,259     $ 13,409,426     $ 49,495     $ 13,591,180  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

       

Derivative liabilities(1)

  $ —       $ 328,504     $ —       $ 328,504  

Securities sold, not yet purchased

    87,088       489       —         87,577  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis(3)

  $ 87,088     $ 328,993     $ —       $ 416,081  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nonrecurring fair value measurements:(4)

       

Loans receivable:

       

One- to four-family

  $ —       $ —       $ 752,008     $ 752,008  

Home equity

    —         —         90,663       90,663  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total loans receivable

    —         —         842,671       842,671  

REO

    —         —         75,885       75,885  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis

  $ —       $ —       $ 918,556     $ 918,556  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

The majority of derivative assets and liabilities are interest rate contracts. Information related to derivative instruments is detailed in Note 6—Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

(2) 

Represents U.S. Treasury securities held by a broker-dealer subsidiary.

(3) 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis represented 29% and 1% of the Company’s total assets and total liabilities, respectively.

(4) 

Represents the fair value of assets prior to deducting estimated selling costs that were carried on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, and for which a fair value measurement was recorded during the period.

 

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    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total
Fair Value
 

December 31, 2011:

       

Recurring fair value measurements:

       

Assets

       

Trading securities

  $ 53,025     $ 1,347     $ —       $ 54,372  

Available-for-sale securities:

       

Residential mortgage-backed securities:

       

Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs

    —         13,965,712       —         13,965,712  

Non-agency CMOs

    —         244,447       97,106       341,553  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total residential mortgage-backed securities

    —         14,210,159       97,106       14,307,265  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment securities:

       

Agency debentures

    —         731,280       —         731,280  

Agency debt securities

    —         554,194       —         554,194  

Municipal bonds

    —         41,069       —         41,069  

Corporate bonds

    —         17,685       —         17,685  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment securities

    —         1,344,228       —         1,344,228  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

    —         15,554,387       97,106       15,651,493  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other assets:

       

Derivative assets(1)

    —         66,534       —         66,534  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis(2)

  $ 53,025     $ 15,622,268     $ 97,106     $ 15,772,399  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

       

Derivative liabilities(1)

  $ —       $ 358,203     $ —       $ 358,203  

Securities sold, not yet purchased

    48,185       86       —         48,271  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis(2)

  $ 48,185     $ 358,289     $ —       $ 406,474  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nonrecurring fair value measurements:(3)

       

Loans receivable:

       

One- to four-family

  $ —       $ —       $ 823,338     $ 823,338  

Home equity

    —         —         61,163       61,163  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total loans receivable

    —         —         884,501       884,501  

REO

    —         —         81,505       81,505  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis

  $ —       $ —       $ 966,006     $ 966,006  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

All derivative assets and liabilities are interest rate contracts. Information related to derivative instruments is detailed in Note 6—Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

(2) 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis represented 33% and less than 1% of the Company’s total assets and total liabilities, respectively.

(3) 

Represents the fair value of assets prior to deducting estimated selling costs that were carried on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011, and for which a fair value measurement was recorded during the period.

The following table presents the losses associated with the assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2012      2011      2010  

One- to four-family

   $ 193,250      $ 221,717      $ 291,351  

Home equity

     291,316        112,426        152,386  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total losses on loans receivable measured at fair value

   $ 484,566      $ 334,143      $ 443,737  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Losses on REO measured at fair value

   $ 12,068      $ 27,582      $ 41,203  

 

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Transfers Between Levels 1 and 2

For assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company’s transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to have occurred at the beginning of the reporting period on a quarterly basis. The Company’s transfers of securities owned and securities sold, not yet purchased between Level 1 and 2 are generally driven by trading activities of those securities during the period. The Company had no material transfers between Level 1 and 2 during the year ended December 31, 2012.

Level 3 Rollforward for Recurring Fair Value Measurements

Level 3 assets and liabilities include instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation. While the Company’s fair value estimates of Level 3 instruments utilized observable inputs where available, the valuation included significant management judgment in determining the relevance and reliability of market information considered.

The following tables present additional information about Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Available-for-sale
Securities
 
     Non-agency
CMOs
 

Opening balance, January 1, 2012

   $ 97,106  

Losses recognized in earnings(1)

     (12,809

Net gains recognized in other comprehensive income(2)

     17,917  

Sales

     (68,116

Settlements

     (22,677

Transfers in to Level 3(3)(4)

     210,819  

Transfers out of Level 3(3)(5)

     (172,745
  

 

 

 

Closing balance, December 31, 2012

   $ 49,495  
  

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Losses recognized in earnings were related to instruments held at December 31, 2012 and are reported in the net impairment line item.

(2) 

Net gains recognized in other comprehensive income are reported in the net change from available-for-sale securities line item.

(3) 

The Company’s transfers in and out of Level 3 are as of the beginning of the reporting period on a quarterly basis.

(4) 

Non-agency CMOs transferred in to Level 3 due to a lack of observable market data, resulting from a decrease in market activity for the securities.

(5) 

Non-agency CMOs transferred out of Level 3 because observable market data became available for those securities.

 

           Available-for-sale
Securities
 
     Trading
Securities
    Non-agency
CMOs
 

Opening balance, January 1, 2011

   $ 630     $ 195,220  

Net losses recognized in earnings(1)

     (1,560     (7,898

Net gains recognized in other comprehensive income(2)

     —         16,089  

Sales

     (6,299     —    

Settlements

     (1,700     (28,205

Transfers in to Level 3(3)(4)

     8,929       254,637  

Transfers out of Level 3(3)(5)

     —         (332,737
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Closing balance, December 31, 2011

   $ —       $ 97,106  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

The majority of net losses recognized in earnings were related to instruments held at December 31, 2011 and are reported in the net impairment line item.

(2) 

Net gains recognized in other comprehensive income are reported in the net change from available-for-sale securities line item.

 

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(3) 

The Company’s transfers in and out of Level 3 are as of the beginning of the reporting period on a quarterly basis.

(4) 

Non-agency CMOs transferred in to Level 3 due to a lack of observable market data, resulting from a decrease in market activity for the securities.

(5) 

Non-agency CMOs transferred out of Level 3 because observable market data became available for those securities.

 

           Available-for-sale Securities  
     Trading
Securities
    Agency
Mortgage-backed
Securities and
CMOs
    Non-agency
CMOs
    Corporate
Investments
 

Opening balance, January 1, 2010

   $ 1,491     $ 17,972     $ 234,629     $ 173  

Net losses recognized in earnings(1)

     (938     —         (35,799     —    

Net gains (losses) recognized in other comprehensive loss(2)

     —         —         80,695       (9

Purchases, sales, and other settlements and issuances, net

     77       —         (32,520     (119

Transfers in to Level 3(3)(4)

     —         —         139,088       —    

Transfers out of Level 3(3)(5)

     —         (17,972     (190,873     (45
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Closing balance, December 31, 2010

   $ 630     $ —       $ 195,220     $  —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

The majority of net losses recognized in earnings were related to instruments held at December 31, 2010 and are reported in the net impairment line item.

(2) 

The majority of net gains (losses) recognized in other comprehensive loss are reported in the net change from available-for-sale securities line item.

(3) 

The Company’s transfers in and out of Level 3 are as of the beginning of the reporting period on a quarterly basis.

(4) 

Non-agency CMOs transferred in to Level 3 due to a lack of observable market data, resulting from a decrease in market activity for the securities.

(5) 

Non-agency CMOs transferred out of Level 3 because observable market data became available for those securities.

The Company’s transfers of certain non-agency CMOs in and out of Level 3 are generally driven by changes in price transparency for the securities. Financial instruments for which actively quoted prices or pricing parameters are available will have a higher degree of price transparency than financial instruments that are thinly traded or not quoted. As of December 31, 2012, less than 1% of the Company’s total assets and none of its total liabilities represented instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis categorized as Level 3.

 

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value

The following table summarizes the carrying values, fair values and fair value hierarchy level classification of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

    December 31, 2012  
    Carrying
Value
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total
Fair Value
 

Assets

         

Cash and equivalents

  $ 2,761,494     $ 2,761,494     $ —       $ —       $ 2,761,494  

Cash required to be segregated under federal or other regulations

  $ 376,898     $ 376,898     $ —       $ —       $ 376,898  

Held-to-maturity securities:

         

Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs

  $ 7,887,555     $ —       $ 8,182,064     $ —       $ 8,182,064  

Agency debentures

    163,434       —         169,769       —         169,769  

Agency debt securities

    1,488,959       —         1,558,663       —         1,558,663  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total held-to-maturity securities

  $ 9,539,948     $ —       $ 9,910,496     $ —       $ 9,910,496  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Margin receivables

  $ 5,804,041     $ —       $ 5,804,041     $ —       $ 5,804,041  

Loans receivable, net:

         

One- to four-family

  $ 5,281,702     $ —       $ —       $ 4,561,821     $ 4,561,821  

Home equity

    4,002,486       —         —         3,551,357       3,551,357  

Consumer and other

    814,535       —         —         838,721       838,721  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total loans receivable, net(1)

  $ 10,098,723     $ —       $ —       $ 8,951,899     $ 8,951,899  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment in FHLB stock

  $ 67,400     $ —       $ —       $ 67,400     $ 67,400  

Liabilities

         

Deposits

  $ 28,392,552     $ —       $ 28,394,440     $ —       $ 28,394,440  

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

  $ 4,454,661     $ —       $ 4,493,463     $ —       $ 4,493,463  

Customer payables

  $ 4,964,922     $ —       $ 4,964,922     $ —       $ 4,964,922  

FHLB advances and other borrowings

  $ 1,260,916     $ —       $ 926,750     $ 196,765     $ 1,123,515  

Corporate debt

  $ 1,764,982     $ —       $ 1,837,736     $ —       $ 1,837,736  

 

(1) 

The carrying value of loans receivable, net includes the allowance for loan loss of $480.7 million and the loans receivable that are valued at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2012.

 

     December 31, 2011(2)  
     Carrying
Value
     Fair
Value
 

Assets

     

Held-to-maturity securities

   $ 6,079,512      $ 6,282,989  

Loans receivable, net(1)

   $ 12,332,807      $ 11,142,297  

Liabilities

     

Deposits

   $ 26,459,985      $ 26,473,902  

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

   $ 5,015,499      $ 5,075,415  

FHLB advances and other borrowings

   $ 2,736,935      $ 2,671,877  

Corporate debt

   $ 1,493,552      $ 1,760,564  

 

(1) 

The carrying value of loans receivable, net includes the allowance for loan losses of $822.8 million and the loans receivable that are valued at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2011.

(2) 

Certain disclosures are not presented for periods prior to the adoption date as the amended fair value measurement disclosure guidance for certain items was not adopted by the Company until January 1, 2012.

 

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The fair value measurement techniques for financial instruments not carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 and 2011 are summarized as follows:

Cash and equivalents, cash required to be segregated under federal or other regulations, margin receivables and customer payables—Fair value is estimated to be carrying value.

Investment in FHLB stock—FHLB stock is carried at cost, which is considered to be a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Held-to-maturity securities—The held-to-maturity securities portfolio included agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs, agency debentures, and agency debt securities. The fair value of agency mortgage-backed securities is determined using market and income approaches with quoted market prices, recent market transactions and spread data for similar instruments. The fair value of agency CMOs and agency debt securities is determined using market and income approaches with the Company’s own trading activities for identical or similar instruments. The fair value of agency debentures is based on quoted market prices that were derived from assumptions observable in the marketplace.

Loans receivable, net—Fair value is estimated using a discounted cash flow model. Loans are differentiated based on their individual portfolio characteristics, such as product classification, loan category, pricing features and remaining maturity. Assumptions for expected losses, prepayments and discount rates are adjusted to reflect the individual characteristics of the loans, such as credit risk, coupon, term, and payment characteristics, as well as the secondary market conditions for these types of loans. There was limited or no observable market data for the home equity and one- to four-family loan portfolios, which indicates that the market for these types of loans is considered to be inactive. Given the limited market data, these fair value measurements cannot be determined with precision and changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates, could significantly affect the results of current or future fair value estimates. In addition, the amount that would be realized in a forced liquidation, an actual sale or immediate settlement could be significantly lower than both the carrying value and the estimated fair value of the portfolio.

Deposits—Fair value is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date for sweep deposits, complete savings deposits, other money market and savings deposits and checking deposits. For certificates of deposit and brokered certificates of deposit, fair value is estimated by discounting future cash flows using discount factors derived from current observable rates implied for other similar instruments with similar remaining maturities.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase—Fair value is determined by discounting future cash flows using discount factors derived from current observable rates implied for other similar instruments with similar remaining maturities.

FHLB advances and other borrowings—Fair value for FHLB advances is estimated by discounting future cash flows using discount factors derived from current observable rates implied for similar instruments with similar remaining maturities. For subordinated debentures, fair value is estimated by discounting future cash flows at the rate implied by dealer pricing quotes. For margin collateral, overnight and other short-term borrowings, fair value approximates carrying value.

Corporate debt—Fair value is estimated using dealer pricing quotes. The fair value of the non-interest-bearing convertible debentures is directly correlated to the intrinsic value of the Company’s underlying stock. As the price of the Company’s stock increases relative to the conversion price, the fair value of the convertible debentures increases.

Fair Value of Commitments and Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company makes various commitments to extend credit and incur contingent liabilities that are not reflected in the consolidated balance sheet. Changes in the economy or interest rates may influence the impact that these commitments and contingencies have on the Company in the future. The Company does not estimate the fair value of those commitments. The Company has the right to cancel these

 

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commitments in certain circumstances and has closed a significant amount of customer home equity lines of credit in the past five years. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had $0.6 billion of unfunded commitments to extend credit. Information related to such commitments and contingent liabilities is detailed in Note 19—Commitments, Contingencies and Other Regulatory Matters.

NOTE 4—AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE AND HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES

The amortized cost basis and fair value of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities at December 31, 2012 and 2011 are shown in the following tables (dollars in thousands):

 

     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized /
Unrecognized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized /
Unrecognized
Losses
    Fair Value  

December 31, 2012:

          

Available-for-sale securities:

          

Residential mortgage-backed securities:

          

Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs

   $ 11,881,185      $ 232,905      $ (16,792   $ 12,097,298  

Non-agency CMOs

     260,064        4,362        (29,263     235,163  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total residential mortgage-backed securities

     12,141,249        237,267        (46,055     12,332,461  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment securities:

          

Agency debentures

     515,990        12,434        (428     527,996  

Agency debt securities

     525,408        21,354        —         546,762  

Municipal bonds

     30,235        1,111        —         31,346  

Corporate bonds

     5,478        —          (1,023     4,455  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment securities

     1,077,111        34,899        (1,451     1,110,559  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 13,218,360      $ 272,166      $ (47,506   $ 13,443,020  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities:

          

Residential mortgage-backed securities:

          

Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs

   $ 7,887,555      $ 301,686      $ (7,177   $ 8,182,064  

Investment securities:

          

Agency debentures

     163,434        6,335        —         169,769  

Agency debt securities

     1,488,959        69,705        (1     1,558,663  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment securities

     1,652,393        76,040        (1     1,728,432  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total held-to-maturity securities

   $ 9,539,948      $ 377,726      $ (7,178   $ 9,910,496  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2011:

          

Available-for-sale securities:

          

Residential mortgage-backed securities:

          

Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs

   $ 13,772,134      $ 203,541      $ (9,963   $ 13,965,712  

Non-agency CMOs

     422,568        3,331        (84,346     341,553  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total residential mortgage-backed securities

     14,194,702        206,872        (94,309     14,307,265  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment securities:

          

Agency debentures

     743,246        —          (11,966     731,280  

Agency debt securities

     541,038        13,654        (498     554,194  

Municipal bonds

     42,325        261        (1,517     41,069  

Corporate bonds

     25,357        —          (7,672     17,685  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment securities

     1,351,966        13,915        (21,653     1,344,228  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 15,546,668      $ 220,787      $ (115,962   $ 15,651,493  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities:

          

Residential mortgage-backed securities:

          

Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs

   $ 5,296,520      $ 162,975      $ (1,545   $ 5,457,950  

Investment securities:

          

Agency debentures

     163,412        5,764        —         169,176  

Agency debt securities

     619,580        36,283        —         655,863  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment securities

     782,992        42,047        —         825,039  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total held-to-maturity securities

   $ 6,079,512      $ 205,022      $ (1,545   $ 6,282,989  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Contractual Maturities

The contractual maturities of all available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities at December 31, 2012 are shown below (dollars in thousands):

 

     Amortized Cost      Fair Value  

Available-for-sale securities:

     

Due within one to five years

   $ 66,610      $ 68,642  

Due within five to ten years

     1,073,338        1,102,366  

Due after ten years

     12,078,412        12,272,012  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 13,218,360      $ 13,443,020  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities:

     

Due within one to five years

   $ 322,665      $ 336,188  

Due within five to ten years

     2,895,625        3,082,544  

Due after ten years

     6,321,658        6,491,764  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total held-to-maturity securities

   $ 9,539,948      $ 9,910,496  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company pledged $2.4 billion and $3.9 billion at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, of available-for-sale securities and $2.9 billion and $2.1 billion at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, of held-to-maturity securities as collateral for federal reserves, repurchase agreements and other purposes.

