Accounts Receivable

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Accounts Receivable [Abstract]

Accounts Receivable

11. Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable includes freight and other receivables reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance is based upon historical losses, credit worthiness of customers, and current economic conditions. At both March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, our accounts receivable were reduced by $5 million. Receivables not expected to be collected in one year and the associated allowances are classified as other assets in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. At March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, receivables classified as other assets were reduced by allowances of $14 million and $16 million, respectively.

Receivables Securitization Facility – The Railroad maintains a $650 million, 3-year receivables securitization facility maturing in July 2017 under which it sells most of its eligible third-party receivables to Union Pacific Receivables, Inc. (UPRI), a wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote subsidiary that may subsequently transfer, without recourse, an undivided interest in accounts receivable to investors. The investors have no recourse to the Railroad’s other assets except for customary warranty and indemnity claims. Creditors of the Railroad do not have recourse to the assets of UPRI.

The amount outstanding under the facility was $400 million at both March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014. The facility was supported by $1.2 billion of accounts receivable as collateral at both March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively, which, as a retained interest, is included in accounts receivable, net in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

The outstanding amount the Railroad is allowed to maintain under the facility, with a maximum of $650 million, may fluctuate based on the availability of eligible receivables and is directly affected by business volumes and credit risks, including receivables payment quality measures such as default and dilution ratios. If default or dilution ratios increase one percent, the allowable outstanding amount under the facility would not materially change.

The costs of the receivables securitization facility include interest, which will vary based on prevailing benchmark and commercial paper rates, program fees paid to participating banks, commercial paper issuing costs, and fees of participating banks for unused commitment availability. The costs of the receivables securitization facility are included in interest expense and were $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and 2014.