10-K 1 cfsc-12312016x10k.htm CFSC FORM 10-K DECEMBER 31, 2016 Document




UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
catfincolor3a01.jpg
FORM 10-K
 
(Mark One)
 
 
 
[X]
 
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
OR
 
 
[  ]
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __________ to __________.
 
Commission File No. 001-11241 
CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
or organization)
 
37-1105865
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
2120 West End Ave.,
Nashville, Tennessee
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
37203-0001
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (615) 341-1000

The Registrant is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. and meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction (I)(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K, and is therefore filing this Form with the reduced disclosure format.





 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
 
Title of each class
 
 
Name of each exchange
  on which registered 
 
Medium-Term Notes, Series H,
3.300% Notes Due 2024
 
New York Stock Exchange
 
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

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

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   
Yes [ü]   No [   ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ü]

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

Large accelerated filer [    ]     Accelerated filer [    ]     Non-accelerated filer [ü]     Smaller reporting company [    ]

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

As of February 15, 2017, one share of common stock of the registrant was outstanding, which is owned by Caterpillar Inc.



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TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Page
Business
4
 
Risk Factors
6
 
Unresolved Staff Comments
11
 
Properties
11
 
Legal Proceedings
12
 
Mine Safety Disclosures
12
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters
and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
12
 
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations
13
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
28
 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
28
 
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
28
 
Controls and Procedures
29
 
Other Information
29
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
30
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
30
 
Item 16.
Form 10-K Summary
32

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PART I
 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Certain statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may be considered "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements may relate to future events or our future financial performance, which may involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievement to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements.  From time to time, we may also provide forward-looking statements in oral presentations to the public or in other materials we issue to the public.  Forward-looking statements give current expectations or forecasts of future events about the company.  You may identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate to historical or current facts and may use words such as "believes," "expects," "estimates," "anticipates," "will," "should," "plan," "project," "intend," "could" and similar words or phrases.  These statements are only predictions.  Actual events or results may differ materially due to factors that affect international businesses, including changes in economic conditions and disruptions in the global financial and credit markets, and changes in laws and regulations and political stability, as well as factors specific to Cat Financial and the markets we serve, including the market’s acceptance of our products and services, the creditworthiness of our customers, interest rate and currency rate fluctuations and estimated residual values of leased equipment.  These risk factors may not be exhaustive.  We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time.  We cannot predict these new risk factors, nor can we assess the impact, if any, of these new risk factors on our businesses or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements.  Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results.  Moreover, we do not assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of those statements.  All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in this Form 10-K and could cause results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.  Cat Financial undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You may, however, consult any related disclosures we may make in our subsequent Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
 
Item 1. 
Business.
 
General

Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation was organized in 1981 in the State of Delaware (together with its subsidiaries, "Cat Financial," "the Company," "we" or "our").  We are a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. (together with its other subsidiaries, "Caterpillar" or "Cat") and our corporate headquarters is located in Nashville, Tennessee.
 
Nature of Operations

Our primary business is to provide retail and wholesale financing alternatives for Caterpillar products to customers and dealers around the world.  Retail financing is primarily comprised of financing of Caterpillar equipment, machinery and engines.  In addition, we also provide financing for vehicles, power generation facilities and marine vessels that, in most cases, incorporate Caterpillar products.  We also provide wholesale financing to Caterpillar dealers and purchase short-term receivables from Caterpillar.  The various financing plans offered by Cat Financial are primarily designed to increase the opportunity for sales of Caterpillar products and generate financing income for Cat Financial.  A significant portion of our activities is conducted in North America.  However, we have additional offices and subsidiaries in Latin America, Europe and Asia/Pacific.  We have more than 30 years of experience in providing financing for Caterpillar products, contributing to our knowledge of asset values, industry trends, product structuring and customer needs.

The Company’s retail leases and installment sale contracts (totaling 55 percent*) include:
 
Tax leases that are classified as either operating or finance leases for financial accounting purposes, depending on the characteristics of the lease.  For tax purposes, we are considered the owner of the equipment (14 percent*).
Finance (non-tax) leases, where the lessee for tax purposes is considered to be the owner of the equipment during the term of the lease, that either require or allow the customer to purchase the equipment for a fixed price at the end of the term (18 percent*).

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Installment sale contracts, which are equipment loans that enable customers to purchase equipment with a down payment or trade-in and structure payments over time (22 percent*).
Governmental lease-purchase plans in the U.S. that offer low interest rates and flexible terms to qualified non-federal government agencies (1 percent*).

The Company’s wholesale notes receivable, finance leases and installment sale contracts (totaling 12 percent*) include:
 
Inventory/rental programs, which provide assistance to dealers by financing their new Caterpillar inventory and rental fleets (4 percent*).
Short-term receivables we purchase from Caterpillar at a discount (8 percent*).

The Company’s retail notes receivable (33 percent*) include:
     
Loans that allow customers and dealers to use their Caterpillar equipment or other assets as collateral to obtain financing.

*Indicates the percentage of total portfolio as of December 31, 2016.  We define total portfolio as finance receivables, net plus equipment on operating leases, less accumulated depreciation.  
 
Competitive Environment
 
We operate in a highly competitive environment, with financing for users of Caterpillar equipment available through a variety of sources, principally commercial banks and finance and leasing companies.  Our competitors include Wells Fargo Equipment Finance Inc. and various other banks and finance companies.  In addition, many of the manufacturers that compete with Caterpillar also own financial subsidiaries such as Volvo Financial Services, Komatsu Financial L.P. and John Deere Capital Corporation that utilize below-market interest rate programs (funded by the manufacturer) to assist machine sales.  
 
We provide financing only when certain criteria are met.  Credit decisions are based on a variety of credit quality factors, including prior payment experience, customer financial information, credit-rating agency ratings, loan-to-value ratios and other internal metrics. We typically maintain a security interest in retail financed equipment and require physical damage insurance coverage on financed equipment.  We finance a significant portion of Caterpillar dealers' sales and inventory of Caterpillar equipment throughout the world (see Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our segments and geographic areas).  Our competitive position is improved by marketing programs offered in conjunction with Caterpillar and/or Caterpillar dealers that allow us to periodically offer financing to customers at interest rates that are below market rates.  Under these programs, Caterpillar, or the dealer, funds an amount at the outset of the transaction, which we then recognize as revenue over the term of the financing.  We believe that these marketing programs provide us with a significant competitive advantage in financing Caterpillar products.

In certain instances, our operations are subject to supervision and regulation by state, federal and various foreign governmental authorities and may be subject to various laws and judicial and administrative decisions imposing various requirements and restrictions which, among other things, (i) regulate credit granting activities and the administration of loans, (ii) establish maximum interest rates, finance charges and other charges, (iii) require disclosures to customers and investors, (iv) govern secured transactions, (v) set collection, foreclosure, repossession and other trade practices and (vi) regulate the use and reporting of information related to a borrower's credit experience.  Our ability to comply with these and other governmental and legal requirements and restrictions affects our operations.
 
We also have agreements with Caterpillar that are significant to our operations.  These agreements provide us with certain types of operational and administrative support from Caterpillar such as the administration of employee benefit plans, financial support, funding support and various forms of corporate services that are integral to the conduct of our business.  For more information on these agreements, please refer to Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Employment
 
As of December 31, 2016, the Company had 1,811 full-time employees, a decrease of 2 percent from December 31, 2015.
 

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Available Information
 
The Company files electronically with the SEC required reports on Form 8-K, Form 10-Q, Form 10-K and registration statements on Form S-3 and other forms or reports as required.  The public may read and copy any materials the Company has filed with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549.  The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  The SEC maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.  Copies of our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to these reports filed or furnished with the SEC are available free of charge through Caterpillar’s website (www.caterpillar.com/secfilings) as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the SEC.  Copies may also be obtained free of charge by writing to:  Legal Dept., Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, 2120 West End Ave., Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0001.  In addition, the public may obtain more detailed information about our parent company, Caterpillar by visiting its website (www.caterpillar.com).  None of the information contained at any time on our website, Caterpillar’s or the SEC’s websites is incorporated by reference into this document.

Item 1A. 
Risk Factors.
 
The statements in this section describe the most significant risks to our business and may contain "forward-looking statements" that are subject to the caption "CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" presented prior to Item 1 of this report.  The statements in this section should also be considered carefully in conjunction with "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" to this Form 10-K.  The risk factors described below are a cautionary discussion of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that we believe are significant to our business. These are factors that, individually or in the aggregate, we believe could make our actual results differ materially from expected or past results. Because it is impossible to predict or identify all such factors, the following factors should not be considered to be a complete discussion of risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  
 
FINANCIAL RISKS

Disruptions or volatility in global financial markets could adversely impact the industries and markets in which we serve and operate
Continuing to meet our cash requirements over the long-term could require substantial liquidity and access to sources of funds, including capital and credit markets.  Global economic conditions may cause volatility and disruptions in the capital and credit markets. We have continued to maintain access to key global medium-term note and commercial paper markets, but there can be no assurance that such markets will continue to represent a reliable source of financing.  If global economic conditions were to deteriorate, we could face materially higher financing costs, become unable to access adequate funding to operate and grow our business and/or meet our debt service obligations as they mature, and we could be required to draw upon contractually committed lending agreements primarily provided by global banks and/or by seeking other funding sources.  However, under extreme market conditions, there can be no assurance that such agreements and other funding sources would be available or sufficient.  Any of these events could negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The extent of any impact on our ability to meet our funding or liquidity needs would depend on several factors, including our operating cash flows, the duration of any market disruptions, changes in counterparty credit risk, the impact of government intervention in financial markets including the effects of any programs or legislation designed to increase or restrict liquidity for certain areas of the market, general credit conditions, the volatility of equity and debt markets, our credit ratings and credit capacity and the cost of financing and other general economic and business conditions.  Market disruption and volatility may also lead to a number of other risks in connection with these events, including but not limited to:
Market developments that may affect the demand for Caterpillar products and/or customer confidence levels and may cause declines in the demand for financing and adverse changes in payment patterns, causing increases in delinquencies and default rates, which could impact our write-offs and provision for credit losses;
The process we use to estimate losses inherent in our credit exposure requires a high degree of management’s judgment regarding numerous subjective, qualitative factors, including forecasts of economic conditions and how economic predictors might impair the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans.  If financial market disruption and volatility is experienced, the accuracy of these judgments may be impacted;
Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions or borrow from other financial institutions on acceptable terms or at all could be adversely affected by disruptions in the capital markets or other events, including actions by rating agencies and deteriorating investor expectations; and

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Because our lending agreements are primarily with financial institutions, their ability to perform in accordance with any of our underlying agreements could be adversely affected by market volatility and/or disruptions in the equity and credit markets.

Failure to maintain our credit ratings would increase our cost of borrowing and could adversely affect our access to capital markets
Caterpillar and Cat Financial's costs of borrowing and their respective ability to access the capital markets are affected not only by market conditions but also by the short-term and long-term debt ratings assigned to our respective debt by the major credit rating agencies.  These ratings are based, in significant part, on each of Caterpillar's and Cat Financial's performance as measured by financial metrics such as net worth, interest coverage and leverage ratios, as well as transparency with rating agencies and timeliness of financial reporting.   There can be no assurance that Caterpillar or Cat Financial will be able to maintain their credit ratings. On December 13, 2016, Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) downgraded the long- and short-term ratings of Caterpillar and Cat Financial to A3 from A2 and to Prime-2 from Prime-1. Although Caterpillar and Cat Financial have committed credit facilities to provide liquidity, a further downgrade of Caterpillar or Cat Financial’s credit ratings by Moody’s or one of the other major credit rating agencies could increase our cost of borrowing and could adversely affect our liquidity, competitive position and access to the capital markets, including restricting, in whole or in part, access to the commercial paper market.  There can be no assurance that the commercial paper market will continue to be a reliable source of short-term financing for Cat Financial or an available source of short-term financing for Caterpillar.  An inability to access the capital markets could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, results of operations and financial condition.
Changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or market liquidity conditions could adversely affect our earnings and/or cash flows
Changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and market liquidity conditions could have a material adverse effect on our earnings and cash flows. Because our financial results are reported in U.S. dollars, but our operations are conducted internationally, currency exchange rates can have a significant impact on our results.  Additionally, because a significant number of our loans are made at fixed interest rates, our business is impacted by fluctuations in interest rates.  Changes in market interest rates may influence our financing costs, returns on financial investments and the valuation of derivative contracts and could reduce our earnings and/or cash flows.  In addition, because we make a significant number of loans in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could also reduce our earnings and cash flows. There has been, and may continue to be, volatility in currency exchange rates as a result of the United Kingdom’s June 2016 vote to leave the European Union (commonly known as “Brexit”), especially between the U.S. dollar and the British pound. We also rely on a number of diversified global debt capital markets and funding programs to provide liquidity for our global operations, including commercial paper, medium-term notes, retail notes, variable denomination floating rate demand notes and bank loans.  Significant changes in market liquidity conditions could impact our access to funding and the associated funding cost and reduce our earnings and cash flows.
Although we manage interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate and market liquidity risks with a variety of techniques, including a match-funding program that addresses interest rate risk by aligning the interest rate profile (fixed or floating rate and duration) of our debt portfolio with the interest rate profile of our receivables portfolio within predetermined ranges on an ongoing basis, the selective use of derivatives and a broadly diversified funding program, there can be no assurance that fluctuations in interest rates, currency exchange rates and market liquidity conditions will not have a material adverse effect on our earnings and cash flows.  If any of the variety of instruments and strategies we use to hedge our exposure to these various types of risk is ineffective, we may incur losses.
Our business is significantly influenced by the credit risk associated with our customers and an increase in delinquencies, repossessions or net losses could adversely affect our results
Our business is significantly influenced by the credit risk associated with our customers.  The creditworthiness of each customer and the rate of delinquencies, repossessions and net losses on customer obligations are directly impacted by several factors, including, but not limited to, relevant industry (particularly construction-related industries) and economic conditions and the availability of capital.  Any increase in delinquencies, repossessions and net losses on customer obligations could have a material adverse effect on our earnings and cash flows.
In addition, although we evaluate and adjust our allowance for credit losses related to past due and non-performing receivables on a regular basis, adverse economic conditions or other factors that might cause deterioration of the financial health of our customers could change the timing and level of payments received and necessitate an increase in our estimated losses, which could also have a material adverse effect on our earnings and cash flows.

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A decrease in the residual value of the equipment that we finance could adversely affect our results
Declines in the residual value of equipment financed by us may reduce our earnings.  The residual value of leased equipment is determined based on its estimated end-of-term market value at the time of the expiration of the lease term.  We estimate the residual value of leased equipment at the inception of the lease based on a number of factors, including historical wholesale market sales prices, past remarketing experience and any known significant market/product trends.  If estimated end-of-term market values significantly decline due to economic factors, obsolescence or other adverse circumstances, we may not realize such residual value, which could reduce our earnings, either through an increase in depreciation expense or a decrease in finance revenue.
Restrictive covenants in our debt agreements could limit our financial and operating flexibility
Cat Financial and our subsidiaries have agreements under which we borrow or have the ability to borrow funds for use in our respective businesses that are utilized primarily for general corporate purposes.  Certain of these agreements include covenants relating to our financial performance and financial position.  The two most significant financial covenants included in these agreements are: (1) a leverage ratio covenant that requires us to maintain a ratio of consolidated debt to consolidated net worth of not greater than 10 to 1, calculated (i) on a monthly basis as the average of the leverage ratios determined on the last day of each of the six preceding calendar months and (ii) at each December 31; and (2) an interest coverage ratio that requires us to maintain a ratio of (i) profit excluding income taxes, interest expense and net gain/(loss) from interest rate derivatives to (ii) interest expense of not less than 1.15 to 1, in each case, calculated at the end of each calendar quarter for the rolling four-quarter period then most recently ended for us and our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  In addition, we are restricted in a number of our agreements from terminating, amending or modifying our support agreement with Caterpillar.  We are also restricted in our ability to incur secured indebtedness or consolidate, merge or sell assets.  Similarly, we are also bound by covenants in various agreements that involve Caterpillar and its obligation to maintain a consolidated net worth of not less than $9 billion at all times during each fiscal year.
Although we do not believe any of these covenants presently materially restrict our operations, our ability to meet any one particular financial covenant may be affected by events that could be beyond our control and could result in material adverse consequences that negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.  These consequences may include the acceleration of repayment of amounts outstanding under certain of our credit agreements, the triggering of an obligation to redeem certain debt securities, the termination of existing unused credit commitments by our lenders, the refusal by our lenders to extend further credit under one or more of our credit agreements or the lowering or modification of our credit ratings, including those of any of our subsidiaries.  We cannot provide assurance that we will continue to comply with each credit covenant, particularly if we were to encounter challenging and volatile market conditions.
MACROECONOMIC RISKS

Changes in government monetary or fiscal policies may negatively impact our results
Most countries where Caterpillar products and services are sold have established central banks to regulate monetary systems and influence economic activities, generally by adjusting interest rates.  Interest rate changes affect overall economic growth, which in turn affects Caterpillar’s sales and our financing activities.  Interest rate changes may also affect customers’ abilities to finance machine purchases, can change the optimal time to keep machines in a fleet and can impact the ability of Caterpillar’s suppliers to finance the production of parts and components necessary to manufacture and support Caterpillar products.  Increases in interest rates could negatively impact Caterpillar sales and create supply chain inefficiencies that could in turn adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Central banks and other policy arms of many countries may take actions to vary the amount of liquidity and credit available in an economy.  The impact from a change in liquidity and credit policies could impact the customers and markets we serve or our suppliers, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Government policies on taxes and spending also affect our business.  Throughout the world, government spending finances a significant portion of infrastructure development, such as highways, airports, sewer and water systems and dams.  Tax regulations determine depreciation lives and the amount of money users of our products can retain, both of which influence investment decisions.  Unfavorable developments, such as declines in government revenues, decisions to reduce public spending or increases in taxes, could negatively impact our results.

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Our global operations are exposed to political and economic risks, commercial instability and events beyond our control in the countries in which we operate
Our global operations are dependent upon products manufactured, purchased, sold and financed in the U.S. and internationally, including in countries with political and economic instability or uncertainty.   This includes, for example, the uncertainty related to Brexit. Some countries have greater political and economic volatility and greater vulnerability to infrastructure and labor disruptions than others.  Operating and seeking to expand business in a number of different regions and countries exposes us to a number of risks, including:
Multiple and potentially conflicting legal and regulatory requirements that are subject to change, including but not limited to, those legal and regulatory requirements described in Item 1 of this report under the heading Competitive Environment;
Imposition of currency restrictions, restrictions on repatriation of earnings or other restraints;
Difficulty of enforcing agreements and collecting receivables through foreign legal systems;
Changes in trade agreements;
Imposition of new or additional trade and economic sanctions laws imposed by the U.S. or foreign governments;
National and international conflict;
War or terrorist acts; and
Political and economic instability or civil unrest that may severely disrupt economic activity in affected countries.

