EX-13 4 d69262dex13.htm EX-13 EX-13

EXHIBIT 13

The following pages discuss in detail the financial results we achieved in 2015—results that reflect the power of possible.

 

 

 

FINANCIALS TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

26 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 

  26 Overview

 

  28 Statement of Income Analysis

 

  33 Balance Sheet Analysis

 

  42 Corporate Risk Profile

 

  42 Overview

 

  43 Credit Risk Management

 

  58 Residual Value Risk Management

 

  58 Operational Risk Management

 

  58 Compliance Risk Management

 

  59 Interest Rate Risk Management

 

  60 Market Risk Management

 

  61 Liquidity Risk Management

 

  65 Capital Management

 

  67 Fourth Quarter Summary

 

  69 Line of Business Financial Review

 

  73 Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

  75 Accounting Changes

 

  75 Critical Accounting Policies

 

  78 Controls and Procedures

 

79 Reports of Management and Independent Accountants

 

82 Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes

 

150 Five-year Consolidated Financial Statements

 

152 Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data

 

153 Supplemental Financial Data

 

156 Company Information

 

167 Executive Officers

 

169 Directors

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION APPEARS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995:

This report contains forward-looking statements about U.S. Bancorp. Statements that are not historical or current facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements and are based on the information available to, and assumptions and estimates made by, management as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements cover, among other things, anticipated future revenue and expenses and the future plans and prospects of U.S. Bancorp. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. A reversal or slowing of the current economic recovery or another severe contraction could adversely affect U.S. Bancorp’s revenues and the values of its assets and liabilities. Global financial markets could experience a recurrence of significant turbulence, which could reduce the availability of funding to certain financial institutions and lead to a tightening of credit, a reduction of business activity, and increased market volatility. Stress in the commercial real estate markets, as well as a downturn in the residential real estate markets could cause credit losses and deterioration in asset values. In addition, U.S. Bancorp’s business and financial performance is likely to be negatively impacted by recently enacted and future legislation and regulation. U.S. Bancorp’s results could also be adversely affected by deterioration in general business and economic conditions; changes in interest rates; deterioration in the credit quality of its loan portfolios or in the value of the collateral securing those loans; deterioration in the value of securities held in its investment securities portfolio; legal and regulatory developments; litigation; increased competition from both banks and non-banks; changes in customer behavior and preferences; breaches in data security; effects of mergers and acquisitions and related integration; effects of critical accounting policies and judgments; and management’s ability to effectively manage credit risk, market risk, operational risk, compliance risk, strategic risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk and reputational risk.

Additional factors could cause actual results to differ from expectations, including the risks discussed in the “Corporate Risk Profile” section on pages 42–67 and the “Risk Factors” section on pages 156 –166 of this report. However, factors other than these also could adversely affect U.S. Bancorp’s results, and the reader should not consider these factors to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and U.S. Bancorp undertakes no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events.

 

 

 25 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 

OVERVIEW

U.S. Bancorp and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) delivered record financial performance in 2015, which was a year characterized by persistent and historically low interest rates, modest economic growth, and increasing regulatory requirements. In 2015, the Company effectively balanced decisions on operating efficiencies with opportunities for investing in future growth and addressing its customers’ needs. These actions resulted in delivering record full-year net income and diluted earnings per share.

The Company earned $5.9 billion in 2015, an increase of 0.5 percent over 2014, principally due to higher net interest income, a lower provision for credit losses and prudent management of expenses. Net interest income was higher than the prior year as a result of an increase in average earning assets and continued growth in lower cost deposit funding, partially offset by a decrease in the net interest margin. The Company’s loan portfolio credit quality continued to improve throughout the year, as reflected by the decreases in net charge-offs and nonperforming assets. The Company’s continued focus on controlling expenses allowed it to achieve an industry-leading efficiency ratio of 53.8 percent in 2015. In addition, the Company’s return on average assets and return on common equity were 1.44 percent and 14.0 percent, respectively, the highest among its peers.

During 2015, the Company continued to demonstrate its ability to create value for shareholders and customers by returning 72 percent of its earnings to common shareholders through dividends and common share repurchases. This was accomplished by generating steady growth in commercial and consumer lending, new credit card accounts and total deposits, by building momentum in its core business, particularly within Wealth Management and Securities Services and Payment Services, and by maintaining a very strong capital base.

The Company’s common equity tier 1 to risk-weighted assets ratio using the Basel III standardized approach and Basel III advanced approaches, as if fully implemented, were 9.1 percent and 11.9 percent, respectively, at December 31, 2015 — above the Company’s targeted ratio of 8.0 percent and well above the minimum ratio of 7.0 percent required when fully implemented. Refer to “Non-GAAP Financial

Measures” for further information on the calculation of these measures. In addition, refer to Table 23 for a summary of the statutory capital ratios in effect for the Company at December 31, 2015 and 2014. Further, credit rating organizations rate the Company’s debt among the highest of any bank in the world. This comparative financial strength provides the Company with favorable funding costs, strong liquidity and the ability to attract new customers.

In 2015, average loans and deposits increased $8.8 billion (3.6 percent) and $20.5 billion (7.7 percent), respectively, over 2014, reflecting the confidence the Company’s customers have in trusting one of the highest rated banks in the world. Loan growth included increases in commercial, commercial real estate, credit card and other retail loans, partially offset by a decline in loans covered by loss sharing agreements with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) (“covered” loans), which is a run-off portfolio. Deposit growth included increases in noninterest-bearing and total savings deposits.

The Company’s provision for credit losses decreased $97 million (7.9 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014. Net charge-offs decreased $162 million (12.1 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, principally due to improvement in economic conditions during 2015. The provision for credit losses was $40 million less than net charge-offs in 2015, compared with $105 million less than net charge-offs in 2014, reflecting loan growth partially offset by improved economic conditions.

The Company’s actions to generate growth in its balance sheet and revenues, combined with making prudent long-term investments to protect its industry-leading competitive positions have put it on a positive forward-looking trajectory. This has been accomplished by helping its customers build financially secure futures, along with deliberate efforts to optimize its expense management initiatives. The Company has positioned itself for growth in 2016, following record fourth quarter 2015 revenue, increasing loan growth and stable net interest margin, while making progress toward achieving positive operating leverage by thoughtfully managing expenses. The Company remains focused on delivering consistent, predictable and repeatable financial results for the benefit of its customers, employees, communities and shareholders.

 

 

 26 


  TABLE 1   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

Year Ended December 31

(Dollars and Shares in Millions, Except Per Share Data)

  2015      2014      2013      2012      2011  

Condensed Income Statement

             

Net interest income (taxable-equivalent basis)(a)

  $ 11,214       $ 10,997       $ 10,828       $ 10,969       $ 10,348   

Noninterest income

    9,092         9,161         8,765         9,334         8,791   

Securities gains (losses), net

            3         9         (15      (31
 

 

 

 

Total net revenue

    20,306         20,161         19,602         20,288         19,108   

Noninterest expense

    10,931         10,715         10,274         10,456         9,911   

Provision for credit losses

    1,132         1,229         1,340         1,882         2,343   
 

 

 

 

Income before taxes

    8,243         8,217         7,988         7,950         6,854   

Taxable-equivalent adjustment

    213         222         224         224         225   

Applicable income taxes

    2,097         2,087         2,032         2,236         1,841   
 

 

 

 

Net income

    5,933         5,908         5,732         5,490         4,788   

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (54      (57      104         157         84   
 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to U.S. Bancorp

  $ 5,879       $ 5,851       $ 5,836       $ 5,647       $ 4,872   
 

 

 

 

Net income applicable to U.S. Bancorp common shareholders

  $ 5,608       $ 5,583       $ 5,552       $ 5,383       $ 4,721   
 

 

 

 

Per Common Share

             

Earnings per share

  $ 3.18       $ 3.10       $ 3.02       $ 2.85       $ 2.47   

Diluted earnings per share

    3.16         3.08         3.00         2.84         2.46   

Dividends declared per share

    1.010         .965         .885         .780         .500   

Book value per share

    23.28         21.68         19.92         18.31         16.43   

Market value per share

    42.67         44.95         40.40         31.94         27.05   

Average common shares outstanding

    1,764         1,803         1,839         1,887         1,914   

Average diluted common shares outstanding

    1,772         1,813         1,849         1,896         1,923   

Financial Ratios

             

Return on average assets

    1.44      1.54      1.65      1.65      1.53

Return on average common equity

    14.0         14.7         15.8         16.2         15.8   

Net interest margin (taxable-equivalent basis)(a)

    3.05         3.23         3.44         3.58         3.65   

Efficiency ratio(b)

    53.8         53.2         52.4         51.5         51.8   

Net charge-offs as a percent of average loans outstanding

    .47         .55         .64         .97         1.41   

Average Balances

             

Loans

  $ 250,459       $ 241,692       $ 227,474       $ 215,374       $ 201,427   

Loans held for sale

    5,784         3,148         5,723         7,847         4,873   

Investment securities(c)

    103,161         90,327         75,046         72,501         63,645   

Earning assets

    367,445         340,994         315,139         306,270         283,290   

Assets

    408,865         380,004         352,680         342,849         318,264   

Noninterest-bearing deposits

    79,203         73,455         69,020         67,241         53,856   

Deposits

    287,151         266,640         250,457         235,710         213,159   

Short-term borrowings

    27,960         30,252         27,683         28,549         30,703   

Long-term debt

    33,566         26,535         21,280         28,448         31,684   

Total U.S. Bancorp shareholders’ equity

    44,813         42,837         39,917         37,611         32,200   

Period End Balances

             

Loans

  $ 260,849       $ 247,851       $ 235,235       $ 223,329       $ 209,835   

Investment securities

    105,587         101,043         79,855         74,528         70,814   

Assets

    421,853         402,529         364,021         353,855         340,122   

Deposits

    300,400         282,733         262,123         249,183         230,885   

Long-term debt

    32,078         32,260         20,049         25,516         31,953   

Total U.S. Bancorp shareholders’ equity

    46,131         43,479         41,113         38,998         33,978   

Asset Quality

             

Nonperforming assets

  $ 1,523       $ 1,808       $ 2,037       $ 2,671       $ 3,774   

Allowance for credit losses

    4,306         4,375         4,537         4,733         5,014   

Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of period-end loans

    1.65      1.77      1.93      2.12      2.39

Capital Ratios

             

Common equity tier 1 capital(d)

    9.6      9.7      9.4 %(e)       9.0 %(e)       8.6 %(e) 

Tier 1 capital(d)

    11.3         11.3         11.2         10.8         10.8   

Total risk-based capital(d)

    13.3         13.6         13.2         13.1         13.3   

Leverage(d)

    9.5         9.3         9.6         9.2         9.1   

Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets for the Basel III transitional advanced approaches

    12.5         12.4            

Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets estimated for the Basel III fully implemented standardized approach(e)(f)

    9.1         9.0         8.8         8.1         8.2   

Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets estimated for the Basel III fully implemented advanced approaches(e)

    11.9         11.8            

Tangible common equity to tangible assets(e)

    7.6         7.5         7.7         7.2         6.6   

Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets(e)

    9.2         9.3         9.1         8.6         8.1   
(a) Presented on a fully taxable-equivalent basis utilizing a tax rate of 35 percent.
(b) Computed as noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis and noninterest income excluding net securities gains (losses).
(c) Excludes unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investment securities and any premiums or discounts recorded related to the transfer of investment securities at fair value from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity.
(d) December 31, 2015 and 2014, calculated under the Basel III transitional standardized approach; all other periods calculated under Basel I.
(e) See Non-GAAP Financial Measures beginning on page 73.
(f) December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, calculated using final rules for the Basel III fully implemented standardized approach; December 31, 2012, calculated using proposed rules released June 2012; December 31, 2011, calculated using proposed rules released prior to June 2012.

 

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Earnings Summary The Company reported net income attributable to U.S. Bancorp of $5.88 billion in 2015, or $3.16 per diluted common share, compared with $5.85 billion, or $3.08 per diluted common share, in 2014. Return on average assets and return on average common equity were 1.44 percent and 14.0 percent, respectively, in 2015, compared with 1.54 percent and 14.7 percent, respectively, in 2014.

Total net revenue, on a taxable-equivalent basis, for 2015 was $145 million (0.7 percent) higher than 2014, reflecting a 2.0 percent increase in net interest income, partially offset by a 0.8 percent decrease in noninterest income. The increase in net interest income from the prior year was the result of an increase in average earning assets and continued growth in lower cost core deposit funding, partially offset by a decrease in the net interest margin. The decrease in noninterest income was primarily due to a gain related to an equity interest in Nuveen Investments (“Nuveen gain”) recorded in 2014, lower gains from sales of shares of Visa Inc. Class B common stock, a 2015 market valuation adjustment to write down the value of student loans during the period they were held for sale (“student loan market adjustment”), and lower mortgage banking revenue, partially offset by higher revenue in most other fee businesses and a gain on the sale of a Health Savings Account deposit portfolio (“HSA deposit sale”) recorded in 2015.

Noninterest expense in 2015 was $216 million (2.0 percent) higher than 2014, primarily due to higher compensation and employee benefits expenses, including higher costs related to risk and compliance activities, partially offset by a settlement relating to the Federal Housing Administration’s insurance program (“FHA DOJ settlement”) recorded in 2014, prior year legal accruals and charitable contributions.

Acquisitions In June 2014, the Company acquired the Chicago-area branch banking operations of the Charter One Bank franchise (“Charter One”) owned by RBS Citizens Financial Group. The acquisition included Charter One’s retail branch network, small business operations and select middle market relationships. The Company acquired approximately $969 million of loans and $4.8 billion of deposits with this transaction.

STATEMENT OF INCOME ANALYSIS

Net Interest Income Net interest income, on a taxable-equivalent basis, was $11.2 billion in 2015, compared with $11.0 billion in 2014 and $10.8 billion in 2013. The $217 million (2.0 percent) increase in net interest income in 2015, compared with 2014, was primarily the result of growth

in average earning assets and continued growth in lower cost core deposit funding, partially offset by a continued shift in loan portfolio mix, lower reinvestment rates on investment securities and lower loan fees due to the wind down of the short-term, small-dollar deposit advance product, Checking Account Advance (“CAA”). Average earning assets were $26.4 billion (7.8 percent) higher in 2015, compared with 2014, driven by increases in loans and investment securities. The net interest margin, on a taxable-equivalent basis, in 2015 was 3.05 percent, compared with 3.23 percent in 2014 and 3.44 percent in 2013. The decrease in the net interest margin in 2015, compared with 2014, primarily reflected a change in the loan portfolio mix, growth in the investment portfolio at lower average rates and lower reinvestment rates on investment securities, as well as lower loan fees due to the CAA product wind down. Refer to the “Interest Rate Risk Management” section for further information on the sensitivity of the Company’s net interest income to changes in interest rates.

Average total loans were $250.5 billion in 2015, compared with $241.7 billion in 2014. The $8.8 billion (3.6 percent) increase was driven by growth in commercial, commercial real estate, credit card and other retail loans, partially offset by a decrease in covered loans. Average commercial loans increased $8.3 billion (11.0 percent), driven by higher demand for loans from new and existing customers. Average commercial real estate loans increased $1.8 billion (4.5 percent), driven by the reclassification of covered commercial real estate loans resulting from the expiration of loss sharing agreements related to those loans at the end of 2014, as well as higher loan demand. Average credit card balances increased $422 million (2.4 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, due to customer growth, including portfolio acquisitions during 2015. The $726 million (1.5 percent) increase in average other retail loans was primarily due to higher auto and installment loans, partially offset by lower student loan balances, reflecting their classification as held for sale for a portion of 2015. Average residential mortgages were essentially unchanged in 2015, compared with 2014. Average covered loans decreased $2.6 billion (34.1 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, the result of portfolio run-off and the expiration of the loss sharing agreements on commercial and commercial real estate loans at the end of 2014.

 

 

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  TABLE 2   ANALYSIS OF NET INTEREST INCOME (a)

 

Year Ended December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015      2014      2013     

2015

v 2014

    

2014

v 2013

 

Components of Net Interest Income

               

Income on earning assets (taxable-equivalent basis)

  $ 12,619       $ 12,454       $ 12,513       $ 165       $ (59

Expense on interest-bearing liabilities (taxable-equivalent basis)

    1,405         1,457         1,685         (52      (228

Net interest income (taxable-equivalent basis)

  $ 11,214       $ 10,997       $ 10,828       $ 217       $ 169   

Net interest income, as reported

  $ 11,001       $ 10,775       $ 10,604       $ 226       $ 171   

Average Yields and Rates Paid

               

Earning assets yield (taxable-equivalent basis)

    3.43      3.65      3.97      (.22 )%       (.32 )% 

Rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities (taxable-equivalent basis)

    .52         .58         .73         (.06      (.15

Gross interest margin (taxable-equivalent basis)

    2.91      3.07      3.24      (.16 )%       (.17 )% 

Net interest margin (taxable-equivalent basis)

    3.05      3.23      3.44      (.18 )%       (.21 )% 

Average Balances

               

Investment securities(b)

  $ 103,161       $ 90,327       $ 75,046       $ 12,834       $ 15,281   

Loans

    250,459         241,692         227,474         8,767         14,218   

Earning assets

    367,445         340,994         315,139         26,451         25,855   

Interest-bearing liabilities

    269,474         249,972         230,400         19,502         19,572   
(a) Interest and rates are presented on a fully taxable-equivalent basis utilizing a federal tax rate of 35 percent.
(b) Excludes unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investment securities and any premiums or discounts recorded related to the transfer of investment securities at fair value from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity.

 

Average investment securities in 2015 were $12.8 billion (14.2 percent) higher than 2014, primarily due to purchases of U.S. government and agency-backed securities, net of prepayments and maturities, to support regulatory liquidity coverage ratio requirements.

Average total deposits for 2015 were $20.5 billion (7.7 percent) higher than 2014. Average noninterest-bearing deposits for 2015 were $5.7 billion (7.8 percent) higher than the prior year, reflecting growth in Consumer and Small Business Banking, and Wholesale Banking and Commercial Real Estate. Average total savings deposits for 2015 were $21.0 billion (13.8 percent) higher than 2014, reflecting growth in Consumer and Small Business Banking, including the impact of the Charter One branch acquisitions, Wholesale Banking and Commercial Real Estate and corporate trust balances. Average time deposits for 2015 were $6.2 billion (14.9 percent) lower than 2014. Changes in time deposits are largely related to those deposits managed as an alternative to other wholesale funding sources, based largely on funding needs and relative pricing.

The $169 million (1.6 percent) increase in net interest income in 2014, compared with 2013, was primarily the result of growth in average earning assets and lower cost core deposit funding, partially offset by lower rates on new loans and investment securities and lower loan fees. Average earning assets were $25.9 billion (8.2 percent) higher in 2014, compared with 2013, driven by increases in loans and investment securities, partially offset by decreases in loans

held for sale. The decrease in the net interest margin in 2014, compared with 2013, primarily reflected lower reinvestment rates on investment securities, as well as growth in the investment portfolio at lower average rates, lower loan fees due to the CAA product wind down, and strong growth in lower margin commercial loans, partially offset by lower funding costs.

Average total loans increased $14.2 billion (6.3 percent) in 2014, compared with 2013, driven by growth in commercial loans, residential mortgages, commercial real estate loans, credit card loans and other retail loans, partially offset by a decrease in covered loans. Average commercial loans, residential mortgages and commercial real estate loans increased $8.5 billion (12.6 percent), $3.8 billion (8.0 percent) and $2.4 billion (6.2 percent), respectively, driven by higher demand for loans from new and existing customers. Average credit card balances increased $822 million (4.9 percent) in 2014, compared with 2013, due to customer growth. The $1.2 billion (2.6 percent) increase in average other retail loans was primarily due to higher auto and installment loans, partially offset by lower student loan balances. Average covered loans decreased $2.5 billion (24.7 percent) in 2014, compared with 2013.

Average investment securities in 2014 were $15.3 billion (20.4 percent) higher than 2013, due to purchases of U.S. government and agency-backed securities, net of prepayments and maturities, in preparation for final liquidity coverage ratio requirements.

 

 

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  TABLE 3   NET INTEREST INCOME — CHANGES DUE TO RATE AND VOLUME (a)

 

    2015 v 2014      2014 v 2013  
Year Ended December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   Volume        Yield/Rate        Total      Volume        Yield/Rate        Total  

Increase (decrease) in

                          
 

Interest Income

                          

Investment securities

  $ 282         $ (153      $ 129       $ 359         $ (135      $ 224   

Loans held for sale

    108           (30        78         (92        17           (75

Loans

                          

Commercial

    245           (192        53         272           (212        60   

Commercial real estate

    71           4           75         98           (112        (14

Residential mortgages

    1           (36        (35      157           (115        42   

Credit card

    43           109           152         83           43           126   

Other retail

    32           (153        (121      60           (237        (177

Total loans, excluding covered loans

    392           (268        124         670           (633        37   

Covered loans

    (154        (27        (181      (159        (32        (191

Total loans

    238           (295        (57      511           (665        (154

Other earning assets

    46           (31        15         (27        (27        (54

Total earning assets

    674           (509        165         751           (810        (59
 

Interest Expense

                          

Interest-bearing deposits

                          

Interest checking

    2           (7        (5      3           (4        (1

Money market savings

    28           47           75         12           29           41   

Savings accounts

    4           (10        (6      3           (6        (3

Time deposits

    (40        (32        (72      (30        (103        (133

Total interest-bearing deposits

    (6        (2        (8      (12        (84        (96

Short-term borrowings

    (20        2           (18      33           (123        (90

Long-term debt

    192           (218        (26      189           (231        (42

Total interest-bearing liabilities

    166           (218        (52      210           (438        (228

Increase (decrease) in net interest income

  $ 508         $ (291      $ 217       $ 541         $ (372      $ 169   
(a) This table shows the components of the change in net interest income by volume and rate on a taxable-equivalent basis utilizing a tax rate of 35 percent. This table does not take into account the level of noninterest-bearing funding, nor does it fully reflect changes in the mix of assets and liabilities. The change in interest not solely due to changes in volume or rates has been allocated on a pro-rata basis to volume and yield/rate.

 

Average total deposits for 2014 were $16.2 billion (6.5 percent) higher than 2013. Average noninterest-bearing deposits for 2014 were $4.4 billion (6.4 percent) higher than 2013, reflecting growth in Consumer and Small Business Banking, including the impact of the Charter One branch acquisitions, Wholesale Banking and Commercial Real Estate, and Wealth Management and Securities Services balances. Average total savings deposits for 2014 were $15.2 billion (11.2 percent) higher than 2013, reflecting growth in Consumer and Small Business Banking, including the impact of the Charter One branch acquisitions, Wholesale Banking and Commercial Real Estate and corporate trust balances. Average time deposits, which are managed based on funding needs and relative pricing, decreased $3.5 billion (7.6 percent) in 2014, compared with 2013.

Provision for Credit Losses The provision for credit losses reflects changes in the size and credit quality of the entire portfolio of loans. The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses considered appropriate by management for probable and estimable incurred losses, based on factors

discussed in the “Analysis and Determination of Allowance for Credit Losses” section.

In 2015, the provision for credit losses was $1.1 billion, compared with $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion in 2014 and 2013, respectively. The provision for credit losses was lower than net charge-offs by $40 million in 2015, $105 million in 2014 and $125 million in 2013. The $97 million (7.9 percent) decrease in the provision for credit losses in 2015, compared with 2014, reflected improving credit trends and the underlying risk profile of the loan portfolio as economic conditions continued to slowly improve during the period, partially offset by portfolio growth. Nonperforming assets decreased $285 million (15.8 percent) from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2015, primarily driven by nonperforming asset reductions in the commercial real estate, residential mortgages, and home equity and second mortgage portfolios, as economic conditions continued to slowly improve during the period. In addition, accruing loans ninety days or more past due decreased by $114 million (12.1 percent) from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2015. Net charge-offs decreased $162 million (12.1 percent) in

 

 

 30 


2015 from 2014 due to improvement in the residential mortgages, and home equity and second mortgages portfolios, as economic conditions continue to slowly improve in 2015, partially offset by higher commercial loan net charge-offs.

The $111 million (8.3 percent) decrease in the provision for credit losses in 2014, compared with 2013, reflected improving credit trends in residential mortgages and home equity and second mortgages as economic conditions improved during 2014, partially offset by portfolio growth and higher commercial loan net charge-offs and lower commercial real estate loan recoveries in 2014. Accruing loans ninety days or more past due decreased by $244 million (20.5 percent) from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014, primarily reflecting improvement in the residential mortgages portfolio. Nonperforming assets decreased $229 million (11.2 percent) from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014, primarily driven by reductions in the commercial, commercial mortgage and construction and development portfolios, as well as by improvement in credit card loans. Net charge-offs decreased $131 million (8.9 percent) in 2014 from 2013 due to the improvement in the residential mortgages and home equity and second mortgages portfolios, reflecting improving economic conditions, partially offset by higher commercial loan net charge-offs and lower commercial real estate loan recoveries in 2014.

Refer to “Corporate Risk Profile” for further information on the provision for credit losses, net charge-offs, nonperforming assets and other factors considered by the Company in assessing the credit quality of the loan portfolio and establishing the allowance for credit losses.

 

Noninterest Income Noninterest income in 2015 was $9.1 billion, compared with $9.2 billion in 2014 and $8.8 billion in 2013. The $72 million (0.8 percent) decrease in 2015 from 2014 reflected the 2014 Nuveen gain, lower gains from Visa stock sales, the 2015 student loan market adjustment and lower mortgage banking revenue, partially offset by higher revenue in most other fee businesses and the 2015 HSA deposit sale gain. The decrease in mortgage banking revenue in 2015 of 10.2 percent, compared with 2014, was primarily due to an unfavorable change in the valuation of mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”), net of hedging activities, partially offset by an increase in mortgage production volume. Credit and debit card revenue increased 4.8 percent in 2015 compared with 2014, due to higher transaction volumes. Trust and investment management fees increased 5.5 percent, reflecting the benefits of the Company’s investments in its corporate trust and fund services businesses, as well as account growth, improved market conditions and lower fee waivers. Merchant processing services revenue was 2.4 percent higher as a result of higher transaction volumes, along with account growth and equipment sales to merchants related to new chip technology requirements. Adjusted for the impact of foreign currency rate changes, the increase would have been approximately 6.9 percent. In addition, treasury management fees increased 2.9 percent in 2015 compared with 2014, due to higher transaction volumes, and commercial products revenue increased due to higher syndication and bond underwriting fees and higher commercial leasing revenue, partially offset by lower standby letter of credit fees.

 

 

  TABLE 4   NONINTEREST INCOME

 

Year Ended December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013      2015
v 2014
     2014
v 2013
 

Credit and debit card revenue

  $ 1,070         $ 1,021         $ 965         4.8      5.8

Corporate payment products revenue

    708           724           706         (2.2      2.5   

Merchant processing services

    1,547           1,511           1,458         2.4         3.6   

ATM processing services

    318           321           327         (.9      (1.8

Trust and investment management fees

    1,321           1,252           1,139         5.5         9.9   

Deposit service charges

    702           693           670         1.3         3.4   

Treasury management fees

    561           545           538         2.9         1.3   

Commercial products revenue

    867           854           859         1.5         (.6

Mortgage banking revenue

    906           1,009           1,356         (10.2      (25.6

Investment products fees

    185           191           178         (3.1      7.3   

Securities gains (losses), net

              3           9         *         (66.7

Other

    907           1,040           569         (12.8      82.8   

Total noninterest income

  $ 9,092         $ 9,164         $ 8,774         (.8 )%       4.4
* Not meaningful.

 

 31 


The $390 million (4.4 percent) increase in noninterest income in 2014 from 2013 was principally due to increases in a majority of fee revenue categories and other income, partially offset by a reduction in mortgage banking revenue. Trust and investment management fees increased 9.9 percent in 2014, compared with 2013, reflecting account growth, improved market conditions and business expansion. Merchant processing services revenue was 3.6 percent higher as a result of an increase in fee-based product revenue and higher volumes, partially offset by lower rates. Credit and debit card revenue and corporate payment products revenue increased 5.8 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively, primarily due to higher transaction volumes. Deposit service charges were 3.4 percent higher due to account growth, the Charter One branch acquisitions and pricing changes. Investment products fee revenue increased 7.3 percent primarily due to higher transaction volumes. Other income increased 82.8 percent in 2014, compared with 2013, reflecting higher equity investment income, including 2014 gains on Visa stock sales and the Nuveen gain, and higher retail leasing revenue. The decrease in mortgage banking revenue in 2014 of 25.6 percent, compared with 2013, was primarily due to lower origination and sales revenue, partially offset by favorable changes in the valuation of MSRs, net of hedging activities.

 

Noninterest Expense Noninterest expense in 2015 was $10.9 billion, compared with $10.7 billion in 2014 and $10.3 billion in 2013. The Company’s efficiency ratio was 53.8 percent in 2015, compared with 53.2 percent in 2014 and 52.4 percent in 2013. The $216 million (2.0 percent) increase in noninterest expense in 2015 over 2014 reflected higher compensation, employee benefits and other costs related to compliance activities during 2015. Compensation expense increased 6.4 percent, reflecting the impact of merit increases, higher staffing for risk and compliance activities, as well as the Charter One branch acquisitions. Employee benefits expense increased 12.1 percent, primarily the result of higher pension costs. In addition, technology and communications expense increased 2.8 percent in 2015 over 2014, reflecting higher software license and maintenance costs. Offsetting these increases was a 5.5 percent decrease in marketing and business development expense reflecting higher charitable contributions in 2014, a 9.5 percent decrease in postage, printing and supplies expense due to a 2015 reimbursement from a business partner, and a 12.6 percent decrease in other intangibles expense due to the reduction or completion of amortization of certain intangibles. In addition, other expense decreased 8.0 percent, reflecting the impact of the 2014 FHA DOJ settlement and prior year legal accruals, partially offset by higher current year compliance-related expenses.

 

 

  TABLE 5   NONINTEREST EXPENSE

 

Year Ended December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015      2014      2013      2015
v 2014
     2014
v 2013
 

Compensation

  $ 4,812       $ 4,523       $ 4,371         6.4      3.5

Employee benefits

    1,167         1,041         1,140         12.1         (8.7

Net occupancy and equipment

    991         987         949         .4         4.0   

Professional services

    423         414         381         2.2         8.7   

Marketing and business development

    361         382         357         (5.5      7.0   

Technology and communications

    887         863         848         2.8         1.8   

Postage, printing and supplies

    297         328         310         (9.5      5.8   

Other intangibles

    174         199         223         (12.6      (10.8

Other

    1,819         1,978         1,695         (8.0      16.7   

Total noninterest expense

  $ 10,931       $ 10,715       $ 10,274         2.0      4.3

Efficiency ratio(a)

    53.8      53.2      52.4                  
(a) Computed as noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis and noninterest income excluding net securities gains (losses).

 

 32 


The $441 million (4.3 percent) increase in noninterest expense in 2014 over 2013 was the result of increases in most noninterest expense categories. Compensation expense increased 3.5 percent, reflecting the impact of merit increases, acquisitions and higher staffing for risk, compliance and internal audit activities (partially offset by lower employee benefits expense of 8.7 percent, driven by lower pension costs). Net occupancy and equipment expense was 4.0 percent higher due to business initiatives and higher maintenance costs, and professional services expense increased 8.7 percent due mainly to mortgage servicing-related and other project costs. Marketing and business development expense increased 7.0 percent primarily due to higher charitable contributions, technology and communications expense increased 1.8 percent as result of business initiatives across most business lines, and postage printing and supplies expense increased 5.8 percent due to higher postage expense and demand for credit and prepaid cards. In addition, other expense increased 16.7 percent in 2014 over 2013, reflecting the 2014 FHA DOJ settlement, accruals related to certain legal matters, Charter One merger integration costs and mortgage servicing-related expenses, partially offset by lower tax-advantaged project costs.

Pension Plans Because of the long-term nature of pension plans, the related accounting is complex and can be impacted by several factors, including investment funding policies, accounting methods and actuarial assumptions.

The Company’s pension accounting reflects the long-term nature of the benefit obligations and the investment horizon of plan assets. Amounts recorded in the financial statements reflect actuarial assumptions about participant benefits and plan asset returns. Changes in actuarial assumptions and differences in actual plan experience, compared with actuarial assumptions, are deferred and recognized in expense in future periods. Differences related to participant benefits are recognized in expense over the future service period of the employees. Differences related to the expected return on plan assets are included in expense over a period of approximately twelve years.

The Company expects pension expense to decrease approximately $100 million in 2016, primarily driven by a higher expected return on plan assets due to 2015 actual and 2016 expected contributions, a higher discount rate and lower expected amortization due to recognition of prior losses. Because of the complexity of forecasting pension plan activities, the accounting methods utilized for pension plans, the Company’s ability to respond to factors affecting the plans and the hypothetical nature of actuarial assumptions, the actual pension expense decrease may differ from the expected amount.

Refer to Note 17 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the Company’s pension plan funding practices, investment policies and asset allocation strategies, and accounting policies for pension plans.

The following table shows an analysis of hypothetical changes in the discount rate and long-term rate of return (“LTROR”):

 

Discount Rate (Dollars in Millions)   Down 100
Basis Points
     Up 100
Basis Points
 

Incremental benefit (expense)

  $ (118    $ 95   

Percent of 2015 net income

    (1.23 )%       .99
LTROR (Dollars in Millions)   Down 100
Basis Points
     Up 100
Basis Points
 

Incremental benefit (expense)

  $ (35    $ 35   

Percent of 2015 net income

    (.37 )%       .37

Income Tax Expense The provision for income taxes was $2.1 billion (an effective rate of 26.1 percent) in 2015 and 2014, and $2.0 billion (an effective rate of 26.2 percent) in 2013.

For further information on income taxes, refer to Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS

Average earning assets were $367.4 billion in 2015, compared with $341.0 billion in 2014. The increase in average earning assets of $26.4 billion (7.8 percent) was primarily due to increases in investment securities of $12.8 billion (14.2 percent), loans of $8.8 billion (3.6 percent) and loans held for sale of $2.6 billion (83.7 percent).

For average balance information, refer to Consolidated Daily Average Balance Sheet and Related Yields and Rates on pages 154 and 155.

Loans The Company’s loan portfolio was $260.8 billion at December 31, 2015, compared with $247.9 billion at December 31, 2014, an increase of $13.0 billion (5.2 percent). The increase was driven by increases in commercial loans of $8.0 billion (10.0 percent), credit card loans of $2.5 billion (13.5 percent), other retail loans of $1.9 billion (3.9 percent) and residential mortgages of $1.9 billion (3.6 percent), partially offset by decreases in commercial real estate loans of $658 million (1.5 percent) and covered loans of $685 million (13.0 percent). Table 6 provides a summary of the loan distribution by product type, while Table 12 provides a summary of the selected loan maturity distribution by loan category. Average total loans increased $8.8 billion (3.6 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014. The increase was due to growth in most loan portfolio classes in 2015.

 

 

 33 


Commercial Commercial loans, including lease financing, increased $8.0 billion (10.0 percent) at December 31, 2015, compared with December 31, 2014. Average commercial loans increased $8.3 billion (11.0 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014. The growth was primarily driven by higher demand from new and existing customers. Table 7 provides a summary of commercial loans by industry and geographical locations.

Commercial Real Estate The Company’s portfolio of commercial real estate loans, which includes commercial mortgages and construction and development loans, decreased $658 million (1.5 percent) at December 31, 2015, compared with December 31, 2014, primarily the result of customers paying down balances in the second half of 2015. Average commercial real estate loans increased $1.8 billion (4.5 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014. Table 8 provides a summary of commercial real estate loans by property type and geographical location.

The Company reclassifies construction loans to the commercial mortgage category if permanent financing is provided by the Company. In 2015, approximately $361 million of construction loans were reclassified to the commercial mortgage category. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, $155 million of tax-exempt industrial development loans were secured by real estate. The Company’s commercial mortgage and construction and development loans had unfunded commitments of $10.4 billion and $10.7 billion at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The Company also finances the operations of real estate developers and other entities with operations related to real estate. These loans are not secured directly by real estate but are subject to terms and conditions similar to commercial loans. These loans were included in the commercial loan category and totaled $5.8 billion and $4.6 billion at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

 

  TABLE 6   LOAN PORTFOLIO DISTRIBUTION

 

    2015   2014   2013   2012   2011  
At December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   Amount     Percent
of Total
         Amount     Percent
of Total
         Amount     Percent
of Total
         Amount     Percent
of Total
         Amount     Percent
of Total
 

Commercial

                                   

Commercial

  $ 83,116        31.9       $ 74,996        30.2       $ 64,762        27.5       $ 60,742        27.2       $ 50,734        24.2

Lease financing

    5,286        2.0            5,381        2.2            5,271        2.3            5,481        2.5            5,914        2.8   

Total commercial

    88,402        33.9            80,377        32.4            70,033        29.8            66,223        29.7            56,648        27.0   
       

Commercial Real Estate

                                   

Commercial mortgages

    31,773        12.2            33,360        13.5            32,183        13.7            31,005        13.9            29,664        14.1   

Construction and development

    10,364        3.9            9,435        3.8            7,702        3.3            5,948        2.6            6,187        3.0   

Total commercial real estate

    42,137        16.1            42,795        17.3            39,885        17.0            36,953        16.5            35,851        17.1   
       

Residential Mortgages

                                   

Residential mortgages

    40,425        15.5            38,598        15.6            37,545        15.9            32,648        14.6            28,669        13.7   

Home equity loans, first liens

    13,071        5.0            13,021        5.2            13,611        5.8            11,370        5.1            8,413        4.0   

Total residential mortgages

    53,496        20.5            51,619        20.8            51,156        21.7            44,018        19.7            37,082        17.7   

Credit Card

    21,012        8.1            18,515        7.5            18,021        7.7            17,115        7.7            17,360        8.3   
       

Other Retail

                                   

Retail leasing

    5,232        2.0            5,871        2.4            5,929        2.5            5,419        2.4            5,118        2.4   

Home equity and second mortgages

    16,384        6.3            15,916        6.4            15,442        6.6            16,726        7.5            18,131        8.6   

Revolving credit

    3,354        1.3            3,309        1.3            3,276        1.4            3,332        1.5            3,344        1.6   

Installment

    7,030        2.7            6,242        2.5            5,709        2.4            5,463        2.4            5,348        2.6   

Automobile

    16,587        6.3            14,822        6.0            13,743        5.8            12,593        5.6            11,508        5.5   

Student

    2,619        1.0            3,104        1.3            3,579        1.5            4,179        1.9            4,658        2.2   

Total other retail

    51,206        19.6            49,264        19.9            47,678        20.2            47,712        21.3            48,107        22.9   

Total loans, excluding covered loans

    256,253        98.2            242,570        97.9            226,773        96.4            212,021        94.9            195,048        93.0   

Covered Loans

    4,596        1.8            5,281        2.1            8,462        3.6            11,308        5.1            14,787        7.0   

Total loans

  $ 260,849        100.0       $ 247,851        100.0       $ 235,235        100.0       $ 223,329        100.0       $ 209,835        100.0

 

 34 


  TABLE 7   COMMERCIAL LOANS BY INDUSTRY GROUP AND GEOGRAPHY

 

    2015      2014  
At December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   Loans        Percent      Loans        Percent  

Industry Group

                

Manufacturing

  $ 13,404           15.2    $ 12,261           15.3

Real estate, rental and leasing

    9,514           10.8         7,779           9.7   

Finance and insurance

    8,288           9.4         7,799           9.7   

Wholesale trade

    8,069           9.1         7,350           9.1   

Retail trade

    6,846           7.7         6,428           8.0   

Healthcare and social assistance

    5,802           6.6         5,280           6.6   

Public administration

    4,190           4.7         4,033           5.0   

Information

    3,542           4.0         2,702           3.4   

Professional, scientific and technical services

    3,493           4.0         3,121           3.9   

Transport and storage

    3,262           3.7         2,941           3.7   

Educational services

    2,791           3.2         2,286           2.8   

Arts, entertainment and recreation

    2,772           3.1         2,493           3.1   

Mining

    2,208           2.5         2,604           3.2   

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

    1,721           1.9         1,642           2.0   

Other services

    1,703           1.9         1,449           1.8   

Utilities

    1,435           1.6         1,404           1.7   

Other

    9,362           10.6         8,805           11.0   

Total

  $ 88,402           100.0    $ 80,377           100.0

Geography

                

California

  $ 11,253           12.7    $ 9,961           12.4

Colorado

    3,930           4.5         3,528           4.4   

Illinois

    4,636           5.3         4,108           5.1   

Minnesota

    7,166           8.1         6,316           7.9   

Missouri

    3,309           3.8         2,832           3.5   

Ohio

    4,063           4.6         3,534           4.4   

Oregon

    1,938           2.2         2,130           2.6   

Washington

    3,219           3.6         3,237           4.0   

Wisconsin

    2,936           3.3         3,090           3.8   

Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota

    4,543           5.1         4,400           5.5   

Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee

    5,106           5.8         4,949           6.2   

Idaho, Montana, Wyoming

    1,427           1.6         1,475           1.8   

Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah

    3,280           3.7         2,951           3.7   

Total banking region

    56,806           64.3         52,511           65.3   

Florida, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas

    15,819           17.9         14,036           17.5   

All other states

    15,777           17.8         13,830           17.2   

Total outside Company’s banking region

    31,596           35.7         27,866           34.7   

Total

  $ 88,402           100.0    $ 80,377           100.0

 

Residential Mortgages Residential mortgages held in the loan portfolio at December 31, 2015, increased $1.9 billion (3.6 percent) over December 31, 2014, reflecting higher origination and refinancing activity during 2015. Average residential mortgages were essentially flat in 2015, compared with 2014. Residential mortgages originated and placed in the Company’s loan portfolio include well-secured jumbo mortgages and branch-originated first lien home equity loans to borrowers with high credit quality.

Credit Card Total credit card loans increased $2.5 billion (13.5 percent) at December 31, 2015, compared with December 31, 2014. Average credit card balances increased $422 million (2.4 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014. The increases reflected new and existing customer growth during the period, including the 2015 acquisitions of credit card portfolios from Fidelity Investments and Auto Club Trust.

 

 

 35 


  TABLE 8   COMMERCIAL  REAL  ESTATE  LOANS  BY  PROPERTY  TYPE  AND   GEOGRAPHY

 

    2015      2014  
At December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   Loans        Percent      Loans        Percent  

Property Type

                

Business owner occupied

  $ 11,186           26.6    $ 11,535           26.9

Commercial property

                

Industrial

    1,530           3.6         1,582           3.7   

Office

    5,480           13.0         5,680           13.3   

Retail

    4,944           11.7         4,896           11.4   

Other commercial

    4,165           9.9         4,670           10.9   

Multi-family

    8,833           21.0         8,548           20.0   

Hotel/motel

    3,428           8.1         3,624           8.5   

Residential homebuilders

    2,319           5.5         1,996           4.7   

Healthcare facilities

    252           .6         264           .6   

Total

  $ 42,137           100.0    $ 42,795           100.0

Geography

                

California

  $ 10,456           24.8    $ 10,545           24.6

Colorado

    2,004           4.8         1,955           4.6   

Illinois

    1,810           4.3         2,153           5.0   

Minnesota

    2,022           4.8         2,031           4.7   

Missouri

    1,382           3.3         1,453           3.4   

Ohio

    1,260           3.0         1,391           3.3   

Oregon

    1,988           4.7         2,012           4.7   

Washington

    3,422           8.1         3,501           8.2   

Wisconsin

    2,323           5.5         2,293           5.4   

Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota

    2,227           5.3         2,202           5.1   

Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee

    1,708           4.1         1,764           4.1   

Idaho, Montana, Wyoming

    1,275           3.0         1,319           3.1   

Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah

    3,259           7.7         3,383           7.9   

Total banking region

    35,136           83.4         36,002           84.1   

Florida, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas

    3,793           9.0         3,656           8.6   

All other states

    3,208           7.6         3,137           7.3   

Total outside Company’s banking region

    7,001           16.6         6,793           15.9   

Total

  $ 42,137           100.0    $ 42,795           100.0

 

Other Retail Total other retail loans, which include retail leasing, home equity and second mortgages and other retail loans, increased $1.9 billion (3.9 percent) at December 31, 2015, compared with December 31, 2014. Average other retail loans increased $726 million (1.5 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014. The increases were primarily due to higher auto and installment loans, and home equity and second mortgages, partially offset by lower retail leasing and student loan balances. Of the total residential mortgages, credit card and other retail loans outstanding at

December 31, 2015, approximately 73.4 percent were to customers located in the Company’s primary banking region compared with 73.0 percent at December 31, 2014. Tables 9, 10 and 11 provide a geographic summary of residential mortgages, credit card loans and other retail loans outstanding, respectively, as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. The collateral for $3.1 billion of residential mortgages and other retail loans included in covered loans at December 31, 2015 was in California, compared with $3.5 billion at December 31, 2014.

 

 

 36 


  TABLE 9   RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGES BY GEOGRAPHY

 

    2015      2014  
At December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   Loans        Percent             Loans        Percent  

California

  $ 11,994           22.4          $ 9,943           19.3

Colorado

    3,047           5.7               2,969           5.7   

Illinois

    2,991           5.6               3,085           6.0   

Minnesota

    4,035           7.6               4,002           7.7   

Missouri

    1,955           3.7               2,090           4.0   

Ohio

    2,322           4.3               2,350           4.6   

Oregon

    2,144           4.0               2,071           4.0   

Washington

    3,020           5.6               2,874           5.6   

Wisconsin

    1,556           2.9               1,582           3.1   

Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota

    2,188           4.1               2,225           4.3   

Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee

    3,287           6.1               3,353           6.5   

Idaho, Montana, Wyoming

    1,209           2.3               1,198           2.3   

Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah

    3,773           7.1               3,518           6.8   

Total banking region

    43,521           81.4               41,260           79.9   

Florida, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas

    4,321           8.1               4,446           8.6   

All other states

    5,654           10.5               5,913           11.5   

Total outside Company’s banking region

    9,975           18.6               10,359           20.1   

Total

  $ 53,496           100.0          $ 51,619           100.0

 

  TABLE 10   CREDIT CARD LOANS BY GEOGRAPHY

 

    2015      2014  
At December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   Loans        Percent             Loans        Percent  

California

  $ 2,161           10.3          $ 1,919           10.3

Colorado

    787           3.7               699           3.8   

Illinois

    1,046           5.0               922           5.0   

Minnesota

    1,350           6.4               1,219           6.6   

Missouri

    746           3.6               661           3.6   

Ohio

    1,238           5.9               1,109           6.0   

Oregon

    707           3.4               626           3.4   

Washington

    898           4.3               809           4.4   

Wisconsin

    1,050           5.0               959           5.2   

Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota

    996           4.7               897           4.8   

Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee

    1,613           7.7               1,435           7.7   

Idaho, Montana, Wyoming

    406           1.9               363           1.9   

Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah

    1,031           4.9               884           4.8   

Total banking region

    14,029           66.8               12,502           67.5   

Florida, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas

    3,600           17.1               3,153           17.0   

All other states

    3,383           16.1               2,860           15.5   

Total outside Company’s banking region

    6,983           33.2               6,013           32.5   

Total

  $ 21,012           100.0          $ 18,515           100.0

 

 37 


  TABLE 11   OTHER RETAIL LOANS BY GEOGRAPHY

 

    2015             2014  
At December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   Loans        Percent             Loans        Percent  

California

  $ 7,495          14.6          $ 6,640           13.5

Colorado

    1,995           3.9               1,931           3.9   

Illinois

    3,000           5.8               2,808           5.7   

Minnesota

    3,600           7.0               3,666           7.4   

Missouri

    2,191           4.3               2,142           4.4   

Ohio

    2,740           5.4               2,626           5.3   

Oregon

    1,601           3.1               1,604           3.3   

Washington

    1,724           3.4               1,731           3.5   

Wisconsin

    1,651           3.2               1,729           3.5   

Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota

    2,318           4.5               2,329           4.7   

Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee

    2,925           5.7               2,819           5.7   

Idaho, Montana, Wyoming

    963           1.9               975           2.0   

Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah

    2,539           5.0               2,362           4.8   

Total banking region

    34,742           67.8               33,362           67.7   

Florida, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas

    8,858           17.3               8,328           16.9   

All other states

    7,606           14.9               7,574           15.4   

Total outside Company’s banking region

    16,464           32.2               15,902           32.3   

Total

  $ 51,206           100.0          $ 49,264           100.0

 

The Company generally retains portfolio loans through maturity; however, the Company’s intent may change over time based upon various factors such as ongoing asset/liability management activities, assessment of product profitability, credit risk, liquidity needs, and capital implications. If the Company’s intent or ability to hold an existing portfolio loan changes, it is transferred to loans held for sale.

Loans Held for Sale Loans held for sale, consisting primarily of residential mortgages to be sold in the secondary market,

were $3.2 billion at December 31, 2015, compared with $4.8 billion at December 31, 2014. The decrease in loans held for sale was principally due to a lower level of mortgage loan closing late in 2015, compared with the same period of 2014. Almost all of the residential mortgage loans the Company originates or purchases for sale follow guidelines that allow the loans to be sold into existing, highly liquid secondary markets; in particular in government agency transactions and to government sponsored enterprises (“GSEs”).

 

 

 38 


  TABLE 12   SELECTED LOAN MATURITY DISTRIBUTION

 

At December 31, 2015 (Dollars in Millions)   One Year
or Less
       Over One
Through
Five Years
       Over Five
Years
       Total  

Commercial

  $ 28,529         $ 55,846         $ 4,027         $ 88,402   

Commercial real estate

    11,074           24,476           6,587           42,137   

Residential mortgages

    2,705           8,118           42,673           53,496   

Credit card

    21,012                               21,012   

Other retail

    9,876           27,382           13,948           51,206   

Covered loans

    580           774           3,242           4,596   

Total loans

  $ 73,776         $ 116,596         $ 70,477         $ 260,849   

Total of loans due after one year with

                

Predetermined interest rates

                 $ 82,032   

Floating interest rates

                                   $ 105,041   

 

Investment Securities The Company uses its investment securities portfolio to manage enterprise interest rate risk, provide liquidity (including the ability to meet regulatory requirements), generate interest and dividend income, and as collateral for public deposits and wholesale funding sources. While the Company intends to hold its investment securities indefinitely, it may sell available-for-sale securities in response to structural changes in the balance sheet and related interest rate risk and to meet liquidity requirements, among other factors.

Investment securities totaled $105.6 billion at December 31, 2015, compared with $101.0 billion at December 31, 2014. The $4.6 billion (4.5 percent) increase reflected $5.1 billion of net investment purchases, partially offset by a $457 million unfavorable change in net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investment securities.

Average investment securities were $103.2 billion in 2015, compared with $90.3 billion in 2014. The weighted-average yield of the available-for-sale portfolio was 2.21 percent at December 31, 2015, compared with 2.32 percent at December 31, 2014. The average maturity of the available-for-sale portfolio was 4.7 years at December 31, 2015, compared with 4.3 years at December 31, 2014. The weighted-average yield of the held-to-maturity portfolio was 1.92 percent at December 31, 2015, unchanged from December 31, 2014. The average maturity of the held-to-maturity portfolio was 4.2 years at December 31, 2015, compared with 4.0 years at December 31, 2014. Investment securities by type are shown in Table 13.

The Company’s available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with changes in fair value reflected in other

comprehensive income (loss) unless a security is deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired. At December 31, 2015, the Company’s net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities were $180 million, compared with $637 million at December 31, 2014. The unfavorable change in net unrealized gains (losses) was primarily due to decreases in the fair value of agency mortgage-backed and state and political securities as a result of increases in interest rates. Gross unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities totaled $480 million at December 31, 2015, compared with $343 million at December 31, 2014. The Company conducts a regular assessment of its investment portfolio to determine whether any securities are other-than-temporarily impaired. When assessing unrealized losses for other-than-temporary impairment, the Company considers the nature of the investment, the financial condition of the issuer, the extent and duration of unrealized loss, expected cash flows of underlying assets and market conditions. At December 31, 2015, the Company had no plans to sell securities with unrealized losses, and believes it is more likely than not that it would not be required to sell such securities before recovery of their amortized cost.

In December 2013, U.S. banking regulators approved final rules that prohibit banks from holding certain types of investments, such as investments in hedge and certain private equity funds. The Company does not anticipate the implementation of these final rules will require any significant liquidation of securities held or impairment charges.

Refer to Notes 5 and 22 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on investment securities.

 

 

 39 


  TABLE 13   INVESTMENT SECURITIES

 

    Available-for-Sale          Held-to-Maturity  
At December 31, 2015 (Dollars in Millions)   Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
     Weighted-
Average
Maturity in
Years
     Weighted-
Average
Yield(e)
          Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
     Weighted-
Average
Maturity in
Years
     Weighted-
Average
Yield(e)
 

U.S. Treasury and Agencies

                          

Maturing in one year or less

  $ 476       $ 477         .4         2.38        $       $                

Maturing after one year through five years

    1,387         1,393         2.5         1.38             1,097         1,103         2.7         1.42   

Maturing after five years through ten years

    2,747         2,725         6.8         2.05             1,828         1,816         6.9         2.14   

Maturing after ten years

    1         1         11.7         4.15                                       

Total

  $ 4,611       $ 4,596         4.8         1.88        $ 2,925       $ 2,919         5.3         1.87

Mortgage-Backed Securities(a)

                          

Maturing in one year or less

  $ 360       $ 363         .6         2.25        $ 210       $ 210         .7         2.08

Maturing after one year through five years

    32,988         33,030         4.1         1.92             31,258         31,130         3.7         2.07   

Maturing after five years through ten years

    16,468         16,466         5.7         1.44             8,933         8,962         5.5         1.44   

Maturing after ten years

    829         827         12.3         1.41             219         220         11.7         1.36   

Total

  $ 50,645       $ 50,686         4.7         1.76        $ 40,620       $ 40,522         4.2         1.92

Asset-Backed Securities(a)

                          

Maturing in one year or less

  $       $                        $       $ 1         .1         1.01

Maturing after one year through five years

    194         199         3.4         3.27             6         8         3.4         1.05   

Maturing after five years through ten years

    354         361         5.9         2.75             3         3         6.3         1.17   

Maturing after ten years

                                        1         7         11.8         1.18   

Total

  $ 548       $ 560         5.0         2.94        $ 10       $ 19         5.2         1.10

Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions(b)(c)

                          

Maturing in one year or less

  $ 2,175       $ 2,216         .5         7.04        $       $         .5         11.31

Maturing after one year through five years

    1,976         2,072         1.8         6.87             1         1         2.6         8.03   

Maturing after five years through ten years

    881         902         7.4         5.52             3         3         8.9         3.94   

Maturing after ten years

    117         126         14.5         7.15             4         4         10.5         2.32   

Total

  $ 5,149       $ 5,316         2.5         6.72        $ 8       $ 8         9.1         3.49

Other Debt Securities

                          

Maturing in one year or less

  $       $                        $ 1       $ 1         .6         1.64

Maturing after one year through five years

                                        26         24         3.8         1.27   

Maturing after five years through ten years

                                                                  

Maturing after ten years

    677         610         17.6         2.61                                       

Total

  $ 677       $ 610         17.6         2.61        $ 27       $ 25         3.6         1.28

Other Investments

  $ 187       $ 229         22.9         4.59        $       $                

Total investment securities(d)

  $ 61,817       $ 61,997         4.7         2.21        $ 43,590       $ 43,493         4.2         1.92
(a) Information related to asset and mortgage-backed securities included above is presented based upon weighted-average maturities anticipating future prepayments.
(b) Information related to obligations of state and political subdivisions is presented based upon yield to first optional call date if the security is purchased at a premium, yield to maturity if purchased at par or a discount.
(c) Maturity calculations for obligations of state and political subdivisions are based on the first optional call date for securities with a fair value above par and contractual maturity for securities with a fair value equal to or below par.
(d) The weighted-average maturity of the available-for-sale investment securities was 4.3 years at December 31, 2014, with a corresponding weighted-average yield of 2.32 percent. The weighted-average maturity of the held-to-maturity investment securities was 4.0 years at December 31, 2014, with a corresponding weighted-average yield of 1.92 percent.
(e) Average yields are presented on a fully-taxable equivalent basis under a tax rate of 35 percent. Yields on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity investment securities are computed based on amortized cost balances, excluding any premiums or discounts recorded related to the transfer of investment securities at fair value from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. Average yield and maturity calculations exclude equity securities that have no stated yield or maturity.

 

    2015             2014  
At December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   Amortized
Cost
       Percent
of Total
            Amortized
Cost
       Percent
of Total
 

U.S. Treasury and agencies

  $ 7,536           7.2          $ 5,339           5.3

Mortgage-backed securities

    91,265           86.6               87,645           87.3   

Asset-backed securities

    558           .5               638           .6   

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

    5,157           4.9               5,613           5.6   

Other debt securities and investments

    891           .8               1,171           1.2   

Total investment securities

  $ 105,407           100.0          $ 100,406           100.0

 

 40 


  TABLE 14   DEPOSITS

The composition of deposits was as follows:

 

    2015          2014          2013          2012          2011  
At December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   Amount     Percent
of Total
         Amount     Percent
of Total
         Amount     Percent
of Total
         Amount     Percent
of Total
         Amount     Percent
of Total
 

Noninterest-bearing deposits

  $ 83,766        27.9       $ 77,323        27.3       $ 76,941        29.4       $ 74,172        29.8       $ 68,579        29.7

Interest-bearing deposits

                                   

Interest checking

    59,169        19.7            55,058        19.5            52,140        19.9            50,430        20.2            45,933        19.9   

Money market savings

    86,159        28.7            76,536        27.1            59,772        22.8            50,987        20.5            45,854        19.9   

Savings accounts

    38,468        12.8            35,249        12.4            32,469        12.4            30,811        12.4            28,018        12.1   

Total of savings deposits

    183,796        61.2            166,843        59.0            144,381        55.1            132,228        53.1            119,805        51.9   

Time deposits less than $100,000

    9,050        3.0            10,609        3.8            11,784        4.5            13,744        5.5            14,952        6.5   

Time deposits greater than $100,000

                                   

Domestic

    7,272        2.4            10,636        3.8            9,527        3.6            12,148        4.8            12,583        5.4   

Foreign

    16,516        5.5            17,322        6.1            19,490        7.4            16,891        6.8            14,966        6.5   

Total interest-bearing deposits

    216,634        72.1            205,410        72.7            185,182        70.6            175,011        70.2            162,306        70.3   

Total deposits

  $ 300,400        100.0       $ 282,733        100.0       $ 262,123        100.0       $ 249,183        100.0       $ 230,885        100.0

The maturity of time deposits was as follows:

 

   

Time Deposits

Less Than $100,000

    Time Deposits Greater Than $100,000         
At December 31, 2015 (Dollars in Millions)                     Domestic                         Foreign      Total  

Three months or less

  $ 1,324      $ 1,791      $ 16,478       $ 19,593   

Three months through six months

    1,087        668        19         1,774   

Six months through one year

    2,298        1,474        19         3,791   

2017

    2,018        1,584                3,602   

2018

    994        586                1,580   

2019

    742        535                1,277   

2020

    585        633                1,218   

Thereafter

    2        1                3   

Total

  $ 9,050      $ 7,272      $ 16,516       $ 32,838   

 

Deposits Total deposits were $300.4 billion at December 31, 2015, compared with $282.7 billion at December 31, 2014. The $17.7 billion (6.2 percent) increase in total deposits reflected growth in total savings and noninterest-bearing deposits, partially offset by a decrease in time deposits. Average total deposits in 2015 increased $20.5 billion (7.7 percent) over 2014 due to increases in total savings deposits and noninterest-bearing deposits, including those obtained in the Charter One branch acquisitions, partially offset by a decrease in time deposits.