 

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Investments with Unrecognized or Unrealized Losses

The following tables show the fair value and unrealized or unrecognized losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities, aggregated by investment category, and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized or unrecognized loss position at December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

    Less than 12 Months     12 Months or More     Total  
    Fair Value     Unrealized /
Unrecognized
Losses
    Fair Value     Unrealized /
Unrecognized
Losses
    Fair Value     Unrealized /
Unrecognized
Losses
 

December 31, 2012:

           

Available-for-sale securities:

           

Residential mortgage-backed securities:

           

Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs

  $ 2,588,947      $ (16,680   $ 16,337      $ (112   $ 2,605,284     $ (16,792

Non-agency CMOs

    —         —         198,635       (29,263     198,635       (29,263

Investment securities:

           

Agency debentures

    62,786       (428     —         —         62,786       (428

Corporate bonds

    —         —         4,455       (1,023     4,455       (1,023
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total temporarily impaired available-for-sale securities

  $ 2,651,733      $ (17,108   $ 219,427      $ (30,398   $ 2,871,160     $ (47,506
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities:

           

Residential mortgage-backed securities:

           

Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs

  $ 1,240,008     $ (6,937   $ 2,427     $ (240   $ 1,242,435     $ (7,177

Agency debt securities

    84       (1     —         —         84       (1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total temporarily impaired held-to-maturity securities

  $ 1,240,092     $ (6,938   $ 2,427     $ (240   $ 1,242,519     $ (7,178
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2011:

           

Available-for-sale securities:

           

Residential mortgage-backed securities:

           

Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs

  $ 1,314,331     $ (4,014   $ 647,144     $ (5,949   $ 1,961,475     $ (9,963

Non-agency CMOs

    4,336       (355     321,932       (83,991     326,268       (84,346

Investment securities:

           

Agency debentures

    731,280       (11,966     —         —         731,280       (11,966

Agency debt securities

    37,296       (498     —         —         37,296       (498

Municipal bonds

    —         —         20,598       (1,517     20,598       (1,517

Corporate bonds

    —         —         17,685       (7,672     17,685       (7,672
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total temporarily impaired available-for-sale securities

  $ 2,087,243     $ (16,833   $ 1,007,359     $ (99,129   $ 3,094,602     $ (115,962
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities:

           

Residential mortgage-backed securities:

           

Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs

  $ 343,340     $ (1,192   $ 42,445     $ (353   $ 385,785     $ (1,545
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total temporarily impaired held-to-maturity securities

  $ 343,340     $ (1,192   $ 42,445     $ (353   $ 385,785     $ (1,545
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The Company does not believe that any individual unrealized loss in the available-for-sale or unrecognized loss in the held-to-maturity portfolio as of December 31, 2012 represents a credit loss. The credit loss component is the difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and the present value of its expected future cash flows, and is recognized in earnings. The noncredit loss component is the difference between the present value of its expected future cash flows and the fair value and is recognized through other comprehensive income (loss). The Company assessed whether it intends to sell, or whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell a security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. For debt securities that are considered other-than-temporarily impaired and that the Company does not intend to sell as of the balance sheet date and will not be required to sell prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis, the Company determines the amount of the impairment that is related to credit and the amount due to all other factors.

The majority of the unrealized or unrecognized losses on mortgage-backed securities are attributable to changes in interest rates and a re-pricing of risk in the market. Agency mortgage-backed securities and CMOs, agency debentures and agency debt securities are guaranteed by U.S. government sponsored and federal agencies. Municipal bonds and corporate bonds are evaluated by reviewing the credit-worthiness of the issuer and general market conditions. The Company does not intend to sell the securities in an unrealized or unrecognized loss position as of the balance sheet date and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the debt securities before the anticipated recovery of its remaining amortized cost of the securities in an unrealized or unrecognized loss position at December 31, 2012.

The majority of the Company’s available-for-sale and held-to-maturity portfolio consists of residential mortgage-backed securities. For residential mortgage-backed securities, the Company calculates the credit portion of OTTI by comparing the present value of the expected future cash flows with the amortized cost basis of the security. The expected future cash flows are determined using the remaining contractual cash flows adjusted for future credit losses. The estimate of expected future credit losses includes the following assumptions: 1) expected default rates based on current delinquency trends, foreclosure statistics of the underlying mortgages and loan documentation type; 2) expected loss severity based on the underlying loan characteristics, including loan-to-value, origination vintage and geography; and 3) expected loan prepayments and principal reduction based on current experience and existing market conditions that may impact the future rate of prepayments. The expected cash flows of the security are then discounted at the interest rate used to recognize interest income on the security to arrive at the present value amount. The following table presents a summary of the significant inputs considered for securities that were other-than-temporarily impaired as of December 31, 2012:

 

     December 31, 2012  
     Weighted
Average
    Range  

Default rate(1)

     4         - 24 

Loss severity

     48     30      - 70 

Prepayment rate

     7         - 15 

 

(1) 

Represents the expected default rate for the next twelve months.

 

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The following table presents a roll forward of the credit loss component of the amortized cost of debt securities that have noncredit loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) and credit loss recognized in earnings for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011      2010  

Credit loss balance, beginning of period

   $ 202,945     $ 188,038      $ 150,372  

Additions:

       

Initial credit impairment

     987       61        1,642  

Subsequent credit impairment

     15,938       14,846        36,024  

Securities sold

     (33,148     —          —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Credit loss balance, end of period

   $ 186,722     $ 202,945      $ 188,038  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Within the securities portfolio, the highest concentration of credit risk is the non-agency CMO portfolio. As of December 31, 2012, the Company held approximately $179.9 million in amortized cost of non-agency CMO securities that had been other-than-temporarily impaired as a result of deterioration in the expected credit performance of the underlying loans in the securities. The following table shows the components of net impairment for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”)

   $ (19,799   $ (9,190   $ (41,510

Less: noncredit portion of OTTI recognized into (out of) other comprehensive income (loss) (before tax)

     2,874       (5,717     3,840  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net impairment

   $ (16,925   $ (14,907   $ (37,670
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gains on Loans and Securities, Net

The detailed components of the gains on loans and securities, net line item on the consolidated statement of income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Gains on loans, net

   $ 588     $ 146     $ 6,266  

Gains on securities, net

      

Gains on available-for-sale securities and other investments

     212,323       124,360       160,952  

Losses on available-for-sale securities and other investments

     (5,059     —         (187

Gains (losses) on trading securities, net

     (306     (1,883     162  

Hedge ineffectiveness

     (7,180     (2,390     (981
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gains on securities, net

     199,778       120,087       159,946  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gains on loans and securities, net

   $ 200,366     $ 120,233     $ 166,212  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 5—LOANS RECEIVABLE, NET

Loans receivable, net at December 31, 2012 and 2011 are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011  

One- to four-family

   $ 5,442,174     $ 6,615,808  

Home equity

     4,223,461       5,328,657  

Consumer and other

     844,942       1,113,257  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total loans receivable

     10,510,577       13,057,722  

Unamortized premiums, net

     68,897       97,901  

Allowance for loan losses

     (480,751     (822,816
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total loans receivable, net

   $ 10,098,723     $ 12,332,807  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At December 31, 2012, we pledged $8.2 billion and $0.8 billion of loans as collateral to the FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank, respectively. At December 31, 2011, we pledged $10.0 billion and $1.0 billion of loans as collateral to the FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank, respectively. Additionally, the Company’s entire loans receivable portfolio was serviced by other companies at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

The following table represents the breakdown of the total recorded investment in loans receivable and allowance for loan losses by loans that have been collectively evaluated for impairment and those that have been individually evaluated for impairment December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

    Recorded Investment     Allowance for Loan
Losses
 
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2012     2011     2012     2011  

Loans collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 9,073,326     $ 11,736,731     $ 309,377     $ 502,673  

Loans individually evaluated for impairment (TDRs)

    1,506,148       1,418,892       171,374       320,143  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total recorded investment in loans receivable

  $ 10,579,474     $ 13,155,623     $ 480,751     $ 822,816  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Credit Quality

The Company tracks and reviews factors to predict and monitor credit risk in its mortgage loan portfolio on an ongoing basis. These factors include: loan type, estimated current LTV/CLTV ratios, delinquency history, documentation type, borrowers’ current credit scores, housing prices, loan acquisition channel, loan vintage and geographic location of the property. In economic conditions in which housing prices generally appreciate, the Company believes that loan type, LTV/CLTV ratios, documentation type and credit scores are the key factors in determining future loan performance. In a housing market with declining home prices and less credit available for refinance, the Company believes the LTV/CLTV ratio becomes a more important factor in predicting and monitoring credit risk. The factors are updated on at least a quarterly basis. The Company tracks and reviews delinquency status to predict and monitor credit risk in the consumer and other loan portfolio on at least a quarterly basis.

The home equity loan portfolio is primarily second lien loans on residential real estate properties, which have a higher level of credit risk than first lien mortgage loans. Approximately 15% of the home equity portfolio was in the first lien position as of December 31, 2012. The Company holds both the first and second lien positions in less than 1% of the home equity loan portfolio. The home equity loan portfolio consists of approximately 21% of home equity installment loans and approximately 79% of home equity lines of credit.

Home equity installment loans are primarily fixed rate and fixed term, fully amortizing loans that do not offer the option of an interest-only payment. Home equity lines of credit convert to amortizing loans at the end of

 

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the draw period, which ranges from five to ten years. At December 31, 2012, the vast majority of the home equity line of credit portfolio had not converted from the interest-only draw period to an amortizing loan. In addition, approximately 80% of the home equity line of credit portfolio will not begin amortizing until after 2014. The following table outlines when home equity lines of credit convert to amortizing for the home equity line of credit portfolio as of December 31, 2012:

 

Period of Conversion to Amortizing Loan

   % of Home Equity Line of Credit
Portfolio
 

Already amortizing

     9

Year ending December 31, 2013

     4

Year ending December 31, 2014

     7

Year ending December 31, 2015

     26

Year ending December 31, 2016

     41

Year ending December 31, 2017

     13

The following tables show the distribution of the Company’s mortgage loan portfolios by credit quality indicator at December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

     One- to Four-Family     Home Equity  
     December 31,     December 31,  

Current LTV/CLTV (1)

   2012     2011     2012     2011  

<=80%

   $ 1,324,167     $ 1,596,299     $ 927,559     $ 1,168,851  

80%-100%

     1,404,415       1,716,799       776,199       967,945  

100%-120%

     1,231,448       1,527,266       932,033       1,191,862  

>120%

     1,482,144       1,775,444       1,587,670       1,999,999  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans receivable

   $ 5,442,174     $ 6,615,808     $ 4,223,461     $ 5,328,657  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average estimated current LTV/CLTV (2)

     108.1     106.7     113.8     112.1

Average LTV/CLTV at loan origination (3)

     71.2     71.0     79.4     79.2

 

(1) 

Current CLTV calculations for home equity loans are based on the maximum available line for home equity lines of credit and outstanding principal balance for home equity installment loans. Current property values are updated on a quarterly basis using the most recent property value data available to the Company. For properties in which the Company did not have an updated valuation, it utilized home price indices to estimate the current property value.

(2) 

The average estimated current LTV/CLTV ratio reflects the outstanding balance at the balance sheet date and the maximum available line for home equity lines of credit, divided by the estimated current value of the underlying property.

(3) 

Average LTV/CLTV at loan origination calculations are based on LTV/CLTV at time of purchase for one- to four-family purchased loans and undrawn balances for home equity loans.

 

     One- to Four-Family      Home Equity  
     December 31,      December 31,  

Documentation Type

   2012      2011      2012      2011  

Full documentation

   $ 2,317,933      $ 2,845,571      $ 2,166,554      $ 2,699,164  

Low/no documentation

     3,124,241        3,770,237        2,056,907        2,629,493  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans receivable

   $ 5,442,174      $ 6,615,808      $ 4,223,461      $ 5,328,657  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     One- to Four-Family      Home Equity  
     December 31,      December 31,  

Current FICO (1)

   2012      2011      2012      2011  

>=720

   $ 2,819,541      $ 3,557,576      $ 2,238,296      $ 2,780,163  

719 - 700

     498,057        585,188        417,926        497,680  

699 - 680

     425,474        448,651        345,771        408,804  

679 - 660

     347,219        385,051        279,765        325,777  

659 - 620

     494,021        525,878        370,282        447,908  

<620

     857,862        1,113,464        571,421        868,325  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans receivable

   $ 5,442,174      $ 6,615,808      $ 4,223,461      $ 5,328,657  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

FICO scores are updated on a quarterly basis; however, as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, there were some loans for which the updated FICO scores were not available. The current FICO distribution as of December 31, 2012 included original FICO scores for approximately $121 million and $20 million of one- to four-family and home equity loans, respectively. The current FICO distribution as of December 31, 2011 included original FICO scores for approximately $153 million and $30 million of one- to four-family and home equity loans, respectively.

 

     One- to Four-Family      Home Equity  
     December 31,      December 31,  

Acquisition Channel

   2012      2011      2012      2011  

Purchased from a third party

   $ 4,484,322      $ 5,420,858      $ 3,723,238      $ 4,669,551  

Originated by the Company

     957,852        1,194,950        500,223        659,106  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans receivable

   $ 5,442,174      $ 6,615,808      $ 4,223,461      $ 5,328,657  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     One- to Four-Family      Home Equity  
     December 31,      December 31,  

Vintage Year

   2012      2011      2012      2011  

2003 and prior

   $ 190,407      $ 239,868      $ 218,182      $ 302,606  

2004

     514,283        620,464        359,737        472,935  

2005

     1,095,047        1,377,748        1,131,341        1,387,044  

2006

     2,123,395        2,528,558        1,962,946        2,479,969  

2007

     1,515,020        1,841,097        542,203        674,742  

2008

     4,022        8,073        9,052        11,361  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans receivable

   $ 5,442,174      $ 6,615,808      $ 4,223,461      $ 5,328,657  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average age of mortgage loans receivable (years)

     6.7        5.7        6.9        5.9  
     One- to Four-Family      Home Equity  
     December 31,      December 31,  

Geographic Location

   2012      2011      2012      2011  

California

   $ 2,568,709      $ 3,096,028      $ 1,333,317      $ 1,690,319  

New York

     386,380        488,209        313,148        387,038  

Florida

     368,319        458,219        298,860        377,754  

Virginia

     235,019        280,772        192,143        234,140  

Other states

     1,883,747        2,292,580        2,085,993        2,639,406  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans receivable

   $ 5,442,174      $ 6,615,808      $ 4,223,461      $ 5,328,657  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Delinquent Loans

The following table shows total loans receivable by delinquency category as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Current      30-89 Days
Delinquent
     90-179 Days
Delinquent
     180+ Days
Delinquent
     Total  

December 31, 2012

              

One- to four-family

   $ 4,834,915      $ 233,796      $ 94,652      $ 278,811      $ 5,442,174  

Home equity

     4,028,936        89,347        64,239        40,939        4,223,461  

Consumer and other

     819,468        19,101        6,178        195        844,942  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total loans receivable

   $ 9,683,319      $ 342,244      $ 165,069      $ 319,945      $ 10,510,577  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

              

One- to four-family

   $ 5,726,745      $ 294,769      $ 136,238      $ 458,056      $ 6,615,808  

Home equity

     5,016,568        154,638        99,657        57,794        5,328,657  

Consumer and other

     1,091,010        17,715        4,102        430        1,113,257  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total loans receivable

   $ 11,834,323      $ 467,122      $ 239,997      $ 516,280      $ 13,057,722  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The decrease in delinquent loans was due to both improving credit trends and the additional charge-offs recorded as a result of the completion of the evaluation of certain programs and practices that were designed in accordance with guidance from the Company’s former regulator, the OTS. This evaluation was initiated in connection with the Company’s transition from the OTS to the OCC, its new primary banking regulator. As a result of the evaluation, loan modification policies and procedures were aligned with the guidance from the OCC. The review resulted in a significant increase in charge-offs during the first quarter of 2012, which also decreased the loans receivable balance.

