Basis of Presentation (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

1. Basis of Presentation:

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and footnotes of IBM Credit LLC (IBM Credit or the company) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The financial statements and footnotes are unaudited. In the opinion of the company’s management, these statements include all adjustments, which are only of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present a fair statement of the company’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amount of assets, liabilities, revenue, costs, expenses and other comprehensive income/(loss) that are reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying disclosures. These estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events, historical experience, actions that the company may undertake in the future and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. As a result, actual results may be different from these estimates.

Member’s interest in the Consolidated Balance Sheet represents the accumulation of the company’s net income over time and contributions from IBM and distributions to IBM. Distributions by the company to IBM are considered first to be a return of profit as reflected in retained earnings in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Any amount distributed to IBM in excess of the company’s available balance in retained earnings is considered a return of a portion of Member’s interest as reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Income tax expense is based on reported income before income taxes. Whereas the majority of non-U.S. entities are separate legal tax filers, the company’s U.S. federal and certain state and foreign operations are included in various IBM consolidated tax returns. In such cases, the income taxes for these entities are calculated using a separate return method modified to apply the benefits-for-loss approach, which is consistent with the company’s Tax Sharing Agreement with IBM. Under this approach, the provision for income taxes is computed as if the company filed tax returns on a separate tax return basis and is then adjusted, as necessary, to reflect IBM’s reimbursement for any tax benefits generated by the company.

The amount of restricted cash included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows is immaterial for the periods presented.

All significant intracompany transactions between IBM Credit’s businesses have been eliminated. All significant intercompany transactions between IBM Credit and IBM have been included in these Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interim results are not necessarily indicative of financial results for a full year. The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the company’s 2019 Form 10-K.

Within the financial statements and tables presented, certain columns and rows may not add due to the use of rounded numbers for disclosure purposes. Percentages presented are calculated from the underlying whole-dollar amounts.

Accounting Changes

New Standards to be Implemented

Any current pending standards to be implemented are either not applicable or not material to the company.

Standards Implemented

Reference Rate Reform

Standard/Description–Issuance date: March 2020. This guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contract modifications, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued, subject to meeting certain criteria.

Effective Date and Adoption Considerations–The guidance is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022.

Effect on Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters–The company made a policy election in the first quarter of 2020 to adopt the practical expedient which allows for the continuation of fair value hedge accounting for interest rate derivative contracts upon the transition from LIBOR to Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) or another reference rate alternative, without any impact to the Consolidated Income Statement. However, it is still uncertain when the transition from LIBOR to another reference rate will occur or whether SOFR will become the accepted market alternative to LIBOR. The company is continuing to evaluate the potential impact of the replacement of the LIBOR benchmark on its interest rate risk management activities.

Financial Instruments-Credit Losses

Standard/Description–Issuance date: June 2016, with amendments in 2018, 2019 and 2020. This changes the guidance for credit losses based on an expected loss model rather than an incurred loss model. It requires the consideration of all available relevant information when estimating expected credit losses, including past events, current conditions and forecasts and their implications for expected credit losses. It also expands the scope of financial instruments subject to impairment, including off-balance sheet commitments and residual value.

Effective Date and Adoption Considerations–The guidance was effective January 1, 2020, with one-year early adoption permitted. The company adopted the guidance as of the effective date using the transition option whereby prior comparative periods were not retrospectively presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Effect on Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters–At January 1, 2020, an increase in the allowance for credit losses of $56 million was recorded for financing receivables (inclusive of its related off-balance sheet commitments). Additionally, net deferred taxes were reduced by $16 million in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, resulting in a cumulative-effect net decrease to retained earnings of $41 million. Refer to note 6, “Financing Receivables, Receivables Purchased/Participated from IBM,” and note 9, “Commitments,” for additional information.

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured At Fair Value

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The company classifies certain assets and liabilities based on the following fair value hierarchy:

● Level 1—Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that can be accessed at the measurement date;

● Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and

● Level 3—Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

When available, the company uses unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets to measure the fair value and classifies such items as Level 1. If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that use current market-based or independently sourced market parameters such as interest rates and currency rates. Items valued using internally generated models are classified according to the lowest level input or value driver that is significant to the valuation.

The determination of fair value considers various factors, including interest rate yield curves and time value, underlying the financial instruments. For derivatives and debt securities, the company uses a discounted cash flow analysis using discount rates commensurate with the duration of the instrument.

In determining the fair value of financial instruments, the company considers certain market valuation adjustments to the “base valuations” calculated using the methodologies described below for several parameters that market participants would consider in determining fair value:

● Counterparty credit risk adjustments are applied to financial instruments, taking into account the actual credit risk of a counterparty as observed in the credit default swap market to determine the true fair value of such an instrument.