Noninterest-bearing deposits at December 31, 2015, increased $6.4 billion (8.3 percent) over December 31, 2014, primarily due to higher Wholesale Banking and Commercial Real Estate, Consumer and Small Business Banking, and corporate trust balances. Average noninterest-bearing deposits increased $5.7 billion (7.8 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, reflecting growth in Consumer and Small Business Banking and Wholesale Banking and Commercial Real Estate, as well as the impact of the Charter One branch acquisitions.

Interest-bearing savings deposits increased $17.0 billion (10.2 percent) at December 31, 2015, compared with

December 31, 2014. The increase was related to higher money market, interest checking and savings account balances. Money market deposit balances increased $9.6 billion (12.6 percent) at December 31, 2015, compared with December 31, 2014, primarily due to higher Wholesale Banking and Commercial Real Estate, and broker-dealer balances. Interest checking balances increased $4.1 billion (7.5 percent) primarily due to higher Consumer and Small Business Banking, and corporate trust balances, partially offset by lower broker-dealer balances. Savings account balances increased $3.2 billion (9.1 percent), primarily due to higher Consumer and Small Business Banking balances. Average interest-bearing savings deposits in 2015 increased $21.0 billion (13.8 percent), compared with 2014, reflecting growth in Consumer and Small Business Banking, Wholesale Banking and Commercial Real Estate and Wealth Management and Securities Services balances, as well as the impact of the Charter One branch acquisitions.

Interest-bearing time deposits at December 31, 2015, decreased $5.7 billion (14.9 percent), compared with December 31, 2014. Average time deposits decreased $6.2 billion (14.9 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014. Changes

 

 

 41 


in time deposits are largely related to those deposits managed as an alternative to other wholesale funding sources, based largely on funding needs and relative pricing.

Borrowings The Company utilizes both short-term and long-term borrowings as part of its asset/liability management and funding strategies. Short-term borrowings, which include federal funds purchased, commercial paper, repurchase agreements, borrowings secured by high-grade assets and other short-term borrowings, were $27.9 billion at December 31, 2015, compared with $29.9 billion at December 31, 2014. The $2.0 billion (6.7 percent) decrease in short-term borrowings was primarily due to decreases in other short-term borrowings balances.

Long-term debt was $32.1 billion at December 31, 2015, compared with $32.3 billion at December 31, 2014. The $182 million (0.6 percent) decrease reflected $1.4 billion of bank note repayments, and $3.1 billion of medium-term note and subordinated note maturities, partially offset by the issuances of $2.4 billion of bank notes and a $1.7 billion increase in Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances.

Refer to Notes 12 and 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding short-term borrowings and long-term debt, and the “Liquidity Risk Management” section for discussion of liquidity management of the Company.

CORPORATE RISK PROFILE

Overview Managing risks is an essential part of successfully operating a financial services company. The Company’s Board of Directors has approved a risk management framework which establishes governance and risk management requirements for all risk-taking activities. This framework includes Company and business line risk appetite statements which set boundaries for the types and amount of risk that may be undertaken in pursuing business objectives and initiatives. The Board of Directors, through its Risk Management Committee, oversees performance relative to the risk management framework, risk appetite statements, and other policy requirements.

The Executive Risk Committee (“ERC”), which is chaired by the Chief Risk Officer and includes the Chief Executive Officer and other members of the executive management team, oversees execution against the risk management framework and risk appetite statements. The ERC focuses on current and emerging risks, including strategic and reputational risks, by directing timely and comprehensive actions. Senior operating committees have also been established, each responsible for overseeing a specified category of risk.

The Company’s most prominent risk exposures are credit, interest rate, market, liquidity, operational, compliance,

strategic, and reputational. Credit risk is the risk of not collecting the interest and/or the principal balance of a loan, investment or derivative contract when it is due. Interest rate risk is the potential reduction of net interest income or market valuations as a result of changes in interest rates. Market risk arises from fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and security prices that may result in changes in the values of financial instruments, such as trading and available-for-sale securities, mortgage loans held for sale (“MLHFS”), MSRs and derivatives that are accounted for on a fair value basis. Liquidity risk is the possible inability to fund obligations or new business at a reasonable cost and in a timely manner. Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people, or systems, or from external events, including the risk of loss resulting from breaches in data security. Operational risk can also include failures by third parties with which the Company does business. Compliance risk is the risk of loss arising from violations of, or nonconformance with, laws, rules, regulations, prescribed practices, internal policies, and procedures, or ethical standards, potentially exposing the Company to fines, civil money penalties, payment of damages, and the voiding of contracts. Compliance risk also arises in situations where the laws or rules governing certain Company products or activities of the Company’s customers may be ambiguous or untested. Strategic risk is the risk to earnings or capital arising from adverse business decisions or improper implementation of those decisions. Reputational risk is the risk to current or anticipated earnings, capital, or franchise or enterprise value arising from negative public opinion. This risk may impair the Company’s competitiveness by affecting its ability to establish new relationships or services, or continue serving existing relationships. In addition to the risks identified above, other risk factors exist that may impact the Company. Refer to “Risk Factors” beginning on page 156, for a detailed discussion of these factors.

The Company’s Board and management-level governance committees are supported by a “three lines of defense” model for establishing effective checks and balances. The first line of defense, the business lines, manages risks in conformity with established limits and policy requirements. In turn, business leaders and their risk officers establish programs to ensure conformity with these limits and policy requirements. The second line of defense, which includes the Chief Risk Officer’s organization as well as policy and oversight activities of corporate support functions, translates risk appetite and strategy into actionable risk limits and policies. The second line of defense monitors first line of defense conformity with limits and policies, and provides reporting and escalation of emerging risks and other concerns to senior management and the Risk Management Committee of the Board of

 

 

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Directors. The third line of defense, internal audit, is responsible for providing the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and senior management with independent assessment and assurance regarding the effectiveness of the Company’s governance, risk management, and control processes.

Management provides various risk reports to the Risk Management Committee of the Board of Directors. The Risk Management Committee discusses with management the Company’s risk management performance, and provides a summary of key risks to the entire Board of Directors, covering the status of existing matters, areas of potential future concern, and specific information on certain types of loss events. The Risk Management Committee considers quarterly reports by management assessing the Company’s performance relative to the risk appetite statements and the associated risk limits, including:

 

  Qualitative considerations, such as the macroeconomic environment, regulatory and compliance changes, litigation developments, and technology and cybersecurity;

 

  Capital ratios and projections, including regulatory measures and stressed scenarios;

 

  Credit measures, including adversely rated and nonperforming loans, leveraged transactions, credit concentrations and lending limits;

 

  Interest rate and market risk, including market value and net income simulation, and trading-related Value at Risk;

 

  Liquidity risk, including funding projections under various stressed scenarios;

 

  Operational and compliance risk, including losses stemming from events such as fraud, processing errors, control breaches, breaches in data security, or adverse business decisions, as well as reporting on technology performance, and various legal and regulatory compliance measures; and

 

  Reputational and strategic risk considerations, impacts and responses.

Credit Risk Management The Company’s strategy for credit risk management includes well-defined, centralized credit policies, uniform underwriting criteria, and ongoing risk monitoring and review processes for all commercial and consumer credit exposures. The strategy also emphasizes diversification on a geographic, industry and customer level, regular credit examinations and management reviews of loans exhibiting deterioration of credit quality. The Risk Management Committee oversees the Company’s credit risk management process.

In addition, credit quality ratings as defined by the Company, are an important part of the Company’s overall credit risk management and evaluation of its allowance for

credit losses. Loans with a pass rating represent those loans not classified on the Company’s rating scale for problem credits, as minimal risk has been identified. Loans with a special mention or classified rating, including loans that are 90 days or more past due and still accruing, nonaccrual loans, those considered troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”), and loans in a junior lien position that are current but are behind a modified or delinquent loan in a first lien position, encompass all loans held by the Company that it considers to have a potential or well-defined weakness that may put full collection of contractual cash flows at risk. The Company’s internal credit quality ratings for consumer loans are primarily based on delinquency and nonperforming status, except for a limited population of larger loans within those portfolios that are individually evaluated. For this limited population, the determination of the internal credit quality rating may also consider collateral value and customer cash flows. The Company obtains recent collateral value estimates for the majority of its residential mortgage and home equity and second mortgage portfolios, which allows the Company to compute estimated loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratios reflecting current market conditions. These individual refreshed LTV ratios are considered in the determination of the appropriate allowance for credit losses. However, the underwriting criteria the Company employs consider the relevant income and credit characteristics of the borrower, such that the collateral is not the primary source of repayment. The Company strives to identify potential problem loans early, record any necessary charge-offs promptly and maintain appropriate allowance levels for probable incurred loan losses. Refer to Notes 1 and 6 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the Company’s loan portfolios including internal credit quality ratings.

The Company categorizes its loan portfolio into three segments, which is the level at which it develops and documents a systematic methodology to determine the allowance for credit losses. The Company’s three loan portfolio segments are commercial lending, consumer lending and covered loans. The commercial lending segment includes loans and leases made to small business, middle market, large corporate, commercial real estate, financial institution, non-profit and public sector customers. Key risk characteristics relevant to commercial lending segment loans include the industry and geography of the borrower’s business, purpose of the loan, repayment source, borrower’s debt capacity and financial flexibility, loan covenants, and nature of pledged collateral, if any. These risk characteristics, among others, are considered in determining estimates about the likelihood of default by the borrowers and the severity of loss in the event of default. The Company considers these risk characteristics in assigning internal risk ratings to, or

 

 

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forecasting losses on, these loans which are the significant factors in determining the allowance for credit losses for loans in the commercial lending segment.

The consumer lending segment represents loans and leases made to consumer customers including residential mortgages, credit card loans, and other retail loans such as revolving consumer lines, auto loans and leases, student loans, and home equity loans and lines. Home equity or second mortgage loans are junior lien closed-end accounts fully disbursed at origination. These loans typically are fixed rate loans, secured by residential real estate, with a 10- or 15-year fixed payment amortization schedule. Home equity lines are revolving accounts giving the borrower the ability to draw and repay balances repeatedly, up to a maximum commitment, and are secured by residential real estate. These include accounts in either a first or junior lien position. Typical terms on home equity lines in the portfolio are variable rates benchmarked to the prime rate, with a 10- or 15-year draw period during which a minimum payment is equivalent to the monthly interest, followed by a 20- or 10-year amortization period, respectively. At December 31, 2015, substantially all of the Company’s home equity lines were in the draw period. Approximately $920 million, or 6 percent, of the outstanding home equity line balances at December 31, 2015, will enter the amortization period within the next 36 months. Key risk characteristics relevant to consumer lending segment loans primarily relate to the borrowers’ capacity and willingness to repay and include unemployment rates and other economic factors, customer payment history and in some cases, updated LTV information on real estate based loans. These risk characteristics, among others, are reflected in forecasts of delinquency levels, bankruptcies and losses which are the primary factors in determining the allowance for credit losses for the consumer lending segment.

The covered loan segment represents loans acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions that are covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC that greatly reduce the risk of future credit losses to the Company. Key risk characteristics for covered segment loans are consistent with the segment they would otherwise be included in had the loss share coverage not been in place, but consider the indemnification provided by the FDIC.

The Company further disaggregates its loan portfolio segments into various classes based on their underlying risk characteristics. The two classes within the commercial lending segment are commercial loans and commercial real estate loans. The three classes within the consumer lending segment are residential mortgages, credit card loans and other retail loans. The covered loan segment consists of only one class.

Because business processes and credit risks associated with unfunded credit commitments are essentially the same as for loans, the Company utilizes similar processes to estimate its liability for unfunded credit commitments. The Company also engages in non-lending activities that may give rise to credit risk, including derivative transactions for balance sheet hedging purposes, foreign exchange transactions, deposit overdrafts and interest rate swap contracts for customers, investments in securities and other financial assets, and settlement risk, including Automated Clearing House transactions and the processing of credit card transactions for merchants. These activities are subject to credit review, analysis and approval processes.

Economic and Other Factors In evaluating its credit risk, the Company considers changes, if any, in underwriting activities, the loan portfolio composition (including product mix and geographic, industry or customer-specific concentrations), collateral values, trends in loan performance and macroeconomic factors, such as changes in unemployment rates, gross domestic product and consumer bankruptcy filings.

Beginning in late 2007, financial markets suffered significant disruptions, leading to and exacerbated by declining real estate values and subsequent economic challenges, both domestically and globally. Median home prices declined across most domestic markets, which had a significant adverse impact on the collectability of residential mortgage loans. Residential mortgage delinquencies increased throughout 2008 and 2009. High unemployment levels beginning in 2009, further increased losses in prime-based residential portfolios and credit cards.

Although economic conditions generally have stabilized from the dramatic downturn experienced in 2008 and 2009, and employment levels, median home prices and the financial markets have slowly improved, business activities across certain industries and regions continue to face challenges due to slow global economic growth. If commodity prices inclusive of energy, remain depressed for an extended period of time, the industry and the overall economy could be negatively impacted.

Credit costs peaked for the Company in late 2009 and have trended downward thereafter. The provision for credit losses was lower than net charge-offs by $40 million in 2015, $105 million in 2014 and $125 million in 2013. The $97 million (7.9 percent) decrease in the provision for credit losses in 2015, compared with 2014, reflected improving credit trends and the underlying risk profile of the loan portfolio as economic conditions continued to slowly improve throughout 2015, partially offset by portfolio growth and deterioration in certain loans to customers in energy-related businesses.

 

 

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Credit Diversification The Company manages its credit risk, in part, through diversification of its loan portfolio and limit setting by product type criteria and concentrations. As part of its normal business activities, the Company offers a broad array of traditional commercial lending products and specialized products such as asset-based lending, commercial lease financing, agricultural credit, warehouse mortgage lending, small business lending, commercial real estate, health care and correspondent banking. The Company also offers an array of consumer lending products, including residential mortgages, credit card loans, auto loans, retail leases, home equity, revolving credit and other consumer loans. These consumer lending products are primarily offered through the branch office network, home mortgage and loan production offices and indirect distribution channels, such as auto dealers. The Company monitors and manages the portfolio diversification by industry, customer and geography. Table 6 provides information with respect to the overall product diversification and changes in the mix during 2015.

The commercial loan class is diversified among various industries with somewhat higher concentrations in manufacturing, finance and insurance, wholesale trade, and real estate, rental and leasing. Additionally, the commercial loan class is diversified across the Company’s geographical markets with 64.3 percent of total commercial loans within the Company’s Consumer and Small Business Banking region. Credit relationships outside of the Company’s Consumer and Small Business Banking region relate to the corporate banking, mortgage banking, auto dealer and leasing businesses, focusing on large national customers and specifically targeted industries. Loans to mortgage banking customers are primarily warehouse lines which are collateralized with the underlying mortgages. The Company regularly monitors its mortgage collateral position to manage its risk exposure. Table 7 provides a summary of significant industry groups and geographical locations of commercial loans outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014. At December 31, 2015, approximately $3.2 billion of the commercial loans outstanding were to customers in energy-related businesses, compared with $3.1 billion at December 31, 2014. The decline in energy prices over the past year has resulted in deterioration of a portion of these loans; however, the impact of this deterioration was not significant to the Company during 2015. A further decline in energy prices, or if prices remain at current levels for an extended period of time, could result in an increase in the Company’s loan charge-offs and provision for credit losses.

The commercial real estate loan class reflects the Company’s focus on serving business owners within its geographic footprint as well as regional and national

investment-based real estate owners and builders. Within the commercial real estate loan class, different property types have varying degrees of credit risk. Table 8 provides a summary of the significant property types and geographical locations of commercial real estate loans outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014. At December 31, 2015, approximately 26.6 percent of the commercial real estate loans represented business owner-occupied properties that tend to exhibit less credit risk than non owner-occupied properties. The investment-based real estate mortgages are diversified among various property types with somewhat higher concentrations in multi-family, office and retail properties. From a geographical perspective, the Company’s commercial real estate loan class is generally well diversified. However, at December 31, 2015, 24.8 percent of the Company’s commercial real estate loans were secured by collateral in California, which has historically experienced higher delinquency levels and credit quality deterioration in recessionary periods due to excess inventory levels and declining valuations. Included in commercial real estate at year-end 2015 was approximately $681 million in loans related to land held for development and $676 million of loans related to residential and commercial acquisition and development properties. These loans are subject to quarterly monitoring for changes in local market conditions due to a higher credit risk profile. The commercial real estate loan class is diversified across the Company’s geographical markets with 83.4 percent of total commercial real estate loans outstanding at December 31, 2015, within the Company’s Consumer and Small Business Banking region.

The Company’s consumer lending segment utilizes several distinct business processes and channels to originate consumer credit, including traditional branch lending, indirect lending, portfolio acquisitions, correspondent banks and loan brokers. Each distinct underwriting and origination activity manages unique credit risk characteristics and prices its loan production commensurate with the differing risk profiles.

Residential mortgages are originated through the Company’s branches, loan production offices and a wholesale network of originators. The Company may retain residential mortgage loans it originates on its balance sheet or sell the loans into the secondary market while retaining the servicing rights and customer relationships. Utilizing the secondary markets enables the Company to effectively reduce its credit and other asset/liability risks. For residential mortgages that are retained in the Company’s portfolio and for home equity and second mortgages, credit risk is also diversified by geography and managed by adherence to LTV and borrower credit criteria during the underwriting process.

The Company estimates updated LTV information on its outstanding residential mortgages quarterly, based on a

 

 

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method that combines automated valuation model updates and relevant home price indices. LTV is the ratio of the loan’s outstanding principal balance to the current estimate of property value. For home equity and second mortgages, combined loan-to-value (“CLTV”) is the combination of the first mortgage original principal balance and the second lien outstanding principal balance, relative to the current estimate of property value. Certain loans do not have a LTV or CLTV, primarily due to lack of availability of relevant automated valuation model and/or home price indices values, or lack of necessary valuation data on acquired loans.

The following tables provide summary information for the LTVs of residential mortgages and home equity and second mortgages by borrower type at December 31, 2015:

 

Residential mortgages

(Dollars in Millions)

  Interest
Only
    Amortizing     Total     Percent
of Total
 

Prime Borrowers

       

Less than or equal to 80%

  $ 1,697      $ 40,278      $ 41,975        89.3

Over 80% through 90%

    58        2,743        2,801        6.0   

Over 90% through 100%

    31        956        987        2.1   

Over 100%

    41        1,065        1,106        2.4   

No LTV available

    2        118        120        .2   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 1,829      $ 45,160      $ 46,989        100.0

Sub-Prime Borrowers

       

Less than or equal to 80%

  $      $ 603      $ 603        56.3

Over 80% through 90%

           173        173        16.1   

Over 90% through 100%

           133        133        12.4   

Over 100%

           161        161        15.0   

No LTV available

           2        2        .2   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $      $ 1,072      $ 1,072        100.0

Other Borrowers

       

Less than or equal to 80%

  $ 2      $ 387      $ 389        62.2

Over 80% through 90%

           88        88        14.1   

Over 90% through 100%

           46        46        7.4   

Over 100%

           102        102        16.3   

No LTV available

                           
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 2      $ 623      $ 625        100.0

Loans Purchased From GNMA Mortgage Pools(a)

  $      $ 4,810      $ 4,810        100.0

Total

       

Less than or equal to 80%

  $ 1,699      $ 41,268      $ 42,967        80.3

Over 80% through 90%

    58        3,004        3,062        5.7   

Over 90% through 100%

    31        1,135        1,166        2.2   

Over 100%

    41        1,328        1,369        2.6   

No LTV available

    2        120        122        .2   

Loans purchased from GNMA
mortgage pools(a)

           4,810        4,810        9.0   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 1,831      $ 51,665      $ 53,496        100.0
(a) Represents loans purchased from Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) mortgage pools whose payments are primarily insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Home equity and second mortgages

(Dollars in Millions)

  Lines     Loans     Total     Percent
of Total
 

Prime Borrowers

       

Less than or equal to 80%

  $ 10,861      $ 538      $ 11,399        72.2

Over 80% through 90%

    2,191        364        2,555        16.2   

Over 90% through 100%

    804        116        920        5.8   

Over 100%

    691        121        812        5.2   

No LTV/CLTV available

    64        32        96        .6   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 14,611      $ 1,171      $ 15,782        100.0

Sub-Prime Borrowers

       

Less than or equal to 80%

  $ 39      $ 26      $ 65        33.3

Over 80% through 90%

    10        19        29        14.9   

Over 90% through 100%

    8        21        29        14.9   

Over 100%

    17        54        71        36.4   

No LTV/CLTV available

           1        1        .5   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 74      $ 121      $ 195        100.0

Other Borrowers

       

Less than or equal to 80%

  $ 242      $ 12      $ 254        62.4

Over 80% through 90%

    36        3        39        9.6   

Over 90% through 100%

    11        1        12        2.9   

Over 100%

    9        2        11        2.7   

No LTV/CLTV available

    91               91        22.4   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 389      $ 18      $ 407        100.0

Total

       

Less than or equal to 80%

  $ 11,142      $ 576      $ 11,718        71.5

Over 80% through 90%

    2,237        386        2,623        16.0   

Over 90% through 100%

    823        138        961        5.9   

Over 100%

    717        177        894        5.5   

No LTV/CLTV available

    155        33        188        1.1   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 15,074      $ 1,310      $ 16,384        100.0

At December 31, 2015, approximately $1.1 billion of residential mortgages were to customers that may be defined as sub-prime borrowers based on credit scores from independent agencies at loan origination, compared with $1.2 billion at December 31, 2014. In addition to residential mortgages, at December 31, 2015, $195 million of home equity and second mortgage loans were to customers that may be defined as sub-prime borrowers, compared with $238 million at December 31, 2014. The total amount of consumer lending segment residential mortgage, home equity and second mortgage loans to customers that may be defined as sub-prime borrowers represented only 0.3 percent of total assets at December 31, 2015, compared with 0.4 percent at December 31, 2014. The Company considers sub-prime loans to be those made to borrowers with a risk of default significantly higher than those approved for prime lending programs, as reflected in credit scores obtained from independent agencies at loan origination, in addition to other credit underwriting criteria. Sub-prime portfolios include only loans originated according to the Company’s underwriting programs specifically designed to serve customers with weakened credit histories. The sub-prime designation indicators have been and will continue to be subject to re-evaluation over time as borrower characteristics, payment

 

 

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performance and economic conditions change. The sub-prime loans originated during periods from June 2009 and after are with borrowers who met the Company’s program guidelines and have a credit score that generally is at or below a threshold of 620 to 650 depending on the program. Sub-prime loans originated during periods prior to June 2009 were based upon program level guidelines without regard to credit score.

Home equity and second mortgages were $16.4 billion at December 31, 2015, compared with $15.9 billion at December 31, 2014, and included $5.0 billion of home equity lines in a first lien position and $11.4 billion of home equity and second mortgage loans and lines in a junior lien position. Loans and lines in a junior lien position at December 31, 2015, included approximately $4.5 billion of loans and lines for which the Company also serviced the related first lien loan, and approximately $6.9 billion where the Company did not service the related first lien loan. The Company was able to determine the status of the related first liens using information the Company has as the servicer of the first lien or information reported on customer credit bureau files. The Company also evaluates other indicators of credit risk for these junior lien loans and lines including delinquency, estimated average CLTV ratios and updated weighted-average credit scores in making its assessment of credit risk, related loss estimates and determining the allowance for credit losses.

The following table provides a summary of delinquency statistics and other credit quality indicators for the Company’s junior lien positions at December 31, 2015:

 

    Junior Liens Behind        
(Dollars in Millions)   Company Owned
or Serviced
First Lien
    Third Party
First Lien
    Total  

Total

  $ 4,480      $ 6,872      $ 11,352   

Percent 30-89 days past due

    .29     .43     .37

Percent 90 days or more past due

    .06     .08     .07

Weighted-average CLTV

    74     71     72

Weighted-average credit score

    773        766        769   

See the Analysis and Determination of the Allowance for Credit Losses section for additional information on how the Company determines the allowance for credit losses for loans in a junior lien position.

Credit card and other retail loans principally reflect the Company’s focus on consumers within its geographical footprint of branches and certain niche lending activities that are nationally focused. Approximately 71.1 percent of the Company’s credit card balances at December 31, 2015 relate to cards originated through the Company’s branches or co-branded, travel and affinity programs that generally experience better credit quality performance than portfolios generated through other channels.

Tables 9, 10 and 11 provide a geographical summary of the residential mortgage, credit card and other retail loan portfolios, respectively.

Covered assets were acquired by the Company in FDIC-assisted transactions and include loans with characteristics indicative of a high credit risk profile, including a substantial concentration in California and loans with negative-amortization payment options. Because these loans are covered under loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, the Company’s financial exposure to losses from these assets is substantially reduced. To the extent actual losses exceed the Company’s estimates at acquisition, the Company’s financial risk would only be its share of those losses under the loss sharing agreements. As of December 31, 2015, the loss share coverage provided by the FDIC has expired on all previously covered assets, except for residential mortgages and home equity and second mortgage loans that remain covered under loss sharing agreements with remaining terms of up to four years.

 

 

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  TABLE 15   DELINQUENT LOAN RATIOS AS A PERCENT OF ENDING LOAN BALANCES

 

At December 31,

90 days or more past due excluding nonperforming loans

  2015      2014      2013      2012      2011  

Commercial

             

Commercial

    .06      .05      .08      .10      .09

Lease financing

                                      
 

 

 

 

Total commercial

    .05         .05         .08         .09         .08   

Commercial Real Estate

             

Commercial mortgages

            .02         .02         .02         .02   

Construction and development

    .13         .14         .30         .02         .13   
 

 

 

 

Total commercial real estate

    .03         .05         .07         .02         .04   

Residential Mortgages(a)

    .33         .40         .65         .64         .98   

Credit Card

    1.09         1.13         1.17         1.27         1.36   

Other Retail

             

Retail leasing

    .02         .02                 .02         .02   

Home equity and second mortgages

    .25         .26         .32         .30         .73   

Other

    .11         .12         .14         .17         .20   
 

 

 

 

Total other retail (b)

    .15         .15         .18         .20         .38   
 

 

 

 

Total loans, excluding covered loans

    .21         .23         .31         .31         .43   

Covered Loans

    6.31         7.48         5.63         5.86         6.15   
 

 

 

 

Total loans

    .32      .38      .51      .59      .84

 

At December 31,

90 days or more past due including nonperforming loans

  2015      2014      2013      2012      2011  

Commercial

    .25      .19      .27      .27      .63

Commercial real estate

    .33         .65         .83         1.50         2.55   

Residential mortgages(a)

    1.66         2.07         2.16         2.14         2.73   

Credit card

    1.13         1.30         1.60         2.12         2.65   

Other retail(b)

    .46         .53         .58         .66         .52   
 

 

 

 

Total loans, excluding covered loans

    .67         .83         .97         1.11         1.54   

Covered loans

    6.48         7.74         7.13         9.28         12.42   
 

 

 

 

Total loans

    .78      .97      1.19      1.52      2.30
(a) Delinquent loan ratios exclude $2.9 billion, $3.1 billion, $3.7 billion, $3.2 billion, and $2.6 billion at December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, of loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools whose repayments are primarily insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Including these loans, the ratio of residential mortgages 90 days or more past due including all nonperforming loans was 7.15 percent, 8.02 percent, 9.34 percent, 9.45 percent, and 9.84 percent at December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
(b) Delinquent loan ratios exclude student loans that are guaranteed by the federal government. Including these loans, the ratio of total other retail loans 90 days or more past due including all nonperforming loans was .75 percent, .84 percent, .93 percent, 1.08 percent, and .99 percent at December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.

 

Loan Delinquencies Trends in delinquency ratios are an indicator, among other considerations, of credit risk within the Company’s loan portfolios. The entire balance of an account is considered delinquent if the minimum payment contractually required to be made is not received by the specified date on the billing statement. The Company measures delinquencies, both including and excluding nonperforming loans, to enable comparability with other companies. Delinquent loans purchased from Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) mortgage pools whose repayments are primarily insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as student loans guaranteed by the federal government, are excluded from delinquency statistics. In addition, in certain situations, a consumer lending customer’s account may be re-aged to remove it from delinquent status. Generally, the purpose of re-aging accounts is to assist customers who have recently

overcome temporary financial difficulties, and have demonstrated both the ability and willingness to resume regular payments. To qualify for re-aging, the account must have been open for at least nine months and cannot have been re-aged during the preceding 365 days. An account may not be re-aged more than two times in a five-year period. To qualify for re-aging, the customer must also have made three regular minimum monthly payments within the last 90 days. In addition, the Company may re-age the consumer lending account of a customer who has experienced longer-term financial difficulties and apply modified, concessionary terms and conditions to the account. Such additional re-ages are limited to one in a five-year period and must meet the qualifications for re-aging described above. All re-aging strategies must be independently approved by the Company’s risk management department. Commercial lending loans are generally not subject to re-aging policies.

 

 

 48 


Accruing loans 90 days or more past due totaled $831 million ($541 million excluding covered loans) at December 31, 2015, compared with $945 million ($550 million excluding covered loans) at December 31, 2014, and $1.2 billion ($713 million excluding covered loans) at December 31, 2013. Accruing loans 90 days or more past due are not included in nonperforming assets and continue to accrue interest because they are adequately secured by collateral, are in the process of collection and are reasonably expected to result in repayment or restoration to current status, or are managed in homogeneous portfolios with specified charge-off timeframes adhering to regulatory guidelines. The ratio of accruing loans 90 days or more past due to total loans was 0.32 percent (0.21 percent excluding covered loans) at December 31, 2015, compared with 0.38 percent (0.23 percent excluding covered loans) at December 31, 2014, and 0.51 percent (0.31 percent excluding covered loans) at December 31, 2013.

The following table provides summary delinquency information for residential mortgages, credit card and other retail loans included in the consumer lending segment:

 

    Amount    

As a Percent of Ending

Loan Balances

 

At December 31

(Dollars in Millions)

  2015     2014             2015                 2014  

Residential Mortgages(a)

         

30-89 days

  $ 170      $ 221        .32     .43

90 days or more

    176        204        .33        .40   

Nonperforming

    712        864        1.33        1.67   

Total

  $ 1,058      $ 1,289        1.98     2.50
 

Credit Card

         

30-89 days

  $ 243      $ 229        1.15     1.24

90 days or more

    228        210        1.09        1.13   

Nonperforming

    9        30        .04        .16   

Total

  $ 480      $ 469        2.28     2.53
 

Other Retail

         

Retail Leasing

         

30-89 days

  $ 11      $ 11        .21     .18

90 days or more

    1        1        .02        .02   

Nonperforming

    3        1        .06        .02   

Total

  $ 15      $ 13        .29     .22

Home Equity and Second Mortgages

         

30-89 days

  $ 59      $ 85        .36     .54

90 days or more

    41        42        .25        .26   

Nonperforming

    136        170        .83        1.07   

Total

  $ 236      $ 297        1.44     1.87

Other(b)

         

30-89 days

  $ 154      $ 142        .52     .51

90 days or more

    33        32        .11        .12   

Nonperforming

    23        16        .08        .06   

Total

  $ 210      $ 190        .71     .69
(a) Excludes $320 million of loans 30-89 days past due and $2.9 billion of loans 90 days or more past due at December 31, 2015, purchased from GNMA mortgage pools that continue to accrue interest, compared with $431 million and $3.1 billion at December 31, 2014, respectively.
(b) Includes revolving credit, installment, automobile and student loans.

The following tables provide further information on residential mortgages and home equity and second mortgages as a percent of ending loan balances by borrower type at December 31:

 

Residential mortgages (a)   2015      2014  

Prime Borrowers

  

  

30-89 days

    .25      .33

90 days or more

    .30         .35   

Nonperforming

    1.12         1.42   

Total

    1.67      2.10

Sub-Prime Borrowers

    

30-89 days

    3.92      5.12

90 days or more

    2.52         3.41   

Nonperforming

    15.30         16.73   

Total

    21.74      25.26

Other Borrowers

    

30-89 days

    1.60      1.37

90 days or more

    1.12         1.13   

Nonperforming

    4.00         3.50   

Total

    6.72      6.00
(a) Excludes delinquent and nonperforming information on loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools as their repayments are primarily insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

 

Home equity and second mortgages   2015      2014  

Prime Borrowers

  

  

30-89 days

    .31      .47

90 days or more

    .23         .24   

Nonperforming

    .74         .95   

Total

    1.28      1.66

Sub-Prime Borrowers

    

30-89 days

    2.56      3.36

90 days or more

    1.03         1.26   

Nonperforming

    4.62         5.88   

Total

    8.21      10.50

Other Borrowers

    

30-89 days

    1.23      1.18

90 days or more

    .74         .40   

Nonperforming

    2.45         2.36   

Total

    4.42      3.94

The following table provides summary delinquency information for covered loans:

 

At December 31

(Dollars in Millions)

  Amount      As a Percent of Ending
Loan Balances
 
  2015        2014      2015      2014  

30-89 days

  $ 62         $ 68         1.35      1.28

90 days or more

    290           395         6.31         7.48   

Nonperforming

    8           14         .17         .27   

Total

  $ 360         $ 477         7.83      9.03
 

 

 49 


Restructured Loans In certain circumstances, the Company may modify the terms of a loan to maximize the collection of amounts due when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties or is expected to experience difficulties in the near-term. In most cases the modification is either a concessionary reduction in interest rate, extension of the maturity date or reduction in the principal balance that would otherwise not be considered.

Troubled Debt Restructurings Concessionary modifications are classified as TDRs unless the modification results in only an insignificant delay in the payments to be received. TDRs accrue interest if the borrower complies with the revised terms and conditions and has demonstrated repayment performance at a level commensurate with the modified terms over several payment cycles, which is generally six months or greater. At December 31, 2015, performing TDRs were $4.7 billion, compared with $5.1 billion, $6.0 billion, $5.6 billion and $4.9 billion at December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Loans classified as TDRs are considered impaired loans for reporting and measurement purposes.

The Company continues to work with customers to modify loans for borrowers who are experiencing financial difficulties, including those acquired through FDIC-assisted acquisitions. Many of the Company’s TDRs are determined on a case-by-case basis in connection with ongoing loan collection processes. The modifications vary within each of the Company’s loan classes. Commercial lending segment TDRs generally include extensions of the maturity date and may be accompanied by an increase or decrease to the interest rate. The Company may also work with the borrower to make other changes to the loan to mitigate losses, such as obtaining additional collateral and/or guarantees to support the loan.

The Company has also implemented certain residential mortgage loan restructuring programs that may result in TDRs. The Company participates in the U.S. Department of the Treasury Home Affordable Modification Program (“HAMP”). HAMP gives qualifying homeowners an opportunity to permanently modify their loan and achieve more affordable monthly payments, with the U.S. Department of the Treasury compensating the Company for a portion of the reduction in

monthly amounts due from borrowers participating in this program. The Company also modifies residential mortgage loans under Federal Housing Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, and its own internal programs. Under these programs, the Company provides concessions to qualifying borrowers experiencing financial difficulties. The concessions may include adjustments to interest rates, conversion of adjustable rates to fixed rates, extensions of maturity dates or deferrals of payments, capitalization of accrued interest and/or outstanding advances, or in limited situations, partial forgiveness of loan principal. In most instances, participation in residential mortgage loan restructuring programs requires the customer to complete a short-term trial period. A permanent loan modification is contingent on the customer successfully completing the trial period arrangement and the loan documents are not modified until that time. The Company reports loans in a trial period arrangement as TDRs and continues to report them as TDRs after the trial period.

Credit card and other retail loan TDRs are generally part of distinct restructuring programs providing customers modification solutions over a specified time period, generally up to 60 months.

In accordance with regulatory guidance, the Company considers secured consumer loans that have had debt discharged through bankruptcy where the borrower has not reaffirmed the debt to be TDRs. If the loan amount exceeds the collateral value, the loan is charged down to collateral value and the remaining amount is reported as nonperforming.

Modifications to covered loans in the covered segment are similar in nature to that described above for non-covered loans, and the evaluation and determination of TDR status is similar, except that acquired loans restructured after acquisition are not considered TDRs for purposes of the Company’s accounting and disclosure if the loans evidenced credit deterioration as of the acquisition date and are accounted for in pools. Losses associated with modifications on covered loans, including the economic impact of interest rate reductions, are generally eligible for reimbursement under the loss sharing agreements.

 

 

 50 


The following table provides a summary of TDRs by loan class, including the delinquency status for TDRs that continue to accrue interest and TDRs included in nonperforming assets:

 

             As a Percent of Performing TDRs                

At December 31, 2015

(Dollars in Millions)

  Performing
TDRs
       30-89 Days
Past Due
     90 Days or More
Past Due
     Nonperforming
TDRs
     Total
TDRs
 

Commercial

  $ 346           2.5      .9    $ 89 (a)     $ 435   

Commercial real estate

    209           3.7         3.5         61 (b)       270   

Residential mortgages

    1,863           3.3         3.6         465         2,328 (d) 

Credit card

    201           10.2         6.1         9 (c)       210   

Other retail

    147           4.6         4.4         64 (c)       211 (e) 

TDRs, excluding GNMA and covered loans

    2,766           3.8         3.5         688         3,454   

Loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools

    1,913           5.2         67.8                 1,913 (f) 

Covered loans

    31           .6         5.7         4         35   

Total

  $ 4,710           4.3      29.6    $ 692       $ 5,402   
(a) Primarily represents loans less than six months from the modification date that have not met the performance period required to return to accrual status (generally six months) and small business credit cards with a modified rate equal to 0 percent.
(b) Primarily represents loans less than six months from the modification date that have not met the performance period required to return to accrual status (generally six months).
(c) Primarily represents loans with a modified rate equal to 0 percent.
(d) Includes $299 million of residential mortgage loans to borrowers that have had debt discharged through bankruptcy and $77 million in trial period arrangements or previously placed in trial period arrangements but not successfully completed.
(e) Includes $104 million of other retail loans to borrowers that have had debt discharged through bankruptcy and $19 million in trial period arrangements or previously placed in trial period arrangements but not successfully completed.
(f) Includes $460 million of Federal Housing Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs residential mortgage loans to borrowers that have had debt discharged through bankruptcy and $668 million in trial period arrangements or previously placed in trial period arrangements but not successfully completed.

 

Short-term Modifications The Company makes short-term modifications that it does not consider to be TDRs, in limited circumstances, to assist borrowers experiencing temporary hardships. Consumer lending programs include payment reductions, deferrals of up to three past due payments, and the ability to return to current status if the borrower makes required payments. The Company may also make short-term modifications to commercial lending loans, with the most common modification being an extension of the maturity date of three months or less. Such extensions generally are used when the maturity date is imminent and the borrower is experiencing some level of financial stress, but the Company believes the borrower will pay all contractual amounts owed. Short-term modifications were not material at December 31, 2015.

Nonperforming Assets The level of nonperforming assets represents another indicator of the potential for future credit losses. Nonperforming assets include nonaccrual loans, restructured loans not performing in accordance with modified terms and not accruing interest, restructured loans that have not met the performance period required to return to accrual status, other real estate owned (“OREO”) and other nonperforming assets owned by the Company. Nonperforming assets are generally either originated by the Company or acquired under FDIC loss sharing agreements that substantially reduce the risk of credit losses to the Company. Interest payments collected from assets on nonaccrual status are generally applied against the principal

balance and not recorded as income. However, interest income may be recognized for interest payments if the remaining carrying amount of the loan is believed to be collectible.

At December 31, 2015, total nonperforming assets were $1.5 billion, compared with $1.8 billion at December 31, 2014 and $2.0 billion at December 31, 2013. The $285 million (15.8 percent) decrease in nonperforming assets, from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2015, was primarily driven by reductions in the commercial real estate loans, residential mortgages and home equity and second mortgage balances, as economic conditions continued to slowly improve during 2015. Nonperforming covered assets at December 31, 2015 were $40 million, compared with $51 million at December 31, 2014 and $224 million at December 31, 2013. The ratio of total nonperforming assets to total loans and other real estate was 0.58 percent at December 31, 2015, compared with 0.73 percent at December 31, 2014, and 0.86 percent at December 31, 2013.

OREO, excluding covered assets, was $280 million at December 31, 2015, compared with $288 million at December 31, 2014 and $327 million at December 31, 2013, and was related to foreclosed properties that previously secured loan balances. These balances exclude foreclosed GNMA loans whose repayments are primarily insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

 

 

 51 


  TABLE 16   NONPERFORMING ASSETS (a)

 

At December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015      2014      2013      2012      2011  

Commercial

             

Commercial

  $ 160       $ 99       $ 122       $ 107       $ 280   

Lease financing

    14         13         12         16         32   

Total commercial

    174         112         134         123         312   

Commercial Real Estate

             

Commercial mortgages

    92         175         182         308         354   

Construction and development

    35         84         121         238         545   

Total commercial real estate

    127         259         303         546         899   

Residential Mortgages(b)

    712         864         770         661         650   

Credit Card

    9         30         78         146         224   

Other Retail

             

Retail leasing

    3         1         1         1           

Home equity and second mortgages

    136         170         167         189         40   

Other

    23         16         23         27         27   

Total other retail

    162         187         191         217         67   

Total nonperforming loans, excluding covered loans

    1,184         1,452         1,476         1,693         2,152   

Covered Loans

    8         14         127         386         926   

Total nonperforming loans

    1,192         1,466         1,603         2,079         3,078   

Other Real Estate(c)(d)

    280         288         327         381         404   

Covered Other Real Estate(d)

    32         37         97         197         274   

Other Assets

    19         17         10         14         18   

Total nonperforming assets

  $ 1,523       $ 1,808       $ 2,037       $ 2,671       $ 3,774   

Total nonperforming assets, excluding covered assets

  $ 1,483       $ 1,757       $ 1,813       $ 2,088       $ 2,574   

Excluding covered assets

             

Accruing loans 90 days or more past due(b)

  $ 541       $ 550       $ 713       $ 660       $ 843   

Nonperforming loans to total loans

    .46      .60      .65      .80      1.10

Nonperforming assets to total loans plus other real estate(c)

    .58      .72      .80      .98      1.32

Including covered assets

             

Accruing loans 90 days or more past due(b)

  $ 831       $ 945       $ 1,189       $ 1,323       $ 1,753   

Nonperforming loans to total loans

    .46      .59      .68      .93      1.47

Nonperforming assets to total loans plus other real estate(c)

    .58      .73      .86      1.19      1.79

CHANGES IN NONPERFORMING ASSETS

 

(Dollars in Millions)   Commercial and
Commercial
Real Estate
       Residential
Mortgages,
Credit Card and
Other Retail
       Covered
Assets
       Total  

Balance December 31, 2014

  $ 431         $ 1,326         $ 51         $ 1,808   

Additions to nonperforming assets

                

New nonaccrual loans and foreclosed properties

    394           500           24           918   

Advances on loans

    54                               54   

Total additions

    448           500           24           972   

Reductions in nonperforming assets

                

Paydowns, payoffs

    (271        (275        (8        (554

Net sales

    (53        (129        (25        (207

Return to performing status

    (6        (171        (1        (178

Charge-offs(e)

    (213        (104        (1        (318

Total reductions

    (543        (679        (35        (1,257

Net additions to (reductions in) nonperforming assets

    (95        (179        (11        (285

Balance December 31, 2015

  $ 336         $ 1,147         $ 40         $ 1,523   
(a) Throughout this document, nonperforming assets and related ratios do not include accruing loans 90 days or more past due.
(b) Excludes $2.9 billion, $3.1 billion, $3.7 billion, $3.2 billion and $2.6 billion at December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, of loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools that are 90 days or more past due that continue to accrue interest, as their repayments are primarily insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(c) Foreclosed GNMA loans of $535 million, $641 million, $527 million, $548 million and $692 million at December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, continue to accrue interest and are recorded as other assets and excluded from nonperforming assets because they are insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(d) Includes equity investments in entities whose principal assets are other real estate owned.
(e) Charge-offs exclude actions for certain card products and loan sales that were not classified as nonperforming at the time the charge-off occurred.

 

 52 


The following table provides an analysis of OREO, excluding covered assets, as a percent of their related loan balances, including geographical location detail for residential (residential mortgage, home equity and second mortgage) and commercial (commercial and commercial real estate) loan balances:

 

At December 31

(Dollars in Millions)

  Amount   

As a Percent of Ending

Loan Balances

 
      2015      2014            2015     2014  

Residential

              

Minnesota

  $ 23       $ 16              .37     .26

Illinois

    18         16              .42        .37   

Florida

    17         17              1.12        1.06   

Ohio

    17         13              .56        .42   

Wisconsin

    11         10              .49        .44   

All other states

    164         161              .31        .32   
                                      

Total residential

    250         233              .36        .35   

Commercial

              

California

    11         11              .05        .05   

Illinois

    5         12              .08        .19   

Indiana

    2         3              .13        .20   

South Carolina

    2         2              .48        .44   

Tennessee

    1         1              .04        .04   

All other states

    9         26              .01        .03   
                                      

Total commercial

    30         55              .02        .04   
                                      

Total

  $ 280       $ 288              .11     .12

 

  TABLE 17   NET CHARGE-OFFS AS A PERCENT OF AVERAGE LOANS OUTSTANDING

 

Year Ended December 31   2015      2014      2013      2012      2011  

Commercial

             

Commercial

    .26      .26      .19      .43      .76

Lease financing

    .27         .17         .06         .63         .96   

Total commercial

    .26         .26         .18         .45         .79   

Commercial Real Estate

             

Commercial mortgages

    .02         (.03      .08         .37         .73   

Construction and development

    (.33      (.05      (.87      .86         4.20   

Total commercial real estate

    (.07      (.03      (.09      .45         1.40   

Residential Mortgages

    .21         .38         .57         1.09         1.45   

Credit Card

    3.61         3.73         3.90         4.01         5.19   

Other Retail

             

Retail leasing

    .09         .03         .02         .04           

Home equity and second mortgages

    .24         .61         1.33         1.72         1.66   

Other

    .65         .71         .81         .94         1.20   

Total other retail

    .45         .60         .89         1.13         1.25   

Total loans, excluding covered loans

    .48         .57         .66         1.03         1.53   

Covered Loans

            .15         .32         .08         .07   

Total loans

    .47      .55      .64      .97      1.41

 

 53 


Analysis of Loan Net Charge-offs Total loan net charge-offs were $1.2 billion in 2015, compared with $1.3 billion in 2014 and $1.5 billion in 2013. The decrease in total net charge-offs in 2015, compared with 2014, reflected improvement in the residential mortgages and home equity and second mortgages portfolios, as economic conditions continue to slowly improve during the period, partially offset by higher commercial loan net charge-offs. The ratio of total loan net charge-offs to average loans was 0.47 percent in 2015, compared with 0.55 percent in 2014 and 0.64 percent in 2013.

Commercial and commercial real estate loan net charge-offs for 2015 were $191 million (0.15 percent of average loans outstanding), compared with $182 million (0.16 percent of average loans outstanding) in 2014 and $87 million (0.08 percent of average loans outstanding) in 2013. The increase in net charge-offs in 2015, compared with 2014, reflected lower commercial loan recoveries in 2015. The increase in net charge-offs in 2014, compared with 2013, reflected higher commercial loan net charge-offs and lower recoveries in commercial real estate.

Residential mortgage loan net charge-offs for 2015 were $109 million (0.21 percent of average loans outstanding), compared with $195 million (0.38 percent of average loans outstanding) in 2014 and $272 million (0.57 percent of average loans outstanding) in 2013. Credit card loan net charge-offs in 2015 were $651 million (3.61 percent of average loans outstanding), compared with $658 million (3.73 percent of average loans outstanding) in 2014 and $656 million (3.90 percent of average loans outstanding) in 2013. Other retail loan net charge-offs for 2015 were $221 million (0.45 percent of average loans outstanding), compared with $288 million (0.60 percent of average loans outstanding) in 2014 and $418 million (0.89 percent of average loans outstanding) in 2013. The decrease in total residential mortgage, credit card and other retail loan net charge-offs in 2015, compared with 2014, reflected continued improvement in economic conditions during 2015. The decrease in total residential mortgage, credit card and other retail loan net charge-offs in 2014, compared with 2013, reflected improvement in economic conditions during 2014, especially in residential housing prices.

The following table provides an analysis of net charge-offs as a percent of average loans outstanding for residential mortgages and home equity and second mortgages by borrower type:

 

Year Ended December 31

(Dollars in Millions)

  Average Loans     Percent of
Average Loans
 
  2015     2014     2015     2014  

Residential Mortgages

         

Prime borrowers

  $ 44,980      $ 44,006        .15     .30

Sub-prime borrowers

    1,144        1,302        2.62        4.07   

Other borrowers

    714        858        .98        1.05   

Loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools(a)

    5,002        5,652        .06        .05   

Total

  $ 51,840      $ 51,818        .21     .38
 

Home Equity and Second Mortgages

         

Prime borrowers

  $ 15,371      $ 14,804        .19     .53

Sub-prime borrowers

    214        262        2.34        5.34   

Other borrowers

    461        498        .87        .60   

Total

  $ 16,046      $ 15,564        .24     .61
(a) Represents loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools whose payments are primarily insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Analysis and Determination of the Allowance for Credit Losses The allowance for credit losses reserves for probable and estimable losses incurred in the Company’s loan and lease portfolio, including unfunded credit commitments, and includes certain amounts that do not represent loss exposure to the Company because those losses are recoverable under loss sharing agreements with the FDIC. The allowance for credit losses is increased through provisions charged to operating earnings and reduced by net charge-offs. Management evaluates the allowance each quarter to ensure it appropriately reserves for incurred losses. The evaluation of each element and the overall allowance is based on a continuing assessment of problem loans, recent loss experience and other factors, including external factors such as regulatory guidance and economic conditions. Because business processes and credit risks associated with unfunded credit commitments are essentially the same as for loans, the Company utilizes similar processes to estimate its liability for unfunded credit commitments, which is included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Both the allowance for loan losses and the liability for unfunded credit commitments are included in the Company’s analysis of credit losses and reported reserve ratios.

At December 31, 2015, the allowance for credit losses was $4.3 billion (1.65 percent of period-end loans), compared with an allowance of $4.4 billion (1.77 percent of period-end loans) at December 31, 2014. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans was 361 percent at December 31, 2015, compared with 298 percent at December 31, 2014, reflecting a decrease in nonperforming loans. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to annual loan net charge-offs at December 31, 2015, was 367 percent, compared with 328 percent at December 31, 2014, reflecting

 

 

 54 


the impact of improving economic conditions over the past year. Management determined the allowance for credit losses was appropriate at December 31, 2015.

The allowance recorded for loans in the commercial lending segment is based on reviews of individual credit relationships and considers the migration analysis of commercial lending segment loans and actual loss experience. In the migration analysis applied to risk rated loan portfolios, the Company currently examines up to a 15-year period of historical loss experience. For each loan type, this historical loss experience is adjusted as necessary to consider any relevant changes in portfolio composition, lending policies, underwriting standards, risk management practices or economic conditions. The results of the analysis are evaluated quarterly to confirm an appropriate historical timeframe is selected for each commercial loan type. The allowance recorded for impaired loans greater than $5 million in the commercial lending segment is based on an individual loan analysis utilizing expected cash flows discounted using the original effective interest rate, the observable market price of the loan, or the fair value of the collateral, less selling costs, for collateral-dependent loans, rather than the migration analysis. The allowance recorded for all other commercial lending segment loans is determined on a homogenous pool basis and includes consideration of product mix, risk characteristics of the portfolio, bankruptcy experience, and historical losses, adjusted for current trends. The allowance established for commercial lending segment loans was $2.0 billion at December 31, 2015, compared with $1.9 billion at December 31, 2014, reflecting growth in the portfolios and the uncertain outlook for commodity prices. At December 31, 2015 the Company had credit reserves of approximately 5 percent of total energy loan balances.

The allowance recorded for TDR loans and purchased impaired loans in the consumer lending segment is determined on a homogenous pool basis utilizing expected cash flows discounted using the original effective interest rate of the pool, or the prior quarter effective rate, respectively. The allowance for collateral-dependent loans in the consumer lending segment is determined based on the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell. The allowance recorded for all other consumer lending segment loans is determined on a homogenous pool basis and includes consideration of product mix, risk characteristics of the portfolio, bankruptcy experience, delinquency status, refreshed LTV ratios when possible, portfolio growth and historical losses, adjusted for current trends. Credit card and other retail loans 90 days or more past due are generally not placed on nonaccrual status because of the relatively short period of time to charge-off and, therefore, are excluded from nonperforming loans and measures that include nonperforming loans as part of the calculation.

When evaluating the appropriateness of the allowance for credit losses for any loans and lines in a junior lien position, the Company considers the delinquency and modification status of the first lien. At December 31, 2015, the Company serviced the first lien on 39 percent of the home equity loans and lines in a

junior lien position. The Company also considers information received from its primary regulator on the status of the first liens that are serviced by other large servicers in the industry and the status of first lien mortgage accounts reported on customer credit bureau files. Regardless of whether or not the Company services the first lien, an assessment is made of economic conditions, problem loans, recent loss experience and other factors in determining the allowance for credit losses. Based on the available information, the Company estimated $291 million or 1.8 percent of the total home equity portfolio at December 31, 2015, represented non-delinquent junior liens where the first lien was delinquent or modified.

The Company uses historical loss experience on the loans and lines in a junior lien position where the first lien is serviced by the Company, or can be identified in credit bureau data, to establish loss estimates for junior lien loans and lines the Company services that are current, but the first lien is delinquent or modified. Historically, the number of junior lien defaults in any period has been a small percentage of the total portfolio (for example, only 0.7 percent for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015), and the long-term average loss rate on the small percentage of loans that default has been approximately 80 percent. In addition, the Company obtains updated credit scores on its home equity portfolio each quarter, and in some cases more frequently, and uses this information to qualitatively supplement its loss estimation methods. Credit score distributions for the portfolio are monitored monthly and any changes in the distribution are one of the factors considered in assessing the Company’s loss estimates. In its evaluation of the allowance for credit losses, the Company also considers the increased risk of loss associated with home equity lines that are contractually scheduled to convert from a revolving status to a fully amortizing payment and with residential lines and loans that have a balloon payoff provision.

The allowance established for consumer lending segment loans was $2.3 billion at December 31, 2015, compared with $2.4 billion at December 31, 2014. The $181 million (7.4 percent) decrease in the allowance for consumer lending segment loans at December 31, 2015, compared with December 31, 2014, reflected the impact of more stable economic conditions during 2015, partially offset by portfolio growth.

The allowance for the covered loan segment is evaluated each quarter in a manner similar to that described for non-covered loans, and represents any decreases in expected cash flows on those loans after the acquisition date. The provision for credit losses for covered loans considers the indemnification provided by the FDIC. The allowance established for covered loans was $38 million at December 31, 2015, compared with $65 million at December 31, 2014, reflecting expected credit losses in excess of initial fair value adjustments, including $2 million and $16 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, to be reimbursed by the FDIC.

 

 

 55 


  TABLE 18   SUMMARY OF ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

 

(Dollars in Millions)   2015      2014      2013      2012      2011  

Balance at beginning of year

  $ 4,375       $ 4,537       $ 4,733       $ 5,014       $ 5,531   

Charge-Offs

             

Commercial

             

Commercial

    289         278         212         312         423   

Lease financing

    25         27         34         66         93   
 

 

 

 

Total commercial

    314         305         246         378         516   

Commercial real estate

             

Commercial mortgages

    20         21         71         145         231   

Construction and development

    2         15         21         97         312   
 

 

 

 

Total commercial real estate

    22         36         92         242         543   

Residential mortgages

    135         216         297         461         502   

Credit card

    726         725         739         769         922   

Other retail

             

Retail leasing

    8         6         5         9         10   

Home equity and second mortgages

    73         121         237         327         327   

Other

    238         257         281         330         396   
 

 

 

 

Total other retail

    319         384         523         666         733   

Covered loans(a)

            13         37         11         13   
 

 

 

 

Total charge-offs

    1,516         1,679         1,934         2,527         3,229   

Recoveries

             

Commercial

             

Commercial

    84         92         95         72         74   

Lease financing

    11         18         31         31         36   
 

 

 

 

Total commercial

    95         110         126         103         110   

Commercial real estate

             

Commercial mortgages

    15         30         45         31         22   

Construction and development

    35         19         80         45         23   
 

 

 

 

Total commercial real estate

    50         49         125         76         45   

Residential mortgages

    26         21         25         23         13   

Credit card

    75         67         83         102         88   

Other retail

             

Retail leasing

    3         4         4         7         10   

Home equity and second mortgages

    35         26         26         26         19   

Other

    60         66         75         92         100   
 

 

 

 

Total other retail

    98         96         105         125         129   

Covered loans(a)

            2         5         1         1   
 

 

 

 

Total recoveries

    344         345         469         430         386   

Net Charge-Offs

             

Commercial

             

Commercial

    205         186         117         240         349   

Lease financing

    14         9         3         35         57   
 

 

 

 

Total commercial

    219         195         120         275         406   

Commercial real estate

             

Commercial mortgages

    5         (9      26         114         209   

Construction and development

    (33      (4      (59      52         289   
 

 

 

 

Total commercial real estate

    (28      (13      (33      166         498   

Residential mortgages

    109         195         272         438         489   

Credit card

    651         658         656         667         834   

Other retail

             

Retail leasing

    5         2         1         2           

Home equity and second mortgages

    38         95         211         301         308   

Other

    178         191         206         238         296   
 

 

 

 

Total other retail

    221         288         418         541         604   

Covered loans(a)

            11         32         10         12   
 

 

 

 

Total net charge-offs

    1,172         1,334         1,465         2,097         2,843   

Provision for credit losses

    1,132         1,229         1,340         1,882         2,343   

Other changes(b)

    (29      (57      (71      (66      (17
 

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

  $ 4,306       $ 4,375       $ 4,537       $ 4,733       $ 5,014   
 

 

 

 

Components

             

Allowance for loan losses

  $ 3,863       $ 4,039       $ 4,250       $ 4,424       $ 4,753   

Liability for unfunded credit commitments

    443         336         287         309         261   
 

 

 

 

Total allowance for credit losses

  $ 4,306       $ 4,375       $ 4,537       $ 4,733       $ 5,014   
 

 

 

 

Allowance for Credit Losses as a Percentage of

             

Period-end loans, excluding covered loans

    1.67      1.78      1.94      2.15      2.52

Nonperforming loans, excluding covered loans

    360         297         297         269         228   

Nonperforming and accruing loans 90 days or more past due, excluding covered loans

    247         215         201         194         164   

Nonperforming assets, excluding covered assets

    288         245         242         218         191   

Net charge-offs, excluding covered loans

    364         326         306         218         174   

Period-end loans

    1.65      1.77      1.93      2.12      2.39

Nonperforming loans

    361         298         283         228         163   

Nonperforming and accruing loans 90 days or more past due

    213         181         163         139         104   

Nonperforming assets

    283         242         223         177         133   

Net charge-offs

    367         328         310         226         176   
(a) Relates to covered loan charge-offs and recoveries not reimbursable by the FDIC.
(b) Includes net changes in credit losses to be reimbursed by the FDIC and beginning in 2013, reductions in the allowance for covered loans where the reversal of a previously recorded allowance was offset by an associated decrease in the indemnification asset, and the impact of any loan sales.