Nonperforming Loans

The Company classifies loans as nonperforming when they are no longer accruing interest. Nonaccrual loans include loans that are 90 days and greater past due, TDRs that are on nonaccrual status for all classes of loans and certain junior liens that have a delinquent senior lien. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had nonaccrual loans of $639.1 million, $247.5 million and $6.4 million for one- to four-family, home equity and consumer and other loans, respectively. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had nonaccrual loans of $930.2 million, $281.4 million and $4.5 million for one- to four-family, home equity and consumer and other loans, respectively.

 

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Allowance for Loan Losses

The following table provides a roll forward by loan portfolio of the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2012  
     One- to
Four-Family
    Home
Equity
    Consumer
and Other
    Total  

Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period

   $ 314,187     $ 463,288     $ 45,341     $ 822,816  

Provision for loan losses

     50,402       271,030       33,205       354,637  

Charge-offs

     (189,918     (517,223     (51,060     (758,201

Recoveries

     9,266       40,238       11,995       61,499  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Charge-offs, net

     (180,652     (476,985     (39,065     (696,702
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses, end of period

   $ 183,937     $ 257,333     $ 39,481     $ 480,751  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Year Ended December 31, 2011  
     One- to
Four-Family
    Home
Equity
    Consumer
and Other
    Total  

Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period

   $ 389,594     $ 576,089     $ 65,486     $ 1,031,169  

Provision for loan losses

     132,655       286,396       21,563       440,614  

Charge-offs

     (228,857     (457,302     (59,290     (745,449

Recoveries

     20,795       58,105       17,582       96,482  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Charge-offs, net

     (208,062     (399,197     (41,708     (648,967
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses, end of period

   $ 314,187     $ 463,288     $ 45,341     $ 822,816  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Year Ended December 31, 2010  
     One- to
Four-Family
    Home
Equity
    Consumer
and Other
    Total  

Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period

   $ 489,887     $ 620,067     $ 72,784     $ 1,182,738  

Provision for loan losses

     202,302       529,461       47,649       779,412  

Charge-offs

     (302,595     (600,035     (80,359     (982,989

Recoveries

     —         26,596       25,412       52,008  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Charge-offs, net

     (302,595     (573,439     (54,947     (930,981
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses, end of period

   $ 389,594     $ 576,089     $ 65,486     $ 1,031,169  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the allowance for loan losses decreased by $342.1 million from $822.8 million at December 31, 2011. As a result of the evaluation of certain programs and practices discussed above, loan modification policies and procedures were aligned with the guidance from the OCC. The review resulted in a significant increase in charge-offs during the first quarter of 2012. The majority of the losses associated with these charge-offs were previously reflected in the specific valuation allowance and qualitative component of the general allowance for loan losses.

The Company utilizes third party loan servicers to obtain bankruptcy data on our borrowers and during the third quarter of 2012, the Company identified an increase in bankruptcies reported by one specific servicer. In researching this increase, it was discovered that the servicer had not been reporting historical bankruptcy data on a timely basis. As a result, the Company implemented an enhanced procedure around all servicer reporting to corroborate bankruptcy reporting with independent third party data. Through this additional process, approximately $90 million of loans were identified in which servicers failed to report the bankruptcy filing to us. As a result, these loans were written down to the estimated current value of the underlying property less estimated selling costs, or approximately $40 million, during the third quarter of 2012. These newly identified

 

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bankruptcy filings resulted in an increase to net charge-offs and provision for loan losses of $50 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, with approximately 80% related to prior years.

During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company agreed to settlements with five particular originators specific to loans sold to the Company by those originators. One-time payments were made to the Company to satisfy in full all pending and future repurchase requests with those specific originators. During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company applied $11.2 million, $46.0 million and $24.6 million, respectively, as recoveries to the allowance for loan losses, resulting in a corresponding reduction in net charge-offs as well as provision for loan losses.

Impaired Loans—Troubled Debt Restructurings

TDRs include loan modifications completed under the Company’s programs that involve granting an economic concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty. Beginning in the fourth quarter of December 31, 2012, loans that have been charged off based on the estimated current value of the underlying property less estimated selling costs due to bankruptcy notification were also considered TDRs. Upon being classified as a TDR, such loan is categorized as an impaired loan and is considered impaired until maturity regardless of whether the borrower performs under the terms of the loan. Impairment on TDRs is measured on an individual basis.

TDR loan modifications are accounted for as nonaccrual loans at the time of modification and return to accrual status after six consecutive payments are made in accordance with the modified terms. TDRs are classified as nonperforming until six consecutive payments have been made.

The unpaid principal balance in one- to four-family TDRs was $1.2 billion and $968.2 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. For home equity loans, the recorded investment in TDRs represents the unpaid principal balance. As of December 31, 2012 the Company had $216.6 million recorded investment of TDRs that had been charged-off due to bankruptcy notification, $119.2 million of which were classified as performing.

The following table shows a summary of the Company’s recorded investment in TDRs that were on accrual and nonaccrual status, in addition to the recorded investment of TDRs as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

             Nonaccrual TDRs         
     Accrual  TDRs(1)      Current(2)      30-89 Days
Delinquent
     90+ Days
Delinquent
     Recorded
Investment in TDRs
 

December 31, 2012

              

One- to four-family

   $ 785,199      $ 142,373      $ 118,834      $ 182,719      $ 1,229,125  

Home equity

     196,199        35,750        17,634        27,440        277,023  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 981,398      $ 178,123      $ 136,468      $ 210,159      $ 1,506,148  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

              

One- to four-family

   $ 516,314      $ 250,989      $ 88,195      $ 117,455      $ 972,953  

Home equity

     279,031        72,578        51,433        42,897        445,939  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 795,345      $ 323,567      $ 139,628      $ 160,352      $ 1,418,892  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Represents TDRs that are current and have made six or more consecutive payments.

(2) 

Represents TDRs that are current but have not yet made six consecutive payments and certain junior lien TDRs that have a delinquent senior lien.

 

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The following table shows the average recorded investment and interest income recognized both on a cash and accrual basis for the Company’s TDRs during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Average Recorded Investment      Interest Income Recognized  
     December 31,      December 31,  
     2012      2011      2010      2012      2011      2010  

One- to four-family

   $ 1,054,304      $ 770,943      $ 399,306      $ 31,109      $ 27,034      $ 13,498  

Home equity

     296,760        455,422        460,892        11,559        9,981        5,209  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,351,064      $ 1,226,365      $ 860,198      $ 42,668      $ 37,015      $ 18,707  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Included in the allowance for loan losses was a specific allowance of $171.4 million and $320.1 million that was established for TDRs at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The specific allowance for these individually impaired loans represents the forecasted losses over the estimated remaining life of the loan, including the economic concession to the borrower. The following table shows detailed information related to the Company’s loans that were modified in a TDR as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

      December 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     Recorded
Investment
in TDRs
     Specific
Valuation
Allowance
     Net Investment
in TDRs
     Recorded
Investment
in TDRs
     Specific
Valuation
Allowance
     Net Investment
in TDRs
 

With a recorded allowance:

                 

One- to four-family

   $ 503,557      $ 89,684      $ 413,873      $ 557,297      $ 101,188      $ 456,109  

Home equity

   $ 185,133      $ 81,690      $ 103,443      $ 424,834      $ 218,955      $ 205,879  

Without a recorded allowance:(1)

                 

One- to four-family

   $ 725,568      $ —        $ 725,568      $ 415,656      $ —        $ 415,656  

Home equity

   $ 91,890      $ —        $ 91,890      $ 21,105      $ —        $ 21,105  

Total:

                 

One- to four-family

   $ 1,229,125      $ 89,684      $ 1,139,441      $ 972,953      $ 101,188      $ 871,765  

Home equity

   $ 277,023      $ 81,690      $ 195,333      $ 445,939      $ 218,955      $ 226,984  

 

(1) 

Represents loans where the discounted cash flow analysis or collateral value is equal to or exceeds the recorded investment in the loan.

Troubled Debt Restructurings — Loan Modifications

The Company has loan modification programs that focus on the mitigation of potential losses in the one- to four-family and home equity mortgage loan portfolio. The Company currently does not have an active loan modification program for consumer and other loans. The various types of economic concessions that may be granted typically consist of interest rate reductions, maturity date extensions, principal forgiveness or a combination of these concessions. Trial modifications are classified immediately as TDRs and continue to be reported as delinquent until the successful completion of the trial period, which is typically 90 days. The loan then becomes a permanent modification reported as current but remains on nonaccrual status until six consecutive payments have been made.

 

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The vast majority of the Company’s TDR loan modifications include an interest rate reduction in combination with another type of concession. The Company prioritizes the interest rate reduction modifications in combination with the following modification categories: principal forgiven, principal deferred and re-age/extension/capitalization of accrued interest. Each class is mutually exclusive in that if a modification had an interest rate reduction with principal forgiven and an extension, the modification would only show up in the principal forgiven column in the table below. The following tables provide the number of loans, post-modification balances immediately after being modified by major class, and the financial impact of modifications during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2012  
            Interest Rate Reduction                
     Number of
Loans
     Principal
Forgiven
     Principal
Deferred
     Re-age/
Extension/
Interest
Capitalization
     Other with
Interest Rate
Reduction
     Other      Total  

One- to four-family

     614      $ 52,612      $ 36,836      $ 131,588      $ 11,856      $ 19,455      $ 252,347  

Home equity

     638        276        118        4,933        38,838        9,440        53,605  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     1,252      $ 52,888      $ 36,954      $ 136,521      $ 50,694      $ 28,895      $ 305,952  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Year Ended December 31, 2011  
            Interest Rate Reduction                
     Number of
Loans
     Principal
Forgiven
     Principal
Deferred
     Re-age/
Extension/
Interest
Capitalization
     Other with
Interest Rate
Reduction
     Other      Total  

One- to four-family

     1,177      $ 29,343      $ 78,582      $ 337,604      $ 25,354      $ 25,253      $ 496,136  

Home equity

     1,452        317        —          24,531        98,873        2,245        125,966  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     2,629      $ 29,660      $ 78,582      $ 362,135      $ 124,227      $ 27,498      $ 622,102  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2012  
     Financial Impact  
     Principal
Forgiven
     Pre-Modification Weighted
Average Interest Rate
    Post-Modification Weighted
Average Interest Rate
 

One- to four-family

   $ 16,624        5.9     2.3

Home equity

     97        4.4     1.5
  

 

 

      

Total

   $ 16,721       
  

 

 

      

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2011  
     Financial Impact  
     Principal
Forgiven
     Pre-Modification Weighted
Average Interest Rate
    Post-Modification Weighted
Average Interest Rate
 

One- to four-family

   $ 9,308        6.1     2.6

Home equity

     646        4.7     1.8
  

 

 

      

Total

   $ 9,954       
  

 

 

      

 

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The Company considers modifications that become 30 days past due to have experienced a payment default. The following table shows the recorded investment of modifications at December 31, 2012 and 2011 that experienced a payment default within 12 months after the modification for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012      2011  
     Number of
Loans
     Recorded
Investment
     Number of
Loans
     Recorded
Investment
 

One- to four-family(1)

     260      $ 100,182        310      $ 126,172  

Home equity(2)

     367        17,809        866        65,331  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     627      $ 117,991        1,176      $ 191,503  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

As of the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, $28.1 million and $34.1 million, respectively, of the recorded investment in one- to four-family loans that had a payment default in the trailing 12 months were classified as current.

(2)

As of the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, $5.8 million and $17.2 million, respectively, of the recorded investment in home equity loans that had a payment default in the trailing 12 months were classified as current.

The delinquency status is the primary measure the Company uses to evaluate the performance of TDR loan modifications. The following table shows the TDR loan modifications by delinquency category as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Modifications
Current
     Modifications
30-89 Days
Delinquent
     Modifications
90-179 Days
Delinquent
     Modifications
180+ Days
Delinquent
     Recorded
Investment in
Modifications
 

December 31, 2012

              

One- to four-family

   $ 838,020      $ 105,142      $ 43,905      $ 79,102      $ 1,066,169  

Home equity

     195,021        15,107        6,173        7,118        223,419  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,033,041      $ 120,249      $ 50,078      $ 86,220      $ 1,289,588  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

              

One- to four-family

   $ 767,303      $ 88,195      $ 33,224      $ 84,231      $ 972,953  

Home equity

     351,609        51,433        34,472        8,425        445,939  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,118,912      $ 139,628      $ 67,696      $ 92,656      $ 1,418,892  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 6—ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company enters into derivative transactions primarily to protect against interest rate risk on the value of certain assets, liabilities and future cash flows. Cash flow hedges, which include a combination of interest rate swaps, forward-starting swaps and purchased options, including caps and floors, are used primarily to reduce the variability of future cash flows associated with existing variable-rate assets and liabilities and forecasted issuances of liabilities. Fair value hedges, which include interest rate swaps and swaptions, are used to offset exposure to changes in value of certain fixed-rate assets and liabilities. The Company also recognizes certain contracts and commitments as derivatives when the characteristics of those contracts and commitments meet the definition of a derivative. Each derivative is recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value as a freestanding asset or liability. The following table summarizes the fair value amounts of derivatives designated as hedging instruments reported in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

            Fair Value  
     Notional      Asset(1)      Liability(2)     Net(3)  

December 31, 2012

          

Interest rate contracts:

          

Cash flow hedges:

          

Purchased options

   $ 2,325,000      $ 13,391      $ —       $ 13,391  

Pay-fixed rate swaps

     2,205,000        —          (310,079     (310,079
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash flow hedges

     4,530,000        13,391        (310,079     (296,688
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value hedges:

          

Pay-fixed rate swaps

     514,180        1,343        (18,385     (17,042
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total derivatives designated as hedging
instruments
(4)

   $ 5,044,180      $ 14,734      $ (328,464   $ (313,730
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

          

Interest rate contracts:

          

Cash flow hedges:

          

Purchased options

   $ 2,625,000      $ 33,959      $ —       $ 33,959  

Pay-fixed rate swaps

     2,165,000        —          (281,071     (281,071
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash flow hedges

     4,790,000        33,959        (281,071     (247,112
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value hedges:

          

Pay-fixed rate swaps

     1,093,860        —          (77,132     (77,132

Receive-fixed rate swaps

     725,950        32,575        —         32,575  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fair value hedges

     1,819,810        32,575        (77,132     (44,557
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total derivatives designated as hedging
instruments
(4)

   $ 6,609,810      $ 66,534      $ (358,203   $ (291,669
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Reflected in the other assets line item on the consolidated balance sheet.

(2) 

Reflected in the other liabilities line item on the consolidated balance sheet.

(3) 

Represents derivative assets net of derivative liabilities for disclosure purposes only.

(4)

All derivatives were designated as hedging instruments as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

Cash Flow Hedges

The effective portion of changes in fair value of the derivative instruments that hedge cash flows is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax in the consolidated balance sheet, for both active and discontinued hedges. Amounts are included in net operating interest income as a yield adjustment in the same period the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of changes in fair value of the derivative instrument, which is equal to the excess of the cumulative change in the fair value of the actual derivative over the cumulative change in the fair value of a hypothetical derivative which is created to match the exact terms of the underlying instruments being hedged, is reported in the gains on loans and securities, net line item in the consolidated statement of income (loss).

 

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If it becomes probable that a hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the specific hedging instruments would be immediately reclassified into the gains on loans and securities, net line item in the consolidated statement of income (loss). If hedge accounting is discontinued because a derivative instrument is sold, terminated or otherwise de-designated, amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the specific hedging instrument continue to be reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss until the forecasted transaction affects earnings.

The future issuances of liabilities, including repurchase agreements, are largely dependent on the market demand and liquidity in the wholesale borrowings market. As of December 31, 2012, the Company believes the forecasted issuance of all debt in cash flow hedge relationships is probable. However, unexpected changes in market conditions in future periods could impact the ability to issue this debt. The Company believes the forecasted issuance of debt in the form of repurchase agreements is most susceptible to an unexpected change in market conditions.