The occurrence of one or more of these events may negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
OPERATIONAL RISKS

The success of our business depends upon the demand for Caterpillar’s products
Our primary business is to provide retail and wholesale financing alternatives for Caterpillar products to customers and dealers and is therefore largely dependent upon the demand for Caterpillar’s products and customers’ willingness to enter into financing or leasing agreements, which may be negatively affected by challenging global economic conditions.  As a result, a significant or prolonged decrease in demand could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.  The demand for Caterpillar’s products and our products and services is influenced by a number of factors, including:
General world economic conditions and the level of energy, mining, construction and manufacturing activity;
Changes and uncertainties in the monetary and fiscal policies of various governmental and regulatory entities;
Fluctuations in demand and prices for certain commodities;
Fluctuations in currency exchange rates and interest rates;
Political, economic and legislative changes;
Caterpillar’s ability to produce products that meet customers' needs;
Caterpillar’s ability to maintain key dealer relationships;
The ability of Caterpillar dealers to sell Caterpillar products and their practices regarding inventory control; and
Changes in pricing policies by Caterpillar or its competitors.

Any significant adverse changes to these factors could negatively impact our results.

Changes in the marketing, operational or administrative support that we receive from Caterpillar could adversely affect our results
We participate in certain marketing programs offered in conjunction with Caterpillar and/or Caterpillar dealers that allow us to offer financing to customers at interest rates that are below market rates.  These marketing programs provide us with a significant competitive advantage in financing Caterpillar products.  Any change in these marketing programs or reduction in our ability to offer competitively priced financing to customers could reduce the percentage of Caterpillar products financed by us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.  Caterpillar also provides us with other types of operational and administrative support, such as the administration of employee benefit plans, which is integral to the conduct of our business.  Any changes in the levels of support from Caterpillar could also negatively impact our results.


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The success of our business depends on our ability to develop, produce and market quality products and services that meet our customers’ needs
We operate in a highly competitive environment, with financing for users of Caterpillar equipment available through a variety of sources, principally commercial banks and finance and leasing companies.  Increasing competition may adversely affect our business if we are unable to match the products and services of our competitors.  Also, as noted above, any changes to the marketing programs offered in conjunction with Caterpillar and/or Caterpillar dealers, which allow us to offer financing to customers at interest rates that are below market rates, could have a materially adverse effect on our business.
Increased information technology security threats and more sophisticated computer crime pose a risk to our systems, networks, products and services
We rely upon information technology systems and networks in connection with a variety of business activities, some of which are managed by third parties. Additionally, we collect and store data that is sensitive to us and our customers. The secure operation of these information technology systems and networks, and the processing and maintenance of this data is critical to our business operations and strategy. Information technology security threats -- from user error to attacks designed to gain unauthorized access to our systems, networks and data -- are increasing in frequency and sophistication. Attacks may range from random attempts to coordinated and targeted attacks, including sophisticated computer crime and advanced persistent threats. These threats pose a risk to the security of our systems and networks and the confidentiality, availability and integrity of our data. Cybersecurity attacks could also include attacks targeting the security, integrity and/or reliability of the hardware and software installed in our products. We have experienced cybersecurity attacks that have resulted in unauthorized parties gaining access to our information technology systems and networks, and we could in the future experience similar attacks. However, to date, no cybersecurity attack has had a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. If an attack against us were to succeed it could expose us, and our customers, dealers and suppliers to misuse of information or systems, the compromising of confidential information, manipulation and destruction of data and operations disruptions. The occurrence of any of these events could adversely affect our reputation, competitive position, litigation with third parties, disruption to systems, unauthorized release or confidential or otherwise protected information, corruption of data, and increased cybersecurity protection and remediation costs, which in turn could adversely affect our competitiveness and results of operations. In addition, such breaches in security could result in litigation, regulatory action and potential liability and the costs and operational consequences of implementing further data protection measures.
LEGAL & REGULATORY RISKS

Our global operations are subject to extensive trade and anti-corruption laws and regulations

Due to the international scope of our operations, we are subject to a complex system of laws and regulations, including U.S. regulations issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Any alleged or actual violations may subject us to government scrutiny, investigation and civil and criminal penalties, and may limit our ability to provide financing outside the United States and/or potentially require us to divest portions of our existing portfolio under certain circumstances.  Furthermore, embargoes and sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other governments prohibiting providing financing to specific persons or countries exposes us to criminal and civil sanctions. We cannot predict the nature, scope or effect of future regulatory requirements to which our operations might be subject or the manner in which existing laws might be administered or interpreted.
In addition, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar anti-corruption laws of other countries generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments or providing anything of value to improperly influence foreign government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business, or obtaining an unfair advantage. Recent years have seen a substantial increase in the global enforcement of anti-corruption laws. Our continued operation and expansion outside the United States, including in developing countries, could increase the risk of such violations. Violations of anti-corruption laws by our employees or by intermediaries acting on our behalf, may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, could disrupt our business, and result in an adverse effect on our reputation, business and results of operations or financial condition.

10



New regulations or changes in financial services regulation could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition

Our operations are highly regulated by governmental authorities in the locations where we operate, which can impose significant additional costs and/or restrictions on our business. In the U.S. for example, certain of our activities are subject to the U.S. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act ("Dodd-Frank"), a comprehensive financial reform act that includes extensive provisions regulating the financial services industry. Certain aspects of Dodd-Frank remain to be implemented under the rulemaking and regulatory authority of the SEC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and federal banking regulators and certain or all aspects of Dodd-Frank could be substantially modified or repealed. As such, we have become and could continue to become subject to additional regulatory costs that could be significant and could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Additional regulations in the U.S. or internationally impacting the financial services industry could also add significant cost or operational constraints that might have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We may incur additional tax expense or become subject to additional tax exposure

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Our domestic and international tax liabilities are dependent upon the distribution of income among these different jurisdictions.  Our Provision for income taxes and related tax payments in the future could be adversely affected by numerous factors, including, but not limited to, income before taxes being lower than anticipated in countries with lower statutory tax rates and higher than anticipated in countries with higher statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in tax laws and regulations. We are also subject to the continuous examination of our income tax returns by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities.  The results of audits and examinations of previously filed tax returns and continuing assessments of our tax exposures may have an adverse effect on the Company’s Provision for income taxes and related tax payments.

Changes in accounting guidance could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, as reported in our financial statements
Our consolidated financial statements are subject to the application of generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, which is periodically revised and/or expanded.  Accordingly, from time to time we are required to adopt new or revised accounting guidance and related interpretations issued by recognized authoritative bodies, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the SEC.  Market conditions have prompted accounting standard setters to issue new guidance, which further interprets or seeks to revise accounting pronouncements related to various transactions, as well as to issue new guidance expanding disclosures.  The impact of accounting pronouncements that have been issued but not yet implemented is disclosed in our annual and quarterly reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q.  An assessment of proposed guidance is not provided, as such proposals are subject to change through the exposure process and, therefore, their effects on our financial statements cannot be meaningfully assessed.  It is possible that future accounting guidance we are required to adopt, or future changes in accounting principles, could change the current accounting treatment that we apply to our consolidated financial statements and that such changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Item 1B. 
Unresolved Staff Comments.
 
None.

Item 2.
Properties.
 
Our corporate headquarters are located in Nashville, Tennessee.  We maintain forty-five offices in total, of which nine are located in North America (eight in the U.S. and one in Canada), twenty are located in Europe, one is located in Africa, one is located in the Middle East, eight are located in Asia/Pacific and six are located in Latin America (see Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our segments and geographic areas).  All of our offices are leased.


11



Item 3. 
Legal Proceedings.

We are involved in unresolved legal actions that arise in the normal course of business. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of our unresolved legal actions, we believe that these unresolved legal actions will neither individually nor in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

Item 4. 
Mine Safety Disclosures.
 
Not applicable.

PART II
 
Item 5. 
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Our stock is not publicly traded.  Caterpillar Inc. is the owner of our one outstanding share.  Cash dividends of $275 million, $600 million and $400 million were paid to Caterpillar in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

12



Item 7. 
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

OVERVIEW
 
We reported revenues of $2.60 billion for 2016, a decrease of $78 million, or 3 percent, compared with 2015. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to a $66 million unfavorable impact from lower average earning assets and a $43 million unfavorable impact from returned or repossessed equipment, partially offset by a $33 million favorable impact from higher average financing rates.

Profit before income taxes was $561 million for 2016, compared with $619 million for 2015. The decrease was primarily due to a $43 million unfavorable impact from returned or repossessed equipment and a $30 million unfavorable impact from lower average earning assets, partially offset by a $24 million decrease in general, operating and administrative expenses.

The provision for income taxes reflects an annual tax rate of 30 percent for 2016, compared with 26 percent for 2015. The increase in the annual tax rate is primarily due to a reduction in available foreign tax credits and changes in the geographic mix of profits.

Retail new business volume for 2016 was $10.91 billion, a decrease of $511 million, or 4 percent, from 2015. The decrease was primarily related to lower volume across North America, marine and mining, partially offset by an increase in Asia/Pacific and Europe.

At the end of 2016, past dues were 2.38 percent, compared with 2.14 percent at the end of 2015. The increase in past dues was primarily driven by the European marine portfolio. Write-offs, net of recoveries, were $123 million for 2016, compared with $155 million for 2015. As of December 31, 2016, the allowance for credit losses totaled $343 million, or 1.29 percent of net finance receivables, compared with $338 million, or 1.22 percent of net finance receivables at year-end 2015.


13



2016 COMPARED WITH 2015
 
Consolidated Total Revenues

consrev2016vs2015a1.jpg
The chart above graphically illustrates reasons for the change in Consolidated Total Revenues between 2015 (at left) and 2016 (at right). Items favorably impacting total revenues appear as upward stair steps with corresponding dollar amounts above each bar, while items negatively impacting total revenues appear as downward stair steps with dollar amounts reflected in parentheses above each bar. Management utilizes these charts internally to visually communicate results. 

Retail revenue for 2016 was $1.22 billion, a decrease of $23 million from 2015.  The decrease was due to a $19 million unfavorable impact from lower average earning assets and a $4 million unfavorable impact from lower interest rates on retail finance receivables.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, retail average earning assets were $23.46 billion, a decrease of $362 million from 2015. The average yield was 5.20 percent for 2016, compared with 5.22 percent in 2015.
 
Operating lease revenue for 2016 was $1.02 billion, an increase of $3 million from 2015. The increase in operating lease revenue was due to a $37 million favorable impact from higher average earning assets, partially offset by a $34 million unfavorable impact from lower average rental rates on operating leases.
 
Wholesale revenue for 2016 was $264 million, a decrease of $21 million from 2015. The decrease was due to a $43 million unfavorable impact from lower average earning assets, partially offset by a $22 million favorable impact from higher interest rates on wholesale finance receivables. For the year ended December 31, 2016, wholesale average earning assets were $3.72 billion, a decrease of $655 million from 2015. The average yield was 7.09 percent for 2016, compared with 6.50 percent in 2015.

Other revenue, net, items were as follows: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
$ Change
Finance receivable and operating lease fees (including late charges)(1)
 
$
73

 
$
68

 
$
5

Fees on committed credit facility extended to Caterpillar
 
40

 
40

 

Interest income on Notes Receivable from Caterpillar(1)
 
30

 
21

 
9

Net loss on returned or repossessed equipment
 
(61
)
 
(18
)
 
(43
)
Miscellaneous other revenue, net
 
14

 
22

 
(8
)
Total Other revenue, net
 
$
96

 
$
133

 
$
(37
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (1) Portfolio-related revenues

14



Consolidated Profit Before Income Taxes

pbt2016vs2015a2.jpg
The chart above graphically illustrates reasons for the change in Consolidated Profit Before Income Taxes between 2015 (at left) and 2016 (at right). Items favorably impacting profit before income taxes appear as upward stair steps with corresponding dollar amounts above each bar, while items negatively impacting profit before income taxes appear as downward stair steps with dollar amounts reflected in parentheses above each bar. Management utilizes these charts internally to visually communicate results. 

Profit before income taxes was $561 million for 2016, compared with $619 million for 2015. The decrease was primarily due to a $43 million unfavorable impact from returned or repossessed equipment and a $30 million unfavorable impact from lower average earning assets. These unfavorable impacts were partially offset by a $24 million decrease in general, operating and administrative expenses primarily due to lower personnel costs.

Provision for income taxes
The Provision for income taxes reflects an annual tax rate of 30 percent for 2016, compared with 26 percent for 2015. The increase in the annual tax rate is primarily due to a reduction in available foreign tax credits and changes in the geographic mix of profits.

Finance Receivables and Equipment on Operating Leases

New Business Volume
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
$ Change
New retail financing
 
$
9,260

 
$
9,988

 
$
(728
)
New operating lease activity
 
1,670

 
1,466

 
204

New wholesale financing
 
30,642

 
35,540

 
(4,898
)
Total
 
$
41,572

 
$
46,994

 
$
(5,422
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

New retail financing decreased due to lower volume across North America, marine and mining, partially offset by an increase in Asia/Pacific and Europe. New operating lease activity (which is substantially related to retail) increased primarily due to higher rentals of Cat equipment in North America. New wholesale financing decreased primarily due to lower purchases of trade receivables from Caterpillar.


15



Total Managed Portfolio
We define total portfolio as finance receivables, net plus equipment on operating leases, less accumulated depreciation. We also manage and service receivables and leases that have been sold by us to third parties with limited or no recourse in order to mitigate our concentration of credit risk with certain customers.  These assets are not available to pay our creditors. Total managed portfolio as of December 31, was as follows: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
$ Change
Finance receivables, net
 
$
26,212

 
$
27,388

 
$
(1,176
)
Equipment on operating leases, less accumulated depreciation
 
3,708

 
3,564

 
144

Total portfolio
 
$
29,920

 
$
30,952

 
$
(1,032
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail notes receivable
 
$
87

 
$
113

 
$
(26
)
Operating leases
 
79

 
81

 
(2
)
Retail installment sale contracts
 
79

 
67

 
12

Retail finance leases
 
41

 
49

 
(8
)
Total off-balance sheet managed assets
 
$
286

 
$
310

 
$
(24
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total managed portfolio
 
$
30,206

 
$
31,262

 
$
(1,056
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

At the end of 2016, past dues were 2.38 percent, compared with 2.14 percent at the end of 2015. The increase in past dues was primarily driven by the European marine portfolio. Total non-performing finance receivables, which represent finance receivables currently on non-accrual status, were $579 million and $485 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Total non-performing finance receivables as a percentage of our recorded investment in finance receivables were 2.18 percent and 1.75 percent at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
 
Our allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2016 was $343 million or 1.29 percent of net finance receivables compared with $338 million or 1.22 percent as of December 31, 2015. The allowance is subject to an ongoing evaluation based on many quantitative and qualitative factors, including past loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of underlying collateral and current economic conditions. We believe our allowance is sufficient to provide for losses inherent in our existing finance receivable portfolio as of December 31, 2016.
 

16



FOURTH QUARTER 2016 VS. FOURTH QUARTER 2015
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in Millions)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
Retail finance
 
$
306

 
$
303

Operating lease
 
259

 
254

Wholesale finance
 
62

 
68

Other, net
 
15

 
23

Total revenues
 
642

 
648

 
 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 
 

 
 

Interest
 
153

 
148

Depreciation on equipment leased to others
 
214

 
207

General, operating and administrative
 
99

 
100

Provision for credit losses
 
39

 
30

Other
 
10

 
32

Total expenses
 
515

 
517

 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense)
 
(5
)
 
(2
)
 
 
 
 
 
Profit before income taxes
 
122

 
129

 
 
 
 
 
Provision for income taxes
 
35

 
16

 
 
 
 
 
Profit of consolidated companies
 
87

 
113

 
 
 
 
 
Less:  Profit (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
2

 
(1
)
 
 
 
 
 
Profit1
 
$
85

 
$
114

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

1 Profit attributable to Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation.

 

17



Consolidated Total Revenues

consrev4q16vs4q15a3.jpg
The chart above graphically illustrates reasons for the change in Consolidated Total Revenues between fourth quarter 2015 (at left) and fourth quarter 2016 (at right). Items favorably impacting total revenues appear as upward stair steps with corresponding dollar amounts above each bar, while items negatively impacting total revenues appear as downward stair steps with dollar amounts reflected in parentheses above each bar. Management utilizes these charts internally to visually communicate results. 

Retail revenue for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $306 million, an increase of $3 million from the same period in 2015.  The increase was due to a $9 million favorable impact from higher interest rates on retail finance receivables, partially offset by a $6 million unfavorable impact from lower average earning assets.  For the quarter ended December 31, 2016, retail average earning assets were $23.17 billion, a decrease of $296 million from the same period in 2015. The annualized average yield was 5.28 percent for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared with 5.17 percent for the fourth quarter of 2015.
 
Operating lease revenue for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $259 million, an increase of $5 million from the same period in 2015.  The increase was due to a $13 million favorable impact from higher average earning assets, partially offset by an $8 million unfavorable impact from lower average rental rates on operating leases.

Wholesale revenue for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $62 million, a decrease of $6 million from the same period in 2015. The decrease was due to a $13 million unfavorable impact from lower average earning assets, partially offset by a $7 million favorable impact from higher interest rates on wholesale finance receivables. For the quarter ended December 31, 2016, wholesale average earning assets were $3.38 billion, a decrease of $751 million from the same period in 2015. The annualized average yield was 7.38 percent for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared with 6.54 percent for the fourth quarter of 2015.
 
Other revenue, net, items were as follows: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
$ Change
Finance receivable and operating lease fees (including late charges)(1)
 
$
18

 
$
16

 
$
2

Fees on committed credit facility extended to Caterpillar
 
10

 
10

 

Interest income on Notes Receivable from Caterpillar(1)
 
7

 
5

 
2

Net loss on returned or repossessed equipment
 
(25
)
 
(12
)
 
(13
)
Miscellaneous other revenue, net
 
5

 
4

 
1

Total Other revenue, net
 
$
15

 
$
23

 
$
(8
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (1) Portfolio-related revenues


18



Consolidated Profit Before Income Taxes

pbt4q16vs4q15b4.jpg
The chart above graphically illustrates reasons for the change in Consolidated Profit Before Income Taxes between fourth quarter 2015 (at left) and fourth quarter 2016 (at right). Items favorably impacting profit before income taxes appear as upward stair steps with corresponding dollar amounts above each bar, while items negatively impacting profit before income taxes appear as downward stair steps with dollar amounts reflected in parentheses above each bar. Management utilizes these charts internally to visually communicate results. 

Profit before income taxes was $122 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared with $129 million for the fourth quarter of 2015. The decrease was primarily due to a $13 million unfavorable impact from returned or repossessed equipment, a $9 million unfavorable impact from lower average earning assets and a $9 million increase in provision for credit losses. These unfavorable impacts were partially offset by a decrease of $22 million in other operating expenses primarily driven by the absence of employee separation charges that were recorded in the prior year.

Provision for income taxes
The Provision for income taxes reflects an effective tax rate of 29 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared with 12 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015. The increase in the effective tax rate is primarily due to a reduction in available foreign tax credits and changes in the geographic mix of profits.