 

 56 


  TABLE 19   ELEMENTS OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

 

    Allowance Amount      Allowance as a Percent of Loans  
At December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015      2014      2013      2012      2011      2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Commercial

                          

Commercial

  $ 1,231       $ 1,094       $ 1,019       $ 979       $ 929         1.48     1.46     1.57     1.61     1.83

Lease financing

    56         52         56         72         81         1.06        .97        1.06        1.31        1.37   

Total commercial

    1,287         1,146         1,075         1,051         1,010         1.46        1.43        1.53        1.59        1.78   
 

Commercial Real Estate

                          

Commercial mortgages

    285         479         532         641         850         .90        1.44        1.65        2.07        2.87   

Construction and development

    439         247         244         216         304         4.24        2.62        3.17        3.63        4.91   

Total commercial real estate

    724         726         776         857         1,154         1.72        1.70        1.95        2.32        3.22   

Residential Mortgages

    631         787         875         935         927         1.18        1.52        1.71        2.12        2.50   

Credit Card

    883         880         884         863         992         4.20        4.75        4.91        5.04        5.71   
 

Other Retail

                          

Retail leasing

    12         14         14         11         12         .23        .24        .24        .20        .23   

Home equity and second mortgages

    448         470         497         583         536         2.73        2.95        3.22        3.49        2.96   

Other

    283         287         270         254         283         .96        1.04        1.03        .99        1.14   

Total other retail

    743         771         781         848         831         1.45        1.57        1.64        1.78        1.73   

Covered Loans

    38         65         146         179         100         .83        1.23        1.73        1.58        .68   

Total allowance

  $ 4,306       $ 4,375       $ 4,537       $ 4,733       $ 5,014         1.65     1.77     1.93     2.12     2.39

 

In addition, the evaluation of the appropriate allowance for credit losses for purchased non-impaired loans acquired after January 1, 2009, in the various loan segments considers credit discounts recorded as a part of the initial determination of the fair value of the loans. For these loans, no allowance for credit losses is recorded at the purchase date. Credit discounts representing the principal losses expected over the life of the loans are a component of the initial fair value. Subsequent to the purchase date, the methods utilized to estimate the required allowance for credit losses for these loans is similar to originated loans; however, the Company records a provision for credit losses only when the required allowance, net of any expected reimbursement under any loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, exceeds any remaining credit discounts.

The evaluation of the appropriate allowance for credit losses for purchased impaired loans in the various loan segments considers the expected cash flows to be collected from the borrower. These loans are initially recorded at fair value and therefore no allowance for credit losses is recorded at the purchase date.

Subsequent to the purchase date, the expected cash flows of purchased loans are subject to evaluation. Decreases in expected cash flows are recognized by recording an allowance for credit losses with the related provision for credit losses reduced for the amount reimbursable by the FDIC, where applicable. If the expected cash flows on the purchased loans increase such that a previously recorded impairment allowance can be reversed, the Company records a reduction in the allowance with a related reduction in losses reimbursable by the FDIC, where applicable. Increases in

expected cash flows of purchased loans, when there are no reversals of previous impairment allowances, are recognized over the remaining life of the loans and resulting decreases in expected cash flows of the FDIC indemnification assets are amortized over the shorter of the remaining contractual term of the indemnification agreements or the remaining life of the loans. Refer to Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, for more information.

The Company’s methodology for determining the appropriate allowance for credit losses for all the loan segments also considers the imprecision inherent in the methodologies used. As a result, in addition to the amounts determined under the methodologies described above, management also considers the potential impact of other qualitative factors which include, but are not limited to, economic factors; geographic and other concentration risks; delinquency and nonaccrual trends; current business conditions; changes in lending policy, underwriting standards, internal review and other relevant business practices; and the regulatory environment. The consideration of these items results in adjustments to allowance amounts included in the Company’s allowance for credit losses for each of the above loan segments. Table 19 shows the amount of the allowance for credit losses by loan segment, class and underlying portfolio category.

Although the Company determines the amount of each element of the allowance separately and considers this process to be an important credit management tool, the entire allowance for credit losses is available for the entire loan portfolio. The actual amount of losses incurred can vary significantly from the estimated amounts.

 

 

 57 


Residual Value Risk Management The Company manages its risk to changes in the residual value of leased assets through disciplined residual valuation setting at the inception of a lease, diversification of its leased assets, regular residual asset valuation reviews and monitoring of residual value gains or losses upon the disposition of assets. Commercial lease originations are subject to the same well-defined underwriting standards referred to in the “Credit Risk Management” section which includes an evaluation of the residual value risk. Retail lease residual value risk is mitigated further by originating longer-term vehicle leases and effective end-of-term marketing of off-lease vehicles.

Included in the retail leasing portfolio was approximately $4.4 billion of retail leasing residuals at December 31, 2015, compared with $4.8 billion at December 31, 2014. The Company monitors concentrations of leases by manufacturer and vehicle “make and model.” As of December 31, 2015, vehicle lease residuals related to sport utility vehicles were 36.4 percent of the portfolio, while auto and crossover vehicle classes represented approximately 32.7 percent and 20.0 percent of the portfolio, respectively. At year-end 2015, the largest vehicle-type concentration represented 7.4 percent of the aggregate residual value of the vehicles in the portfolio. At December 31, 2015, the weighted-average origination term of the portfolio was 40 months, compared with 39 months at December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2015, the commercial leasing portfolio had $511 million of residuals, compared with $543 million at December 31, 2014. At year-end 2015, lease residuals related to trucks and other transportation equipment were 30.7 percent of the total residual portfolio. Business and office equipment represented 30.3 percent of the aggregate portfolio, and railcars represented 12.7 percent. No other concentrations of more than 10 percent existed at December 31, 2015.

Operational Risk Management Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people, or systems, or from external events, including the risk of loss resulting from fraud, litigation and breaches in data security. The Company operates in many different businesses in diverse markets and relies on the ability of its employees and systems to process a high number of transactions. Operational risk is inherent in all business activities, and the management of this risk is important to the achievement of the Company’s objectives. Business lines have direct and primary responsibility and accountability for identifying, controlling, and monitoring operational risks embedded in their business activities. The Company maintains a system of controls with the objective of providing proper transaction authorization and execution, proper system operations, proper oversight of third parties with whom it does business, safeguarding of assets from misuse or theft, and ensuring the reliability and security of financial and other data.

Business continuation and disaster recovery planning is also critical to effectively managing operational risks. Each business unit of the Company is required to develop, maintain and test these plans at least annually to ensure that recovery activities, if needed, can support mission critical functions, including technology, networks and data centers supporting customer applications and business operations.

While the Company believes it has designed effective processes to minimize operational risks, there is no absolute assurance that business disruption or operational losses would not occur from an external event or internal control breakdown. On an ongoing basis, management makes process changes and investments to enhance its systems of internal controls and business continuity and disaster recovery plans.

In the past, the Company has experienced attack attempts on its computer systems including various denial-of-service attacks on customer-facing websites. The Company has not experienced any material losses relating to these attempts, as a result of its controls, processes and systems to protect its networks, computers, software and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access. However, attack attempts on the Company’s computer systems are increasing and the Company continues to develop and enhance its controls and processes to protect against these attempts.

Compliance Risk Management The Company may suffer legal or regulatory sanctions, material financial loss, or damage to reputation through failure to comply with laws, regulations, rules, standards of good practice, and codes of conduct, including those related to compliance with Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering requirements, sanctions compliance requirements as administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, and other requirements. The Company has controls and processes in place for the assessment, identification, monitoring, management and reporting of compliance risks and issues.

The significant increase in regulation and regulatory oversight initiatives over the past several years has substantially increased the importance of the Company’s compliance risk management personnel and activities. For example, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) has authority to prescribe rules, or issue orders or guidelines pursuant to any federal consumer financial law. The CFPB regulates and examines the Company, its bank and other subsidiaries with respect to matters that relate to these laws and consumer financial services and products. The CFPB’s rulemaking, examination and enforcement authority increases enforcement risk in this area including the potential for fines and penalties. Refer to “Supervision and Regulation” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion of the regulatory framework applicable to bank

 

 

 58 


holding companies and their subsidiaries, and the substantial changes to that regulation.

Interest Rate Risk Management In the banking industry, changes in interest rates are a significant risk that can impact earnings, market valuations and safety and soundness of an entity. To manage the impact on net interest income and the market value of assets and liabilities, the Company manages its exposure to changes in interest rates through asset and liability management activities within guidelines established by its Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”) and approved by the Board of Directors. The ALCO has the responsibility for approving and ensuring compliance with the ALCO management policies, including interest rate risk exposure. The Company uses net interest income simulation analysis and market value of equity modeling for measuring and analyzing consolidated interest rate risk.

Net Interest Income Simulation Analysis One of the primary tools used to measure interest rate risk and the effect of interest rate changes on net interest income is simulation analysis. The monthly analysis incorporates substantially all of the Company’s assets and liabilities and off-balance sheet instruments, together with forecasted changes in the balance sheet and assumptions that reflect the current interest rate environment. Through this simulation, management estimates the impact on net interest income of a 200 basis point (“bps”) upward or downward gradual change of market interest rates over a one-year period. The simulation also estimates the effect of immediate and sustained parallel shifts in the yield curve of 50 bps as well as the effect of immediate and sustained flattening or steepening of the yield curve. This simulation includes assumptions about how the balance sheet is likely to be affected by changes in loan and deposit growth. Assumptions are made to project interest rates for new loans and deposits based on historical analysis, management’s outlook and re-pricing strategies. These assumptions are validated on a periodic basis. A sensitivity analysis is provided for key variables of the simulation. The results are reviewed by the ALCO monthly and are used to guide asset/liability management strategies.

Table 20 summarizes the projected impact to net interest income over the next 12 months of various potential interest rate changes. The Company manages its interest rate risk position by holding assets with desired interest rate risk characteristics on its balance sheet, implementing certain pricing strategies for loans and deposits and through the selection of derivatives and various funding and investment portfolio strategies. The Company manages the overall interest rate risk profile within policy limits. The ALCO policy limits the estimated change in net interest income in a gradual 200 bps rate change scenario to a

4.0 percent decline of forecasted net interest income over the next 12 months. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company was within policy.

Market Value of Equity Modeling The Company also manages interest rate sensitivity by utilizing market value of equity modeling, which measures the degree to which the market values of the Company’s assets and liabilities and off-balance sheet instruments will change given a change in interest rates. The valuation analysis is dependent upon certain key assumptions about the nature of assets and liabilities with non-contractual maturities. Management estimates the average life and rate characteristics of asset and liability accounts based upon historical analysis and management’s expectation of rate behavior. Wholesale prepayment assumptions are based on several key factors, including but not limited to, age, loan term, product type and seasonality, as well as macroeconomic factors including unemployment, interest rates and commercial real estate price indices. These factors are updated regularly based on historical experience and forward market expectations. Mortgage prepayment assumptions are based on many key variables, including, but not limited to, current and projected interest rates compared with underlying contractual rates, the time since origination and period to next reset date if floating rate loans, and other factors including housing price indices and geography, which are updated regularly based on historical experience and forward market expectations. The balance and pricing assumptions of deposits that have no stated maturity are based on historical performance, the competitive environment, customer behavior, and product mix. These assumptions are validated on a periodic basis. A sensitivity analysis of key variables of the valuation analysis is provided to the ALCO monthly and is used to guide asset/liability management strategies.

Management measures the impact of changes in market interest rates under a number of scenarios, including immediate and sustained parallel shifts, and flattening or steepening of the yield curve. The ALCO policy limits the change in the market value of equity in a 200 bps parallel rate shock to a 15.0 percent decline. A 200 bps increase would have resulted in a 5.8 percent decrease in the market value of equity at December 31, 2015, compared with a 6.7 percent decrease at December 31, 2014. A 200 bps decrease, where possible given current rates, would have resulted in a 7.0 percent decrease in the market value of equity at December 31, 2015, compared with a 7.1 percent decrease at December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company was within policy.

 

 

  TABLE 20   SENSITIVITY OF NET INTEREST INCOME

 

    December 31, 2015      December 31, 2014  
    

Down 50 bps

Immediate

     Up 50 bps
Immediate
    Down 200 bps
Gradual
     Up 200 bps
Gradual
     Down 50 bps
Immediate
     Up 50 bps
Immediate
    Down 200 bps
Gradual
     Up 200 bps
Gradual
 

Net interest income

    *         1.78     *         2.69      *         1.38     *         1.68
* Given the current level of interest rates, a downward rate scenario can not be computed.

 

 59 


Use of Derivatives to Manage Interest Rate and Other Risks To manage the sensitivity of earnings and capital to interest rate, prepayment, credit, price and foreign currency fluctuations (asset and liability management positions), the Company enters into derivative transactions. The Company uses derivatives for asset and liability management purposes primarily in the following ways:

 

  To convert fixed-rate debt from fixed-rate payments to floating-rate payments;

 

  To convert the cash flows associated with floating-rate loans and debt from floating-rate payments to fixed-rate payments;

 

  To mitigate changes in value of the Company’s mortgage origination pipeline, funded MLHFS and MSRs;

 

  To mitigate remeasurement volatility of foreign currency denominated balances; and

 

  To mitigate the volatility of the Company’s investment in foreign businesses driven by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are either exchange-traded, centrally cleared through clearinghouses or over-the-counter. In addition, the Company enters into interest rate and foreign exchange derivative contracts to support the business requirements of its customers (customer-related positions). The Company minimizes the market and liquidity risks of customer-related positions by either entering into similar offsetting positions with broker-dealers, or on a portfolio basis by entering into other derivative or non-derivative financial instruments that partially or fully offset the exposure from these customer-related positions. The Company does not utilize derivatives for speculative purposes.

The Company does not designate all of the derivatives that it enters into for risk management purposes as accounting hedges because of the inefficiency of applying the accounting requirements and may instead elect fair value accounting for the related hedged items. In particular, the Company enters into interest rate swaps, forward commitments to buy to-be-announced securities (“TBAs”), U.S. Treasury and Eurodollar futures and options on U.S. Treasury futures to mitigate fluctuations in the value of its MSRs, but does not designate those derivatives as accounting hedges. The estimated net sensitivity to changes in interest rates of the fair value of the MSRs and the related derivative instruments at December 31, 2015, to an immediate 25, 50 and 100 bps downward movement in interest rates would be a decrease of approximately $7 million, $24 million and $123 million, respectively. An immediate upward movement in interest rates at December 31, 2015 of 25, 50 and 100 bps would

decrease the fair value of the MSRs and related derivative instruments by $2 million, $16 million and $33 million, respectively. Refer to Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding MSRs.

Additionally, the Company uses forward commitments to sell TBAs and other commitments to sell residential mortgage loans at specified prices to economically hedge the interest rate risk in its residential mortgage loan production activities. At December 31, 2015, the Company had $5.4 billion of forward commitments to sell, hedging $2.1 billion of MLHFS and $4.1 billion of unfunded mortgage loan commitments. The forward commitments to sell and the unfunded mortgage loan commitments on loans intended to be sold are considered derivatives under the accounting guidance related to accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The Company has elected the fair value option for the MLHFS.

Derivatives are subject to credit risk associated with counterparties to the contracts. Credit risk associated with derivatives is measured by the Company based on the probability of counterparty default. The Company manages the credit risk of its derivative positions by diversifying its positions among various counterparties, by entering into master netting arrangements, and, where possible by requiring collateral arrangements. The Company may also transfer counterparty credit risk related to interest rate swaps to third parties through the use of risk participation agreements. In addition, certain interest rate swaps and forwards and credit contracts are required to be centrally cleared through clearinghouses to further mitigate counterparty credit risk.

For additional information on derivatives and hedging activities, refer to Notes 20 and 21 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Market Risk Management In addition to interest rate risk, the Company is exposed to other forms of market risk, principally related to trading activities which support customers’ strategies to manage their own foreign currency, interest rate risk and funding activities. For purposes of its internal capital adequacy assessment process, the Company considers risk arising from its trading activities employing methodologies consistent with the requirements of regulatory rules for market risk. The Company’s Market Risk Committee (“MRC”), within the framework of the ALCO, oversees market risk management. The MRC monitors and reviews the Company’s trading positions and establishes policies for market risk management, including exposure limits for each portfolio. The Company uses a Value at Risk (“VaR”) approach to measure general market risk. Theoretically, VaR represents

 

 

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the statistical risk of loss the Company has to adverse market movements over a one-day time horizon. The Company uses the Historical Simulation method to calculate VaR for its trading businesses measured at the ninety-ninth percentile using a one-year look-back period for distributions derived from past market data. The market factors used in the calculations include those pertinent to market risks inherent in the underlying trading portfolios, principally those that affect its corporate bond trading business, foreign currency transaction business, client derivatives business, loan trading business and municipal securities business. On average, the Company expects the one-day VaR to be exceeded by actual losses two to three times per year for its trading businesses. The Company monitors the effectiveness of its risk programs by back-testing the performance of its VaR models, regularly updating the historical data used by the VaR models and stress testing. If the Company were to experience market losses in excess of the estimated VaR more often than expected, the VaR models and associated assumptions would be analyzed and adjusted.

The average, high, low and period-end VaR amounts for the Company’s trading positions were as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31

(Dollars in Millions)

  2015        2014  

Average

  $ 1         $ 1   

High

    2           2   

Low

    1           1   

Period-end

    1           1   

The Company did not experience any actual trading losses for its combined trading businesses that exceeded VaR during 2015 and 2014. The Company stress tests its market risk measurements to provide management with perspectives on market events that may not be captured by its VaR models, including worst case historical market movement combinations that have not necessarily occurred on the same date.

The Company calculates Stressed VaR using the same underlying methodology and model as VaR, except that a historical continuous one-year look-back period is utilized that reflects a period of significant financial stress appropriate to the Company’s trading portfolio. The period selected by the Company includes the significant market volatility of the last four months of 2008.

The average, high, low and period-end Stressed VaR amounts for the Company’s trading positions were as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31

(Dollars in Millions)

  2015        2014  

Average

  $ 4         $ 4   

High

    8           8   

Low

    2           2   

Period-end

    3           5   

Valuations of positions in the client derivatives and foreign currency transaction businesses are based on standard cash flow or other valuation techniques using market-based assumptions. These valuations are compared to third party quotes or other market prices to determine if there are significant variances. Significant variances are approved by the Company’s market risk management department. Valuation of positions in the corporate bond trading, loan trading and municipal securities businesses are based on trader marks. These trader marks are evaluated against third party prices, with significant variances approved by the Company’s risk management department.

The Company also measures the market risk of its hedging activities related to residential MLHFS and MSRs using the Historical Simulation method. The VaRs are measured at the ninety-ninth percentile and employ factors pertinent to the market risks inherent in the valuation of the assets and hedges. The Company monitors the effectiveness of the models through back-testing, updating the data and regular validations. A three-year look-back period is used to obtain past market data for the models.

The average, high and low VaR amounts for the residential MLHFS and related hedges and the MSRs and related hedges were as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31

(Dollars in Millions)

  2015        2014  

Residential Mortgage Loans Held For Sale and Related Hedges

      

Average

  $ 1         $ 1   

High

    2           2   

Low

                

Mortgage Servicing Rights and Related Hedges

      

Average

  $ 6         $ 4   

High

    8           8   

Low

    4           2   

Liquidity Risk Management The Company’s liquidity risk management process is designed to identify, measure, and manage the Company’s funding and liquidity risk to meet its daily funding needs and to address expected and unexpected changes in its funding requirements. The Company engages in various activities to manage its liquidity risk. These activities include diversifying its funding sources, stress testing, and holding readily-marketable assets which can be used as a source of liquidity if needed. In addition, the Company’s profitable operations, sound credit quality and strong capital position have enabled it to develop a large and reliable base of core deposit funding within its market areas and in domestic and global capital markets.

The Company’s Board of Directors approves the Company’s liquidity policy. The Risk Management Committee

 

 

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of the Company’s Board of Directors oversees the Company’s liquidity risk management process and approves the contingency funding plan. The ALCO reviews the Company’s liquidity policy and guidelines, and regularly assesses the Company’s ability to meet funding requirements arising from adverse company-specific or market events.

The Company’s liquidity policy requires it to maintain diversified wholesale funding sources to avoid maturity, name and market concentrations. The Company operates a Grand Cayman branch for issuing Eurodollar time deposits. In addition, the Company has relationships with dealers to issue national market retail and institutional savings certificates and short-term and medium-term notes. The Company also maintains a significant correspondent banking network and relationships. Accordingly, the Company has access to national federal funds, funding through repurchase agreements and sources of stable certificates of deposit and commercial paper.

The Company regularly projects its funding needs under various stress scenarios and maintains a contingency funding plan consistent with the Company’s access to diversified

sources of contingent funding. The Company maintains a substantial level of total available liquidity in the form of on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet funding sources. These include cash at the Federal Reserve Bank, unencumbered liquid assets, and capacity to borrow at the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank’s Discount Window. Unencumbered liquid assets in the Company’s available-for-sale and held-to-maturity investment portfolios provide asset liquidity through the Company’s ability to sell the securities or pledge and borrow against them. At December 31, 2015, the fair value of unencumbered available-for-sale and held-to-maturity investment securities totaled $92.4 billion, compared with $86.9 billion at December 31, 2014. Refer to Table 13 and “Balance Sheet Analysis” for further information on investment securities’ maturities and trends. Asset liquidity is further enhanced by the Company’s ability to pledge loans to access secured borrowing facilities through the FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank. At December 31, 2015, the Company could have borrowed an additional $74.9 billion at the FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank based on collateral available for additional borrowings.

 

 

  TABLE 21   DEBT RATINGS

 

     Moody’s        Standard &
Poor’s
       Fitch        Dominion
Bond
Rating Service
 

U.S. Bancorp

                

Long-term issuer rating

    A1           A+           AA           AA   

Short-term issuer rating

         A-1           F1+           R-1 (middle

Senior unsecured debt

    A1           A+           AA           AA   

Subordinated debt

    A1           A-           AA-           AA (low

Junior subordinated debt

    A2           BBB                AA (low

Preferred stock

    A3           BBB           BBB+           A   

Commercial paper

    P-1           A-1           F1+        

U.S. Bank National Association

                

Long-term issuer rating

    A1           AA-           AA        

Short-term issuer rating

    P-1           A-1+           F1+           R-1 (high

Long-term deposits

    Aa1                AA+           AA (high

Short-term deposits

    P-1                F1+        

Senior unsecured debt

    A1           AA-           AA           AA (high

Subordinated debt

    A1           A           AA-           AA   

Commercial paper

    P-1           A-1+           F1+        

Counterparty risk assessment

    Aa2(cr)/P-1(cr                                 

 

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The Company’s diversified deposit base provides a sizeable source of relatively stable and low-cost funding, while reducing the Company’s reliance on the wholesale markets. Total deposits were $300.4 billion at December 31, 2015, compared with $282.7 billion at December 31, 2014. Refer to Table 14 and “Balance Sheet Analysis” for further information on the Company’s deposits.

Additional funding is provided by long-term debt and short-term borrowings. Long-term debt was $32.1 billion at December 31, 2015, and is an important funding source because of its multi-year borrowing structure. Refer to Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information on the terms and maturities of the Company’s long-term debt issuances and “Balance Sheet Analysis” for discussion on long-term debt trends. Short-term borrowings were $27.9 billion at December 31, 2015, and supplement the Company’s other funding sources. Refer to Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and “Balance Sheet Analysis” for information on the terms and trends of the Company’s short-term borrowings.

The Company’s ability to raise negotiated funding at competitive prices is influenced by rating agencies’ views of the Company’s credit quality, liquidity, capital and earnings. Table 21 details the rating agencies’ most recent assessments.

In addition to assessing liquidity risk on a consolidated basis, the Company monitors the parent company’s liquidity. The parent company’s routine funding requirements consist primarily of operating expenses, dividends paid to shareholders, debt service, repurchases of common stock and funds used for acquisitions. The parent company obtains funding to meet its obligations from dividends collected from its subsidiaries and the issuance of debt and capital

securities. The Company maintains sufficient funding to meet expected parent company obligations, without access to the wholesale funding markets or dividends from subsidiaries, for 12 months when forecasted payments of common stock dividends are included and 24 months assuming dividends were reduced to zero. The parent company currently has available funds considerably greater than the amounts required to satisfy these conditions.

Under United States Securities and Exchange Commission rules, the parent company is classified as a “well-known seasoned issuer,” which allows it to file a registration statement that does not have a limit on issuance capacity. “Well-known seasoned issuers” generally include those companies with outstanding common securities with a market value of at least $700 million held by non-affiliated parties or those companies that have issued at least $1 billion in aggregate principal amount of non-convertible securities, other than common equity, in the last three years. However, the parent company’s ability to issue debt and other securities under a registration statement filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission under these rules is limited by the debt issuance authority granted by the Company’s Board of Directors and/or the ALCO policy.

At December 31, 2015, parent company long-term debt outstanding was $11.5 billion, compared with $13.2 billion at December 31, 2014. The decrease was primarily due to the maturity of $1.7 billion of medium-term notes. At December 31, 2015, there was $1.9 billion of parent company debt scheduled to mature in 2016. Future debt maturities may be met through medium-term note and capital security issuances and dividends from subsidiaries, as well as from parent company cash and cash equivalents.

 

 

  TABLE 22   CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

 

    Payments Due By Period  
At December 31, 2015 (Dollars in Millions)   One Year
or Less
       Over One
Through
Three Years
       Over Three
Through
Five Years
       Over Five
Years
       Total  

Contractual Obligations(a)

                     

Long-term debt(b)

  $ 6,359         $ 12,930         $ 3,552         $ 9,237         $ 32,078   

Operating leases

    265           445           292           471           1,473   

Benefit obligations(c)

    22           45           48           156           271   

Time deposits

    25,158           5,182           2,495           3           32,838   

Contractual interest payments(d)

    841           990           657           1,015           3,503   

Equity investment commitments

    1,948           512           25           36           2,521   

Other(e)

    199           243           70           130           642   

Total

  $ 34,792         $ 20,347         $ 7,139         $ 11,048         $ 73,326   
(a) Unrecognized tax positions of $243 million at December 31, 2015, are excluded as the Company cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the period of cash settlement with the respective taxing authority.
(b) Includes obligations under capital leases.
(c) Amounts only include obligations related to the unfunded non-qualified pension plans.
(d) Includes accrued interest and future contractual interest obligations.
(e) Primarily includes purchase obligations for goods and services covered by noncancellable contracts and contracts including cancellation fees.

 

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Dividend payments to the Company by its subsidiary bank are subject to regulatory review and statutory limitations and, in some instances, regulatory approval. In general, dividends to the parent company from its banking subsidiary are limited by rules which compare dividends to net income for regulatorily-defined periods. For further information, see Note 24 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

During 2014, U.S. banking regulators approved a final regulatory Liquidity Coverage Ratio (“LCR”), requiring banks to maintain an adequate level of unencumbered high quality liquid assets to meet estimated liquidity needs over a 30-day stressed period. The LCR requirement became effective for the Company January 1, 2015, subject to certain transition provisions over the following two years to full implementation by January 1, 2017. At December 31, 2015, the Company was compliant with the fully implemented LCR requirement based on its interpretation of the final U.S. LCR rule.

European Exposures Certain European countries have experienced severe credit deterioration. The Company does not hold sovereign debt of any European country, but may have indirect exposure to sovereign debt through its investments in, and transactions with, European banks. At December 31, 2015, the Company had investments in perpetual preferred stock issued by European banks with an amortized cost totaling $22 million and unrealized losses totaling $1 million, compared with an amortized cost totaling $66 million and unrealized losses totaling $2 million, at December 31, 2014. The Company also transacts with various European banks as counterparties to interest rate and foreign currency derivatives for its hedging and customer-related activities; however, none of these banks are domiciled in the countries experiencing the most significant credit deterioration. These derivatives are subject to master netting arrangements. In addition, interest rate and foreign currency derivative transactions are subject to collateral arrangements which significantly limit the Company’s exposure to loss as they generally require daily posting of collateral. At December 31, 2015, the Company was in a net receivable position with six banks in Europe, totaling $21 million. The Company was in a net payable position to each of the other European banks.

The Company has not bought or sold credit protection on the debt of any European country or any company domiciled in Europe, nor does it provide retail lending services in Europe. While the Company does not offer commercial lending services in Europe, it does provide financing to domestic multinational corporations that generate revenue from customers in European countries and provides a limited number of corporate credit cards in Europe to existing Company customers. While further deterioration in economic

conditions in Europe could have a negative impact on these customers’ revenues, it is unlikely that any effect on the overall credit-worthiness of these multinational corporations would be significant to the Company.

The Company provides merchant processing and corporate trust services in Europe either directly or through banking affiliations in Europe. Operating cash for these businesses is deposited on a short-term basis with certain European banks. However, exposure is mitigated by the Company placing deposits at multiple banks and managing the amounts on deposit at any bank based on institution-specific deposit limits. At December 31, 2015, the Company had an aggregate amount on deposit with European banks of approximately $2.0 billion, predominately with the Central Bank of Ireland.

The money market funds managed by a subsidiary of the Company do not have any investments in European sovereign debt, other than approximately $275 million at December 31, 2015 guaranteed by the country of Germany. Other than investments in banks in the countries of the Netherlands, France and Germany, those funds do not have any unsecured investments in banks domiciled in the Eurozone.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements Off-balance sheet arrangements include any contractual arrangements to which an unconsolidated entity is a party, under which the Company has an obligation to provide credit or liquidity enhancements or market risk support. Off-balance sheet arrangements also include any obligation related to a variable interest held in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, credit enhancement or market risk support. The Company has not utilized private label asset securitizations as a source of funding.

Commitments to extend credit are legally binding and generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses. Many of the Company’s commitments to extend credit expire without being drawn, and therefore, total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future liquidity requirements or the Company’s exposure to credit loss. Commitments to extend credit also include consumer credit lines that are cancelable upon notification to the consumer. Total contractual amounts of commitments to extend credit at December 31, 2015 were $279.6 billion. The Company also issues and confirms various types of letters of credit, including standby and commercial. Total contractual amounts of letters of credit at December 31, 2015 were $13.3 billion. For more information on the Company’s commitments to extend credit and letters of credit, refer to Note 23 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements with unconsolidated entities primarily consist of private investment

 

 

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funds or partnerships that make equity investments, provide debt financing or support community-based investments in tax-advantaged projects. In addition to providing investment returns, these arrangements in many cases assist the Company in complying with requirements of the Community Reinvestment Act. The investments in these entities generate a return primarily through the realization of federal and state income tax credits, and other tax benefits, such as tax deductions from operating losses of the investments, over specified time periods. The entities in which the Company invests are generally considered variable interest entities (“VIEs”). The Company’s recorded net investment in these entities as of December 31, 2015 was approximately $2.8 billion.

The Company also has non-controlling financial investments in private funds and partnerships considered VIEs. The Company’s recorded investment in these entities was approximately $32 million at December 31, 2015, and the Company had unfunded commitments to invest an additional $15 million. For more information on the Company’s interests in unconsolidated VIEs, refer to Note 8 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Guarantees are contingent commitments issued by the Company to customers or other third parties requiring the Company to perform if certain conditions exist or upon the occurrence or nonoccurrence of a specified event, such as a scheduled payment to be made under contract. The Company’s primary guarantees include commitments from securities lending activities in which indemnifications are provided to customers; indemnification or buy-back provisions related to sales of loans and tax credit investments; merchant charge-back guarantees through the Company’s involvement in providing merchant processing services; and minimum revenue guarantee arrangements. For certain guarantees, the Company may have access to collateral to support the guarantee, or through the exercise of other recourse provisions, be able to offset some or all of any payments made under these guarantees.

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries, along with other Visa U.S.A. Inc. member banks, have a contingent guarantee obligation to indemnify Visa Inc. for potential losses arising from antitrust lawsuits challenging the practices of Visa U.S.A. Inc. and MasterCard International. The indemnification by the Company and other Visa U.S.A. Inc. member banks has no maximum amount. Refer to Note 23 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details regarding guarantees, other commitments, and contingent liabilities, including maximum potential future payments and current carrying amounts.

Capital Management The Company is committed to managing capital to maintain strong protection for depositors and creditors and for maximum shareholder benefit. The Company continually assesses its business risks and capital position. The Company also manages its capital to exceed regulatory capital requirements for banking organizations. To achieve its capital goals, the Company employs a variety of capital management tools, including dividends, common share repurchases, and the issuance of subordinated debt, non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, common stock and other capital instruments.

On June 16, 2015, the Company announced its Board of Directors had approved a 4.1 percent increase in the Company’s dividend rate per common share, from $0.245 per quarter to $0.255 per quarter.

The Company repurchased approximately 52 million shares of its common stock in 2015, compared with approximately 54 million shares in 2014. The average price paid for the shares repurchased in 2015 was $43.54 per share, compared with $41.65 per share in 2014. As of December 31, 2015, the approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased by the Company under the current Board of Directors approved authorization was $1.3 billion. For a more complete analysis of activities impacting shareholders’ equity and capital management programs, refer to Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Total U.S. Bancorp shareholders’ equity was $46.1 billion at December 31, 2015, compared with $43.5 billion at December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily the result of corporate earnings, partially offset by dividends and common share repurchases.

Beginning January 1, 2014, the regulatory capital requirements effective for the Company follow Basel III, subject to certain transition provisions from Basel I over the following four years to full implementation by January 1, 2018. Basel III includes two comprehensive methodologies for calculating risk-weighted assets: a general standardized approach and more risk-sensitive advanced approaches, with the Company’s capital adequacy being evaluated against the methodology that is most restrictive. Under Basel III, banking regulators define minimum capital requirements for banks and financial services holding companies. These requirements are expressed in the form of a minimum common equity tier 1 capital ratio, tier 1 capital ratio, total risk-based capital ratio, and tier 1 leverage ratio. The minimum required level for these ratios at December 31, 2015, was 4.5 percent, 6.0 percent, 8.0 percent, and 4.0 percent, respectively. The Company targets its regulatory capital levels, at both the bank and bank holding company level, to exceed the “well-capitalized” threshold for these ratios. At December 31, 2015, the minimum “well-capitalized” threshold for the common equity

 

 

 65 


tier 1 capital ratio, tier 1 capital ratio, total risk-based capital ratio, and tier 1 leverage ratio was 6.5 percent, 8.0 percent, 10.0 percent and 5.0 percent, respectively. The most recent notification from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency categorized the Company’s bank subsidiary as “well-capitalized” under the FDIC Improvement Act prompt corrective action provisions that are applicable to all banks. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the risk-based category of its covered subsidiary bank.

As an approved mortgage seller and servicer, U.S. Bank National Association, through its mortgage banking division, is required to maintain various levels of shareholder’s equity, as specified by various agencies, including the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Government National Mortgage Association, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National Mortgage Association. At December 31, 2015, U.S. Bank National Association met these requirements.

Table 23 provides a summary of statutory regulatory capital ratios in effect for the Company at December 31, 2015 and 2014.

During 2014, U.S. banking regulators approved a final regulatory Supplementary Leverage Ratio (“SLR”) requirement

for banks calculating capital adequacy using advanced approaches under Basel III. The SLR is defined as tier 1 capital divided by total leverage exposure, which includes both on- and off-balance sheet exposures. At December 31, 2015, the Company’s SLR exceeds the applicable minimum SLR requirement effective January 1, 2018.

The Company believes certain capital ratios in addition to statutory regulatory capital ratios are useful in evaluating its capital adequacy. The Company’s tangible common equity, as a percent of tangible assets and as a percent of risk-weighted assets calculated under the transitional standardized approach, was 7.6 percent and 9.2 percent, respectively, at December 31, 2015, compared with 7.5 percent and 9.3 percent, respectively, at December 31, 2014. The Company’s common equity tier 1 to risk-weighted assets ratio using the Basel III standardized approach as if fully implemented was 9.1 percent at December 31, 2015, compared with 9.0 percent at December 31, 2014. The Company’s common equity tier 1 to risk-weighted assets ratio using the Basel III advanced approaches as if fully implemented was 11.9 percent at December 31, 2015, compared with 11.8 percent at December 31, 2014. Refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for further information regarding the calculation of these ratios.

 

 

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  TABLE 23   REGULATORY CAPITAL RATIOS

 

            U.S. Bancorp     

U.S. Bank National

Association

 
At December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015      2014      2015      2014  

Basel III transitional standardized approach:

            

Common equity tier 1 capital

  $ 32,612       $ 30,856       $ 33,831       $ 32,381   

Tier 1 capital

    38,431         36,020         34,148         32,789   

Total risk-based capital

    45,313         43,208         41,112         40,008   

Risk-weighted assets

    341,360         317,398         336,938         313,261   

Common equity tier 1 capital as a percent of risk-weighted assets

    9.6      9.7      10.0      10.3

Tier 1 capital as a percent of risk-weighted assets

    11.3         11.3         10.1         10.5   

Total risk-based capital as a percent of risk-weighted assets

    13.3         13.6         12.2         12.8   

Tier 1 capital as a percent of adjusted quarterly average assets (leverage ratio)

    9.5         9.3         8.5         8.6   

Basel III transitional advanced approaches:

            

Common equity tier 1 capital

  $ 32,612       $ 30,856       $ 33,831       $ 32,381   

Tier 1 capital

    38,431         36,020         34,148         32,789   

Total risk-based capital

    42,262         40,475         38,090         37,299   

Risk-weighted assets

    261,668         248,596         258,207         245,007   

Common equity tier 1 capital as a percent of risk-weighted assets

    12.5      12.4      13.1      13.2

Tier 1 capital as a percent of risk-weighted assets

    14.7         14.5         13.2         13.4   

Total risk-based capital as a percent of risk-weighted assets

    16.2         16.3         14.8         15.2   

Bank Regulatory Capital Requirements

 

         Minimum      Well-
Capitalized
 

2015

       

Common equity tier 1 capital as a percent of risk-weighted assets

       4.5      6.5

Tier 1 capital as a percent of risk-weighted assets

       6.0         8.0   

Total risk-based capital as a percent of risk-weighted assets

       8.0         10.0   

Tier 1 capital as a percent of adjusted quarterly average assets (leverage ratio)

       4.0         5.0   

2014

       

Common equity tier 1 capital as a percent of risk-weighted assets

       4.0      *   

Tier 1 capital as a percent of risk-weighted assets

       5.5         6.0

Total risk-based capital as a percent of risk-weighted assets

       8.0         10.0   

Tier 1 capital as a percent of adjusted quarterly average assets (leverage ratio)

         4.0         5.0   
* Not applicable.

 

FOURTH QUARTER SUMMARY

The Company reported net income attributable to U.S. Bancorp of $1.5 billion for the fourth quarter of 2015, or $0.80 per diluted common share, compared with $1.5 billion, or $0.79 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2014. Return on average assets and return on average common equity were 1.41 percent and 13.7 percent, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2015, compared with 1.50 percent and 14.4 percent, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2014.

Total net revenue, on a taxable-equivalent basis for the fourth quarter of 2015, was $42 million (0.8 percent) higher than the fourth quarter of 2014, reflecting a 2.6 percent increase in net interest income, partially offset by a 1.3 percent decrease in noninterest income. The increase in net interest income from the fourth quarter of 2014 was the result of growth in average earning assets, partially offset by a continued shift in loan portfolio mix. Noninterest income decreased from a year ago primarily due to the impact of the fourth quarter 2014 Nuveen gain, partially offset by fee revenue growth and the HSA deposit sale.

Noninterest expense in the fourth quarter of 2015 was higher than the fourth quarter of 2014, primarily due to increases in compensation and employee benefits expenses and other costs related to risk and compliance activities, partially offset by lower charitable contributions and the impact of prior year legal accruals.

Fourth quarter 2015 net interest income, on a taxable-equivalent basis, was $2.9 billion, compared with $2.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2014. The $72 million (2.6 percent) increase was principally the result of growth in average earning assets, partially offset by a continued shift in loan portfolio mix. Average earning assets were $18.1 billion (5.1 percent) higher in the fourth quarter of 2015, compared with the fourth quarter of 2014, driven by increases of $10.3 billion (4.2 percent) in loans and $7.4 billion (7.5 percent) in investment securities. The net interest margin, on a taxable-equivalent basis, in the fourth quarter of 2015 was 3.06 percent, compared with 3.14 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014, reflecting a change in the loan portfolio mix, as well as growth in the investment portfolio at lower average rates and lower reinvestment rates on investment securities.

 

 

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  TABLE 24   FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

 

    Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
(Dollars and Shares in Millions, Except Per Share Data)   2015      2014  

Condensed Income Statement

    

Net interest income (taxable-equivalent basis)(a)

  $ 2,871       $ 2,799   

Noninterest income

    2,339         2,369   

Securities gains (losses), net

    1         1   

Total net revenue

    5,211         5,169   

Noninterest expense

    2,809         2,804   

Provision for credit losses

    305         288   

Income before taxes

    2,097         2,077   

Taxable-equivalent adjustment

    52         55   

Applicable income taxes

    556         521   

Net income

    1,489         1,501   

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (13      (13

Net income attributable to U.S. Bancorp

  $ 1,476       $ 1,488   

Net income applicable to U.S. Bancorp common shareholders

  $ 1,404       $ 1,420   

Per Common Share

    

Earnings per share

  $ .80       $ .79   

Diluted earnings per share

  $ .80       $ .79   

Dividends declared per share

  $ .255       $ .245   

Average common shares outstanding

    1,747         1,787   

Average diluted common shares outstanding

    1,754         1,796   

Financial Ratios

    

Return on average assets

    1.41      1.50

Return on average common equity

    13.7         14.4   

Net interest margin (taxable-equivalent basis)(a)

    3.06         3.14   

Efficiency ratio

    53.9         54.3   
(a) Interest and rates are presented on a fully taxable-equivalent basis utilizing a tax rate of 35 percent.

 

Noninterest income in the fourth quarter of 2015 was $2.3 billion, compared with $2.4 billion in the same period of 2014, representing a decrease of $30 million (1.3 percent). The decrease was due to the impact of the fourth quarter 2014 Nuveen gain, partially offset by fee revenue growth and the HSA deposit sale. The fee revenue growth reflected higher credit and debit card revenue, trust and investment management fees and merchant processing services revenue, partially offset by a decrease in mortgage banking revenue, primarily due to an unfavorable change in the valuation of MSRs, net of hedging activities. Credit and debit card revenue increased $22 million (8.1 percent) over the fourth quarter of 2014, due to higher transaction volumes. Trust and investment management fees increased $14 million (4.3 percent), reflecting the benefits of the Company’s investments in its corporate trust and fund services businesses, as well as account growth, improved market conditions and lower fee waivers. Merchant processing services revenue increased $9 million (2.3 percent) as a result of higher transaction volumes, along with account growth and equipment sales to merchants related to new chip card technology requirements. Adjusted for the approximate $16

million impact of foreign currency rate changes, year-over- year merchant processing services growth would have been approximately 6.5 percent.

Noninterest expense in the fourth quarter of 2015 was $2.8 billion, or $5 million (0.2 percent) higher than the fourth quarter of 2014. Compensation expense increased $61 million (5.3 percent), reflecting the impact of merit increases and higher staffing for risk and compliance activities, while employee benefits expense was $27 million (11.0 percent) higher, mainly due to increased pension costs. Offsetting these increases was a $33 million (25.6 percent) decline in marketing and business development expense, principally due to charitable contributions in the fourth quarter of 2014, and a $35 million (6.4 percent) decline in other noninterest expense, reflecting the impact of fourth quarter 2014 legal accruals partially offset by higher compliance-related expenses.

The provision for credit losses for the fourth quarter of 2015 was $305 million, an increase of $17 million (5.9 percent) from the same period of 2014. The provision for credit losses was equal to net charge-offs in the fourth quarter of 2015 and $20 million lower than net charge-offs in the fourth quarter of 2014. Net charge-offs were $305 million

 

 

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in the fourth quarter of 2015, compared with $308 million in the fourth quarter of 2014.

The provision for income taxes for the fourth quarter of 2015 resulted in an effective tax rate of 27.2 percent, compared with an effective tax rate of 25.8 percent for the fourth quarter of 2014.

LINE OF BUSINESS FINANCIAL REVIEW

The Company’s major lines of business are Wholesale Banking and Commercial Real Estate, Consumer and Small Business Banking, Wealth Management and Securities Services, Payment Services, and Treasury and Corporate Support. These operating segments are components of the Company about which financial information is prepared and is evaluated regularly by management in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance.

Basis for Financial Presentation Business line results are derived from the Company’s business unit profitability reporting systems by specifically attributing managed balance sheet assets, deposits and other liabilities and their related income or expense. The allowance for credit losses and related provision expense are allocated to the lines of business based on the related loan balances managed. Goodwill and other intangible assets are assigned to the lines of business based on the mix of business of the acquired entity. Within the Company, capital levels are evaluated and managed centrally; however, capital is allocated to the operating segments to support evaluation of business performance. Business lines are allocated capital on a risk-adjusted basis considering economic and regulatory capital requirements. Generally, the determination of the amount of capital allocated to each business line includes credit and operational capital allocations following a Basel III regulatory framework. Interest income and expense is determined based on the assets and liabilities managed by the business line. Because funding and asset liability management is a central function, funds transfer-pricing methodologies are utilized to allocate a cost of funds used or credit for funds provided to all business line assets and liabilities, respectively, using a

matched funding concept. Also, each business unit is allocated the taxable-equivalent benefit of tax-exempt products. The residual effect on net interest income of asset/liability management activities is included in Treasury and Corporate Support. Noninterest income and expenses directly managed by each business line, including fees, service charges, salaries and benefits, and other direct revenues and costs are accounted for within each segment’s financial results in a manner similar to the consolidated financial statements. Occupancy costs are allocated based on utilization of facilities by the lines of business. Generally, operating losses are charged to the line of business when the loss event is realized in a manner similar to a loan charge-off. Noninterest expenses incurred by centrally managed operations or business lines that directly support another business line’s operations are charged to the applicable business line based on its utilization of those services, primarily measured by the volume of customer activities, number of employees or other relevant factors. These allocated expenses are reported as net shared services expense within noninterest expense. Certain activities that do not directly support the operations of the lines of business or for which the lines of business are not considered financially accountable in evaluating their performance are not charged to the lines of business. The income or expenses associated with these corporate activities is reported within the Treasury and Corporate Support line of business. Income taxes are assessed to each line of business at a standard tax rate with the residual tax expense or benefit to arrive at the consolidated effective tax rate included in Treasury and Corporate Support.

Designations, assignments and allocations change from time to time as management systems are enhanced, methods of evaluating performance or product lines change or business segments are realigned to better respond to the Company’s diverse customer base. During 2015, certain organization and methodology changes were made and, accordingly, 2014 results were restated and presented on a comparable basis.

 

 

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  TABLE 25   LINE OF BUSINESS FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

 

   

Wholesale Banking and

Commercial Real Estate

         

Consumer and Small

Business Banking

            

Year Ended December 31

(Dollars in Millions)

  2015      2014      Percent
Change
          2015      2014      Percent
Change
            

Condensed Income Statement

                       

Net interest income (taxable-equivalent basis)

  $ 2,034       $ 2,030         .2      $ 4,617       $ 4,717         (2.1 )%      

Noninterest income

    890         965         (7.8        2,497         2,601         (4.0     

Securities gains (losses), net

                                                     

Total net revenue

    2,924         2,995         (2.4        7,114         7,318         (2.8     

Noninterest expense

    1,295         1,224         5.8           4,818         4,552         5.8        

Other intangibles

    4         4                   40         40                

Total noninterest expense

    1,299         1,228         5.8           4,858         4,592         5.8        

Income before provision and income taxes

    1,625         1,767         (8.0        2,256         2,726         (17.2     

Provision for credit losses

    235         51         *           127         393         (67.7     

Income before income taxes

    1,390         1,716         (19.0        2,129         2,333         (8.7     

Income taxes and taxable-equivalent adjustment

    506         624         (18.9        775         850         (8.8     

Net income

    884         1,092         (19.0        1,354         1,483         (8.7     

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

                                                     

Net income attributable to U.S. Bancorp

  $ 884       $ 1,092         (19.0      $ 1,354       $ 1,483         (8.7     

Average Balance Sheet

                       

Commercial

  $ 64,369       $ 57,864         11.2      $ 10,051       $ 9,070         10.8     

Commercial real estate

    19,415         18,452         5.2           19,006         18,825         1.0        

Residential mortgages

    8         12         (33.3        50,007         50,405         (.8     

Credit card

                                                     

Other retail

    2         4         (50.0        46,964         46,220         1.6        

Total loans, excluding covered loans

    83,794         76,332         9.8           126,028         124,520         1.2        

Covered loans

            190         *           4,934         5,780         (14.6     

Total loans

    83,794         76,522         9.5           130,962         130,300         .5        

Goodwill

    1,647         1,627         1.2           3,682         3,603         2.2        

Other intangible assets

    20         21         (4.8        2,594         2,674         (3.0     

Assets

    92,205         83,787         10.0           147,832         144,137         2.6        

Noninterest-bearing deposits

    36,018         32,302         11.5           26,137         23,743         10.1        

Interest checking

    7,436         10,557         (29.6        39,957         36,222         10.3        

Savings products

    28,047         18,321         53.1           53,813         49,974         7.7        

Time deposits

    15,025         18,140         (17.2        15,829         17,951         (11.8     

Total deposits

    86,526         79,320         9.1           135,736         127,890         6.1        

Total U.S. Bancorp shareholders’ equity

    8,251         7,568         9.0             10,953         11,484         (4.6         
* Not meaningful

 

 70 


 

    

Wealth Management and

Securities Services

         

Payment

Services

         

Treasury and

Corporate Support

         

Consolidated

Company

 
     2015      2014      Percent
Change
          2015      2014      Percent
Change
          2015      2014      Percent
Change
          2015     2014     Percent
Change
 
                                      
  $ 386       $ 383         .8      $ 1,930       $ 1,749         10.3      $ 2,247       $ 2,118         6.1      $ 11,214      $ 10,997        2.0
    1,466         1,396         5.0           3,371         3,292         2.4           868         907         (4.3        9,092        9,161        (.8
                                                                3         *                  3        *   
    1,852         1,779         4.1           5,301         5,041         5.2           3,115         3,028         2.9           20,306        20,161        .7   
    1,420         1,343         5.7           2,540         2,310         10.0           684         1,087         (37.1        10,757        10,516        2.3   
    28         33         (15.2        102         122         (16.4                                  174        199        (12.6
    1,448         1,376         5.2           2,642         2,432         8.6           684         1,087         (37.1        10,931        10,715        2.0   
    404         403         .2           2,659         2,609         1.9           2,431         1,941         25.2           9,375        9,446        (.8
            9         *           787         766         2.7           (17      10         *           1,132        1,229        (7.9
    404         394         2.5           1,872         1,843         1.6           2,448         1,931         26.8           8,243        8,217        .3   
    147         143         2.8           681         670         1.6           201         22         *           2,310        2,309          
    257         251         2.4           1,191         1,173         1.5           2,247         1,909         17.7           5,933        5,908        .4   
                              (31      (35      11.4           (23      (22      (4.5        (54     (57     5.3   
  $ 257       $ 251         2.4         $ 1,160       $ 1,138         1.9         $ 2,224       $ 1,887         17.9         $ 5,879      $ 5,851        .5   
                                      
  $ 2,321       $ 1,964         18.2      $ 7,059       $ 6,542         7.9      $ 283       $ 294         (3.7 )%       $ 84,083      $ 75,734        11.0
    571         602         (5.1                                  3,423         2,713         26.2           42,415        40,592        4.5   
    1,816         1,392         30.5                                     9         9                   51,840        51,818          
                              18,057         17,635         2.4                                     18,057        17,635        2.4   
    1,517         1,457         4.1           596         672         (11.3                                  49,079        48,353        1.5   
    6,225         5,415         15.0           25,712         24,849         3.5           3,715         3,016         23.2           245,474        234,132        4.8   
    1         5         (80.0                5         *           50         1,580         (96.8        4,985        7,560        (34.1
    6,226         5,420         14.9           25,712         24,854         3.5           3,765         4,596         (18.1        250,459        241,692        3.6   
    1,567         1,568         (.1        2,474         2,514         (1.6                                  9,370        9,312        .6   
    126         159         (20.8        411         484         (15.1                                  3,151        3,338        (5.6
    9,178         8,500         8.0           31,796         31,097         2.2           127,854         112,483         13.7           408,865        380,004        7.6   
    14,469         15,157         (4.5        879         740         18.8           1,700         1,513         12.4           79,203        73,455        7.8   
    7,944         5,877         35.2           605         555         9.0           32         37         (13.5        55,974        53,248        5.1   
    33,984         29,361         15.7           91         78         16.7           481         439         9.6           116,416        98,173        18.6   
    3,344         3,901         (14.3                                  1,360         1,772         (23.3        35,558        41,764        (14.9
    59,741         54,296         10.0           1,575         1,373         14.7           3,573         3,761         (5.0        287,151        266,640        7.7   
      2,308         2,284         1.1             5,868         5,697         3.0             17,433         15,804         10.3             44,813        42,837        4.6   

 

 71 


Wholesale Banking and Commercial Real Estate Wholesale Banking and Commercial Real Estate offers lending, equipment finance and small-ticket leasing, depository services, treasury management, capital markets, international trade services and other financial services to middle market, large corporate, commercial real estate, financial institution, non-profit and public sector clients. Wholesale Banking and Commercial Real Estate contributed $884 million of the Company’s net income in 2015, or a decrease of $208 million (19.0 percent) compared with 2014. The decrease was primarily driven by a higher provision for credit losses, higher noninterest expense and lower net revenue.

Net revenue decreased $71 million (2.4 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014. Noninterest income decreased $75 million (7.8 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, driven by higher loan-related charges, partially offset by higher loan syndication and bond underwriting fees, as well as higher commercial leasing revenue. Net interest income, on a taxable-equivalent basis, increased $4 million (0.2 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, driven by increases in average loans and deposits, partially offset by lower rates and fees on loans.

Noninterest expense increased $71 million (5.8 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, primarily resulting from higher compensation expense due to higher variable compensation and merit increases, higher benefits expense due to increased pension costs, an increase in the FDIC insurance assessment allocation based on increased loan volumes, and higher net shared services expense. The provision for credit losses increased $184 million in 2015, compared with 2014, due to an unfavorable change in the reserve allocation driven by a decline in energy prices and an increase in net charge-offs. Nonperforming assets were $168 million at December 31, 2015, compared with $170 million at December 31, 2014. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of period-end loans were 0.19 percent at December 31, 2015, compared with 0.21 percent at December 31, 2014. Refer to the “Corporate Risk Profile” section for further information on factors impacting the credit quality of the loan portfolios.

Consumer and Small Business Banking Consumer and Small Business Banking delivers products and services through banking offices, telephone servicing and sales, on-line services, direct mail, ATM processing and mobile devices, such as mobile phones and tablet computers. It encompasses community banking, metropolitan banking and indirect lending, as well as mortgage banking. Consumer and Small Business Banking contributed $1.4 billion of the Company’s net income in 2015, or a decrease of $129 million (8.7 percent), compared with 2014. The decrease was due to

lower net revenue and higher noninterest expense, partially offset by a decrease in the provision for credit losses.

Net revenue decreased $204 million (2.8 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014. Net interest income, on a taxable-equivalent basis, decreased $100 million (2.1 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, primarily due to lower rates on loans and lower loan fees due to the wind down of the CAA product, partially offset by higher average loan, deposit and loans held for sale balances. Noninterest income decreased $104 million (4.0 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, primarily the result of lower mortgage banking revenue due to an unfavorable change in the valuation of MSRs, net of hedging activities, partially offset by higher mortgage production revenue. Noninterest expense increased $266 million (5.8 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, the result of higher compensation, employee benefits and mortgage servicing-related expenses.

The provision for credit losses decreased $266 million (67.7 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, due to lower net charge-offs and a favorable change in the reserve allocation driven by improvements in the mortgage portfolio. As a percentage of average loans outstanding, net charge-offs decreased to 0.25 percent in 2015, compared with 0.38 percent in 2014. Nonperforming assets were $1.3 billion at December 31, 2015, compared with $1.4 billion at December 31, 2014. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of period-end loans were 0.95 percent at December 31, 2015, compared with 1.10 percent at December 31, 2014. Refer to the “Corporate Risk Profile” section for further information on factors impacting the credit quality of the loan portfolios.

Wealth Management and Securities Services Wealth Management and Securities Services provides private banking, financial advisory services, investment management, retail brokerage services, insurance, trust, custody and fund servicing through five businesses: Wealth Management, Corporate Trust Services, U.S. Bancorp Asset Management, Institutional Trust & Custody and Fund Services. Wealth Management and Securities Services contributed $257 million of the Company’s net income in 2015, an increase of $6 million (2.4 percent), compared with 2014. The increase from the prior year was primarily due to higher net revenue, partially offset by higher noninterest expense.

Net revenue increased $73 million (4.1 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, driven by a $70 million (5.0 percent) increase in noninterest income, reflecting the impact of account growth, improved market conditions and lower fee waivers. Net interest income, on a taxable-equivalent basis, increased $3 million (0.8 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, principally due to higher average loan and deposit

 

 

 72 


balances, partially offset by a lower loan rates and a decrease in the margin benefit of corporate trust deposits.

Noninterest expense increased $72 million (5.2 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014. The increase in noninterest expense was primarily due to higher net shared services expense and higher compensation and employee benefits expenses primarily due to merit increases and increased pension costs, respectively.

Payment Services Payment Services includes consumer and business credit cards, stored-value cards, debit cards, corporate, government and purchasing card services, consumer lines of credit and merchant processing. Payment Services contributed $1.2 billion of the Company’s net income in 2015, or an increase of $22 million (1.9 percent) compared with 2014. The increase was primarily due to higher net revenue, partially offset by higher noninterest expense and an increase in the provision for credit losses.

Net revenue increased $260 million (5.2 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014. Net interest income, on a taxable-equivalent basis, increased $181 million (10.3 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, primarily driven by improved loan rates and higher average loan balances and fees. Noninterest income increased $79 million (2.4 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, primarily due to an increase in credit and debit card revenue on higher transaction volumes, along with higher merchant processing services revenue, driven by increased transaction volumes and product fees and equipment sales to merchants related to new chip card technology requirements, partially offset by the impact of foreign currency rate changes.