The following table summarizes the effect of interest rate contracts designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges on accumulated other comprehensive loss and on the consolidated statement of income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in thousands):

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Losses on derivatives recognized in OCI (effective portion), net of tax

   $ (72,119   $ (216,302   $ (77,724

Losses reclassified from AOCI into earnings (effective portion), net of tax

   $ (77,731   $ (66,847   $ (47,774

Cash flow hedge ineffectiveness losses(1)

   $ (480   $ (491   $ (265

 

(1) 

The cash flow hedge ineffectiveness is reflected in the gains on loans and securities, net line item on the statement of consolidated income (loss).

During the upcoming twelve months, the Company expects to include a pre-tax amount of approximately $129.1 million of net unrealized losses that are currently reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss in net operating interest income as a yield adjustment in the same periods in which the related hedged items affect earnings. The maximum length of time over which transactions are hedged is 10 years.

The following table shows the balance in accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to active and discontinued cash flow hedges at December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss balance (net of tax) related to:

    

Discontinued cash flow hedges

   $ (247,983   $ (279,091

Active cash flow hedges

     (204,358     (178,862
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash flow hedges

   $ (452,341   $ (457,953
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table shows the balance in accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to cash flow hedges by type of hedged item at December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011  

Repurchase agreements

   $ (579,763   $ (595,202

FHLB advances

     (146,253     (154,082

Home equity lines of credit

     7,854       15,772  

Other

     116       (655
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total balance of cash flow hedges, before tax

     (718,046     (734,167

Tax benefit

     265,705       276,214  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total balance of cash flow hedges, net of tax

   $ (452,341   $ (457,953
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Fair Value Hedges

Fair value hedges are accounted for by recording the fair value of the derivative instrument and the fair value of the asset or liability being hedged on the consolidated balance sheet. Changes in the fair value of both the derivatives and the underlying assets or liabilities are recognized in the gains on loans and securities, net line item in the consolidated statement of income (loss). To the extent that the hedge is ineffective, the changes in the fair values will not offset and the difference, or hedge ineffectiveness, is reflected in the gains on loans and securities, net line item in the consolidated statement of income (loss).

Hedge accounting is discontinued for fair value hedges if a derivative instrument is sold, terminated or otherwise de-designated. If fair value hedge accounting is discontinued, the previously hedged item is no longer adjusted for changes in fair value through the consolidated statement of income (loss) and the cumulative net gain or loss on the hedged asset or liability at the time of de-designation is amortized to interest income or interest expense using the effective interest method over the expected remaining life of the hedged item. Changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments after de-designation of fair value hedge accounting are recorded in the gains on loans and securities, net line item in the consolidated statement of income (loss).

The following table summarizes the effect of interest rate contracts designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in fair value hedges and related hedged items on the consolidated statement of income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011  
     Hedging
Instrument
    Hedged
Item
    Hedge
Ineffectiveness(1)
    Hedging
Instrument
    Hedged
Item
    Hedge
Ineffectiveness(1)
 

Agency debentures

   $ (17,831   $ 16,367     $ (1,464   $ (144,968   $ 142,242     $ (2,726

Agency mortgage-backed securities

     (7,303     6,745       (558     (51,557     48,835       (2,722

FHLB advances

     14,146       (18,824     (4,678     52,658       (49,109     3,549  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gains (losses) included in earnings

   $ (10,988   $ 4,288     $ (6,700   $ (143,867   $ 141,968     $ (1,899
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Year Ended December 31,        
     2010    
     Hedging
Instrument
    Hedged
Item
    Hedge
Ineffectiveness(1)
   

U.S. Treasury securities and agency debentures

   $ 55,743     $ (57,816   $ (2,073  

FHLB advances

     (18,099     19,456       1,357    

Corporate debt

     (1,714     1,714       —      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total gains (losses) included in earnings

   $ 35,930     $ (36,646   $ (716  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(1) 

Reflected in the gains on loans and securities, net line item on the consolidated statement of income (loss).

Credit Risk

Impact on Fair Value Measurements

Credit risk is an element of the recurring fair value measurements for certain assets and liabilities, including derivative instruments. Credit risk is managed by limiting activity to approved counterparties and setting aggregate exposure limits for each approved counterparty. The Company also monitors collateral requirements

 

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on derivative instruments through credit support agreements, which reduce risk by permitting the netting of transactions with the same counterparty upon occurrence of certain events.

The Company considered the impact of credit risk on the fair value measurement for derivative instruments, particularly those in net liability positions to counterparties, to be mitigated by the enforcement of credit support agreements, and the collateral requirements therein. The Company pledged approximately $446.9 million of its mortgage-backed securities as collateral related to its derivative contracts in net liability positions to counterparties as of December 31, 2012.

The Company’s credit risk analysis for derivative instruments also considered the credit loss exposure on derivative instruments in net asset positions. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the consideration of counterparty credit risk did not result in an adjustment to the valuation of the Company’s derivative instruments.

Impact on Liquidity

In the normal course of business, collateral requirements contained in the Company’s derivative instruments are enforced by the Company and its counterparties. Upon enforcement of the collateral requirements, the amount of collateral requested is typically based on the net fair value of all derivative instruments with the counterparty; that is derivative assets net of derivative liabilities at the counterparty level. If the Company were to be in violation of certain provisions of the derivative instruments, the counterparties to the derivative instruments could request payment or collateralization on derivative instruments. The Company expects such requests would be based on the fair value of derivative assets net of derivative liabilities at the counterparty level. The fair value of derivative instruments in net liability positions at the counterparty level was $323.3 million as of December 31, 2012. The fair value of the Company’s mortgage-backed and investment securities pledged as collateral related to derivative contracts in net liability positions to counterparties, $446.9 million as of December  31, 2012, exceeded derivative instruments in net liability positions at the counterparty level by $123.6 million.

NOTE 7—PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following assets at December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     Gross
Amount
     Accumulated
Depreciation
and
Amortization
    Net
Amount
     Gross
Amount
     Accumulated
Depreciation
and
Amortization
    Net
Amount
 

Software

   $ 511,484      $ (353,696   $ 157,788      $ 461,691      $ (296,529   $ 165,162  

Leasehold improvements

     105,462        (70,791     34,671        102,133        (65,694     36,439  

Equipment

     103,681        (65,353     38,328        92,030        (54,252     37,778  

Buildings

     71,927        (21,921     50,006        71,927        (19,866     52,061  

Furniture and fixtures

     23,211        (19,261     3,950        23,534        (18,708     4,826  

Land

     3,427        —         3,427        3,427        —         3,427  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 819,192      $ (531,022   $ 288,170      $ 754,742      $ (455,049   $ 299,693  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment was $90.6 million, $89.6 million and $87.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Software includes capitalized internally developed software costs. These costs were $55.2 million, $54.8 million and $54.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Completed projects are carried at cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of four

 

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years. Amortization for the capitalized amounts was $57.5 million, $54.2 million and $48.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Software at December 31, 2012 and 2011 also included $21.9 million and $48.1 million, respectively, of internally developed software in the process of development for which amortization has not begun.

NOTE 8—GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES, NET

Goodwill

The activity in the carrying value of the Company’s goodwill, which is all assigned to the trading and investing segment, is outlined in the following table for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):

 

     Trading & Investing
Goodwill
 

Balance at December 31, 2010

   $ 1,939,976  

Write off of goodwill related to exit activities

     (5,744
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2011

     1,934,232  

Activity

     —    
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

   $ 1,934,232  
  

 

 

 

No goodwill was assigned to reporting units within the balance sheet management segment for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. As of December 31, 2012, there were no accumulated impairment losses related to the trading and investment segment. The Company’s accumulated impairment losses related to its goodwill, which all occurred in the balance sheet management segment, from January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2012 were $101.2 million, which reduced the goodwill balance to zero during the year ended December 31, 2007.

Other Intangibles, Net

Other intangible assets with finite lives, which are primarily amortized on an accelerated basis, consisted of customer lists at December 31, 2012 and 2011. The following table outlines the original and remaining weighted average useful lives and the gross amount, accumulated amortization and net amount of customer lists at December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Customer Lists  
     Weighted Average
Original
Useful Life
(Years)
     Weighted Average
Remaining
Useful Life
(Years)
     Gross Amount      Accumulated
Amortization
    Net Amount  

December 31, 2012

     21        13      $ 496,624      $ (236,002   $ 260,622  

December 31, 2011

     21        14      $ 496,624      $ (210,819   $ 285,805  

Assuming no future impairments of customer lists or additional acquisitions or dispositions, annual amortization expense will be as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Years ending December 31,

  

2013

   $ 24,269  

2014

     23,244  

2015

     21,764  

2016

     21,109  

2017

     20,489  

Thereafter

     149,747  
  

 

 

 

Total future amortization expense

   $ 260,622  
  

 

 

 

 

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Amortization expense of other intangibles was $25.2 million, $26.2 million, and $28.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

NOTE 9—OTHER ASSETS

Other assets consisted of the following at December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2012      2011  

Deferred tax assets, net

   $ 1,416,203      $ 1,578,704  

Deposits paid for securities borrowed

     407,331        266,045  

Bank owned life insurance policy(1)

     292,699        287,129  

Accrued interest receivable

     139,620        151,932  

Brokerage operational related receivables

     76,468        69,524  

Real estate owned and repossessed assets

     71,155        87,615  

Other investments

     42,244        40,317  

Third party loan servicing receivable

     38,864        40,964  

Other prepaids

     32,109        33,359  

Derivative assets

     14,890        66,534  

Prepaid FDIC insurance premiums

     —          90,658  

Other

     179,338        247,892  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other assets

   $ 2,710,921      $ 2,960,673  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Represents the cash surrender value.

NOTE 10—DEPOSITS

Deposits are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Amount      Weighted-Average Rate  
     December 31,      December 31,  
     2012      2011      2012     2011  

Sweep deposits(1)

   $ 21,253,611      $ 18,618,954        0.05      0.08 

Complete savings deposits

     4,981,615        5,720,758        0.01      0.15 

Checking deposits

     1,055,422        863,310        0.03      0.10 

Other money market and savings deposits

     995,188        1,033,254        0.01      0.15 

Time deposits(2)

     106,716        223,709        1.75      3.01 
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total deposits(3)

   $ 28,392,552      $ 26,459,985        0.05      0.12 
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

(1) 

A sweep product transfers brokerage customer balances to banking subsidiaries, which hold these funds as customer deposits in FDIC insured demand deposit and money market deposit accounts.

(2) 

Time deposits represent certificates of deposit and brokered certificates of deposit.

(3) 

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had $113.1 million and $89.2 million in non-interest bearing deposits, respectively.

 

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At December 31, 2012, scheduled maturities of time deposits were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Years ending December 31,

  

2013

   $ 64,676  

2014

     14,183  

2015

     18,443  

2016

     5,108  

2017

     3,944  

Thereafter

     366  
  

 

 

 

Subtotal

     106,720  

Unamortized discount, net

     (4
  

 

 

 

Total time deposits

   $ 106,716  
  

 

 

 

Scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit with denominations greater than or equal to $100,000, and greater than or equal to $250,000, which is the FDIC deposit insurance coverage limit, were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     >= $100,000      >= $250,000  
     December 31,      December 31,  
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Three months or less

   $ 1,421       $ —        $ —        $ —    

Three through six months

     2,666         4,490        523         —    

Six through twelve months

     5,412         22,683        968         2,105  

Over twelve months

     4,019         9,702        266        1,450  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total certificates of deposit

   $ 13,518      $ 36,875      $ 1,757      $ 3,555  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 11—SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE AND FHLB ADVANCES AND OTHER BORROWINGS

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, FHLB advances and other borrowings at December 31, 2012 and 2011 are shown in the following table (dollars in thousands):

 

            FHLB Advances and
Other Borrowings
              
     Repurchase
Agreements(1)
     FHLB
Advances
    Other      Total     Weighted
Average
Interest Rate
 

Years Ending December 31,

            

2013

   $ 3,402,433      $ 170,000     $ 1,238      $ 3,573,671       0.45

2014

     352,228        —         210        352,438       0.75

2015

     200,000        100,000       —          300,000       1.28

2016

     200,000        250,000       —          450,000       1.68

2017

     300,000        400,000       —          700,000       0.76

Thereafter

     —          —         427,719        427,719       2.99
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

Subtotal

     4,454,661        920,000       429,167        5,803,828       0.83

Fair value hedge adjustments

     —          37,121       —          37,121    

Deferred costs

     —          (125,372     —          (125,372  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total other borrowings at December 31, 2012

   $ 4,454,661      $ 831,749     $ 429,167      $ 5,715,577       0.83
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total other borrowings at December 31, 2011

   $ 5,015,499      $ 2,302,695     $ 434,240      $ 7,752,434       1.74
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

(1) 

The maximum amount at any month end for repurchase agreements was $5.0 billion and $5.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

Repurchase agreements are collateralized by fixed- and variable-rate mortgage-backed securities or investment grade securities. The brokers retain possession of the securities collateralizing the repurchase agreements until maturity of the repurchase agreement. At December 31, 2012, there were no counterparties with whom the Company’s amount of risk exceeded 10% of its shareholders’ equity. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company paid down in advance of maturity $100 million of its fixed-rate repurchase agreements for which losses on early extinguishment of debt of $8.2 million was recorded. This loss was recorded in the gains (losses) on early extinguishment of debt line item in the consolidated statement of income (loss). The Company did not have any similar transactions for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Below is a summary of repurchase agreements and collateral associated with the repurchase agreements at December 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

 

                  Collateral  
     Repurchase Agreements      U.S. Government Sponsored
Enterprise Obligations
 

Contractual Maturity

   Weighted
Average
Interest Rate
    Amount      Amortized Cost      Fair Value  

Up to 30 days

     0.42   $ 2,009,097      $ 2,104,931      $ 2,155,853  

30 to 90 days

     0.64     682,633        712,991        730,216  

Over 90 days

     1.04     1,762,931        1,848,053        1,892,702  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     0.70   $ 4,454,661      $ 4,665,975      $ 4,778,771  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings

FHLB Advances—The Company had $0.7 billion and $0.5 billion in floating-rate and $0.2 billion and $1.8 billion in fixed-rate FHLB advances at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The floating-rate advances adjust quarterly based on the LIBOR. During the year ended December 31, 2012, $650.0 million of fixed-rate FHLB advances were converted to floating-rate for a total cost of approximately $128 million which was capitalized and will be amortized over the remaining maturities using the effective interest method. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company paid down in advance of maturity $1.0 billion of its FHLB advances and recorded $69.1 million in losses on the early extinguishment. This loss was recorded in the gains (losses) on early extinguishment of debt line item in the consolidated statement of income (loss). The Company did not have any similar transactions for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

As a condition of its membership in the FHLB Atlanta, the Company is required to maintain a FHLB stock investment currently equal to the lesser of: a percentage of 0.2% of total Bank assets; or a dollar cap amount of $26 million. Additionally, the Bank must maintain an Activity Based Stock investment which is currently equal to 4.5% of the Bank’s outstanding advances at the time of borrowing. On a quarterly basis, the FHLB Atlanta evaluates excess Activity Based Stock holdings for its members and makes a determination regarding quarterly redemption of any excess Activity Based Stock positions. The Company had an investment in FHLB stock of $67.4 million and $140.2 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company must also maintain qualified collateral as a percent of its advances, which varies based on the collateral type, and is further adjusted by the outcome of the most recent annual collateral audit and by FHLB’s internal ranking of the Bank’s creditworthiness. These advances are secured by a pool of mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company pledged loans with a lendable value of $4.8 billion and $5.0 billion, respectively, of the one- to four-family and home equity loans as collateral in support of both its advances and unused borrowing lines.

Other Borrowings—Prior to 2008, ETBH raised capital through the formation of trusts, which sold trust preferred securities in the capital markets. The capital securities must be redeemed in whole at the due date, which is generally 30 years after issuance. Each trust issued Floating Rate Cumulative Preferred Securities (“trust preferred securities”), at par with a liquidation amount of $1,000 per capital security. The trusts used the proceeds from the sale of issuances to purchase Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debentures (“subordinated debentures”) issued by ETBH, which guarantees the trust obligations and contributed proceeds from the sale of its subordinated debentures to E*TRADE Bank in the form of a capital contribution. The most recent issuance of trust preferred securities occurred in 2007.