19



2015 COMPARED WITH 2014
 
Consolidated Total Revenues

consrev2015vs2014a5.jpg
The chart above graphically illustrates reasons for the change in Consolidated Total Revenues between 2014 (at left) and 2015 (at right). Items favorably impacting total revenues appear as upward stair steps with corresponding dollar amounts above each bar, while items negatively impacting total revenues appear as downward stair steps with dollar amounts reflected in parentheses above each bar. Management utilizes these charts internally to visually communicate results. 

Retail revenue for 2015 was $1.24 billion, a decrease of $123 million from 2014.  The decrease was due to a $63 million unfavorable impact from lower interest rates on retail finance receivables and a $60 million unfavorable impact from lower average earning assets.  For the year ended December 31, 2015, retail average earning assets were $23.83 billion, a decrease of $1.10 billion from 2014. The average yield was 5.22 percent for 2015, compared with 5.48 percent in 2014.
 
Operating lease revenue for 2015 was $1.01 billion, a decrease of $45 million from 2014. The decrease in operating lease revenue was due to a $38 million unfavorable impact from lower average rental rates on operating leases and a $7 million unfavorable impact from lower average earning assets.
 
Wholesale revenue for 2015 was $285 million, a decrease of $26 million from 2014. The decrease was due to a $24 million unfavorable impact from lower average earning assets and a $2 million unfavorable impact from lower interest rates on wholesale finance receivables. For the year ended December 31, 2015, wholesale average earning assets were $4.38 billion, a decrease of $371 million from 2014. The average yield was 6.50 percent for 2015, compared with 6.54 percent in 2014.
 
Other revenue, net, items were as follows:
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
$ Change
Finance receivable and operating lease fees (including late charges)(1)
 
$
68

 
$
74

 
$
(6
)
Fees on committed credit facility extended to Caterpillar
 
40

 
41

 
(1
)
Interest income on Notes Receivable from Caterpillar(1)
 
21

 
18

 
3

Net loss on returned or repossessed equipment
 
(18
)
 
(3
)
 
(15
)
Miscellaneous other revenue, net
 
22

 
21

 
1

Total Other revenue, net
 
$
133

 
$
151

 
$
(18
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (1) Portfolio-related revenues



20



Consolidated Profit Before Income Taxes

pbt2015vs2014.jpg
The chart above graphically illustrates reasons for the change in Consolidated Profit Before Income Taxes between 2014 (at left) and 2015 (at right). Items favorably impacting profit before income taxes appear as upward stair steps with corresponding dollar amounts above each bar, while items negatively impacting profit before income taxes appear as downward stair steps with dollar amounts reflected in parentheses above each bar. Management utilizes these charts internally to visually communicate results. 

Profit before income taxes was $619 million for 2015, compared with $753 million for 2014. The decrease was primarily due to a $68 million decrease in net yield on average earning assets reflecting geographic mix changes and currency impacts and a $55 million unfavorable impact from lower average earning assets.
  
Provision for income taxes
The Provision for income taxes reflects an annual tax rate of 26 percent for 2015, compared with 28 percent for 2014. The decrease in the annual tax rate is primarily due to foreign tax credits and changes in the geographic mix of profits.

Finance Receivables and Equipment on Operating Leases

New Business Volume
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
$ Change
New retail financing
 
$
9,988

 
$
11,115

 
$
(1,127
)
New operating lease activity
 
1,466

 
1,612

 
(146
)
New wholesale financing
 
35,540

 
39,432

 
(3,892
)
Total
 
$
46,994

 
$
52,159

 
$
(5,165
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

New retail financing decreased due to lower volume across all regions except for North America where volume increased. New operating lease activity (which is substantially related to retail) decreased primarily due to lower rentals of Cat equipment across all regions. New wholesale financing decreased primarily due to lower purchases of trade receivables from Caterpillar.


21



Total Managed Portfolio
We define total portfolio as finance receivables, net plus equipment on operating leases, less accumulated depreciation. We also manage and service receivables and leases that have been sold by us to third parties with limited or no recourse in order to mitigate our concentration of credit risk with certain customers.  These assets are not available to pay our creditors. Total managed portfolio as of December 31, was as follows: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
$ Change
Finance receivables, net
 
$
27,388

 
$
29,074

 
$
(1,686
)
Equipment on operating leases, less accumulated depreciation
 
3,564

 
3,624

 
(60
)
Total portfolio
 
$
30,952

 
$
32,698

 
$
(1,746
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail notes receivable
 
$
113

 
$
121

 
$
(8
)
Operating leases
 
81

 
93

 
(12
)
Retail installment sale contracts
 
67

 
43

 
24

Retail finance leases
 
49

 
59

 
(10
)
Total off-balance sheet managed assets
 
$
310

 
$
316

 
$
(6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total managed portfolio
 
$
31,262

 
$
33,014

 
$
(1,752
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 At the end of 2015, past dues were 2.14 percent, compared with 2.17 percent at the end of 2014. Total non-performing finance receivables, which represent finance receivables currently on non-accrual status, were $485 million and $468 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Total non-performing finance receivables as a percentage of our recorded investment in finance receivables were 1.75 percent and 1.59 percent at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Our allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2015 was $338 million or 1.22 percent of net finance receivables compared with $401 million or 1.36 percent as of December 31, 2014, which is a decrease of $63 million. The decrease in allowance rate is primarily a result of changes in our estimate of the loss emergence period and loss given default. The allowance is subject to an ongoing evaluation based on many quantitative and qualitative factors, including past loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of underlying collateral and current economic conditions. We believe our allowance is sufficient to provide for losses inherent in our existing finance receivable portfolio as of December 31, 2015.




22



CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
 
Capital resources and liquidity provide us with the ability to meet our financial obligations on a timely basis.  Maintaining and managing adequate capital and liquidity resources includes management of funding sources and their utilization based on current, future and contingent needs. Throughout 2016, we experienced favorable liquidity conditions. We ended 2016 with $1.80 billion of cash, an increase of $779 million from year-end 2015. Our cash balances are held in numerous locations throughout the world with approximately $150 million held by our non-U.S. subsidiaries. Amounts held by non-U.S. subsidiaries are available for general corporate use and could be used in the U.S. without incurring significant additional U.S. taxes. We expect to meet our U.S. funding needs without repatriating undistributed profits that are indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S.
 
BORROWINGS
Borrowings consist primarily of medium-term notes, commercial paper, bank borrowings and variable denomination floating rate demand notes, the combination of which is used to manage interest rate risk and funding requirements. (Please refer to Notes 6, 7, 8 and 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion.)

We receive debt ratings from the major rating agencies. In December 2016, Moody's Investors Service downgraded our long-term ratings to A3 from A2, and short-term ratings to Prime-2 from Prime-1.  We do not expect the Moody’s downgrade to have a material impact on our borrowing costs or our overall financial health. A further downgrade of our credit ratings by Moody's or one of the other major credit rating agencies would result in increased borrowing costs and could make access to certain credit markets more difficult. In the event economic conditions deteriorate such that access to debt markets becomes unavailable, we would rely on cash flows from our existing portfolio, existing cash balances, access to our revolving credit facilities and our other credit facilities and potential borrowings from Caterpillar.  In addition, Caterpillar maintains a support agreement with us, which requires Caterpillar to remain as our sole owner and may, under certain circumstances, require Caterpillar to make payments to us should we fail to maintain certain financial ratios.

Total borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2016, were $29.27 billion, a decrease of $355 million over December 31, 2015, primarily due to lower borrowings due to decreasing portfolio funding requirements, partially offset by the impact of lending activity with Caterpillar.  Outstanding borrowings as of December 31 were as follows: 
(Millions of dollars) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
Medium-term notes, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs
 
$
19,667

 
$
20,574

Commercial paper, net of unamortized discount
 
5,985

 
5,811

Bank borrowings – long-term
 
870

 
995

Bank borrowings – short-term
 
553

 
440

Variable denomination floating rate demand notes
 
556

 
707

Notes payable to Caterpillar
 
1,637

 
1,096

Total outstanding borrowings
 
$
29,268

 
$
29,623

 
 
 
 
 
 
Medium-term notes
We issue medium-term unsecured notes through securities dealers or underwriters in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Argentina and Mexico to both retail and institutional investors. These notes are offered in several currencies and with a variety of maturities. These notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Medium-term notes outstanding as of December 31, 2016, mature as follows: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
2017
$
5,798

2018
5,102

2019
3,550

2020
1,100

2021
1,619

Thereafter
2,498

Total
$
19,667

 
 

 

23



Medium-term notes issued totaled $4.09 billion and redeemed totaled $4.94 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016. During September 2016, $381 million of medium-term notes with varying interest rates and maturity dates were exchanged for $366 million of 1.93 percent medium-term notes due in 2021 and $15 million in cash. In addition, a debt exchange premium of $33 million was paid.

Commercial paper
We issue unsecured commercial paper in the U.S., Europe and other international capital markets.  These short-term promissory notes are issued on a discounted basis and are payable at maturity.
 
Revolving credit facilities
We have three global credit facilities with a syndicate of banks totaling $10.50 billion (Credit Facility) available in the aggregate to both Caterpillar and us for general liquidity purposes.  Based on management's allocation decision, which can be revised from time to time, the portion of the Credit Facility available to us as of December 31, 2016 was $7.75 billion.

The 364-day facility of $3.15 billion (of which $2.33 billion is available to us) expires in September 2017.
The three-year facility, as amended in September 2016, of $2.73 billion (of which $2.01 billion is available to us) expires in September 2019.
The five-year facility, as amended in September 2016, of $4.62 billion (of which $3.41 billion is available to us) expires in September 2021. 

At December 31, 2016, Caterpillar’s consolidated net worth was $13.20 billion, which was above the $9.00 billion required under the Credit Facility.  The consolidated net worth is defined in the Credit Facility as the consolidated stockholders' equity including preferred stock but excluding the pension and other postretirement benefits balance within Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss).

At December 31, 2016, our covenant interest coverage ratio was 1.92 to 1.  This is above the 1.15 to 1 minimum ratio, calculated as (1) profit excluding income taxes, interest expense and net gain/(loss) from interest rate derivatives to (2) interest expense calculated at the end of each calendar quarter for the rolling four quarter period then most recently ended, required by the Credit Facility.

In addition, at December 31, 2016, our six-month covenant leverage ratio was 7.35 to 1 and our year-end covenant leverage ratio was 7.60 to 1.  This is below the maximum ratio of debt to net worth of 10 to 1, calculated (1) on a monthly basis as the average of the leverage ratios determined on the last day of each of the six preceding calendar months and (2) at each December 31, required by the Credit Facility.

In the event that either Caterpillar or we do not meet one or more of our respective financial covenants under the Credit Facility in the future (and are unable to obtain a consent or waiver), the syndicate of banks may terminate the commitments allocated to the party that does not meet its covenants.  Additionally, in such event, certain of our other lenders under other loan agreements where similar financial covenants or cross default provisions are applicable, may, at their election, choose to pursue remedies under those loan agreements, including accelerating the repayment of outstanding borrowings. At December 31, 2016, there were no borrowings under the Credit Facility.
 
Bank borrowings
Available credit lines with banks as of December 31, 2016 totaled $3.76 billion.  These committed and uncommitted credit lines, which may be eligible for renewal at various future dates or have no specified expiration date, are used primarily by our non-U.S. subsidiaries for local funding requirements. As of December 31, 2016, we had $1.42 billion outstanding against these credit lines and were in compliance with all debt covenants under these credit lines. The remaining available credit commitments may be withdrawn any time at the lenders' discretion.
 
Variable denomination floating rate demand notes
We obtain funding from the sale of variable denomination floating rate demand notes, which may be redeemed at any time at the option of the holder without any material restriction.  We do not hold reserves to fund the payment of the demand notes.  The notes are offered on a continuous basis. As of December 31, 2016, there was $556 million of variable denomination floating rate demand notes outstanding. The maximum amount of variable denomination floating rate demand notes that we may have outstanding at any time may not exceed $1.25 billion.


24



Notes receivable from/payable to Caterpillar
Under our variable amount and term lending agreements and other notes receivable with Caterpillar, we may borrow up to $2.83 billion from Caterpillar and Caterpillar may borrow up to $2.29 billion from us.  The variable amount lending agreements are in effect for indefinite periods of time and may be changed or terminated by either party with 30 days notice.  The term lending agreements have remaining maturities ranging up to ten years. We had notes payable of $1.64 billion and notes receivable of $530 million outstanding under these agreements as of December 31, 2016.
 
Committed credit facility
We extended a $2 billion committed credit facility to Caterpillar, which expires in February 2019.  We receive a fee from Caterpillar based on amounts drawn under the credit facility and a commitment fee for the undrawn amounts under the credit facility.  At December 31, 2016, there were no borrowings under this credit facility.
 
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We lease all of our facilities. In addition, we have potential payment exposure for guarantees issued to third parties totaling $43 million as of December 31, 2016.  Please refer to Notes 11 and 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
 
Managed Assets
Certain finance receivables and equipment on operating leases are sold by us to third parties with limited or no recourse in order to mitigate our concentration of credit risk with certain customers.  In 2016, we received $159 million of cash proceeds from the sale of such assets. We typically maintain servicing responsibilities for these assets.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
We have committed cash outflow related to long-term debt, operating lease agreements and purchase obligations.  Minimum payments for these obligations are: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2018-2019
 
2020-2021
 
After 2021
 
Total
Long-term debt(1)
 
$
6,158

 
$
9,052

 
$
2,833

 
$
2,491

 
$
20,534

Operating leases
 
15

 
27

 
24

 
7

 
73

Purchase obligations(2)
 
27

 

 

 

 
27

Interest payable on long-term debt
 
460

 
546

 
239

 
164

 
1,409

Total contractual obligations
 
$
6,660

 
$
9,625

 
$
3,096

 
$
2,662

 
$
22,043

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)Excludes debt issuance costs and fair value adjustments.
(2)Represents short-term contractual obligations made in the ordinary course of business for contracted services at December 31, 2016.
 
These contractual obligations do not include unused commitments and lines of credit for dealers and customers discussed in Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

CASH FLOWS
Operating cash flow for 2016 was $1.41 billion compared with $1.27 billion for 2015. Net cash provided by investing activities in 2016 was $87 million compared with $841 million cash used for investing activities in 2015. The change was primarily due to lower levels of financing. Net cash used for financing activities was $717 million in 2016 compared with $228 million in 2015. The change was due to lower funding requirements, partially offset by lending activity with Caterpillar and a lower dividend payment to Caterpillar.


25



CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts.  The more significant estimates include: residual values for leased assets, allowance for credit losses and income taxes. We have incorporated many years of data into the determination of each of these estimates and we have not historically experienced significant adjustments. These assumptions are reviewed at least annually with the Audit Committee of the Caterpillar Inc. Board of Directors. Following are the methods and assumptions used in determining our estimates and an indication of the risks inherent in each.
 
Residual values for leased assets
Lease residual values are an estimate of the market value of leased equipment at the end of the lease term and are based on an analysis of historical wholesale market sales prices, projected forward on a level trend line without consideration for inflation or possible future pricing action.  At the inception of the lease, residual values are estimated with consideration of the following critical factors: market size and demand, any known significant market/product trends, total expected hours of usage, machine configuration, application, location, model changes, quantities, past re-marketing experience, third-party residual guarantees and contractual customer purchase options.  Many of these factors are gathered in an application survey that is completed prior to quotation.  The lease agreement also clearly defines applicable return conditions and remedies for non-compliance, to ensure that the leased equipment will be in good operating condition upon return.  Model changes and updates, as well as market strength and product acceptance, are monitored and adjustments are made to residual values in accordance with the significance of any such changes.  Remarketing sales staff works closely with customers and dealers to manage the sale of lease returns and the recovery of residual exposure.

During the term of the equipment on operating leases, we evaluate our depreciation on a regular basis taking into consideration expected residual values at lease termination.   Adjustments to depreciation expense reflecting revised estimates of expected residual values at the end of the lease terms are recorded prospectively on a straight-line basis. For finance leases, residual value adjustments are recognized through a reduction of finance revenue.

We evaluate the carrying value of  equipment on operating leases for potential impairment when we determine a triggering event has occurred. When a triggering event occurs, a test for recoverability is performed by comparing projected undiscounted future cash flows to the carrying value of the equipment on operating leases. If the test for recoverability identifies a possible impairment, the fair value of the equipment on operating leases is measured in accordance with the fair value measurement framework. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value of the equipment on operating leases exceeds its estimated fair value.

At December 31, 2016, the aggregate residual value of equipment on operating leases was $2.27 billion. Without consideration of other factors such as third-party residual guarantees or contractual customer purchase options, a 10 percent non-temporary decrease in the market value of our equipment subject to operating leases would reduce residual value estimates and result in recognition of approximately $90 million of additional annual depreciation expense.
 
Allowance for credit losses
The allowance for credit losses is an estimate of the losses inherent in our finance receivable portfolio and includes consideration of accounts that have been individually identified as impaired, as well as pools of finance receivables where it is probable that certain receivables in the pool are impaired but the individual accounts cannot yet be identified.   In identifying and measuring impairment, management takes into consideration past loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of underlying collateral and current economic conditions.

Accounts are identified for individual review based on past-due status and information available about the customer, such as financial statements, news reports and published credit ratings, as well as general information regarding industry trends and the economic environment in which our customers operate. The allowance for credit losses attributable to finance receivables that are individually evaluated and determined to be impaired is based either on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the receivables' effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for collateral-dependent receivables.  In determining collateral value, we estimate the current fair market value of the collateral less selling costs. We also consider credit enhancements such as additional collateral and contractual third-party guarantees. The allowance for credit losses attributable to the remaining accounts not yet individually identified as impaired is estimated based on loss forecast models utilizing probabilities of default, our estimate of the loss emergence period and the estimated loss given default.  In addition, qualitative factors not able to be fully captured in our loss forecast models including industry trends, macroeconomic factors and model imprecision are considered in the evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses.  These qualitative factors are subjective and require a degree of management judgment.

26




While management believes it has exercised prudent judgment and applied reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that in the future, changes in economic conditions or other factors would not cause changes in the financial health of our customers.  If the financial health of our customers deteriorates, the timing and level of payments received could be impacted and therefore, could result in a change to our estimated losses.

Income taxes
We are subject to the income tax laws of the many jurisdictions in which we operate. These tax laws are complex, and the manner in which they apply to our facts is sometimes open to interpretation. In establishing the Provision for income taxes, we must make judgments about the application of these inherently complex tax laws.