Noninterest expense increased $210 million (8.6 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, primarily due to higher net shared services and compensation and marketing expenses. The provision for credit losses increased $21 million (2.7 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, primarily due to an unfavorable change in the reserve allocation due to loan growth. As a percentage of average loans outstanding, net charge-offs were 3.01 percent in 2015, compared with 3.11 percent in 2014.

Treasury and Corporate Support Treasury and Corporate Support includes the Company’s investment portfolios, most covered commercial and commercial real estate loans and related OREO, funding, capital management, interest rate risk management, income taxes not allocated to the business lines, including most investments in tax-advantaged projects, and the residual aggregate of those expenses associated with corporate activities that are managed on a consolidated basis. Treasury and Corporate Support recorded net income of $2.2 billion in 2015, compared with $1.9 billion in 2014.

Net revenue increased $87 million (2.9 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014. Net interest income, on a taxable-equivalent basis, increased $129 million (6.1 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, principally due to growth in the investment securities portfolio. Noninterest income decreased $42 million (4.6 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, primarily due to lower other income from Visa stock sales, the 2015 student loan market adjustment and the 2014 Nuveen gain, partially offset by the 2015 HSA deposit sale gain and higher commercial products revenue.

Noninterest expense decreased $403 million (37.1 percent) in 2015, compared with 2014, principally due to a reduction of reserves for losses allocated to the business lines, lower costs related to investments in tax-advantaged projects, the 2014 FHA DOJ settlement and lower charitable contributions, partially offset by higher compensation expense, reflecting the impact of merit increases and staffing for risk and compliance activities, and higher employee benefits expense, reflecting higher pension costs.

Income taxes are assessed to each line of business at a managerial tax rate of 36.4 percent with the residual tax expense or benefit to arrive at the consolidated effective tax rate included in Treasury and Corporate Support.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In addition to capital ratios defined by banking regulators, the Company considers various other measures when evaluating capital utilization and adequacy, including:

 

  Tangible common equity to tangible assets,

 

  Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets,

 

  Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets estimated for the Basel III fully implemented standardized approach, and

 

  Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets estimated for the Basel III fully implemented advanced approaches.

These measures are viewed by management as useful additional methods of reflecting the level of capital available to withstand unexpected market or economic conditions. Additionally, presentation of these measures allows investors, analysts and banking regulators to assess the Company’s capital position relative to other financial services companies. These measures differ from currently effective capital ratios defined by banking regulations principally in that the numerator includes unrealized gains and losses related to available-for-sale securities and excludes preferred securities, including preferred stock, the nature and extent of which varies among different financial services companies. These measures are not defined in

 

 

 73 


generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), or are not currently effective or defined in federal banking regulations. As a result, these measures disclosed by the Company may be considered non-GAAP financial measures.

There may be limits in the usefulness of these measures to investors. As a result, the Company encourages readers to consider the consolidated financial statements and other financial information contained in this report in their entirety, and not to rely on any single financial measure.

 

 

The following table shows the Company’s calculation of these Non-GAAP financial measures:

 

At December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Total equity

  $ 46,817      $ 44,168      $ 41,807      $ 40,267      $ 34,971   

Preferred stock

    (5,501     (4,756     (4,756     (4,769     (2,606

Noncontrolling interests

    (686     (689     (694     (1,269     (993

Goodwill (net of deferred tax liability)(1)

    (8,295     (8,403     (8,343     (8,351     (8,239

Intangible assets, other than mortgage servicing rights

    (838     (824     (849     (1,006     (1,217
 

 

 

 

Tangible common equity(a)

    31,497        29,496        27,165        24,872        21,916   

Tangible common equity (as calculated above)

    31,497        29,496        27,165        24,872        21,916   

Adjustments(2)

    67        172        224        126        450   
 

 

 

 

Common equity tier 1 capital estimated for the Basel III fully implemented standardized and advanced approaches(3)(b)

    31,564        29,668        27,389        24,998        22,366   

Tier 1 capital, determined in accordance with prescribed regulatory requirements using Basel I definition

        33,386        31,203        29,173   

Trust preferred securities

                      (2,675

Preferred stock

        (4,756     (4,769     (2,606

Noncontrolling interests, less preferred stock not eligible for Tier 1 capital

        (688     (685     (687
     

 

 

 

Tier 1 common equity using Basel 1 definition(c)

        27,942        25,749        23,205   

Total assets

    421,853        402,529        364,021        353,855        340,122   

Goodwill (net of deferred tax liability)(1)

    (8,295     (8,403     (8,343     (8,351     (8,239

Intangible assets, other than mortgage servicing rights

    (838     (824     (849     (1,006     (1,217
 

 

 

 

Tangible assets(d)

    412,720        393,302        354,829        344,498        330,666   

Risk-weighted assets, determined in accordance with prescribed transitional standardized approach regulatory requirements(4)(e)

    341,360        317,398        297,919        287,611        271,333   

Adjustments(5)

    3,892        11,110        13,712        21,233        3,018   
 

 

 

 

Risk-weighted assets estimated for the Basel III fully implemented standardized approach(3)(f)

    345,252        328,508        311,631        308,844        274,351   

Risk-weighted assets, determined in accordance with prescribed transitional advanced approaches regulatory requirements

    261,668        248,596         

Adjustments(6)

    4,099        3,270         
 

 

 

       

Risk-weighted assets estimated for the Basel III fully implemented advanced approaches(g)

    265,767        251,866         

Ratios

         

Tangible common equity to tangible assets(a)/(d)

    7.6     7.5     7.7     7.2     6.6

Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets(a)/(e)

    9.2        9.3        9.1        8.6        8.1   

Tier 1 common equity to risk-weighted assets using Basel I definition(c)/(e)

        9.4        9.0        8.6   

Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets estimated for the Basel III fully implemented standardized approach(b)/(f)(3)

    9.1        9.0        8.8        8.1        8.2   

Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets estimated for the Basel III fully implemented advanced approaches(b)/(g)

    11.9        11.8                           
(1) Includes goodwill related to certain investments in unconsolidated financial institutions per prescribed regulatory requirements beginning March 31, 2014.
(2) Includes net losses on cash flow hedges included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and other adjustments.
(3) December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, calculated using final rules for the Basel III fully implemented standardized approach; December 31, 2012, calculated using proposed rules for the Basel III fully implemented standardized approach released June 2012; December 31, 2011, calculated using proposed rules for the Basel III fully implemented standardized approach released prior to June 2012.
(4) December 31, 2015 and 2014, calculated under the Basel III transitional standardized approach; all other periods calculated under Basel I.
(5) Includes higher risk-weighting for unfunded loan commitments, investment securities, residential mortgages, MSRs and other adjustments.
(6) Primarily reflects higher risk-weighting for MSRs.

 

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ACCOUNTING CHANGES

Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements discusses accounting standards recently issued but not yet required to be adopted and the expected impact of these changes in accounting standards. To the extent the adoption of new accounting standards materially affects the Company’s financial condition or results of operations, the impacts are discussed in the applicable section(s) of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounting and reporting policies of the Company comply with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and conform to general practices within the banking industry. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. The Company’s financial position and results of operations can be affected by these estimates and assumptions, which are integral to understanding the Company’s financial statements. Critical accounting policies are those policies management believes are the most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results, and require management to make estimates that are difficult, subjective or complex. Most accounting policies are not considered by management to be critical accounting policies. Several factors are considered in determining whether or not a policy is critical in the preparation of financial statements. These factors include, among other things, whether the estimates are significant to the financial statements, the nature of the estimates, the ability to readily validate the estimates with other information (including third party sources or available prices), sensitivity of the estimates to changes in economic conditions and whether alternative accounting methods may be utilized under GAAP. Management has discussed the development and the selection of critical accounting policies with the Company’s Audit Committee.

Significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Those policies considered to be critical accounting policies are described below.

Allowance for Credit Losses The allowance for credit losses is established to provide for probable losses incurred in the Company’s credit portfolio. The methods utilized to estimate the allowance for credit losses, key assumptions and quantitative and qualitative information considered by management in determining the appropriate allowance for credit losses are discussed in the “Credit Risk Management” section.

Management’s evaluation of the appropriate allowance for credit losses is often the most critical of all the accounting estimates for a banking institution. It is an inherently subjective process impacted by many factors as discussed throughout the Management’s Discussion and Analysis section of the Annual Report. Although methodologies utilized to determine each element of the allowance reflect management’s assessment of credit risk as identified through assessments completed of individual credits and of homogenous pools affected by material credit events, degrees of imprecision exist in these measurement tools due in part to subjective judgments involved and an inherent lagging of credit quality measurements relative to the stage of the business cycle. Even determining the stage of the business cycle is highly subjective. As discussed in the “Analysis and Determination of Allowance for Credit Losses” section, management considers the effect of changes in economic conditions, risk management practices, and other factors that contribute to imprecision of loss estimates in determining the allowance for credit losses. If not considered, incurred losses in the portfolio related to imprecision and other subjective factors could have a dramatic adverse impact on the liquidity and financial viability of a banking institution.

Given the many subjective factors affecting the credit portfolio, changes in the allowance for credit losses may not directly coincide with changes in the risk ratings of the credit portfolio reflected in the risk rating process. This is in part due to the timing of the risk rating process in relation to changes in the business cycle, the exposure and mix of loans within risk rating categories, levels of nonperforming loans and the timing of charge-offs and recoveries. For example, the amount of loans within specific risk ratings may change, providing a leading indicator of changing credit quality, while nonperforming loans and net charge-offs may be slower to reflect changes. Also, inherent loss ratios, determined through migration analysis and historical loss performance over the estimated business cycle of a loan, may not change to the same degree as net charge-offs. Because risk ratings and inherent loss ratios primarily drive the allowance specifically allocated to commercial lending segment loans, the degree of change in the commercial lending allowance may differ from the level of changes in nonperforming loans and net charge-offs. Also, management would maintain an appropriate allowance for credit losses by increasing allowance rates during periods of economic uncertainty or changes in the business cycle.

Some factors considered in determining the appropriate allowance for credit losses are quantifiable while other factors require qualitative judgment. Management conducts an analysis with respect to the accuracy of risk ratings and the volatility of inherent losses, and utilizes this analysis along with

 

 

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qualitative factors that can affect the precision of credit loss estimates, including economic conditions, such as changes in unemployment or bankruptcy rates, and concentration risks, such as risks associated with specific industries, the housing market, and loans to highly leveraged enterprises, in determining the overall level of the allowance for credit losses. The Company’s determination of the allowance for commercial lending segment loans is sensitive to the assigned credit risk ratings and inherent loss rates at December 31, 2015. In the event that 10 percent of period ending loan balances (including unfunded commitments) within each risk category of this segment of the loan portfolio experienced downgrades of two risk categories, the allowance for credit losses would increase by approximately $236 million at December 31, 2015. The Company believes the allowance for credit losses appropriately considers the imprecision in estimating credit losses based on credit risk ratings and inherent loss rates but actual losses may differ from those estimates. In the event that inherent loss or estimated loss rates for commercial lending segment loans increased by 10 percent, the allowance for credit losses would increase by approximately $158 million at December 31, 2015. The Company’s determination of the allowance for consumer lending segment loans is sensitive to changes in estimated loss rates and estimated impairments on restructured loans. In the event that estimated losses for this segment of the loan portfolio increased by 10 percent, the allowance for credit losses would increase by approximately $183 million at December 31, 2015. Because several quantitative and qualitative factors are considered in determining the allowance for credit losses, these sensitivity analyses do not necessarily reflect the nature and extent of future changes in the allowance for credit losses. They are intended to provide insights into the impact of adverse changes in risk rating and inherent losses and do not imply any expectation of future deterioration in the risk rating or loss rates. Given current processes employed by the Company, management believes the risk ratings and inherent loss rates currently assigned are appropriate. It is possible that others, given the same information, may at any point in time reach different reasonable conclusions that could be significant to the Company’s financial statements. Refer to the “Analysis and Determination of the Allowance for Credit Losses” section for further information.

Fair Value Estimates A portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, with changes in fair value recorded either through earnings or other comprehensive income (loss) in accordance with applicable accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. These include all of the

Company’s available-for-sale investment securities, derivatives and other trading instruments, MSRs and MLHFS. The estimation of fair value also affects other loans held for sale, which are recorded at the lower-of-cost-or-fair value. The determination of fair value is important for certain other assets that are periodically evaluated for impairment using fair value estimates including goodwill and other intangible assets, impaired loans, OREO and other repossessed assets.

Fair value is generally defined as the exit price at which an asset or liability could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing, unrelated parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Fair value is based on quoted market prices in an active market, or if market prices are not available, is estimated using models employing techniques such as matrix pricing or discounting expected cash flows. The significant assumptions used in the models, which include assumptions for interest rates, discount rates, prepayments and credit losses, are independently verified against observable market data where possible. Where observable market data is not available, the estimate of fair value becomes more subjective and involves a high degree of judgment. In this circumstance, fair value is estimated based on management’s judgment regarding the value that market participants would assign to the asset or liability. This valuation process takes into consideration factors such as market illiquidity. Imprecision in estimating these factors can impact the amount recorded on the balance sheet for a particular asset or liability with related impacts to earnings or other comprehensive income (loss).

When available, trading and available-for-sale securities are valued based on quoted market prices. However, certain securities are traded less actively and therefore, quoted market prices may not be available. The determination of fair value may require benchmarking to similar instruments or performing a discounted cash flow analysis using estimates of future cash flows and prepayment, interest and default rates. An example is non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities. For more information on investment securities, refer to Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

As few derivative contracts are listed on an exchange, the majority of the Company’s derivative positions are valued using valuation techniques that use readily observable market inputs. Certain derivatives, however, must be valued using techniques that include unobservable inputs. For these instruments, the significant assumptions must be estimated and therefore, are subject to judgment. Note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements provides a summary of the Company’s derivative positions.

Refer to Note 22 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding estimations of fair value.

 

 

 76 


Purchased Loans and Related Indemnification Assets In accordance with applicable authoritative accounting guidance effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2009, all purchased loans and related indemnification assets arising from loss-sharing arrangements with the FDIC are recorded at fair value at date of purchase. The initial valuation of these loans and the related indemnification assets requires management to make subjective judgments concerning estimates about how the acquired loans will perform in the future using valuation methods including discounted cash flow analysis and independent third party appraisals. Factors that may significantly affect the initial valuation include, among others, market-based and industry data related to expected changes in interest rates, assumptions related to probability and severity of credit losses, estimated timing of credit losses including the foreclosure and liquidation of collateral, expected prepayment rates, required or anticipated loan modifications, unfunded loan commitments, the specific terms and provisions of any loss sharing agreements, and specific industry and market conditions that may impact discount rates and independent third party appraisals.

On an ongoing basis, the accounting for purchased loans and related indemnification assets follows applicable authoritative accounting guidance for purchased non-impaired loans and purchased impaired loans. Refer to Notes 1 and 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. In addition, refer to the “Analysis and Determination of the Allowance for Credit Losses” section for information on the determination of the required allowance for credit losses, if any, for these loans.

Mortgage Servicing Rights MSRs are capitalized as separate assets when loans are sold and servicing is retained, or may be purchased from others. The Company records MSRs at fair value. Because MSRs do not trade in an active market with readily observable prices, the Company determines the fair value by estimating the present value of the asset’s future cash flows utilizing market-based prepayment rates, discount rates, and other assumptions validated through comparison to trade information, industry surveys and independent third party valuations. Changes in the fair value of MSRs are recorded in earnings during the period in which they occur. Risks inherent in the MSRs’ valuation include higher than expected prepayment rates and/or delayed receipt of cash flows. The Company may utilize derivatives, including interest rate swaps, forward commitments to buy TBAs, and futures and options contracts, to mitigate the valuation risk. Refer to Notes 10 and 22 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the assumptions used in determining the fair value of MSRs and an analysis of the sensitivity to

changes in interest rates of the fair value of the MSRs portfolio and the related derivative instruments used to mitigate the valuation risk.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles The Company records all assets and liabilities acquired in purchase acquisitions, including goodwill and other intangibles, at fair value. Goodwill is not amortized but is subject, at a minimum, to annual tests for impairment. In certain situations, interim impairment tests may be required if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives using straight-line and accelerated methods and are subject to impairment if events or circumstances indicate a possible inability to realize the carrying amount.

The initial recognition of goodwill and other intangible assets and subsequent impairment analysis require management to make subjective judgments concerning estimates of how the acquired assets will perform in the future using valuation methods including discounted cash flow analysis. Additionally, estimated cash flows may extend beyond ten years and, by their nature, are difficult to determine over an extended timeframe. Events and factors that may significantly affect the estimates include, among others, competitive forces, customer behaviors and attrition, changes in revenue growth trends, cost structures, technology, changes in discount rates and specific industry and market conditions. In determining the reasonableness of cash flow estimates, the Company reviews historical performance of the underlying assets or similar assets in an effort to assess and validate assumptions utilized in its estimates.

In assessing the fair value of reporting units, the Company considers the stage of the current business cycle and potential changes in market conditions in estimating the timing and extent of future cash flows. Also, management often utilizes other information to validate the reasonableness of its valuations, including public market comparables, and multiples of recent mergers and acquisitions of similar businesses. Valuation multiples may be based on revenue, price-to-earnings and tangible capital ratios of comparable public companies and business segments. These multiples may be adjusted to consider competitive differences, including size, operating leverage and other factors. The carrying amount of a reporting unit is determined based on the amount of equity required for the reporting unit’s activities, considering the specific assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The Company determines the amount of equity for each reporting unit on a risk-adjusted basis considering economic and regulatory capital requirements, and includes deductions

 

 

 77 


and limitations related to certain types of assets including MSRs, purchased credit card relationship intangibles, and capital markets activity in the Company’s Wholesale Banking and Commercial Real Estate segment. The Company does not assign corporate assets and liabilities to reporting units that do not relate to the operations of the reporting unit or are not considered in determining the fair value of the reporting unit. These assets and liabilities primarily relate to the Company’s investment securities portfolio and other investments (including direct equity investments, bank-owned life insurance and tax-advantaged investments) and corporate debt and other funding liabilities. In the most recent goodwill impairment test, the portion of the Company’s total equity allocated to the Treasury and Corporate Support operating segment included approximately $3 billion in excess of the economic and regulatory capital requirements of that segment.

The Company’s annual assessment of potential goodwill impairment was completed during the second quarter of 2015. Based on the results of this assessment, no goodwill impairment was recognized. The Company continues to monitor goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment indicators throughout the year.

Income Taxes The Company estimates income tax expense based on amounts expected to be owed to the various tax jurisdictions in which it operates, including federal, state and local domestic jurisdictions, and an insignificant amount to foreign jurisdictions. The estimated income tax expense is reported in the Consolidated Statement of Income. Accrued taxes are reported in other assets or other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and represent the net estimated amount due to or to be received from taxing jurisdictions either currently or deferred to future periods. Deferred taxes arise from differences between assets and liabilities measured for financial reporting purposes versus income tax reporting purposes. Deferred tax assets are recognized if, in management’s judgment, their realizability is determined to be more likely than not. Uncertain tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold are measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize. An uncertain tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit management believes is more likely than not to be realized upon settlement. In estimating accrued taxes, the Company assesses the relative merits and risks of the appropriate tax

treatment considering statutory, judicial and regulatory guidance in the context of the tax position. Because of the complexity of tax laws and regulations, interpretation can be difficult and subject to legal judgment given specific facts and circumstances. It is possible that others, given the same information, may at any point in time reach different reasonable conclusions regarding the estimated amounts of accrued taxes.

Changes in the estimate of accrued taxes occur periodically due to changes in tax rates, interpretations of tax laws, the status of examinations being conducted by various taxing authorities, and newly enacted statutory, judicial and regulatory guidance that impacts the relative merits and risks of tax positions. These changes, when they occur, affect accrued taxes and can be significant to the operating results of the Company. Refer to Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding income taxes.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the Company has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Based upon this evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

During the most recently completed fiscal quarter, there was no change made in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

The annual report of the Company’s management on internal control over financial reporting is provided on page 79. The attestation report of Ernst & Young LLP, the Company’s independent accountants, regarding the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is provided on page 81.

 

 

 78 


Report of Management

Responsibility for the financial statements and other information presented throughout this Annual Report rests with the management of U.S. Bancorp. The Company believes the consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and present the substance of transactions based on the circumstances and management’s best estimates and judgment.

In meeting its responsibilities for the reliability of the financial statements, management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting as defined by Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s system of internal control is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of publicly filed financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

To test compliance, the Company carries out an extensive audit program. This program includes a review for compliance with written policies and procedures and a comprehensive review of the adequacy and effectiveness of the system of internal control. Although control procedures are designed and tested, it must be recognized that there are limits inherent in all systems of internal control and, therefore, errors and irregularities may nevertheless occur. Also, estimates and judgments are required to assess and balance the relative cost and expected benefits of the controls. Projection of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The Board of Directors of the Company has an Audit Committee composed of directors who are independent of U.S. Bancorp. The Audit Committee meets periodically with management, the internal auditors and the independent accountants to consider audit results and to discuss internal accounting control, auditing and financial reporting matters.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in its Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013 framework). Based on our assessment and those criteria, management believes the Company designed and maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015.

The Company’s independent accountants, Ernst & Young LLP, have been engaged to render an independent professional opinion on the financial statements and issue an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Their opinion on the financial statements appearing on page 80 and their attestation on internal control over financial reporting appearing on page 81 are based on procedures conducted in accordance with auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).

 

 79 


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of U.S. Bancorp:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of U.S. Bancorp as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015. These financial statements are the responsibility of U.S. Bancorp’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these 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 financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of U.S. Bancorp at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), U.S. Bancorp’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 25, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

LOGO

Minneapolis, Minnesota

February 25, 2016

 

 80 


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of U.S. Bancorp:

We have audited U.S. Bancorp’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). U.S. Bancorp’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 Report of Management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on U.S. Bancorp’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 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 its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that 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, U.S. Bancorp maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of U.S. Bancorp as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 and our report dated February 25, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

LOGO

Minneapolis, Minnesota

February 25, 2016

 

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Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes Table of Contents

 

Consolidated Financial Statements

  

Consolidated Balance Sheet

     83   

Consolidated Statement of Income

     84   

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

     85   

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity

     86   

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

     87   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  

Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies

     88   

Note 2 — Accounting Changes

     96   

Note 3 — Business Combinations

     96   

Note 4 — Restrictions on Cash and Due From Banks

     96   

Note 5 — Investment Securities

     97   

Note 6 — Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses

     100   

Note 7 — Leases

     108   

Note 8 — Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Variable Interest Entities

     108   

Note 9 — Premises and Equipment

     110   

Note 10 — Mortgage Servicing Rights

     110   

Note 11 — Intangible Assets

     111   

Note 12 — Short-Term Borrowings

     112   

Note 13 — Long-Term Debt

     113   

Note 14 — Junior Subordinated Debentures

     113   

Note 15 — Shareholders’ Equity

     114   

Note 16 — Earnings Per Share

     119   

Note 17 — Employee Benefits

     119   

Note 18 — Stock-Based Compensation

     124   

Note 19 — Income Taxes

     126   

Note 20 — Derivative Instruments

     127   

Note 21 — Netting Arrangements for Certain Financial Instruments and Securities Financing Activities

     132   

Note 22 — Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities

     134   

Note 23 — Guarantees and Contingent Liabilities

     143   

Note 24 — U.S. Bancorp (Parent Company)

     148   

Note 25 — Subsequent Events

     149   

 

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U.S. Bancorp

Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

At December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014  

Assets

      

Cash and due from banks

  $ 11,147         $ 10,654   

Investment securities

      

Held-to-maturity (fair value $43,493 and $45,140, respectively; including $526 at fair value pledged as collateral at December 31, 2014)(a)

    43,590           44,974   

Available-for-sale ($1,018 and $330 pledged as collateral, respectively)(a)

    61,997           56,069   

Loans held for sale (including $3,110 and $4,774 of mortgage loans carried at fair value, respectively)

    3,184           4,792   

Loans

      

Commercial

    88,402           80,377   

Commercial real estate

    42,137           42,795   

Residential mortgages

    53,496           51,619   

Credit card

    21,012           18,515   

Other retail

    51,206           49,264   
 

 

 

 

Total loans, excluding covered loans

    256,253           242,570   

Covered loans

    4,596           5,281   
 

 

 

 

Total loans

    260,849           247,851   

Less allowance for loan losses

    (3,863        (4,039
 

 

 

 

Net loans

    256,986           243,812   

Premises and equipment

    2,513           2,618   

Goodwill

    9,361           9,389   

Other intangible assets

    3,350           3,162   

Other assets (including $121 and $157 of trading securities at fair value pledged as collateral, respectively)(a)

    29,725           27,059   
 

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 421,853         $ 402,529   
 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

      

Deposits

      

Noninterest-bearing

  $ 83,766         $ 77,323   

Interest-bearing(b)

    216,634           205,410   
 

 

 

 

Total deposits

    300,400           282,733   

Short-term borrowings

    27,877           29,893   

Long-term debt

    32,078           32,260   

Other liabilities

    14,681           13,475   
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    375,036           358,361   

Shareholders’ equity

      

Preferred stock

    5,501           4,756   

Common stock, par value $0.01 a share — authorized: 4,000,000,000 shares; issued: 2015 and 2014 —2,125,725,742 shares

    21           21   

Capital surplus

    8,376           8,313   

Retained earnings

    46,377           42,530   

Less cost of common stock in treasury: 2015 — 380,534,801 shares; 2014 — 339,859,034 shares

    (13,125        (11,245

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

    (1,019        (896
 

 

 

 

Total U.S. Bancorp shareholders’ equity

    46,131           43,479   

Noncontrolling interests

    686           689   
 

 

 

 

Total equity

    46,817           44,168   
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 421,853         $ 402,529   
(a) Includes only collateral pledged by the Company where counterparties have the right to sell or pledge the collateral.
(b) lncludes time deposits greater than $250,000 balances of $2.6 billion and $5.0 billion at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 83 


U.S. Bancorp

Consolidated Statement of Income

 

Year Ended December 31 (Dollars and Shares in Millions, Except Per Share Data)   2015        2014        2013  

Interest Income

           

Loans

  $ 10,059         $ 10,113         $ 10,277   

Loans held for sale

    206           128           203   

Investment securities

    2,001           1,866           1,631   

Other interest income

    136           121           174   
 

 

 

 

Total interest income

    12,402           12,228           12,285   

Interest Expense

           

Deposits

    457           465           561   

Short-term borrowings

    245           263           353   

Long-term debt

    699           725           767   
 

 

 

 

Total interest expense

    1,401           1,453           1,681   
 

 

 

 

Net interest income

    11,001           10,775           10,604   

Provision for credit losses

    1,132           1,229           1,340   
 

 

 

 

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

    9,869           9,546           9,264   

Noninterest Income

           

Credit and debit card revenue

    1,070           1,021           965   

Corporate payment products revenue

    708           724           706   

Merchant processing services

    1,547           1,511           1,458   

ATM processing services

    318           321           327   

Trust and investment management fees

    1,321           1,252           1,139   

Deposit service charges

    702           693           670   

Treasury management fees

    561           545           538   

Commercial products revenue

    867           854           859   

Mortgage banking revenue

    906           1,009           1,356   

Investment products fees

    185           191           178   

Securities gains (losses), net

           

Realized gains (losses), net

    1           11           23   

Total other-than-temporary impairment

    (1        (7        (6

Portion of other-than-temporary impairment recognized in other comprehensive income

              (1        (8
 

 

 

 

Total securities gains (losses), net

              3           9   

Other

    907           1,040           569   
 

 

 

 

Total noninterest income

    9,092           9,164           8,774   

Noninterest Expense

           

Compensation

    4,812           4,523           4,371   

Employee benefits

    1,167           1,041           1,140   

Net occupancy and equipment

    991           987           949   

Professional services

    423           414           381   

Marketing and business development

    361           382           357   

Technology and communications

    887           863           848   

Postage, printing and supplies

    297           328           310   

Other intangibles

    174           199           223   

Other

    1,819           1,978           1,695   
 

 

 

 

Total noninterest expense

    10,931           10,715           10,274   
 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

    8,030           7,995           7,764   

Applicable income taxes

    2,097           2,087           2,032   
 

 

 

 

Net income

    5,933           5,908           5,732   

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (54        (57        104   
 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to U.S. Bancorp

  $ 5,879         $ 5,851         $ 5,836   
 

 

 

 

Net income applicable to U.S. Bancorp common shareholders

  $ 5,608         $ 5,583         $ 5,552   
 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share

  $ 3.18         $ 3.10         $ 3.02   

Diluted earnings per common share

  $ 3.16         $ 3.08         $ 3.00   

Dividends declared per common share

  $ 1.010         $ .965         $ .885   

Average common shares outstanding

    1,764           1,803           1,839   

Average diluted common shares outstanding

    1,772           1,813           1,849   
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 84 


U.S. Bancorp

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

 

Year Ended December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013  

Net income

  $ 5,933         $ 5,908         $ 5,732   

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

           

Changes in unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale

    (457        764           (1,223

Other-than-temporary impairment not recognized in earnings on securities available-for-sale

              1           8   

Changes in unrealized gains and losses on derivative hedges

    (25        (41        37   

Foreign currency translation

    20           (4        (34

Changes in unrealized gains and losses on retirement plans

    (142        (733        590   

Reclassification to earnings of realized gains and losses

    393           297           373   

Income taxes related to other comprehensive income (loss)

    88           (109        101   
 

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

    (123        175           (148
 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

    5,810           6,083           5,584   

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (54        (57        104   
 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to U.S. Bancorp

  $ 5,756         $ 6,026         $ 5,688   
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 85 


U.S. Bancorp

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity

 

    U.S. Bancorp Shareholders              
(Dollars and Shares in Millions)   Common
Shares
Outstanding
    Preferred
Stock
    Common
Stock
    Capital
Surplus
    Retained
Earnings
    Treasury
Stock
   

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

   

Total

U.S. Bancorp
Shareholders’
Equity

    Noncontrolling
Interests
    Total
Equity
 

Balance December 31, 2012

    1,869      $ 4,769      $ 21      $ 8,201      $ 34,720      $ (7,790   $ (923   $ 38,998      $ 1,269      $ 40,267   

Net income (loss)

            5,836            5,836        (104     5,732   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

                (148     (148       (148

Redemption of preferred stock

      (500       8        (8         (500       (500

Preferred stock dividends

            (250         (250       (250

Common stock dividends

            (1,631         (1,631       (1,631

Issuance of preferred stock

      487                  487          487   

Issuance of common and treasury stock

    21            (100       650          550          550   

Purchase of treasury stock

    (65             (2,336       (2,336       (2,336

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

                         (62     (62

Net other changes in noncontrolling interests

                         (409     (409

Stock option and restricted stock grants

          107              107          107   
 

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2013

    1,825      $ 4,756      $ 21      $ 8,216      $ 38,667      $ (9,476   $ (1,071   $ 41,113      $ 694      $ 41,807   
 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

            5,851            5,851        57        5,908   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

                175        175          175   

Preferred stock dividends

            (243         (243       (243

Common stock dividends

            (1,745         (1,745       (1,745

Issuance of common and treasury stock

    15            (13       493          480          480   

Purchase of treasury stock

    (54             (2,262       (2,262       (2,262

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

                         (59     (59

Net other changes in noncontrolling interests

                         (3     (3

Stock option and restricted stock grants

          110              110          110   
 

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2014

    1,786      $ 4,756      $ 21      $ 8,313      $ 42,530      $ (11,245   $ (896   $ 43,479      $ 689      $ 44,168   
 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

            5,879            5,879        54        5,933   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

                (123     (123       (123

Preferred stock dividends

            (247         (247       (247

Common stock dividends

            (1,785         (1,785       (1,785

Issuance of preferred stock

      745                  745          745   

Issuance of common and treasury stock

    11            (55       366          311          311   

Purchase of treasury stock

    (52             (2,246       (2,246       (2,246

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

                         (55     (55

Net other changes in noncontrolling interests

                         (2     (2

Stock option and restricted stock grants

          118              118          118   
 

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2015

    1,745      $ 5,501      $ 21      $ 8,376      $ 46,377      $ (13,125   $ (1,019   $ 46,131      $ 686      $ 46,817   
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 86 


U.S. Bancorp

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 

Year Ended December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013  

Operating Activities

           

Net income attributable to U.S. Bancorp

  $ 5,879         $ 5,851         $ 5,836   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

           

Provision for credit losses

    1,132           1,229           1,340   

Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment

    307           302           297   

Amortization of intangibles

    174           199           223   

(Gain) loss on sale of loans held for sale

    (993        (801        (1,044

(Gain) loss on sale of securities and other assets

    (403        (595        (74

Loans originated for sale in the secondary market, net of repayments

    (43,312        (30,858        (56,698

Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale

    45,211           29,962           61,681   

Other, net

    787           43           (115
 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

    8,782           5,332           11,446   

Investing Activities

           

Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investment securities

    690           475           947   

Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity investment securities

    10,567           9,479           8,587   

Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale investment securities

    13,395           7,212           10,147   

Purchases of held-to-maturity investment securities

    (9,234        (15,597        (13,218

Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities

    (20,502        (21,752        (13,146

Net increase in loans outstanding

    (11,788        (12,873        (12,331

Proceeds from sales of loans

    1,723           1,657           819   

Purchases of loans

    (4,475        (2,355        (2,468

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

              3,436           (58

Other, net

    (1,526        506           (303
 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

    (21,150        (29,812        (21,024

Financing Activities

           

Net increase in deposits

    18,290           15,822           12,940   

Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings

    (2,016        2,285           1,306   

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

    5,067           16,394           2,041   

Principal payments or redemption of long-term debt

    (5,311        (4,128        (2,883

Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock

    745                     487   

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

    295           453           524   

Redemption of preferred stock

                        (500

Repurchase of common stock

    (2,190        (2,200        (2,282

Cash dividends paid on preferred stock

    (242        (243        (254

Cash dividends paid on common stock

    (1,777        (1,726        (1,576
 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

    12,861           26,657           9,803   
 

 

 

 

Change in cash and due from banks

    493           2,177           225   

Cash and due from banks at beginning of year

    10,654           8,477           8,252   
 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks at end of year

  $ 11,147         $ 10,654         $ 8,477   
 

 

 

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures

           

Cash paid for income taxes

  $ 742         $ 748         $ 812   

Cash paid for interest

    1,434           1,476           1,759   

Net noncash transfers to foreclosed property

    204           199           323   

Acquisitions

           

Assets (sold) acquired

  $         $ 1,376         $ 126   

Liabilities sold (assumed)

              (4,797        (24
 

 

 

 

Net

  $         $ (3,421      $ 102   

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 87 


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

  NOTE 1   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

U.S. Bancorp is a multi-state financial services holding company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. U.S. Bancorp and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) provide a full range of financial services, including lending and depository services through banking offices principally in the Midwest and West regions of the United States. The Company also engages in credit card, merchant, and ATM processing, mortgage banking, insurance, trust and investment management, brokerage, and leasing activities, principally in domestic markets.

Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries and all variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which the Company has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Consolidation eliminates all significant intercompany accounts and transactions. Certain items in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Uses of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual experience could differ from those estimates.

BUSINESS SEGMENTS

Within the Company, financial performance is measured by major lines of business based on the products and services provided to customers through its distribution channels. The Company has five reportable operating segments:

Wholesale Banking and Commercial Real Estate Wholesale Banking and Commercial Real Estate offers lending, equipment finance and small-ticket leasing, depository services, treasury management, capital markets, international trade services and other financial services to middle market, large corporate, commercial real estate, financial institution, non-profit and public sector clients.

Consumer and Small Business Banking Consumer and Small Business Banking delivers products and services through banking offices, telephone servicing and sales, on-line services, direct mail, ATM processing and mobile devices, such as mobile phones and tablet computers. It encompasses community banking, metropolitan banking and indirect lending, as well as mortgage banking.

Wealth Management and Securities Services Wealth Management and Securities Services provides private banking, financial advisory services, investment management, retail brokerage services, insurance, trust, custody and fund servicing through five businesses: Wealth Management, Corporate Trust Services, U.S. Bancorp Asset Management, Institutional Trust & Custody and Fund Services.

Payment Services Payment Services includes consumer and business credit cards, stored-value cards, debit cards, corporate, government and purchasing card services, consumer lines of credit and merchant processing.

Treasury and Corporate Support Treasury and Corporate Support includes the Company’s investment portfolios, most covered commercial and commercial real estate loans and related other real estate owned (“OREO”), funding, capital management, interest rate risk management, income taxes not allocated to business lines, including most investments in tax-advantaged projects, and the residual aggregate of those expenses associated with corporate activities that are managed on a consolidated basis.

Segment Results Accounting policies for the lines of business are the same as those used in preparation of the consolidated financial statements with respect to activities specifically attributable to each business line. However, the preparation of business line results requires management to allocate funding costs and benefits, expenses and other financial elements to each line of business. For details of these methodologies and segment results, see “Basis for Financial Presentation” and Table 25 “Line of Business Financial Performance” included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis which is incorporated by reference into these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

SECURITIES

Realized gains or losses on securities are determined on a trade date basis based on the specific amortized cost of the investments sold.

Trading Securities Debt and equity securities held for resale are classified as trading securities and are included in other assets and reported at fair value. Changes in fair value and realized gains or losses are reported in noninterest income.

Available-for-sale Securities These securities are not trading securities but may be sold before maturity in response to changes in the Company’s interest rate risk profile, funding needs, demand for collateralized deposits by public entities or

 

 

 88 


other reasons. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with unrealized net gains or losses reported within other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity. Declines in fair value for credit-related other-than-temporary impairment, if any, are reported in noninterest income.

Held-to-maturity Securities Debt securities for which the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are reported at historical cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Declines in fair value for credit-related other-than-temporary impairment, if any, are reported in noninterest income.

Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase Securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions with a receivable or payable recorded at the amounts at which the securities were acquired or sold, plus accrued interest. Collateral requirements are continually monitored and additional collateral is received or provided as required. The Company records a receivable or payable for cash collateral paid or received.

EQUITY INVESTMENTS IN OPERATING ENTITIES

Equity investments in public entities in which the Company’s ownership is less than 20 percent are generally accounted for as available-for-sale securities and are carried at fair value. Similar investments in private entities are accounted for using the cost method. Investments in entities where the Company has a significant influence (generally between 20 percent and 50 percent ownership), but does not control the entity, are accounted for using the equity method. Investments in limited partnerships and limited liability companies where the Company’s ownership interest is greater than 5 percent are accounted for using the equity method. All equity investments are evaluated for impairment at least annually and more frequently if certain criteria are met.

LOANS

The Company offers a broad array of lending products and categorizes its loan portfolio into three segments, which is the level at which it develops and documents a systematic methodology to determine the allowance for credit losses. The Company’s three loan portfolio segments are commercial lending, consumer lending and covered loans. The Company further disaggregates its loan portfolio segments into various classes based on their underlying risk characteristics. The two classes within the commercial lending segment are commercial loans and commercial real estate loans. The three

classes within the consumer lending segment are residential mortgages, credit card loans and other retail loans. The covered loan segment consists of only one class.

The Company’s accounting methods for loans differ depending on whether the loans are originated or purchased, and for purchased loans, whether the loans were acquired at a discount related to evidence of credit deterioration since date of origination.

Originated Loans Held for Investment Loans the Company originates as held for investment are reported at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned income, net deferred loan fees or costs, and any direct principal charge-offs. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balances as earned. Loan and commitment fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and recognized over the life of the loan and/or commitment period as yield adjustments.

Purchased Loans All purchased loans (non-impaired and impaired) acquired after January 1, 2009 are initially measured at fair value as of the acquisition date in accordance with applicable authoritative accounting guidance. Credit discounts are included in the determination of fair value. An allowance for credit losses is not recorded at the acquisition date for loans purchased after January 1, 2009. In accordance with applicable authoritative accounting guidance, purchased non-impaired loans acquired in a business combination prior to January 1, 2009 were generally recorded at the predecessor’s carrying value including an allowance for credit losses.

In determining the acquisition date fair value of purchased impaired loans, and in subsequent accounting, the Company generally aggregates purchased consumer loans and certain smaller balance commercial loans into pools of loans with common risk characteristics, while accounting for larger balance commercial loans individually. Expected cash flows at the purchase date in excess of the fair value of loans are recorded as interest income over the life of the loans if the timing and amount of the future cash flows is reasonably estimable. Subsequent to the purchase date, increases in cash flows over those expected at the purchase date are recognized as interest income prospectively. The present value of any decreases in expected cash flows, other than from decreases in variable interest rates, after the purchase date is recognized by recording an allowance for credit losses. Revolving loans, including lines of credit and credit cards loans, and leases are excluded from purchased impaired loans accounting.

For purchased loans acquired after January 1, 2009 that are not deemed impaired at acquisition, credit discounts representing the principal losses expected over the life of the loan are a component of the initial fair value. Subsequent to

 

 

 89 


the purchase date, the methods utilized to estimate the required allowance for credit losses for these loans is similar to originated loans; however, the Company records a provision for credit losses only when the required allowance exceeds any remaining credit discounts. The remaining differences between the purchase price and the unpaid principal balance at the date of acquisition are recorded in interest income over the life of the loans.

Covered Assets Loans covered under loss sharing or similar credit protection agreements with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) are reported in loans along with the related indemnification asset. Foreclosed real estate covered under similar agreements is recorded in other assets. In accordance with applicable authoritative accounting guidance effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2009, all purchased loans and related indemnification assets are recorded at fair value at the date of purchase.

Effective January 1, 2013, the Company amortizes any reduction in expected cash flows from the FDIC resulting from increases in expected cash flows from the covered assets (when there are no previous valuation allowances to reverse) over the shorter of the remaining contractual term of the indemnification agreements or the remaining life of the covered assets. Prior to January 1, 2013, the Company considered such increases in expected cash flows of purchased loans and decreases in expected cash flows of the FDIC indemnification assets together and recognized them over the remaining life of the loans.

Commitments to Extend Credit Unfunded commitments for residential mortgage loans intended to be held for sale are considered derivatives and recorded on the balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in income. All other unfunded loan commitments are not considered derivatives and are not reported on the balance sheet. For loans purchased after January 1, 2009, the fair value of the unfunded credit commitments is generally considered in the determination of the fair value of the loans recorded at the date of acquisition. Reserves for credit exposure on all other unfunded credit commitments are recorded in other liabilities.

Allowance for Credit Losses The allowance for credit losses reserves for probable and estimable losses incurred in the Company’s loan and lease portfolio, including unfunded credit commitments, and includes certain amounts that do not represent loss exposure to the Company because those losses are recoverable under loss sharing agreements with the FDIC. The allowance for credit losses is increased through provisions charged to operating earnings and reduced by net charge-offs. Management evaluates the allowance each quarter to ensure it appropriately reserves for incurred losses.

The allowance recorded for loans in the commercial lending segment is based on reviews of individual credit relationships and considers the migration analysis of commercial lending segment loans and actual loss experience. In the migration analysis applied to risk rated loan portfolios, the Company currently examines up to a 15-year period of loss experience. For each loan type, this historical loss experience is adjusted as necessary to consider any relevant changes in portfolio composition, lending policies, underwriting standards, risk management practices or economic conditions. The results of the analysis are evaluated quarterly to confirm an appropriate historical time frame is selected for each commercial loan type. The allowance recorded for impaired loans greater than $5 million in the commercial lending segment is based on an individual loan analysis utilizing expected cash flows discounted using the original effective interest rate, the observable market price of the loan, or the fair value of the collateral, less selling costs, for collateral-dependent loans, rather than the migration analysis. The allowance recorded for all other commercial lending segment loans is determined on a homogenous pool basis and includes consideration of product mix, risk characteristics of the portfolio, bankruptcy experience, portfolio growth and historical losses, adjusted for current trends. The Company also considers the impacts of any loan modifications made to commercial lending segment loans and any subsequent payment defaults to its expectations of cash flows, principal balance, and current expectations about the borrower’s ability to pay in determining the allowance for credit losses.

The allowance recorded for Troubled Debt Restructuring (“TDR”) loans and purchased impaired loans in the consumer lending segment is determined on a homogenous pool basis utilizing expected cash flows discounted using the original effective interest rate of the pool, or the prior quarter effective rate, respectively. The allowance for collateral-dependent loans in the consumer lending segment is determined based on the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell. The allowance recorded for all other consumer lending segment loans is determined on a homogenous pool basis and includes consideration of product mix, risk characteristics of the portfolio, bankruptcy experience, delinquency status, refreshed loan-to-value ratios when possible, portfolio growth and historical losses, adjusted for current trends. The Company also considers any modifications made to consumer lending segment loans including the impacts of any subsequent payment defaults since modification in determining the allowance for credit losses, such as the borrower’s ability to pay under the restructured terms, and the timing and amount of payments.

 

 

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The allowance for the covered loan segment is evaluated each quarter in a manner similar to that described for non-covered loans and reflects decreases in expected cash flows of those loans after the acquisition date. The provision for credit losses for covered loans considers the indemnification provided by the FDIC.

In addition, subsequent payment defaults on loan modifications considered TDRs are considered in the underlying factors used in the determination of the appropriateness of the allowance for credit losses. For each loan segment, the Company estimates future loan charge-offs through a variety of analysis, trends and underlying assumptions. With respect to the commercial lending segment, TDRs may be collectively evaluated for impairment where observed performance history, including defaults, is a primary driver of the loss allocation. For commercial TDRs individually evaluated for impairment, attributes of the borrower are the primary factors in determining the allowance for credit losses. However, historical loss experience is also incorporated into the allowance methodology applied to this category of loans. With respect to the consumer lending segment, performance of the portfolio, including defaults on TDRs, is considered when estimating future cash flows.

The Company’s methodology for determining the appropriate allowance for credit losses for each loan segment also considers the imprecision inherent in the methodologies used. As a result, in addition to the amounts determined under the methodologies described above, management also considers the potential impact of other qualitative factors which include, but are not limited to, economic factors; geographic and other concentration risks; delinquency and nonaccrual trends; current business conditions; changes in lending policy, underwriting standards, internal review and other relevant business practices; and the regulatory environment. The consideration of these items results in adjustments to allowance amounts included in the Company’s allowance for credit losses for each of the above loan segments.

The Company also assesses the credit risk associated with off-balance sheet loan commitments, letters of credit, and derivatives. Credit risk associated with derivatives is reflected in the fair values recorded for those positions. The liability for off-balance sheet credit exposure related to loan commitments and other credit guarantees is included in other liabilities. Because business processes and credit risks associated with unfunded credit commitments are essentially the same as for loans, the Company utilizes similar processes to estimate its liability for unfunded credit commitments.

Credit Quality The quality of the Company’s loan portfolios is assessed as a function of net credit losses, levels of

nonperforming assets and delinquencies, and credit quality ratings as defined by the Company.

For all loan classes, loans are considered past due based on the number of days delinquent except for monthly amortizing loans which are classified delinquent based upon the number of contractually required payments not made (for example, two missed payments is considered 30 days delinquent). When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid accrued interest is reversed.

Commercial lending segment loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status when the collection of principal and interest has become 90 days past due or is otherwise considered doubtful. Commercial lending segment loans are generally fully or partially charged down to the fair value of the collateral securing the loan, less costs to sell, when the loan is considered uncollectible.

Consumer lending segment loans are generally charged-off at a specific number of days or payments past due. Residential mortgages and other retail loans secured by 1-4 family properties are generally charged down to the fair value of the collateral securing the loan, less costs to sell, at 180 days past due, and placed on nonaccrual status in instances where a partial charge-off occurs unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Loans and lines in a junior lien position secured by 1-4 family properties are placed on nonaccrual status at 120 days past due or when behind a first lien that has become 180 days or greater past due or placed on nonaccrual status. Any secured consumer lending segment loan whose borrower has had debt discharged through bankruptcy, for which the loan amount exceeds the fair value of the collateral, is charged down to the fair value of the related collateral and the remaining balance is placed on nonaccrual status. Credit card loans continue to accrue interest until the account is charged off. Credit cards are charged off at 180 days past due. Other retail loans not secured by 1-4 family properties are charged-off at 120 days past due; and revolving consumer lines are charged off at 180 days past due. Similar to credit cards, other retail loans are generally not placed on nonaccrual status because of the relative short period of time to charge-off. Certain retail customers having financial difficulties may have the terms of their credit card and other loan agreements modified to require only principal payments and, as such, are reported as nonaccrual.

For all loan classes, interest payments received on nonaccrual loans are generally recorded as a reduction to a loan’s carrying amount while a loan is on nonaccrual and are recognized as interest income upon payoff of the loan. However, interest income may be recognized for interest payments if the remaining carrying amount of the loan is believed to be collectible. In certain circumstances, loans in

 

 

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any class may be restored to accrual status, such as when a loan has demonstrated sustained repayment performance or no amounts are past due and prospects for future payment are no longer in doubt; or when the loan becomes well secured and is in the process of collection. Loans where there has been a partial charge-off may be returned to accrual status if all principal and interest (including amounts previously charged-off) is expected to be collected and the loan is current.

Covered loans not considered to be purchased impaired are evaluated for delinquency, nonaccrual status and charge-off consistent with the class of loan they would be included in had the loss share coverage not been in place. Generally, purchased impaired loans are considered accruing loans. However, the timing and amount of future cash flows for some loans is not reasonably estimable, and those loans are classified as nonaccrual loans with interest income not recognized until the timing and amount of the future cash flows can be reasonably estimated.

The Company classifies its loan portfolios using internal credit quality ratings on a quarterly basis. These ratings include: pass, special mention and classified, and are an important part of the Company’s overall credit risk management process and evaluation of the allowance for credit losses. Loans with a pass rating represent those not classified on the Company’s rating scale for problem credits, as minimal credit risk has been identified. Special mention loans are those that have a potential weakness deserving management’s close attention. Classified loans are those where a well-defined weakness has been identified that may put full collection of contractual cash flows at risk. It is possible that others, given the same information, may reach different reasonable conclusions regarding the credit quality rating classification of specific loans.

Troubled Debt Restructurings In certain circumstances, the Company may modify the terms of a loan to maximize the collection of amounts due when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties or is expected to experience difficulties in the near-term. Concessionary modifications are classified as TDRs unless the modification results in only an insignificant delay in payments to be received. The Company recognizes interest on TDRs if the borrower complies with the revised terms and conditions as agreed upon with the Company and has demonstrated repayment performance at a level commensurate with the modified terms over several payment cycles, which is generally six months or greater. To the extent a previous restructuring was insignificant, the Company considers the cumulative effect of past restructurings related to the receivable when determining whether a current restructuring is a TDR. Loans classified as TDRs are considered impaired loans for reporting and measurement purposes.

The Company has implemented certain restructuring programs that may result in TDRs. However, many of the Company’s TDRs are also determined on a case-by-case basis in connection with ongoing loan collection processes.

For the commercial lending segment, modifications generally result in the Company working with borrowers on a case-by-case basis. Commercial and commercial real estate modifications generally include extensions of the maturity date and may be accompanied by an increase or decrease to the interest rate, which may not be deemed a market rate of interest. In addition, the Company may work with the borrower in identifying other changes that mitigate loss to the Company, which may include additional collateral or guarantees to support the loan. To a lesser extent, the Company may waive contractual principal. The Company classifies all of the above concessions as TDRs to the extent the Company determines that the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty.

Modifications for the consumer lending segment are generally part of programs the Company has initiated. The Company participates in the U.S. Department of Treasury Home Affordable Modification Program (“HAMP”). HAMP gives qualifying homeowners an opportunity to permanently modify residential mortgage loans and achieve more affordable monthly payments, with the U.S. Department of Treasury compensating the Company for a portion of the reduction in monthly amounts due from borrowers participating in this program. The Company also modifies residential mortgage loans under Federal Housing Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, or its own internal programs. Under these programs, the Company provides concessions to qualifying borrowers experiencing financial difficulties. The concessions may include adjustments to interest rates, conversion of adjustable rates to fixed rates, extension of maturity dates or deferrals of payments, capitalization of accrued interest and/or outstanding advances, or in limited situations, partial forgiveness of loan principal. In most instances, participation in residential mortgage loan restructuring programs requires the customer to complete a short-term trial period. A permanent loan modification is contingent on the customer successfully completing the trial period arrangement and the loan documents are not modified until that time. The Company reports loans in a trial period arrangement as TDRs and continues to report them as TDRs after the trial period.

Credit card and other retail loan TDRs are generally part of distinct restructuring programs providing customers experiencing financial difficulty with modifications whereby balances may be amortized up to 60 months, and generally include waiver of fees and reduced interest rates.

 

 

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In addition, the Company considers secured loans to consumer borrowers that have debt discharged through bankruptcy where the borrower has not reaffirmed the debt to be TDRs.

Modifications to loans in the covered segment are similar in nature to that described above for non-covered loans, and the evaluation and determination of TDR status is similar, except that acquired loans restructured after acquisition are not considered TDRs for accounting and disclosure purposes if the loans evidenced credit deterioration as of the acquisition date and are accounted for in pools. Losses associated with the modification on covered loans, including the economic impact of interest rate reductions, are generally eligible for reimbursement under loss sharing agreements with the FDIC.

Impaired Loans For all loan classes, a loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current events or information, it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due per the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans include all nonaccrual and TDR loans. For all loan classes, interest income on TDR loans is recognized under the modified terms and conditions if the borrower has demonstrated repayment performance at a level commensurate with the modified terms over several payment cycles. Interest income is generally not recognized on other impaired loans until the loan is paid off. However, interest income may be recognized for interest payments if the remaining carrying amount of the loan is believed to be collectible.

Factors used by the Company in determining whether all principal and interest payments due on commercial and commercial real estate loans will be collected and therefore whether those loans are impaired include, but are not limited to, the financial condition of the borrower, collateral and/or guarantees on the loan, and the borrower’s estimated future ability to pay based on industry, geographic location and certain financial ratios. The evaluation of impairment on residential mortgages, credit card loans and other retail loans is primarily driven by delinquency status of individual loans or whether a loan has been modified, and considers any government guarantee where applicable. Individual covered loans, whose future losses are covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC that substantially reduce the risk of credit losses to the Company, are evaluated for impairment and accounted for in a manner consistent with the class of loan they would have been included in had the loss sharing coverage not been in place.

Leases The Company’s lease portfolio includes both direct financing and leveraged leases. The net investment in direct

financing leases is the sum of all minimum lease payments and estimated residual values, less unearned income. Unearned income is recorded in interest income over the terms of the leases to produce a level yield.

The investment in leveraged leases is the sum of all lease payments, less nonrecourse debt payments, plus estimated residual values, less unearned income. Income from leveraged leases is recognized over the term of the leases based on the unrecovered equity investment.

Residual values on leased assets are reviewed regularly for other-than-temporary impairment. Residual valuations for retail automobile leases are based on independent assessments of expected used car sale prices at the end-of-term. Impairment tests are conducted based on these valuations considering the probability of the lessee returning the asset to the Company, re-marketing efforts, insurance coverage and ancillary fees and costs. Valuations for commercial leases are based upon external or internal management appraisals. When there is impairment of the Company’s interest in the residual value of a leased asset, the carrying value is reduced to the estimated fair value with the writedown recognized in the current period.

Other Real Estate OREO is included in other assets, and is property acquired through foreclosure or other proceedings on defaulted loans. OREO is initially recorded at fair value, less estimated selling costs. The fair value of OREO is evaluated regularly and any decreases in value along with holding costs, such as taxes and insurance, are reported in noninterest expense.

LOANS HELD FOR SALE

Loans held for sale (“LHFS”) represent mortgage loans intended to be sold in the secondary market and other loans that management has an active plan to sell. LHFS are carried at the lower-of-cost-or-fair value as determined on an aggregate basis by type of loan with the exception of loans for which the Company has elected fair value accounting, which are carried at fair value. The credit component of any writedowns upon the transfer of loans to LHFS is reflected in loan charge-offs.

Where an election is made to carry the LHFS at fair value, any change in fair value is recognized in noninterest income. Where an election is made to carry LHFS at lower-of-cost-or-fair value, any further decreases are recognized in noninterest income and increases in fair value above the loan cost basis are not recognized until the loans are sold. Fair value elections are made at the time of origination or purchase based on the Company’s fair value election policy. The Company has elected fair value accounting for substantially all its mortgage loans held for sale (“MLHFS”).

 

 

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DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into derivative transactions to manage various risks and to accommodate the business requirements of its customers. Derivative instruments are reported in other assets or other liabilities at fair value. Changes in a derivative’s fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met.

All derivative instruments that qualify and are designated for hedge accounting are recorded at fair value and classified as either a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability (“fair value hedge”); a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow hedge”); or a hedge of the volatility of an investment in foreign operations driven by changes in foreign currency exchange rates (“net investment hedge”). Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective and designated as a fair value hedge, and the offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged item, are recorded in earnings. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective and designated as a cash flow hedge are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) until cash flows of the hedged item are realized. Any change in fair value resulting from hedge ineffectiveness is immediately recorded in noninterest income. Changes in the fair value of net investment hedges that are highly effective are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). The Company performs an assessment, at inception and, at a minimum, quarterly thereafter, to determine the effectiveness of the derivative in offsetting changes in the value or cash flows of the hedged item(s).

If a derivative designated as a cash flow hedge is terminated or ceases to be highly effective, the gain or loss in other comprehensive income (loss) is amortized to earnings over the period the forecasted hedged transactions impact earnings. If a hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable, hedge accounting is ceased and any gain or loss included in other comprehensive income (loss) is reported in earnings immediately, unless the forecasted transaction is at least reasonably possible of occurring, whereby the amounts remain within other comprehensive income (loss).

REVENUE RECOGNITION

The Company recognizes revenue as it is earned based on contractual terms, as transactions occur, or as services are provided and collectability is reasonably assured. In certain circumstances, noninterest income is reported net of associated expenses that are directly related to variable volume-based sales or revenue sharing arrangements or

when the Company acts on an agency basis for others. Certain specific policies include the following:

Credit and Debit Card Revenue Credit and debit card revenue includes interchange from consumer credit and debit cards processed through card association networks, annual fees, and other transaction and account management fees. Interchange rates are generally set by the credit card associations and based on purchase volumes and other factors. The Company records interchange as transactions occur. Transaction and account management fees are recognized as transactions occur or services are provided, except for annual fees which are recognized over the applicable period. Volume-related payments to partners and credit card associations and costs for rewards programs are also recorded within credit and debit card revenue when earned by the partner or customer.

Corporate Payment Products Revenue Corporate payment products revenue primarily includes interchange from corporate and purchasing cards processed through card association networks and revenue from proprietary network transactions. The Company records corporate payment products revenue as transactions occur. Volume-related payments to customers and credit card associations are also recorded within corporate payment products revenue when earned by the customer or card association.

