Collateralized Transactions

9 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2011

Collateralized Transactions [Abstract]

Collateralized Transactions

Note 7. Collateralized Transactions

We pledge securities in connection with repurchase agreements, securities lending agreements and other secured arrangements, including clearing arrangements. The pledge of our securities is in connection with our mortgage-backed securities, corporate bond, government and agency securities and equities businesses. Counterparties generally have the right to sell or repledge the collateral. Pledged securities that can be sold or repledged by the counterparty are included within Financial instruments owned and noted as Securities pledged on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

We receive securities as collateral in connection with resale agreements, securities borrowings and customer margin loans. In many instances, we are permitted by contract or custom to rehypothecate securities received as collateral. These securities maybe used to secure repurchase agreements, enter into security lending or derivative transactions or cover short positions. At August 31, 2011 and November 30, 2010, the approximate fair value of securities received as collateral by us that may be sold or repledged was approximately $25.9 billion and $22.3 billion, respectively. At August 31, 2011 and November 30, 2010, a substantial portion of the securities received by us had been sold or repledged.

We also receive securities as collateral in connection with derivative transactions and in connection with certain securities for securities transactions in which we are the lender of securities. In instances where we are permitted to sell or repledge these securities, we report the fair value of the collateral received and the related obligation to return the collateral in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. At August 31, 2011 and November 30, 2010, $40.4 million and $48.6 million, respectively, were reported as Securities received as collateral and as Obligation to return securities received as collateral.

We engage in securities for securities transactions in which we are the borrower of securities and provide other securities as collateral rather than cash. As no cash is provided under these types of transactions, we, as borrower, treat these as noncash transactions and do not recognize assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The securities pledged as collateral under these transactions are included within the total amount of Financial instruments owned and noted as Securities pledged on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.