The face values of outstanding trusts at December 31, 2012 are shown below (dollars in thousands):

 

Trusts

   Face Value      Maturity
Date
    

Annual Interest Rate

ETBH Capital Trust II

   $ 5,000        2031      10.25%

ETBH Capital Trust I

     20,000        2031      3.75% above 6-month LIBOR

ETBH Capital Trust V, VI, VIII

     51,000        2032      3.25%-3.65% above 3-month LIBOR

ETBH Capital Trust VII, IX—XII

     65,000        2033      3.00%-3.30% above 3-month LIBOR

ETBH Capital Trust XIII—XVIII, XX

     77,000        2034      2.45%-2.90% above 3-month LIBOR

ETBH Capital Trust XIX, XXI, XXII

     60,000        2035      2.20%-2.40% above 3-month LIBOR

ETBH Capital Trust XXIII—XXIV

     45,000        2036      2.10% above 3-month LIBOR

ETBH Capital Trust XXV—XXX

     110,000        2037      1.90%-2.00% above 3-month LIBOR
     

 

 

       

Total

   $ 433,000        
     

 

 

       

As of December 31, 2011, other borrowings also included $2.3 million of collateral pledged to the Bank by its derivatives counterparties to reduce credit exposure to changes in market value. The Company did not have any similar borrowings for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

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NOTE 12—CORPORATE DEBT

Corporate debt at December 31, 2012 and 2011 is outlined in the following table (dollars in thousands):

 

     Face Value      Discount     Fair Value  Hedge
Adjustment(1)
     Net  

December 31, 2012

          

Interest-bearing notes:

          

6 3/4% Notes, due 2016

   $ 435,000      $ (5,738   $ —        $ 429,262  

6% Notes, due 2017

     505,000        (4,601     —          500,399  

6 3/8% Notes, due 2019

     800,000        (7,336     —          792,664  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest-bearing notes

     1,740,000        (17,675     —          1,722,325  

Non-interest-bearing debt:

          

0% Convertible debentures, due 2019

     42,657        —         —          42,657  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total corporate debt

   $ 1,782,657      $ (17,675   $ —        $ 1,764,982  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Face Value      Discount     Fair Value  Hedge
Adjustment(1)
     Net  

December 31, 2011

          

Interest-bearing notes:

          

7 7/8% Notes, due 2015

   $ 243,177      $ (1,172   $ 7,394      $ 249,399  

6 3/4% Notes, due 2016

     435,000        (7,419     —          427,581  

12 1/2% Springing lien notes, due 2017

     930,230        (162,903     6,233        773,560  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest-bearing notes

     1,608,407        (171,494     13,627        1,450,540  

Non-interest-bearing debt:

          

0% Convertible debentures, due 2019

     43,012        —         —          43,012  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total corporate debt

   $ 1,651,419      $ (171,494   $ 13,627      $ 1,493,552  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

The fair value hedge adjustment is related to changes in fair value of the debt while in a fair value hedge relationship.

6  3/4% Senior Notes due May 2016 (“6 3/4% Notes”)

In May 2011, the Company issued an aggregate principal amount of $435 million in 6 3/4% senior notes due May 2016. Interest is payable semi-annually.

The Company used the proceeds from the issuance of the 6 3/4% Notes to redeem all of its outstanding 7 3/8% senior notes due September 2013 (“7 3/8% Notes”) including paying the associated redemption premium, accrued interest and related fees and expenses. The Company recorded a $3.1 million gain on early extinguishment of debt related to the redemption of the 7 3/8% Notes for the year ended December 31, 2011.

6% Senior Notes due November 2017 (“6% Notes”) and 6 3/8% Senior Notes due November 2019 (“6 3/8% Notes”)

In November 2012, the Company issued an aggregate principal amount of $505 million in 6% senior notes due November 2017 and $800 million in 6 3/8% senior notes due November 2019. Interest is payable semi-annually and the notes may be called by the Company at a premium, which declines over time.

 

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The Company used the net proceeds from the issuance of the 6% Notes and 6 3/8% Notes to redeem all of its outstanding 7 7/8% senior notes due December 2015 (“7 7/8% Notes”) and 12 1/2% springing lien notes due November 2017 (“12 1/2% Springing lien notes”), including paying the associated redemption premiums, accrued interest and related fees and expenses. The Company recorded $256.9 million in losses on early extinguishment of debt related to the redemption of the 7 7/8% Notes and 12 1/2% Springing lien notes for the year ended December 31, 2012.

0% Convertible Debentures due August 2019 (“0% Convertible Debentures”)

In 2009, the Company issued an aggregate principal amount of $1.7 billion in Class A convertible debentures and $2.3 million in Class B convertible debentures (collectively “convertible debentures” or “0% Convertible debentures”) of non-interest-bearing notes due August 2019, in exchange for $1.3 billion principal of the 12 1/2% Springing lien notes and $0.4 billion principal of the 8% senior notes due June 2011.

The Class A convertible debentures are convertible into the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate of $10.34 per $1,000 principal amount of Class A convertible debentures and the Class B convertible debentures are convertible into the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate of $15.51 per $1,000 principal amount of Class B convertible debentures. The holders of the convertible debentures may convert all or any portion of the debentures at any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date.

During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, $0.4 million and $660.9 million of the Company’s convertible debentures were converted into less than 0.1 million and 63.9 million shares of common stock, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, a cumulative total of $1.7 billion of the Class A convertible debentures and $2.2 million of the Class B convertible debentures had been converted into 164.1 million shares and 0.1 million shares, respectively, of the Company’s common stock.

Ranking and Subsidiary Guarantees

All of the Company’s notes rank equal in right of payment with all of the Company’s existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness and rank senior in right of payment to all its existing and future subordinated indebtedness.

In June 2011, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries issued guarantees on 6 3/4% Notes and 0% Convertible debentures. E*TRADE Bank and E*TRADE Securities LLC, among others, did not issue such guarantees.

Corporate Debt Covenants

Certain of the Company’s corporate debt described above have terms which include financial maintenance covenants. As of December 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all such maintenance covenants.

 

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Future Maturities of Corporate Debt

Scheduled principal payments of corporate debt as of December 31, 2012 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Years ending December 31,

  

2013

   $ —    

2014

     —    

2015

     —    

2016

     435,000  

2017

     505,000  

Thereafter

     842,657  
  

 

 

 

Total future principal payments of corporate debt

     1,782,657  

Unamortized discount

     (17,675
  

 

 

 

Total corporate debt

   $ 1,764,982  
  

 

 

 

NOTE 13—OTHER LIABILITIES

Other liabilities consisted of the following at December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2012      2011  

Deposits received for securities loaned

   $ 735,720      $ 505,548  

Derivative liabilities

     328,504        358,203  

Income tax-related liabilities

     219,040        347,579  

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other

     203,192        335,631  

Other payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

     143,180        135,094  

Subserviced loan advances

     14,600        33,618  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other liabilities

   $ 1,644,236      $ 1,715,673  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 14—INCOME TAXES

The components of income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Current:

      

Federal

   $ —       $ (2,645   $ (17,393

State

     2,428       15,651       6,092  

Foreign

     163       523       448  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current

     2,591       13,529       (10,853
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred:

      

Federal

     (136,877     8,136       (24,589

State

     (199     (241     (61,578

Foreign

     —         —         (32
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred

     (137,076     7,895       (86,199
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current tax expense

     116,104       7,205       122,383  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

   $ (18,381   $ 28,629     $ 25,331  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Non-current tax expense relates to tax expense associated with the reserves for uncertain tax positions. The federal deferred income tax benefit and tax expense recognized for uncertain tax positions in 2012, was driven primarily by amended tax returns that were filed during 2012 related to additional tax deductions on the 2009 Debt Exchange. The rest of the federal deferred income tax benefit in 2012 was driven by the loss incurred during the year.

The following table presents the components of income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011      2010  

Domestic

   $ (135,432   $ 181,959      $ 7,426  

Foreign

     4,468       3,371        (10,567
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

   $ (130,964   $ 185,330      $ (3,141
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period

   $ 377,405     $ 281,666     $ 58,696  

Additions based on tax positions related to prior years

     130,443       4,174       165,834  

Additions based on tax positions related to current year

     8,425       152,497       62,752  

Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years

     (23,167     (59,315     (1,517

Settlements with taxing authorities

     (99     (422     (3,448

Statute of limitations lapses

     (1,034     (1,195     (651
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrecognized tax benefits, end of period

   $ 491,973     $ 377,405     $ 281,666  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The unrecognized tax benefit increased $114.6 million to $492.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2012. The majority of additional unrecognized tax benefit recorded during 2012 is due to amended tax returns filed related primarily to additional tax deductions on the 2009 Debt Exchange. At December 31, 2012, $247.3 million (net of federal benefits on state issues) represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective income tax rate in future periods.

In 2012, the Internal Revenue Service sent an examination notification to the Company related to its 2009 and 2010 federal tax returns. While the Company cannot predict the outcome of the examination, it believes that adequate provision has been made for any of the Company’s uncertain tax positions. Uncertain tax positions are only recognized to the extent they satisfy the accounting for uncertain tax positions criteria included in the income taxes accounting guidance, which states that in order to recognize an uncertain tax position it must be more likely than not that it will be sustained upon examination. For uncertain tax positions, tax benefit is recognized for positions in which it is more than fifty percent likely of being sustained on effective settlement.

 

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The following table summarizes the tax years that are either currently under examination or remain open under the statute of limitations and subject to examination by the major tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates:

 

Jurisdiction

   Open Tax Years  

Hong Kong

     2006-2012   

United Kingdom

     2009-2012   

United States

     2004-2012   

Various states(1)

     2005-2012   

 

(1) 

Major state tax jurisdictions include California, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Virginia.

It is likely that certain examinations may be settled or the statute of limitations could expire with regards to other tax filings, in the next twelve months. In addition, legislation could favorably impact certain of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits. Such events would generally reduce the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits because the tax positions are sustained, by as much as $1.3 million, all of which could impact the Company’s total tax provision or the effective tax rate.

The Company’s practice is to recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company has total reserves for interest and penalties of $15.4 million and $11.6 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 includes an increase in the accrual for interest and penalties of $3.8 million, principally related to state taxes.

Deferred Taxes and Valuation Allowance

Deferred income taxes are recorded when revenues and expenses are recognized in different periods for financial statement and tax return purposes. The temporary differences and tax carry forwards that created deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2012 and 2011 are summarized in the following table (dollars in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Reserves and allowances, net

   $ 1,015,800     $ 1,216,487  

Net operating losses

     780,883        567,774  

Deferred compensation

     41,572       44,512  

Tax credits

     28,775        16,169  

Basis differences in investments

     17,417       67,738  

Restructuring reserve and related write-downs

     2,162       15,092  

Capitalized interest

     —         65,767  

Other

     —         27,109  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

     1,886,609       2,020,648  

Valuation allowance

     (97,837     (73,533
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance

     1,788,772       1,947,115  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     (309,985     (260,600

Mark to market

     (52,730     (107,811

Other

     (9,854     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

     (372,569     (368,411
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax asset

   $ 1,416,203     $ 1,578,704  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The Company is required to establish a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and record a charge to income if it is determined, based on available evidence at the time the determination is made, that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. If the Company did conclude that a valuation allowance was required, the resulting loss could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations. For the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, the Company was no longer in a cumulative book loss position. As of December 31, 2012, the Company did not establish a valuation allowance against its federal deferred tax assets as it believes that it is more likely than not that all of these assets will be realized. Approximately half of existing federal deferred tax assets are not related to net operating losses and therefore, have no expiration date. The Company ended 2012 with $1,956.3 million of gross federal net operating losses, the majority of which will expire within the next 15 years.

The Company’s evaluation focused on identifying significant, objective evidence that it will be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future. The Company determined that its expectations regarding future earnings are objectively verifiable due to various factors. One factor is the consistent profitability of the Company’s core business, the trading and investing segment, which has generated substantial income for each of the last nine years, including through uncertain economic and regulatory environments. The core business is driven by brokerage customer activity and includes trading, brokerage cash, margin lending, retirement and investing, and other brokerage related activities. These activities drive variable expenses that correlate to the volume of customer activity, which has resulted in stable, ongoing profitability in this business.

Another factor is the mitigation of losses in the balance sheet management segment, which generated a large net operating loss in 2007 caused by the crisis in the residential real estate and credit markets. Much of this loss came from the sale of the asset-backed securities portfolio and credit losses from the mortgage loan portfolio. The Company no longer holds any of those asset-backed securities and shut down mortgage loan acquisition activities in 2007. In effect, the key business activities that led to the generation of the deferred tax assets were shut down over five years ago. As a result, the losses have continued to decline significantly and the balance sheet management segment became profitable in 2012. In addition, the Company continues to realize the benefit of various credit loss mitigation activities for the mortgage loans purchased in 2007 and prior, most notably, actively reducing or closing unused home equity lines of credit and aggressively exercising put-back clauses to sell back improperly documented loans to the originators. As a result of these loss containment measures, provision for loan losses has declined for four consecutive years, down 78% from its peak of $1.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2008.

For certain of the Company’s state, foreign country and charitable contribution deferred tax assets, the Company maintained a valuation allowance of $97.8 million and $73.5 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, as it is more likely than not that they will not be fully realized.

The principal components of the deferred tax assets for which a valuation allowance has been established include the following state and foreign country net operating loss carry forwards and charitable contributions which have a limited carry forward period:

 

   

At December 31, 2012, the Company had certain gross foreign country net operating loss carry forwards and other foreign country temporary differences of approximately $144.5 million for which a deferred tax asset of approximately $35.4 million was established. The foreign net operating losses represent the foreign tax loss carry forwards in numerous foreign countries, the vast majority of which are not subject to expiration. In most of these foreign countries, the Company has historical tax losses; accordingly, the Company has provided a valuation allowance of $35.4 million against such deferred tax assets at December 31, 2012.

 

   

At December 31, 2012, the Company had gross state net operating loss carry forwards that expire between 2022 and 2032 in several states of $3.6 billion, most of which are subject to reduction by apportionment changes. A deferred tax asset of approximately $136.5 million has been established related to these state net operating loss carry forwards, temporary differences and other tax attributes with a valuation allowance of $52.2 million against such deferred tax assets at December 31, 2012.

 

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At December 31, 2012, the Company had charitable contribution carry forwards of $27.4 million that expire by 2015. A deferred tax asset of approximately $10.2 million was established with a corresponding $10.2 million valuation allowance as it is more likely than not that these contributions will expire unused.

The Company intends to permanently reinvest $16.0 million of undistributed earnings and profits in certain foreign subsidiaries. As a result, the Company has not recorded $6.4 million of deferred income taxes on those earnings at December 31, 2012.

Effective Tax Rate

The effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate as summarized in the following table for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Federal statutory rate

     (35.0 )%      35.0      (35.0 )% 

State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit

     (11.8     9.1       81.0  

Difference between statutory rate and foreign effective tax rate

     (1.1     0.3       47.3  

Tax exempt income

     (0.4     (0.3     (19.9

Disallowed interest expense

     10.3       6.7       387.3  

Change in valuation allowance

     6.9       (1.8     236.5  

2009 Debt Exchange

     (19.7     —         —    

Tax credits

     (12.2     (5.3     (79.5

California state tax legislative changes

     19.2       —         —    

Estimated reserve for uncertain tax positions

     9.1       3.9       140.6  

Deferred tax adjustments

     8.4       —         —    

Disallowed losses on early extinguishment of debt

     7.4       —         —    

Tax on undistributed earnings and profits in certain foreign subsidiaries

     2.5       2.1       79.4  

Other

     2.4       (1.0     (31.4

Liquidation of a foreign subsidiary

     —         (33.3     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective tax rate

     (14.0 )%      15.4      806.3 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tax Ownership Change

During the third quarter of 2009, the Company exchanged $1.7 billion principal amount of interest-bearing debt for an equal principal amount of non-interest-bearing convertible debentures. Subsequent to the 2009 Debt Exchange, $592.3 million and $128.7 million debentures were converted into 57.2 million and 12.5 million shares of common stock during the third and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively. As a result of these conversions, the Company believes it experienced a tax ownership change during the third quarter of 2009.