Merchant Processing Services Merchant processing services revenue consists principally of merchant discount and other transaction and account management fees charged to merchants for the electronic processing of card association network transactions, net of interchange paid to the card-issuing bank, card association assessments, and revenue sharing amounts. All of these are recognized at the time the merchant’s transactions are processed or other services are performed. The Company may enter into revenue sharing agreements with referral partners or in connection with purchases of merchant contracts from sellers. The revenue sharing amounts are determined primarily on sales volume processed or revenue generated for a particular group of merchants. Merchant processing revenue also includes revenues related to point-of-sale equipment recorded as sales when the equipment is shipped or as earned for equipment rentals.

Trust and Investment Management Fees Trust and investment management fees are recognized over the period in which services are performed and are based on a percentage of the fair value of the assets under management or administration, fixed based on account type, or transaction-based fees.

 

 

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Deposit Service Charges Service charges on deposit accounts are primarily monthly fees based on minimum balances or transaction-based fees. These fees are recognized as earned or as transactions occur and services are provided.

Commercial Products Revenue Commercial products revenue primarily includes revenue related to ancillary services provided to Wholesale Banking and Commercial Real Estate customers including standby letter of credit fees, non-yield related loan fees, capital markets related revenue and non-yield related leasing revenue. These fees are recognized as earned or as transactions occur and services are provided.

Mortgage Banking Revenue Mortgage banking revenue includes revenue derived from mortgages originated and subsequently sold, generally with servicing retained. The primary components include: gains and losses on mortgage sales; servicing revenue; changes in fair value for mortgage loans originated with the intent to sell and measured at fair value under the fair value option; changes in fair value for derivative commitments to purchase and originate mortgage loans; changes in the fair value of mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”); and the impact of risk management activities associated with the mortgage origination pipeline, funded loans and MSRs. Net interest income from mortgage loans is recorded in interest income. Refer to Other Significant Policies in Note 1, as well as Note 10 and Note 22 for a further discussion of MSRs.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT POLICIES

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill is recorded on acquired businesses if the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired. Other intangible assets are recorded at their fair value upon completion of a business acquisition or certain other transactions, and generally represent the value of customer contracts or relationships. Goodwill is not amortized but is subject, at a minimum, to annual tests for impairment at a reporting unit level. In certain situations, an interim impairment test may be required if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, using straight-line and accelerated methods and are subject to impairment if events or circumstances indicate a possible inability to realize the carrying amount. Determining the amount of goodwill impairment, if any, includes assessing the current implied fair value of the reporting unit as if it were being acquired in a business combination and comparing it to the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill. Determining the amount of other intangible asset impairment, if any, includes assessing the present value of the estimated

future cash flows associated with the intangible asset and comparing it to the carrying amount of the asset.

Income Taxes Deferred taxes are recorded to reflect the tax consequences on future years of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting carrying amounts. The Company uses the deferral method of accounting on investments that generate investment tax credits. Under this method, the investment tax credits are recognized as a reduction to the related asset. Beginning January 1, 2014, the Company presents the expense on certain qualified affordable housing investments in tax expense rather than noninterest expense.

Mortgage Servicing Rights MSRs are capitalized as separate assets when loans are sold and servicing is retained or if they are purchased from others. MSRs are recorded at fair value. The Company determines the fair value by estimating the present value of the asset’s future cash flows utilizing market-based prepayment rates, discount rates, and other assumptions validated through comparison to trade information, industry surveys and independent third party valuations. Changes in the fair value of MSRs are recorded in earnings as mortgage banking revenue during the period in which they occur.

Pensions For purposes of its pension plans, the Company utilizes its fiscal year-end as the measurement date. At the measurement date, plan assets are determined based on fair value, generally representing observable market prices or the net asset value provided by the plans’ administrator. The actuarial cost method used to compute the pension liabilities and related expense is the projected unit credit method. The projected benefit obligation is principally determined based on the present value of projected benefit distributions at an assumed discount rate. The discount rate utilized is based on the investment yield of high quality corporate bonds available in the marketplace with maturities equal to projected cash flows of future benefit payments as of the measurement date. Periodic pension expense (or income) includes service costs, interest costs based on the assumed discount rate, the expected return on plan assets based on an actuarially derived market-related value and amortization of actuarial gains and losses. Pension accounting reflects the long-term nature of benefit obligations and the investment horizon of plan assets, and can have the effect of reducing earnings volatility related to short-term changes in interest rates and market valuations. Actuarial gains and losses include the impact of plan amendments and various unrecognized gains and losses which are deferred and amortized over the future service periods of active employees. The market-related value utilized to determine the expected return on plan assets is based on fair value adjusted for the difference between

 

 

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expected returns and actual performance of plan assets. The unrealized difference between actual experience and expected returns is included in expense over a period of approximately twelve years. The overfunded or underfunded status of the plans is recorded as an asset or liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, with changes in that status recognized through other comprehensive income (loss).

Premises and Equipment Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and depreciated primarily on a straight-line basis over the estimated life of the assets. Estimated useful lives range up to 40 years for newly constructed buildings and from 3 to 20 years for furniture and equipment.

Capitalized leases, less accumulated amortization, are included in premises and equipment. Capitalized lease obligations are included in long-term debt. Capitalized leases are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and the amortization is included in depreciation expense.

Stock-Based Compensation The Company grants stock-based awards, including restricted stock, restricted stock units and options to purchase common stock of the Company. Stock option grants are for a fixed number of shares to employees and directors with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the shares at the date of grant. Restricted stock and restricted stock unit grants are awarded at no cost to the recipient. Stock-based compensation for awards is recognized in the Company’s results of operations on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The Company immediately recognizes compensation cost of awards to employees that meet retirement status, despite their continued active employment. The amortization of stock-based compensation reflects estimated forfeitures adjusted for actual forfeiture experience. As compensation expense is recognized, a deferred tax asset is recorded that represents an estimate of the future tax deduction from exercise or release of restrictions. At the time stock-based awards are exercised, cancelled, expire, or restrictions are released, the Company may be required to recognize an adjustment to tax expense, depending on the market price of the Company’s common stock at that time.

Per Share Calculations Earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income applicable to U.S. Bancorp common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by adjusting income and outstanding shares, assuming conversion of all potentially dilutive securities.

  NOTE 2   ACCOUNTING CHANGES

Revenue Recognition In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting guidance, originally effective for the Company on January 1, 2017, related to revenue recognition from contracts with customers. In August 2015, the FASB delayed the effective date of this guidance by one year, resulting in it becoming effective for the Company on January 1, 2018.

This guidance amends certain currently existing revenue recognition accounting guidance and allows for either retrospective application to all periods presented or a modified retrospective approach where the guidance would only be applied to existing contracts in effect at the adoption date and new contracts going forward. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance under the modified retrospective approach and expects the adoption will not be material to its financial statements.

Consolidation In February 2015, the FASB issued accounting guidance, effective for the Company on January 1, 2016, related to the analysis required by organizations to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. The Company expects the adoption of this guidance will not be material to its financial statements.

 

  NOTE 3   BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

In June 2014, the Company acquired the Chicago-area branch banking operations of the Charter One Bank franchise (“Charter One”) owned by RBS Citizens Financial Group. The acquisition included Charter One’s retail branch network, small business operations and select middle market relationships. The Company acquired approximately $969 million of loans and $4.8 billion of deposits with this transaction.

 

  NOTE 4   RESTRICTIONS ON CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

Banking regulators require bank subsidiaries to maintain minimum average reserve balances, either in the form of cash or reserve balances held with central banks or other financial institutions. The amount of required reserve balances were approximately $2.2 billion and $2.0 billion at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and primarily represent those required to be held at the Federal Reserve Bank. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company held $3.3 billion and $4.4 billion, respectively, of balances at the Federal Reserve Bank and other financial institutions to meet these requirements. These balances are included in cash and due from banks on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

 

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  NOTE 5   INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost, other-than-temporary impairment recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), gross unrealized holding gains and losses, and fair value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment securities at December 31 were as follows:

 

    2015     2014  
                Unrealized Losses                       Unrealized Losses        
(Dollars in Millions)   Amortized
Cost
    Unrealized
Gains
    Other-than-
Temporary(e)
    Other(f)     Fair Value     Amortized
Cost
    Unrealized
Gains
    Other-than-
Temporary(e)
    Other(f)     Fair Value  

Held-to-maturity(a)

                     

U.S. Treasury and agencies

  $ 2,925      $ 14      $      $ (20   $ 2,919      $ 2,717      $ 15      $      $ (18   $ 2,714   

Mortgage-backed securities

                     

Residential

                     

Agency

    40,619        175               (273     40,521        42,204        335               (176     42,363   

Non-agency non-prime(d)

    1                             1        1                             1   

Asset-backed securities

                     

Collateralized debt obligations/Collateralized loan obligations

           6                      6               7                      7   

Other

    10        3                      13        13        4                      17   

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

    8        1               (1     8        9        1               (1     9   

Obligations of foreign governments

    9                             9        9                             9   

Other debt securities

    18                      (2     16        21                      (1     20   

Total held-to-maturity

  $ 43,590      $ 199      $      $ (296   $ 43,493      $ 44,974      $ 362      $      $ (196   $ 45,140   

Available-for-sale(b)

                     

U.S. Treasury and agencies

  $ 4,611      $ 12      $      $ (27   $ 4,596      $ 2,622      $ 14      $      $ (4   $ 2,632   

Mortgage-backed securities

                     

Residential

                     

Agency

    50,056        384               (364     50,076        44,668        593               (244     45,017   

Non-agency

                     

Prime(c)

    316        6        (3     (1     318        399        9        (2     (1     405   

Non-prime(d)

    221        20        (1            240        261        20        (1            280   

Commercial agency

    52                             52        112        3                      115   

Asset-backed securities

                     

Collateralized debt obligations/Collateralized loan obligations

    16        3                      19        18        4                      22   

Other

    532        9                      541        607        13               (1     619   

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

    5,149        169               (2     5,316        5,604        265               (1     5,868   

Obligations of foreign governments

                                       6                             6   

Corporate debt securities

    677        3               (70     610        690        3               (79     614   

Perpetual preferred securities

    153        20               (12     161        200        27               (10     217   

Other investments

    34        34                      68        245        29                      274   

Total available-for-sale

  $ 61,817      $ 660      $ (4   $ (476   $ 61,997      $ 55,432      $ 980      $ (3   $ (340   $ 56,069   
(a) Held-to-maturity investment securities are carried at historical cost or at fair value at the time of transfer from the available-for-sale to held-to-maturity category, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts and credit-related other-than-temporary impairment.
(b) Available-for-sale investment securities are carried at fair value with unrealized net gains or losses reported within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity.
(c) Prime securities are those designated as such by the issuer at origination. When an issuer designation is unavailable, the Company determines at acquisition date the categorization based on asset pool characteristics (such as weighted-average credit score, loan-to-value, loan type, prevalence of low documentation loans) and deal performance (such as pool delinquencies and security market spreads). When the Company determines the designation, prime securities typically have a weighted average credit score of 725 or higher and a loan-to-value of 80 percent or lower; however, other pool characteristics may result in designations that deviate from these credit score and loan-to-value thresholds.
(d) Includes all securities not meeting the conditions to be designated as prime.
(e) Represents impairment not related to credit for those investment securities that have been determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
(f) Represents unrealized losses on investment securities that have not been determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

The weighted-average maturity of the available-for-sale investment securities was 4.7 years at December 31, 2015, compared with 4.3 years at December 31, 2014. The corresponding weighted-average yields were 2.21 percent and 2.32 percent, respectively. The weighted-average maturity of the held-to-maturity investment securities was 4.2

years at December 31, 2015, and 4.0 years at December 31, 2014. The corresponding weighted-average yields were both 1.92 percent, respectively.

For amortized cost, fair value and yield by maturity date of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment securities outstanding at December 31, 2015, refer to Table 13 included

 

 

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in Management’s Discussion and Analysis which is incorporated by reference into these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Investment securities with a fair value of $13.1 billion at December 31, 2015, and $12.6 billion at December 31, 2014, were pledged to secure public, private and trust deposits, repurchase agreements and for other purposes required by

contractual obligation or law. Included in these amounts were securities where the Company and certain counterparties have agreements granting the counterparties the right to sell or pledge the securities. Investment securities securing these types of arrangements had a fair value of $1.0 billion at December 31, 2015, and $856 million at December 31, 2014.

 

 

The following table provides information about the amount of interest income from taxable and non-taxable investment securities:

 

Year Ended December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013  

Taxable

  $ 1,778         $ 1,634         $ 1,375   

Non-taxable

    223           232           256   

Total interest income from investment securities

  $ 2,001         $ 1,866         $ 1,631   

The following table provides information about the amount of gross gains and losses realized through the sales of available-for-sale investment securities:

 

Year Ended December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013  

Realized gains

  $ 7         $ 11         $ 23   

Realized losses

    (6                    

Net realized gains (losses)

  $ 1         $ 11         $ 23   

Income tax (benefit) on net realized gains (losses)

  $         $ 4         $ 9   

 

The Company conducts a regular assessment of its investment securities with unrealized losses to determine whether investment securities are other-than-temporarily impaired considering, among other factors, the nature of the investment securities, credit ratings or financial condition of the issuer, the extent and duration of the unrealized loss, expected cash flows of underlying collateral, the existence of any government or agency guarantees, market conditions and whether the Company intends to sell or it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the investment securities. The Company determines other-than-temporary

impairment recorded in earnings for debt securities not intended to be sold by estimating the future cash flows of each individual investment security, using market information where available, and discounting the cash flows at the original effective rate of the investment security. Other-than-temporary impairment recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) is measured as the difference between that discounted amount and the fair value of each investment security. The total amount of other-than-temporary impairment recorded was immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

 

 

Changes in the credit losses on debt securities are summarized as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013  

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 101         $ 116         $ 134   

Additions to Credit Losses Due to Other-than-temporary Impairments

           

Decreases in expected cash flows on securities for which other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized

    1           3           14   

Total other-than-temporary impairment on debt securities

    1           3           14   

Other Changes in Credit Losses

           

Increases in expected cash flows

    (3        (5        (2

Realized losses(a)

    (15        (13        (23

Credit losses on security sales and securities expected to be sold

                        (7

Balance at end of period

  $ 84         $ 101         $ 116   
(a) Primarily represents principal losses allocated to mortgage and asset-backed securities in the Company’s portfolio under the terms of the securitization transaction documents.

 

 98 


At December 31, 2015, certain investment securities had a fair value below amortized cost. The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair value of the Company’s investment securities with unrealized losses, aggregated by investment category and length of time the individual investment securities have been in continuous unrealized loss positions, at December 31, 2015:

 

    Less Than 12 Months        12 Months or Greater        Total  
(Dollars in Millions)  

Fair

Value

       Unrealized
Losses
       Fair
Value
       Unrealized
Losses
      

Fair

Value

       Unrealized
Losses
 

Held-to-maturity

                              

U.S. Treasury and agencies

  $ 1,306         $ (19      $ 60         $ (1      $ 1,366         $ (20

Residential agency mortgage-backed securities

    17,819           (150        4,156           (123        21,975           (273

Other asset-backed securities

                        6                     6             

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

                        2           (1        2           (1

Other debt securities

                        17           (2        17           (2

Total held-to-maturity

  $ 19,125         $ (169      $ 4,241         $ (127      $ 23,366         $ (296

Available-for-sale

                              

U.S. Treasury and agencies

  $ 2,919         $ (27      $ 8         $         $ 2,927         $ (27

Residential mortgage-backed securities

                              

Agency

    18,603           (171        6,267           (193        24,870           (364

Non-agency(a)

                              

Prime(b)

    59           (1        107           (3        166           (4

Non-prime(c)

                        17           (1        17           (1

Other asset-backed securities

                        2                     2             

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

    35                     62           (2        97           (2

Corporate debt securities

                        425           (70        425           (70

Perpetual preferred securities

                        73           (12        73           (12

Other investments

    1                                         1             

Total available-for-sale

  $ 21,617         $ (199      $ 6,961         $ (281      $ 28,578         $ (480
(a) The Company had $5 million of unrealized losses on residential non-agency mortgage-backed securities. Credit-related other-than-temporary impairment on these securities may occur if there is further deterioration in the underlying collateral pool performance. Borrower defaults may increase if economic conditions worsen. Additionally, deterioration in home prices may increase the severity of projected losses.
(b) Prime securities are those designated as such by the issuer at origination. When an issuer designation is unavailable, the Company determines at acquisition date the categorization based on asset pool characteristics (such as weighted-average credit score, loan-to-value, loan type, prevalence of low documentation loans) and deal performance (such as pool delinquencies and security market spreads).
(c) Includes all securities not meeting the conditions to be designated as prime.

 

The Company does not consider these unrealized losses to be credit-related. These unrealized losses primarily relate to changes in interest rates and market spreads subsequent to purchase. A substantial portion of investment securities that have unrealized losses are either corporate debt issued with high investment grade credit ratings or agency mortgage-backed securities. In general, the issuers of the investment

securities are contractually prohibited from prepayment at less than par, and the Company did not pay significant purchase premiums for these investment securities. At December 31, 2015, the Company had no plans to sell investment securities with unrealized losses, and believes it is more likely than not it would not be required to sell such investment securities before recovery of their amortized cost.

 

 

 99 


  NOTE 6   LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

The composition of the loan portfolio at December 31, disaggregated by class and underlying specific portfolio type, was as follows:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014  

Commercial

      

Commercial

  $ 83,116         $ 74,996   

Lease financing

    5,286           5,381   
 

 

 

 

Total commercial

    88,402           80,377   

Commercial Real Estate

      

Commercial mortgages

    31,773           33,360   

Construction and development

    10,364           9,435   
 

 

 

 

Total commercial real estate

    42,137           42,795   

Residential Mortgages

      

Residential mortgages

    40,425           38,598   

Home equity loans, first liens

    13,071           13,021   
 

 

 

 

Total residential mortgages

    53,496           51,619   

Credit Card

    21,012           18,515   

Other Retail

      

Retail leasing

    5,232           5,871   

Home equity and second mortgages

    16,384           15,916   

Revolving credit

    3,354           3,309   

Installment

    7,030           6,242   

Automobile

    16,587           14,822   

Student

    2,619           3,104   
 

 

 

 

Total other retail

    51,206           49,264   
 

 

 

 

Total loans, excluding covered loans

    256,253           242,570   

Covered Loans

    4,596           5,281   
 

 

 

 

Total loans

  $ 260,849         $ 247,851   

 

The Company had loans of $78.1 billion at December 31, 2015, and $79.8 billion at December 31, 2014, pledged at the Federal Home Loan Bank, and loans of $63.4 billion at December 31, 2015, and $61.8 billion at December 31, 2014, pledged at the Federal Reserve Bank.

The majority of the Company’s loans are to borrowers in the states in which it has Consumer and Small Business Banking offices. Collateral for commercial loans may include marketable securities, accounts receivable, inventory and equipment. For details of the Company’s commercial portfolio by industry group and geography as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, see Table 7 included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis which is incorporated by reference into these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

For detail of the Company’s commercial real estate portfolio by property type and geography as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, see Table 8 included in Management’s

Discussion and Analysis which is incorporated by reference into these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Such loans are collateralized by the related property.

Originated loans are reported at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned interest and deferred fees and costs. Net unearned interest and deferred fees and costs amounted to $550 million at December 31, 2015, and $574 million at December 31, 2014. All purchased loans and related indemnification assets are recorded at fair value at the date of purchase. The Company evaluates purchased loans for impairment at the date of purchase in accordance with applicable authoritative accounting guidance. Purchased loans with evidence of credit deterioration since origination for which it is probable that all contractually required payments will not be collected are considered “purchased impaired loans.” All other purchased loans are considered “purchased nonimpaired loans.”

 

 

 100 


Changes in the accretable balance for purchased impaired loans for the years ended December 31, were as follows:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013  

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 1,309         $ 1,655         $ 1,709   

Accretion

    (382        (441        (499

Disposals

    (132        (131        (172

Reclassifications from nonaccretable difference(a)

    163           229           258   

Other(b)

    (1        (3        359   
 

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

  $ 957         $ 1,309         $ 1,655   
(a) Primarily relates to changes in expected credit performance.
(b) The amount for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily represents the reclassification of unamortized decreases in the FDIC asset, partially offset by the impact of changes in expectations about retaining covered single-family loans beyond the term of the indemnification agreements.

 

Allowance for Credit Losses The allowance for credit losses reserves for probable and estimable losses incurred in the Company’s loan and lease portfolio, including unfunded credit commitments, and includes certain amounts that do

not represent loss exposure to the Company because those losses are recoverable under loss sharing agreements with the FDIC.

 

 

Activity in the allowance for credit losses by portfolio class was as follows:

 

(Dollars in Millions)    Commercial      Commercial
Real Estate
     Residential
Mortgages
     Credit
Card
     Other
Retail
     Total Loans,
Excluding
Covered Loans
     Covered
Loans
     Total
Loans
 

Balance at December 31, 2014

   $ 1,146       $ 726       $ 787       $ 880       $ 771       $ 4,310       $ 65       $ 4,375   

Add

                       

Provision for credit losses

     361         (30      (47      654         193         1,131         1         1,132   

Deduct

                       

Loans charged off

     314         22         135         726         319         1,516                 1,516   

Less recoveries of loans charged off

     (95      (50      (26      (75      (98      (344              (344
  

 

 

 

Net loans charged off

     219         (28      109         651         221         1,172                 1,172   

Other changes(a)

     (1                                      (1      (28      (29
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2015

   $ 1,287       $ 724       $ 631       $ 883       $ 743       $ 4,268       $ 38       $ 4,306   
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

   $ 1,075       $ 776       $ 875       $ 884       $ 781       $ 4,391       $ 146       $ 4,537   

Add

                       

Provision for credit losses

     266         (63      107         657         278         1,245         (16      1,229   

Deduct

                       

Loans charged off

     305         36         216         725         384         1,666         13         1,679   

Less recoveries of loans charged off

     (110      (49      (21      (67      (96      (343      (2      (345
  

 

 

 

Net loans charged off

     195         (13      195         658         288         1,323         11         1,334   

Other changes(a)

                             (3              (3      (54      (57
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

   $ 1,146       $ 726       $ 787       $ 880       $ 771       $ 4,310       $ 65       $ 4,375   
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

   $ 1,051       $ 857       $ 935       $ 863       $ 848       $ 4,554       $ 179       $ 4,733   

Add

                       

Provision for credit losses

     144         (114      212         677         351         1,270         70         1,340   

Deduct

                       

Loans charged off

     246         92         297         739         523         1,897         37         1,934   

Less recoveries of loans charged off

     (126      (125      (25      (83      (105      (464      (5      (469
  

 

 

 

Net loans charged off

     120         (33      272         656         418         1,433         32         1,465   

Other changes(a)

                                                     (71      (71
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

   $ 1,075       $ 776       $ 875       $ 884       $ 781       $ 4,391       $ 146       $ 4,537   
(a) Includes net changes in credit losses to be reimbursed by the FDIC and reductions in the allowance for covered loans where the reversal of a previously recorded allowance was offset by an associated decrease in the indemnification asset, and the impact of any loan sales.

 

 101 


Additional detail of the allowance for credit losses by portfolio class was as follows:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   Commercial      Commercial
Real Estate
     Residential
Mortgages
     Credit
Card
     Other
Retail
     Total Loans,
Excluding
Covered Loans
     Covered
Loans
     Total
Loans
 

Allowance Balance at December 31, 2015 Related to

                      

Loans individually evaluated for impairment(a)

  $ 11       $ 2       $       $       $       $ 13       $       $ 13   

TDRs collectively evaluated for impairment

    10         7         236         57         33         343         2         345   

Other loans collectively evaluated for impairment

    1,266         703         395         826         710         3,900                 3,900   

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality

            12                                 12         36         48   
 

 

 

 

Total allowance for credit losses

  $ 1,287       $ 724       $ 631       $ 883       $ 743       $ 4,268       $ 38       $ 4,306   
 

 

 

 

Allowance Balance at December 31, 2014 Related to

                      

Loans individually evaluated for impairment(a)

  $ 5       $ 4       $       $       $       $ 9       $       $ 9   

TDRs collectively evaluated for impairment

    12         12         319         61         41         445         4         449   

Other loans collectively evaluated for impairment

    1,129         678         468         819         730         3,824         1         3,825   

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality

            32                                 32         60         92   
 

 

 

 

Total allowance for credit losses

  $ 1,146       $ 726       $ 787       $ 880       $ 771       $ 4,310       $ 65       $ 4,375   
(a) Represents the allowance for credit losses related to loans greater than $5 million classified as nonperforming or TDRs.

Additional detail of loan balances by portfolio class was as follows:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   Commercial     Commercial
Real Estate
    Residential
Mortgages
    Credit
Card
    Other
Retail
    Total Loans,
Excluding
Covered Loans
    Covered
Loans(b)
   

Total

Loans

 

December 31, 2015

               

Loans individually evaluated for impairment(a)

  $ 336      $ 41      $ 13      $      $      $ 390      $      $ 390   

TDRs collectively evaluated for impairment

    138        235        4,241        210        211        5,035        35        5,070   

Other loans collectively evaluated for impairment

    87,927        41,566        49,241        20,802        50,995        250,531        2,059        252,590   

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality

    1        295        1                      297        2,502        2,799   
 

 

 

 

Total loans

  $ 88,402      $ 42,137      $ 53,496      $ 21,012      $ 51,206      $ 256,253      $ 4,596      $ 260,849   
 

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

               

Loans individually evaluated for impairment(a)

  $ 159      $ 128      $ 12      $      $      $ 299      $      $ 299   

TDRs collectively evaluated for impairment

    124        393        4,653        240        237        5,647        34        5,681   

Other loans collectively evaluated for impairment

    80,093        41,744        46,953        18,275        49,027        236,092        2,463        238,555   

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality

    1        530        1                      532        2,784        3,316   
 

 

 

 

Total loans

  $ 80,377      $ 42,795      $ 51,619      $ 18,515      $ 49,264      $ 242,570      $ 5,281      $ 247,851   
(a) Represents loans greater than $5 million classified as nonperforming or TDRs.
(b) Includes expected reimbursements from the FDIC under loss sharing agreements.

 

Credit Quality The quality of the Company’s loan portfolios is assessed as a function of net credit losses, levels of nonperforming assets and delinquencies, and credit quality ratings as defined by the Company. These credit quality

ratings are an important part of the Company’s overall credit risk management and evaluation of its allowance for credit losses.

 

 

 102 


The following table provides a summary of loans by portfolio class, including the delinquency status of those that continue to accrue interest, and those that are nonperforming:

 

    Accruing                    
(Dollars in Millions)   Current        30-89 Days
Past Due
       90 Days or
More Past Due
       Nonperforming        Total  

December 31, 2015

                     

Commercial

  $ 87,863         $ 317         $ 48         $ 174         $ 88,402   

Commercial real estate

    41,907           89           14           127           42,137   

Residential mortgages(a)

    52,438           170           176           712           53,496   

Credit card

    20,532           243           228           9           21,012   

Other retail

    50,745           224           75           162           51,206   
 

 

 

 

Total loans, excluding covered loans

    253,485           1,043           541           1,184           256,253   

Covered loans

    4,236           62           290           8           4,596   
 

 

 

 

Total loans

  $ 257,721         $ 1,105         $ 831         $ 1,192         $ 260,849   
 

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

                     

Commercial

  $ 79,977         $ 247         $ 41         $ 112         $ 80,377   

Commercial real estate

    42,406           110           20           259           42,795   

Residential mortgages(a)

    50,330           221           204           864           51,619   

Credit card

    18,046           229           210           30           18,515   

Other retail

    48,764           238           75           187           49,264   
 

 

 

 

Total loans, excluding covered loans

    239,523           1,045           550           1,452           242,570   

Covered loans

    4,804           68           395           14           5,281   
 

 

 

 

Total loans

  $ 244,327         $ 1,113         $ 945         $ 1,466         $ 247,851   
(a) At December 31, 2015, $320 million of loans 30–89 days past due and $2.9 billion of loans 90 days or more past due purchased from Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) mortgage pools whose repayments are insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, were classified as current, compared with $431 million and $3.1 billion at December 31, 2014, respectively.

 

Total nonperforming assets include nonaccrual loans, restructured loans not performing in accordance with modified terms, other real estate and other nonperforming assets owned by the Company. For details of the Company’s nonperforming assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, see Table 16 included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis which is incorporated by reference into these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

At December 31, 2015, the amount of foreclosed residential real estate held by the Company, and included in OREO, was $282 million ($250 million excluding covered assets), compared with $270 million ($233 million excluding covered assets) at December 31, 2014. This excludes $535

million and $641 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, of foreclosed residential real estate related to mortgage loans whose payments are primarily insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. In addition, the amount of residential mortgage loans secured by residential real estate in the process of foreclosure at December 31, 2015 and 2014, was $2.6 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively, of which $1.9 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively, related to loans purchased from Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) mortgage pools whose repayments are insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

 

 

 103 


The following table provides a summary of loans by portfolio class and the Company’s internal credit quality rating:

 

             Criticized           
(Dollars in Millions)   Pass        Special
Mention
       Classified(a)        Total
Criticized
       Total  

December 31, 2015

                     

Commercial(b)

  $ 85,206         $ 1,629         $ 1,567         $ 3,196         $ 88,402   

Commercial real estate

    41,079           365           693           1,058           42,137   

Residential mortgages(c)

    52,548           2           946           948           53,496   

Credit card

    20,775                     237           237           21,012   

Other retail

    50,899           6           301           307           51,206   
 

 

 

 

Total loans, excluding covered loans

    250,507           2,002           3,744           5,746           256,253   

Covered loans

    4,507                     89           89           4,596   
 

 

 

 

Total loans

  $ 255,014         $ 2,002         $ 3,833         $ 5,835         $ 260,849   
 

 

 

 

Total outstanding commitments

  $ 539,614         $ 3,945         $ 4,845         $ 8,790         $ 548,404   
 

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

                     

Commercial(b)

  $ 78,409         $ 1,204         $ 764         $ 1,968         $ 80,377   

Commercial real estate

    41,322           451           1,022           1,473           42,795   

Residential mortgages(c)

    50,479           5           1,135           1,140           51,619   

Credit card

    18,275                     240           240           18,515   

Other retail

    48,932           20           312           332           49,264   
 

 

 

 

Total loans, excluding covered loans

    237,417           1,680           3,473           5,153           242,570   

Covered loans

    5,164                     117           117           5,281   
 

 

 

 

Total loans

  $ 242,581         $ 1,680         $ 3,590         $ 5,270         $ 247,851   
 

 

 

 

Total outstanding commitments

  $ 501,535         $ 2,964         $ 4,179         $ 7,143         $ 508,678   
(a) Classified rating on consumer loans primarily based on delinquency status.
(b) At December 31, 2015, $1.1 billion of loans to customers in energy-related businesses had a special mention or classified rating, compared with $122 million at December 31, 2014.
(c) At December 31, 2015, $2.9 billion of GNMA loans 90 days or more past due and $1.9 billion of restructured GNMA loans whose repayments are insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs were classified with a pass rating, compared with $3.1 billion and $2.2 billion at December 31, 2014, respectively.

For all loan classes, a loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current events or information, it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due per the contractual terms of the loan agreement. A summary of impaired loans, which include all nonaccrual and TDR loans, by portfolio class was as follows:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   Period-end
Recorded
Investment(a)
       Unpaid
Principal
Balance
       Valuation
Allowance
       Commitments
to Lend
Additional
Funds
 

December 31, 2015

                

Commercial

  $ 520         $ 1,110         $ 25         $ 154   

Commercial real estate

    336           847           11           1   

Residential mortgages

    2,575           3,248           199             

Credit card

    210           210           57             

Other retail

    309           503           35           4   
 

 

 

 

Total loans, excluding GNMA and covered loans

    3,950           5,918           327           159   

Loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools

    1,913           1,913           40             

Covered loans

    39           48           2           1   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 5,902         $ 7,879         $ 369         $ 160   
 

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

                

Commercial

  $ 329         $ 769         $ 21         $ 51   

Commercial real estate

    624           1,250           23           18   

Residential mortgages

    2,730           3,495           273             

Credit card

    240           240           61             

Other retail

    361           570           44           4   
 

 

 

 

Total loans, excluding GNMA and covered loans

    4,284           6,324           422           73   

Loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools

    2,244           2,244           50             

Covered loans

    43           55           4           1   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 6,571         $ 8,623         $ 476         $ 74   
(a) Substantially all loans classified as impaired at December 31, 2015 and 2014, had an associated allowance for credit losses. The total amount of interest income recognized during 2015 on loans classified as impaired at December 31, 2015, excluding those acquired with deteriorated credit quality, was $274 million, compared to what would have been recognized at the original contractual terms of the loans of $370 million.

 

 104 


Additional information on impaired loans for the years ended December 31 follows:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   Average
Recorded
Investment
       Interest
Income
Recognized
 

2015

      

Commercial

  $ 383         $ 13   

Commercial real estate

    433           16   

Residential mortgages

    2,666           131   

Credit card

    221           4   

Other retail

    336           14   
 

 

 

 

Total loans, excluding GNMA and covered loans

    4,039           178   

Loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools

    2,079           95   

Covered loans

    42           1   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 6,160         $ 274   
 

 

 

 

2014

      

Commercial

  $ 414         $ 9   

Commercial real estate

    592           26   

Residential mortgages

    2,742           140   

Credit card

    273           9   

Other retail

    377           17   
 

 

 

 

Total loans, excluding GNMA and covered loans

    4,398           201   

Loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools

    2,609           124   

Covered loans

    334           15   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 7,341         $ 340   
 

 

 

 

2013

      

Commercial

  $ 382         $ 29   

Commercial real estate

    889           39   

Residential mortgages

    2,749           134   

Credit card

    366           16   

Other retail

    424           24   
 

 

 

 

Total loans, excluding GNMA and covered loans

    4,810           242   

Loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools

    1,967           100   

Covered loans

    561           27   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 7,338         $ 369   

 

 105 


Troubled Debt Restructurings In certain circumstances, the Company may modify the terms of a loan to maximize the collection of amounts due when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties or is expected to experience difficulties in the near-term. The following table provides a summary of loans modified as TDRs for the years ended December 31, by portfolio class:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   Number
of Loans
      

Pre-Modification
Outstanding
Loan

Balance

      

Post-Modification
Outstanding
Loan

Balance

 

2015

           

Commercial

    1,607         $ 385         $ 396   

Commercial real estate

    108           78           76   

Residential mortgages

    2,080           260           258   

Credit card

    26,772           133           134   

Other retail

    2,530           54           54   
 

 

 

 

Total loans, excluding GNMA and covered loans

    33,097           910           918   

Loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools

    8,199           864           862   

Covered loans

    16           5           5   
 

 

 

 

Total loans

    41,312         $ 1,779         $ 1,785   
 

 

 

 

2014

           

Commercial

    2,027         $ 238         $ 203   

Commercial real estate

    78           80           71   

Residential mortgages

    2,089           271           274   

Credit card

    26,511           144           145   

Other retail

    2,833           61           61   
 

 

 

 

Total loans, excluding GNMA and covered loans

    33,538           794           754   

Loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools

    8,961           1,000           1,013   

Covered loans

    43           15           14   
 

 

 

 

Total loans

    42,542         $ 1,809         $ 1,781   
 

 

 

 

2013

           

Commercial

    2,429         $ 166         $ 155   

Commercial real estate

    165           205           198   

Residential mortgages

    2,179           309           304   

Credit card

    26,669           160           161   

Other retail

    4,290           103           102   
 

 

 

 

Total loans, excluding GNMA and covered loans

    35,732           943           920   

Loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools

    8,878           1,121           1,066   

Covered loans

    123           94           72   
 

 

 

 

Total loans

    44,733         $ 2,158         $ 2,058   

 

Residential mortgages, home equity and second mortgages, and loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools in the table above include trial period arrangements offered to customers during the periods presented. The post-modification balances for these loans reflect the current outstanding balance until a permanent modification is made. In addition, the post-modification balances typically include capitalization of unpaid accrued interest and/or fees under the various modification programs. For those loans modified as

TDRs during the fourth quarter of 2015, at December 31, 2015, 151 residential mortgages, 66 home equity and second mortgage loans and 1,954 loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools with outstanding balances of $18 million, $5 million and $257 million, respectively, were in a trial period and have estimated post-modification balances of $24 million, $5 million and $259 million, respectively, assuming permanent modification occurs at the end of the trial period.

 

 

 106 


The following table provides a summary of TDR loans that defaulted (fully or partially charged-off or became 90 days or more past due) for the years ended December 31, that were modified as TDRs within 12 months previous to default:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   Number
of Loans
       Amount
Defaulted
 

2015

      

Commercial

    494         $ 21   

Commercial real estate

    18           8   

Residential mortgages

    273           36   

Credit card

    6,286           29   

Other retail

    636           12   
 

 

 

 

Total loans, excluding GNMA and covered loans

    7,707           106   

Loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools

    598           75   

Covered loans

    5           1   
 

 

 

 

Total loans

    8,310         $ 182   
 

 

 

 

2014

      

Commercial

    629         $ 44   

Commercial real estate

    22           12   

Residential mortgages

    611           86   

Credit card

    6,335           33   

Other retail

    845           24   
 

 

 

 

Total loans, excluding GNMA and covered loans

    8,442           199   

Loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools

    876           102   

Covered loans

    14           5   
 

 

 

 

Total loans

    9,332         $ 306   
 

 

 

 

2013

      

Commercial

    642         $ 46   

Commercial real estate

    87           102   

Residential mortgages

    1,099           163   

Credit card

    6,640           37   

Other retail

    1,841           80   
 

 

 

 

Total loans, excluding GNMA and covered loans

    10,309           428   

Loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools

    4,972           640   

Covered loans

    63           49   
 

 

 

 

Total loans

    15,344         $ 1,117   

 

In addition to the defaults in the table above, for the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company had a total of 1,885 residential mortgage loans, home equity and second mortgage loans and loans purchased from GNMA mortgage pools with aggregate outstanding balances of $252 million

where borrowers did not successfully complete the trial period arrangement and therefore are no longer eligible for a permanent modification under the applicable modification program.

 

 

Covered Assets Covered assets represent loans and other assets acquired from the FDIC, subject to loss sharing agreements, and include expected reimbursements from the FDIC. The carrying amount of the covered assets at December 31, consisted of purchased impaired loans, purchased nonimpaired loans and other assets as shown in the following table:

 

    2015     2014  
(Dollars in Millions)   Purchased
Impaired
Loans
     Purchased
Nonimpaired
Loans
     Other      Total     Purchased
Impaired
Loans
     Purchased
Nonimpaired
Loans
     Other      Total  

Residential mortgage loans

  $ 2,502       $ 615       $       $ 3,117      $ 2,784       $ 738       $       $ 3,522   

Other retail loans

            447                 447                584                 584   

Losses reimbursable by the FDIC(a)

                    517         517                        717         717   

Unamortized changes in FDIC asset(b)

                    515         515                        458         458   

Covered loans

    2,502         1,062         1,032         4,596        2,784         1,322         1,175         5,281   

Foreclosed real estate

                    32         32                        37         37   

Total covered assets

  $ 2,502       $ 1,062       $ 1,064       $ 4,628      $ 2,784       $ 1,322       $ 1,212       $ 5,318   
(a) Relates to loss sharing agreements with remaining terms up to four years.
(b) Represents decreases in expected reimbursements by the FDIC as a result of decreases in expected losses on the covered loans. These amounts are amortized as a reduction in interest income on covered loans over the shorter of the expected life of the respective covered loans or the remaining contractual term of the indemnification agreements.

 

 107 


Interest income is recognized on purchased impaired loans through accretion of the difference between the carrying amount of those loans and their expected cash flows. The initial determination of the fair value of the purchased loans includes

the impact of expected credit losses and, therefore, no allowance for credit losses is recorded at the purchase date. To the extent credit deterioration occurs after the date of acquisition, the Company records an allowance for credit losses.

 

 

  NOTE 7   LEASES

The components of the net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases at December 31 were as follows:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014  

Aggregate future minimum lease payments to be received

  $ 10,257         $ 11,173   

Unguaranteed residual values accruing to the lessor’s benefit

    766           695   

Unearned income

    (887        (1,004

Initial direct costs

    204           202   
 

 

 

 

Total net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases(a)

  $ 10,340         $ 11,066   
(a) The accumulated allowance for uncollectible minimum lease payments was $66 million and $65 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The minimum future lease payments to be received from sales-type and direct financing leases were as follows at December 31, 2015:

 

(Dollars in Millions)       

2016

  $ 3,772   

2017

    3,207   

2018

    1,880   

2019

    756   

2020

    307   

Thereafter

    335   

 

  NOTE 8   ACCOUNTING FOR TRANSFERS AND SERVICING OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND VARIABLE  INTEREST ENTITIES

 

The Company transfers financial assets in the normal course of business. The majority of the Company’s financial asset transfers are residential mortgage loan sales primarily to government-sponsored enterprises (“GSEs”), transfers of tax-advantaged investments, commercial loan sales through participation agreements, and other individual or portfolio loan and securities sales. In accordance with the accounting guidance for asset transfers, the Company considers any ongoing involvement with transferred assets in determining whether the assets can be derecognized from the balance sheet. Guarantees provided to certain third parties in connection with the transfer of assets are further discussed in Note 23.

For loans sold under participation agreements, the Company also considers whether the terms of the loan participation agreement meet the accounting definition of a participating interest. With the exception of servicing and certain performance-based guarantees, the Company’s continuing involvement with financial assets sold is minimal and generally limited to market customary representation and warranty clauses. Any gain or loss on sale depends on the previous carrying amount of the transferred financial assets, the consideration received, and any liabilities incurred in exchange for the transferred assets. Upon transfer, any servicing assets and other interests that continue to be held by the Company are initially recognized at fair value. For further information on MSRs, refer to Note 10. On a limited basis, the Company may acquire and package high-grade corporate bonds for select corporate

customers, in which the Company generally has no continuing involvement with these transactions. Additionally, the Company is an authorized GNMA issuer and issues GNMA securities on a regular basis. The Company has no other asset securitizations or similar asset-backed financing arrangements that are off-balance sheet.

The Company is involved in various entities that are considered to be VIEs. The Company’s investments in VIEs are primarily related to investments promoting affordable housing, community development and renewable energy sources. Some of these tax-advantaged investments support the Company’s regulatory compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act. The Company’s investments in these entities generate a return primarily through the realization of federal and state income tax credits, and other tax benefits, such as tax deductions from operating losses of the investments, over specified time periods. These tax credits are recognized as a reduction of tax expense or, for investments qualifying as investment tax credits, as a reduction to the related investment asset. The Company recognized federal and state income tax credits related to its affordable housing and other tax-advantaged investments in tax expense of $733 million, $773 million and $758 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company also recognized $1.2 billion, $937 million and $780 million of investment tax credits for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

 

 108 


The Company recognized $698 million, $771 million and $934 million of expenses related to all of these investments for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, of which $261 million, $258 million and $297 million, respectively, was included in tax expense and the remainder was included in noninterest expense.

The Company is not required to consolidate VIEs in which it has concluded it does not have a controlling financial interest, and thus is not the primary beneficiary. In such cases, the Company does not have both the power to direct the entities’ most significant activities and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIEs.

The Company’s investments in these unconsolidated VIEs are carried in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company’s unfunded capital and other commitments related to these unconsolidated VIEs are generally carried in other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss from these unconsolidated VIEs include the investment recorded on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet, net of unfunded capital commitments, and previously recorded tax credits which remain subject to recapture by taxing authorities based on compliance features required to be met at the project level. While the Company believes potential losses from these investments are remote, the maximum exposure was determined by assuming a scenario where the community-based business and housing projects completely fail and do not meet certain government compliance requirements resulting in recapture of the related tax credits.

The following table provides a summary of investments in community development and tax-advantaged VIEs that the Company has not consolidated:

 

At December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014  

Investment carrying amount

  $ 5,257         $ 4,259   

Unfunded capital and other commitments

    2,499           1,743   

Maximum exposure to loss

    9,436           8,393   

The Company also has noncontrolling financial investments in private investment funds and partnerships considered to be VIEs, which are not consolidated. The Company’s recorded investment in these entities, carried in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, was approximately $32 million at December 31, 2015, compared with $94 million at December 31, 2014. The maximum exposure to loss related to these VIEs was $47 million at December 31, 2015 and $105 million at December 31, 2014,

representing the Company’s investment balance and its unfunded commitments to invest additional amounts.

The Company’s individual net investments in unconsolidated VIEs, which exclude any unfunded capital commitments, ranged from less than $1 million to $46 million at December 31, 2015, compared with less than $1 million to $53 million at December 31, 2014.

The Company is required to consolidate VIEs in which it has concluded it has a controlling financial interest. The Company sponsors entities to which it transfers its interests in tax-advantaged investments to third parties. At December 31, 2015, approximately $3.0 billion of the Company’s assets and $2.2 billion of its liabilities included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet were related to community development and tax-advantaged investment VIEs which the Company has consolidated, primarily related to these transfers. These amounts compared to $2.7 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2014. The majority of the assets of these consolidated VIEs are reported in other assets, and the liabilities are reported in long-term debt and other liabilities. The assets of a particular VIE are the primary source of funds to settle its obligations. The creditors of the VIEs do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company. The Company’s exposure to the consolidated VIEs is generally limited to the carrying value of its variable interests plus any related tax credits previously recognized or transferred to others with a guarantee.

The Company also sponsors a conduit to which it previously transferred high-grade investment securities. The Company consolidates the conduit because of its ability to manage the activities of the conduit. At December 31, 2015, $28 million of the held- to-maturity investment securities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet were related to the conduit, compared with $35 million at December 31, 2014.

In addition, the Company sponsors a municipal bond securities tender option bond program. The Company controls the activities of the program’s entities, is entitled to the residual returns and provides credit, liquidity and remarketing arrangements to the program. As a result, the Company has consolidated the program’s entities. At December 31, 2015, $2.3 billion of available-for-sale investment securities and $2.2 billion of short-term borrowings on the Consolidated Balance Sheet were related to the tender option bond program, compared with $2.9 billion of available-for-sale investment securities and $2.7 billion of short-term borrowings at December 31, 2014.

 

 

 109 


  NOTE 9   PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

Premises and equipment at December 31 consisted of the following:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014  

Land

  $ 522         $ 534   

Buildings and improvements

    3,348           3,323   

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

    2,721           2,719   

Capitalized building and equipment leases

    113           126   

Construction in progress

    19           26   
 

 

 

 
    6,723           6,728   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

    (4,210        (4,110
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 2,513         $ 2,618   

 

  NOTE 10   MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS

 

The Company serviced $231.8 billion of residential mortgage loans for others at December 31, 2015, and $225.0 billion at December 31, 2014, which include subserviced mortgages with no corresponding MSRs asset. The net impact included in mortgage banking revenue of fair value changes of MSRs due to changes in valuation assumptions and derivatives used to economically hedge MSRs were net gains of $23 million,

$241 million (of which $44 million related to excess servicing rights sold during 2014) and $192 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Loan servicing fees, not including valuation changes, included in mortgage banking revenue, were $728 million, $732 million and $754 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

 

Changes in fair value of capitalized MSRs for the years ended December 31, are summarized as follows:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013  

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 2,338         $ 2,680         $ 1,700   

Rights purchased

    29           5           8   

Rights capitalized

    632           382           769   

Rights sold

              (141          

Changes in fair value of MSRs

           

Due to fluctuations in market interest rates(a)

    (58        (276        617   

Due to revised assumptions or models(b)

    10           86           33   

Other changes in fair value(c)

    (439        (398        (447
 

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

  $ 2,512         $ 2,338         $ 2,680   
(a) Includes changes in MSR value associated with changes in market interest rates, including estimated prepayment rates and anticipated earnings on escrow deposits.
(b) Includes changes in MSR value not caused by changes in market interest rates, such as changes in cost to service, ancillary income, and discount rate, as well as the impact of any model changes. 2014 includes a $44 million revaluation gain related to excess servicing rights sold.
(c) Primarily represents changes due to realization of expected cash flows over time (decay).

The estimated sensitivity to changes in interest rates of the fair value of the MSRs portfolio and the related derivative instruments as of December 31 follows:

 

    2015      2014  
(Dollars in Millions)   Down
100 bps
    Down
50 bps
    Down
25 bps
    Up
25 bps
    Up
50 bps
    Up
100 bps
     Down
100 bps
    Down
50 bps
    Down
25 bps
    Up
25 bps
    Up
50 bps
    Up
100 bps
 

MSR portfolio

  $ (598   $ (250   $ (114   $ 96      $ 176      $ 344       $ (540   $ (242   $ (114   $ 100      $ 185      $ 346   

Derivative instrument hedges

    475        226        107        (98     (192     (377      441        223        109        (102     (197     (375

Net sensitivity

  $ (123   $ (24   $ (7   $ (2   $ (16   $ (33    $ (99   $ (19   $ (5   $ (2   $ (12   $ (29

 

The fair value of MSRs and their sensitivity to changes in interest rates is influenced by the mix of the servicing portfolio and characteristics of each segment of the portfolio. The Company’s servicing portfolio consists of the distinct portfolios of government-insured mortgages, conventional mortgages and Housing Finance Agency (“HFA”) mortgages. The servicing portfolios are predominantly comprised of fixed-

rate agency loans with limited adjustable-rate or jumbo mortgage loans. The HFA division specializes in servicing loans made under state and local housing authority programs. These programs provide mortgages to low-income and moderate-income borrowers and are generally government-insured programs with a favorable rate subsidy, down payment and/or closing cost assistance.

 

 

 110 


A summary of the Company’s MSRs and related characteristics by portfolio as of December 31 follows:

 

    2015     2014  
(Dollars in Millions)   HFA     Government     Conventional(c)     Total     HFA     Government     Conventional(c)     Total  

Servicing portfolio(a)

  $ 26,492      $ 40,350      $ 162,533      $ 229,375      $ 19,706      $ 40,471      $ 162,620      $ 222,797   

Fair value

  $ 297      $ 443      $ 1,772      $ 2,512      $ 213      $ 426      $ 1,699      $ 2,338   

Value (bps)(b)

    112        110        109        110        108        105        104        105   

Weighted-average servicing fees (bps)

    36        34        27        29        37        33        27        29   

Multiple (value/servicing fees)

    3.11        3.24        4.04        3.79        2.92        3.18        3.85        3.62   

Weighted-average note rate

    4.46     4.08     4.09     4.13     4.58     4.18     4.14     4.19

Weighted-average age (in years)

    3.1        3.6        3.4        3.4        3.6        3.2        3.1        3.2   

Weighted-average expected prepayment (constant prepayment rate)

    12.8     13.9     10.4     11.3     12.8     14.8     11.4     12.1

Weighted-average expected life (in years)

    6.1        5.7        6.6        6.4        6.2        5.5        6.5        6.3   

Weighted-average discount rate

    11.8     11.2     9.4     10.0     11.9     11.2     9.6     10.1
(a) Represents principal balance of mortgages having corresponding MSR asset.
(b) Value is calculated as fair value divided by the servicing portfolio.
(c) Represents loans sold primarily to GSEs.

 

  NOTE 11   INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets consisted of the following:

 

At December 31 (Dollars in Millions)

 

Estimated

Life(a)

  

Amortization

Method(b)

     Balance  
        2015      2014  

 

 

Goodwill

       (c )     $ 9,361       $ 9,389   

Merchant processing contracts

  8 years/8 years      SL/AC         135         174   

Core deposit benefits

  22 years/5 years      SL/AC         194         234   

Mortgage servicing rights

       (c )       2,512         2,338   

Trust relationships

  10 years/6 years      SL/AC         75         97   

Other identified intangibles

  8 years/4 years      SL/AC         434         319   

Total

                $ 12,711       $ 12,551   
(a) Estimated life represents the amortization period for assets subject to the straight line method and the weighted average or life of the underlying cash flows amortization period for intangibles subject to accelerated methods. If more than one amortization method is used for a category, the estimated life for each method is calculated and reported separately.

(b) Amortization methods:

  

SL = straight line method

  

AC = accelerated methods generally based on cash flows

(c) Goodwill is evaluated for impairment, but not amortized. Mortgage servicing rights are recorded at fair value, and are not amortized.

Aggregate amortization expense consisted of the following:

 

Year Ended December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013  

Merchant processing contracts

  $ 35         $ 50         $ 64   

Core deposit benefits

    40           38           41   

Trust relationships

    21           27           34   

Other identified intangibles

    78           84           84   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 174         $ 199         $ 223   

The estimated amortization expense for the next five years is as follows:

 

(Dollars in Millions)       

2016

  $ 173   

2017

    162   

2018

    130   

2019

    101   

2020

    78   

 

 111 


The following table reflects the changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   Wholesale Banking and
Commercial Real Estate
    Consumer and Small
Business Banking
     Wealth Management and
Securities Services
    Payment
Services
    Treasury and
Corporate Support
     Consolidated
Company
 

Balance at December 31, 2012

  $ 1,605      $ 3,514       $ 1,528      $ 2,496      $       $ 9,143   

Goodwill acquired

                   37        20                57   

Other(a)

                          5                5   
 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

  $ 1,605      $ 3,514       $ 1,565      $ 2,521      $       $ 9,205   

Goodwill acquired

    43        166         8                       217   

Other(a)

                   (3     (30             (33
 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

  $ 1,648      $ 3,680       $ 1,570      $ 2,491      $       $ 9,389   

Other(a)

    (1     1         (3     (25             (28
 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2015

  $ 1,647      $ 3,681       $ 1,567      $ 2,466      $       $ 9,361   
(a) Other changes in goodwill include the effect of foreign exchange translation.

  NOTE 12   SHORT-TERM  BORROWINGS(a)

The following table is a summary of short-term borrowings for the last three years:

 

    2015        2014        2013  
(Dollars in Millions)   Amount        Rate        Amount        Rate        Amount        Rate  
   

At year-end

                              

Federal funds purchased

  $ 647           .23      $ 886           .12      $ 594           .11

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

    1,092           .02           948           .05           2,057           5.34   

Commercial paper

    22,022           .21           22,197           .12           19,400           .11   

Other short-term borrowings

    4,116           .69           5,862           .51           5,557           .19   

Total

  $ 27,877           .27      $ 29,893           .19      $ 27,608           .52

Average for the year

                              

Federal funds purchased(b)

  $ 1,169           15.05      $ 2,366           7.94      $ 1,879           9.72

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

    973           .10           798           1.07           2,403           4.65   

Commercial paper

    21,892           .12           21,227           .12           17,467           .12   

Other short-term borrowings

    3,926           1.13           5,861           .78           5,934           .72   

Total(b)

  $ 27,960           .89      $ 30,252           .88      $ 27,683           1.29

Maximum month-end balance

                              

Federal funds purchased

  $ 1,868                $ 3,258                $ 3,569        

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

    1,124                  948                  3,121        

Commercial paper

    23,101                  22,322                  19,400        

Other short-term borrowings

    7,656                      7,417                      6,301              
(a) Interest and rates are presented on a fully taxable-equivalent basis utilizing a tax rate of 35 percent.
(b) Average federal funds purchased and total short-term borrowings rates include amounts paid by the Company to certain corporate card customers for paying outstanding noninterest-bearing corporate card balances within certain timeframes per specific agreements. These activities reduce the Company’s short-term funding needs, and if they did not occur, the Company would use other funding alternatives, including the use of federal funds purchased. The amount of this compensation expense paid by the Company and included in federal funds purchased and total short-term borrowings rates for 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $175 million, $186 million and $181 million, respectively.

 

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  NOTE 13   LONG-TERM  DEBT

Long-term debt (debt with original maturities of more than one year) at December 31 consisted of the following:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   Rate Type        Rate(a)      Maturity Date        2015        2014  

U.S. Bancorp (Parent Company)

                   

Subordinated notes

    Fixed           2.950      2022         $ 1,300         $ 1,300   
    Fixed           3.600      2024           1,000           1,000   
    Fixed           7.500      2026           199           199   

Medium-term notes

    Fixed           1.650% - 4.125      2016 - 2024           7,500           9,250   
    Floating           .720% - .852      2018 - 2019           750           750   

Junior subordinated debentures

    Fixed           3.442      2016           500           500   

Capitalized lease obligations, mortgage indebtedness and other(b)

                 204           190   
              

 

 

 

Subtotal

                 11,453           13,189   

Subsidiaries

                   

Subordinated notes

    Fixed           4.800      2015                     500   
    Fixed           3.778      2020                     500   

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    Fixed           1.250% - 8.250      2017 - 2026           11           11   
    Floating           .335% - .847      2016 - 2025           9,081           7,334   

Bank notes

    Fixed           1.100% - 2.800      2017 - 2025           5,850           4,050   
    Floating           .016% - .803      2016 - 2055           4,928           6,069   

Capitalized lease obligations, mortgage indebtedness and other(b)

                 755           607   
              

 

 

 

Subtotal

                 20,625           19,071   
              

 

 

 

Total

                                 $ 32,078         $ 32,260   
(a) Weighted-average interest rates of medium-term notes, Federal Home Loan Bank advances and bank notes were 2.43 percent, .57 percent and 1.20 percent, respectively.
(b) Other includes consolidated community development and tax-advantaged investment VIEs, debt issuance fees, and unrealized gains and losses and deferred amounts relating to derivative instruments.

 

The Company has arrangements with the Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank whereby the Company could have borrowed an additional $74.9 billion and $76.0 billion at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, based on collateral available.

Maturities of long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2015, were:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   Parent
Company
       Consolidated  

2016

  $ 1,926         $ 6,359   

2017

    1,249           7,144   

2018

    1,498           5,786   

2019

    1,511           3,505   

2020

              47   

Thereafter

    5,269           9,237   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 11,453         $ 32,078   

 

  NOTE 14   JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

As of December 31, 2015, the Company sponsored, and wholly owned 100 percent of the common equity of, USB Capital IX, a wholly-owned unconsolidated trust, formed for the purpose of issuing redeemable Income Trust Securities (“ITS”) to third party investors, originally investing the proceeds

in junior subordinated debt securities (“Debentures”) issued by the Company and entering into stock purchase contracts to purchase preferred stock in the future. During 2010, the Company exchanged depositary shares representing an ownership interest in its Series A Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) to acquire a portion of the ITS issued by USB Capital IX and retire a portion of the Debentures and cancel a pro-rata portion of stock purchase contracts. During 2011, USB Capital IX sold the remaining Debentures, originally issued by the Company to the trust, to investors to generate cash proceeds to purchase the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to the stock purchase contracts. As part of this sale, a consolidated subsidiary of the Company purchased $176 million of the Debentures, which effectively retired the debt. The Company classifies the remaining $500 million of Debentures at December 31, 2015 and 2014, as long-term debt. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, $676 million of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock was the sole asset of USB Capital IX. The Company’s obligations under the transaction documents, taken together, have the effect of providing a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company, on a junior subordinated basis, of the payment obligations of the trust.

 

 

 113 


  NOTE 15   SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had authority to issue 4 billion shares of common stock and 50 million shares of preferred stock. The Company had 1.7 billion and 1.8 billion shares of common stock outstanding at

December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company had 80 million shares reserved for future issuances, primarily under its stock incentive plans at December 31, 2015.