Despite our belief that our tax return positions are consistent with applicable tax laws, we believe that taxing authorities could challenge certain positions. Settlement of any challenge can result in no change, a complete disallowance, or some partial adjustment reached through negotiations or litigation. We record tax benefits for uncertain tax positions based upon management's evaluation of the information available at the reporting date. To be recognized in the financial statements, a tax benefit must be at least more likely than not of being sustained based on technical merits. The benefit for positions meeting the recognition threshold is measured as the largest benefit more likely than not of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. Significant judgment is required in making these determinations and adjustments to unrecognized tax benefits may be necessary to reflect actual taxes payable upon settlement. Adjustments related to positions impacting the effective tax rate affect the Provision for income taxes. Adjustments related to positions impacting the timing of deductions impact deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Our income tax positions and analysis are based on currently enacted tax law. Future changes in tax law could significantly impact the Provision for income taxes, the amount of taxes payable and the deferred tax asset and liability balances. Deferred tax assets generally represent tax benefits for tax deductions or credits available in future tax returns. Certain estimates and assumptions are required to determine whether it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the benefit of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. In making this assessment, management analyzes the trend of U.S. GAAP earnings and estimates the impact of future taxable income, reversing temporary differences and available prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. Should a change in facts or circumstances lead to a change in judgment about the ultimate realizability of a deferred tax asset, we record or adjust the related valuation allowance in the period that the change in facts and circumstances occurs, along with a corresponding increase or decrease in the Provision for income taxes.

A provision for U.S. income taxes has not been recorded on undistributed profits of our non-U.S. subsidiaries that we have determined to be indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. If management intentions or U.S. tax law changes in the future, there could be a significant negative impact on the Provision for income taxes to record an incremental tax liability in the period the change occurs. A deferred tax asset is recognized only if we have definite plans to generate a U.S. tax benefit by repatriating earnings in the foreseeable future.

Income taxes are based on the statutory tax rate of the jurisdiction in which earnings are subject to taxation. That statutory rate may differ from the statutory tax rate of the jurisdiction in which that entity is incorporated. Taxes are paid in the jurisdictions where earnings are subject to taxation. The effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate in part due to indefinitely reinvested profits of non-U.S. subsidiaries being subject to statutory tax rates which are generally lower than the U.S. rate of 35 percent.

27



Item 7A. 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 
In the normal course of business, our earnings and cash flow are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. We use derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate exposures.  Our Risk Management Policy prevents us from using these instruments for speculative purposes.
 
Interest rate risk
Interest rate movements create a degree of risk by affecting the amount of our interest payments and the value of our fixed-rate debt.  Our practice is to use interest rate contracts to manage our exposure to interest rate changes.
 
We have a match-funding policy that addresses interest rate risk by aligning the interest rate profile (fixed or floating rate and duration) of our debt portfolio with the interest rate profile of our finance receivable portfolio within predetermined ranges on an ongoing basis.  In connection with that policy, we use interest rate derivative instruments to modify the debt structure to match assets within the finance receivable portfolio.  This matched funding reduces the volatility of margins between interest-bearing assets and interest-bearing liabilities, regardless of which direction interest rates move.
 
In order to properly manage our sensitivity to changes in interest rates, we measure the potential impact of different interest rate assumptions on pre-tax earnings.  All on-balance sheet positions, including derivative financial instruments, are included in the analysis.  The primary assumptions used in the analysis are that there are no new fixed rate assets or liabilities, the proportion of fixed rate debt to fixed rate assets remains unchanged and the level of floating rate assets and debt remains constant.  An analysis of the December 31, 2016 balance sheet, using these assumptions, estimates the impact of a 100 basis point immediate and sustained adverse change in interest rates to have a potential $6 million adverse impact on pre-tax earnings.  Last year, similar assumptions and calculations yielded a potential $13 million adverse impact on pre-tax earnings.
 
This analysis does not necessarily represent our current outlook of future market interest rate movement, nor does it consider any actions management could undertake in response to changes in interest rates.  Accordingly, no assurance can be given that actual results would be consistent with the results of our analysis.
 
Foreign currency exchange rate risk
We have balance sheet positions and expected future transactions denominated in foreign currencies, thereby creating exposure to movements in exchange rates. In managing foreign currency risk, our objective is to minimize earnings volatility resulting from conversion and the remeasurement of net foreign currency balance sheet positions and future transactions denominated in foreign currencies.  Our policy allows the use of foreign currency forward, option and cross currency contracts to offset the risk of currency mismatch between our assets and liabilities and exchange rate risk associated with future transactions denominated in foreign currencies. An analysis of the December 31, 2016 balance sheet estimates the net impact of a 10 percent adverse change in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to all other currencies, to have a net impact to pre-tax earnings of less than $1 million. A similar analysis performed on the December 31, 2015 balance sheet resulted in an estimated net impact to pre-tax earnings of less than $1 million.
 
This analysis does not necessarily represent our current outlook for the U.S. dollar relative to all other currencies, nor does it consider any actions management could undertake in response to changes in the foreign currency markets.  Accordingly, no assurance can be given that actual results would be consistent with the results of our analysis.

Item 8. 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
Information required by Item 8 is included following the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

Item 9. 
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
 
None.

28



Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures.
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and our Chief Financial Officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of December 31, 2016. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2016.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The management of Cat Financial is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined under Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our 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.

Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on our assessment, we concluded that, as of December 31, 2016, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There have been no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2016 covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. 
Other Information.
 
None.

29



PART III
 
Item 14. 
Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
 
As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., our principal accounting fees and services are subject to Caterpillar Inc.’s Audit Committee pre-approval policies and procedures described in its Proxy Statement.  This Proxy Statement can be located at Caterpillar Inc.’s Internet site (www.caterpillar.com), under Investors, Financial Information, Proxy Statement.  Other than these policies and procedures, the information contained at that Internet site is not incorporated by reference in this filing.  During 2016, all services provided by the external auditor were pre-approved by Caterpillar’s Audit Committee in accordance with such policy.
 
Fees for professional services provided by our auditors include the following: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
Audit fees(1)
 
$
5.7

 
$
4.8

Audit-related fees(2)
 
.1

 
.1

Tax fees(3)
 
.1

 
.2

Total
 
$
5.9

 
$
5.1

 
 
 
 
 
(1) "Audit fees" principally includes audit and review of financial statements (including internal control over financial reporting), statutory and subsidiary audits, SEC registration statements, comfort letters and consents.
(2) "Audit-related fees" principally includes accounting consultations and pre- or post- implementation reviews of processes or systems.
(3) "Tax fees" include, among other things, statutory tax return preparation and review and advising on the impact of changes in local tax laws.

PART IV
 
Item 15. 
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
The following documents are filed as part of this report.
1

 
Financial Statements:
 
 
·
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
 
·
 
Consolidated Statements of Profit
 
 
·
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
 
 
·
 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
 
 
·
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder’s Equity
 
 
·
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
·
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2

 
Financial Statement Schedules:
 
 
·
 
All schedules are omitted because the required information is shown in the financial statements or the notes thereto or considered to be immaterial.
3

 
Exhibits
3.1
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 10 for the year ended December 31, 1984).
3.2
Bylaws of the Company, as amended (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).
4.1
Indenture, dated as of April 15, 1985, between the Company and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, Commission File No. 33-2246).
4.2
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 22, 1986, amending the Indenture dated as of April 15, 1985, between the Company and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended June 20, 1986).

30



4.3
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 15, 1987, amending the Indenture dated as of April 15, 1985, between the Company and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 24, 1987).
4.4
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 2, 1989, amending the Indenture dated as of April 15, 1985, between the Company and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 16, 1989).
4.5
Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 1, 1990, amending the Indenture dated April 15, 1985, between the Company and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 29, 1990).
4.6
Indenture, dated as of July 15, 1991, between the Company and Continental Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated July 25, 1991).
4.7
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 1, 2005, amending the Indenture dated as of July 15, 1991, between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust National Association (as successor to the former Trustee) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to Amendment No. 5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed October 20, 2005, Commission File No. 333-114075).
4.8
Support Agreement, dated as of December 21, 1984, between the Company and Caterpillar (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s amended Form 10, for the year ended December 31, 1984).
4.9
First Amendment to the Support Agreement dated June 14, 1995, between the Company and Caterpillar (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 14, 1995).
 
The registrant hereby undertakes upon request to furnish the Commission with a copy of any instrument with respect to long-term debt where the total amount of securities authorized thereunder does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
10.1
Tax Sharing Agreement, dated as of June 21, 1984, between the Company and Caterpillar (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s amended Form 10, for the year ended December 31, 1984).
10.2
364-Day Credit Agreement (2016 364-Day Facility), dated as of September 8, 2016, among the Company, Caterpillar Inc., Caterpillar International Finance Limited and Caterpillar Finance Kabushiki Kaisha, certain financial institutions named therein, Citibank, N.A., as Agent, Citibank Europe PLC, UK Branch, as Local Currency Agent, and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., as Japan Local Currency Agent (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 14, 2016).
10.3
Local Currency Addendum, dated as of September 8, 2016, to the 364-Day Facility (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 14, 2016).
10.4
Japan Local Currency Addendum, dated as of September 8, 2016, to the 364-Day Facility (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 14, 2016).
10.5
Omnibus Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (3-Year Facility), Amendment No. 1 to Local Currency Addendum and Amendment No. 1 to Japan Local Currency Addendum, dated as of September 8, 2016, among the Company, Caterpillar Inc., Caterpillar International Finance Limited and Caterpillar Finance Kabushiki Kaisha, certain financial institutions named therein, Citibank, N.A., as Agent, Citibank Europe PLC, UK Branch, as Local Currency Agent, and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., as Japan Local Currency Agent (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 14, 2016).
10.6
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (3-Year Facility), dated as of September 10, 2015, by and among the Company, Caterpillar Inc., Caterpillar International Finance Limited and Caterpillar Finance Corporation, the Banks named therein, Local Currency Banks and Japan Local Currency Banks party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as Agent, Citibank International Limited, as Local Currency Agent, and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., as Japan Local Currency Agent (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 16, 2015).
10.7
Local Currency Addendum to the 3-Year Facility among the Company, Caterpillar International Finance Limited, the Local Currency Banks named therein, Citibank, N.A. and Citibank International Limited (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 16, 2015).
10.8
Japan Local Currency Addendum to the 3-Year Facility among the Company, Caterpillar Finance Corporation, the Japan Local Currency Banks named therein, Citibank, N.A. and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 16, 2015).
10.9
Omnibus Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (5-Year Facility), Amendment No. 1 to Local Currency Addendum and Amendment No. 1 to Japan Local Currency Addendum, dated as of September 8, 2016, among the Company, Caterpillar Inc., Caterpillar International Finance Limited and Caterpillar Finance Kabushiki Kaisha, certain financial institutions named therein, Citibank, N.A., as Agent, Citibank Europe PLC, UK Branch, as Local Currency Agent, and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., as Japan Local Currency Agent (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 14, 2016).
10.10
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (5-Year Facility), dated as of September 10, 2015, by and among the Company, Caterpillar Inc., Caterpillar International Finance Limited and Caterpillar Finance Corporation, the Banks named therein, Local Currency Banks and Japan Local Currency Banks party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as Agent, Citibank International Limited, as Local Currency Agent, and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., as Japan Local Currency Agent (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.7 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 16, 2015).

31



10.11
Local Currency Addendum to the 5-Year Facility among the Company, Caterpillar International Finance Limited, the Local Currency Banks named therein, Citibank, N.A. and Citibank International Limited (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.8 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 16, 2015).
10.12
Japan Local Currency Addendum to the 5-Year Facility among the Company, Caterpillar Finance Corporation, the Japan Local Currency Banks named therein, Citibank, N.A. and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.9 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 16, 2015).
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Certification of Kent M. Adams, President, Director and Chief Executive Officer of Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, as required pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification of James A. Duensing, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, as required pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certifications of Kent M. Adams, President, Director and Chief Executive Officer of Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, and James A. Duensing, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, as required pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

Item 16. 
Form 10-K Summary
 
Not applicable.


32



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. 
 
 
 
Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
Date:
February 15, 2017
By:
/s/Leslie S. Zmugg
 
 
 
Leslie S. Zmugg, Secretary
 
 
 
 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
Date
 
Signature
 
Title
 
 
 
 
 
February 15, 2017
 
/s/Kent M. Adams
 
President, Director and Chief
Executive Officer
 
 
Kent M. Adams
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
February 15, 2017
 
/s/Bradley M. Halverson
 
Director
 
 
Bradley M. Halverson
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
February 15, 2017
 
/s/James A. Duensing
 
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
James A. Duensing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
February 15, 2017
 
/s/Jeffry D. Everett
 
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
Jeffry D. Everett
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




33



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation:

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position and the related consolidated statements of profit, comprehensive income, changes in stockholder’s equity and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated 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 audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

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 (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) 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 (iii) 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.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Nashville, Tennessee
February 15, 2017



34



Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT
For the Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Millions)
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail finance
 
$
1,220

 
$
1,243

 
$
1,366

Operating lease
 
1,015

 
1,012

 
1,057

Wholesale finance
 
264

 
285

 
311

Other, net
 
96

 
133

 
151

Total revenues
 
2,595

 
2,673

 
2,885

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest
 
611

 
593

 
631

Depreciation on equipment leased to others
 
841

 
836

 
870

General, operating and administrative
 
391

 
415

 
433

Provision for credit losses
 
135

 
119

 
139

Other
 
41

 
64

 
37

Total expenses
 
2,019

 
2,027

 
2,110

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense)
 
(15
)
 
(27
)
 
(22
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Profit before income taxes
 
561

 
619

 
753

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for income taxes
 
171

 
158

 
209

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Profit of consolidated companies
 
390

 
461

 
544

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less:  Profit attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
6

 
1

 
9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Profit1
 
$
384

 
$
460

 
$
535

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 Profit attributable to Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


35



Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Millions)

 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Profit of consolidated companies
 
$
390

 
$
461

 
$
544

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation, net of tax (expense)/benefit of:
2016-$(25); 2015-$(91); 2014-$(119)
 
(104
)
 
(545
)
 
(481
)
Derivative financial instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains (losses) deferred, net of tax (expense)/benefit of:
2016-$(8); 2015-$(1); 2014-$2
 
15

 
2

 
(4
)
(Gains) losses reclassified to earnings, net of tax expense/(benefit) of:
2016-$9; 2015-$(2); 2014-$(2)
 
(16
)
 
3

 
4

Total Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
(105
)
 
(540
)
 
(481
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
285

 
(79
)
 
63

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests
 
(1
)
 
(6
)
 
9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Caterpillar Financial Services
Corporation
 
$
286

 
$
(73
)
 
$
54

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

36



Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
At December 31,
(Dollars in Millions, except share data)
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
Assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
1,795

 
$
1,016

Finance receivables, net (Note 3)
 
26,212

 
27,388

Notes receivable from Caterpillar (Note 14)
 
530


490

Equipment on operating leases,
 
 

 
 

less accumulated depreciation (Note 4)
 
3,708

 
3,564

Deferred and refundable income taxes (Note 12)
 
119

 
240

Other assets (Note 5)
 
1,251

 
1,169

Total assets
 
$
33,615

 
$
33,867

 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and stockholder’s equity:
 
 

 
 

Payable to dealers and others
 
$
140

 
$
137

Payable to Caterpillar – other
 
49

 
62

Accrued expenses
 
172

 
200

Income taxes payable
 
32

 
47

Payable to Caterpillar – borrowings (Note 14)
 
1,637


1,096

Short-term borrowings (Note 8)
 
7,094

 
6,958

Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 9)
 
6,155

 
5,360

Long-term debt (Note 9)
 
14,382

 
16,209

Deferred income taxes and other liabilities (Note 12)
 
969

 
823

Total liabilities
 
30,630

 
30,892

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 11)
 


 


 
 
 
 
 
Common stock - $1 par value
 
 

 
 

Authorized:  2,000 shares; Issued and
 
 

 
 

outstanding:  one share (at paid-in amount)
 
745

 
745

Additional paid-in capital
 
2

 
2

Retained earnings
 
3,108

 
2,999

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)
 
(995
)
 
(897
)
Noncontrolling interests
 
125

 
126

Total stockholder’s equity
 
2,985

 
2,975

 
 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity
 
$
33,615

 
$
33,867

 
 
 
 
 
 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

37



Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
For the Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Millions)
 
 
 
Common
stock
 
Additional
paid-in
capital
 
Retained
earnings
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income/(loss)
 
Noncontrolling
interests
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2013
 
$
745

 
$
2

 
$
3,004

 
$
117

 
$
123

 
$
3,991

Profit of consolidated companies
 
 

 
 

 
535

 
 

 
9

 
544

Dividend paid to Caterpillar
 
 

 
 

 
(400
)
 
 

 
 

 
(400
)
Foreign currency translation, net of tax
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(481
)
 

 
(481
)
Derivative financial instruments, net of tax
 
 

 
 

 
 

 

 
 
 

Balance at December 31, 2014
 
$
745

 
$
2

 
$
3,139

 
$
(364
)
 
$
132

 
$
3,654

Profit of consolidated companies
 
 

 
 

 
460

 
 

 
1

 
461

Dividend paid to Caterpillar
 
 

 
 

 
(600
)
 
 

 
 

 
(600
)
Foreign currency translation, net of tax
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(538
)
 
(7
)
 
(545
)
Derivative financial instruments, net of tax
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
5

 
 

 
5

Balance at December 31, 2015
 
$
745

 
$
2

 
$
2,999

 
$
(897
)
 
$
126

 
$
2,975

Profit of consolidated companies
 
 

 
 

 
384

 
 
 
6

 
390

Dividend paid to Caterpillar
 
 

 
 

 
(275
)
 
 
 
 
 
(275
)
Foreign currency translation, net of tax
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
(97
)
 
(7
)
 
(104
)
Derivative financial instruments, net of tax
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(1
)
 
 
 
(1
)
Balance at December 31, 2016
 
$
745

 
$
2

 
$
3,108

 
$
(995
)
 
$
125

 
$
2,985

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

38



Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Years Ended December 31,
 (Dollars in Millions)
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Profit of consolidated companies
 
$
390

 
$
461

 
$
544

Adjustments for non-cash items:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
851

 
848

 
883

Amortization of receivables purchase discount
 
(207
)
 
(222
)
 
(243
)
Provision for credit losses
 
135

 
119

 
139

Other, net
 
72

 
29

 
(9
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Receivables from others
 
(69
)
 
(43
)
 
10

Other receivables/payables with Caterpillar
 
1

 
(17
)
 
23

Payable to dealers and others
 
36

 
83

 
(26
)
Accrued interest payable
 
(21
)
 
7

 
(60
)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities, net
 
71

 
76

 
107

Income taxes payable
 
138

 
(74
)
 
(33
)
Proceeds from interest rate contracts
 
44

 
4

 
3

Debt exchange premium
 
(33
)
 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
1,408

 
1,271

 
1,338

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Capital expenditures for equipment on operating leases and other capital expenditures
 
(1,636
)
 
(1,461
)
 
(1,627
)
Proceeds from disposals of equipment
 
789

 
583

 
771

Additions to finance receivables
 
(11,862
)
 
(12,928
)
 
(14,396
)
Collections of finance receivables
 
12,341

 
12,225

 
12,608

Net changes in Caterpillar purchased receivables
 
399

 
745

 
10

Proceeds from sales of receivables
 
127

 
136

 
179

Net change in variable lending to Caterpillar
 
30

 

 

Additions to other notes receivable with Caterpillar
 
(146
)
 
(134
)
 
(103
)
Collections on other notes receivable with Caterpillar
 
76

 
58

 
34

Proceeds from sale of securities
 
5

 

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents activity, net
 
(11
)
 
(7
)
 
6

Settlements of derivatives
 
(25
)
 
(58
)
 
(40
)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities
 
87

 
(841
)
 
(2,558
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Net change in variable lending from Caterpillar
 
1,492

 

 

Proceeds from borrowings with Caterpillar
 
253

 

 

Payments on borrowings with Caterpillar
 
(1,203
)
 

 

Proceeds from debt issued (original maturities greater than three months)
 
5,109

 
5,129

 
8,655

Payments on debt issued (original maturities greater than three months)
 
(6,032
)
 
(7,775
)
 
(8,463
)
Short-term borrowings, net (original maturities three months or less)
 
(61
)
 
3,018

 
1,043

Dividend paid to Caterpillar
 
(275
)
 
(600
)
 
(400
)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
 
(717
)
 
(228
)
 
835

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
1

 
(43
)
 
(78
)
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
779

 
159

 
(463
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
1,016

 
857

 
1,320

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
1,795

 
$
1,016

 
$
857

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest
 
$
608

 
$
579

 
$
674

Cash (received) paid for taxes
 
$
(61
)
 
$
125

 
$
175

All short-term investments, which consist primarily of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, are considered to be cash equivalents.
Non-cash activity: In September 2016, $381 million of medium-term notes with varying interest rates and maturity dates were exchanged for $366 million of 1.93% medium-term notes due in 2021 and $15 million of cash. In addition, a debt exchange premium of $33 million was paid and is included in the operating section of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

39



NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
A. Nature of Operations
 
Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, a Delaware corporation organized in 1981 (together with its subsidiaries, "Cat Financial," "the Company," "we" and "our"), is a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. (together with its other subsidiaries, "Caterpillar" or "Cat").  Our primary business is to provide retail and wholesale financing alternatives for Caterpillar products to customers and dealers around the world.  Retail financing is primarily comprised of financing of Caterpillar equipment, machinery and engines.  In addition, we also provide financing for vehicles, power generation facilities and marine vessels that, in most cases, incorporate Caterpillar products.  We also provide wholesale financing to Caterpillar dealers and purchase short-term receivables from Caterpillar. The various financing plans offered by Cat Financial are primarily designed to increase the opportunity for sales of Caterpillar products and generate financing income for Cat Financial.  A significant portion of our activities is conducted in North America.  However, we have additional offices and subsidiaries in Latin America, Europe and Asia/Pacific.  

B. Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cat Financial and consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs) in which Cat Financial is the primary beneficiary.  
We consolidate all variable-interest entities (VIEs) where we are the primary beneficiary. For VIEs, we assess whether we are the primary beneficiary as prescribed by the accounting guidance on the consolidation of VIEs. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the party that has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the entity. Please refer to Note 11 for more information.
We have customers that are VIEs of which we are not the primary beneficiary. Although we have provided financial support to these entities and therefore have a variable interest, we do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact their economic performance. Our maximum exposure to loss from our involvement with these VIEs is limited to the credit risk inherently present in the financial support that we have provided. These risks are evaluated and reflected in our financial statements as part of our overall portfolio of finance receivables and related allowance for credit losses.
Certain amounts for prior years have been reclassified to conform with current-year financial statement presentation.
C. Recognition of Earned Income
 
Finance revenue is recorded over the life of the related finance receivable using the interest method, including the accretion of certain direct origination costs that are deferred. Revenue from rental payments received on operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Recognition of finance revenue and operating lease revenue is suspended and the account is placed on non-accrual status when management determines that collection of future income is not probable (generally after 120 days past due).  Recognition is resumed, and previously suspended income is recognized, when the account becomes current and collection of remaining amounts is considered probable.
 
We participate in certain marketing programs offered in conjunction with Caterpillar and/or Caterpillar dealers that allow us to periodically offer financing to customers at interest rates that are below market rates.  Under these marketing programs, Caterpillar and/or the dealer funds an amount at the outset of the transaction, which we then recognize as revenue over the term of the financing.  The funds we receive from Caterpillar and/or the dealer equal an amount that when combined with the customer’s contractual interest provides us with a market interest rate.

D. Depreciation
 
Depreciation for equipment on operating leases is recognized using the straight-line method over the lease term, typically one to seven years.  The depreciable basis is the original cost of the equipment less the estimated residual value of the equipment at the end of the lease term.
 

40



E. Residual Values
 
The residuals for leases classified as operating leases are included in Equipment on operating leases.  The residuals for leases classified as finance leases, in accordance with lease accounting, are included in finance receivables.

During the term of the equipment on operating leases, we evaluate our depreciation on a regular basis taking into consideration expected residual values at lease termination.   Adjustments to depreciation expense reflecting revised estimates of expected residual values at the end of the lease terms are recorded prospectively on a straight-line basis. For finance leases, residual value adjustments are recognized through a reduction of finance revenue.

We evaluate the carrying value of  equipment on operating leases for potential impairment when we determine a triggering event has occurred. When a triggering event occurs, a test for recoverability is performed by comparing projected undiscounted future cash flows to the carrying value of the equipment on operating leases. If the test for recoverability identifies a possible impairment, the fair value of the equipment on operating leases is measured in accordance with the fair value measurement framework. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value of the equipment on operating leases exceeds its estimated fair value.
 
F. Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Our earnings and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.  Our Risk Management Policy (policy) allows for the use of derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate exposures. Our policy specifies that derivatives are not to be used for speculative purposes.  Derivatives that we use are primarily foreign currency forward, option, and cross currency contracts and interest rate swaps.  All derivatives are recorded at fair value. See Note 10 for additional information.
 
G. Allowance for Credit Losses
 
The allowance for credit losses is an estimate of the losses inherent in our finance receivable portfolio and includes consideration of accounts that have been individually identified as impaired, as well as pools of finance receivables where it is probable that certain receivables in the pool are impaired but the individual accounts cannot yet be identified.   In identifying and measuring impairment, management takes into consideration past loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of underlying collateral and current economic conditions.  

Accounts are identified for individual review based on past-due status and information available about the customer, such as financial statements, news reports and published credit ratings, as well as general information regarding industry trends and the economic environment in which our customers operate. The allowance for credit losses attributable to finance receivables that are individually evaluated and determined to be impaired is based either on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the receivables' effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for collateral-dependent receivables.  In determining collateral value, we estimate the current fair market value of the collateral less selling costs. We also consider credit enhancements such as additional collateral and contractual third-party guarantees. The allowance for credit losses attributable to the remaining accounts not yet individually identified as impaired is estimated based on loss forecast models utilizing probabilities of default, our estimate of the loss emergence period and the estimated loss given default.  In addition, qualitative factors not able to be fully captured in our loss forecast models including industry trends, macroeconomic factors and model imprecision are considered in the evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses.  These qualitative factors are subjective and require a degree of management judgment.

Receivable balances, including accrued interest, are written off against the allowance for credit losses when, in the judgment of management, they are considered uncollectible (generally upon repossession of the collateral). The amount of the write-off is determined by comparing the fair value of the collateral, less cost to sell, to the recorded investment. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance for credit losses when received.


41



H. Income Taxes
 
The Provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability approach taking into account guidance related to uncertain tax positions.  Tax laws require items to be included in tax filings at different times than the items are reflected in the financial statements.  A current liability is recognized for the estimated taxes payable for the current year.  Deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences expected to occur when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid.  Deferred taxes are adjusted for enacted changes in tax rates and tax laws.  Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.
 
We join Caterpillar in the filing of a consolidated U.S. Federal income tax return and certain state income tax returns.  In accordance with our tax sharing agreement with Caterpillar, we generally pay to or receive from Caterpillar our allocated share of income taxes or credits reflected in these consolidated filings. This amount is calculated on a separate return basis by taking taxable income times the applicable statutory tax rate and includes payment for certain tax attributes earned during the year.
 
I. Foreign Currency Translation
 
The functional currency for most of our subsidiaries is the respective local currency. Gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement of foreign currency amounts to the functional currency are included in Other income (expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Profit. Gains and losses resulting from translating assets and liabilities from the functional currency to U.S. dollars are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
 
J. Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
 
The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts.  Significant estimates include residual values for leased assets, allowance for credit losses and income taxes. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

K. New Accounting Pronouncements
 
Revenue recognition – In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new revenue recognition guidance to provide a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers. Under the new guidance, an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. A five step model has been introduced for an entity to apply when recognizing revenue. The new guidance also includes enhanced disclosure requirements and is effective January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted for January 1, 2017. Entities have the option to apply the new guidance under a retrospective approach to each prior reporting period presented, or a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially applying the new guidance recognized at the date of initial application within the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholder's Equity. We plan to adopt the new guidance effective January 1, 2018 and do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our financial statements.

Variable interest entities (VIEs) – In February 2015, the FASB issued accounting guidance on the consolidation of VIEs. The new guidance revises previous guidance by establishing an analysis for determining whether a limited partnership or similar entity is a VIE and whether outsourced decision-maker fees are considered variable interests. In addition, the new guidance revises how a reporting entity evaluates economics and related parties when assessing who should consolidate a VIE. The guidance was effective January 1, 2016 and did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Presentation of debt issuance costs – In April 2015, the FASB issued accounting guidance which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability. Prior to the issuance of the new guidance, debt issuance costs were required to be presented in the balance sheet as an asset. The guidance was effective January 1, 2016 and was applied retrospectively. The adoption did not have a material impact on our financial statements.


42



Recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities – In January 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance that affects the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities accounted for under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. Under the new guidance, all equity investments in unconsolidated entities (other than those accounted for using the equity method of accounting) will generally be measured at fair value through earnings. There will no longer be an available-for-sale classification for equity securities with readily determinable fair values. For financial liabilities when the fair value option has been elected, changes in fair value due to instrument-specific credit risk will be recognized separately in other comprehensive income. In addition, the FASB clarified guidance related to the valuation allowance assessment when recognizing deferred tax assets resulting from unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities. The new guidance is effective January 1, 2018, with the cumulative effect adjustment from initially applying the new guidance recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of the beginning of the year of adoption. We do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our financial statements.

Lease accounting – In February 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance that revises the accounting for leases. Under the new guidance, lessees are required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases. The new guidance will continue to classify leases as either financing or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition. The accounting applied by a lessor under the new guidance will be substantially equivalent to current lease accounting guidance. The new guidance is effective January 1, 2019 with early adoption permitted. The new standard is required to be applied with a modified retrospective approach to each prior reporting period presented and provides for certain practical expedients. We are in the process of evaluating the effect of the new guidance on our financial statements.

Measurement of credit losses on financial instruments – In June 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance to introduce a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of current expected credit losses. The new guidance will apply to loans, accounts receivable, trade receivables, other financial assets measured at amortized cost, loan commitments and other off-balance sheet credit exposures. The new guidance will also apply to debt securities and other financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income. The new guidance is effective January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted beginning January 1, 2019. We are in the process of evaluating the effect of the new guidance on our financial statements.

Classification for certain cash receipts and cash payments – In August 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance related to the presentation and classification of certain transactions in the statement of cash flows where diversity in practice exists. The guidance is effective January 1, 2018 with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our financial statements.

Classification of restricted cash – In November 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance related to the presentation and classification of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows where diversity in practice exists. The new standard is required to be applied with a retrospective approach. The guidance is effective January 1, 2018 with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our financial statements.


43



NOTE 2 – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)

Comprehensive income/(loss) and its components are presented in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax, included in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder's Equity, consisted of the following:
(Millions of dollars)
Foreign
currency
translation
 
Derivative
financial
instruments
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2013
$
122

 
$
(5
)
 
$
117

Other comprehensive income/(loss) before
reclassifications
(481
)
 
(4
)
 
(485
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive (income)/loss

 
4

 
4

Other comprehensive income/(loss)
(481
)
 

 
(481
)
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
(359
)
 
$
(5
)
 
$
(364
)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before
reclassifications
(538
)
 
2

 
(536
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive (income)/loss

 
3

 
3

Other comprehensive income/(loss)
(538
)
 
5

 
(533
)
Balance at December 31, 2015
$
(897
)
 
$

 
$
(897
)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before
reclassifications
(97
)
 
15

 
(82
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive (income)/loss

 
(16
)
 
(16
)
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
(97
)
 
(1
)
 
(98
)
Balance at December 31, 2016
$
(994
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(995
)
 
 
 
 
 
 

The effect of the reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) on the Consolidated Statements of Profit during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Classification of
income (expense)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Cross currency contracts
Other income (expense)
 
$
28

 
$
1

 
$

Interest rate contracts
Interest expense
 
(3
)
 
(6
)
 
(6
)
Reclassifications before tax
 
 
25

 
(5
)
 
(6
)
Tax (provision) benefit
 
 
(9
)
 
2

 
2

Total reclassifications from Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)
 
$
16

 
$
(3
)
 
$
(4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


44



NOTE 3 – FINANCE RECEIVABLES
A summary of finance receivables included in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, was as follows:
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
Finance leases and installment sale contracts – Retail (1)
 
$
13,565

 
$
13,728

Retail notes receivable
 
10,195

 
10,616

Wholesale notes receivable
 
3,457

 
3,887

Finance leases and installment sale contracts – Wholesale
 
103

 
289

 
 
27,320

 
28,520

Less: Unearned income
 
(765
)
 
(794
)
Recorded investment in finance receivables
 
26,555

 
27,726

Less: Allowance for credit losses
 
(343
)
 
(338
)
Total finance receivables, net
 
$
26,212

 
$
27,388

 
 
 
 
 
(1) Includes $4 million of finance receivables classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2016.

Maturities of our finance receivables, as of December 31, 2016, reflect contractual repayments due from borrowers and were as follows:
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts due in
 
Retail
Installment
Sale
Contracts
 
Wholesale
Installment
Sale
 Contracts
 
Retail
Finance
 Leases
 
Wholesale
Finance
 Leases
 
Retail
Notes
 
Wholesale
Notes
 
Total
2017
 
$
2,730

 
$
9

 
$
2,374

 
$
18

 
$
3,774

 
$
3,133

 
$
12,038

2018
 
2,058

 
6

 
1,577

 
12

 
1,899

 
199

 
5,751

2019
 
1,331

 
4

 
907

 
7

 
1,351

 
121

 
3,721

2020
 
637

 
1

 
418

 
3

 
1,132

 
3

 
2,194

2021
 
175

 

 
173

 
2

 
1,017

 
1

 
1,368

Thereafter
 
9

 

 
78

 
1

 
1,022

 

 
1,110

Total
 
6,940

 
20

 
5,527

 
43

 
10,195

 
3,457

 
26,182

Guaranteed residual value
 

 

 
318

 
35

 

 

 
353

Unguaranteed residual value
 

 

 
780

 
5

 

 

 
785

Total
 
$
6,940

 
$
20

 
$
6,625

 
$
83

 
$
10,195

 
$
3,457

 
$
27,320

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Our finance receivables generally may be repaid or refinanced without penalty prior to contractual maturity and we also sell finance receivables to third parties to mitigate the concentration of credit risk with certain customers.  Accordingly, this presentation should not be regarded as a forecast of future cash collections.

Allowance for Credit Losses 
The allowance for credit losses is an estimate of the losses inherent in our finance receivable portfolio and includes consideration of accounts that have been individually identified as impaired, as well as pools of finance receivables where it is probable that certain receivables in the pool are impaired but the individual accounts cannot yet be identified.   In identifying and measuring impairment, management takes into consideration past loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of underlying collateral and current economic conditions.  


45



Accounts are identified for individual review based on past-due status and information available about the customer, such as financial statements, news reports and published credit ratings, as well as general information regarding industry trends and the economic environment in which our customers operate. The allowance for credit losses attributable to finance receivables that are individually evaluated and determined to be impaired is based either on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the receivables' effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for collateral-dependent receivables.  In determining collateral value, we estimate the current fair market value of the collateral less selling costs. We also consider credit enhancements such as additional collateral and contractual third-party guarantees. The allowance for credit losses attributable to the remaining accounts not yet individually identified as impaired is estimated based on loss forecast models utilizing probabilities of default, our estimate of the loss emergence period and the estimated loss given default.  In addition, qualitative factors not able to be fully captured in our loss forecast models including industry trends, macroeconomic factors and model imprecision are considered in the evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses.  These qualitative factors are subjective and require a degree of management judgment.
 
Our allowance for credit losses is segregated into three portfolio segments:

Customer - Finance receivables with retail customers.
Dealer - Finance receivables with Caterpillar dealers.
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables - Trade receivables purchased from Caterpillar entities.

A portfolio segment is the level at which the Company develops a systematic methodology for determining its allowance for credit losses.

We further evaluate our portfolio segments by the class of finance receivables, which is defined as a level of information (below a portfolio segment) in which the finance receivables have the same initial measurement attribute and a similar method for assessing and monitoring credit risk. Typically, our finance receivables within a geographic area have similar credit risk profiles and methods for assessing and monitoring credit risk. Our classes, which align with management reporting for credit losses, are as follows:

North America - Includes finance receivables originated in the United States or Canada.
Europe - Includes finance receivables originated in Europe, Africa, Middle East and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Asia/Pacific - Includes finance receivables originated in Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia.
Mining - Includes finance receivables related to large mining customers worldwide and project financing in various countries.
Latin America - Includes finance receivables originated in Central and South American countries.
Caterpillar Power Finance - Includes finance receivables related to marine vessels with Caterpillar engines worldwide and Caterpillar electrical power generation, gas compression and co-generation systems and non-Caterpillar equipment that is powered by these systems worldwide.


46



Our allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2016 was $343 million or 1.29 percent of net finance receivables compared with $338 million or 1.22 percent as of December 31, 2015. An analysis of the allowance for credit losses was as follows:
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
Allowance for Credit Losses:
 
Customer
 
Dealer
 
Caterpillar
Purchased
Receivables
 
Total
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
327

 
$
9

 
$
2

 
$
338

Receivables written off
 
(158
)
 

 

 
(158
)
Recoveries on receivables previously written off
 
35

 

 

 
35

Provision for credit losses
 
132

 
1

 

 
133

Adjustment due to sale of receivables
 
(8
)
 

 

 
(8
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
 
3

 

 

 
3

Balance at end of year
 
$
331

 
$
10

 
$
2

 
$
343

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
85

 
$

 
$

 
$
85

Collectively evaluated for impairment
 
246

 
10

 
2

 
258

Ending Balance
 
$
331

 
$
10

 
$
2

 
$
343

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
786

 
$

 
$

 
$
786

Collectively evaluated for impairment
 
18,859

 
4,479

 
2,431

 
25,769

Ending Balance
 
$
19,645

 
$
4,479

 
$
2,431

 
$
26,555

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
Allowance for Credit Losses:
 
Customer
 
Dealer
 
Caterpillar
Purchased
Receivables
 
Total
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
388

 
$
10

 
$
3

 
$
401

Receivables written off
 
(196
)
 

 

 
(196
)
Recoveries on receivables previously written off
 
41

 

 

 
41

Provision for credit losses
 
119

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
117

Adjustment due to sale of receivables
 
(2
)
 

 

 
(2
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
 
(23
)
 

 

 
(23
)
Balance at end of year
 
$
327

 
$
9

 
$
2

 
$
338

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
65

 
$

 
$

 
$
65

Collectively evaluated for impairment
 
262

 
9

 
2

 
273

Ending Balance
 
$
327

 
$
9

 
$
2

 
$
338

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
601

 
$

 
$

 
$
601

Collectively evaluated for impairment
 
19,431

 
5,093

 
2,601

 
27,125

Ending Balance
 
$
20,032

 
$
5,093

 
$
2,601

 
$
27,726

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

47



Credit quality of finance receivables
At origination, we evaluate credit risk based on a variety of credit quality factors including prior payment experience, customer financial information, credit-rating agency ratings, loan-to-value ratios and other internal metrics. On an ongoing basis, we monitor credit quality based on past-due status and collection experience as there is a meaningful correlation between the past-due status of customers and the risk of loss.