As of the date of the ownership change, the Company had federal NOLs available to carry forward of approximately $1,886.3 million. This amount includes $479.7 million in federal NOLs that were recorded in the third quarter of 2012 due to amended tax returns filed related primarily to additional tax deductions on the 2009 Debt Exchange and additional tax losses on bad debts. Section 382 imposes an annual limitation on the use of a corporation’s NOLs, certain recognized built-in losses and other carryovers after an “ownership change” occurs. Section 382 rules governing when a change in ownership occurs are complex and subject to interpretation; however, an ownership change generally occurs when there has been a cumulative change in the stock ownership of a corporation by certain “5% shareholders” of more than 50 percentage points over a rolling three-year period.

 

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Section 382 imposes an annual limitation on the amount of post-ownership change taxable income a corporation may offset with pre-ownership change NOLs. In general, the annual limitation is determined by multiplying the value of the corporation’s stock immediately before the ownership change (subject to certain adjustments) by the applicable long-term tax-exempt rate. Any unused portion of the annual limitation is available for use in future years until such NOLs are scheduled to expire (in general, NOLs may be carried forward 20 years). In addition, the limitation may, under certain circumstances, be increased or decreased by built-in gains or losses, respectively, which may be present with respect to assets held at the time of the ownership change that are recognized in the five-year period (one-year for loans) after the ownership change. The use of NOLs arising after the date of an ownership change would not be affected unless a corporation experienced an additional ownership change in a future period.

The Company believes the tax ownership change will extend the period of time it will take to fully utilize its pre-ownership change NOLs, but will not limit the total amount of pre-ownership change federal NOLs it can utilize. The Company’s updated estimate is that it will be subject to an overall annual limitation on the use of its pre-ownership change NOLs of approximately $194 million. The Company’s overall pre-ownership change federal NOLs, which were approximately $1,886.3 million, have a statutory carry forward period of 20 years (the majority of which expire in 15 years). As a result, the Company believes it will be able to fully utilize these NOLs in future periods.

The Company’s ability to utilize the pre-ownership change NOLs is dependent on its ability to generate sufficient taxable income over the duration of the carry forward periods and will not be impacted by its ability or inability to generate taxable income in an individual year.

NOTE 15—SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

The activity in shareholders’ equity during the year ended December 31, 2012 is summarized in the following table (dollars in thousands):

 

     Common Stock /
Additional Paid-In
Capital
     Accumulated Deficit /
Other Comprehensive
Loss
    Total  

Beginning balance, December 31, 2011

   $ 7,309,716      $ (2,381,766   $ 4,927,950  

Net loss

     —          (112,583     (112,583

Conversions of convertible debentures

     355        —         355  

Net change from available-for-sale securities

     —          68,642       68,642  

Net change from cash flow hedging instruments

     —          5,612       5,612  

Other(1)

     12,047        2,447       14,494  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance, December 31, 2012

   $ 7,322,118      $ (2,417,648   $ 4,904,470  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Other includes employee share-based compensation accounting and changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss from foreign currency translation.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following tables present after-tax changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Available-for-sale
Securities
     Cash Flow Hedging
Instruments
    Foreign Currency
Translation
     Total  

Beginning balance, December 31, 2011

   $ 68,330      $ (457,953   $ 2,994      $ (386,629

Net change

     68,642        5,612       2,447        76,701  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance, December 31, 2012

   $ 136,972      $ (452,341   $ 5,441      $ (309,928
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     Available-for-sale
Securities
    Cash Flow
Hedging
Instruments
    Foreign
Currency
Translation
    Total  

Beginning balance, December 31, 2010

   $ (131,313   $ (308,498   $ 1,171     $ (438,640

Net change

     199,643       (149,455     1,823       52,011  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance, December 31, 2011

   $ 68,330     $ (457,953   $ 2,994     $ (386,629
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Available-for-sale
Securities
    Cash Flow
Hedging
Instruments
    Foreign
Currency
Translation
    Total  

Beginning balance, December 31, 2009

   $ (131,073   $ (278,548   $ 5,491     $ (404,130

Net change

     (240     (29,950     (4,320     (34,510
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance, December 31, 2010

   $ (131,313   $ (308,498   $ 1,171     $ (438,640
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Conversions of Convertible Debentures

During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, $0.4 million and $660.9 million of the Company’s convertible debentures were converted into less than 0.1 million and 63.9 million shares of common stock, respectively. For further details on the convertible debentures, see Note 12—Corporate Debt.

Preferred Stock

The Company has 1.0 million shares authorized in preferred stock. None were issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2011. On March 30, 2010, the Company amended its Certificate of Incorporation to eliminate the designation of the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock.

NOTE 16—EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

The following table is a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011      2010  

Basic:

       

Net income (loss)

   $ (112,583   $ 156,701      $ (28,472
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding

     285,748       267,291        211,302  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share

   $ (0.39   $ 0.59      $ (0.13
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted:

       

Net income (loss)

   $ (112,583   $ 156,701      $ (28,472
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding

     285,748       267,291        211,302  

Effect of dilutive securities:

       

Weighted-average convertible debentures

     —         21,924        —    

Weighted-average options and restricted stock issued to employees

     —         607        —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding

     285,748       289,822        211,302  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

   $ (0.39   $ 0.54      $ (0.13
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The Company excluded the following shares from the calculations of diluted earnings (loss) per share for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 as the effect would have been anti-dilutive (shares in millions):

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2012      2011      2010  

Weighted-average shares excluded as a result of the Company’s net loss:

        

Convertible debentures

     4.1        N/A         77.2  

Stock options and restricted stock awards and units

     0.4        N/A         0.8  

Other stock options and restricted stock awards and units

     2.5        3.7        2.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     7.0        3.7        80.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 17—REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

Registered Broker-Dealers

The Company’s largest U.S. broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to the Uniform Net Capital Rule (the “Rule”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 administered by the SEC and FINRA, which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital. The minimum net capital requirements can be met under either the Aggregate Indebtedness method or the Alternative method. Under the Aggregate Indebtedness method, a broker-dealer is required to maintain minimum net capital of the greater of 6 2/3% of its aggregate indebtedness, as defined, or a minimum dollar amount. Under the Alternative method, a broker-dealer is required to maintain net capital equal to the greater of $250,000 or 2% of aggregate debit balances arising from customer transactions. The method used depends on the individual U.S. broker-dealer subsidiary. The Company’s other broker-dealers, including its international broker-dealer subsidiaries located in Europe and Asia, are subject to capital requirements determined by their respective regulators.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, all of the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries met minimum net capital requirements. Total required net capital was $0.1 billion at both December 31, 2012 and 2011. In addition, the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries had excess net capital of $0.7 billion at both December 31, 2012 and 2011. The tables below summarize the minimum excess capital requirements for the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries at December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Required Net
Capital
     Net Capital      Excess Net
Capital
 

December 31, 2012:

        

E*TRADE Clearing LLC(1)

   $ 123,656      $ 658,968      $ 535,312  

E*TRADE Securities LLC(1)

     250        79,318        79,068  

G1 Execution Services, LLC(2)

     1,283        10,598        9,315  

Other broker-dealers

     4,639        36,070        31,431  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 129,828      $ 784,954      $ 655,126  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2011:

        

E*TRADE Clearing LLC(1)

   $ 104,804      $ 587,819      $ 483,015  

E*TRADE Securities LLC(1)

     250        145,423        145,173  

G1 Execution Services, LLC(2)

     1,000        24,921        23,921  

Other broker-dealers

     9,183        32,157        22,974  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 115,237      $ 790,320      $  675,083  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Elected to use the Alternative method to compute net capital.

(2) 

Elected to use the Aggregate Indebtedness method to compute net capital.

 

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Banking

E*TRADE Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can trigger certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on E*TRADE Bank’s financial condition and results of operations. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, E*TRADE Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of E*TRADE Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. In addition, E*TRADE Bank may not pay dividends to the parent company without approval from its regulators and any loans by E*TRADE Bank to the parent company and its other non-bank subsidiaries are subject to various quantitative, arm’s length, collateralization and other requirements. E*TRADE Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require E*TRADE Bank to meet minimum total capital, Tier 1 capital and Tier 1 leverage ratios. As shown in the table below, at both December 31, 2012 and 2011, E*TRADE Bank was categorized as “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. However, events beyond management’s control, such as a continued deterioration in residential real estate and credit markets, could adversely affect future earnings and E*TRADE Bank’s ability to meet its future capital requirements. E*TRADE Bank’s actual and required capital amounts and ratios at December 31, 2012 and 2011 are presented in the table below (dollars in thousands):

 

     Actual      Minimum Required to be
Well Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
    

 

 
     Amount      Ratio      Amount      Ratio      Excess Capital  

December 31, 2012:

              

Total capital

   $ 4,009,540        20.61%       >$ 1,945,669        >10.00%       $ 2,063,871  

Tier 1 capital

   $ 3,762,242        19.34%       >$ 1,167,401        >  6.00%       $ 2,594,841  

Tier 1 leverage(1)

   $ 3,762,242        8.68%       >$ 2,167,136        >  5.00%       $ 1,595,106  

December 31, 2011:

              

Total capital to risk-weighted assets

   $ 3,602,384        17.27%       >$ 2,086,243        >10.00%       $ 1,516,141  

Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets

   $ 3,338,618        16.00%       >$ 1,251,746        >  6.00%       $ 2,086,872  

Tier 1 capital to adjusted total assets

   $ 3,351,860        7.75%       >$ 2,163,785        >  5.00%       $ 1,188,075  

 

(1) 

In the first quarter of 2012, the Company transitioned from reporting under the OTS reporting requirements to reporting under the OCC reporting requirements. The OTS Tier 1 capital ratio and OCC Tier 1 leverage ratio are both calculated in the same manner using adjusted total assets.

 

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NOTE 18—LEASE ARRANGEMENTS

The Company has non-cancelable operating leases for facilities through 2022. Future minimum lease payments and sublease proceeds under these leases with initial or remaining terms in excess of one year, including leases involved in facility restructurings, are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Minimum Lease
Payments
     Sublease
Proceeds
    Net Lease
Commitments
 

Years ending December 31,

       

2013

   $ 24,287      $ (2,805   $ 21,482  

2014

     24,431        (2,889     21,542  

2015

     23,114        (285     22,829  

2016

     21,437        —         21,437  

2017

     19,948        —         19,948  

Thereafter

     58,449        —         58,449  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total future minimum lease payments

   $ 171,666      $ (5,979   $ 165,687  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Certain leases contain provisions for renewal options and rent escalations based on increases in certain costs incurred by the lessor. Rent expense, net of sublease income, was $22.6 million, $19.6 million and $22.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Rent expense, which is recorded in the occupancy and equipment line item in the consolidated statement of income (loss), excludes costs related to leases involved in facility restructurings, which are recorded in the facility restructuring and other exit activities line item in the consolidated statement of income (loss).

NOTE 19—COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER REGULATORY MATTERS

Legal Matters

Litigation Matters

On October 27, 2000, Ajaxo, Inc. (“Ajaxo”) filed a complaint in the Superior Court for the State of California, County of Santa Clara. Ajaxo sought damages and certain non-monetary relief for the Company’s alleged breach of a non-disclosure agreement with Ajaxo pertaining to certain wireless technology that Ajaxo offered the Company as well as damages and other relief against the Company for their alleged misappropriation of Ajaxo’s trade secrets. Following a jury trial, a judgment was entered in 2003 in favor of Ajaxo against the Company for $1.3 million for breach of the Ajaxo non-disclosure agreement. Although the jury found in favor of Ajaxo on its claim against the Company for misappropriation of trade secrets, the trial court subsequently denied Ajaxo’s requests for additional damages and relief. On December 21, 2005, the California Court of Appeal affirmed the above-described award against the Company for breach of the nondisclosure agreement but remanded the case to the trial court for the limited purpose of determining what, if any, additional damages Ajaxo may be entitled to as a result of the jury’s previous finding in favor of Ajaxo on its claim against the Company for misappropriation of trade secrets. Although the Company paid Ajaxo the full amount due on the above-described judgment, the case was remanded back to the trial court, and on May 30, 2008, a jury returned a verdict in favor of the Company denying all claims raised and demands for damages against the Company. Following the trial court’s filing of entry of judgment in favor of the Company on September 5, 2008, Ajaxo filed post-trial motions for vacating this entry of judgment and requesting a new trial. By order dated November 4, 2008, the trial court denied these motions. On December 2, 2008, Ajaxo filed a notice of appeal with the Court of Appeal of the State of California for the Sixth District. Oral argument on the appeal was heard on July 15, 2010. On August 30, 2010, the Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s verdict in part and reversed the verdict in part, remanding the case. The Company petitioned the Supreme Court of California for review of the Court of Appeal decision. On December 16, 2010, the California Supreme Court denied the Company’s petition for review and remanded for further proceedings to the trial court. On September 20, 2011, the trial court granted limited discovery at a conference on November 4, 2011. The testimonial phase of the third trial in this matter

 

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commenced on February 21 and 22, 2012 and concluded on June 12, 2012. The parties await decision on whether there will be a second phase of this bench trial. The Company will continue to defend itself vigorously.

On October 2, 2007, a class action complaint alleging violations of the federal securities laws was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company and its then Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Mitchell H. Caplan and Robert J. Simmons, respectively, by Larry Freudenberg on his own behalf and on behalf of others similarly situated (the “Freudenberg Action”). On July 17, 2008, the trial court consolidated this action with four other purported class actions, all of which were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and which were based on the same facts and circumstances. On January 16, 2009, plaintiffs served their consolidated amended class action complaint in which they also named Dennis Webb, the Company’s former Capital Markets Division President, as a defendant. Plaintiffs contended, among other things, that the value of the Company’s stock between April 19, 2006 and November 9, 2007 was artificially inflated because the defendants issued materially false and misleading statements and failed to disclose that the Company was experiencing a rise in delinquency rates in its mortgage and home equity portfolios; failed to timely record an impairment on its mortgage and home equity portfolios; materially overvalued its securities portfolio, which included assets backed by mortgages; and based on the foregoing, lacked a reasonable basis for the positive statements made about the Company’s earnings and prospects. The parties entered into a Stipulation of Settlement on May 17, 2012, which was submitted to the Court for approval. The settlement was approved by the Court and the class was certified by a final judgment and order of dismissal dated October 22, 2012. Under the terms of the settlement, the Company and its insurance carriers paid $79.0 million in return for full releases. Approximately $11.0 million of the total settlement figure was paid by the Company, which was expensed in the year ended December 31, 2011. As of January 14, 2013, all appeals and requests for attorneys’ fees have been resolved and the settlement is final.

On April 2, 2008, a class action complaint alleging violations of the federal securities laws was filed by John W. Oughtred on his own behalf and on behalf of all others similarly situated in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company. Plaintiff contends, among other things, that the Company committed various sales practice violations in the sale of certain auction rate securities to investors between April 2, 2003, and February 13, 2008 by allegedly misrepresenting that these securities were highly liquid and safe investments for short term investing. On December 18, 2008, plaintiffs filed their first amended class action complaint. Defendants filed their pending motion to dismiss plaintiffs’ amended complaint on February 5, 2009, and briefing on defendants’ motion to dismiss was completed on April 15, 2009. Plaintiffs seek to recover damages in an amount to be proven at trial, or, in the alternative, rescission of auction rate securities purchases, plus interest and attorneys’ fees and costs. On March 18, 2010, the District Court dismissed the complaint without prejudice. On April 22, 2010, Plaintiffs amended their complaint. The Company has moved to dismiss the amended complaint. By an Order dated March 31, 2011, the Court granted the Company’s motion and dismissed the action with prejudice. On May 2, 2011, plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Plaintiffs filed their brief on August 12, 2011. The Company’s responsive brief was filed October 26, 2011. Plaintiffs’ reply brief was filed on November 21, 2011. Prior to any hearings on the appeal, the lead plaintiffs in this action accepted the terms of the Purchase Offer in connection with the North American Securities Administrators Association (“NASAA”) settlement (see Regulatory Matters below), and this class action was dismissed with prejudice in February 2012.

On August 15, 2008, Ronald M. Tate as trustee of the Ronald M. Tate Trust Dtd 4/13/88, and George Avakian filed an action in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company, Mitchell H. Caplan and Robert J. Simmons based on the same facts and circumstances, and containing the same claims, as the Freudenberg consolidated actions discussed above. By agreement of the parties and approval of the court, the Tate action was consolidated with the Freudenberg consolidated actions for the purpose of pre-trial discovery. Plaintiffs seek to recover damages in an amount to be proven at trial, including interest, attorneys’ and expert fees and costs. The plaintiffs in this action moved for exclusion from the settlement class in Freudenberg. The Court granted that relief on October 11, 2012 and ordered the parties to provide a status update

 

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within 30 of final approval of that order. Tate and Avakian filed an amended complaint on January 23, 2013, adding an additional claim under California law. The Company will continue to defend itself vigorously in this matter.

