XML 53 R24.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.8
Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Organization
Organization—E*TRADE Financial Corporation is a financial services company that provides brokerage and related products and services primarily to individual retail investors under the brand "E*TRADE Financial." The Company also provides investor-focused banking products, primarily sweep deposits and savings products, to retail investors.
On February 10, 2014, the Company completed the sale of its subsidiary G1 Execution Services, LLC, a registered broker-dealer and market maker, to an affiliate of Susquehanna. The sale generated cash proceeds of $76 million.
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries as determined under the voting interest model. Entities in which the Company holds at least a 20% ownership interest or in which there are other indicators of significant influence are generally accounted for by the equity method. Entities in which the Company holds less than a 20% ownership interest and does not have the ability to exercise significant influence are generally carried at cost. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The Company also evaluates its continuing involvement with certain entities to determine if the Company is required to consolidate the entities under the variable interest entity model. This evaluation is based on a qualitative assessment of whether the Company has both: 1) the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the activities of the variable interest entity; and 2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the variable interest entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity.
Certain prior period items in these consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are all normal and recurring in nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.
At the end of June 2013, the Company decided to exit its market making business, G1 Execution Services, LLC, and reclassified the assets and liabilities of the market making business to held-for-sale. The assets and liabilities of the market making business are presented in the other assets and other liabilities line items, respectively, at December 31, 2013 on the consolidated balance sheet. The sale of the market making business was completed on February 10, 2014. For additional information on the market making business, see Note 2—Disposition.
The Company reports corporate interest expense separately from operating interest expense. The Company believes reporting these items separately provides a clearer picture of the financial performance of the Company’s operations than would a presentation that combined these two items. Operating interest expense is generated from the operations of the Company. Corporate debt, which is the primary source of corporate interest expense, has been issued primarily in connection with recapitalization transactions and past acquisitions.
Similarly, the Company reports gains on sales of investments, net separately from gains on loans and securities, net. The Company believes reporting these two items separately provides a clearer picture of the financial performance of the Company's operations than would a presentation that combined these two items. Gains on loans and securities, net are the result of activities in the Company’s operations, namely its balance sheet management segment. Gains on sales of investments, net relate to investments of the Company at the corporate level and are not related to the ongoing business of the Company’s operating subsidiaries. Gains on sales of investments, net are reported in the equity in income of investments and other line item on the consolidated statement of income.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates—The consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and related notes for the periods presented. Actual results could differ from management’s estimates. Certain significant accounting policies are critical because they are based on estimates and assumptions that require complex and subjective judgments by management. Changes in these estimates or assumptions could materially impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Material estimates in which management believes changes could reasonably occur include: allowance for loan losses; valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets; estimates of effective tax rates, deferred taxes and valuation allowance; classification and valuation of certain investments; accounting for derivative instruments; and fair value measurements.
Margin receivables (policy)
Margin Receivables—The fair value of securities that the Company received as collateral in connection with margin receivables and securities borrowing activities, where the Company is permitted to sell or re-pledge the securities, was approximately $10.3 billion and $9.1 billion at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Of this amount, $2.6 billion and $1.9 billion had been pledged or sold in connection with securities loans, bank borrowings and deposits with clearing organizations as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
Loans held-for-sale (policy)
Loans Held-for-Sale—These loans are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, as determined on an aggregate basis, based on the agreed upon purchase price with the third party. Net unrealized gains or losses are recognized in a valuation allowance by charges to income.
Nonperforming loans (policy)
Nonperforming Loans—The Company classifies loans as nonperforming when they are no longer accruing interest, which includes loans that are 90 days and greater past due, TDRs that are on nonaccrual status for all classes of loans and certain junior liens that have a delinquent senior lien. Interest previously accrued, but not collected, is reversed against current income when a loan is placed on nonaccrual status. Interest payments received on nonperforming loans are recognized on a cash basis in operating interest income until it is doubtful that full payment will be collected, at which point payments are applied to principal. The recognition of deferred fees or costs on originated loans and premiums or discounts on purchased loans in operating interest income is discontinued for nonperforming loans. Nonperforming loans, excluding TDRs and certain junior liens that have a delinquent senior lien, return to accrual status when the loan becomes less than 90 days past due. Loans modified as TDRs return to accrual status after six consecutive payments have been made in accordance with the modified terms. All bankruptcy loans remain on nonaccrual status regardless of the payment history.
Loan losses are recognized when, based on management's estimates, it is probable that a loss has been incurred. The Company’s charge-off policy for both one- to four-family and home equity loans is to assess the value of the property when the loan has been delinquent for 180 days or it is in bankruptcy, regardless of whether or not the property is in foreclosure, and charge-off the amount of the loan balance in excess of the estimated current value of the underlying property less estimated selling costs. TDR loan modifications are charged-off when certain characteristics of the loan, including CLTV, borrower’s credit and type of modification, cast substantial doubt on the borrower’s ability to repay the loan. Closed-end consumer loans are charged-off when the loan has been delinquent for 120 days or when it is determined that collection is not probable.
Real estate owned and repossessed assets (policy)
Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets—Real estate owned and repossessed assets are included in the other assets line item in the consolidated balance sheet. Real estate owned represents real estate acquired through foreclosure and also includes those properties acquired through a deed in lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement. Both real estate owned and the repossessed assets are carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value, less estimated selling costs.
New accounting and disclosure guidance (policy)
New Accounting and Disclosure Guidance—Below is the new accounting and disclosure guidance that relates to activities in which the Company is engaged.

Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists

In July 2013, the FASB amended the presentation guidance on unrecognized tax benefits. The amended guidance requires an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except under certain circumstances. To the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The unrecognized tax benefit should also be presented in the financial statements as a liability if the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the Company to use, and the Company does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset to settle any additional income taxes. The amended presentation guidance became effective for annual and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2014 for the Company and was applied prospectively to unrecognized tax benefits existing at that date. The adoption of the amended presentation guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects

In January 2014, the FASB amended the accounting guidance for investments in qualified affordable housing projects. The amended accounting guidance permits reporting entities to make an accounting policy election to account for their investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. Under the proportional amortization method, the Company would amortize the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognize the net investment performance in the consolidated statement of income (loss) as a component of income tax expense (benefit). The amended guidance will be effective for annual and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2015 for the Company and must be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. While the Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new accounting guidance, the adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure

In January 2014, the FASB amended the accounting and disclosure guidance on reclassifications of residential real estate collateralized mortgage loans upon foreclosure. The amended guidance clarifies that an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a mortgage loan, upon either (1) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure or (2) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. The amended disclosure guidance requires interim and annual disclosure of both (1) the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor and (2) the recorded investment in mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure. As early adoption was permitted, the Company early adopted the amended guidance as of January 1, 2014. The adoption of the amended accounting guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Presentation and Disclosure of Discontinued Operations

In April 2014, the FASB amended the presentation and disclosure guidance on disposal transactions. The amended guidance raises the threshold for a disposal to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. The amended guidance will be effective for all disposals or classifications as held for sale that occur in annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted but only for disposals that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s current financial condition, results of operations or cash flows; however, it may impact the reporting of future disposals if and when they occur.