In determining past-due status, we consider the entire finance receivable balance past due when any installment is over 30 days past due. The tables below summarize our recorded investment of finance receivables by aging category.
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
31-60
Days
Past Due
 
61-90
Days
Past Due
 
91+
Days
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 
Current
 
Recorded
Investment in
Finance
Receivables
 
91+ Still
Accruing
Customer
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
 
$
50

 
$
16

 
$
59

 
$
125

 
$
8,051

 
$
8,176

 
$
5

Europe
 
16

 
12

 
39

 
67

 
2,388

 
2,455

 
6

Asia/Pacific
 
18

 
7

 
15

 
40

 
1,944

 
1,984

 
4

Mining
 
3

 
2

 
63

 
68

 
1,756

 
1,824

 
2

Latin America
 
40

 
33

 
214

 
287

 
1,808

 
2,095

 

Caterpillar Power Finance
 
11

 
9

 
73

 
93

 
3,018

 
3,111

 
1

Dealer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
 

 

 

 

 
2,705

 
2,705

 

Europe
 

 

 

 

 
336

 
336

 

Asia/Pacific
 

 

 

 

 
582

 
582

 

Mining
 

 

 

 

 
6

 
6

 

Latin America
 

 

 

 

 
848

 
848

 

Caterpillar Power Finance
 

 

 

 

 
2

 
2

 

Caterpillar Purchased Receivables
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
 
11

 
3

 
1

 
15

 
1,303

 
1,318

 
1

Europe
 

 

 
1

 
1

 
268

 
269

 

Asia/Pacific
 

 

 

 

 
475

 
475

 

Mining
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latin America
 

 

 

 

 
366

 
366

 

Caterpillar Power Finance
 

 

 

 

 
3

 
3

 

Total
 
$
149

 
$
82

 
$
465

 
$
696

 
$
25,859

 
$
26,555

 
$
19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

48



(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
31-60
Days
Past Due
 
61-90
Days
Past Due
 
91+
Days
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 
Current
 
Recorded
Investment in
Finance
Receivables
 
91+ Still
Accruing
Customer
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
 
$
45

 
$
12

 
$
30

 
$
87

 
$
8,031

 
$
8,118

 
$
4

Europe
 
18

 
7

 
44

 
69

 
2,358

 
2,427

 
9

Asia/Pacific
 
22

 
12

 
21

 
55

 
2,108

 
2,163

 
6

Mining
 
6

 
1

 
68

 
75

 
1,793

 
1,868

 
1

Latin America
 
45

 
31

 
199

 
275

 
1,998

 
2,273

 

Caterpillar Power Finance
 

 
1

 
35

 
36

 
3,147

 
3,183

 
2

Dealer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
 

 

 

 

 
3,387

 
3,387

 

Europe
 

 

 

 

 
330

 
330

 

Asia/Pacific
 

 

 

 

 
611

 
611

 

Mining
 

 

 

 

 
4

 
4

 

Latin America
 

 

 

 

 
758

 
758

 

Caterpillar Power Finance
 

 

 

 

 
3

 
3

 

Caterpillar Purchased Receivables
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
 
16

 
5

 
1

 
22

 
1,386

 
1,408

 
1

Europe
 
4

 

 
4

 
8

 
307

 
315

 
3

Asia/Pacific
 

 

 

 

 
407

 
407

 

Mining
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latin America
 

 

 

 

 
454

 
454

 

Caterpillar Power Finance
 

 
1

 

 
1

 
16

 
17

 

Total
 
$
156

 
$
70

 
$
402

 
$
628

 
$
27,098

 
$
27,726

 
$
26

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

49




Impaired finance receivables
For all classes, a finance receivable is considered impaired, based on current information and events, if it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms. Impaired finance receivables include finance receivables that have been restructured and are considered to be Troubled Debt Restructures.

There were no impaired finance receivables as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, for the Dealer and Caterpillar Purchased Receivables portfolio segments. Our recorded investment in impaired finance receivables and the related unpaid principal balances and allowance for the Customer portfolio segment were as follows:
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
Impaired Finance Receivables With
No Allowance Recorded
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
North America
 
$
10

 
$
10

 
$

 
$
12

 
$
12

 
$

Europe
 
49

 
48

 

 
41

 
41

 

Asia/Pacific
 
3

 
2

 

 
1

 
1

 

Mining
 
129

 
129

 

 
84

 
84

 

Latin America
 
68

 
68

 

 
28

 
28

 

Caterpillar Power Finance
 
271

 
271

 

 
242

 
241

 

Total
 
$
530

 
$
528

 
$

 
$
408

 
$
407

 
$

Impaired Finance Receivables With
An Allowance Recorded
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

North America
 
$
61

 
$
60

 
$
22

 
$
14

 
$
13

 
$
4

Europe
 
7

 
7

 
3

 
11

 
10

 
5

Asia/Pacific
 
50

 
50

 
8

 
34

 
34

 
4

Mining
 

 

 

 
11

 
11

 
3

Latin America
 
93

 
104

 
34

 
53

 
53

 
21

Caterpillar Power Finance
 
45

 
44

 
18

 
70

 
70

 
28

Total
 
$
256

 
$
265

 
$
85

 
$
193

 
$
191

 
$
65

Total Impaired Finance Receivables
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
 
$
71

 
$
70

 
$
22

 
$
26

 
$
25

 
$
4

Europe
 
56

 
55

 
3

 
52

 
51

 
5

Asia/Pacific
 
53

 
52

 
8

 
35

 
35

 
4

Mining
 
129

 
129

 

 
95

 
95

 
3

Latin America
 
161

 
172

 
34

 
81

 
81

 
21

Caterpillar Power Finance
 
316

 
315

 
18

 
312

 
311

 
28

Total
 
$
786

 
$
793

 
$
85

 
$
601

 
$
598

 
$
65

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

50




(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2015
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2014
Impaired Finance Receivables With
No Allowance Recorded
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
North America
 
$
18

 
$
1

 
$
12

 
$
1

 
$
20

 
$
1

Europe
 
46

 
1

 
42

 
1

 
47

 
1

Asia/Pacific
 
2

 

 
2

 

 
3

 

Mining
 
98

 
4

 
75

 
3

 
69

 
3

Latin America
 
47

 
1

 
31

 

 
30

 

Caterpillar Power Finance
 
270

 
11

 
170

 
5

 
164

 
6

Total
 
$
481

 
$
18

 
$
332

 
$
10

 
$
333

 
$
11

Impaired Finance Receivables With
An Allowance Recorded
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
 
$
34

 
$

 
$
9

 
$

 
$
9

 
$

Europe
 
11

 
1

 
14

 
1

 
21

 
1

Asia/Pacific
 
37

 
3

 
44

 
2

 
23

 
1

Mining
 
13

 

 
39

 
1

 
90

 
7

Latin America
 
66

 
2

 
56

 
3

 
36

 
1

Caterpillar Power Finance
 
50

 
1

 
115

 
3

 
96

 
2

Total
 
$
211

 
$
7

 
$
277

 
$
10

 
$
275

 
$
12

Total Impaired Finance Receivables
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
 
$
52

 
$
1

 
$
21

 
$
1

 
$
29

 
$
1

Europe
 
57

 
2

 
56

 
2

 
68

 
2

Asia/Pacific
 
39

 
3

 
46

 
2

 
26

 
1

Mining
 
111

 
4

 
114

 
4

 
159

 
10

Latin America
 
113

 
3

 
87

 
3

 
66

 
1

Caterpillar Power Finance
 
320

 
12

 
285

 
8

 
260

 
8

Total
 
$
692

 
$
25

 
$
609

 
$
20

 
$
608

 
$
23

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Recognition of income is suspended and the finance receivable is placed on non-accrual status when management determines that collection of future income is not probable (generally after 120 days past due). Recognition is resumed and previously suspended income is recognized when the finance receivable becomes current and collection of remaining amounts is considered probable. Payments received while the finance receivable is on non-accrual status are applied to interest and principal in accordance with the contractual terms.
 
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no finance receivables on non-accrual status for the Dealer portfolio segment. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, there was $1 million in finance receivables on non-accrual status for the Caterpillar Purchased Receivables portfolio segment, all of which was in the Europe finance receivable class. The recorded investment in Customer finance receivables on non-accrual status as of December 31, was as follows: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
North America
 
$
66

 
$
31

Europe
 
35

 
39

Asia/Pacific
 
12

 
15

Mining
 
69

 
106

Latin America
 
307

 
217

Caterpillar Power Finance
 
90

 
77

Total
 
$
579

 
$
485

 
 
 
 
 

51



Troubled debt restructurings
A restructuring of a finance receivable constitutes a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) when the lender grants a concession it would not otherwise consider to a borrower experiencing financial difficulties. Concessions granted may include extended contract maturities, inclusion of interest only periods, below market interest rates, extended skip payment periods and reduction of principal and/or accrued interest.

As of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, there were $11 million and $3 million, respectively, of additional funds committed to lend to a borrower whose terms have been modified in a TDR.

There were no finance receivables modified as TDRs during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 for the Dealer or Caterpillar Purchased Receivables portfolio segments. Finance receivables in the Customer portfolio segment modified as TDRs during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, were as follows:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Pre-TDR
Recorded 
Investment
 
Post-TDR
Recorded 
Investment
North America
 
25

 
$
25

 
$
25

Europe
 
43

 
12

 
9

Asia/Pacific
 
31

 
29

 
28

Mining
 
4

 
74

 
66

Latin America(1)
 
437

 
118

 
82

Caterpillar Power Finance
 
34

 
196

 
177

Total
 
574

 
$
454

 
$
387

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2015
 
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Pre-TDR
Recorded 
Investment
 
Post-TDR
Recorded 
Investment
North America
 
14

 
$
1

 
$
1

Europe
 
23

 
2

 
2

Asia/Pacific
 
21

 
26

 
26

Mining
 
4

 
65

 
65

Latin America
 
11

 
1

 
2

Caterpillar Power Finance
 
21

 
259

 
242

Total
 
94

 
$
354

 
$
338

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2014
 
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Pre-TDR
Recorded 
Investment
 
Post-TDR
Recorded 
Investment
North America
 
34

 
$
12

 
$
7

Europe
 
8

 
7

 
7

Asia/Pacific
 
2

 

 

Mining
 
51

 
185

 
176

Latin America
 
35

 
31

 
30

Caterpillar Power Finance
 
18

 
137

 
139

Total
 
148

 
$
372

 
$
359

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) In Latin America, 321 contracts with a pre-TDR recorded investment of $94 million and a post-TDR recorded investment of $64 million are related to four customers.



52



TDRs in the Customer portfolio segment with a payment default during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, which had been modified within twelve months prior to the default date, were as follows:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2015
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2014
 
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Post-TDR
Recorded
Investment
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Post-TDR
Recorded
Investment
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Post-TDR
Recorded
Investment
North America
 
17

 
$
3

 
12

 
$
1

 
11

 
$
1

Europe
 
16

 
9

 

 

 
46

 
2

Asia/Pacific
 
3

 

 

 

 

 

Latin America
 
7

 
3

 
12

 
1

 
11

 
1

Total
 
43

 
$
15

 
24

 
$
2

 
68

 
$
4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

NOTE 4 – EQUIPMENT ON OPERATING LEASES
 
Components of equipment on operating leases, less accumulated depreciation as of December 31, were as follows: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
Equipment on operating leases, at cost
 
$
5,395

 
$
5,202

Less: Accumulated depreciation
 
(1,687
)
 
(1,638
)
Equipment on operating leases, net
 
$
3,708

 
$
3,564

 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2016, scheduled minimum rental payments for operating leases were as follows: 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
Thereafter
 
Total
$
818

 
$
538

 
$
299

 
$
130

 
$
38

 
$
12

 
$
1,835


NOTE 5 – OTHER ASSETS
 
The components of other assets as of December 31, were as follows: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
Collateral held for resale, at net realizable value
 
$
654

 
$
560

Customer and other miscellaneous receivables
 
417

 
421

Other
 
180

 
188

Total other assets
 
$
1,251

 
$
1,169

 
 
 
 
 

NOTE 6 – CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
 
Financial instruments with potential credit risk consist primarily of finance receivables. Additionally, to a lesser extent, we have potential credit risk associated with counterparties to derivative contracts.

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, receivables from customers in construction-related industries made up approximately one-third of our total portfolio of which customers in North America were approximately 60 percent. No single customer or dealer represented a significant concentration of credit risk.  We typically maintain a security interest in retail financed equipment and in some instances, wholesale financed equipment. We also require physical damage insurance coverage on all financed equipment.  See Note 16 for further information concerning business segments.
 

53



For derivative contracts, collateral is generally not required of the counterparties or of us.  We enter into International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) master netting agreements that permit the net settlement of amounts owed under their respective derivative contracts.  Our exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties is limited to only those gains that we have recorded, but for which we have not yet received cash payment. The master netting agreements reduce the amount of loss the company would incur should the counterparties fail to meet their obligations.  At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the maximum exposure to credit loss, was $72 million and $91 million, respectively, before the application of any master netting agreements.  See Note 10 for further information concerning derivatives.
 
NOTE 7 – CREDIT COMMITMENTS
 
Revolving credit facilities
We have three global credit facilities with a syndicate of banks totaling $10.50 billion (Credit Facility) available in the aggregate to both Caterpillar and us for general liquidity purposes.  Based on management's allocation decision, which can be revised from time to time, the portion of the Credit Facility available to us as of December 31, 2016 was $7.75 billion.

The 364-day facility of $3.15 billion (of which $2.33 billion is available to us) expires in September 2017.
The three-year facility, as amended in September 2016, of $2.73 billion (of which $2.01 billion is available to us) expires in September 2019.
The five-year facility, as amended in September 2016, of $4.62 billion (of which $3.41 billion is available to us) expires in September 2021. 

At December 31, 2016, Caterpillar’s consolidated net worth was $13.20 billion, which was above the $9.00 billion required under the Credit Facility.  The consolidated net worth is defined in the Credit Facility as the consolidated stockholders' equity including preferred stock but excluding the pension and other postretirement benefits balance within Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss).

At December 31, 2016, our covenant interest coverage ratio was 1.92 to 1.  This is above the 1.15 to 1 minimum ratio, calculated as (1) profit excluding income taxes, interest expense and net gain/(loss) from interest rate derivatives to (2) interest expense calculated at the end of each calendar quarter for the rolling four quarter period then most recently ended, required by the Credit Facility.

In addition, at December 31, 2016, our six-month covenant leverage ratio was 7.35 to 1 and our year-end covenant leverage ratio was 7.60 to 1.  This is below the maximum ratio of debt to net worth of 10 to 1, calculated (1) on a monthly basis as the average of the leverage ratios determined on the last day of each of the six preceding calendar months and (2) at each December 31, required by the Credit Facility.

In the event that either Caterpillar or we do not meet one or more of our respective financial covenants under the Credit Facility in the future (and are unable to obtain a consent or waiver), the syndicate of banks may terminate the commitments allocated to the party that does not meet its covenants.  Additionally, in such event, certain of our other lenders under other loan agreements where similar financial covenants or cross default provisions are applicable, may, at their election, choose to pursue remedies under those loan agreements, including accelerating the repayment of outstanding borrowings. At December 31, 2016, there were no borrowings under the Credit Facility.
 
Bank borrowings
Available credit lines with banks as of December 31, 2016 totaled $3.76 billion.  These committed and uncommitted credit lines, which may be eligible for renewal at various future dates or have no specified expiration date, are used primarily by our non-U.S. subsidiaries for local funding requirements. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had $1.42 billion and $1.44 billion, respectively, outstanding against these credit lines and were in compliance with all debt covenants under these credit lines. The remaining available credit commitments may be withdrawn any time at the lenders' discretion.
 
Variable denomination floating rate demand notes
We obtain funding from the sale of variable denomination floating rate demand notes, which may be redeemed at any time at the option of the holder without any material restriction.  We do not hold reserves to fund the payment of the demand notes.  The notes are offered on a continuous basis. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, there was $556 million and $707 million of variable denomination floating rate demand notes outstanding. The maximum amount of variable denomination floating rate demand notes that we may have outstanding at any time may not exceed $1.25 billion.


54



Notes receivable from/payable to Caterpillar
Under our variable amount and term lending agreements and other notes receivable with Caterpillar, we may borrow up to $2.83 billion from Caterpillar and Caterpillar may borrow up to $2.29 billion from us.  The variable amount lending agreements are in effect for indefinite periods of time and may be changed or terminated by either party with 30 days notice.  The term lending agreements have remaining maturities ranging up to ten years. We had notes payable of $1.64 billion and notes receivable of $530 million outstanding under these agreements as of December 31, 2016, compared with notes payable of $1.10 billion and notes receivable of $490 million as of December 31, 2015.
 
Committed credit facility
We extended a $2 billion committed credit facility to Caterpillar, which expires in February 2019.  We receive a fee from Caterpillar based on amounts drawn under the credit facility and a commitment fee for the undrawn amounts under the credit facility.  At December 31, 2016, there were no borrowings under this credit facility. 

NOTE 8 – SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS
 
Short-term borrowings outstanding as of December 31, were comprised of the following: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Balance
 
Avg. Rate
 
Balance
 
Avg. Rate
Commercial paper, net
 
$
5,985

 
0.9%
 
$
5,811

 
0.5%
Bank borrowings
 
553

 
7.5%
 
440

 
9.3%
Variable denomination floating rate demand notes
 
556

 
0.9%
 
707

 
0.8%
Total
 
$
7,094

 
 
 
$
6,958

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 9 – LONG-TERM DEBT
 
During 2016, we issued $4.09 billion of medium-term notes, of which $3.21 billion were at fixed interest rates and $886 million were at floating interest rates, primarily indexed to LIBOR.  At December 31, 2016, the outstanding medium-term notes had remaining maturities ranging up to 11 years. Debt issuance costs are capitalized and amortized to Interest expense using the straight-line method over the term of the debt issuance. The balance of our medium-term notes contains unamortized fair value adjustments for debt in a fair value hedge relationship.