● Credit risk adjustments are applied to reflect the company’s own credit risk when valuing all liabilities measured at fair value. The methodology is consistent with that applied in developing counterparty credit risk adjustments, but incorporates the company’s own credit risk as observed in the credit default swap market.

The company may hold investments in time deposits, certificates of deposit, U.S. government and agency debt, and corporate debt securities that are designated as available-for-sale. The primary objective of the company’s debt investment portfolio is to maintain principal by investing in short-term highly liquid securities with a credit rating of investment grade Aa2 or higher.

Available-for-sale securities are measured for impairment on a recurring basis by comparing the security’s fair value with its amortized cost basis. Effective January 1, 2020 with the adoption of the new standard on credit losses, if the fair value of the security falls below its amortized cost basis, the change in fair value is recognized in the period the impairment is identified when the loss is due to credit factors. The change in fair value due to non-credit factors is recorded in other comprehensive income when the company does not intend to sell and has the ability to hold the investment. The company’s standard practice is to hold all of its debt security investments classified as available-for-sale until maturity. No impairment for credit losses and no non-credit impairment was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Prior to the adoption of the new standard, available-for-sale securities were measured for impairment using an other-than-temporary impairment model. No impairment was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured At Fair Value

Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value

Short-Term Receivables and Payables

Short-term financing receivables are financial assets with carrying values that approximate fair value. Accounts payable, other accrued expenses and short-term debt (including debt payable to IBM) are financial liabilities with carrying values that approximate fair value. If measured at fair value in the financial statements, these financial instruments would be classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, except for short-term debt, which would be classified as Level 2.

Long-Term Receivables

Fair values are based on discounted future cash flows using current interest rates offered for similar loans to clients with similar credit ratings for the same remaining maturities. At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the difference between the carrying amount and estimated fair value for long-term receivables was immaterial. If measured at fair value in the financial statements, these financial instruments would be classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Long-Term Debt

Fair value of publicly traded long-term debt is based on quoted market prices for the identical liability when traded as an asset in an active market. For other long-term debt, which includes debt payable to IBM, for which a quoted market price is not available, an expected present value technique that uses rates currently available to the company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities is used to estimate fair value. The carrying amount of long-term debt (including debt payable to IBM) was $14,956 million and $15,268 million and the estimated fair value was $14,757 million and $15,409 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. If measured at fair value in the financial statements, long-term debt (including the current portion) would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Financing Receivables, Receivables Purchased/Participated from IBM

Financing receivables primarily consist of client loan and installment payment receivables (loans) and investment in sales-type and direct financing leases (collectively referred to as Client Financing receivables) and Commercial Financing receivables. Loans are provided primarily to clients to finance the purchase of hardware, software and services. Payment terms on these financing arrangements are generally for terms up to seven years. Investment in sales-type and direct financing leases relate principally to the company’s Systems products and are for terms ranging generally from two to six years. Commercial Financing receivables relate primarily to working capital financing for dealers and remarketers of IBM products. Payment terms for working capital financing generally range from 30 to 90 days.

The company participates in receivables from IBM for certain long-term financing receivables generated from IBM’s Total Solution Offerings in certain countries as well as for certain government and other contracts. These receivables are included in the Client Financing segment. The company also purchases interests in certain of IBM’s short-term receivables. These receivables are included within the Commercial Financing segment. The company carries the credit risk of IBM’s clients for all purchased and participated receivables from IBM.

Effective January 1, 2020, the company adopted the new accounting standard related to credit losses, using the transition option whereby prior comparative periods were not retrospectively presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Refer to note 2, “Accounting Changes,” for additional information. Under this new guidance, the amortized cost basis of a financial asset represents the original amount of the financing receivable (including residual value) adjusted for unearned income, deferred initial direct costs, cash collected, write-offs and any foreign exchange adjustments. The allowance for credit losses represents future expected credit losses over the life of the receivables based on past experience, current information and forward-looking economic considerations. Prior to the effective date, financing receivables were measured at recorded investment, which does not include residual value. As a result of the company’s transition option, all prior periods are presented at recorded investment, while current period information is presented at amortized cost.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Financing Receivables

Allowance for Credit Losses - Financing Receivables

Refer to note A, “Significant Accounting Policies,” in the company’s 2019 Annual Report for a full description of its accounting policies for financing receivables and related allowances. The descriptions below include any changes to those policies due to the new standard.

Effective with the adoption of the new credit losses standard, the company’s estimates of its allowances for expected credit losses include consideration of: past events, including any historical default, historical concessions and resulting troubled debt restructurings, current economic conditions, taking into account any non-freestanding mitigating credit enhancements, and certain forward-looking information, including reasonable and supportable forecasts.

Collectively Evaluated Financing Receivables

Collectively Evaluated Financing Receivables

The company determines its allowance for credit losses based on two portfolio segments: Client Financing receivables and Commercial Financing receivables, and further segments the portfolio into three classes: Americas, Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) and Asia Pacific.