 

 

The number of shares issued and outstanding and the carrying amount of each outstanding series of the Company’s preferred stock was as follows:

 

     2015      2014  

At December 31,

(Dollars in Millions)

   Shares
Issued and
Outstanding
     Liquidation
Preference
     Discount      Carrying
Amount
     Shares
Issued and
Outstanding
     Liquidation
Preference
     Discount      Carrying
Amount
 

Series A

     12,510       $ 1,251       $ 145       $ 1,106         12,510       $ 1,251       $ 145       $ 1,106   

Series B

     40,000         1,000                 1,000         40,000         1,000                 1,000   

Series F

     44,000         1,100         12         1,088         44,000         1,100         12         1,088   

Series G

     43,400         1,085         10         1,075         43,400         1,085         10         1,075   

Series H

     20,000         500         13         487         20,000         500         13         487   

Series I

     30,000         750         5         745                                   

Total preferred stock(a)

     189,910       $ 5,686       $ 185       $ 5,501         159,910       $ 4,936       $ 180       $ 4,756   
(a) The par value of all shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014, was $1.00 per share.

 

During 2015, the Company issued depositary shares representing an ownership interest in 30,000 shares of Series I Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share (the “Series I Preferred Stock”). The Series I Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and will not be subject to any sinking fund or other obligation of the Company. Dividends, if declared, will accrue and be payable semiannually, in arrears, at a rate per annum equal to 5.125 percent from the date of issuance to, but excluding, January 15, 2021, and thereafter will accrue and be payable quarterly at a floating rate per annum equal to three-month LIBOR plus 3.486 percent. The Series I Preferred Stock is redeemable at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, on or after January 15, 2021. The Series I Preferred stock is redeemable at the Company’s option, in whole, but not in part, prior to January 15, 2021 within 90 days following an official administrative or judicial decision, amendment to, or change in the laws or regulations that would not allow the Company to treat the full liquidation value of the Series I Preferred Stock as Tier 1 capital for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve.

During 2013, the Company issued depositary shares representing an ownership interest in 20,000 shares of Series H Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share (the “Series H Preferred Stock”). The Series H Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and will not be subject to any sinking fund or other obligation of the Company. Dividends, if declared, will accrue and be payable quarterly, in arrears, at a rate per annum equal to 5.15 percent. The Series H Preferred Stock is redeemable at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, on

or after July 15, 2018. The Series H Preferred stock is redeemable at the Company’s option, in whole, but not in part, prior to July 15, 2018 within 90 days following an official administrative or judicial decision, amendment to, or change in the laws or regulations that would not allow the Company to treat the full liquidation value of the Series H Preferred Stock as Tier 1 capital for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve.

During 2012, the Company issued depositary shares representing an ownership interest in 44,000 shares of Series F Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share (the “Series F Preferred Stock”), and depositary shares representing an ownership interest in 43,400 shares of Series G Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share (the “Series G Preferred Stock”). The Series F Preferred Stock and Series G Preferred Stock have no stated maturity and will not be subject to any sinking fund or other obligation of the Company. Dividends, if declared, will accrue and be payable quarterly, in arrears, at a rate per annum equal to 6.50 percent from the date of issuance to, but excluding, January 15, 2022, and thereafter at a floating rate per annum equal to three-month LIBOR plus 4.468 percent for the Series F Preferred Stock, and 6.00 percent from the date of issuance to, but excluding, April 15, 2017, and thereafter at a floating rate per annum equal to three-month LIBOR plus 4.86125 percent for the Series G Preferred Stock. Both series are redeemable at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, on or after January 15, 2022, for the Series F Preferred Stock and April 15, 2017, for the Series G Preferred Stock. Both series are redeemable at

 

 

 114 


the Company’s option, in whole, but not in part, prior to January 15, 2022, for the Series F Preferred Stock and prior to April 15, 2017, for the Series G Preferred Stock, within 90 days following an official administrative or judicial decision, amendment to, or change in the laws or regulations that would not allow the Company to treat the full liquidation value of the Series F Preferred Stock or Series G Preferred Stock, respectively, as Tier 1 capital for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve Board.

During 2010, the Company issued depositary shares representing an ownership interest in 5,746 shares of Series A Preferred Stock to investors, in exchange for their portion of USB Capital IX Income Trust Securities. During 2011, the Company issued depositary shares representing an ownership interest in 6,764 shares of Series A Preferred Stock to USB Capital IX, thereby settling the stock purchase contract established between the Company and USB Capital IX as part of the 2006 issuance of USB Capital IX Income Trust Securities. The preferred shares were issued to USB Capital IX for the purchase price specified in the stock forward purchase contract. The Series A Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, no stated maturity and will not be subject to any sinking fund or other obligation of the Company. Dividends, if declared, will accrue and be payable quarterly, in arrears, at a rate per annum equal to the greater of three-month LIBOR plus 1.02 percent or 3.50 percent. The Series A Preferred Stock is redeemable at the Company’s option, subject to prior approval by the Federal Reserve Board.

During 2006, the Company issued depositary shares representing an ownership interest in 40,000 shares of Series B Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”). The Series B Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and will not be subject to any sinking fund or other obligation of the Company. Dividends, if declared, will accrue and be payable quarterly, in arrears, at a rate per annum equal to the greater of three-month LIBOR plus .60 percent, or 3.50 percent. The Series B Preferred Stock is redeemable at the Company’s option, subject to the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board.

During 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company repurchased shares of its common stock under various authorizations approved by its Board of Directors. As of December 31, 2015, the approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased by the Company under the current Board of Directors approved authorization was $1.3 billion.

The following table summarizes the Company’s common stock repurchased in each of the last three years:

 

(Dollars and Shares in Millions)      Shares        Value  

2015

       52         $ 2,246   

2014

       54           2,262   

2013

       65           2,336   
 

 

 115 


Shareholders’ equity is affected by transactions and valuations of asset and liability positions that require adjustments to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The reconciliation of the transactions affecting accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) included in shareholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, is as follows:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   Unrealized Gains
(Losses) on
Securities
Available-For-
Sale
    Unrealized Gains
(Losses) on Securities
Transferred From
Available-For-Sale to
Held-To-Maturity
    Unrealized Gains
(Losses) on
Derivative Hedges
    Unrealized Gains
(Losses) on
Retirement Plans
    Foreign Currency
Translation
    Total  

2015

           

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 392      $ 52      $ (172   $ (1,106   $ (62   $ (896

Changes in unrealized gains and losses

    (457            (25     (142            (624

Foreign currency translation adjustment(a)

                                20        20   

Reclassification to earnings of realized gains and losses

           (25     195        223               393   

Applicable income taxes

    176        9        (65     (31     (1     88   
 

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

  $ 111      $ 36      $ (67   $ (1,056   $ (43   $ (1,019
 

 

 

 

2014

           

Balance at beginning of period

  $ (77   $ 70      $ (261   $ (743   $ (60   $ (1,071

Changes in unrealized gains and losses

    764               (41     (733            (10

Other-than-temporary impairment not recognized in earnings on securities available-for-sale

    1                                    1   

Foreign currency translation adjustment(a)

                                (4     (4

Reclassification to earnings of realized gains and losses

    (3     (30     186        144               297   

Applicable income taxes

    (293     12        (56     226        2        (109
 

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

  $ 392      $ 52      $ (172   $ (1,106   $ (62   $ (896
 

 

 

 

2013

           

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 679      $ 107      $ (404   $ (1,265   $ (40   $ (923

Changes in unrealized gains and losses

    (1,223            37        590               (596

Other-than-temporary impairment not recognized in earnings on securities available-for-sale

    8                                    8   

Foreign currency translation adjustment(a)

                                (34     (34

Reclassification to earnings of realized gains and losses

    (9     (59     192        249               373   

Applicable income taxes

    468        22        (86     (317     14        101   
 

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

  $ (77   $ 70      $ (261   $ (743   $ (60   $ (1,071
(a) Represents the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the Company’s investment in foreign operations and related hedges.

 

 116 


Additional detail about the impact to net income for items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and into earnings for the years ended December 31, is as follows:

 

    Impact to Net Income     

Affected Line Item in the

Consolidated Statement of Income

(Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013     

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available-for-sale

              

Realized gains (losses) on sale of securities

  $ 1         $ 11         $ 23       Total securities gains (losses), net

Other-than-temporary impairment recognized in earnings

    (1        (8        (14   
 

 

 

    
              3           9       Total before tax
              (1        (4    Applicable income taxes
 

 

 

    
              2           5       Net-of-tax

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity

              

Amortization of unrealized gains

    25           30           59       Interest income
    (9        (12        (22    Applicable income taxes
 

 

 

    
    16           18           37       Net-of-tax

Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative hedges

              

Realized gains (losses) on derivative hedges

    (195        (186        (192    Net interest income
    75           71           74       Applicable income taxes
 

 

 

    
    (120        (115        (118    Net-of-tax

Unrealized gains (losses) on retirement plans

              

Actuarial gains (losses), prior service cost (credit) and transition obligation (asset) amortization

    (223        (144        (249    Employee benefits expense
    85           56           96       Applicable income taxes
 

 

 

    
    (138        (88        (153    Net-of-tax

Total impact to net income

  $ (242      $ (183      $ (229     

 

Regulatory Capital The Company uses certain measures defined by bank regulatory agencies to access its capital. Beginning January 1, 2014, the regulatory capital requirements effective for the Company follow Basel III, subject to certain transition provisions from Basel I over the following four years to full implementation by January 1, 2018. Basel III includes two comprehensive methodologies for calculating risk-weighted assets: a general standardized approach and more risk-sensitive advanced approaches, with the Company’s capital adequacy being evaluated against the methodology that is most restrictive.

Tier 1 capital is considered core capital and includes common shareholders’ equity adjusted for the aggregate impact of certain items included in other comprehensive income (loss) (“common equity tier 1 capital”), plus qualifying preferred stock, trust preferred securities and noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries subject to certain limitations. Total risk-based capital includes Tier 1 capital and

other items such as subordinated debt and the allowance for credit losses. Capital measures are stated as a percentage of risk-adjusted assets, which are measured based on their perceived credit risk and include certain off-balance sheet exposures, such as unfunded loan commitments, letters of credit, and derivative contracts. Under the standardized approach, the Company is also subject to a leverage ratio requirement, a non risk-based asset ratio, which is defined as Tier 1 capital as a percentage of average assets adjusted for goodwill and other non-qualifying intangibles and other assets.

For a summary of the regulatory capital requirements and the actual ratios as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, for the Company and its bank subsidiary, see Table 23 included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis, which is incorporated by reference into these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 117 


The following table provides the components of the Company’s regulatory capital at December 31:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014  

Basel III transitional standardized approach:

      

Common shareholders’ equity

  $ 40,630         $ 38,723   

Less intangible assets

      

Goodwill (net of deferred tax liability)

    (8,295        (8,403

Other disallowed intangible assets

    (335        (165

Other(a)

    612           701   
 

 

 

 

Total common equity tier 1 capital

    32,612           30,856   

Qualifying preferred stock

    5,501           4,756   

Noncontrolling interests eligible for tier 1 capital

    318           408   
 

 

 

 

Total tier 1 capital

    38,431           36,020   

Eligible portion of allowance for credit losses

    4,255           3,957   

Subordinated debt and noncontrolling interests eligible for tier 2 capital

    2,616           3,215   

Other

    11           16   
 

 

 

 

Total tier 2 capital

    6,882           7,188   
 

 

 

 

Total risk-based capital

  $ 45,313         $ 43,208   
 

 

 

 

Risk-weighted assets

  $ 341,360         $ 317,398   

Basel III transitional advanced approaches:

      

Common shareholders’ equity

  $ 40,630         $ 38,723   

Less intangible assets

      

Goodwill (net of deferred tax liability)

    (8,295        (8,403

Other disallowed intangible assets

    (335        (165

Other(a)

    612           701   
 

 

 

 

Total common equity tier 1 capital

    32,612           30,856   

Qualifying preferred stock

    5,501           4,756   

Noncontrolling interests eligible for tier 1 capital

    318           408   
 

 

 

 

Total tier 1 capital

    38,431           36,020   

Eligible portion of allowance for credit losses

    1,204           1,224   

Subordinated debt and noncontrolling interests eligible for tier 2 capital

    2,616           3,215   

Other

    11           16   
 

 

 

 

Total tier 2 capital

    3,831           4,455   
 

 

 

 

Total risk-based capital

  $ 42,262         $ 40,475   
 

 

 

 

Risk-weighted assets

  $ 261,668         $ 248,596   
(a) Includes the impact of items included in other comprehensive income (loss), such as unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, accumulated net gains on cash flow hedges, pension liability adjustments, etc.

 

Noncontrolling interests principally represent third party investors’ interests in consolidated entities, including preferred stock of consolidated subsidiaries. During 2006, the Company’s banking subsidiary formed USB Realty Corp., a real estate investment trust, for the purpose of issuing 5,000 shares of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Exchangeable Non-cumulative Perpetual Series A Preferred Stock with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share (“Series A Preferred Securities”) to third party investors. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Securities, if declared, will accrue and be payable quarterly, in arrears, at a rate per annum equal to three-month LIBOR plus 1.147 percent. If USB Realty Corp.

has not declared a dividend on the Series A Preferred Securities before the dividend payment date for any dividend period, such dividend shall not be cumulative and shall cease to accrue and be payable, and USB Realty Corp. will have no obligation to pay dividends accrued for such dividend period, whether or not dividends on the Series A Preferred Securities are declared for any future dividend period.

The Series A Preferred Securities will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of USB Realty Corp. on each fifth anniversary after the dividend payment date occurring in January 2012. Any redemption will be subject to the approval of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

 

 

 118 


  NOTE 16   EARNINGS PER SHARE

The components of earnings per share were:

 

Year Ended December 31

(Dollars and Shares in Millions, Except Per Share Data)

     2015        2014        2013  

Net income attributable to U.S. Bancorp

     $ 5,879         $ 5,851         $ 5,836   

Preferred dividends

       (247        (243        (250

Impact of preferred stock redemption(a)

                           (8

Earnings allocated to participating stock awards

       (24        (25        (26
    

 

 

 

Net income applicable to U.S. Bancorp common shareholders

     $ 5,608         $ 5,583         $ 5,552   
    

 

 

 

Average common shares outstanding

       1,764           1,803           1,839   

Net effect of the exercise and assumed purchase of stock awards

       8           10           10   
    

 

 

 

Average diluted common shares outstanding

       1,772           1,813           1,849   
    

 

 

 

Earnings per common share

     $ 3.18         $ 3.10         $ 3.02   

Diluted earnings per common share

     $ 3.16         $ 3.08         $ 3.00   
(a) Represents stock issuance costs originally recorded in capital surplus upon the issuance of the Company’s Series D Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock that were reclassified to retained earnings on the redemption date.

 

Options outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2013 to purchase 1 million and 5 million common shares, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per

share for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2013, respectively, because they were antidilutive.

 

 

  NOTE 17   EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

 

Employee Retirement Savings Plan The Company has a defined contribution retirement savings plan that covers substantially all its employees. Qualified employees are allowed to contribute up to 75 percent of their annual compensation, subject to Internal Revenue Service limits, through salary deductions under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Employee contributions are invested at their direction among a variety of investment alternatives. Employee contributions are 100 percent matched by the Company, up to four percent of each employee’s eligible annual compensation. The Company’s matching contribution vests immediately and is invested in the same manner as each employee’s future contribution elections. Total expense for the Company’s matching contributions was $131 million, $122 million and $118 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Pension Plans The Company has a tax qualified noncontributory defined benefit pension plan that provides benefits to substantially all its employees. Participants receive annual cash balance pay credits based on eligible pay multiplied by a percentage determined by their age and years of service. Participants also receive an annual interest credit. Employees become vested upon completing three years of vesting service. For participants in the plan before 2010 that elected to stay under their existing formula, pension benefits are provided to eligible employees based on years of service, multiplied by a percentage of their final average pay. Additionally, as a result of plan mergers, a portion of pension benefits may also be provided using a cash balance benefit formula where only interest credits continue to be credited to participants’ accounts.

In general, the Company’s qualified pension plan’s funding objectives include maintaining a funded status sufficient to meet participant benefit obligations over time while reducing long-term funding requirements and pension costs. The Company has an established process for evaluating the plan, its performance and significant plan assumptions, including the assumed discount rate and the long-term rate of return (“LTROR”). Annually, the Company’s Compensation and Human Resources Committee (the “Committee”), assisted by outside consultants, evaluates plan objectives, funding policies and plan investment policies considering its long-term investment time horizon and asset allocation strategies. The process also evaluates significant plan assumptions. Although plan assumptions are established annually, the Company may update its analysis on an interim basis in order to be responsive to significant events that occur during the year, such as plan mergers and amendments.

The Company’s funding policy is to contribute amounts to its plan sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended by the Pension Protection Act, plus such additional amounts as the Company determines to be appropriate. The Company made contributions of $414 million and $475 million to its pension plan in 2015 and 2014, respectively, and expects to contribute $348 million to its pension plan in 2016. Any contributions made to the qualified plan are invested in accordance with established investment policies and asset allocation strategies.

 

 

 119 


In addition to the funded qualified pension plan, the Company maintains a non-qualified plan that is unfunded and provides benefits to certain employees. The assumptions used in computing the accumulated benefit obligation, the projected benefit obligation and net pension expense are substantially consistent with those assumptions used for the funded qualified plan. In 2016, the Company expects to contribute $22 million to its non-qualified pension plan which equals the 2016 expected benefit payments.

Postretirement Welfare Plan In addition to providing pension benefits, the Company provides health care and death benefits to certain former employees who retired prior to January 1, 2014. Employees retiring after December 31, 2013, are not eligible for retiree health care benefits. The Company expects to contribute $7 million to its postretirement welfare plan in 2016.

 

 

The following table summarizes the changes in benefit obligations and plan assets for the years ended December 31, and the funded status and amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31 for the retirement plans:

 

    Pension Plan       

Postretirement

Welfare Plan

 
(Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2015        2014  
 

Change In Projected Benefit Obligation

                  

Benefit obligation at beginning of measurement period

  $ 4,612         $ 3,895         $ 104         $ 100   

Service cost

    188           152                       

Interest cost

    195           197           3           3   

Participants’ contributions

                        10           11   

Actuarial loss (gain)

    (176        781           (5        13   

Lump sum settlements(a)

    (37        (286                    

Benefit payments

    (132        (127        (21        (25

Federal subsidy on benefits paid

                        2           2   

Benefit obligation at end of measurement period(b)

  $ 4,650         $ 4,612         $ 93         $ 104   

Change In Fair Value Of Plan Assets

                  

Fair value at beginning of measurement period

  $ 3,187         $ 2,831         $ 85         $ 92   

Actual return on plan assets

    (99        269                       

Employer contributions

    436           500           8           7   

Participants’ contributions

                        10           11   

Lump sum settlements(a)

    (37        (286                    

Benefit payments

    (132        (127        (21        (25

Fair value at end of measurement period

  $ 3,355         $ 3,187         $ 82         $ 85   

Funded (Unfunded) Status

  $ (1,295      $ (1,425      $ (11      $ (19

Components Of The Consolidated Balance Sheet

                  

Current benefit liability

  $ (21      $ (21      $         $   

Noncurrent benefit liability

    (1,274        (1,404        (11        (19

Recognized amount

  $ (1,295      $ (1,425      $ (11      $ (19

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pretax

                  

Net actuarial gain (loss)

  $ (1,806      $ (1,894      $ 55         $ 55   

Net prior service credit (cost)

    7           11           28           31   

Recognized amount

  $ (1,799      $ (1,883      $ 83         $ 86   
(a) 2014 includes $242 million of payments as a result of a bulk lump sum offering to certain deferred vested participants.
(b) At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the accumulated benefit obligation for all pension plans was $4.3 billion.

The following table provides information for pension plans with benefit obligations in excess of plan assets at December 31:

 

(Dollars in Millions)      2015        2014  

Pension Plans with Projected Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets

         

Projected benefit obligation

     $ 4,650         $ 4,612   

Fair value of plan assets

       3,355           3,187   

Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets

         

Projected benefit obligation

     $ 4,650         $ 4,612   

Accumulated benefit obligation

       4,310           4,250   

Fair value of plan assets

       3,355           3,187   

 

 120 


The following table sets forth the components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31 for the retirement plans:

 

    Pension Plans        Postretirement Welfare Plan  
(Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013        2015        2014        2013  
 

Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

                            

Service cost

  $ 188         $ 152         $ 168         $         $         $ 3   

Interest cost

    195           197           170           3           3           4   

Expected return on plan assets

    (223        (208        (176        (1        (1        (2

Prior service cost (credit) and transition obligation (asset) amortization

    (4        (5        (5        (3        (3        (1

Actuarial loss (gain) amortization

    234           158           264           (4        (6        (9

Net periodic benefit cost

  $ 390         $ 294         $ 421         $ (5      $ (7      $ (5

Other Changes In Plan Assets And Benefit Obligations

                            

Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

                            

Net actuarial gain (loss) arising during the year

  $ (146      $ (719      $ 555         $ 4         $ (14      $   

Net actuarial loss (gain) amortized during the year

    234           158           264           (4        (6        (9

Net prior service credit (cost) arising during the year

                                                      35   

Net prior service cost (credit) and transition obligation (asset) amortized during the year

    (4        (5        (5        (3        (3        (1

Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)

  $ 84         $ (566      $ 814         $ (3      $ (23      $ 25   

Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)(a)(b)

  $ (306      $ (860      $ 393         $ 2         $ (16      $ 30   
(a) The pretax estimated actuarial loss (gain) and prior service cost (credit) for the pension plans that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net periodic benefit cost in 2016 are $175 million and $(5) million, respectively.
(b) The pretax estimated actuarial loss (gain) and prior service cost (credit) for the postretirement welfare plan that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net periodic benefit cost in 2016 are $(4) million and $(3) million, respectively.

The following table sets forth weighted average assumptions used to determine the projected benefit obligations at December 31:

 

    Pension Plans        Postretirement
Welfare Plan
 
(Dollars in Millions)   2015      2014        2015      2014  

Discount rate(a)

    4.45      4.13        3.59      3.46

Rate of compensation increase(b)

    4.06         4.07           *         *   

Health care cost trend rate for the next year(c)

            6.50      7.00

Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation

            

One percent increase

          $ 5       $ 6   

One percent decrease

                        (5      (5
(a) The discount rates were developed using a cash flow matching bond model with a modified duration for the qualified pension plan, non-qualified pension plan and postretirement welfare plan of 15.0, 11.9, and 6.3 years, respectively, for 2015, and 15.9, 12.4 and 6.8 years, respectively, for 2014.
(b) Determined on an active liability-weighted basis.
(c) The rate is assumed to decrease gradually to 5.00 percent by 2019 and remain at this level thereafter.
* Not applicable

 

 121 


The following table sets forth weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31:

 

    Pension Plans        Postretirement Welfare Plan  
(Dollars in Millions)   2015      2014      2013        2015      2014      2013  

Discount rate(a)

    4.13      4.97      4.07        3.46      3.93      3.10

Expected return on plan assets(b)

    7.50         7.50         7.50           1.50         1.50         1.50   

Rate of compensation increase(c)

    4.07         4.02         4.08           *         *         *   

Health care cost trend rate(d)

                  

Prior to age 65

               7.00      7.50      8.00

After age 65

               7.00         7.50         8.00   

Effect on total of service cost and interest cost

                  

One percent increase

             $       $       $   

One percent decrease

                                                   
(a) The discount rates were developed using a cash flow matching bond model with a modified duration for the qualified pension plan, non-qualified pension plan and postretirement welfare plan of 15.9, 12.4 and 6.8 years, respectively, for 2015, and 14.6, 11.5 and 6.4 years, respectively, for 2014.
(b) With the help of an independent pension consultant, the Company considers several sources when developing its expected long-term rates of return on plan assets assumptions, including, but not limited to, past returns and estimates of future returns given the plans’ asset allocation, economic conditions, and peer group LTROR information. The Company determines its expected long-term rates of return reflecting current economic conditions and plan assets.
(c) Determined on an active liability weighted basis.
(d) The pre-65 and post-65 rates are both assumed to decrease gradually to 5.00 percent by 2019 and remain at that level thereafter.
* Not applicable

 

Investment Policies and Asset Allocation In establishing its investment policies and asset allocation strategies, the Company considers expected returns and the volatility associated with different strategies. An independent consultant performs modeling that projects numerous outcomes using a broad range of possible scenarios, including a mix of possible rates of inflation and economic growth. Starting with current economic information, the model bases its projections on past relationships between inflation, fixed income rates and equity returns when these types of economic conditions have existed over the previous 30 years, both in the U.S. and in foreign countries. Estimated future returns and other actuarially determined adjustments are also considered in calculating the estimated return on assets.

Generally, based on historical performance of the various investment asset classes, investments in equities have outperformed other investment classes but are subject to higher volatility. In an effort to minimize volatility, while recognizing the long-term up-side potential of investing in equities, the Committee has determined that a target asset allocation of 43 percent global equities, 30 percent debt securities, 7 percent domestic mid-small cap equities, 5 percent emerging markets equities, 5 percent real estate equities, 5 percent hedge funds and 5 percent private equity funds is appropriate.

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, plan assets of the qualified pension plan included asset management arrangements with related parties totaling $63 million and $70 million, respectively.

In accordance with authoritative accounting guidance, the Company groups plan assets into a three-level hierarchy for valuation techniques used to measure their fair value based on whether the valuation inputs are observable or unobservable. Refer to Note 22 for further discussion on these levels.

The assets of the qualified pension plan include investments in equity and U.S. Treasury securities whose fair values are determined based on quoted prices in active markets and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The qualified pension plan also invests in U.S. agency, corporate and municipal debt securities, which are all valued based on observable market prices or data by third-party pricing services, and mutual funds which are valued based on quoted net asset values provided by the trustee of the fund; these assets are classified as Level 2. Additionally, the qualified pension plan invests in certain assets that are valued based on net asset values as a practical expedient, including investments in collective investment funds, hedge funds, and private equity funds; the net asset values are provided by the fund trustee or administrator and are not classified in the fair value hierarchy based on new accounting guidance issued by the FASB during 2015.

 

 

 122 


The following table summarizes the plan investment assets measured at fair value at December 31:

 

    Pension Plans      Postretirement
Welfare Plan
 
    2015      2014      2015      2014  
(Dollars in Millions)   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total      Level 1      Level 1  

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 64       $       $       $ 64       $ 78       $       $       $ 78       $ 82       $ 85   

Debt securities

    361         465                 826         347         496                 843                   

Corporate stock

                              

Domestic equity securities

    178                         178         196                         196                   

Mid-small cap equity securities(a)

    146                         146         146                         146                   

International equity securities

    123                         123         197                         197                   

Real estate equity securities(b)

    163                         163         163                         163                   

Mutual funds

                              

Debt securities

            197                 197                 219                 219                   

Emerging markets equity securities

            81                 81                 81                 81                   

Other

                    1         1                         2         2                   
  $ 1,035       $ 743       $ 1         1,779       $ 1,127       $ 796       $ 2         1,925         82         85   

Plan investment assets not classified in fair value hierarchy(e):

                              

Collective investment funds

                              

Domestic equity securities

             679                  539         

Mid-small cap equity securities(c)

             68                  54         

Emerging markets equity securities

             75                  75         

International equity securities

             533                  421         

Hedge funds(d)

             171                  148         

Private equity funds

             50                  25                     

Total plan investment assets at fair value

                             $ 3,355                                  $ 3,187       $ 82       $ 85   
(a) At December 31, 2015 and 2014, securities included $139 million and $141 million in domestic equities, respectively, and $7 million and $5 million in international equities, respectively.
(b) At December 31, 2015 and 2014, securities included $90 million and $89 million in domestic equities, respectively, and $73 million and $74 million in international equities, respectively.
(c) At December 31, 2015 and 2014, securities included $30 million and $25 million in domestic equities, respectively, $20 million and $27 million in international equities, respectively, and $18 million and $2 million in cash and cash equivalents, respectively.
(d) This category consists of several investment strategies diversified across several hedge fund managers.
(e) These investments are valued based on net asset value per share as a practical expedient; fair values are provided to reconcile to total investment assets of the plans at fair value.

The following table summarizes the changes in fair value for all plan investment assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the years ended December 31:

 

    2015        2014        2013  
(Dollars in Millions)   Other        Other        Debt
Securities
       Other  

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 2         $ 4         $ 7         $ 3   

Unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets still held at end of year

    (1        (2                    

Purchases, sales, and settlements, net

                        (7        1   

Balance at end of period

  $ 1         $ 2         $         $ 4   

The following benefit payments are expected to be paid from the retirement plans for the years ended December 31:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   Pension
Plans
       Postretirement
Welfare Plan(a)
       Medicare Part D
Subsidy Receipts
 

2016

  $ 198         $ 13         $ 2   

2017

    209           12           2   

2018

    218           12           2   

2019

    229           11           2   

2020

    234           10           2   

2021 – 2025

    1,368           41           7   
(a) Net of expected retiree contributions and before Medicare Part D subsidy.

 

 123 


  NOTE 18   STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

As part of its employee and director compensation programs, the Company currently may grant certain stock awards under the provisions of its stock incentive plan. The plan provides for grants of options to purchase shares of common stock at a fixed price equal to the fair value of the underlying stock at the date of grant. Option grants are generally exercisable up to ten years from the date of grant. In addition, the plan provides for grants of shares of common stock or stock units that are subject to restriction on transfer prior to vesting. Most stock and unit awards vest over

three to five years and are subject to forfeiture if certain vesting requirements are not met. Stock incentive plans of acquired companies are generally terminated at the merger closing dates. Participants under such plans receive the Company’s common stock, or options to buy the Company’s common stock, based on the conversion terms of the various merger agreements. At December 31, 2015, there were 47 million shares (subject to adjustment for forfeitures) available for grant under various plans.

 

 

STOCK OPTION AWARDS

The following is a summary of stock options outstanding and exercised under prior and existing stock incentive plans of the Company:

 

Year Ended December 31   Stock
Options/Shares
       Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
       Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
       Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in millions)
 

2015

                

Number outstanding at beginning of period

    33,649,198         $ 29.31             

Granted

    1,122,697           44.28             

Exercised

    (8,721,834        29.59             

Cancelled(a)

    (324,353        32.93             
 

 

 

 

Number outstanding at end of period(b)

    25,725,708         $ 29.82           3.6         $ 331   

Exercisable at end of period

    22,446,095         $ 28.68           3.0         $ 314   

2014

                

Number outstanding at beginning of period

    46,724,765         $ 29.12             

Granted

    1,246,451           40.32             

Exercised

    (13,851,590        29.59             

Cancelled(a)

    (470,428        31.12             
 

 

 

 

Number outstanding at end of period(b)

    33,649,198         $ 29.31           4.0         $ 526   

Exercisable at end of period

    28,923,260         $ 28.79           3.4         $ 467   

2013

                

Number outstanding at beginning of period

    63,171,918         $ 28.83             

Granted

    1,168,011           33.99             

Exercised

    (17,260,740        28.41             

Cancelled(a)

    (354,424        29.22             
 

 

 

 

Number outstanding at end of period(b)

    46,724,765         $ 29.12           4.4         $ 527   

Exercisable at end of period

    39,556,000         $ 29.19           3.8         $ 444   
(a) Options cancelled include both non-vested (i.e., forfeitures) and vested options.
(b) Outstanding options include stock-based awards that may be forfeited in future periods. The impact of the estimated forfeitures is reflected in compensation expense.

 

Stock-based compensation expense is based on the estimated fair value of the award at the date of grant or modification. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, requiring the use of subjective assumptions. Because employee stock options have characteristics that differ from those of traded options, including vesting provisions and

trading limitations that impact their liquidity, the determined value used to measure compensation expense may vary from the actual fair value of the employee stock options. The following table includes the weighted average estimated fair value of stock options granted and the assumptions utilized by the Company for newly issued grants:

 

 

Year Ended December 31   2015      2014      2013  

Estimated fair value

  $ 12.23       $ 11.38       $ 12.13   

Risk-free interest rates

    1.7      1.7      1.0

Dividend yield

    2.6      2.6      2.6

Stock volatility factor

    .37         .38         .49   

Expected life of options (in years)

    5.5         5.5         5.5   

 

 124 


Expected stock volatility is based on several factors including the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock, implied volatility determined from traded options and other factors. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercises and employee terminations to estimate the

expected life of options. The risk-free interest rate for the expected life of the options is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the date of grant. The expected dividend yield is based on the Company’s expected dividend yield over the life of the options.

 

 

The following summarizes certain stock option activity of the Company:

 

Year Ended December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013  

Fair value of options vested

  $ 25         $ 33         $ 41   

Intrinsic value of options exercised

    130           171           144   

Cash received from options exercised

    257           408           489   

Tax benefit realized from options exercised

    50           66           56   

To satisfy option exercises, the Company predominantly uses treasury stock.

Additional information regarding stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2015, is as follows:

 

    Outstanding Options        Exercisable Options  
Range of Exercise Prices   Shares        Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)
       Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
       Shares        Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
 

$11.02 – $15.00

    2,664,092           3.1         $ 11.20           2,664,092         $ 11.20   

$15.01 – $20.00

    161,218           2.0           19.58           161,218           19.58   

$20.01 – $25.00

    2,051,039           4.2           23.85           2,051,039           23.85   

$25.01 – $30.00

    5,911,183           5.0           28.49           5,051,861           28.47   

$30.01 – $35.00

    9,215,909           2.6           32.21           8,719,854           32.11   

$35.01 – $40.00

    3,523,469           1.1           36.04           3,523,469           36.04   

$40.01 – $44.32

    2,198,798           8.6           42.32           274,562           40.32   

Total

    25,725,708           3.6         $ 29.82           22,446,095         $ 28.68   

RESTRICTED STOCK AND UNIT AWARDS

A summary of the status of the Company’s restricted shares of stock and unit awards is presented below:

 

    2015      2014      2013  
Year Ended December 31   Shares     

Weighted-

Average Grant-

Date Fair

Value

     Shares     

Weighted-

Average Grant-

Date Fair

Value

     Shares     

Weighted-

Average Grant-

Date Fair

Value

 

Outstanding at beginning of period

    7,921,571       $ 34.09         8,653,859       $ 29.96         8,935,743       $ 25.04   

Granted

    2,897,396         44.24         3,133,168         40.37         3,717,635         33.88   

Vested

    (3,428,736      33.27         (3,409,650      29.38         (3,744,411      22.17   

Cancelled

    (495,400      38.66         (455,806      34.05         (255,108      29.18   

Outstanding at end of period

    6,894,831       $ 38.44         7,921,571       $ 34.09         8,653,859       $ 29.96   

 

The total fair value of shares vested was $152 million, $139 million and $127 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense was $125 million, $125 million and $129 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. On an after-tax basis, stock-based compensation was $78 million, $78 million and $80

million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, there was $158 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based arrangements granted under the plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.5 years as compensation expense.

 

 

 125 


  NOTE 19   INCOME TAXES

The components of income tax expense were:

 

Year Ended December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013  

Federal

           

Current

  $ 1,956         $ 1,888         $ 1,885   

Deferred

    (223        (126        (83
 

 

 

 

Federal income tax

    1,733           1,762           1,802   

State

           

Current

    346           331           216   

Deferred

    18           (6        14   
 

 

 

 

State income tax

    364           325           230   
 

 

 

 

Total income tax provision

  $ 2,097         $ 2,087         $ 2,032   

A reconciliation of expected income tax expense at the federal statutory rate of 35 percent to the Company’s applicable income tax expense follows:

 

Year Ended December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015      2014        2013  

Tax at statutory rate

  $ 2,810       $ 2,798         $ 2,717   

State income tax, at statutory rates, net of federal tax benefit

    237         211           150   

Tax effect of

         

Tax credits and benefits, net of related expenses

    (700      (701        (648

Tax-exempt income

    (201      (205        (212

Noncontrolling interests

    (19      (20        37   

Other items

    (30 )(a)       4           (12
 

 

 

 

Applicable income taxes

  $ 2,097       $ 2,087         $ 2,032   
(a) Includes the resolution of certain tax matters with taxing authorities.

 

The tax effects of fair value adjustments on securities available-for-sale, derivative instruments in cash flow hedges, foreign currency translation adjustments, pension and post-retirement plans and certain tax benefits related to stock options are recorded directly to shareholders’ equity as part of other comprehensive income (loss).

In preparing its tax returns, the Company is required to interpret complex tax laws and regulations and utilize income and cost allocation methods to determine its taxable income. On an ongoing basis, the Company is subject to examinations by federal, state, local and foreign taxing authorities that may

give rise to differing interpretations of these complex laws, regulations and methods. Due to the nature of the examination process, it generally takes years before these examinations are completed and matters are resolved. Federal tax examinations for all years ending through December 31, 2010, are completed and resolved. The Company’s tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are under examination by the Internal Revenue Service. The years open to examination by state and local government authorities vary by jurisdiction.

 

 

A reconciliation of the changes in the federal, state and foreign unrecognized tax position balances are summarized as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013  

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 267         $ 264         $ 302   

Additions (reductions) for tax positions taken in prior years

    (17        31           44   

Additions for tax positions taken in the current year

    13           4             

Exam resolutions

    (17        (22        (56

Statute expirations

    (3        (10        (26
 

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

  $ 243         $ 267         $ 264   

 

The total amount of unrecognized tax positions that, if recognized, would impact the effective income tax rate as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, were $165 million, $192 million and $181 million, respectively. The Company classifies interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions as a component of income tax expense. At December 31, 2015, the Company’s unrecognized tax position balance included $30 million in accrued interest.

During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 the Company recorded approximately $(1) million, $4 million and $(12) million, respectively, in interest on unrecognized tax positions.

While certain examinations may be concluded, statutes may lapse or other developments may occur, the Company does not believe there will be a significant increase or decrease in uncertain tax positions over the next twelve months.

 

 

 126 


Deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect the tax effect of estimated temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting

purposes and the amounts used for the same items for income tax reporting purposes.

 

 

The significant components of the Company’s net deferred tax asset (liability) follows:

 

At December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014  

Deferred Tax Assets

      

Allowance for credit losses

  $ 1,615         $ 1,652   

Accrued expenses

    764           630   

Federal, state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards

    464           212   

Partnerships and other investment assets

    380           403   

Pension and postretirement benefits

    247           437   

Stock compensation

    131           143   

Other deferred tax assets, net

    219           208   
 

 

 

 

Gross deferred tax assets

    3,820           3,685   

Deferred Tax Liabilities

      

Leasing activities

    (3,026        (3,042

Mortgage servicing rights

    (859        (871

Goodwill and other intangible assets

    (859        (772

Loans

    (204        (212

Fixed assets

    (111        (90

Securities available-for-sale and financial instruments

    (47        (165

Other deferred tax liabilities, net

    (55        (159
 

 

 

 

Gross deferred tax liabilities

    (5,161        (5,311

Valuation allowance

    (137        (101
 

 

 

 

Net Deferred Tax Asset (Liability)

  $ (1,478      $ (1,727

 

 

 

The Company has approximately $1.1 billion of federal, state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards which expire at various times through 2035. A substantial portion of these carryforwards relate to state-only net operating losses. These carryforwards are subject to a full valuation allowance. Management has determined it is more likely than not the other net deferred tax assets could be realized through carry back to taxable income in prior years, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and future taxable income.

At December 31, 2015, retained earnings included approximately $102 million of base year reserves of acquired thrift institutions, for which no deferred federal income tax liability has been recognized. These base year reserves would be recaptured if the Company’s banking subsidiaries cease to qualify as a bank for federal income tax purposes. The base year reserves also remain subject to income tax penalty provisions that, in general, require recapture upon certain stock redemptions of, and excess distributions to, stockholders.

 

 

  NOTE 20   DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into derivative transactions to manage various risks and to accommodate the business requirements of its customers. The Company recognizes all derivatives on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value in other assets or in other liabilities. On the date the Company enters into a derivative contract, the derivative is designated as either a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge, net investment hedge, or a designation is not made as it is a customer-related transaction, an economic hedge for asset/liability risk management purposes or another stand-alone derivative created through the Company’s operations (“free-standing derivative”). When a derivative is designated as a fair value, cash flow or net investment hedge, the Company performs an assessment, at inception and, at a

minimum, quarterly thereafter, to determine the effectiveness of the derivative in offsetting changes in the value or cash flows of the hedged item(s).

Fair Value Hedges These derivatives are interest rate swaps the Company uses to hedge the change in fair value related to interest rate changes of its underlying fixed-rate debt. Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as fair value hedges, and changes in the fair value of the hedged items, are recorded in earnings. All fair value hedges were highly effective for the year ended December 31, 2015, and the change in fair value attributed to hedge ineffectiveness was not material.

 

 

 127 


Cash Flow Hedges These derivatives are interest rate swaps the Company uses to hedge the forecasted cash flows from its underlying variable-rate loans and debt. Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) until the cash flows of the hedged items are realized. If a derivative designated as a cash flow hedge is terminated or ceases to be highly effective, the gain or loss in other comprehensive income (loss) is amortized to earnings over the period the forecasted hedged transactions impact earnings. If a hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable, hedge accounting is ceased and any gain or loss included in other comprehensive income (loss) is reported in earnings immediately, unless the forecasted transaction is at least reasonably possible of occurring, whereby the amounts remain within other comprehensive income (loss). At December 31, 2015, the Company had $67 million (net-of-tax) of realized and unrealized losses on derivatives classified as cash flow hedges recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), compared with $172 million (net-of-tax) of realized and unrealized losses at December 31, 2014. The estimated amount to be reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings during the next 12 months is a loss of $68 million (net-of-tax). This amount includes gains and losses related to hedges that were terminated early for which the forecasted transactions are still probable. All cash flow hedges were highly effective for the year ended December 31, 2015, and the change in fair value attributed to hedge ineffectiveness was not material.

Net Investment Hedges The Company uses forward commitments to sell specified amounts of certain foreign currencies, and occasionally non-derivative debt instruments, to hedge the volatility of its investment in foreign businesses driven by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The ineffectiveness on all net investment hedges was not material for the year ended December 31, 2015. There were no non-derivative debt instruments designated as net investment hedges at December 31, 2015 or 2014.

Other Derivative Positions The Company enters into free-standing derivatives to mitigate interest rate risk and for other risk management purposes. These derivatives include forward commitments to sell to-be-announced securities (“TBAs”) and other commitments to sell residential mortgage loans, which are used to economically hedge the interest rate risk related to residential MLHFS and unfunded mortgage loan commitments. The Company also enters into interest rate swaps, forward commitments to buy TBAs, U.S. Treasury and Eurodollar futures and options on U.S. Treasury futures to economically hedge the change in the fair value of the Company’s MSRs. The Company also enters into foreign currency forwards to economically hedge remeasurement gains and losses the Company recognizes on foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities. In addition, the Company acts as a seller and buyer of interest rate derivatives and foreign exchange contracts for its customers. The Company mitigates the market and liquidity risk associated with these customer derivatives by entering into similar offsetting positions with broker-dealers, or on a portfolio basis by entering into other derivative or non-derivative financial instruments that partially or fully offset the exposure from these customer-related positions. The Company’s customer derivatives and related hedges are monitored and reviewed by the Company’s Market Risk Committee, which establishes policies for market risk management, including exposure limits for each portfolio. The Company also has derivative contracts that are created through its operations, including commitments to originate MLHFS and swap agreements related to the sale of a portion of its Class B common shares of Visa Inc. Refer to Note 22 for further information on these swap agreements.

For additional information on the Company’s purpose for entering into derivative transactions and its overall risk management strategies, refer to “Management Discussion and Analysis — Use of Derivatives to Manage Interest Rate and Other Risks” which is incorporated by reference into these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 128 


The following table summarizes the asset and liability management derivative positions of the Company:

 

    Asset Derivatives     Liability Derivatives  
(Dollars in Millions)   Notional
Value
     Fair
Value
    

Weighted-Average
Remaining
Maturity

In Years

    Notional
Value
     Fair
Value
    

Weighted-Average
Remaining
Maturity

In Years

 
 

December 31, 2015

                 

Fair value hedges

                 

Interest rate contracts

                 

Receive fixed/pay floating swaps

  $ 3,050       $ 73         4.43      $       $           

Cash flow hedges

                 

Interest rate contracts

                 

Pay fixed/receive floating swaps

    1,772         7         9.22        5,009         146         1.13   

Net investment hedges

                 

Foreign exchange forward contracts

    1,140         4         .04                          

Other economic hedges

                 

Interest rate contracts

                 

Futures and forwards

                 

Buy

    3,812         17         .07        452         1         .06   

Sell

    3,201         12         .09        2,559         7         .12   

Options

                 

Purchased

    2,935                 .06                          

Written

    3,199         29         .10        5         1         .08   

Receive fixed/pay floating swaps

    3,733         42         9.98        4,748         18         10.18   

Pay fixed/receive floating swaps

    287         2         9.82        4,158         35         9.97   

Foreign exchange forward contracts

    3,023         13         .01        2,380         10         .03   

Equity contracts

    62                 .47        24         1         .82   

Credit contracts

    1,192         2         2.58        2,821         3         2.99   

Other(a)

    36                 .04        662         64         2.60   

Total

  $ 27,442       $ 201           $ 22,818       $ 286      
 

December 31, 2014

                 

Fair value hedges

                 

Interest rate contracts

                 

Receive fixed/pay floating swaps

  $ 2,750       $ 65         5.69      $       $           

Cash flow hedges

                 

Interest rate contracts

                 

Pay fixed/receive floating swaps

    272         6         7.76        5,748         315         1.94   

Receive fixed/pay floating swaps

    250                 .16                          

Net investment hedges

                 

Foreign exchange forward contracts

    1,047         31         .04                          

Other economic hedges

                 

Interest rate contracts

                 

Futures and forwards

                 

Buy

    4,839         45         .07        60                 .08   

Sell

    448         10         .13        6,713         62         .09   

Options

                 

Purchased

    2,500                 .06                          

Written

    2,643         31         .08        4                 .11   

Receive fixed/pay floating swaps

    3,552         14         10.22        250         1         10.22   

Pay fixed/receive floating swaps

    15                 10.22                          

Foreign exchange forward contracts

    510         3         .03        6,176         41         .02   

Equity contracts

    86         3         .60                          

Credit contracts

    1,247         3         3.29        2,282         5         2.85   

Other(a)

    58         4         .03        390         48         3.20   

Total

  $ 20,217       $ 215               $ 21,623       $ 472            
(a) Includes short-term underwriting purchase and sale commitments with total asset and liability notional values of $36 million and $58 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and derivative liability swap agreements related to the sale of a portion of the Company’s Class B common shares of Visa Inc. The Visa swap agreements had a total notional value, fair value and weighted average remaining maturity of $626 million, $64 million and 2.75 years at December 31, 2015, respectively, compared to $332 million, $44 million and 3.75 years at December 31, 2014, respectively.

 

 129 


The following table summarizes the customer-related derivative positions of the Company:

 

    Asset Derivatives     Liability Derivatives  
(Dollars in Millions)   Notional
Value
     Fair
Value
    

Weighted-Average
Remaining
Maturity

In Years

    Notional
Value
     Fair
Value
    

Weighted-Average
Remaining
Maturity

In Years

 
 

December 31, 2015

                 

Interest rate contracts

                 

Receive fixed/pay floating swaps

  $ 32,647       $ 1,097         5.69      $ 14,068       $ 54         4.71   

Pay fixed/receive floating swaps

    10,685         43         4.55        35,045         1,160         5.74   

Options

                 

Purchased

    8,705         10         2.61        146         1         2.23   

Written

    146         2         2.23        8,482         9         2.57   

Futures

                 

Buy

                           2,859         2         .84   

Sell

    45                 .97                          

Foreign exchange rate contracts

                 

Forwards, spots and swaps

    18,399         851         .59        17,959         830         .58   

Options

                 

Purchased

    1,485         43         1.19                          

Written

                           1,485         43         1.19   

Total

  $ 72,112       $ 2,046           $ 80,044       $ 2,099      
 

December 31, 2014

                 

Interest rate contracts

                 

Receive fixed/pay floating swaps

  $ 21,724       $ 888         6.09      $ 5,880       $ 24         3.79   

Pay fixed/receive floating swaps

    4,622         26         3.27        21,821         892         6.08   

Options

                 

Purchased

    4,409         10         3.79        24                 2.42   

Written

    24                 2.42        4,375         10         3.79   

Futures

                 

Buy

    1,811                 .22        226                 .45   

Sell

    152                 1.08        46                 1.73   

Foreign exchange rate contracts

                 

Forwards, spots and swaps

    17,062         890         .52        14,645         752         .59   

Options

                 

Purchased

    976         39         .44                          

Written

                           976         39         .44   

Total

  $ 50,780       $ 1,853               $ 47,993       $ 1,717            

 

 130 


The table below shows the effective portion of the gains (losses) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) and the gains (losses) reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (net-of-tax) for the years ended December 31:

 

    Gains (Losses) Recognized in Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
       Gains (Losses) Reclassified from
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
into Earnings
 
(Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013        2015        2014        2013  
 

Asset and Liability Management Positions

                            

Cash flow hedges

                            

Interest rate contracts(a)

  $ (15      $ (26      $ 25         $ (120      $ (115      $ (118

Net investment hedges

                            

Foreign exchange forward contracts

    101           130           (45                              
Note: Ineffectiveness on cash flow and net investment hedges was not material for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
(a) Gains (Losses) reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) into interest income on loans and interest expense on long-term debt.

The table below shows the gains (losses) recognized in earnings for fair value hedges, other economic hedges and the customer-related positions for the years ended December 31:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   Location of Gains (Losses)
Recognized in Earnings
       2015        2014        2013  

Asset and Liability Management Positions

                

Fair value hedges(a)

                

Interest rate contracts

    Other noninterest income         $ 7         $ 29         $ (9

Other economic hedges

                

Interest rate contracts

                

Futures and forwards

    Mortgage banking revenue           186           (122        615   

Purchased and written options

    Mortgage banking revenue           191           287           243   

Receive fixed/pay floating swaps

    Mortgage banking revenue           139           384           (322

Pay fixed/receive floating swaps

    Mortgage banking revenue           (33                    

Foreign exchange forward contracts

    Commercial products revenue           108           (29        49   

Equity contracts

    Compensation expense           (1        2           2   

Credit contracts

    Other noninterest income           2                     6   

Other

    Other noninterest income                     (43          

Customer-Related Positions

                

Interest rate contracts

                

Receive fixed/pay floating swaps

    Other noninterest income           360           686           (361

Pay fixed/receive floating swaps

    Other noninterest income           (320        (652        378   

Purchased and written options

    Other noninterest income           3                       

Futures

    Other noninterest income           1                       

Foreign exchange rate contracts

                

Forwards, spots and swaps

    Commercial products revenue           74           66           51   

Purchased and written options

    Commercial products revenue           2           1             
(a) Gains (Losses) on items hedged by interest rate contracts included in noninterest income (expense), were $(7) million, $(27) million and $8 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The ineffective portion was immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

 

 131 


Derivatives are subject to credit risk associated with counterparties to the derivative contracts. The Company measures that credit risk using a credit valuation adjustment and includes it within the fair value of the derivative. The Company manages counterparty credit risk through diversification of its derivative positions among various counterparties, by entering into master netting arrangements and, where possible, by requiring collateral arrangements. A master netting arrangement allows two counterparties, who have multiple derivative contracts with each other, the ability to net settle amounts under all contracts, including any related collateral, through a single payment and in a single currency. Collateral arrangements require the counterparty to deliver collateral (typically cash or U.S. Treasury and agency securities) equal to the Company’s net derivative receivable, subject to minimum transfer and credit rating requirements.

 

The Company’s collateral arrangements are predominately bilateral and, therefore, contain provisions that require collateralization of the Company’s net liability derivative positions. Required collateral coverage is based on certain net liability thresholds and contingent upon the Company’s credit rating from two of the nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. If the Company’s credit rating were to fall below credit ratings thresholds established in the collateral arrangements, the counterparties to the derivatives could request immediate additional collateral coverage up to and including full collateral coverage for derivatives in a net liability position. The aggregate fair value of all derivatives under collateral arrangements that were in a net liability position at December 31, 2015, was $956 million. At December 31, 2015, the Company had $823 million of cash posted as collateral against this net liability position.

 

 

  NOTE 21   NETTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR CERTAIN  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND SECURITIES FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

The majority of the Company’s derivative portfolio consists of bilateral over-the-counter trades. However, current regulations require that certain interest rate swaps and forwards and credit contracts need to be centrally cleared through clearinghouses. In addition, a portion of the Company’s derivative positions are exchange-traded. These are predominately U.S. Treasury futures or options on U.S. Treasury futures. Of the Company’s $202.4 billion total notional amount of derivative positions at December 31, 2015, $69.8 billion related to those centrally cleared through clearinghouses and $8.3 billion related to those that were exchange-traded. Irrespective of how derivatives are traded, the Company’s derivative contracts include offsetting rights (referred to as netting arrangements), and depending on expected volume, credit risk, and counterparty preference, collateral maintenance may be required. For all derivatives under collateral support arrangements, fair value is determined daily and, depending on the collateral maintenance requirements, the Company and a counterparty may receive or deliver collateral, based upon the net fair value of all derivative positions between the Company and the counterparty. Collateral is typically cash, but securities may be allowed under collateral arrangements with certain counterparties. Receivables and payables related to cash collateral are included in other assets and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, along with the related derivative asset and liability fair values. Any securities pledged to counterparties as collateral remain on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Securities received from counterparties as collateral are not recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, unless the counterparty defaults. In general, securities

used as collateral can be sold, repledged or otherwise used by the party in possession. No restrictions exist on the use of cash collateral by either party. Refer to Note 20 for further discussion of the Company’s derivatives, including collateral arrangements.

As part of the Company’s treasury and broker-dealer operations, the Company executes transactions that are treated as securities sold under agreements to repurchase or securities purchased under agreements to resell, both of which are accounted for as collateralized financings. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase include repurchase agreements and securities loaned transactions. Securities purchased under agreements to resell include reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed transactions. For securities sold under agreements to repurchase, the Company records a liability for the cash received, which is included in short-term borrowings on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. For securities purchased under agreements to resell, the Company records a receivable for the cash paid, which is included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Securities transferred to counterparties under repurchase agreements and securities loaned transactions continue to be recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, are measured at fair value, and are included in investment securities or other assets. Securities received from counterparties under reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowed transactions are not recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheet unless the counterparty defaults. The securities transferred under repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions typically are U.S. Treasury and

 

 

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agency securities or residential agency mortgage-backed securities. The securities loaned or borrowed typically are corporate debt securities traded by the Company’s broker-dealer. In general, the securities transferred can be sold, repledged or otherwise used by the party in possession. No restrictions exist on the use of cash collateral by either party. Repurchase/reverse repurchase and securities loaned/borrowed transactions expose the Company to counterparty risk. The Company manages this risk by performing

assessments, independent of business line managers, and establishing concentration limits on each counterparty. Additionally, these transactions include collateral arrangements that require the fair values of the underlying securities to be determined daily, resulting in cash being obtained or refunded to counterparties to maintain specified collateral levels. At December 31, 2015, the Company had no outstanding securities loaned transactions.

 

 

The following table summarizes the maturities by category of collateral pledged for repurchase agreements at December 31, 2015:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   Overnight and
Continuous
       Less Than
30 Days
       Total  

U.S. Treasury and agencies

  $ 122         $         $ 122   

Residential agency mortgage-backed securities

    802           168           970   
 

 

 

 

Gross amount of recognized liabilities

  $ 924         $ 168         $ 1,092   

 

The Company executes its derivative, repurchase/reverse repurchase and securities loaned/borrowed transactions under the respective industry standard agreements. These agreements include master netting arrangements that allow for multiple contracts executed with the same counterparty to be viewed as a single arrangement. This allows for net settlement of a single amount on a daily basis. In the event of default, the master netting arrangement provides for close-out netting, which allows all of these positions with the defaulting counterparty to be terminated and net settled with a single payment amount.

The Company has elected to offset the assets and liabilities under netting arrangements for the balance sheet presentation of the majority of its derivative counterparties, excluding centrally cleared derivative contracts due to current uncertainty about the legal enforceability of netting arrangements with the clearinghouses. The netting occurs at the counterparty level, and includes all assets and liabilities related to the derivative contracts, including those associated with cash collateral received or delivered. The Company has not elected to offset the assets and liabilities under netting arrangements for the balance sheet presentation of repurchase/reverse repurchase and securities loaned/borrowed transactions.

 

 

The following tables provide information on the Company’s netting adjustments, and items not offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but available for offset in the event of default:

 

(Dollars in Millions)

 

Gross

Recognized
Assets

      

Gross Amounts
Offset on the

Consolidated
Balance Sheet(a)

      

Net Amounts
Presented on the

Consolidated
Balance Sheet

       Gross Amounts Not Offset on
the Consolidated Balance Sheet
      

Net
Amount

 
                 Financial
Instruments(b)
       Collateral
Received(c)
      

 

December 31, 2015

                                                              

Derivative assets(d)

  $ 1,879         $ (807      $ 1,072         $ (82      $         $ 990   

Reverse repurchase agreements

    106                     106           (102        (4          

Securities borrowed

    772                     772                     (753        19   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 2,757         $ (807      $ 1,950         $ (184      $ (757      $ 1,009   
 

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

                          

Derivative assets(d)

  $ 1,847         $ (870      $ 977         $ (58      $         $ 919   

Reverse repurchase agreements

    40                     40           (40                    

Securities borrowed

    638                     638                     (620        18   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 2,525         $ (870      $ 1,655         $ (98      $ (620      $ 937   
(a) Includes $165 million and $258 million of cash collateral related payables that were netted against derivative assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(b) For derivative assets this includes any derivative liability fair values that could be offset in the event of counterparty default; for reverse repurchase agreements this includes any repurchase agreement payables that could be offset in the event of counterparty default; for securities borrowed this includes any securities loaned payables that could be offset in the event of counterparty default.
(c) Includes the fair value of securities received by the Company from the counterparty. These securities are not included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet unless the counterparty defaults.
(d) Excludes $368 million and $221 million of derivative assets centrally cleared or otherwise not subject to netting arrangements at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

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(Dollars in Millions)

 

Gross

Recognized
Liabilities

      

Gross Amounts
Offset on the

Consolidated
Balance Sheet(a)

      

Net Amounts
Presented on the

Consolidated
Balance Sheet

     Gross Amounts Not Offset on
the Consolidated Balance Sheet
      

Net
Amount

 
               Financial
Instruments(b)
       Collateral
Pledged(c)
      

 

December 31, 2015

                                                            

Derivative liabilities(d)

  $ 1,809         $ (1,283      $ 526       $ (82      $         $ 444   

Repurchase agreements

    1,092                     1,092         (102        (990          
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 2,901         $ (1,283      $ 1,618       $ (184      $ (990      $ 444   
 

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

                        

Derivative liabilities(d)

  $ 1,847         $ (1,317      $ 530       $ (58      $         $ 472   

Repurchase agreements

    948                     948         (40        (908          

Securities loaned

    47                     47                   (46        1   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 2,842         $ (1,317      $ 1,525       $ (98      $ (954      $ 473   
(a) Includes $641 million and $705 million of cash collateral related receivables that were netted against derivative liabilities at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(b) For derivative liabilities this includes any derivative asset fair values that could be offset in the event of counterparty default; for repurchase agreements this includes any reverse repurchase agreement receivables that could be offset in the event of counterparty default; for securities loaned this includes any securities borrowed receivables that could be offset in the event of counterparty default.
(c) Includes the fair value of securities pledged by the Company to the counterparty. These securities are included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet unless the Company defaults.
(d) Excludes $576 million and $342 million of derivative liabilities centrally cleared or otherwise not subject to netting arrangements at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

  NOTE 22   FAIR VALUES OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

The Company uses fair value measurements for the initial recording of certain assets and liabilities, periodic remeasurement of certain assets and liabilities, and disclosures. Derivatives, trading and available-for-sale investment securities, MSRs and substantially all MLHFS are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as loans held for sale, loans held for investment and certain other assets. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of lower-of-cost-or-fair value accounting or impairment write-downs of individual assets.