Long-term debt outstanding as of December 31, was comprised of the following: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Balance
 
Avg. Rate
 
Balance
 
Avg. Rate
Medium-term notes
 
$
19,731

 
2.4%
 
$
20,611

 
2.4%
Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs
 
(64
)
 
 
 
(37
)
 
 
Medium-term notes, net
 
19,667

 
 
 
20,574

 
 
Bank borrowings
 
870

 
4.5%
 
995

 
4.0%
Total
 
$
20,537

 
 
 
$
21,569

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


55



Long-term debt outstanding as of December 31, 2016, matures as follows: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
2017
$
6,155

2018
5,359

2019
3,680

2020
1,144

2021
1,682

Thereafter
2,517

Total
$
20,537

 
 


The above table includes $78 million of medium-term notes that could be called by us at some point in the future at par.

During September 2016, $381 million of medium-term notes with varying interest rates and maturity dates were exchanged for $366 million of 1.93 percent medium-term notes due in 2021 and $15 million in cash. In addition, a debt exchange premium of $33 million was paid.

NOTE 10 – DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
 
Our earnings and cash flow are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.  Our Risk Management Policy (policy) allows for the use of derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate exposures.  Our policy specifies that derivatives are not to be used for speculative purposes.  Derivatives that we use are primarily foreign currency forward, option and cross currency contracts and interest rate contracts.  Our derivative activities are subject to the management, direction and control of our senior financial officers.  Risk management practices, including the use of financial derivative instruments, are presented to our Board of Directors and the Audit Committee of the Caterpillar Inc. Board of Directors at least annually.

All derivatives are recognized on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at their fair value.  On the date the derivative contract is entered into, the derivative instrument is (1) designated as a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability (fair value hedge), (2) designated as a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows (cash flow hedge) or (3) undesignated.  Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is qualified, designated and highly effective as a fair value hedge, along with the gain or loss on the hedged recognized asset or liability that is attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in current earnings.  Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is qualified, designated and highly effective as a cash flow hedge are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) (AOCI), to the extent effective, on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position until they are reclassified to earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.  Changes in the fair value of undesignated derivative instruments and the ineffective portion of designated derivative instruments are reported in current earnings.  Cash flows from designated derivative financial instruments are classified within the same category as the item being hedged on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.  Cash flows from undesignated derivative financial instruments are included in the investing category on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
 
We formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions.  This process includes linking all derivatives that are designated as fair value hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position and linking cash flow hedges to specific forecasted transactions or variability of cash flow.
 
We also formally assess, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the designated derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair value or cash flow of hedged items.  When a derivative is determined not to be highly effective as a hedge or the underlying hedged transaction is no longer probable, we discontinue hedge accounting prospectively, in accordance with derecognition criteria for hedge accounting.


56



Foreign currency exchange rate risk
We have balance sheet positions and expected future transactions denominated in foreign currencies, thereby creating exposure to movements in exchange rates. In managing foreign currency risk, our objective is to minimize earnings volatility resulting from conversion and the remeasurement of net foreign currency balance sheet positions and future transactions denominated in foreign currencies.  Our policy allows the use of foreign currency forward, option and cross currency contracts to offset the risk of currency mismatch between our assets and liabilities and exchange rate risk associated with future transactions denominated in foreign currencies.  Our foreign currency forward, option and cross currency contracts are primarily undesignated. We designate fixed-to-fixed cross currency contracts as cash flow hedges to protect against movements in exchange rates on foreign currency fixed rate assets and liabilities.
 
Interest rate risk
Interest rate movements create a degree of risk by affecting the amount of our interest payments and the value of our fixed-rate debt.  Our practice is to use interest rate contracts to manage our exposure to interest rate changes.
 
We have a match-funding policy that addresses interest rate risk by aligning the interest rate profile (fixed or floating rate and duration) of our debt portfolio with the interest rate profile of our finance receivable portfolio within predetermined ranges on an ongoing basis.  In connection with that policy, we use interest rate derivative instruments to modify the debt structure to match assets within the finance receivable portfolio.  This matched funding reduces the volatility of margins between interest-bearing assets and interest-bearing liabilities, regardless of which direction interest rates move.

Our policy allows us to use fixed-to-floating, floating-to-fixed and floating-to-floating interest rate contracts to meet the match-funding objective.  We designate fixed-to-floating interest rate contracts as fair value hedges to protect debt against changes in fair value due to changes in the benchmark interest rate.  We designate most floating-to-fixed interest rate contracts as cash flow hedges to protect against the variability of cash flows due to changes in the benchmark interest rate.

As of December 31, 2016, less than $1 million of deferred net gains, net of tax, included in equity (AOCI in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position), related to our floating-to-fixed interest rate contracts, are expected to be reclassified to Interest expense over the next twelve months.  The actual amount recorded in Interest expense will vary based on interest rates at the time the hedged transactions impact earnings.
 
We have, at certain times, liquidated fixed-to-floating interest rate contracts. The deferred gains are being amortized to Interest expense over the remaining term of the previously designated hedged item. During 2016, we liquidated fixed-to-floating interest rate contracts that resulted in deferred gains of $32 million, which is included in Long-term debt in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

The location and fair value of derivative instruments reported in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position were as follows:
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset (Liability)
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
Consolidated Statements of
Financial Position Location
 
2016
 
2015
Designated derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
 
Other assets
 
$
4

 
$
51

Interest rate contracts
 
Accrued expenses
 
(1
)
 
(4
)
Cross currency contracts
 
Other assets
 
29

 
1

Cross currency contracts
 
Accrued expenses
 
(3
)
 

 
 
 
 
$
29

 
$
48

Undesignated derivatives
 
 
 
 

 
 

Foreign exchange contracts
 
Other assets
 
$
12

 
$
3

Foreign exchange contracts
 
Accrued expenses
 
(4
)
 
(6
)
Cross currency contracts
 
Other assets
 
27

 
36

 
 
 
 
$
35

 
$
33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

57



The total notional amount of our derivative instruments was $2.63 billion and $3.54 billion as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The notional amounts of derivative financial instruments do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties. The amounts exchanged by the parties are calculated by reference to the notional amounts and by other terms of the derivatives, such as foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.

The effect of derivatives designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Profit was as follows: 
Fair Value Hedges
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
Classification
 
Gains (Losses)
on Derivatives
 
Gains (Losses)
on Borrowings
Interest rate contracts
 
Other income (expense)
 
$
(12
)
 
$
11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
Classification
 
Gains (Losses)
on Derivatives
 
Gains (Losses)
on Borrowings
Interest rate contracts
 
Other income (expense)
 
$
(27
)
 
$
26

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
Classification
 
Gains (Losses)
on Derivatives
 
Gains (Losses)
on Borrowings
Interest rate contracts
 
Other income (expense)
 
$
(41
)
 
$
40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cash Flow Hedges
(Millions of dollars)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
Recognized in Earnings
 
Amounts of Gains
(Losses) Recognized in
AOCI (Effective Portion)
Classification
 
Reclassified from
AOCI to Earnings
(Effective Portion)
 
Recognized in
Earnings
(Ineffective Portion)
Interest rate contracts
$
8

Interest expense
 
$
(3
)
 
$

Cross currency contracts
15

Other income (expense)
 
28

 

 
$
23

 
 
$
25

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
Recognized in Earnings
 
Amounts of Gains
(Losses) Recognized in
AOCI (Effective Portion)
Classification
 
Reclassified from
AOCI to Earnings
(Effective Portion)
 
Recognized in
Earnings
(Ineffective Portion)
Interest rate contracts
$
2

Interest expense
 
$
(6
)
 
$

Cross currency contracts
1

Other income (expense)
 
1

 

 
$
3

 
 
$
(5
)
 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
Recognized in Earnings
 
Amounts of Gains
(Losses) Recognized in
AOCI (Effective Portion)
Classification
 
Reclassified from
AOCI to Earnings
(Effective Portion)
 
Recognized in
Earnings
(Ineffective Portion)
Interest rate contracts
$
(6
)
Interest expense
 
$
(6
)
 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

58



The effect of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Profit was as follows for the years ended December 31: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Classification
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Foreign exchange contracts
 
Other income (expense)
 
$
(10
)
 
$
(50
)
 
$
(49
)
Cross currency contracts
 
Other income (expense)
 
(14
)
 
16

 
2

 
 
 
 
$
(24
)
 
$
(34
)
 
$
(47
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance sheet offsetting
We enter into International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) master netting agreements that permit the net settlement of amounts owed under their respective derivative contracts. Under these master netting agreements, net settlement generally permits us or the counterparty to determine the net amount payable for contracts due on the same date and in the same currency for similar types of derivative transactions. The master netting agreements generally also provide for net settlement of all outstanding contracts with a counterparty in the case of an event of default or a termination event.

Collateral is generally not required of the counterparties or us under the master netting agreements. As of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, no cash collateral was received or pledged under the master netting agreements.
    
The effect of net settlement provisions of the master netting agreements on our derivative balances upon an event of default or a termination event as of December 31, was as follows:
Offsetting of Derivative Assets and Liabilities
 
 
 
 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
Derivative Assets
 
 
 
 
Gross Amount of Recognized Assets
 
$
72

 
$
91

Gross Amounts Offset
 

 

Net Amount of Assets(1)
 
72

 
91

Gross Amounts Not Offset
 
(7
)
 
(5
)
Net Amount
 
$
65

 
$
86

 
 
 
 
 
Derivative Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Gross Amount of Recognized Liabilities
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(10
)
Gross Amounts Offset
 

 

Net Amount of Liabilities(1)
 
(8
)
 
(10
)
Gross Amounts Not Offset
 
7

 
5

Net Amount
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(5
)
 
 
 
 
 
(1) As presented in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.


59



NOTE 11 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

We provide loan guarantees to third-party lenders for financing associated with machinery purchased by customers.  These guarantees have varying terms and are secured by the machinery being financed.  In addition, we participate in standby letters of credit issued to third parties on behalf of our customers.  These standby letters of credit have varying terms and beneficiaries and are secured by customer assets.

No significant loss has been experienced or is anticipated under any of these guarantees.  At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the related recorded liability was $1 million and less than $1 million, respectively.  The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted and without reduction for any amounts that may possibly be recovered under recourse or collateralized provisions) we could be required to make under the guarantees was $43 million and $39 million, at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

We provide guarantees to repurchase certain loans of Caterpillar dealers from a special purpose corporation (SPC) that qualifies as a VIE (see Note 1 for additional information regarding the accounting guidance on the consolidation of VIEs).  The purpose of the SPC is to provide short-term working capital loans to Caterpillar dealers.  This SPC issues commercial paper and uses the proceeds to fund its loan program.  We have a loan purchase agreement with the SPC that obligates us to purchase certain loans that are not paid at maturity.  We receive a fee for providing this guarantee, which provides a source of liquidity for the SPC.  We are the primary beneficiary of the SPC as our guarantees result in us having both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the SPC's economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses and therefore we have consolidated the financial statements of the SPC.  As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the SPC’s assets of $1.09 billion and $1.21 billion, respectively, were primarily comprised of loans to dealers, which are included in Finance receivables, net in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, and the SPC's liabilities of $1.09 billion and $1.21 billion, respectively, were primarily comprised of commercial paper, which is included in Short-term borrowings in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.  The assets of the SPC are not available to pay our creditors. We may be obligated to perform under the guarantee if the SPC experiences losses. No loss has been experienced or is anticipated under this loan purchase agreement.
We are party to agreements in the normal course of business with selected customers and Caterpillar dealers in which we commit to provide a set dollar amount of financing on a pre-approved basis.  We also provide lines of credit to certain customers and Caterpillar dealers, of which a portion remains unused as of the end of the period.  Commitments and lines of credit generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses.  It has been our experience that not all commitments and lines of credit will be used.  Management applies the same credit policies when making commitments and granting lines of credit as it does for any other financing.  We do not require collateral for these commitments/lines, but if credit is extended, collateral may be required upon funding.  As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the amount of the unused commitments and lines of credit for dealers was $12.97 billion and $13.12 billion, respectively.  As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the amount of the unused commitments and lines of credit for customers was $3.34 billion and $3.57 billion, respectively.
We are involved in unresolved legal actions that arise in the normal course of business. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of our unresolved legal actions, we believe that these unresolved legal actions will neither individually nor in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or liquidity.


60



NOTE 12 – INCOME TAXES
 
The components of Profit before income taxes for the years ended December 31, were as follows: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
U.S.
 
$
249

 
$
230

 
$
207

Non-U.S.
 
312

 
389

 
546

Total
 
$
561

 
$
619

 
$
753

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Profit before income taxes, as shown above, is based on the location of the entity to which such earnings are attributable.  Where an entity’s earnings are subject to taxation, however, may not correlate solely to where an entity is located.  For example, the profit before income tax reported in the U.S. may be subject to tax by non-U.S. jurisdictions and profit before income tax outside the U.S. may be subject to tax in the U.S. Thus, the income tax provision shown below as U.S. or non-U.S. may not correspond to the earnings shown above.
 
The components of the Provision for income taxes were as follows for the years ended December 31: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Current income tax provision (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
 
$
(18
)
 
$
(21
)
 
$
14

Non-U.S.
 
111

 
109

 
138

State (U.S.)
 

 
2

 
(1
)
 
 
93

 
90

 
151

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred income tax provision (benefit):
 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S.
 
90

 
45

 
44

Non-U.S.
 
(15
)
 
21

 
13

State (U.S.)
 
3

 
2

 
1

 
 
78

 
68

 
58

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Provision for income taxes
 
$
171

 
$
158

 
$
209

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Current income tax provision is the amount of income taxes reported or expected to be reported on our income tax returns.  We join Caterpillar in the filing of a consolidated U.S. Federal income tax return and certain state income tax returns.  In accordance with our tax sharing agreement with Caterpillar, we generally pay to or receive from Caterpillar our allocated share of income taxes or credits reflected in these consolidated filings. This amount is calculated on a separate return basis by taking taxable income times the applicable statutory tax rate and includes payment for certain tax attributes earned during the year.

61




The actual Provision for income taxes differs from the Provision for income taxes that would result from applying the U.S. statutory rate to Profit before income taxes for the years ended December 31, for the reasons set forth in the following reconciliation: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Taxes computed at U.S. statutory rates
 
$
196

 
35.0
 %
 
$
217

 
35.0
 %
 
$
264

 
35.0
 %
(Decreases) increases in taxes resulting from:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

State Income Tax, net of Federal Tax
 
2

 
0.4
 %
 
3

 
0.5
 %
 

 
 %
Subsidiaries' results subject to tax rates other than
U.S. statutory rates
 
(36
)
 
(6.5
)%
 
(25
)
 
(4.0
)%
 
(55
)
 
(7.2
)%
Income from non-U.S. subsidiaries taxed at U.S.
statutory rates, net of foreign tax credits
 
2

 
0.3
 %
 
(39
)
 
(6.3
)%
 

 
 %
Foreign currency translation taxed at non-U.S. subsidiaries
 
13

 
2.3
 %
 
6

 
0.9
 %
 
2

 
0.2
 %
Other, net
 
(6
)
 
(1.1
)%
 
(4
)
 
(0.6
)%
 
(2
)
 
(0.2
)%
Provision for income taxes
 
$
171

 
30.4
 %
 
$
158

 
25.5
 %
 
$
209

 
27.8
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 We have recorded income tax expense at U.S. tax rates on all profits, except for undistributed profits of non-U.S. subsidiaries of approximately $2 billion, which are considered indefinitely reinvested.  Upon distribution of these profits in the form of dividends or otherwise, we would be subject to both U.S. income taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits) and in some instances withholding taxes payable to the various non-U.S. jurisdictions. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred income tax liability related to indefinitely reinvested profits is not feasible primarily due to the complexity of the legal entity structure and U.S. and local tax laws. If U.S. tax law changes in the future, there may be a significant negative impact on the provision for income taxes to record an incremental tax liability in the period the change occurs. At December 31, 2016, cash held by non-U.S. subsidiaries was approximately $150 million.
  
 Accounting for income taxes under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires individual tax-paying entities of the Company to offset deferred income tax assets and liabilities within each particular tax jurisdiction and present them as a single amount in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.  Amounts in different tax jurisdictions cannot be offset against each other.  The amounts of deferred income taxes at December 31, included in the following lines in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position were: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
Assets:
 
 
 
 
Deferred and refundable income taxes
 
$
89

 
$
75

Liabilities:
 
 

 
 

Deferred income taxes and other liabilities
 
(939
)
 
(812
)
Deferred income taxes, net
 
$
(850
)
 
$
(737
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Differences between accounting rules and income tax laws cause differences between the bases of certain assets and liabilities for financial reporting and income tax purposes.  The income tax effects of these differences, to the extent they are temporary, are recorded as deferred income tax assets and liabilities netted by tax jurisdiction and taxpayer.


62



Our consolidated deferred income taxes consisted of the following components as of December 31: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
Deferred income tax assets:
 
 
 
 
Allowance for credit losses
 
$
148

 
$
142

Tax carryforwards
 
73

 
48

 
 
221

 
190

 
 
 
 
 
Deferred income tax liabilities (primarily lease basis differences)
 
(693
)
 
(574
)
 
 
 
 
 
Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets
 
(10
)
 
(10
)
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred income tax on translation adjustment
 
(368
)
 
(343
)
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred income taxes, net
 
$
(850
)
 
$
(737
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2016, amounts and expiration dates of net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards in various U.S. state taxing jurisdictions were: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021-2031
 
Total
$
2

 
$
6

 
$
4

 
$
1

 
$
162

 
$
175

 
The gross deferred income tax asset associated with these NOL carryforwards is $13 million as of December 31, 2016, partially offset by a valuation allowance of $1 million.
 
In some U.S. state income tax jurisdictions, we join with other Caterpillar entities in filing combined income tax returns.  In other U.S. state income tax jurisdictions, we file on a separate, stand-alone basis.
 
As of December 31, 2016, amounts and expiration dates of NOL carryforwards in various non-U.S. taxing jurisdictions were: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021-2031
 
Unlimited
 
Total
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
7

 
$
29

 
$
44

 
$
80

 
Valuation allowances totaling $9 million have been recorded at certain non-U.S. subsidiaries that have not yet demonstrated consistent and/or sustainable profitability to support the recognition of net deferred income tax assets.
 
As of December 31, 2016, approximately $41 million of U.S. foreign tax credits were available for carryforward. These credits expire in 2025, 2026 and 2027.

63




A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of gross unrecognized income tax benefits for uncertain income tax positions, including positions impacting only the timing of income tax benefits was as follows: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
Reconciliation of unrecognized income tax benefits(1):
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of year
 
$

 
$

Additions for income tax positions related to current year
 
1

 

Additions for income tax positions related to prior year
 
3

 
2

Reductions for income tax positions related to settlements(2)
 

 
(2
)
Balance at end of year
 
$
4

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
Amount that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate
 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
(1) Foreign currency translation amounts are included within each line as applicable.
(2) Includes cash payment or other reduction of assets to settle liability.

We classify interest and penalties on income taxes as a component of the Provision for income taxes.  During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we recognized a benefit of less than $1 million, an expense of less than $1 million and a benefit of less than $1 million in interest and penalties, respectively.  As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the total amount of accrued interest and penalties was $2 million and less than $1 million, respectively.
 