For Client Financing receivables, the company uses a credit loss model to calculate allowances based on its internal loss experience and current conditions and forecasts by class of financing receivable. The company records an unallocated reserve that is calculated by applying a reserve rate to its portfolio, excluding accounts that have been individually evaluated and specifically reserved. This reserve rate is based upon credit rating, probability of default, term and loss history. The allowance is adjusted quarterly for expected recoveries of amounts that were previously written off or are expected to be written off. Recoveries cannot exceed the aggregated amount of the previous write-off or expected write-off.

Macroeconomic variables attributed to the expected credit losses for Client Financing receivables may vary by class of financing receivables based on historical experiences, portfolio composition, and current environment. In addition to a qualitative review of credit risk factors across the portfolio, the company considers forward-looking macroeconomic variables such as gross domestic product, unemployment rates, equity prices and corporate profits when quantifying the impact of economic forecasts on its Client Financing receivables expected allowance for credit losses. The company also considers the impact of current conditions and economic forecasts relating to specific industries, geographical areas, and client-specific exposures on the portfolio. Under this approach, forecasts of these variables over two years are considered reasonable and supportable. Beyond two years, the company reverts to long-term average loss experience. Forward-looking estimates require the use of judgment, particularly in times of economic uncertainty. With evolving global impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, external economic models have been revised with increased frequency and with alternative scenarios. The company’s allowances at March 31, 2020, reflect the qualitative process described above. Any changes to economic models that occurred after the balance sheet date will be reflected in future periods.

The allowance for Commercial Financing receivables is estimated based on a combination of write-off history and current economic conditions, excluding any individually evaluated accounts.

Client Financing Receivables

Client Financing Receivables

The following tables present the amortized cost basis or recorded investment for the Client Financing receivables portfolio segment at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, further segmented by three classes: Americas, Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) and Asia Pacific. The Commercial Financing receivables portfolio segment is excluded from this presentation as it is short term in nature and the current estimated risk of loss and resulting impact to the company’s financing results is not material.

Past Due Financing Receivables

The company considers a client’s financing receivable balance past due when any installment is aged over 90 days.

Commitments

Effective January 1, 2020, the company adopted the new standard on credit losses, which resulted in the recognition of a related allowance for non-cancellable off-balance sheet commitments. Refer to note 2, “Accounting Changes,” for additional information. The allowance for these commitments is recorded in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and was not material at March 31, 2020. The company collectively evaluates the allowance for these arrangements using a provision methodology consistent with the portfolio of the commitments. Refer to note 6, “Financing Receivables, Receivables Purchased/Participated from IBM,” for additional information.

Contingencies

The company is, or may be, involved, either as plaintiff or defendant, in a variety of ongoing claims, demands, suits, investigations, tax matters and proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of its business. Certain of these actions and proceedings are similar to suits filed against other financial institutions and captive finance companies. These may include collection and bankruptcy proceedings related to its leases and loans and proceedings concerning client allegations of wrongful repossession or defamation of credit.

The company reviews claims, suits, investigations and proceedings at least quarterly, and decisions are made with respect to recording or adjusting provisions and disclosing reasonably possible losses or range of losses (individually or in the aggregate). In addition, the company also discloses matters based on its consideration of other matters and qualitative factors, including the experience of other companies in the industry, and investor, client and employee relations considerations.

The company records a provision with respect to a claim, suit, investigation or proceeding when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Any recorded liabilities, including any changes to such liabilities for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 were not material to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In accordance with the relevant accounting guidance, the company provides disclosures of matters for which the likelihood of material loss is at least reasonably possible. As of March 31, 2020, there were no such matters.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The company operates in multiple currencies and is a lender and issuer in the capital markets and a borrower from IBM. In the normal course of business, the company may be exposed to the impact of interest rate changes and foreign currency fluctuations. The company limits its exposure to core market risks by following established risk management policies and procedures, and through the use of match-funding with IBM and third parties. Although the company seeks to substantially match-fund the terms, currency and interest rate variability of its debt against its underlying financial assets, risks may arise between assets and the related liabilities used for funding. The company may also choose to mitigate any remaining exposure relating to interest rate changes and foreign currency fluctuations through the use of interest rate or foreign exchange derivatives.

Derivative assets and liabilities are recorded in other assets and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and are presented on a gross basis. The notional amounts of the derivative instruments do not necessarily represent amounts exchanged by the company with IBM and third parties, and are not necessarily a direct measure of the financial exposure. The company also enters into master netting agreements with certain counterparties that allow for netting of exposures in the event of default or breach. However, in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, the company does not offset derivative assets against liabilities in master netting arrangements. If derivatives exposures covered by a qualifying master netting agreement with IBM had been netted in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the total derivative asset and liability positions would each have been reduced by $14 million and $18 million, respectively.