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A fair value measurement reflects all of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique, the effect of a restriction on the sale or use of an asset and the risk of nonperformance.

The Company groups its assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three-level hierarchy for valuation techniques used to measure financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value. This hierarchy is based on whether the valuation inputs are observable or unobservable. These levels are:

 

  Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 1 includes U.S. Treasury securities, as well as exchange-traded instruments, including certain perpetual preferred and corporate debt securities.

 

  Level 2 — Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted
   

prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 includes debt securities that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments and which are typically valued using third party pricing services; derivative contracts and other assets and liabilities, including securities, whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data; and MLHFS whose values are determined using quoted prices for similar assets or pricing models with inputs that are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

  Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose values are 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. This category includes MSRs, certain debt securities and certain derivative contracts.

When the Company changes its valuation inputs for measuring financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value, either due to changes in current market conditions or other factors, it may need to transfer those assets or liabilities to another level in the hierarchy based on the new inputs used. The Company recognizes these transfers at the end of the reporting period in which the transfers occur. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, there were no transfers of financial assets or financial liabilities between the hierarchy levels.

 

 

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The Company has processes and controls in place to increase the reliability of estimates it makes in determining fair value measurements. Items quoted on an exchange are verified to the quoted price. Items provided by a third party pricing service are subject to price verification procedures as described in more detail in the specific valuation discussions below. For fair value measurements modeled internally, the Company’s valuation models are subject to the Company’s Model Risk Governance Policy and Program, as maintained by the Company’s risk management department. The purpose of model validation is to assess the accuracy of the models’ input, processing, and reporting components. All models are required to be independently reviewed and approved prior to being placed in use, and are subject to formal change control procedures. Under the Company’s Model Risk Governance Policy, models are required to be reviewed at least annually to ensure they are operating as intended. Inputs into the models are market observable inputs whenever available. When market observable inputs are not available, the inputs are developed based upon analysis of historical experience and evaluation of other relevant market data. Significant unobservable model inputs are subject to review by senior management in corporate functions, who are independent from the modeling. Significant unobservable model inputs are also compared to actual results, typically on a quarterly basis. Significant Level 3 fair value measurements are also subject to corporate-level review and are benchmarked to market transactions or other market data, when available. Additional discussion of processes and controls are provided in the valuation methodologies section that follows.

The following section describes the valuation methodologies used by the Company to measure financial assets and liabilities at fair value and for estimating fair value for financial instruments not recorded at fair value as required under disclosure guidance related to the fair value of financial instruments. In addition, the following section includes an indication of the level of the fair value hierarchy in which the assets or liabilities are classified. Where appropriate, the description includes information about the valuation models and key inputs to those models. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, there were no significant changes to the valuation techniques used by the Company to measure fair value.

Cash and Due From Banks The carrying value of cash and due from banks approximate fair value and are classified within Level 1. Fair value is provided for disclosure purposes only.

Federal Funds Sold and Securities Purchased Under Resale Agreements The carrying value of federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements approximate fair value because of the relatively short time

between the origination of the instrument and its expected realization and are classified within Level 2. Fair value is provided for disclosure purposes only.

Investment Securities When quoted market prices for identical securities are available in an active market, these prices are used to determine fair value and these securities are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Level 1 investment securities include U.S. Treasury and exchange-traded securities.

For other securities, quoted market prices may not be readily available for the specific securities. When possible, the Company determines fair value based on market observable information, including quoted market prices for similar securities, inactive transaction prices, and broker quotes. These securities are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Level 2 valuations are generally provided by a third party pricing service. The Company reviews the valuation methodologies utilized by the pricing service and, on a quarterly basis, reviews the security level prices provided by the pricing service against management’s expectation of fair value, based on changes in various benchmarks and market knowledge from recent trading activity. Additionally, each quarter, the Company validates the fair value provided by the pricing service by comparing them to recent observable market trades (where available), broker provided quotes, or other independent secondary pricing sources. Prices obtained from the pricing service are adjusted if they are found to be inconsistent with relevant market data. Level 2 investment securities are predominantly agency mortgage-backed securities, certain other asset-backed securities, municipal securities, corporate debt securities, agency debt securities and certain perpetual preferred securities.

The fair value of securities for which there are no market trades, or where trading is inactive as compared to normal market activity, are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company determines the fair value of these securities by using a discounted cash flow methodology and incorporating observable market information, where available. These valuations are modeled by a unit within the Company’s treasury department. The valuations use assumptions regarding housing prices, interest rates and borrower performance. Inputs are refined and updated at least quarterly to reflect market developments and actual performance. The primary valuation drivers of these securities are the prepayment rates, default rates and default severities associated with the underlying collateral, as well as the discount rate used to calculate the present value of the projected cash flows. Level 3 fair values, including the assumptions used, are subject to review by senior management in corporate functions, who are independent from the modeling. The fair value measurements are also

 

 

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compared to fair values provided by third party pricing services and broker provided quotes, where available. Securities classified within Level 3 include non-agency mortgage-backed securities, non-agency commercial mortgage-backed securities, certain asset-backed securities, certain collateralized debt obligations and collateralized loan obligations and certain corporate debt securities.

Mortgage Loans Held For Sale MLHFS measured at fair value, for which an active secondary market and readily available market prices exist, are initially valued at the transaction price and are subsequently valued by comparison to instruments with similar collateral and risk profiles. MLHFS are classified within Level 2. Included in mortgage banking revenue was a $27 million net gain, a $185 million net gain and a $335 million net loss for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, from the changes to fair value of these MLHFS under fair value option accounting guidance. Changes in fair value due to instrument specific credit risk were immaterial. Interest income for MLHFS is measured based on contractual interest rates and reported as interest income on the Consolidated Statement of Income. Electing to measure MLHFS at fair value reduces certain timing differences and better matches changes in fair value of these assets with changes in the value of the derivative instruments used to economically hedge them without the burden of complying with the requirements for hedge accounting.

Loans The loan portfolio includes adjustable and fixed-rate loans, the fair value of which is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses and other valuation techniques. The expected cash flows of loans consider historical prepayment experiences and estimated credit losses and are discounted using current rates offered to borrowers with similar credit characteristics. Generally, loan fair values reflect Level 3 information. Fair value is provided for disclosure purposes only, with the exception of impaired collateral-based loans that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis utilizing the underlying collateral fair value.

Mortgage Servicing Rights MSRs are valued using a discounted cash flow methodology, and are classified within Level 3. The Company determines fair value by estimating the present value of the asset’s future cash flows using prepayment rates, discount rates, and other assumptions. The MSR valuations, as well as the assumptions used, are developed by the mortgage banking division and are subject to review by senior management in corporate functions, who are independent from the modeling. The MSR valuations and assumptions are validated through comparison to trade information when available, publicly available data and industry surveys and are also compared to independent third

party valuations each quarter. Risks inherent in MSR valuation include higher than expected prepayment rates and/or delayed receipt of cash flows. There is minimal observable market activity for MSRs on comparable portfolios, and, therefore the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment. Refer to Note 10 for further information on MSR valuation assumptions.

Derivatives The majority of derivatives held by the Company are executed over-the-counter and are valued using standard cash flow, Black-Derman-Toy and Monte Carlo valuation techniques. The models incorporate inputs, depending on the type of derivative, including interest rate curves, foreign exchange rates and volatility. In addition, all derivative values incorporate an assessment of the risk of counterparty nonperformance, measured based on the Company’s evaluation of credit risk as well as external assessments of credit risk, where available. The Company monitors and manages its nonperformance risk by considering its ability to net derivative positions under master netting arrangements, as well as collateral received or provided under collateral arrangements. Accordingly, the Company has elected to measure the fair value of derivatives, at a counterparty level, on a net basis. The majority of the derivatives are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, as the significant inputs to the models, including nonperformance risk, are observable. However, certain derivative transactions are with counterparties where risk of nonperformance cannot be observed in the market, and therefore the credit valuation adjustments result in these derivatives being classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The credit valuation adjustments for nonperformance risk are determined by the Company’s treasury department using credit assumptions provided by the risk management department. The credit assumptions are compared to actual results quarterly and are recalibrated as appropriate.

The Company also has other derivative contracts that are created through its operations, including commitments to purchase and originate mortgage loans and swap agreements executed in conjunction with the sale of a portion of its Class B common shares of Visa Inc. (“the Visa swaps”). The mortgage loan commitments are valued by pricing models that include market observable and unobservable inputs, which result in the commitments being classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The unobservable inputs include assumptions about the percentage of commitments that actually become a closed loan and the MSR value that is inherent in the underlying loan value, both of which are developed by the Company’s mortgage banking division. The closed loan percentages for the mortgage loan commitments are monitored on an on-going basis, as these percentages are also used for the Company’s economic hedging activities.

 

 

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The inherent MSR value for the commitments are generated by the same models used for the Company’s MSRs and thus are subject to the same processes and controls as described for the MSRs above. The Visa swaps require payments by either the Company or the purchaser of the Visa Inc. Class B common shares when there are changes in the conversion rate of the Visa Inc. Class B common shares to Visa Inc. Class A common shares, as well as quarterly payments to the purchaser based on specified terms of the agreements. Management reviews and updates the Visa swaps fair value in conjunction with its review of Visa related litigation contingencies, and the associated escrow funding. The fair value of the Visa swaps are calculated by the Company’s corporate development department using a discounted cash flow methodology which includes unobservable inputs about the timing and settlement amounts related to the resolution of certain Visa related litigation. The expected litigation resolution impacts the Visa Inc. Class B common share to Visa Inc. Class A common share conversion rate, as well as the ultimate termination date for the Visa swaps. Accordingly, the Visa swaps are classified within Level 3. Refer to Note 23 for further information on the Visa restructuring and related card association litigation.

Other Financial Instruments Other financial instruments include cost method equity investments and certain community development and tax-advantaged related assets and liabilities. The majority of the Company’s cost method equity investments are in Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock, for which the carrying amounts approximate fair value and are classified within Level 2. Investments in other equity and limited partnership funds are estimated using fund provided net asset values. These equity investments are classified within Level 3. The community development and tax-advantaged related asset balances primarily represent the underlying assets of consolidated community development and tax-advantaged entities. The community development and tax-advantaged related liabilities represent the underlying liabilities of the consolidated entities (included in long-term debt) and liabilities related to other third party interests (included in other liabilities). The carrying value of the community development and tax-advantaged related asset and other liability balances are a reasonable estimate of fair value and are classified within Level 3. Refer to Note 8 for further information on community development and tax-advantaged related assets and liabilities. Fair value is provided for disclosure purposes only.

Deposit Liabilities The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts and certain money market deposits is equal to the amount payable on demand. The fair value of fixed-rate

certificates of deposit was estimated by discounting the contractual cash flow using current market rates. Deposit liabilities are classified within Level 2. Fair value is provided for disclosure purposes only.

Short-term Borrowings Federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, commercial paper and other short-term funds borrowed have floating rates or short-term maturities. The fair value of short-term borrowings was determined by discounting contractual cash flows using current market rates. Short-term borrowings are classified within Level 2. Included in short-term borrowings is the Company’s obligation on securities sold short, which is required to be accounted for at fair value per applicable accounting guidance. Fair value for other short-term borrowings is provided for disclosure purposes only.

Long-term Debt The fair value for most long-term debt was determined by discounting contractual cash flows using current market rates. Junior subordinated debt instruments were valued using market quotes. Long-term debt is classified within Level 2. Fair value is provided for disclosure purposes only.

Loan Commitments, Letters of Credit and Guarantees The fair value of commitments, letters of credit and guarantees represents the estimated costs to terminate or otherwise settle the obligations with a third party. Other loan commitments, letters of credit and guarantees are not actively traded, and the Company estimates their fair value based on the related amount of unamortized deferred commitment fees adjusted for the probable losses for these arrangements. These arrangements are classified within Level 3. Fair value is provided for disclosure purposes only.

SIGNIFICANT UNOBSERVABLE INPUTS OF LEVEL 3 ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The following section provides information on the significant inputs used by the Company to determine the fair value measurements of Level 3 assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. In addition, the following section includes a discussion of the sensitivity of the fair value measurements to changes in the significant inputs and a description of any interrelationships between these inputs for Level 3 assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. The discussion below excludes nonrecurring fair value measurements of collateral value used for impairment measures for loans and OREO. These valuations utilize third party appraisal or broker price opinions, and are classified as Level 3 due to the significant judgment involved.

 

 

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Available-For-Sale Investment Securities The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s modeled Level 3 available-for-sale investment securities are prepayment rates, probability of default and loss severities associated with the underlying collateral, as well as the discount margin used to calculate the present value of the projected cash flows. Increases in prepayment rates for Level 3 securities will typically result in higher fair values, as increased prepayment rates accelerate the receipt of expected cash flows and reduce exposure to credit losses. Increases in the probability of default and loss severities will result in lower fair values, as these increases reduce expected cash flows. Discount margin is the Company’s estimate of the current market spread above the respective benchmark rate.

Higher discount margin will result in lower fair values, as it reduces the present value of the expected cash flows.

Prepayment rates generally move in the opposite direction of market interest rates. In the current environment, an increase in the probability of default will generally be accompanied with an increase in loss severity, as both are impacted by underlying collateral values. Discount margins are influenced by market expectations about the security’s collateral performance, and therefore may directionally move with probability and severity of default; however, discount margins are also impacted by broader market forces, such as competing investment yields, sector liquidity, economic news, and other macroeconomic factors.

 

 

The following table shows the significant valuation assumption ranges for Level 3 available-for-sale investment securities at December 31, 2015:

 

     Minimum      Maximum      Average  

Residential Prime Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities(a)

       

Estimated lifetime prepayment rates

    5      20      14

Lifetime probability of default rates

            7         4   

Lifetime loss severity rates

    15         60         33   

Discount margin

    2         5         3   

Residential Non-Prime Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities(b)

       

Estimated lifetime prepayment rates

    3      13      8

Lifetime probability of default rates

    4         12         7   

Lifetime loss severity rates

    20         70         52   

Discount margin

    1         6         3   

Other Asset-Backed Securities

       

Estimated lifetime prepayment rates

    6      6      6

Lifetime probability of default rates

    5         5         5   

Lifetime loss severity rates

    40         40         40   

Discount margin

    6         6         6   
(a) Prime securities are those designated as such by the issuer at origination. When an issuer designation is unavailable, the Company determines at acquisition date the categorization based on asset pool characteristics (such as weighted-average credit score, loan-to-value, loan type, prevalence of low documentation loans) and deal performance (such as pool delinquencies and security market spreads).
(b) Includes all securities not meeting the conditions to be designated as prime.

 

Mortgage Servicing Rights The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s MSRs are expected prepayments and the discount rate used to calculate the present value of the projected cash flows. Significant increases in either of these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower fair value measurement.

Significant decreases in either of these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher fair value measurement. There is no direct interrelationship between prepayments and discount rate. Prepayment rates generally move in the opposite direction of market interest rates. Discount rates are generally impacted by changes in market return requirements.

 

 

The following table shows the significant valuation assumption ranges for MSRs at December 31, 2015:

 

     Minimum      Maximum      Average  

Expected prepayment

    10      19      11

Discount rate

    9         13         10   

 

Derivatives The Company has two distinct Level 3 derivative portfolios: (i) the Company’s commitments to purchase and originate mortgage loans that meet the requirements of a derivative and (ii) the Company’s asset/liability and customer-

related derivatives that are Level 3 due to unobservable inputs related to measurement of risk of nonperformance by the counterparty. In addition, the Company’s Visa swaps are classified within Level 3.

 

 

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The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s derivative commitments to purchase and originate mortgage loans are the percentage of commitments that actually become a closed loan and the MSR value that is inherent in the underlying loan value. A significant increase in the rate of loans that close would result

in a larger derivative asset or liability. A significant increase in the inherent MSR value would result in an increase in the derivative asset or a reduction in the derivative liability. Expected loan close rates and the inherent MSR values are directly impacted by changes in market rates and will generally move in the same direction as interest rates.

 

 

The following table shows the significant valuation assumption ranges for the Company’s derivative commitments to purchase and originate mortgage loans at December 31, 2015:

 

     Minimum      Maximum      Average  

Expected loan close rate

    9      100      79

Inherent MSR value (basis points per loan)

    30         196         120   

 

The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of certain of the Company’s asset/liability and customer-related derivatives is the credit valuation adjustment related to the risk of counterparty nonperformance. A significant increase in the credit valuation adjustment would result in a lower fair value measurement. A significant decrease in the credit valuation adjustment would result in a higher fair value measurement. The credit valuation adjustment is impacted by changes in the Company’s assessment of the counterparty’s credit position. At December 31, 2015, the minimum, maximum and average credit valuation adjustment as a percentage of the derivative

contract fair value prior to adjustment was 0 percent, 98 percent and 5 percent, respectively.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Visa swaps are management’s estimate of the probability of certain litigation scenarios, and the timing of the resolution of the related litigation loss estimates in excess, or shortfall, of the Company’s proportional share of escrow funds. An increase in the loss estimate or a delay in the resolution of the related litigation would result in an increase in the derivative liability. A decrease in the loss estimate or an acceleration of the resolution of the related litigation would result in a decrease in the derivative liability.

 

 

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The following table summarizes the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Netting        Total  

December 31, 2015

                     

Available-for-sale securities

                     

U.S. Treasury and agencies

  $ 3,708         $ 888         $         $         $ 4,596   

Mortgage-backed securities

                     

Residential

                     

Agency

              50,076                               50,076   

Non-agency

                     

Prime(a)

                        318                     318   

Non-prime(b)

                        240                     240   

Commercial

                     

Agency

              52                               52   

Asset-backed securities

                     

Collateralized debt obligations/Collateralized loan obligations

              19                               19   

Other

              539           2                     541   

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

              5,316                               5,316   

Corporate debt securities

    102           499           9                     610   

Perpetual preferred securities

    48           113                               161   

Other investments

    40           28                               68   

Total available-for-sale

    3,898           57,530           569                     61,997   

Mortgage loans held for sale

              3,110                               3,110   

Mortgage servicing rights

                        2,512                     2,512   

Derivative assets

              1,632           615           (807        1,440   

Other assets

    202           589                               791   

Total

  $ 4,100         $ 62,861         $ 3,696         $ (807      $ 69,850   

Derivative liabilities

  $ 2         $ 2,266         $ 117         $ (1,283      $ 1,102   

Short-term borrowings(c)

    122           645                               767   

Total

  $ 124         $ 2,911         $ 117         $ (1,283      $ 1,869   

December 31, 2014

                     

Available-for-sale securities

                     

U.S. Treasury and agencies

  $ 1,351         $ 1,281         $         $         $ 2,632   

Mortgage-backed securities

                     

Residential

                     

Agency

              45,017                               45,017   

Non-agency

                     

Prime(a)

                        405                     405   

Non-prime(b)

                        280                     280   

Commercial

                     

Agency

              115                               115   

Asset-backed securities

                     

Collateralized debt obligations/Collateralized loan obligations

              22                               22   

Other

              557           62                     619   

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

              5,868                               5,868   

Obligations of foreign governments

              6                               6   

Corporate debt securities

    101           504           9                     614   

Perpetual preferred securities

    55           162                               217   

Other investments

    251           23                               274   

Total available-for-sale

    1,758           53,555           756                     56,069   

Mortgage loans held for sale

              4,774                               4,774   

Mortgage servicing rights

                        2,338                     2,338   

Derivative assets

              1,408           660           (870        1,198   

Other assets

    231           641                               872   

Total

  $ 1,989         $ 60,378         $ 3,754         $ (870      $ 65,251   

Derivative liabilities

  $         $ 2,103         $ 86         $ (1,317      $ 872   

Short-term borrowings(c)

    101           608                               709   

Total

  $ 101         $ 2,711         $ 86         $ (1,317      $ 1,581   
(a) Prime securities are those designated as such by the issuer at origination. When an issuer designation is unavailable, the Company determines at acquisition date the categorization based on asset pool characteristics (such as weighted-average credit score, loan-to-value, loan type, prevalence of low documentation loans) and deal performance (such as pool delinquencies and security market spreads).
(b) Includes all securities not meeting the conditions to be designated as prime.
(c) Represents the Company’s obligation on securities sold short required to be accounted for at fair value per applicable accounting guidance.

 

 140 


The following table presents the changes in fair value for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the years ended December 31:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   Beginning
of Period
Balance
    Net Gains
(Losses)
Included in
Net Income
    Net Gains
(Losses)
Included in
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Purchases     Sales     Principal
Payments
    Issuances     Settlements     End of
Period
Balance
   

Net Change
in Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
Relating to
Assets and
Liabilities

Still Held at
End of Period

 

2015

                   

Available-for-sale securities

                   

Mortgage-backed securities

                   

Residential non-agency

                   

Prime(a)

  $ 405      $      $ (4   $      $      $ (83   $      $      $ 318      $ (4

Non-prime(b)

    280        (1     (1                   (38                   240        (1

Asset-backed securities

                   

Other

    62        4        (2            (51     (11                   2          

Corporate debt securities

    9                                                         9          

Total available-for-sale

    756        3 (c)      (7 )(f)             (51     (132                   569        (5

Mortgage servicing rights

    2,338        (487 )(d)             29                      632 (g)             2,512        (487 )(d) 

Net derivative assets and liabilities

    574        707 (e)             1        (13                   (771     498        135 (h) 

2014

                   

Available-for-sale securities

                   

Mortgage-backed securities

                   

Residential non-agency

                   

Prime(a)

  $ 478      $      $ 15      $      $      $ (88   $      $      $ 405      $ 14   

Non-prime(b)

    297        (6     19                      (30                   280        19   

Asset-backed securities

                   

Other

    63        4               5               (10                   62          

Corporate debt securities

    9                                                         9          

Total available-for-sale

    847        (2 )(i)      34 (f)      5               (128                   756        33   

Mortgage servicing rights

    2,680        (588 )(d)             5        (141            382 (g)             2,338        (588 )(d) 

Net derivative assets and liabilities

    445        904 (j)             1        (4                   (772     574        188 (k) 

2013

                   

Available-for-sale securities

                   

Mortgage-backed securities

                   

Residential non-agency

                   

Prime(a)

  $ 624      $ (6   $ 8      $      $      $ (148   $      $      $ 478      $ 9   

Non-prime(b)

    355        (13     17               (20     (42                   297        17   

Asset-backed securities

                   

Other

    15        3        1        51               (7                   63          

Corporate debt securities

    9                                                         9          

Total available-for-sale

    1,003        (16 )(l)      26 (f)      51        (20     (197                   847        26   

Mortgage servicing rights

    1,700        203 (d)             8                      769 (g)             2,680        203 (d) 

Net derivative assets and liabilities

    1,179        (18 )(m)             1        (5                   (712     445        (321 )(n) 
(a) Prime securities are those designated as such by the issuer at origination. When an issuer designation is unavailable, the Company determines at acquisition date the categorization based on asset pool characteristics (such as weighted-average credit score, loan-to-value, loan type, prevalence of low documentation loans) and deal performance (such as pool delinquencies and security market spreads).
(b) Includes all securities not meeting the conditions to be designated as prime.
(c) Included in interest income.
(d) Included in mortgage banking revenue.
(e) Approximately $289 million included in other noninterest income and $418 million included in mortgage banking revenue.
(f) Included in changes in unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale.
(g) Represents MSRs capitalized during the period.
(h) Approximately $92 million included in other noninterest income and $43 million included in mortgage banking revenue.
(i) Approximately $(3) million included in securities gains (losses) and $1 million included in interest income.
(j) Approximately $404 million included in other noninterest income and $500 million included in mortgage banking revenue.
(k) Approximately $128 million included in other noninterest income and $60 million included in mortgage banking revenue.
(l) Approximately $(14) million included in securities gains (losses) and $(2) million included in interest income.
(m) Approximately $(149) million included in other noninterest income and $131 million included in mortgage banking revenue.
(n) Approximately $(340) million included in other noninterest income and $19 million included in mortgage banking revenue.

 

 141 


The Company is also required periodically to measure certain other financial assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

These measurements of fair value usually result from the application of lower-of-cost-or-fair value accounting or write-downs of individual assets.

The following table summarizes the balances as of the measurement date of assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, and still held as of the reporting date as of December 31:

 

    2015      2014  
(Dollars in Millions)   Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Loans(a)

  $         $         $ 87         $ 87       $         $         $ 77         $ 77   

Other assets(b)

                        66           66                             90           90   
(a) Represents the carrying value of loans for which adjustments were based on the fair value of the collateral, excluding loans fully charged-off.
(b) Primarily represents the fair value of foreclosed properties that were measured at fair value based on an appraisal or broker price opinion of the collateral subsequent to their initial acquisition.

The following table summarizes losses recognized related to nonrecurring fair value measurements of individual assets or portfolios for the years ended December 31:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013  

Loans(a)

  $ 175         $ 108         $ 83   

Other assets(b)

    42           70           96   
(a) Represents write-downs of student loans held for sale based on non-binding quoted prices received for the portfolio, that were subsequently transferred to loans, and write-downs of loans which were based on the fair value of the collateral, excluding loans fully charged-off.
(b) Primarily represents related losses of foreclosed properties that were measured at fair value subsequent to their initial acquisition.

FAIR VALUE OPTION

The following table summarizes the differences between the aggregate fair value carrying amount of MLHFS for which the fair value option has been elected and the aggregate unpaid principal amount that the Company is contractually obligated to receive at maturity as of December 31:

 

    2015      2014  
(Dollars in Millions)   Fair Value
Carrying
Amount
       Aggregate
Unpaid
Principal
       Carrying
Amount Over
(Under) Unpaid
Principal
     Fair Value
Carrying
Amount
       Aggregate
Unpaid
Principal
       Carrying
Amount Over
(Under) Unpaid
Principal
 

Total loans

  $ 3,110         $ 3,032         $ 78       $ 4,774         $ 4,582         $ 192   

Nonaccrual loans

    5           7           (2      6           9           (3

Loans 90 days or more past due

                                1           1             

 

DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value for financial instruments as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and includes financial instruments that are not accounted for at fair value. In accordance with disclosure guidance related to fair values of financial instruments, the Company did not include

assets and liabilities that are not financial instruments, such as the value of goodwill, long-term relationships with deposit, credit card, merchant processing and trust customers, other purchased intangibles, premises and equipment, deferred taxes and other liabilities. Additionally, in accordance with the disclosure guidance, insurance contracts and investments accounted for under the equity method are excluded.

 

 

 142 


The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of December 31, are shown in the table below:

 

    2015     2014  
   

Carrying

Amount

    Fair Value    

Carrying

Amount

    Fair Value  
(Dollars in Millions)     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total       Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

 

Financial Assets

                                                                               

Cash and due from banks

  $ 11,147      $ 11,147      $      $      $ 11,147      $ 10,654      $ 10,654      $      $      $ 10,654   

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements

    169               169               169        118               118               118   

Investment securities held-to-maturity

    43,590        2,275        41,138        80        43,493        44,974        1,928        43,124        88        45,140   

Loans held for sale(a)

    74                      74        74        18                      18        18   

Loans(b)

    256,899                      259,736        259,736        243,735                      245,424        245,424   

Other financial instruments

    2,311               921        1,398        2,319        2,187               924        1,269        2,193   
 

Financial Liabilities

                     

Deposits

    300,400               300,225               300,225        282,733               282,708               282,708   

Short-term borrowings(c)

    27,110               26,782               26,782        29,184               28,973               28,973   

Long-term debt

    32,078               32,412               32,412        32,260               32,659               32,659   

Other liabilities

    1,353                      1,353        1,353        1,231                      1,231        1,231   
(a) Excludes mortgages held for sale for which the fair value option under applicable accounting guidance was elected.
(b) Excludes loans measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.
(c) Excludes the Company’s obligation on securities sold short required to be accounted for at fair value per applicable accounting guidance.

 

The fair value of unfunded commitments, deferred non-yield related loan fees, standby letters of credit and other guarantees is approximately equal to their carrying value. The carrying value of unfunded commitments, deferred non-yield related loan fees

and standby letters of credit was $515 million and $413 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The carrying value of other guarantees was $184 million and $211 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

 

  NOTE 23   GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

 

Visa Restructuring and Card Association Litigation The Company’s payment services business issues and acquires credit and debit card transactions through the Visa U.S.A. Inc. card association or its affiliates (collectively “Visa”). In 2007, Visa completed a restructuring and issued shares of Visa Inc. common stock to its financial institution members in contemplation of its initial public offering (“IPO”) completed in the first quarter of 2008 (the “Visa Reorganization”). As a part of the Visa Reorganization, the Company received its proportionate number of shares of Visa Inc. common stock, which were subsequently converted to Class B shares of Visa Inc. (“Class B shares”). Visa U.S.A. Inc. (“Visa U.S.A.”) and MasterCard International (collectively, the “Card Associations”) are defendants in antitrust lawsuits challenging the practices of the Card Associations (the “Visa Litigation”). Visa U.S.A. member banks have a contingent obligation to indemnify Visa Inc. under the Visa U.S.A. bylaws (which were modified at the time of the restructuring in October 2007) for potential losses arising from the Visa Litigation. The indemnification by the Visa U.S.A. member banks has no specific maximum amount.

Using proceeds from its IPO and through reductions to the conversion ratio applicable to the Class B shares held by Visa U.S.A. member banks, Visa Inc. has funded an escrow account for the benefit of member financial institutions to fund

their indemnification obligations associated with the Visa Litigation. The receivable related to the escrow account is classified in other liabilities as a direct offset to the related Visa Litigation contingent liability. On October 19, 2012, Visa signed a settlement agreement to resolve class action claims associated with the multi-district interchange litigation, the largest of the remaining Visa Litigation matters. The settlement has been approved by the court, but has been challenged by some class members and is being appealed. In addition, a number of class members opted out of the settlement and have filed actions against the Card Associations. At December 31, 2015, the carrying amount of the Company’s liability related to the Visa Litigation matters, net of its share of the escrow fundings, was $19 million. During 2015, the Company sold 2.5 million of its Class B shares. These sales, and any previous sales of its Class B shares, do not impact the Company’s liability for the Visa Litigation matters or the receivable related to the escrow account. The remaining 6.4 million Class B shares held by the Company will be eligible for conversion to Class A shares of Visa Inc., and thereby become marketable, upon final settlement of the Visa Litigation. These shares are excluded from the Company’s financial instruments disclosures included in Note 22.

 

 

 143 


Commitments to Extend Credit Commitments to extend credit are legally binding and generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses. The contractual amount represents the Company’s exposure to credit loss, in the event of default by the borrower. The Company manages this credit risk by using the same credit policies it applies to loans. Collateral is obtained to secure commitments based on management’s credit assessment of the borrower. The collateral may include marketable securities, receivables, inventory, equipment and real estate. Since the Company expects many of the commitments to expire without being drawn, total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent the Company’s future liquidity requirements. In addition, the commitments include consumer credit lines that are cancelable upon notification to the consumer.

The contract or notional amounts of unfunded commitments to extend credit at December 31, 2015, excluding those commitments considered derivatives, were as follows:

 

    Term           
(Dollars in Millions)   Less Than
One Year
       Greater Than
One Year
       Total  

Commercial and commercial real estate loans

  $ 25,917         $ 93,924         $ 119,841   

Corporate and purchasing card loans(a)

    23,608                     23,608   

Residential mortgages

    315           13           328   

Retail credit card loans(a)

    95,832                     95,832   

Other retail loans

    12,951           21,141           34,092   

Covered loans

              568           568   

Other

    5,203           94           5,297   
(a) Primarily cancelable at the Company’s discretion.

Lease Commitments Rental expense for operating leases totaled $328 million in 2015, $326 million in 2014 and $311 million in 2013. Future minimum payments, net of sublease rentals, under capitalized leases and noncancelable operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more, consisted of the following at December 31, 2015:

 

(Dollars in Millions)   Capitalized
Leases
       Operating
Leases
 

2016

  $ 14         $ 265   

2017

    13           242   

2018

    13           203   

2019

    11           166   

2020

    10           126   

Thereafter

    42           471   
 

 

 

 

Total minimum lease payments

    103         $ 1,473   

Less amount representing interest

    35        
 

 

 

      

Present value of net minimum lease payments

  $ 68              

OTHER GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

The following table is a summary of other guarantees and contingent liabilities of the Company at December 31, 2015:

 

(Dollars in Millions)           Collateral
Held
      

Carrying

Amount

       Maximum
Potential
Future
Payments
 

Standby letters of credit

       $         $ 57         $ 13,020   

Third party borrowing arrangements

                             8   

Securities lending indemnifications

         4,387                     4,246   

Asset sales

                   119           5,089   

Merchant processing

       409           61           94,995   

Contingent consideration arrangements

                 2           2   

Tender option bond program guarantee

       2,254                     2,183   

Minimum revenue guarantees

                 2           12   

Other

                           792   

Letters of Credit Standby letters of credit are commitments the Company issues to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The guarantees frequently support public and private borrowing arrangements, including commercial paper issuances, bond financings and other similar transactions. The Company also issues and confirms commercial letters of credit on behalf of customers to ensure payment or collection in connection with trade transactions. In the event of a customer’s or counterparty’s nonperformance, the Company’s credit loss exposure is similar to that in any extension of credit, up to the letter’s contractual amount. Management assesses the borrower’s credit to determine the necessary collateral, which may include marketable securities, receivables, inventory, equipment and real estate. Since the conditions requiring the Company to fund letters of credit may not occur, the Company expects its liquidity requirements to be less than the total outstanding commitments. The maximum potential future payments guaranteed by the Company under standby letter of credit arrangements at December 31, 2015, were approximately $13.0 billion with a weighted-average term of approximately 21 months. The estimated fair value of standby letters of credit was approximately $57 million at December 31, 2015.

The contract or notional amount of letters of credit at December 31, 2015, were as follows:

 

    Term           
(Dollars in Millions)   Less Than
One Year
       Greater
Than
One Year
       Total  

Standby

  $ 5,701         $ 7,319         $ 13,020   

Commercial

    218           48           266   
 

 

 144 


Guarantees Guarantees are contingent commitments issued by the Company to customers or other third parties. The Company’s guarantees primarily include parent guarantees related to subsidiaries’ third party borrowing arrangements; third party performance guarantees inherent in the Company’s business operations, such as indemnified securities lending programs and merchant charge-back guarantees; indemnification or buy-back provisions related to certain asset sales; and contingent consideration arrangements related to acquisitions. For certain guarantees, the Company has recorded a liability related to the potential obligation, or has access to collateral to support the guarantee or through the exercise of other recourse provisions can offset some or all of the maximum potential future payments made under these guarantees.

Third Party Borrowing Arrangements The Company provides guarantees to third parties as a part of certain subsidiaries’ borrowing arrangements. The maximum potential future payments guaranteed by the Company under these arrangements were approximately $8 million at December 31, 2015.

Commitments from Securities Lending The Company participates in securities lending activities by acting as the customer’s agent involving the loan of securities. The Company indemnifies customers for the difference between the fair value of the securities lent and the fair value of the collateral received. Cash collateralizes these transactions. The maximum potential future payments guaranteed by the Company under these arrangements were approximately $4.2 billion at December 31, 2015, and represent the fair value of the securities lent to third parties. At December 31, 2015, the Company held $4.4 billion of cash as collateral for these arrangements.

Asset Sales The Company has provided guarantees to certain third parties in connection with the sale or syndication of certain assets, primarily loan portfolios and tax-advantaged investments. These guarantees are generally in the form of asset buy-back or make-whole provisions that are triggered upon a credit event or a change in the tax-qualifying status of the related projects, as applicable, and remain in effect until the loans are collected or final tax credits are realized, respectively. The maximum potential future payments guaranteed by the Company under these arrangements were approximately $5.1 billion at December 31, 2015, and represented the proceeds received from the buyer or the guaranteed portion in these transactions where the buy-back or make-whole provisions have not yet expired. At December 31, 2015, the Company had reserved $89 million for potential losses related to the sale or syndication of tax- advantaged investments.

The maximum potential future payments do not include loan sales where the Company provides standard representation and warranties to the buyer against losses related to loan underwriting documentation defects that may have existed at the time of sale that generally are identified after the occurrence of a triggering event such as delinquency. For these types of loan sales, the maximum potential future payments is generally the unpaid principal balance of loans sold measured at the end of the current reporting period. Actual losses will be significantly less than the maximum exposure, as only a fraction of loans sold will have a representation and warranty breach, and any losses on repurchase would generally be mitigated by any collateral held against the loans.

The Company regularly sells loans to GSEs as part of its mortgage banking activities. The Company provides customary representations and warranties to the GSEs in conjunction with these sales. These representations and warranties generally require the Company to repurchase assets if it is subsequently determined that a loan did not meet specified criteria, such as a documentation deficiency or rescission of mortgage insurance. If the Company is unable to cure or refute a repurchase request, the Company is generally obligated to repurchase the loan or otherwise reimburse the counterparty for losses. At December 31, 2015, the Company had reserved $30 million for potential losses from representation and warranty obligations, compared with $46 million at December 31, 2014. The Company’s reserve reflects management’s best estimate of losses for representation and warranty obligations. The Company’s repurchase reserve is modeled at the loan level, taking into consideration the individual credit quality and borrower activity that has transpired since origination. The model applies credit quality and economic risk factors to derive a probability of default and potential repurchase that are based on the Company’s historical loss experience, and estimates loss severity based on expected collateral value. The Company also considers qualitative factors that may result in anticipated losses differing from historical loss trends.

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had $12 million and $19 million, respectively, of unresolved representation and warranty claims from the GSEs. The Company does not have a significant amount of unresolved claims from investors other than the GSEs.

Merchant Processing The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides merchant processing services. Under the rules of credit card associations, a merchant processor retains a contingent liability for credit card transactions processed. This contingent liability arises in the event of a billing dispute between the merchant and a cardholder that is ultimately resolved in the cardholder’s favor. In this situation,

 

 

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the transaction is “charged-back” to the merchant and the disputed amount is credited or otherwise refunded to the cardholder. If the Company is unable to collect this amount from the merchant, it bears the loss for the amount of the refund paid to the cardholder.

A cardholder, through its issuing bank, generally has until the later of up to four months after the date the transaction is processed or the receipt of the product or service to present a charge-back to the Company as the merchant processor. The absolute maximum potential liability is estimated to be the total volume of credit card transactions that meet the associations’ requirements to be valid charge-back transactions at any given time. Management estimates that the maximum potential exposure for charge-backs would approximate the total amount of merchant transactions processed through the credit card associations for the last four months. For the last four months this amount totaled approximately $95.0 billion. In most cases, this contingent liability is unlikely to arise, as most products and services are delivered when purchased and amounts are refunded when items are returned to merchants. However, where the product or service has been purchased but is not provided until a future date (“future delivery”), the potential for this contingent liability increases. To mitigate this risk, the Company may require the merchant to make an escrow deposit, place maximum volume limitations on future delivery transactions processed by the merchant at any point in time, or require various credit enhancements (including letters of credit and bank guarantees). Also, merchant processing contracts may include event triggers to provide the Company more financial and operational control in the event of financial deterioration of the merchant.

The Company currently processes card transactions in the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico and Brazil through wholly-owned subsidiaries and joint ventures with other financial institutions. In the event a merchant was unable to fulfill product or services subject to future delivery, such as airline tickets, the Company could become financially liable for refunding tickets purchased through the credit card associations under the charge-back provisions. Charge-back risk related to these merchants is evaluated in a manner similar to credit risk assessments and, as such, merchant processing contracts contain various provisions to protect the Company in the event of default. At December 31, 2015, the value of airline tickets purchased to be delivered at a future date was $6.7 billion. The Company held collateral of $307 million in escrow deposits, letters of credit and indemnities from financial institutions, and liens on various assets. With respect to future delivery risk for other merchants, the Company held $26 million of merchant escrow deposits as collateral. In addition to specific collateral or other credit

enhancements, the Company maintains a liability for its implied guarantees associated with future delivery. At December 31, 2015, the liability was $49 million primarily related to these airline processing arrangements.

In the normal course of business, the Company has unresolved charge-backs. The Company assesses the likelihood of its potential liability based on the extent and nature of unresolved charge-backs and its historical loss experience. At December 31, 2015, the Company held $76 million of merchant escrow deposits as collateral and had a recorded liability for potential losses of $12 million.

Contingent Consideration Arrangements The Company has contingent payment obligations related to certain business combination transactions. Payments are guaranteed as long as certain post-acquisition performance-based criteria are met or customer relationships are maintained. At December 31, 2015, the maximum potential future payments required to be made by the Company under these arrangements was approximately $2 million. If required, the majority of these contingent payments are payable within the next 12 months.

Tender Option Bond Program Guarantee As discussed in Note 8, the Company sponsors a municipal bond securities tender option bond program and consolidates the program’s entities on its Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company provides financial performance guarantees related to the program’s entities. At December 31, 2015, the Company guaranteed $2.2 billion of borrowings of the program’s entities, included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in short-term borrowings. The Company also included on its Consolidated Balance Sheet the related $2.3 billion of available-for-sale investment securities serving as collateral for this arrangement.

Minimum Revenue Guarantees In the normal course of business, the Company may enter into revenue share agreements with third party business partners who generate customer referrals or provide marketing or other services related to the generation of revenue. In certain of these agreements, the Company may guarantee that a minimum amount of revenue share payments will be made to the third party over a specified period of time. At December 31, 2015, the maximum potential future payments required to be made by the Company under these agreements were $12 million.

Other Guarantees and Commitments The Company has also made other financial performance guarantees and commitments primarily related to the operations of its subsidiaries. At December 31, 2015, the maximum potential future payments guaranteed or committed by the Company under these arrangements were approximately $792 million.

 

 

 146 


Litigation and Regulatory Matters The Company is subject to various litigation and regulatory matters that arise in the ordinary course of its business. The Company establishes reserves for such matters when potential losses become probable and can be reasonably estimated. The Company believes the ultimate resolution of existing legal and regulatory matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. However, changes in circumstances or additional information could result in additional accruals or resolution in excess of established accruals, which could adversely affect the Company’s results from operations, potentially materially.

Litigation Matters In the last several years, the Company and other large financial institutions have been sued in their capacity as trustee for residential mortgage–backed securities trusts. Among these lawsuits are actions originally brought in June 2014 by a group of institutional investors, including BlackRock and PIMCO funds, against six bank trustees, including the Company. These actions are in early stages and currently are pending in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, and in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. In these lawsuits, the investors allege that U.S. Bank National Association as trustee caused them to incur substantial losses by failing to enforce loan repurchase obligations and failing to abide by appropriate standards of care after events of default allegedly occurred. The plaintiffs seek monetary damages in an unspecified amount and also seek equitable relief.

Regulatory Matters The Company is currently subject to examinations, inquiries and investigations by government agencies and bank regulators concerning mortgage-related practices, including those related to compliance with selling guidelines relating to residential home loans sold to GSEs, foreclosure-related expenses submitted to the Federal Housing Administration or GSEs for reimbursement, lender-placed insurance, and notices and filings in bankruptcy cases. The Company is also subject to ongoing examinations, inquiries and investigations by government agencies, bank regulators and law enforcement with respect to Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering compliance program adequacy and effectiveness and sanctions compliance requirements as administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. In October 2015, the Company entered into a Consent Order with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) concerning deficiencies in its Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering compliance program, and requiring an ongoing review of that program. If the Company does not satisfactorily correct the identified deficiencies, it could be required to enter into further orders, pay fines or penalties or further modify its business practices. Some of the compliance program

enhancements and other actions required by the Consent Order have already been, or are currently in the process of being, implemented, and are not expected to be material to the Company.

The Company is also continually subject to examinations, inquiries and investigations in areas of increasing regulatory scrutiny, such as compliance, risk management, third party risk management and consumer protection.

The Company is cooperating fully with all pending examinations, inquiries and investigations, any of which could lead to administrative or legal proceedings or settlements. Remedies in these proceedings or settlements may include fines, penalties, restitution or alterations in the Company’s business practices (which may increase the Company’s operating expenses and decrease its revenue).

Certain federal and state governmental authorities reached settlement agreements in 2012 and 2013 with other major financial institutions regarding their mortgage origination, servicing, and foreclosure activities. Those governmental authorities have had settlement discussions with other financial institutions, including the Company. The Company has not agreed to any settlement; however, if a settlement were reached it would likely include an agreement to comply with specified servicing standards, and settlement payments to governmental authorities as well as a monetary commitment that could be satisfied under various loan modification programs (in addition to the programs the Company already has in place).

In April 2011, the Company and certain other large financial institutions entered into Consent Orders with the OCC and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System relating to residential mortgage servicing and foreclosure practices. In June 2015, the Company entered into an agreement to amend the 2011 Consent Order it had with the OCC. The OCC terminated the amended Consent Order in February 2016. Depending on the Company’s progress toward addressing the requirements of the 2011 Consent Order it has with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Company may be required to enter into further orders and settlements, pay additional fines or penalties, make restitution or further modify the Company’s business practices (which may increase the Company’s operating expenses and decrease its revenue).

Outlook Due to their complex nature, it can be years before litigation and regulatory matters are resolved. The Company may be unable to develop an estimate or range of loss where matters are in early stages, there are significant factual or legal issues to be resolved, damages are unspecified or uncertain, or there is uncertainty as to a litigation class being certified or the outcome of pending motions, appeals or proceedings. For those litigation and regulatory matters where

 

 

 147 


the Company has information to develop an estimate or range of loss, the Company believes the upper end of reasonably possible losses in aggregate, in excess of any reserves established for matters where a loss is considered probable, will not be material to its financial condition, results of

operations or cash flows. The Company’s estimates are subject to significant judgment and uncertainties, and the matters underlying the estimates will change from time to time. Actual results may vary significantly from the current estimates.

 

 

  NOTE 24   U.S. BANCORP (PARENT COMPANY)

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET

 

At December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014  

Assets

      

Due from banks, principally interest-bearing

  $ 9,426         $ 10,775   

Available-for-sale securities

    352           464   

Investments in bank subsidiaries

    41,708           39,599   

Investments in nonbank subsidiaries

    2,060           1,906   

Advances to bank subsidiaries

    3,150           2,650   

Advances to nonbank subsidiaries

    823           550   

Other assets

    983           1,762   
 

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 58,502         $ 57,706   
 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

      

Short-term funds borrowed

  $ 25         $ 177   

Long-term debt

    11,453           13,189   

Other liabilities

    893           861   

Shareholders’ equity

    46,131           43,479   
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

  $ 58,502         $ 57,706   

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME

 

Year Ended December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013  

Income

           

Dividends from bank subsidiaries

  $ 3,900         $ 3,850         $ 6,100   

Dividends from nonbank subsidiaries

    3           38           9   

Interest from subsidiaries

    120           123           118   

Other income

    55           64           66   
 

 

 

 

Total income

    4,078           4,075           6,293   

Expense

           

Interest expense

    292           335           325   

Other expense

    105           90           81   
 

 

 

 

Total expense

    397           425           406   
 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries

    3,681           3,650           5,887   

Applicable income taxes

    (207        (94        (88
 

 

 

 

Income of parent company

    3,888           3,744           5,975   

Equity in undistributed income (losses) of subsidiaries

    1,991           2,107           (139
 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to U.S. Bancorp

  $ 5,879         $ 5,851         $ 5,836   

 

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CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

Year Ended December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013  

Operating Activities

           

Net income attributable to U.S. Bancorp

  $ 5,879         $ 5,851         $ 5,836   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

           

Equity in undistributed (income) losses of subsidiaries

    (1,991        (2,107        139   

Other, net

    507           48           (40
 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

    4,395           3,792           5,935   

Investing Activities

           

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investment securities

    153           46           75   

Purchases of investment securities

    (47        (39        (118

Net (increase) decrease in short-term advances to subsidiaries

    (273        984           4,543   

Long-term advances to subsidiaries

    (500        (1,800        (750

Principal collected on long-term advances to subsidiaries

              1,400             

Other, net

    (6        (52        3   
 

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

    (673        539           3,753   

Financing Activities

           

Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings

    (152        39           4   

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

              3,250           1,500   

Principal payments or redemption of long-term debt

    (1,750        (1,500        (2,850

Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock

    745                     487   

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

    295           453           524   

Redemption of preferred stock

                        (500

Repurchase of common stock

    (2,190        (2,200        (2,282

Cash dividends paid on preferred stock

    (242        (243        (254

Cash dividends paid on common stock

    (1,777        (1,726        (1,576
 

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

    (5,071        (1,927        (4,947
 

 

 

 

Change in cash and due from banks

    (1,349        2,404           4,741   

Cash and due from banks at beginning of year

    10,775           8,371           3,630   
 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks at end of year

  $ 9,426         $ 10,775         $ 8,371   

 

Transfer of funds (dividends, loans or advances) from bank subsidiaries to the Company is restricted. Federal law requires loans to the Company or its affiliates to be secured and generally limits loans to the Company or an individual affiliate to 10 percent of each bank’s unimpaired capital and surplus. In the aggregate, loans to the Company and all affiliates cannot exceed 20 percent of each bank’s unimpaired capital and surplus.

Dividend payments to the Company by its subsidiary bank are subject to regulatory review and statutory limitations and, in some instances, regulatory approval. In general, dividends by the Company’s bank subsidiary to the parent company are limited by rules which compare dividends to net income for regulatorily-defined periods. Furthermore, dividends are restricted by minimum capital constraints for all national banks.

 

 

  NOTE 25   SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

The Company has evaluated the impact of events that have occurred subsequent to December 31, 2015 through the date the consolidated financial statements were filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Based

on this evaluation, the Company has determined none of these events were required to be recognized or disclosed in the consolidated financial statements and related notes.

 

 

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U.S. Bancorp

Consolidated Balance Sheet — Five Year Summary (Unaudited)

 

At December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013        2012        2011        % Change
2015 v 2014
 

Assets

                          

Cash and due from banks

  $ 11,147         $ 10,654         $ 8,477         $ 8,252         $ 13,962           4.6

Held-to-maturity securities

    43,590           44,974           38,920           34,389           18,877           (3.1

Available-for-sale securities

    61,997           56,069           40,935           40,139           51,937           10.6   

Loans held for sale

    3,184           4,792           3,268           7,976           7,156           (33.6

Loans

    260,849           247,851           235,235           223,329           209,835           5.2   

Less allowance for loan losses

    (3,863        (4,039        (4,250        (4,424        (4,753        4.4   

Net loans

    256,986           243,812           230,985           218,905           205,082           5.4   

Other assets

    44,949           42,228           41,436           44,194           43,108           6.4   

Total assets

  $ 421,853         $ 402,529         $ 364,021         $ 353,855         $ 340,122           4.8   

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

                          

Deposits

                          

Noninterest-bearing

  $ 83,766         $ 77,323         $ 76,941         $ 74,172         $ 68,579           8.3

Interest-bearing

    216,634           205,410           185,182           175,011           162,306           5.5   

Total deposits

    300,400           282,733           262,123           249,183           230,885           6.2   

Short-term borrowings

    27,877           29,893           27,608           26,302           30,468           (6.7

Long-term debt

    32,078           32,260           20,049           25,516           31,953           (.6

Other liabilities

    14,681           13,475           12,434           12,587           11,845           8.9   

Total liabilities

    375,036           358,361           322,214           313,588           305,151           4.7   

Total U.S. Bancorp shareholders’ equity

    46,131           43,479           41,113           38,998           33,978           6.1   

Noncontrolling interests

    686           689           694           1,269           993           (.4

Total equity

    46,817           44,168           41,807           40,267           34,971           6.0   

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 421,853         $ 402,529         $ 364,021         $ 353,855         $ 340,122           4.8   

 

 150 


U.S. Bancorp

Consolidated Statement of Income — Five-Year Summary (Unaudited)

 

Year Ended December 31 (Dollars in Millions)   2015        2014        2013        2012        2011        % Change
2015 v 2014
 

Interest Income

                          

Loans

  $ 10,059         $ 10,113         $ 10,277         $ 10,558         $ 10,370           (.5 )% 

Loans held for sale

    206           128           203           282           200           60.9   

Investment securities

    2,001           1,866           1,631           1,792           1,820           7.2   

Other interest income

    136           121           174           251           249           12.4   
 

 

 

      

Total interest income

    12,402           12,228           12,285           12,883           12,639           1.4   

Interest Expense

                          

Deposits

    457           465           561           691           840           (1.7

Short-term borrowings

    245           263           353           442           531           (6.8

Long-term debt

    699           725           767           1,005           1,145           (3.6
 

 

 

      

Total interest expense

    1,401           1,453           1,681           2,138           2,516           (3.6
 

 

 

      

Net interest income

    11,001           10,775           10,604           10,745           10,123           2.1   

Provision for credit losses

    1,132           1,229           1,340           1,882           2,343           (7.9
 

 

 

      

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

    9,869           9,546           9,264           8,863           7,780           3.4   

Noninterest Income

                          

Credit and debit card revenue

    1,070           1,021           965           892           1,073           4.8   

Corporate payment products revenue

    708           724           706           744           734           (2.2

Merchant processing services

    1,547           1,511           1,458           1,395           1,355           2.4   

ATM processing services

    318           321           327           346           452           (.9

Trust and investment management fees

    1,321           1,252           1,139           1,055           1,000           5.5   

Deposit service charges

    702           693           670           653           659           1.3   

Treasury management fees

    561           545           538           541           551           2.9   

Commercial products revenue

    867           854           859           878           841           1.5   

Mortgage banking revenue

    906           1,009           1,356           1,937           986           (10.2

Investment products fees

    185           191           178           150           129           (3.1

Securities gains (losses), net

              3           9           (15        (31        *   

Other

    907           1,040           569           743           1,011           (12.8
 

 

 

      

Total noninterest income

    9,092           9,164           8,774           9,319           8,760           (.8

Noninterest Expense

                          

Compensation

    4,812           4,523           4,371           4,320           4,041           6.4   

Employee benefits

    1,167           1,041           1,140           945           845           12.1   

Net occupancy and equipment

    991           987           949           917           999           .4   

Professional services

    423           414           381           530           383           2.2   

Marketing and business development

    361           382           357           388           369           (5.5

Technology and communications

    887           863           848           821           758           2.8   

Postage, printing and supplies

    297           328           310           304           303           (9.5

Other intangibles

    174           199           223           274           299           (12.6

Other

    1,819           1,978           1,695           1,957           1,914           (8.0
 

 

 

      

Total noninterest expense

    10,931           10,715           10,274           10,456           9,911           2.0   
 

 

 

      

Income before income taxes

    8,030           7,995           7,764           7,726           6,629           .4   

Applicable income taxes

    2,097           2,087           2,032           2,236           1,841           .5   
 

 

 

      

Net income

    5,933           5,908           5,732           5,490           4,788           .4   

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (54        (57        104           157           84           5.3   
 

 

 

      

Net income attributable to U.S. Bancorp

  $ 5,879         $ 5,851         $ 5,836         $ 5,647         $ 4,872           .5   
 

 

 

      

Net income applicable to U.S. Bancorp common shareholders

  $ 5,608         $ 5,583         $ 5,552         $ 5,383         $ 4,721           .4   
* Not meaningful

 

 151 


U.S. Bancorp

Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data (Unaudited)

 

    2015           2014  
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Data)   First
Quarter
     Second
Quarter
     Third
Quarter
     Fourth
Quarter
          First
Quarter
     Second
Quarter
     Third
Quarter
     Fourth
Quarter
 

Interest Income

                          

Loans

  $ 2,493       $ 2,463       $ 2,520       $ 2,583           $ 2,522       $ 2,532       $ 2,518       $ 2,541   

Loans held for sale

    41         65         60         40             27         24         36         41   

Investment securities

    495         505         502         499             441         461         476         488   

Other interest income

    32         35         35         34             32         30         27         32   

Total interest income

    3,061         3,068         3,117         3,156             3,022         3,047         3,057         3,102   
 

Interest Expense

                          

Deposits

    118         113         113         113             119         114         115         117   

Short-term borrowings

    61         62         66         56             69         63         72         59   

Long-term debt

    184         177         170         168             184         181         178         182   

Total interest expense

    363         352         349         337             372         358         365         358   

Net interest income

    2,698         2,716         2,768         2,819             2,650         2,689         2,692         2,744   

Provision for credit losses

    264         281         282         305             306         324         311         288   

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

    2,434         2,435         2,486         2,514             2,344         2,365         2,381         2,456   
 

Noninterest Income

                          

Credit and debit card revenue

    241         266         269         294             239         259         251         272   

Corporate payment products revenue

    170         178         190         170             173         182         195         174   

Merchant processing services

    359         395         400         393             356         384         387         384   

ATM processing services

    78         80         81         79             78         82         81         80   

Trust and investment management fees

    322         334         329         336             304         311         315         322   

Deposit service charges

    161         174         185         182             157         171         185         180   

Treasury management fees

    137         142         143         139             133         140         136         136   

Commercial products revenue

    200         214         231         222             205         221         209         219   

Mortgage banking revenue

    240         231         224         211             236         278         260         235   

Investment products fees

    47         48         46         44             46         47         49         49   

Securities gains (losses), net

                    (1      1             5                 (3      1   

Other

    199         210         229         269             176         369         177         318   

Total noninterest income

    2,154         2,272         2,326         2,340             2,108         2,444         2,242         2,370   
 

Noninterest Expense

                          

Compensation

    1,179         1,196         1,225         1,212             1,115         1,125         1,132         1,151   

Employee benefits

    317         293         285         272             289         257         250         245   

Net occupancy and equipment

    247         247         251         246             249         241         249         248   

Professional services

    77         106         115         125             83         97         102         132   

Marketing and business development

    70         96         99         96             79         96         78         129   

Technology and communications

    214         221         222         230             211         214         219         219   

Postage, printing and supplies

    82         64         77         74             81         80         81         86   

Other intangibles

    43         43         42         46             49         48         51         51   

Other

    436         416         459         508             388         595         452         543   

Total noninterest expense

    2,665         2,682         2,775         2,809             2,544         2,753         2,614         2,804   

Income before income taxes

    1,923         2,025         2,037         2,045             1,908         2,056         2,009         2,022   

Applicable income taxes

    479         528         534         556             496         547         523         521   

Net income

    1,444         1,497         1,503         1,489             1,412         1,509         1,486         1,501   

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (13      (14      (14      (13          (15      (14      (15      (13

Net income attributable to U.S. Bancorp

  $ 1,431       $ 1,483       $ 1,489       $ 1,476           $ 1,397       $ 1,495       $ 1,471       $ 1,488   

Net income applicable to U.S. Bancorp common shareholders

  $ 1,365       $ 1,417       $ 1,422       $ 1,404           $ 1,331       $ 1,427       $ 1,405       $ 1,420   

Earnings per common share

  $ .77       $ .80       $ .81       $ .80           $ .73       $ .79       $ .78       $ .79   

Diluted earnings per common share

  $ .76       $ .80       $ .81       $ .80           $ .73       $ .78       $ .78       $ .79   

 

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U.S. Bancorp

Supplemental Financial Data (Unaudited)

 

Earnings Per Common Share Summary   2015      2014      2013      2012      2011  

Earnings per common share

  $ 3.18       $ 3.10       $ 3.02       $ 2.85       $ 2.47   

Diluted earnings per common share

    3.16         3.08         3.00         2.84         2.46   

Dividends declared per common share

    1.010         .965         .885         .780         .500   
Ratios                                       

Return on average assets

    1.44      1.54      1.65      1.65      1.53

Return on average common equity

    14.0         14.7         15.8         16.2         15.8   

Average total U.S. Bancorp shareholders’ equity to average assets

    11.0         11.3         11.3         11.0         10.1   

Dividends per common share to net income per common share

    31.8         31.1         29.3         27.4         20.2   
Other Statistics (Dollars and Shares in Millions)                                       

Common shares outstanding(a)

    1,745         1,786         1,825         1,869         1,910   

Average common shares outstanding and common stock equivalents

             

Earnings per common share

    1,764         1,803         1,839         1,887         1,914   

Diluted earnings per common share

    1,772         1,813         1,849         1,896         1,923   

Number of shareholders(b)

    40,666         44,114         46,632         49,430         52,677   

Common dividends declared

  $ 1,785       $ 1,745       $ 1,631       $ 1,474       $ 961   
(a) Defined as total common shares less common stock held in treasury at December 31.
(b) Based on number of common stock shareholders of record at December 31.