 In December 2016, Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued regulations under IRS Section 987 ("the Regulations").  These Regulations address the taxation of foreign currency translation gains or losses arising from qualified business units that operate in a currency other than the United States Dollar.  The new guidance is effective January 1, 2018.  Due to exceptions provided in the Regulations, we determined the new guidance is not applicable to us, and we do not expect the Regulations to have a material impact on our financial statements.

On January 30, 2015, Caterpillar received a Revenue Agent's Report (RAR) from the IRS indicating the end of field examination of our U.S. tax returns for 2007 to 2009. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of the matters raised in this report will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations. The IRS field examination of our U.S. tax returns for 2010 to 2012 began in 2015 and is expected to be completed in 2017. Tax years prior to 2007 are generally no longer subject to U.S. tax assessment. In our major non-U.S. jurisdictions, tax years are typically subject to examination for three to six years. Due to the uncertainty related to the timing and potential outcome of audits, we cannot estimate the range of reasonably possible change in unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months.

64



NOTE 13 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS 
A.
Fair Value Measurements
The guidance on fair value measurements defines fair value 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.  This guidance also specifies a fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques.  Observable inputs (highest level) reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs (lowest level) reflect internally developed market assumptions.  In accordance with this guidance, fair value measurements are classified under the following hierarchy:
 
Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs or significant value-drivers are observable in active markets.
Level 3 – Model-derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value-drivers are unobservable.

When available, we use quoted market prices to determine fair value and we classify such measurements within Level 1. In some cases where market prices are not available, we make use of observable market-based inputs to calculate fair value, in which case the measurements are classified within Level 2.  If quoted or observable market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that use, where possible, current market-based parameters such as interest rates, yield curves and currency rates.  These measurements are classified within Level 3.

Fair value measurements are classified according to the lowest level input or value-driver that is significant to the valuation.  A measurement may therefore be classified within Level 3 even though there may be significant inputs that are readily observable.

Fair value measurement includes the consideration of nonperformance risk.  Nonperformance risk refers to the risk that an obligation (either by a counterparty or us) will not be fulfilled.  For financial assets traded in an active market (Level 1), the nonperformance risk is included in the market price.  For certain other financial assets and liabilities (Level 2 and 3), our fair value calculations have been adjusted accordingly.

Derivative financial instruments
The fair value of interest rate contracts is primarily based on standard industry accepted models that utilize the appropriate market-based forward swap curves and zero-coupon interest rates to determine discounted cash flows.  The fair value of foreign currency forward and cross currency contracts is based on a standard industry accepted valuation model that discounts cash flows resulting from the differential between the contract price and the market-based forward rate.
 
Derivative financial instruments are measured on a recurring basis at fair value and are classified as Level 2 measurements.  We had derivative financial instruments in a net asset position, included in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position of $64 million and $81 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Impaired loans
Our impaired loans are subject to measurement at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and are classified as Level 3 measurements. A loan is considered impaired when management determines that collection of contractual amounts due is not probable. In these cases, an allowance for credit losses may be established based either on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the receivables' effective interest rate, or the fair value of the collateral for collateral-dependent receivables. In determining collateral value, we estimate the current fair market value of the collateral less selling costs. We had impaired loans carried at the fair value of $137 million and $91 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.   

65



B.
Fair Values of Financial Instruments
In addition to the methods and assumptions we use to record the fair value of financial instruments as discussed in the Fair Value Measurements section above, we used the following methods and assumptions to estimate the fair value of our financial instruments.

Cash and cash equivalents – carrying amount approximated fair value. 
Finance receivables, net – fair value was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current rates representative of receivables with similar remaining maturities. 
Restricted cash and cash equivalents – carrying amount approximated fair value. 
Short-term borrowings – carrying amount approximated fair value. 
Long-term debt – fair value for fixed and floating-rate debt was estimated based on quoted market prices.
Guarantees – fair value of guarantees is based on our estimate of the premium a market participant would require to issue the same guarantee in a stand-alone, arms-length transaction with an unrelated party.  If quoted or observable market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that utilize current market-based assumptions.

Please refer to the table below for the fair values of our financial instruments.
(Millions of dollars)
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
Carrying 
Amount
 
Fair 
Value
 
Carrying 
Amount
 
Fair
 Value
Fair
Value
Levels
Reference
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
1,795

 
$
1,795

 
$
1,016

 
$
1,016

1
 
Finance receivables, net (excluding finance leases(1))
 
$
20,101

 
$
19,949

 
$
20,935

 
$
20,925

3
Note 3
Interest rate contracts:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
In a net receivable position
 
$
4

 
$
4

 
$
51

 
$
51

2
Note 10
In a net payable position
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(4
)
 
$
(4
)
2
Note 10
Cross currency contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In a receivable position
 
$
56

 
$
56

 
$
37

 
$
37

2
Note 10
In a payable position
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$

 
$

2
Note 10
Foreign currency contracts:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
In a receivable position
 
$
12

 
$
12

 
$
3

 
$
3

2
Note 10
In a payable position
 
$
(4
)
 
$
(4
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$
(6
)
2
Note 10
Restricted cash and cash equivalents(2)
 
$
29

 
$
29

 
$
18

 
$
18

1
 
Short-term borrowings
 
$
(7,094
)
 
$
(7,094
)
 
$
(6,958
)
 
$
(6,958
)
1
Note 8
Long-term debt
 
$
(20,537
)
 
$
(20,724
)
 
$
(21,569
)
 
$
(21,904
)
2
Note 9
Guarantees
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$

 
$

3
Note 11
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, represents finance leases with a net carrying value of $6.11 billion and $6.45 billion, respectively.
(2) Included in Other assets in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.


66



NOTE 14 – TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
 
We have a Support Agreement with Caterpillar, which provides that Caterpillar will (1) remain, directly or indirectly, our sole owner; (2) cause us to maintain a tangible net worth of at least $20 million and (3) ensure that we maintain a ratio of profit before income taxes and interest expense to interest expense (as defined by the Support Agreement) of not less than 1.15 to 1, calculated on an annual basis. Although this agreement can be modified or terminated by either party, any termination or any modification which would adversely affect holders of our debt requires the consent of holders of 66-2/3 percent in principal amount of outstanding debt of each series so affected.  Any modification or termination which would adversely affect the lenders under the Credit Facility requires their consent.  Caterpillar's obligation under this agreement is not directly enforceable by any of our creditors and does not constitute a guarantee of any of our obligations.  Cash dividends of $275 million, $600 million and $400 million were paid to Caterpillar in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
We have variable amount and term lending agreements and other notes receivable with Caterpillar.  Under these agreements, we may borrow up to $2.83 billion from Caterpillar, and Caterpillar may borrow up to $2.29 billion from us.  The variable amount lending agreements are in effect for indefinite periods of time and may be changed or terminated by either party with 30 days notice.  The term lending agreements have remaining maturities ranging up to ten years. We extended a $2 billion committed credit facility to Caterpillar, which expires in February 2019.  Under this agreement, we receive a fee from Caterpillar based on amounts drawn under the credit facility and a commitment fee for the undrawn amounts under the credit facility.  Information concerning these agreements was as follows: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Notes payable as of December 31,
 
$
1,637

 
$
1,096

 
$
1,108

Notes receivable as of December 31,
 
$
530

 
$
490

 
$
414

Interest expense
 
$
15

 
$
6

 
$
7

Interest income on Notes Receivable with Caterpillar(1)
 
$
30

 
$
21

 
$
18

Fees on committed credit facility extended to Caterpillar(1)
 
$
40

 
$
40

 
$
41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Included in Other revenues, net in the Consolidated Statements of Profit.
 
We have agreements with Caterpillar to purchase certain trade receivables at a discount. Information pertaining to these purchases was as follows: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Purchases made
 
$
28,631

 
$
33,154

 
$
36,816

Discounts earned
 
$
207

 
$
222

 
$
243

Purchased Receivables as of December 31,
 
$
2,431

 
$
2,601

 
$
3,238

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We participate in certain marketing programs offered in conjunction with Caterpillar that allow us to periodically offer financing to customers at interest rates that are below market rates.  Under these marketing programs, Caterpillar funds an amount at the outset of the transaction, which we then recognize as revenue over the term of the financing.  During 2016, 2015 and 2014, relative to such programs, we received $233 million, $188 million and $173 million, respectively. We have finance receivables and equipment on operating leases, net of depreciation, with Caterpillar wholly-owned dealers of $18 million and $49 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we recognized revenues of $8 million, $9 million and $11 million, respectively, related to these finance receivables and operating leases.  For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we recognized depreciation related to these operating leases of $7 million, $7 million and $9 million, respectively. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, $403 million and $418 million, respectively, of our portfolio is subject to guarantees by Caterpillar and affiliates.
 

67



We participate in various benefit plans, which are administered by Caterpillar.  These plans include employee medical plans and postretirement benefit plans.  We reimburse Caterpillar for these charges.  During 2016, 2015 and 2014, these charges amounted to $29 million, $29 million and $30 million, respectively.  Included in these charges are contributions to defined benefit plans in the amount of $7 million for each of 2016, 2015 and 2014.  These contributions are related to our participation in the following defined benefit plans that are administered by Caterpillar: the Caterpillar Inc. Retirement Income Plan, the Caterpillar Inc. Supplemental Retirement Plan and the Caterpillar Inc. Retiree Benefit Program. The total cost of the defined benefit plans is determined by actuarial valuation and we receive an allocation of the service and prior service cost based on headcount. We participate in the Caterpillar stock incentive plans.  In 2016, 2015 and 2014, Caterpillar allocated to us $9 million, $12 million and $11 million, respectively, in expenses related to stock based compensation.  Further information about these plans is available in Caterpillar’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Caterpillar provides operational and administrative support, which is integral to the conduct of our business.  In 2016, 2015 and 2014, these operational and support charges for which we reimburse Caterpillar amounted to $28 million, $37 million and $37 million, respectively. In addition, we provide administrative support services to certain Caterpillar subsidiaries.  Caterpillar reimburses us for these charges.  During 2016, 2015 and 2014, these charges amounted to $9 million, $12 million and $12 million, respectively.

We join Caterpillar in the filing of a consolidated U.S. Federal income tax return and certain state income tax returns.  In accordance with our tax sharing agreement with Caterpillar, we generally pay to or receive from Caterpillar our allocated share of income taxes or credits reflected in these consolidated filings. This amount is calculated on a separate return basis by taking taxable income times the applicable statutory tax rate and includes payment for certain tax attributes earned during the year.
 
NOTE 15 – LEASES
 
We lease our offices and other property through operating leases.  Rental expense is charged to operations as incurred.  For 2016, 2015 and 2014, total rental expense for operating leases was $17 million, $16 million and $17 million, respectively.  At December 31, 2016, minimum payments for operating leases having initial non-cancelable terms in excess of one year were as follows: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
2017
$
15

2018
14

2019
13

2020
12

2021
12

Thereafter
7

Total
$
73

 
 



68



NOTE 16 – SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
 
A.     Basis for Segment Information

We report information internally for operating segments based on management responsibility. Our operating segments offer financing to customers and dealers for the purchase and lease of Caterpillar and other equipment, as well as financing for Caterpillar sales to dealers. Financing plans include operating and finance leases, installment sale contracts, working capital loans and wholesale financing plans within each of the respective segments.

B.     Description of Segments

We have five operating segments that offer financing services. Following is a brief description of our segments:

North America - Includes our operations in the United States and Canada.
Europe - Includes our operations in Europe, Africa, Middle East and the Commonwealth of Independent States.  
Asia/Pacific - Includes our operations in Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia.  
Latin America and Caterpillar Power Finance - Includes our operations in Central and South American countries. This segment also includes Caterpillar Power Finance (CPF), which finances marine vessels with Caterpillar engines worldwide and also provides financing for Caterpillar electrical power generation, gas compression and co-generation systems and non-Caterpillar equipment that is powered by these systems worldwide. 
Mining - Serves large mining customers worldwide and provides project financing in various countries. 

C.     Segment Measurement and Reconciliations

Cash, debt and other expenses are allocated to our segments based on their respective portfolios. The related Interest expense is calculated based on the amount of allocated debt and the rates associated with that debt. The performance of each segment is assessed based on a consistent leverage ratio. The Provision for credit losses is based on each segment's respective finance receivable portfolio. Capital expenditures include expenditures for equipment on operating leases and other miscellaneous capital expenditures.
 
Reconciling items are created based on accounting differences between segment reporting and consolidated external reporting. For the reconciliation of profit before income taxes, we have grouped the reconciling items as follows:

Unallocated - This item is related to corporate requirements and strategies that are considered to be for the benefit of the entire organization. Also included are the consolidated results of the special purpose corporation (see Note 11 for additional information) and other miscellaneous items.
Timing - Timing differences in the recognition of costs between segment reporting and consolidated external reporting.
Methodology - Methodology differences between segment reporting and consolidated external reporting are as follows:
Segment assets include off-balance sheet managed assets for which we maintain servicing responsibilities.
The impact of differences between the actual leverage and the segment leverage ratios.
Interest expense includes realized forward points on foreign currency forward contracts.
The net gain or loss from interest rate derivatives.
The profit attributable to noncontrolling interests is considered a component of segment profit.




69



Supplemental segment data and reconciliations to consolidated external reporting for the years ended December 31 was as follows:
(Millions of dollars)


 
2016
External
Revenues
 
Profit
before
income
taxes
 
Interest
Expense
 
Depreciation
on equipment
leased to
others
 
Provision
for
credit
losses
 
Assets at
December 31,
2016
 
Capital
expenditures
North America
$
1,230

 
$
326

 
$
287

 
$
477

 
$
28

 
$
14,925

 
$
1,180

Europe
268

 
86

 
33

 
83

 

 
3,834

 
147

Asia/Pacific
254

 
82

 
81

 
29

 
3

 
3,620

 
74

Latin America and CPF
487

 
77

 
156

 
61

 
100

 
7,270

 
26

Mining
308

 
49

 
47

 
188

 
7

 
2,734

 
206

Total Segments
2,547

 
620

 
604

 
838

 
138

 
32,383

 
1,633

Unallocated
80

 
(138
)
 
116

 

 

 
1,688

 

Timing
(32
)
 
(12
)
 

 
3

 
(3
)
 
27

 
3

Methodology

 
91

 
(109
)
 

 

 
(220
)
 

Inter-segment Eliminations (1)

 

 

 

 

 
(263
)
 

Total
$
2,595

 
$
561

 
$
611

 
$
841

 
$
135

 
$
33,615

 
$
1,636

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
2015
External
Revenues
 
Profit
before
income
taxes
 
Interest
Expense
 
Depreciation
on equipment
leased to
others
 
Provision
for
credit
losses
 
Assets at
December 31,
2015
 
Capital
expenditures
North America
$
1,156

 
$
370

 
$
261

 
$
409

 
$
7

 
$
14,419

 
$
1,118

Europe
284

 
96

 
31

 
76

 
3

 
3,758

 
136

Asia/Pacific
285

 
65

 
100

 
21

 
29

 
3,923

 
37

Latin America and CPF
533

 
108

 
152

 
104

 
64

 
7,376

 
89

Mining
380

 
52

 
56

 
226

 
14

 
2,947

 
69

Total Segments
2,638

 
691

 
600

 
836

 
117

 
32,423

 
1,449

Unallocated
65

 
(101
)
 
67

 

 

 
1,743

 
9

Timing
(30
)
 
(32
)
 

 

 
2

 
164

 
3

Methodology

 
61

 
(74
)
 

 

 
(216
)
 

Inter-segment Eliminations (1)

 

 

 

 

 
(247
)
 

Total
$
2,673

 
$
619

 
$
593

 
$
836

 
$
119

 
$
33,867

 
$
1,461

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 

2014
External
Revenues
 
Profit
before
income
taxes
 
Interest
Expense
 
Depreciation
on equipment
leased to
others
 
Provision
for
credit
losses
 
Assets at
December 31,
2014
 
Capital
expenditures
North America
$
1,067

 
$
355

 
$
240

 
$
361

 
$
3

 
$
13,633

 
$
1,068

Europe
353

 
114

 
52

 
94

 
10

 
4,276

 
133

Asia/Pacific
368

 
129

 
116

 
24

 
35

 
4,766

 
34

Latin America and CPF
594

 
144

 
166

 
118

 
62

 
7,994

 
111

Mining
471

 
68

 
67

 
273

 
31

 
3,252

 
269

Total Segments
2,853

 
810

 
641

 
870

 
141

 
33,921

 
1,615

Unallocated
60

 
(86
)
 
46

 

 

 
1,551

 
10

Timing
(28
)
 
(8
)
 

 

 
(2
)
 
120

 
2

Methodology

 
37

 
(56
)
 

 

 
(215
)
 

Inter-segment Eliminations (1)

 

 

 

 

 
(243
)
 

Total
$
2,885

 
$
753

 
$
631

 
$
870

 
$
139

 
$
35,134

 
$
1,627

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Elimination is primarily related to intercompany loans.


70



Geographic information: 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
Inside U.S.
 
$
1,397

 
$
1,330

 
$
1,219

Inside Canada
 
171

 
198

 
259

Inside Australia
 
176

 
200

 
261

All other
 
851

 
945

 
1,146

Total
 
$
2,595

 
$
2,673

 
$
2,885

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equipment on Operating Leases and Non-Leased
  Equipment (included in Other Assets), Net
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Inside U.S.
 
$
2,401

 
$
2,058

 
 
Inside Canada
 
535

 
572

 
 
Inside Australia
 
250

 
282

 
 
All other
 
584

 
716

 
 
Total
 
$
3,770

 
$
3,628

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 17 – SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
(Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
First quarter
 
Second quarter
 
Third quarter
 
Fourth quarter
Total revenues
 
$
643

 
$
659

 
$
651

 
$
642

Profit before income taxes
 
$
145

 
$
148

 
$
146

 
$
122

Profit
 
$
100

 
$
102

 
$
97

 
$
85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
First quarter
 
Second quarter
 
Third quarter
 
Fourth quarter
Total revenues
 
$
689

 
$
683

 
$
653

 
$
648

Profit before income taxes
 
$
187

 
$
150

 
$
153

 
$
129

Profit
 
$
133

 
$
104

 
$
109

 
$
114

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

NOTE 18 – EMPLOYEE SEPARATION CHARGES

Our accounting for employee separations is dependent upon how the particular program is designed. For voluntary programs, eligible separation costs are recognized at the time of employee acceptance unless the acceptance requires explicit approval by the Company. For involuntary programs, eligible costs are recognized when management has approved the program, the affected employees have been properly notified and the costs are estimable.

In September 2015, Caterpillar Inc. announced restructuring and cost reduction actions to lower operating costs in response to weak economic and business conditions. As part of the announcement, we offered a voluntary retirement enhancement program to qualifying U.S. employees. For the year-ended December 31, 2015, we recognized employee separation charges of $15 million, which is included in Other expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Profit, primarily related to the voluntary retirement enhancement program. The following table summarizes the 2015 and 2016 separation activity:
(Millions of dollars)
 
Liability balance at December 31, 2014
$

Increase in liability (separation charges)
15

Reduction in liability (payments)
(5
)
Liability balance at December 31, 2015
$
10

Increase in liability (separation charges)

Reduction in liability (payments)
(10
)
Liability balance at December 31, 2016
$

 
 


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