Based upon the same facts and circumstances alleged in the Freudenberg consolidated actions discussed above, a verified shareholder derivative complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on October 4, 2007 by Catherine Rubery, against the Company and its then Chief Executive Officer, President/Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and individual members of its board of directors. The Rubery complaint was consolidated with another shareholder derivative complaint brought by shareholder Marilyn Clark in the same court and against the same named defendants. On July 26, 2010, plaintiffs served their consolidated amended complaint, in which they also named Dennis Webb, the Company’s former Capital Markets Division President, as a defendant. Plaintiffs allege, among other things, causes of action for breach of fiduciary duty, waste of corporate assets, unjust enrichment, and violation of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. The complaint seeks, among other things, unspecified monetary damages in favor of the Company, changes to certain corporate governance procedures and various forms of injunctive relief. The parties agreed to settle this action and a Stipulation of Settlement was signed on October 2, 2012, which included an agreement to implement or maintain certain corporate governance procedures. The parties did not reach an agreement on the issue of plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees, however. Plaintiffs submitted the Stipulation of Settlement to the Court on November 2, 2012, in connection with an unopposed motion for preliminary approval of the settlement. The parties are awaiting the scheduling of a hearing for preliminary approval of the settlement. The Stipulation of Settlement contemplates that the issue of plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees will be litigated in parallel with, but have no bearing on, final approval of the settlement. The Company will continue to defend itself vigorously in this matter.

On February 3, 2010, a class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against E*TRADE Securities LLC by Joseph Roling on his own behalf and on behalf of all others similarly situated. The lead plaintiff alleges that E*TRADE Securities LLC unlawfully charged and collected certain account activity fees from its customers. Claimant, on behalf of himself and the putative class, asserts breach of contract, unjust enrichment and violation of California Civil Code Section 1671 and seeks equitable and injunctive relief for alleged illegal, unfair and fraudulent practices under California’s Unfair Competition Law, California Business and Professional Code Section 17200 et seq. The plaintiff seeks, among other things, certification of the class action on behalf of alleged similarly situated plaintiffs, unspecified damages and restitution of amounts allegedly wrongfully collected by E*TRADE Securities LLC, attorneys’ fees and expenses and injunctive relief. The Company moved to transfer venue on the case to the Southern District of New York; that motion was denied. The Court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss in part and denied the motion to dismiss in part. The Court bifurcated discovery to permit initial discovery on individual claims and class certification. Following preliminary discovery, Plaintiffs moved to amend their verified complaint for a second time, to assert new allegations and to add a plaintiff. The Company filed its opposition to this motion on December 27, 2011. On March 27, 2012, the Court granted the Company’s motion for summary judgement and granted the Company’s motion to dismiss. However, the Court allowed plaintiffs to seek a new class representative and permitted limited discovery on a narrow issue as to when the fee increase was posted on the Company’s website in 2005. On September 10, 2012, plaintiffs voluntarily withdrew the action with prejudice. The Company paid no consideration for this dismissal, which was endorsed by the Court. There have been no appeals of the Court’s order dismissing the action. This action is now closed.

On May 16, 2011, Droplets Inc., the holder of two patents pertaining to user interface servers, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against E*TRADE Financial Corporation, E*TRADE Securities LLC, E*TRADE Bank and multiple other unaffiliated financial services firms. Plaintiff contends that the defendants engaged in patent infringement under federal law. Plaintiff seeks unspecified damages and an injunction against future infringements, plus royalties, costs, interest and attorneys’ fees. On September 30, 2011, the Company and several co-defendants filed a motion to transfer the case to the Southern District of New York. Venue discovery occurred throughout December 2011. On January 1, 2012, a new judge

 

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was assigned to the case. On March 28, 2012, a change of venue was granted and the case has been transferred to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The Company filed its answer and counterclaim on June 13, 2012 and plaintiff has moved to dismiss the counterclaim. The Company filed a motion for summary judgment. Plaintiffs sought to change venue back to the Eastern District of Texas on the theory that this case is one of several matters that should be consolidated in a single multi-district litigation. On December 12, 2012, the Multidistrict Litigation Panel denied the transfer of this action to Texas. The Company will defend itself vigorously in this matter.

Several cases have been filed nationwide involving the April 2007 leveraged buyout (“LBO”) of the Tribune Company (“Tribune”) by Sam Zell, and the subsequent bankruptcy of Tribune. In William Niese et al. v. A.G. Edwards et al., in Superior Court of Delaware, New Castle County, former Tribune employees and retirees claimed that Tribune was actually insolvent at the time of the LBO and that the LBO constituted a fraudulent transaction that depleted the plaintiffs’ retirement plans, rendering them worthless. E*TRADE Clearing LLC, along with numerous other financial institutions, is a named defendant in this case, but has not been served with process. One of the defendants removed the action to federal district court in Delaware on July 1, 2011. In Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas et al. v. Adaly Opportunity Fund et al., filed in the Supreme Court of New York, New York County on June 3, 2011, the Trustees of certain notes issued by Tribune allege wrongdoing in connection with the LBO. In particular the Trustees claim that the LBO constituted a constructive fraudulent transfer under various state laws. G1 Execution Services, LLC (formerly known as E*TRADE Capital Markets, LLC), along with numerous other financial institutions, is a named defendant in this case. In Deutsche Bank et al. v. Ohlson et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, noteholders of Tribune asserted claims of constructive fraud and G1 Execution Services, LLC is a named defendant in this case. In EGI-TRB LLC et al. v. ABN-AMRO et al., filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County Illinois, creditors of Tribune assert fraudulent conveyance claims against multiple shareholder defendants and E*TRADE Clearing LLC is a named defendant in this case. There have been several motions filed by various parties to transfer venue and to consolidate these actions. The Company’s time to answer or otherwise respond to the complaints has been stayed pending further orders of the Court. The Court has set a motion schedule for omnibus motion to dismiss to be heard on March 1, 2013. Discovery remains stayed during this period. The Company will defend itself vigorously in these matters.

In addition to the matters described above, the Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the normal course of business. In each pending matter, the Company contests liability or the amount of claimed damages. In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of such matters, particularly in cases where claimants seek substantial or indeterminate damages, or where investigation or discovery have yet to be completed, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate a range of possible losses on its remaining outstanding legal proceedings; however, the Company believes any losses would not be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

An unfavorable outcome in any matter could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, even if the ultimate outcomes are resolved in the Company’s favor, the defense of such litigation could entail considerable cost or the diversion of the efforts of management, either of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Regulatory Matters

The securities and banking industries are subject to extensive regulation under federal, state and applicable international laws. From time to time, the Company has been threatened with or named as a defendant in, lawsuits, arbitrations and administrative claims involving securities, banking and other matters. The Company is also subject to periodic regulatory audits and inspections. Compliance and trading problems that are reported to regulators, such as the SEC, FINRA or OCC by dissatisfied customers or others are investigated by such regulators, and may, if pursued, result in formal claims being filed against the Company by customers or

 

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disciplinary action being taken against the Company or its employees by regulators. Any such claims or disciplinary actions that are decided against the Company could have a material impact on the financial results of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

On October 17, 2007, the SEC initiated an informal inquiry into matters related to the Company’s mortgage loan and mortgage-related securities investment portfolios. The Company is cooperating fully with the SEC in this matter.

Beginning in approximately August 2008, representatives of various states attorneys general and FINRA initiated inquiries regarding the purchase of auction rate securities by E*TRADE Securities LLC’s customers. On February 9, 2011, E*TRADE Securities LLC received a “Wells Notice” from FINRA Staff stating that they have made a preliminary determination to recommend that disciplinary action be brought against E*TRADE Securities LLC for alleged violations of certain FINRA rules in connection with the purchases of auction rate securities by customers of E*TRADE Securities LLC. E*TRADE Securities LLC is cooperating with these inquiries and has submitted a Wells response to FINRA setting forth the bases for E*TRADE Securities LLC’s belief that disciplinary action is not warranted. On June 27, 2012, FINRA advised E*TRADE Securities LLC that it would not recommend disciplinary action in connection with this matter.

On January 19, 2010, the North Carolina Securities Division filed an administrative petition before the North Carolina Secretary of State against E*TRADE Securities LLC seeking to revoke the North Carolina securities dealer registration of E*TRADE Securities LLC or, alternatively, to suspend that registration until all North Carolina residents are made whole for their investments in auction rate securities purchased through E*TRADE Securities LLC. On March 8, 2011, E*TRADE Securities LLC, without admitting or denying the underlying allegations, findings or conclusions, resolved the North Carolina administrative action by entering into a consent order (“North Carolina Order”) pursuant to which E*TRADE Securities LLC agreed to pay a $25,000 civil penalty and to reimburse the North Carolina Securities Division’s investigative costs of $400,000. E*TRADE Securities LLC also agreed to various undertakings set forth in the North Carolina Order, including additional internal training on fixed income products and the retention of an independent consultant to review E*TRADE Securities LLC’s policies and procedures related to the approval and sale of fixed income products. As of December 31, 2012, no existing North Carolina customers held any auction rate securities.

On July 21, 2010, the Colorado Division of Securities filed an administrative complaint in the Colorado Office of Administrative Courts against E*TRADE Securities LLC based upon purchases of auction rate securities through E*TRADE Securities LLC by Colorado residents. On October 19, 2011, E*TRADE Securities LLC and the Colorado Division of Securities reached an agreement in principle to settle the Colorado proceeding whereby E*TRADE Securities LLC offered to purchase auction rate securities held by Colorado customers who found themselves unable to sell their securities after those securities had been frozen in the broader auction rate securities market. The agreement in principle also included an agreement with the NASAA whereby E*TRADE Securities LLC offered to purchase auction rate securities purchased through E*TRADE Securities LLC on a nationwide basis and pay a $5 million penalty to be allocated among 48 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands but exclusive of North Carolina and South Carolina with which E*TRADE Securities LLC previously had reached separate settlements. Under the agreement in principle each state will receive its allocated share of the $5 million penalty pursuant to administrative consent cease and desist orders to be entered into by each state. A Consent Order memorializing the agreement in principle as it related to Colorado customers was entered by the Colorado Securities Commissioner on November 16, 2011, and amended on November 23, 2011, whereby E*TRADE Securities LLC, without admitting or denying the underlying allegations, agreed to pay an administrative penalty to Colorado of $84,202, which amount constituted Colorado’s share of the total NASAA state settlement amount of $5 million, and to reimburse the Colorado Division of Securities’ costs associated with the administrative action in the amount of $596,580. Under the terms of the Consent Order, E*TRADE Securities LLC offered to purchase (or offered to arrange a third party to purchase), at par plus accrued and unpaid dividends and interest, from eligible investors nationwide their auction rate securities purchased through E*TRADE Securities LLC, or through an entity acquired by the Company, on

 

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or before February 13, 2008, if such auction rate securities had failed at auction at least once since February 13, 2008 (“the Purchase Offer”). E*TRADE Securities LLC also agreed to identify eligible investors who purchased auction rate securities through E*TRADE Securities LLC on or before February 13, 2008, and sold those securities below par between February 13, 2008, and November 16, 2011, and to reimburse those sellers the difference between par value and the actual sales price plus reasonable interest. E*TRADE Securities LLC agreed to hold open the Purchase Offer until May 15, 2012, and to various other undertakings set forth in the Consent Order, including the establishment of a dedicated toll-free telephone assistance line and website to provide information and to respond to questions regarding the Consent Order. As of December 31, 2012, no existing Colorado customers held any auction rate securities, and the total amount of auction rate securities held by E*TRADE Securities LLC customers nationwide was approximately $2.6 million. The Company recorded an estimated liability of $48 million during the year ended December 31, 2011. During the second quarter of 2012, the Company recorded a benefit of $10.2 million related to a reduction in the estimated liability as a result of the completion of the Purchase Offer which expired on May 15, 2012. The estimated liability represented the Company’s estimate of the current fair value relative to par value of auction rate securities held by E*TRADE Securities LLC customers, as well as former customers who purchased auction rate securities through E*TRADE Securities LLC and are covered by the Consent Order. The estimated liability also included penalties and other estimated settlement costs. The agreement included the resolution of all material individual auction rate securities arbitrations and litigations.

On August 24, 2010, the South Carolina Securities Division filed an administrative complaint before the Securities Commissioner of South Carolina against E*TRADE Securities LLC based upon purchases of auction rate securities through E*TRADE Securities LLC by South Carolina residents. The complaint sought to suspend the South Carolina broker-dealer license of E*TRADE Securities LLC until South Carolina customers who purchased auction rate securities through E*TRADE Securities LLC and who wished to liquidate those positions were able to do so, and sought a fine not to exceed $10,000 for each potential violation of South Carolina statutes or rules. On March 25, 2011, E*TRADE Securities LLC, without admitting or denying the underlying allegations, findings or conclusions, resolved the South Carolina administrative action by entering into a consent order, pursuant to which E*TRADE Securities LLC agreed to pay a $10,000 civil penalty and to reimburse the South Carolina Securities Division’s investigative costs of $2,500. As of December 31, 2012, no existing South Carolina customers held any auction rate securities.

The Company recently completed a review of order handling practices and pricing for order flow between E*TRADE Securities LLC and G1 Execution Services, LLC (G1X). The purpose of the review was to examine whether E*TRADE Securities LLC was providing “best execution” of customer orders as well as otherwise complying with applicable securities laws and dealing appropriately with its market making affiliate under applicable federal bank regulatory standards. The review was conducted by separate firms of outside broker-dealer and bank regulatory counsel. The firms’ reports identified shortcomings in the Company’s historical methods of measuring best execution quality and suggested additions and changes to the Company’s standards, processes and procedures for measuring execution quality and for monitoring and testing transactions between the Bank and non-Bank affiliates to ensure compliance with relevant regulations. The Company is in the process of implementing the recommended changes, and expects to complete the process in the near future. Banking regulators and federal securities regulators were regularly updated during the course of the review. The Company’s regulators may initiate investigations into its historical practices which could subject it to monetary penalties and cease-and-desist orders, which could also prompt claims by customers of E*TRADE Securities LLC. Any of these actions could materially and adversely affect the Company’s market making and trade execution businesses.

Insurance

The Company maintains insurance coverage that management believes is reasonable and prudent. The principal insurance coverage it maintains covers commercial general liability; property damage; hardware/software damage; cyber liability; directors and officers; employment practices liability; certain criminal acts

 

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against the Company; and errors and omissions. The Company believes that such insurance coverage is adequate for the purpose of its business. The Company’s ability to maintain this level of insurance coverage in the future, however, is subject to the availability of affordable insurance in the marketplace.

Estimated Liabilities

For all legal matters, an estimated liability is established in accordance with the loss contingencies accounting guidance. Once established, the estimated liability is adjusted based on available information when an event occurs requiring an adjustment.

Commitments

In the normal course of business, the Company makes various commitments to extend credit and incur contingent liabilities that are not reflected in the consolidated balance sheet. Significant changes in the economy or interest rates may influence the impact that these commitments and contingencies have on the Company in the future.

Loans

The Company historically provided access to real estate loans for its customers through a third party company and in the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company ceased providing this access to its customers. The Company structured this arrangement to minimize the assumption of any of the typical risks commonly associated with mortgage lending. The third party company that provided this product performed all processing and underwriting of these loans. Shortly after closing, the third party company purchased the loans from the Company and is responsible for the credit risk associated with these loans. The Company had $1.0 million in commitments to sell loans and no commitments to originate or purchase loans at December 31, 2012.

Other Investments

The Company has investments in low-income housing tax credit partnerships and other limited partnerships. The Company had $4.4 million in commitments to fund low income housing tax credit partnerships and other limited partnerships as of December 31, 2012.

Securities, Unused Lines of Credit and Certificates of Deposit

At December 31, 2012, the Company had commitments to purchase $0.3 billion in securities and commitments to sell $0.3 billion in securities. In addition, the Company had approximately $0.1 billion of certificates of deposit scheduled to mature in less than one year and $0.6 billion of unfunded commitments to extend credit.