STOCK PRICE RANGE AND DIVIDENDS

 

    2015        2014  
    Sales Price                 Sales Price           
     High        Low        Closing
Price
       Dividends
Declared
       High        Low        Closing
Price
       Dividends
Declared
 

First quarter

  $ 45.49         $ 40.70         $ 43.67         $ .245         $ 43.66         $ 38.72         $ 42.86         $ .230   

Second quarter

    45.29           42.12           43.40           .255           43.92           39.86           43.32           .245   

Third quarter

    46.26           38.81           41.01           .255           43.75           40.58           41.83           .245   

Fourth quarter

    44.58           39.28           42.67           .255           46.10           38.10           44.95           .245   

The common stock of U.S. Bancorp is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, under the ticker symbol “USB.” At January 31, 2016, there were 40,607 holders of record of the Company’s common stock.

STOCK PERFORMANCE CHART

The following chart compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company’s common stock during the five years ended December 31, 2015, with the cumulative total return on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and the KBW Bank Index. The comparison assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2010, in the Company’s common stock and in each of the foregoing indices and assumes the reinvestment of all dividends. The comparisons in the graph are based upon historical data and are not indicative of, nor intended to forecast, future performance of the Company’s common stock.

 

 

LOGO

 

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U.S. Bancorp

Consolidated Daily Average Balance Sheet and Related Yields and Rates (a) (Unaudited)

 

    2015    2014
Year Ended December 31 (Dollars in Millions)  

 

Average
Balances

     Interest     Yields
and Rates
          Average
Balances
     Interest      Yields
and Rates
      

Assets

                       

Investment securities

  $ 103,161       $ 2,120        2.05        $ 90,327       $ 1,991         2.20    

Loans held for sale

    5,784         206        3.56             3,148         128         4.08       

Loans(b)

                       

Commercial

    84,083         2,281        2.71             75,734         2,228         2.94       

Commercial real estate

    42,415         1,650        3.89             40,592         1,575         3.88       

Residential mortgages

    51,840         1,966        3.79             51,818         2,001         3.86       

Credit card

    18,057         1,969        10.90             17,635         1,817         10.30       

Other retail

    49,079         2,020        4.12             48,353         2,141         4.43       

Total loans, excluding covered loans

    245,474         9,886        4.03             234,132         9,762         4.17       

Covered loans

    4,985         271        5.42             7,560         452         5.97       

Total loans

    250,459         10,157        4.06             241,692         10,214         4.23       

Other earning assets

    8,041         136        1.69             5,827         121         2.08       

Total earning assets

    367,445         12,619        3.43             340,994         12,454         3.65       

Allowance for loan losses

    (4,035               (4,187          

Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities

    710                  466             

Other assets

    44,745                  42,731             

Total assets

  $ 408,865                $ 380,004             

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

                       

Noninterest-bearing deposits

  $ 79,203                $ 73,455             

Interest-bearing deposits

                       

Interest checking

    55,974         30        .05             53,248         35         .07       

Money market savings

    79,266         192        .24             63,977         117         .18       

Savings accounts

    37,150         40        .11             34,196         46         .14       

Time deposits

    35,558         195        .55             41,764         267         .64       

Total interest-bearing deposits

    207,948         457        .22             193,185         465         .24       

Short-term borrowings

    27,960         249        .89             30,252         267         .88       

Long-term debt

    33,566         699        2.08             26,535         725         2.73       

Total interest-bearing liabilities

    269,474         1,405        .52             249,972         1,457         .58       

Other liabilities

    14,686                  13,053             

Shareholders’ equity

                       

Preferred equity

    4,836                  4,756             

Common equity

    39,977                  38,081             

Total U.S. Bancorp shareholders’ equity

    44,813                  42,837             

Noncontrolling interests

    689                  687             

Total equity

    45,502                  43,524             

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 408,865                $ 380,004             

Net interest income

     $ 11,214                $ 10,997          

Gross interest margin

         2.91                3.07    

Gross interest margin without taxable-equivalent increments

         2.85                3.00    

Percent of Earning Assets

                       

Interest income

         3.43                3.65    

Interest expense

         .38                   .42       

Net interest margin

         3.05                3.23    

Net interest margin without taxable-equivalent increments

                     2.99                            3.16    
(a) Interest and rates are presented on a fully taxable-equivalent basis utilizing a tax rate of 35 percent.
(b) Interest income and rates on loans include loan fees. Nonaccrual loans are included in average loan balances.

 

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2013    2012    2011    2015 v 2014  
Average
Balances
     Interest      Yields
and Rates
          Average
Balances
     Interest      Yields
and Rates
          Average
Balances
     Interest      Yields
and Rates
          % Change
Average
Balances
 
                                        
$ 75,046       $ 1,767         2.35        $ 72,501       $ 1,939         2.67        $ 63,645       $ 1,980         3.11          14.2
  5,723         203         3.56             7,847         282         3.60             4,873         200         4.10             83.7   
                                        
  67,274         2,168         3.22             60,830         2,168         3.56             51,616         2,071         4.01             11.0   
  38,237         1,589         4.16             36,505         1,638         4.49             35,514         1,622         4.57             4.5   
  47,982         1,959         4.08             40,290         1,827         4.53             33,711         1,632         4.84               
  16,813         1,691         10.06             16,653         1,693         10.16             16,084         1,538         9.56             2.4   
  47,125         2,318         4.92             47,938         2,488         5.19             48,199         2,649         5.50             1.5   
  217,431         9,725         4.47             202,216         9,814         4.85             185,124         9,512         5.14             4.8   
  10,043         643         6.41             13,158         826         6.28             16,303         928         5.69             (34.1
  227,474         10,368         4.56             215,374         10,640         4.94             201,427         10,440         5.18             3.6   
  6,896         175         2.53             10,548         251         2.38             13,345         250         1.87             38.0   
  315,139         12,513         3.97             306,270         13,112         4.28             283,290         12,870         4.54             7.8   
  (4,373                (4,642                (5,192                3.6   
  633                   1,077                   227                   52.4   
  41,281                   40,144                   39,939                   4.7   
$ 352,680                 $ 342,849                 $ 318,264                   7.6   
                                        
$ 69,020                 $ 67,241                 $ 53,856                   7.8
                                        
  48,792         36         .07             45,433         46         .10             42,827         65         .15             5.1   
  55,512         76         .14             46,874         62         .13             45,119         76         .17             23.9   
  31,916         49         .15             29,596         66         .22             26,654         112         .42             8.6   
  45,217         400         .88             46,566         517         1.11             44,703         587         1.31             (14.9
  181,437         561         .31             168,469         691         .41             159,303         840         .53             7.6   
  27,683         357         1.29             28,549         447         1.57             30,703         537         1.75             (7.6
  21,280         767         3.60             28,448         1,005         3.53             31,684         1,145         3.61             26.5   
  230,400         1,685         .73             225,466         2,143         .95             221,690         2,522         1.14             7.8   
  11,973                   11,406                   9,602                   12.5   
                                        
  4,804                   4,381                   2,414                   1.7   
  35,113                   33,230                   29,786                   5.0   
  39,917                   37,611                   32,200                   4.6   
  1,370                   1,125                   916                   .3   
  41,287                   38,736                   33,116                   4.5   
$ 352,680                 $ 342,849                 $ 318,264                   7.6   
   $ 10,828                 $ 10,969                 $ 10,348             
        3.24                3.33                3.40       
        3.17                3.26                3.32       
                                      
        3.97                4.28                4.54       
        .53                   .70                   .89          
        3.44                3.58                3.65       
                    3.37                            3.51                            3.57       

 

 155 


Company Information

 

General Business Description U.S. Bancorp is a multi-state financial services holding company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. U.S. Bancorp was incorporated in Delaware in 1929 and operates as a financial holding company and a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. The Company provides a full range of financial services, including lending and depository services, cash management, capital markets, and trust and investment management services. It also engages in credit card services, merchant and ATM processing, mortgage banking, insurance, brokerage and leasing.

U.S. Bancorp’s banking subsidiary is engaged in the general banking business, principally in domestic markets. The subsidiary, with $310 billion in deposits at December 31, 2015, provides a wide range of products and services to individuals, businesses, institutional organizations, governmental entities and other financial institutions. Commercial and consumer lending services are principally offered to customers within the Company’s domestic markets, to domestic customers with foreign operations and to large national customers operating in specific industries targeted by the Company. Lending services include traditional credit products as well as credit card services, lease financing and import/export trade, asset-backed lending, agricultural finance and other products. Depository services include checking accounts, savings accounts and time certificate contracts. Ancillary services such as capital markets, treasury management and receivable lock-box collection are provided to corporate customers. U.S. Bancorp’s bank and trust subsidiaries provide a full range of asset management and fiduciary services for individuals, estates, foundations, business corporations and charitable organizations.

Other U.S. Bancorp non-banking subsidiaries offer investment and insurance products to the Company’s customers principally within its markets, and fund administration services to a broad range of mutual and other funds.

Banking and investment services are provided through a network of 3,133 banking offices principally operating in the Midwest and West regions of the United States, through on-line services and over mobile devices. The Company operates a network of 4,936 ATMs and provides 24-hour, seven day a week telephone customer service. Mortgage banking services are provided through banking offices and loan production offices throughout the Company’s markets. Lending products may be originated through banking offices, indirect correspondents, brokers or other lending sources. The Company is also one of the largest providers of corporate and purchasing card services and corporate trust services in the

United States. A wholly-owned subsidiary, Elavon, Inc. (“Elavon”), provides merchant processing services directly to merchants and through a network of banking affiliations. Wholly-owned subsidiaries, and affiliates of Elavon, provide similar merchant services in Canada, Mexico, Brazil and segments of Europe directly or through joint ventures with other financial institutions. The Company also provides corporate trust and fund administration services in Europe. These foreign operations are not significant to the Company.

On a full-time equivalent basis, as of December 31, 2015, U.S. Bancorp employed 65,433 people.

Risk Factors An investment in the Company involves risk, including the possibility that the value of the investment could fall substantially and that dividends or other distributions on the investment could be reduced or eliminated. Below are risk factors that could adversely affect the Company’s financial results and condition and the value of, and return on, an investment in the Company.

REGULATORY AND LEGAL RISK

The Company is subject to extensive and expanding government regulation and supervision, which can lead to costly enforcement actions while increasing the cost of doing business and limiting the Company’s ability to generate revenue Federal and state regulation and supervision has increased in recent years due to the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and other financial reform initiatives. The Company will continue to face such increased regulation into 2016 and in future years, as a result of current and future initiatives intended to provide economic stimulus, financial market stability, and enhancement of the liquidity and solvency of financial institutions. Banking regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors’ funds, the federal Deposit Insurance Fund, and the banking system as a whole, and not the Company’s debt holders or shareholders. These regulations, and the Company’s inability to act in certain instances without receiving prior regulatory approval, affect the Company’s lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy, ability to repurchase common stock, and ability to pursue strategic acquisitions, among other things.

Changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, or their interpretation or implementation, and/or the continued heightening of regulatory practices, requirements or expectations, could affect the Company in substantial and unpredictable ways. For example, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (the “OCC’s”) Guidelines for

 

 

 156 


Heightened Standards and the Federal Reserve’s Enhanced Prudential Supervision Rules have required and will continue to require significant Board of Directors oversight and management focus on governance and risk-management activities. The OCC has also recently proposed guidelines that, if implemented, will require banks to develop and maintain a recovery plan subject to regulatory review, which could present new challenges and demands on resources. In addition, many parts of the Dodd-Frank Act are still in the implementation stage, which leaves some uncertainty as to its fully implemented aggregate impact upon the Company.

The financial services industry is facing more intense scrutiny from bank supervisors in the examination process and more aggressive enforcement of regulations on both the federal and state levels, particularly with respect to mortgage-related practices and other consumer compliance matters, and compliance with Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering requirements and sanctions compliance requirements as administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. In accordance with this trend, the Company entered into a Consent Order with the OCC in October 2015 that concerns deficiencies in its Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering compliance program, and requires an ongoing review of that program. Federal banking law grants substantial enforcement powers to federal banking regulators. This enforcement authority includes, among other things, the ability to assess significant civil or criminal monetary penalties, fines, or restitution; to issue cease and desist or removal orders; and to initiate injunctive actions against banking organizations and institution-affiliated parties. These enforcement actions may be initiated for violations of laws and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices. If the Company does not make satisfactory progress toward addressing the requirements of the October 2015 Consent Order, for example, it may be required to enter into further orders and settlements, pay fines or other penalties or further modify its business practices (which may increase the Company’s operating expenses and decrease its revenue). Foreign supervisors also have increased regulatory scrutiny and enforcement in areas related to consumer compliance, money laundering, and information technology systems and controls, among others. Any future enforcement action could have a material adverse impact on the Company.

In general, the amounts paid by financial institutions in settlement of proceedings or investigations and the severity of other terms of regulatory settlements have been increasing dramatically and are likely to continue to increase. In some cases, governmental authorities have required criminal pleas or other extraordinary terms as part of such settlements, which could have significant consequences for a financial institution, including loss of customers, restrictions on the

ability to access the capital markets, and the inability to operate certain businesses or offer certain products for a period of time. Violations of laws and regulations or deemed deficiencies in risk management practices also may be incorporated into the Company’s bank supervisory ratings. A downgrade in these ratings, or other regulatory actions and settlements, such as the October 2015 Consent Order, can limit the Company’s ability to pursue acquisitions or conduct other expansionary activities for a period of time and require new or additional regulatory approvals before engaging in certain other business activities.

Compliance with new regulations and supervisory initiatives may continue to increase the Company’s costs. In addition, regulatory changes may reduce the Company’s revenues, limit the types of financial services and products it may offer, alter the investments it makes, affect the manner in which it operates its businesses, increase its litigation and regulatory costs should it fail to appropriately comply with new laws and regulatory requirements, and increase the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products. See “Supervision and Regulation” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the extensive regulatory framework applicable to the Company.

More stringent requirements related to capital and liquidity have been adopted by U.S. banking regulators that may limit the Company’s ability to return earnings to shareholders or operate or invest in its business U.S. banking regulators have adopted more stringent capital- and liquidity-related standards applicable to larger banking organizations, including the Company. The rules require banks to hold more and higher quality capital as well as sufficient unencumbered liquid assets to meet certain stress scenarios defined by regulation. The implementation of these rules including the common equity tier 1 capital conservation buffer, or additional capital- and liquidity-related rules could require the Company to take further steps to increase its capital, increase its investment security holdings, divest assets or operations or otherwise change aspects of its capital and/or liquidity measures, including in ways that may be dilutive to shareholders or could limit the Company’s ability to pay common stock dividends, repurchase its common stock, invest in its businesses or provide loans to its customers. See “Supervision and Regulation” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the capital and liquidity requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act and Basel III.

Additional requirements are expected in the future. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has recently proposed a policy statement that details the

 

 

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framework it would follow in setting the countercyclical capital buffer, a macroprudential tool that would raise capital requirements when there is an elevated risk of above normal losses in the U.S. financial system. Furthermore, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (the “Basel Committee”) has published several consultative papers regarding (i) the standardized approach to credit risk, (ii) a fundamental review of the trading book, (iii) interest rate risk in the banking book, and (iv) operational risk. Finally, the Basel Committee has published its final net stable funding ratio framework. The U.S. banking regulators are expected to incorporate all of these measures into domestic regulation. The ultimate impact on the Company’s capital and liquidity will depend on the final U.S. rulemakings and implementation process thereafter.

The Company is subject to significant financial and reputational risks from potential legal liability and governmental actions The Company faces significant legal risks in its business, and the volume of claims and amount of damages and penalties claimed in litigation and governmental proceedings against it and other financial institutions are increasing. Customers, clients and other counterparties have grown more litigious and are making claims for substantial or indeterminate amounts of damages, while banking regulators and certain other governmental authorities, such as the U.S. Department of Justice, have demonstrated an increasing focus on enforcement, including in connection with alleged violations of law and customer harm. In addition, governmental authorities have begun to seek criminal penalties against companies in the financial services sector for regulatory violations and have begun to require an admission of wrongdoing from financial institutions in connection with settling such matters. Criminal convictions or admissions of wrongdoing in a settlement with the government can lead to greater exposure in civil litigation and reputational harm.

As an example of increased risks arising from litigation, the Company and other large financial institutions have been sued over the past several years in their capacity as trustee for residential mortgage–backed securities (“RMBS”) trusts. The plaintiffs in these actions allege that the significant losses they incurred as investors in the RMBS trusts were caused by the trustees’ failure to enforce loan repurchase obligations and to abide by appropriate standards of care after events of default allegedly occurred, while also arguing to broaden the trustees’ duties. Although the Company has denied liability and believes it has meritorious defenses in these cases, any finding of liability or new or enhanced duties in one or more of these cases against the Company, or another financial institution, could result in a significant financial loss or require a modification to the Company’s business practices, which could negatively impact the Company’s financial results.

Increased litigation costs, substantial legal liability or significant governmental action against the Company could

materially impact its financial condition and results of operations or cause significant reputational harm to the Company, which in turn could adversely impact its business prospects.

The Company faces increased regulatory and legal risk arising out of its mortgage lending and servicing businesses The Company is subject to investigations, examinations and inquiries by government agencies and bank regulators concerning mortgage-related practices, including those related to compliance with selling guidelines relating to residential home loans sold to GSEs, foreclosure-related expenses submitted to the Federal Housing Administration or GSEs for reimbursement, lender-placed insurance, and notices and filings in bankruptcy cases. The Company is cooperating fully with these investigations, examinations and inquiries, any of which could lead to administrative or legal proceedings or settlements. Remedies in such proceedings or settlements may include fines, penalties, restitution or alterations to the Company’s business practices, which could increase the Company’s operating expenses and decrease its revenue. Additionally, reputational damage arising from these or other inquiries and industry-wide publicity could also have an adverse effect upon the Company’s existing mortgage business and could reduce future business opportunities.

In addition to governmental or regulatory investigations, the Company, like other companies with residential mortgage origination and servicing operations, faces the risk of class actions and other litigation arising out of these operations.

The Company may be required to repurchase mortgage loans or indemnify mortgage loan purchasers as a result of breaches in contractual representations and warranties When the Company sells mortgage loans that it has originated to various parties, including GSEs, it is required to make customary representations and warranties to the purchaser about the mortgage loans and the manner in which they were originated. The Company may be required to repurchase mortgage loans or be subject to indemnification claims in the event of a breach of contractual representations or warranties that is not remedied within a certain period. Contracts for residential mortgage loan sales to the GSEs include various types of specific remedies and penalties that could be applied to inadequate responses to repurchase requests. If economic conditions and the housing market deteriorate or the GSEs increase their claims of breached representations and warranties, the Company could have increased repurchase obligations and increased loss severity on repurchases, requiring material increases to its repurchase reserve.

The Company is exposed to risk of environmental liability when it takes title to properties In the course of the Company’s business, the Company may foreclose on and

 

 

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take title to real estate. As a result, the Company could be subject to environmental liabilities with respect to these properties. The Company may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs incurred by these parties in connection with environmental contamination or may be required to investigate or clean up hazardous or toxic substances or chemical releases at a property. The costs associated with investigation or remediation activities could be substantial. In addition, if the Company is the owner or former owner of a contaminated site, it may be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the property. If the Company becomes subject to significant environmental liabilities, its financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

ECONOMIC AND MARKET CONDITIONS RISK

Deterioration in business and economic conditions could adversely affect the financial services industry, and a reversal or slowing of the current economic recovery could adversely affect the Company’s lending business and the value of loans and debt securities it holds The Company’s business activities and earnings are affected by general business conditions in the United States and abroad, including factors such as the level and volatility of short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation, home prices, unemployment and under-employment levels, bankruptcies, household income, consumer spending, fluctuations in both debt and equity capital markets, liquidity of the global financial markets, the availability and cost of capital and credit, investor sentiment and confidence in the financial markets, and the strength of the domestic and global economies in which the Company operates. The deterioration of any of these conditions can adversely affect the Company’s consumer and commercial businesses and securities portfolios, its level of charge-offs and provision for credit losses, its capital levels and liquidity, and its results of operations.

Given the high percentage of the Company’s assets represented directly or indirectly by loans, and the importance of lending to its overall business, weak economic conditions are likely to have a negative impact on the Company’s business and results of operations. A reversal or slowing of the current economic recovery or another severe contraction could adversely impact loan utilization rates as well as delinquencies, defaults and customer ability to meet obligations under the loans. The value to the Company of other assets such as investment securities, most of which are debt securities or other financial instruments supported by loans, similarly would be negatively impacted by widespread decreases in credit quality resulting from a weakening of the

economy. Downward valuation of debt securities could also negatively impact the Company’s capital position.

Stress in the commercial real estate markets, or a downturn in the residential real estate markets, could cause credit losses and deterioration in asset values for the Company and other financial institutions. A downturn in used auto prices from its current levels could result in increased credit losses and impairment of residual lease values for the Company. Additionally, the current environment of heightened scrutiny of financial institutions, as well as a continued focus on the pace and sustainability of the economic recovery, has resulted in increased public awareness of and sensitivity to banking fees and practices.

Any further deterioration in global economic conditions, including those related to recent disruptions in Europe and China, could slow the recovery of the domestic economy or negatively impact the Company’s borrowers or other counterparties that have direct or indirect exposure to these regions. Such global disruptions can undermine investor confidence, cause a contraction of available credit, or create market volatility, any of which could have significant adverse effects on the Company’s businesses, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, even if the Company’s direct exposure to the affected region is limited. The continued depression of commodity prices, inclusive of energy prices, for an extended period of time, as well as other negative domestic market developments, may erode consumer confidence levels and cause adverse changes in payment patterns, leading to increases in delinquencies and default rates in certain industries, or regions. Such developments could increase the Company’s loan charge-offs and provision for credit losses. Any future economic deterioration that affects household or corporate incomes and the continuing concern regarding the possibility of a return to recessionary conditions could also result in reduced demand for credit or fee-based products and services.

Improvements in economic indicators disproportionately affecting the financial services industry may lag improvements in the general economy Should the moderate recovery of the United States economy continue, the improvement of certain economic indicators, such as real estate asset values, may nevertheless continue to lag behind the overall economy, which can affect certain industries, such as real estate and financial services, more significantly. Should real estate asset values fail to recover for an extended period of time, the Company could be adversely affected.

Changes in interest rates could reduce the Company’s net interest income The Company’s earnings are dependent to a large degree on net interest income, which is

 

 

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the difference between interest income from loans and investments and interest expense on deposits and borrowings. Net interest income is significantly affected by market rates of interest, which in turn are affected by prevailing economic conditions, by the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and by the policies of various regulatory agencies. Like all financial institutions, the Company’s financial position is affected by fluctuations in interest rates. Volatility in interest rates can also result in the flow of funds away from financial institutions into direct investments. Direct investments, such as United States government and corporate securities and other investment vehicles (including mutual funds) generally pay higher rates of return than financial institutions, because of the absence of federal insurance premiums and reserve requirements.

Further downgrades in the U.S. government’s sovereign credit rating could result in risks to the Company and general economic conditions that the Company is not able to predict In the past, certain ratings agencies downgraded their sovereign credit rating, or negatively revised their outlook, of the U.S. government, and have indicated that they will continue to assess fiscal projections, as well as the medium-term economic outlook for the United States. As a result, there continues to be the perceived risk of a sovereign credit ratings downgrade of the U.S. government, including the ratings of U.S. Treasury securities. If such a downgrade were to occur, the ratings and perceived creditworthiness of instruments issued, insured or guaranteed by institutions, agencies or instrumentalities directly linked to the U.S. government could also be correspondingly affected. A downgrade might adversely affect the market value of such instruments. Instruments of this nature are often held by financial institutions, including the Company, for investment, liquidity planning and collateral purposes. A downgrade of the sovereign credit ratings of the U.S. government and perceived creditworthiness of U.S. government–related obligations could create uncertainty in the U.S. and global financial markets and negatively impact the Company’s liquidity.

CREDIT AND MORTGAGE BUSINESS RISK

Heightened credit risk could require the Company to increase its provision for loan losses, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition When the Company lends money, or commits to lend money, it incurs credit risk, or the risk of losses if its borrowers do not repay their loans. As one of the largest lenders in the United States, the credit performance of the Company’s loan portfolios significantly affects its financial results and condition. The Company incurred high levels of losses on loans during the most recent financial

crisis and recovery period, and if the current economic environment were to deteriorate, more of its customers may have difficulty in repaying their loans or other obligations, which could result in a higher level of credit losses and higher provisions for credit losses. The Company reserves for credit losses by establishing an allowance through a charge to earnings to provide for loan defaults and nonperformance. The amount of the Company’s allowance for loan losses is based on its historical loss experience as well as an evaluation of the risks associated with its loan portfolio, including the size and composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions and geographic concentrations within the portfolio. The stress on the United States economy and the local economies in which the Company does business may be greater or last longer than expected, resulting in, among other things, greater than expected deterioration in credit quality of the loan portfolio, or in the value of collateral securing those loans.

In addition, the process the Company uses to estimate losses inherent in its credit exposure requires difficult, subjective, and complex judgments, including forecasts of economic conditions and how these economic predictions might impair the ability of its borrowers to repay their loans. These economic predictions and their impact may no longer be capable of accurate estimation, which may, in turn, impact the reliability of the process. As with any such assessments, the Company may fail to identify the proper factors or to accurately estimate the impacts of the factors that the Company does identify. The Company also makes loans to borrowers where it does not have or service the loan with the first lien on the property securing its loan. For loans in a junior lien position, the Company may not have access to information on the position or performance of the first lien when it is held and serviced by a third party and this may adversely affect the accuracy of the loss estimates for loans of these types. Increases in the Company’s allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to cover actual loan losses, and future provisions for loan losses could materially and adversely affect its financial results. In addition, the Company’s ability to assess the creditworthiness of its customers may be impaired if the models and approaches it uses to select, manage, and underwrite its customers become less predictive of future behaviors.

A concentration of credit and market risk in the Company’s loan portfolio could increase the potential for significant losses The Company may have higher credit risk, or experience higher credit losses, to the extent its loans are concentrated by loan type, industry segment, borrower type, or location of the borrower or collateral. For example, the Company’s credit risk and credit losses can increase if borrowers who engage in similar activities are uniquely or disproportionately affected by economic or market conditions, or by regulation, such as regulation related to climate change. Deterioration in economic conditions or real estate values in

 

 

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states or regions where the Company has relatively larger concentrations of residential or commercial real estate could result in higher credit costs. In particular, deterioration in real estate values and underlying economic conditions in California could result in significantly higher credit losses to the Company.

Changes in interest rates can impact the value of the Company’s mortgage servicing rights and mortgages held for sale, and can make its mortgage banking revenue volatile from quarter to quarter, which can reduce its earnings The Company has a portfolio of MSRs, which is the right to service a mortgage loan–collect principal, interest and escrow amounts–for a fee. The Company initially carries its MSRs using a fair value measurement of the present value of the estimated future net servicing income, which includes assumptions about the likelihood of prepayment by borrowers. Changes in interest rates can affect prepayment assumptions and thus fair value. As interest rates fall, prepayments tend to increase as borrowers refinance, and the fair value of MSRs can decrease, which in turn reduces the Company’s earnings. Futher, it is possible that, because of economic conditions and/or a weak or deteriorating housing market, even if interest rates were to fall or remain low, mortgage originations may also fall or any increase in mortgage originations may not be enough to offset the decrease in the MSRs’ value caused by the lower rates.

A decline in the soundness of other financial institutions could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations The Company’s ability to engage in routine funding or settlement transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other domestic or foreign financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships. The Company has exposure to many different counterparties, and the Company routinely executes and settles transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, mutual and hedge funds, and other institutional clients. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, the soundness of one or more financial services institutions, or the financial services industry generally, could lead to losses or defaults by the Company or by other institutions and impact the Company’s predominately United States–based businesses or the less significant merchant processing, corporate trust and fund administration services businesses it operates in foreign countries. Many of these transactions expose the Company to credit risk in the event of a default by a counterparty or client. In addition, the Company’s credit risk may be further increased when the collateral held by the Company cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover

the full amount of the financial instrument exposure due the Company. There is no assurance that any such losses would not adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

Change in residual value of leased assets may have an adverse impact on the Company’s financial results The Company engages in leasing activities and is subject to the risk that the residual value of the property under lease will be less than the Company’s recorded asset value. Adverse changes in the residual value of leased assets can have a negative impact on the Company’s financial results. The risk of changes in the realized value of the leased assets compared to recorded residual values depends on many factors outside of the Company’s control, including supply and demand for the assets, condition of the assets at the end of the lease term, and other economic factors.

OPERATIONS AND BUSINESS RISK

A breach in the security of the Company’s systems could disrupt its businesses, result in the disclosure of confidential information, damage its reputation and create significant financial and legal exposure Although the Company devotes significant resources to maintain and regularly upgrade its systems and processes that are designed to protect the security of the Company’s computer systems, software, networks and other technology assets, as well as its intellectual property, and the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information belonging to the Company and its customers, the Company’s security measures do not provide absolute security. Many financial services institutions, retailers and other companies engaged in data processing have reported breaches in the security of their websites or other systems, some of which have involved sophisticated and targeted attacks intended to obtain unauthorized access to confidential information, destroy data, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems, often through the introduction of computer viruses or malware, cyber attacks and other means. The Company and certain other large financial institutions in the United States have experienced several well-publicized series of apparently related attacks from technically sophisticated and well resourced third parties that were intended to disrupt normal business activities by making internet banking systems inaccessible to customers for extended periods. These “denial-of-service” attacks have not breached the Company’s data security systems, but require substantial resources to defend, and may affect customer satisfaction and behavior. Furthermore, even if not directed at the Company, attacks on financial or other institutions important to the overall functioning of the financial system could adversely affect, directly or indirectly, aspects of the Company’s businesses.

Third parties with which the Company does business or that facilitate its business activities, including exchanges, clearinghouses, payment and ATM networks, financial

 

 

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intermediaries or vendors that provide services or technology solutions for the Company’s operations, could also be sources of operational and security risks to the Company, including with respect to breakdowns or failures of their systems, misconduct by their employees or cyber attacks that could affect their ability to deliver a product or service to the Company or result in lost or compromised information of the Company or its customers. In addition, several large and small retailers and hospitality companies have recently disclosed substantial cyber security breaches affecting debit and credit card accounts of their customers, some of whom were the Company’s cardholders. Although these incidents have not yet had a material impact on the Company, these attacks involving Company cards are likely to continue and could, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

It is possible that the Company may not be able to anticipate or to implement effective preventive measures against all security breaches of these types, especially because the techniques used change frequently, generally increase in sophistication, often are not recognized until launched, and because security attacks can originate from a wide variety of sources, including organized crime, hackers, terrorists, activists, and other external parties, including parties sponsored by hostile foreign governments. Those parties may also attempt to fraudulently induce employees, customers or other users of the Company’s systems to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to the Company’s data or that of its customers or clients, such as through “phishing” schemes. These risks may increase in the future as the Company continues to increase its mobile payments and other internet-based product offerings and expands its internal usage of web-based products and applications. In addition, the Company’s customers often use their own devices, such as computers, smart phones and tablets, to make payments and manage their accounts. The Company has limited ability to assure the safety and security of its customers’ transactions with the Company to the extent they are using their own devices, which could be subject to similar threats.

If the Company’s security systems were penetrated or circumvented, or if an authorized user intentionally or unintentionally removed, lost or destroyed operations data, it could cause serious negative consequences for the Company, including significant disruption of the Company’s operations, misappropriation of confidential information of the Company or that of its customers, or damage to computers or systems of the Company or those of its customers and counterparties. These consequences could result in violations of applicable privacy and other laws; financial loss to the Company or to its customers; loss of confidence in the Company’s security measures; customer dissatisfaction; significant litigation exposure; regulatory fines, penalties or

intervention; reimbursement or other compensatory costs; additional compliance costs; and harm to the Company’s reputation, all of which could adversely affect the Company.

The Company relies on its employees, systems and third parties to conduct its business, and certain failures could adversely affect its operations The Company operates in many different businesses in diverse markets and relies on the ability of its employees and systems to process a high number of transactions. The Company incurs risks for potential losses resulting from its operations, including, but not limited to, the risk of fraud by employees or persons outside of the Company, unauthorized access to its computer systems, the execution of unauthorized transactions by employees, errors relating to transaction processing and technology, breaches of the internal control system and compliance requirements and business continuation and disaster recovery. This risk of loss also includes the potential legal actions, fines or civil money penalties that could arise as a result of an operational deficiency or as a result of noncompliance with applicable regulatory standards, adverse business decisions or their implementation, and customer attrition due to potential negative publicity.

Third parties provide key components of the Company’s business infrastructure, such as internet connections, network access and mutual fund distribution. While the Company has selected these third parties carefully, it does not control their actions. Any problems caused by third party service providers, including as a result of their not providing the Company their services for any reason or their performing their services poorly, could adversely affect the Company’s ability to deliver products and services to the Company’s customers and otherwise to conduct its business. Replacing third party service providers could also entail significant delay and expense. In addition, failure of third party service providers to handle current or higher volumes of use could adversely affect the Company’s ability to deliver products and services to clients and otherwise to conduct business. Technological or financial difficulties of a third party service provider could adversely affect the Company’s businesses to the extent those difficulties result in the interruption or discontinuation of services provided by that party.

Operational risks for large institutions such as the Company have generally increased in recent years, in part because of the proliferation of new technologies, the use of internet services and telecommunications technologies to conduct financial transactions, and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists, activists, and other external parties. If personal, confidential or proprietary information of customers or clients in the Company’s possession were to be mishandled or misused, the Company could suffer significant regulatory consequences, reputational

 

 

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damage and financial loss. This mishandling or misuse could include, for example, situations in which the information is erroneously provided to parties who are not permitted to have the information, either by fault of the Company’s systems, employees, or third party service providers, or where the information is intercepted or otherwise inappropriately taken by third parties. In the event of a breakdown in the internal control system, improper operation of systems or improper employee or third party actions, the Company could suffer financial loss, face legal or regulatory action and suffer damage to its reputation.

The Company could lose market share and experience increased costs if it does not effectively develop and implement new technology The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services, including innovative ways that customers can make payments or manage their accounts, such as through the use of digital wallets or digital currencies. The Company’s continued success depends, in part, upon its ability to address customer needs by using technology to provide products and services that customers want to adopt, and create additional efficiencies in the Company’s operations. Developing and deploying new technology-driven products and services can also involve costs that the Company may not recover and divert resources away from other product development efforts. The Company may not be able to effectively develop and implement profitable new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to its customers. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could harm the Company’s competitive position and negatively affect its revenue and profit.

Negative publicity could damage the Company’s reputation and adversely impact its business and financial results Reputational risk, or the risk to the Company’s business, earnings and capital from negative public opinion, is inherent in the Company’s business and increased substantially because of the financial crisis beginning in 2008. The reputation of the financial services industry in general has been damaged as a result of the financial crisis and other matters affecting the financial services industry, including mortgage foreclosure issues. Negative public opinion about the financial services industry generally or the Company specifically could adversely affect the Company’s ability to keep and attract customers, and expose the Company to litigation and regulatory action. Negative public opinion can result from the Company’s actual or alleged conduct in any number of activities, including lending practices, mortgage servicing and foreclosure practices, corporate governance, executive compensation, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and related

disclosure, sharing or inadequate protection of customer information, and actions taken by government regulators and community organizations in response to that conduct. Because most of the Company’s businesses operate under the “U.S. Bank” brand, actual or alleged conduct by one business can result in negative public opinion about other businesses the Company operates. Although the Company takes steps to minimize reputation risk in dealing with customers and other constituencies, the Company, as a large diversified financial services company with a high industry profile, is inherently exposed to this risk.

The Company’s business and financial performance could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by disasters, by terrorist activities or by international hostilities Neither the occurrence nor the potential impact of disasters, terrorist activities or international hostilities can be predicted. However, these occurrences could impact the Company directly (for example, by interrupting the Company’s systems, which could prevent the Company from obtaining deposits, originating loans and processing and controlling its flow of business; causing significant damage to the Company’s facilities; or otherwise preventing the Company from conducting business in the ordinary course), or indirectly as a result of their impact on the Company’s borrowers, depositors, other customers, suppliers or other counterparties (for example, by damaging properties pledged as collateral for the Company’s loans or impairing the ability of certain borrowers to repay their loans). The Company could also suffer adverse consequences to the extent that disasters, terrorist activities or international hostilities affect the financial markets or the economy in general or in any particular region. These types of impacts could lead, for example, to an increase in delinquencies, bankruptcies or defaults that could result in the Company experiencing higher levels of nonperforming assets, net charge-offs and provisions for credit losses.

The Company’s ability to mitigate the adverse consequences of these occurrences is in part dependent on the quality of the Company’s resiliency planning, and the Company’s ability, if any, to anticipate the nature of any such event that occurs. The adverse impact of disasters, terrorist activities or international hostilities also could be increased to the extent that there is a lack of preparedness on the part of national or regional emergency responders or on the part of other organizations and businesses that the Company transacts with, particularly those that it depends upon, but has no control over. Additionally, the nature and level of natural disasters may be exacerbated by global climate change.

 

 

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LIQUIDITY RISK

If the Company does not effectively manage its liquidity, its business could suffer The Company’s liquidity is essential for the operation of its business. Market conditions, unforeseen outflows of funds or other events could negatively affect the Company’s level or cost of funding, affecting its ongoing ability to accommodate liability maturities and deposit withdrawals, meet contractual obligations, and fund asset growth and new business transactions at a reasonable cost and in a timely manner. If the Company’s access to stable and low-cost sources of funding, such as customer deposits, are reduced, the Company might need to use alternative funding, which could be more expensive or of limited availability. Any substantial, unexpected or prolonged changes in the level or cost of liquidity could adversely affect the Company’s business.

Loss of customer deposits could increase the Company’s funding costs The Company relies on bank deposits to be a low-cost and stable source of funding. The Company competes with banks and other financial services companies for deposits. If the Company’s competitors raise the rates they pay on deposits, the Company’s funding costs may increase, either because the Company raises its rates to avoid losing deposits or because the Company loses deposits and must rely on more expensive sources of funding. Higher funding costs reduce the Company’s net interest margin and net interest income. Checking and savings account balances and other forms of customer deposits may decrease when customers perceive alternative investments, such as the stock market, as providing a better risk/return tradeoff. When customers move money out of bank deposits and into other investments, the Company may lose a relatively low-cost source of funds, increasing the Company’s funding costs and reducing the Company’s net interest income.

A downgrade in the Company’s credit ratings could have a material adverse effect on its liquidity, funding costs and access to capital markets The Company’s credit ratings are important to its liquidity. A reduction in one or more of the Company’s credit ratings could adversely affect its liquidity, increase its funding costs or limit its access to the capital markets. Further, a downgrade could decrease the number of investors and counterparties willing or able, contractually or otherwise, to do business or lend to the Company, thereby adversely affecting the Company’s competitive position. The Company’s credit ratings and credit rating agencies’ outlooks are subject to ongoing review by the rating agencies, which consider a number of factors, including the Company’s own financial strength, performance,

prospects and operations, as well as factors not within the control of the Company, including conditions affecting the financial services industry generally. There can be no assurance that the Company will maintain its current ratings and outlooks.

The Company relies on dividends from its subsidiaries for its liquidity needs and the payment of those dividends could be limited by laws and regulations The Company is a separate and distinct legal entity from its bank and non-bank subsidiaries. The Company receives a significant portion of its cash from dividends paid by its subsidiaries. These dividends are the principal source of funds to pay dividends on the Company’s stock and interest and principal on its debt. Various federal and state laws and regulations limit the amount of dividends that its bank and certain of its non-bank subsidiaries may pay to the Company without regulatory approval. Also, the Company’s right to participate in a distribution of assets upon a subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization is subject to prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that any of the Company’s claims as a creditor of that subsidiary may be recognized.

COMPETITIVE AND STRATEGIC RISK

The financial services industry is highly competitive, and competitive pressures could intensify and adversely affect the Company’s financial results The Company operates in a highly competitive industry that could become even more competitive as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes, as well as continued industry consolidation, which may increase in connection with current economic and market conditions. This consolidation may produce larger, better-capitalized and more geographically diverse companies that are capable of offering a wider array of financial products and services at more competitive prices. The Company competes with other commercial banks, savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, finance companies, mortgage banking companies, credit unions, investment companies, credit card companies, and a variety of other financial services and advisory companies. In addition, technology has lowered barriers to entry and made it possible for non-banks to offer products and services that traditionally were banking products, and for financial institutions to compete with technology companies in providing electronic and internet-based financial solutions. Many of the Company’s competitors have fewer regulatory constraints, and some have lower cost structures. Also, the potential need to adapt to industry changes in information technology systems, on

 

 

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which the Company and financial services industry are highly dependent, could present operational issues and require capital spending. The Company’s ability to compete successfully depends on a number of factors, including, among others, its ability to develop and execute strategic plans and initiatives; developing, maintaining and building long-term customer relationships based on quality service, competitive prices, high ethical standards and safe, sound assets; and industry and general economic trends. A failure to compete effectively could contribute to downward price pressure on the Company’s products or services or a loss of market share.

The Company may need to lower prices on existing products and services and develop and introduce new products and services to maintain market share The Company’s success depends, in part, on its ability to adapt its products and services to evolving industry standards. There is increasing pressure to provide products and services at lower prices. Lower prices can reduce the Company’s net interest margin and revenues from its fee-based products and services. In addition, the widespread adoption of new technologies, including internet services and mobile devices, such as mobile phones and tablet computers, could require the Company to make substantial expenditures to modify or adapt its existing products and services. Also, these and other capital investments in the Company’s businesses may not produce expected growth in earnings anticipated at the time of the expenditure. The Company might not be successful in developing or introducing new products and services, adapting to changing customer preferences and spending and saving habits, achieving market acceptance of its products and services, or sufficiently developing and maintaining loyal customer relationships.

The Company’s business could suffer if it fails to attract and retain skilled employees The Company’s success depends, in large part, on its ability to attract and retain key employees. Competition for the best people in most activities the Company engages in can be intense. The Company may not be able to hire the best people or to keep them. Recent strong scrutiny of compensation practices has resulted in, and may continue to result in, additional regulation and legislation in this area, as well as additional legislative and regulatory initiatives. There is no assurance that this will not cause increased turnover or impede the Company’s ability to retain and attract the highest caliber employees.

The Company may not be able to complete future acquisitions, and completed acquisitions may not produce revenue enhancements or cost savings at levels or within timeframes originally anticipated, may

result in unforeseen integration difficulties, and may dilute existing shareholders’ interests The Company regularly explores opportunities to acquire financial services businesses or assets and may also consider opportunities to acquire other banks or financial institutions. The Company cannot predict the number, size or timing of acquisitions it might pursue.

The Company must generally receive federal regulatory approval before it can acquire a bank or bank holding company. The Company’s ability to pursue or complete an attractive acquisition could be negatively impacted by regulatory delay or other regulatory issues. The Company cannot be certain when or if, or on what terms and conditions, any required regulatory approvals will be granted. For example, the Company may be required to sell branches as a condition to receiving regulatory approval. If the Company commits certain regulatory violations, including those that result in a downgrade in certain of the Company’s bank regulatory ratings, governmental authorities could, as a consequence, preclude it from pursuing future acquisitions for a period of time.

There can be no assurance that acquisitions the Company completes will have the anticipated positive results, including results related to expected revenue increases, cost savings, increases in geographic or product presence, and/or other projected benefits. Integration efforts could divert management’s attention and resources, which could adversely affect the Company’s operations or results. The integration could result in higher than expected customer loss, deposit attrition, loss of key employees, disruption of the Company’s businesses or the businesses of the acquired company, or otherwise adversely affect the Company’s ability to maintain relationships with customers and employees or achieve the anticipated benefits of the acquisition. Also, the negative effect of any divestitures required by regulatory authorities in acquisitions or business combinations may be greater than expected. In addition, future acquisitions may also expose the Company to increased legal or regulatory risks. Finally, future acquisitions could be material to the Company, and it may issue additional shares of stock to pay for those acquisitions, which would dilute current shareholders’ ownership interests.

ACCOUNTING AND TAX RISK

The Company’s reported financial results depend on management’s selection of accounting methods and certain assumptions and estimates, which, if incorrect, could cause unexpected losses in the future The Company’s accounting policies and methods are fundamental to how the Company records and reports its financial

 

 

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condition and results of operations. The Company’s management must exercise judgment in selecting and applying many of these accounting policies and methods so they comply with generally accepted accounting principles and reflect management’s judgment regarding the most appropriate manner to report the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, management must select the accounting policy or method to apply from two or more alternatives, any of which might be reasonable under the circumstances, yet might result in the Company’s reporting materially different results than would have been reported under a different alternative.

Certain accounting policies are critical to presenting the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. They require management to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments about matters that are uncertain. Materially different amounts could be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions or estimates. These critical accounting policies include the allowance for credit losses, estimations of fair value, the valuation of purchased loans and related indemnification assets, the valuation of MSRs, the valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets, and income taxes. Because of the uncertainty of estimates involved in these matters, the Company may be required to do one or more of the following: significantly increase the allowance for credit losses and/or sustain credit losses that are significantly higher than the reserve provided, recognize significant impairment on its goodwill and other intangible asset balances, or significantly increase its accrued taxes liability. For more information, refer to “Critical Accounting Policies” in this Annual Report.

Changes in accounting standards could materially impact the Company’s financial statements From time to time, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of the Company’s financial statements. These changes can be hard to predict and can materially impact how the Company records and reports its financial condition and results of operations. The Company could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively or apply an existing standard differently, also retroactively, in each case potentially resulting in the Company restating prior period financial statements. As an example, the Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued proposed guidance related to a change in the accounting for credit losses on financial instruments. This proposed guidance represents a significant departure from current accounting guidance and requires earlier recognition of credit losses in a company’s financial statements as it utilizes an expected credit loss concept

rather than the incurred loss concept. This new guidance is expected to be adopted by way of a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to beginning retained earnings upon the effective date.

The Company’s investments in certain tax-advantaged projects may not generate returns as anticipated and may have an adverse impact on the Company’s financial results The Company invests in certain tax-advantaged projects promoting affordable housing, community development and renewable energy resources. The Company’s investments in these projects are designed to generate a return primarily through the realization of federal and state income tax credits, and other tax benefits, over specified time periods. The Company is subject to the risk that previously recorded tax credits, which remain subject to recapture by taxing authorities based on compliance features required to be met at the project level, will fail to meet certain government compliance requirements and will not be able to be realized. The possible inability to realize these tax credit and other tax benefits can have a negative impact on the Company’s financial results. The risk of not being able to realize the tax credits and other tax benefits depends on many factors outside of the Company’s control, including changes in the applicable tax code and the ability of the projects to be completed.

RISK MANAGEMENT

The Company’s framework for managing risks may not be effective in mitigating risk and loss to the Company The Company’s risk management framework seeks to mitigate risk and loss. The Company has established processes and procedures intended to identify, measure, monitor, report, and analyze the types of risk to which it is subject, including liquidity risk, credit risk, market risk, interest rate risk, compliance risk, strategic risk, reputational risk, and operational risk related to its employees, systems and vendors, among others. However, as with any risk management framework, there are inherent limitations to the Company’s risk management strategies as there may exist, or develop in the future, risks that it has not appropriately anticipated or identified. The recent financial and credit crises and resulting regulatory reform highlighted both the importance and some of the limitations of managing unanticipated risks, and the Company’s regulators remain focused on ensuring that financial institutions build and maintain robust risk management policies. If the Company’s risk management framework proves ineffective, the Company could incur litigation and negative regulatory consequences, and suffer unexpected losses that could affect its financial condition or results of operations.

 

 

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Executive Officers

 

RICHARD K. DAVIS

Mr. Davis is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Bancorp. Mr. Davis, 58, has served as Chairman of U.S. Bancorp since December 2007 and as Chief Executive Officer since December 2006. He also served as President from October 2004 until January 2016, and as Chief Operating Officer from October 2004 until December 2006. Mr. Davis has held management positions with the Company since joining Star Banc Corporation, one of its predecessors, as Executive Vice President in 1993.

JENNIE P. CARLSON

Ms. Carlson is Executive Vice President, Human Resources, of U.S. Bancorp. Ms. Carlson, 55, has served in this position since January 2002. Until that time, she served as Executive Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of U.S. Bancorp since the merger of Firstar Corporation and U.S. Bancorp in February 2001. From 1995 until the merger, she was General Counsel and Secretary of Firstar Corporation and Star Banc Corporation.

ANDREW CECERE

Mr. Cecere is President and Chief Operating Officer of U.S. Bancorp. Mr. Cecere, 55, has served in this position since January 2016. From January 2015 to January 2016, he served as U.S. Bancorp’s Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, and from February 2007 to January 2015, he served as U.S. Bancorp’s Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer. Until that time, he served as Vice Chairman, Wealth Management and Securities Services, of U.S. Bancorp since the merger of Firstar Corporation and U.S. Bancorp in February 2001. Previously, he had served as an executive officer of the former U.S. Bancorp, including as Chief Financial Officer from May 2000 through February 2001.

JAMES L. CHOSY

Mr. Chosy is Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of U.S. Bancorp. Mr. Chosy, 52, has served in this position since March 2013. From 2001 to 2013, he served as the General Counsel and Secretary of Piper Jaffray Companies. From 1995 to 2001, Mr. Chosy was Vice President and Associate General Counsel of U.S. Bancorp, having also served as Assistant Secretary of U.S. Bancorp from 1995 through 2000 and as Secretary from 2000 until 2001.

TERRANCE R. DOLAN

Mr. Dolan is Vice Chairman, Wealth Management and Securities Services, of U.S. Bancorp. Mr. Dolan, 54, has served in this position since July 2010. From September 1998 to July 2010, Mr. Dolan served as U.S. Bancorp’s Controller. He additionally held the title of Executive Vice President from January 2002 until June 2010 and Senior Vice President from September 1998 until January 2002.

JOHN R. ELMORE

Mr. Elmore is Vice Chairman, Community Banking and Branch Delivery, of U.S. Bancorp. Mr. Elmore, 59, has served in this position since March 2013. From 1999 to 2013, he served as Executive Vice President, Community Banking, of U.S. Bancorp and its predecessor company, Firstar Corporation.

LESLIE V. GODRIDGE

Ms. Godridge is Vice Chairman, Wholesale Banking, of U.S. Bancorp. Ms. Godridge, 60, has served in this position since January 2016. From February 2013 until December 2015, she served as Executive Vice President, National Corporate Specialized Industries and Global Treasury Management, of U.S. Bancorp. From February 2007, when she joined U.S. Bancorp, until January 2013, Ms. Godridge served as Executive Vice President, National Corporate and Institutional Banking, of U.S. Bancorp. Prior to that time, she served as Senior Executive Vice President and a member of the Executive Committee at The Bank of New York, where she was head of BNY Asset Management, Private Banking, Consumer Banking and Regional Commercial Banking from 2004 to 2006.

JAMES B. KELLIGREW

Mr. Kelligrew is Vice Chairman, Wholesale Banking, of U.S. Bancorp. Mr. Kelligrew, 50, has served in this position since January 2016. From March 2014 until December 2015, he served as Executive Vice President, Fixed Income and Capital Markets, of U.S. Bancorp, having served as Executive Vice President, Credit Fixed Income, of U.S. Bancorp from May 2009 to March 2014. Prior to that time, he held various leadership positions with Wells Fargo Securities from 2003 to 2009, and with Bank of America Securities from 1993 to 2003.

 

 

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SHAILESH M. KOTWAL

Mr. Kotwal is Vice Chairman, Payment Services, of U.S. Bancorp. Mr. Kotwal, 51, has served in this position since joining U.S. Bancorp in March 2015. From July 2008 until May 2014, he served as Executive Vice President of TD Bank Group with responsibility for retail banking products and services and as Chair of its enterprise payments council. From 2006 until 2008, he served as President, International, of eFunds Corporation. Previously, Mr. Kotwal served in various leadership roles at American Express Company from 1989 until 2006, including responsibility for operations in North and South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions.

P.W. PARKER

Mr. Parker is Vice Chairman and Chief Risk Officer of U.S. Bancorp. Mr. Parker, 59, has served in this position since December 2013. From October 2007 until December 2013 he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of U.S. Bancorp. From March 2005 until October 2007, he served as Executive Vice President of Credit Portfolio Management of U.S. Bancorp, having served as Senior Vice President of Credit Portfolio Management of U.S. Bancorp since January 2002.

RICHARD B. PAYNE, JR.

Mr. Payne is Vice Chairman, Wholesale Banking, of U.S. Bancorp. Mr. Payne, 68, has served in this position since November 2010, when he assumed the additional responsibility for Commercial Banking at U.S. Bancorp. From July 2006, when he joined U.S. Bancorp, until November 2010, Mr. Payne served as Vice Chairman, Corporate Banking at U.S. Bancorp. Prior to joining U.S. Bancorp, he served as Executive Vice President for National City Corporation in Cleveland, with responsibility for Capital Markets, from 2001 to 2006.

KATHERINE B. QUINN

Ms. Quinn is Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Reputation Officer of U.S. Bancorp. Ms. Quinn, 51, has served in this position since joining U.S. Bancorp in September 2013 and has served on U.S. Bancorp’s Managing Committee since January 2015. From September 2010 until January 2013, she served as Chief Marketing

Officer of WellPoint, Inc. (now known as Anthem, Inc.), having served as Head of Corporate Marketing of WellPoint from July 2005 until September 2010. Prior to that time, she served as Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at The Hartford from 2003 until 2005.

KATHLEEN A. ROGERS

Ms. Rogers is Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of U.S. Bancorp. Ms. Rogers, 50, has served in this position since January 2015. From June 2005 until January 2015, she served as U.S. Bancorp’s Executive Vice President, Business Line Reporting and Planning, having served in various financial roles at U.S. Bancorp since joining the Company in 1987.

MARK G. RUNKEL

Mr. Runkel is Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of U.S. Bancorp. Mr. Runkel, 39, has served in this position since December 2013. From February 2011 until December 2013, he served as Senior Vice President and Credit Risk Group Manager of U.S. Bancorp Retail and Payment Services Credit Risk Management, having served as Senior Vice President and Risk Manager of U.S. Bancorp Retail and Small Business Credit Risk Management from June 2009 until February 2011. From March 2005 until May 2009, he served as Vice President and Risk Manager of U.S. Bancorp.

KENT V. STONE

Mr. Stone is Vice Chairman, Consumer Banking Sales and Support, of U.S. Bancorp. Mr. Stone, 58, has served in this position since March 2013. He served as an Executive Vice President of U.S. Bancorp from 2000 to 2013, most recently with responsibility for Consumer Banking Support Services since 2006, and held other senior leadership positions with U.S. Bancorp since 1991.

JEFFRY H. VON GILLERN

Mr. von Gillern is Vice Chairman, Technology and Operations Services, of U.S. Bancorp. Mr. von Gillern, 50, has served in this position since July 2010. From April 2001, when he joined U.S. Bancorp, until July 2010, Mr. von Gillern served as Executive Vice President of U.S. Bancorp, additionally serving as Chief Information Officer from July 2007 until July 2010.

 

 

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Directors

 

RICHARD K. DAVIS1,6

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

U.S. Bancorp

DOUGLAS M. BAKER, JR.1,5,6

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Ecolab Inc.

(Cleaning and sanitizing products)

WARNER L. BAXTER3,4

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Ameren Corporation

(Energy)

ARTHUR D. COLLINS, JR.1,2,5

Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Medtronic, Inc.

(Medical device and technology)

KIMBERLY J. HARRIS1,4,5

President and Chief Executive Officer

Puget Energy, Inc. and Puget Sound Energy, Inc.

(Energy)

ROLAND A. HERNANDEZ1,3,4

Founding Principal and Chief Executive Officer

Hernandez Media Ventures

(Media)

DOREEN WOO HO3,6

Commissioner

San Francisco Port Commission

(Government)

JOEL W. JOHNSON3,6

Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Hormel Foods Corporation

(Consumer food products)

OLIVIA F. KIRTLEY2,6

Business Consultant

(Consulting)

KAREN S. LYNCH4,6

President

Aetna Inc.

(Healthcare benefits)

DAVID B. O’MALEY1,2,5

Retired Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Ohio National Financial Services, Inc.

(Insurance)

O’DELL M. OWENS, M.D., M.P.H.2,4

Medical Director

Cincinnati Health Department

(Government)

CRAIG D. SCHNUCK5,6

Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Schnuck Markets, Inc.

(Food retail)

PATRICK T. STOKES1,5,6

Former Chairman and Former Chief Executive Officer

Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.

(Consumer products)

SCOTT W. WINE2,3,4

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Polaris Industries, Inc.

(Motorized products)

 

 

1. Executive Committee
2. Compensation and Human Resources Committee
3. Audit Committee
4. Community Reinvestment and Public Policy Committee
5. Governance Committee
6. Risk Management Committee

 

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