Guarantees

In prior periods when the Company sold loans, the Company provided guarantees to investors purchasing mortgage loans, which are considered standard representations and warranties within the mortgage industry. The primary guarantees are that: the mortgage and the mortgage note have been duly executed and each is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms; the mortgage has been duly acknowledged and recorded and is valid; and the mortgage and the mortgage note are not subject to any right of rescission, set-off, counterclaim or defense, including, without limitation, the defense of usury, and no such right of rescission, set-off, counterclaim or defense has been asserted with respect thereto. The Company is responsible for the guarantees on loans sold. If these claims prove to be untrue, the investor can require the Company to repurchase the loan and return all loan purchase and servicing release premiums. Management does not believe the potential liability exposure will have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition due to the nature of the standard representations and warranties, which have resulted in a minimal amount of loan repurchases.

 

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Prior to 2008, ETBH raised capital through the formation of trusts, which sold trust preferred securities in the capital markets. The capital securities must be redeemed in whole at the due date, which is generally 30 years after issuance. Each trust issued trust preferred securities at par, with a liquidation amount of $1,000 per capital security. The trusts used the proceeds from the sale of issuances to purchase subordinated debentures issued by ETBH.

During the 30-year period prior to the redemption of the trust preferred securities, ETBH guarantees the accrued and unpaid distributions on these securities, as well as the redemption price of the securities and certain costs that may be incurred in liquidating, terminating or dissolving the trusts (all of which would otherwise be payable by the trusts). At December 31, 2012, management estimated that the maximum potential liability under this arrangement, including the current carrying value of the trusts, was equal to approximately $436.6 million or the total face value of these securities plus dividends, which may be unpaid at the termination of the trust arrangement.

NOTE 20—SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company reports its operating results in two segments, based on the manner in which its chief operating decision maker evaluates financial performance and makes resource allocation decisions: 1) trading and investing; and 2) balance sheet management. Trading and investing includes retail brokerage products and services; investor-focused banking products; market making; and corporate services. Balance sheet management includes the management of asset allocation; loans previously originated by the Company or purchased from third parties; customer cash and deposits; and credit, liquidity and interest rate risk.

The Company does not allocate costs associated with certain functions that are centrally-managed to its operating segments. These costs are separately reported in a corporate/other category, along with technology related costs incurred to support centrally-managed functions; restructuring and other exit activities; and corporate debt and corporate investments. The balance sheet management segment utilizes the vast majority of customer cash and deposits and compensates the trading and investing segment via a market-based transfer pricing arrangement, which is eliminated in consolidation. Customer cash and deposits utilized by the balance sheet management segment include retail deposits and customer payables.

The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on the segment’s income (loss) before income taxes. Financial information for the Company’s reportable segments is presented in the following tables (dollars in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2012  
     Trading and
Investing
     Balance Sheet
Management
     Corporate/
Other
    Total  

Net operating interest income

   $ 640,470      $ 444,591      $ 4     $ 1,085,065  

Total non-interest income

     622,431        192,202        (202     814,431  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net revenue

     1,262,901        636,793        (198     1,899,496  

Provision for loan losses

     —          354,637        —         354,637  

Total operating expense

     769,194        220,605        172,286       1,162,085  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before other income (expense) and income taxes

     493,707        61,551        (172,484     382,774  

Total other income (expense)

     —          —          (513,738     (513,738
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 493,707      $ 61,551      $ (686,222     (130,964
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Income tax benefit

             (18,381
          

 

 

 

Net loss

           $ (112,583
          

 

 

 

 

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     Year Ended December 31, 2011  
     Trading and
Investing
     Balance Sheet
Management
    Corporate/
Other
    Total  

Net operating interest income

   $ 746,047      $ 473,891     $ 21     $ 1,219,959  

Total non-interest income

     700,845        115,908       (113     816,640  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net revenue

     1,446,892        589,799       (92     2,036,599  

Provision for loan losses

     —          440,614       —         440,614  

Total operating expense

     825,940        238,424       170,540       1,234,904  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before other income (expense) and income taxes

     620,952        (89,239     (170,632     361,081  

Total other income (expense)

     —          —         (175,751     (175,751
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 620,952      $ (89,239   $ (346,383     185,330  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

Income tax expense

            28,629  
         

 

 

 

Net income

          $ 156,701  
         

 

 

 

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2010  
     Trading and
Investing
     Balance Sheet
Management
    Corporate/
Other
    Total  

Net operating interest income

   $ 763,015      $ 463,244     $ 24     $ 1,226,283  

Total non-interest income

     711,394        140,265       (67     851,592  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net revenue

     1,474,409        603,509       (43     2,077,875  

Provision for loan losses

     —          779,412       —         779,412  

Total operating expense

     752,631        215,459       174,487       1,142,577  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before other income (expense) and income taxes

     721,778        (391,362     (174,530     155,886  

Total other income (expense)

     —          —         (159,027     (159,027
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 721,778      $ (391,362   $ (333,557     (3,141
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

Income tax expense

            25,331  
         

 

 

 

Net loss

          $ (28,472
         

 

 

 

Segment Assets

 

     Trading and
Investing
     Balance Sheet
Management
     Corporate/
Other
     Total  

As of December 31, 2012

   $ 9,505,280      $ 37,305,600      $ 575,859      $ 47,386,739  

As of December 31, 2011

   $ 9,608,020      $ 37,123,118      $ 1,209,314      $ 47,940,452  

Assets and total net revenue attributable to international locations were not material for the periods presented. No single customer accounts for greater than 10% of gross revenues for any of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

 

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NOTE 21—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)

The following presents the Parent’s condensed statement of comprehensive income (loss), balance sheet and statement of cash flows:

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Dividends from subsidiaries

   $ 99,432     $ 160,452     $ 157,810  

Other revenues

     269,943       271,607       254,016  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net revenue

     369,375       432,059       411,826  

Total operating expense

     339,472       375,083       353,839  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before other income (expense), income tax benefit, and equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries

     29,903       56,976       57,987  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     (433,796     (175,792     (157,705
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income tax benefit and equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries

     (403,893     (118,816     (99,718

Income tax benefit

     (188,316     (121,141     (64,109

Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries

     102,994       154,376       7,137  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     (112,583     156,701       (28,472

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     76,701       52,011       (34,510
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (35,882   $ 208,712     $ (62,982
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET

(In thousands)

 

     December 31,  
     2012      2011  
ASSETS      

Cash and equivalents

   $ 399,624      $ 478,410  

Property and equipment, net

     142,333        148,184  

Investment in consolidated subsidiaries

     5,558,742        5,347,942  

Receivable from subsidiaries

     7,984        40,906  

Other assets

     719,765        737,491  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 6,828,448      $ 6,752,933  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY      

Liabilities:

     

Corporate debt

   $ 1,764,982      $ 1,493,552  

Other liabilities

     158,996        331,431  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     1,923,978        1,824,983  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     4,904,470        4,927,950  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 6,828,448      $ 6,752,933  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income (loss)

   $ (112,583   $ 156,701     $ (28,472

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     50,026       84,026       90,131  

Equity in undistributed income from subsidiaries

     (102,994     (154,376     (7,137

(Gains) losses on early extinguishment of debt

     137,405       (3,091     —    

Other

     45,312       16,035       22,071  

Net effect of decrease (increase) in other assets

     22,446       (153,874     (67,819

Net effect of (decrease) increase in other liabilities

     (178,249     5,697       121,974  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (138,637     (48,882     130,748  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Capital expenditures for property and equipment

     (26,792     (23,742     (81,467

Sale of property and equipment to subsidiaries

     —         90,547       —    

Cash contributions to subsidiaries

     (26,188     (9,500     (8,332

Other

     2,845       (177     11,361  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (50,135     57,128       (78,438
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes

     1,305,000       427,331       —    

Payments on senior and springing lien notes

     (1,173,736     (425,956     —    

Claims settlement under Section 16(b)

     —         —         35,000  

Other

     (21,278     613       3,370  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     109,986       1,988       38,370  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Decrease) increase in cash and equivalents

     (78,786     10,234       90,680  

Cash and equivalents, beginning of period

     478,410       468,176       377,496  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents, end of period

   $ 399,624     $ 478,410     $ 468,176  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Parent Company Guarantees

Guarantees are contingent commitments issued by the Company for the purpose of guaranteeing the financial obligations of a subsidiary to a financial institution. The financial obligations of the Company and the relevant subsidiary do not change by the existence of a corporate guarantee. Rather, upon the occurrence of certain events, the guarantee shifts ultimate payment responsibility of an existing financial obligation from the relevant subsidiary to the guaranteeing parent company.

The Company issues guarantees for the settlement of foreign exchange transactions. If a subsidiary fails to deliver currency on the settlement date of a foreign exchange arrangement, the beneficiary financial institution may seek payment from the Company. Terms are undefined, and are governed by the terms of the underlying financial obligation. At December 31, 2012, no claims had been made against the Company for payment under these guarantees and thus, no obligations have been recorded. None of these guarantees are collateralized.

NOTE 22—QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)

The information presented below reflects all adjustments, which, in the opinion of management, are of a normal and recurring nature necessary to present fairly the results of operations for the quarterly periods presented (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     2012     2011  
     First     Second      Third     Fourth     First      Second      Third      Fourth  

Total net revenue

   $ 489,397     $ 452,408      $ 490,035     $ 467,656     $ 536,695      $ 517,619      $ 507,275      $ 475,010  

Net income (loss)

   $ 62,591     $ 39,510      $ (28,625   $ (186,059   $ 45,233      $ 47,118      $ 70,696      $ (6,346

Earnings (loss) per share:

                    

Basic

   $ 0.22     $ 0.14      $ (0.10   $ (0.65   $ 0.20      $ 0.18      $ 0.25      $ (0.02

Diluted

   $ 0.22     $ 0.14      $ (0.10   $ (0.65   $ 0.16      $ 0.16      $ 0.24      $ (0.02

During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $26.3 million related to certain losses on the 2009 Debt Exchange that were previously considered non-deductible. Through additional research completed during the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company identified that a portion of those losses were incorrectly treated as non-deductible in 2009 and are deductible for tax purposes. As a result of this finding, the Company recorded an income tax benefit and a corresponding increase to deferred tax assets during the three months ended March 31, 2012.

In the third quarter of 2012, the net loss was due to an increase in the provision for loan losses of $50 million as a result of newly identified bankruptcy filings.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, the net loss was primarily due to the early extinguishment of all the 12 1/2% Springing lien notes and 7 7/8% Notes that resulted in losses on early extinguishment of debt of $256.9 million.

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

  (a) Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this annual report, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by paragraph (b) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15.

 

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  (b) Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2012, as required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15, and have concluded that there were no such changes that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and the Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Paul T. Idzik became Chief Executive Officer of the Company on January 22, 2013, which follows the completion of all periods covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Mr. Idzik, with the advice and assistance of outside securities counsel, met with the Company’s external and internal auditors and its accounting, finance and legal staff, to review the adequacy of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, its internal control over financial reporting and the disclosures in this Report in order to reach the conclusions expressed in this Part II, Item 9A and to sign the certifications filed as Exhibits 31.1 and 32.1 hereto.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

Certain portions of the Company’s Proxy Statement for its next Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which, when filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, will be incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, provide the information required under Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14).

 

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PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

  (a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:

Consolidated Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules

Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules have been omitted because the required information is not applicable, not material or is provided in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

    3.1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of E*TRADE Financial Corporation as currently in effect. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed August 4, 2010.)
  *3.2   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant
    4.1   Specimen of Common Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration Statement No. 333-05525, filed July 22, 1996.)
    4.2   Indenture dated May 19, 2011, between E*TRADE Financial Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as Trustee, relating to the 2016 Notes (includes form of note) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 19, 2011.)
    4.3   First Supplemental Indenture dated June 15, 2011, among the Company, the guaranteeing subsidiaries party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, relating to the 2016 Notes (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2011.)
    4.4   Indenture dated August 25, 2009 between E*TRADE Financial Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, relating to the 2019 Debentures (includes form of note) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 25, 2009.)
    4.5   Third Supplemental Indenture dated June 15, 2011, among the Company, the guaranteeing subsidiaries party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company., as Trustee, relating to the 2019 Debentures (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2011.)
    4.6   Senior Indenture dated November 14, 2012 between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (includes form of note) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2012.)
    4.7   First Supplemental Indenture dated November 14, 2012 between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, relating to the 6% Senior Notes due 2017 and 6.375% Senior Notes due 2019 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2012.)
+10.1   Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 10-K filed February 24, 2010.)
  10.2   [redacted] Master Service Agreement and Global Services Schedule, dated April 9, 2003, between E*TRADE Group, Inc. and ADP Financial Information Services, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 8, 2003.)

 

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Exhibit

Number

 

Description

  +10.4   Amended 2005 Equity Incentive Plan of E*TRADE Financial Corporation. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 14, 2010.)
  +10.5   Forms of Award Agreements for Amended 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.66 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2005.)
  +10.6   Executive Bonus Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.67 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2005.)
    10.7   Master Investment and Securities Purchase Agreement, dated November 29, 2007 by and between E*TRADE Financial Corporation and Wingate Capital Ltd. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 4, 2007.)
    10.8   First Amendment to Master Investment and Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2007, by and between Wingate Capital Ltd. and E*TRADE Financial Corporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.5 of the Schedule 13D filed by Citadel Limited Partnership et al with respect to E*TRADE Financial Corporation on December 17, 2007.)
    10.9   Second Amendment to Master Investment and Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 18, 2008, by and between Wingate Capital Ltd. and E*TRADE Financial Corporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.12 of the Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D filed by Citadel Limited Partnership et al with respect to E*TRADE Financial Corporation on January 18, 2008.)
    10.10   Form of Exchange Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2008.)
    10.11   Guarantee and Support Agreement, dated as of July 14, 2008, by E*TRADE Financial Corporation in favor of The Bank of Nova Scotia (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 16, 2008).
    10.12   Form of Indemnification Agreement for Directors dated July 30, 2008. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 8, 2008.)
+10.13   Form of Employment Agreement between E*TRADE Financial Corporation and each of Matthew Audette, Michael Curcio, Greg Framke and Nicholas Utton (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of the Company’s Form 10-K filed February 24, 2010.)
+10.14   Separation Agreement dated August 9, 2012 by and between E*TRADE Financial Corporation and Steven J. Freiberg (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on November 1, 2012.)
*+10.15   Employment Agreement dated January 17, 2013 by and between E*TRADE Financial Corporation and Paul T. Idzik.
  *12.1   Statement of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
  *14.1   Code of Professional Conduct.
  *21.1   Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
  *23.1   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
  *31.1   Certification—Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  *31.2   Certification—Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  *32.1   Certification—Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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Exhibit

Number

  

Description

*101.INS    XBRL Instance Document
*101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
*101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
*101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
*101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
*101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

* Filed herein.
+ Exhibit is a management contract or a compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Dated: February 26, 2013

 

E*TRADE Financial Corporation

(Registrant)

By  

/s/    Paul T. Idzik        

  Paul T. Idzik
  Chief Executive Officer
  (Principal Executive Officer)
By  

/S/    MATTHEW J. AUDETTE        

  Matthew J. Audette
  Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/S/     PAUL T. IDZIK        

Paul T. Idzik

   Director and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   February 26, 2013
    

/S/     MATTHEW J. AUDETTE        

Matthew J. Audette

   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   February 26, 2013
    

/S/     RONALD D. FISHER        

Ronald D. Fisher

   Director   February 26, 2013

/S/    KENNETH C. GRIFFIN        

Kenneth C. Griffin

   Director   February 26, 2013
    

/S/     FREDERICK W. KANNER        

Frederick W. Kanner

   Director   February 26, 2013
    

/S/     JAMES LAM        

James Lam

   Director   February 26, 2013
    

/S/     ROGER A. LAWSON        

Rodger A. Lawson

   Director   February 26, 2013
    

/S/     FRANK J. PETRILLI        

Frank J. Petrilli

   Director   February 26, 2013
    

 

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Signature

  

Title

 

Date

 

Rebecca Saeger

   Director  
    

/S/     JOSEPH L. SCLAFANI        

Joseph L. Sclafani

   Director   February 26, 2013
    

/S/     JOSEPH M. VELLI        

Joseph M. Velli

   Director   February 26, 2013
    

/S/     DONNA L. WEAVER        

Donna L. Weaver

   Director   February 26, 2013
    

/S/     STEPHEN H. WILLARD        

Stephen H. Willard

   Director   February 26, 2013
    

 

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