Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Equity [Abstract]

Equity

20.    Equity

Common Stock

Our common stock has a par value of $0.01 and there are 2,021,384 shares authorized for issuance. Our common stock is not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and there is no established trading market for the shares. Treasury holds 73.78% of Ally common stock. The following table presents changes in the number of shares issued and outstanding.

(in shares)	2011	2010	2009
Common stock / members' interest (a)
January 1,	1,330,970	799,120	269,960
New issuances
Conversion of Series F-2 Preferred Stock (b)	—	531,850	—
Common equity investments (c)	—	—	269,960
Conversion of Series F Preferred Stock (d)	—	—	259,200
December 31,	1,330,970	1,330,970	799,120

(a) On June 30, 2009, our members' interests became common stock due to our conversion from a limited liability company to a corporation. As a result, each unit of each class of common and preferred membership interests issued and outstanding was converted into shares of capital stock with substantially the same rights and preferences as such membership interests. Refer to Note 25 for additional information regarding the tax impact of the conversion.

(b) On December 30, 2010, 110,000,000 shares of Series F-2 Preferred Stock owned by Treasury were converted into 531,850 shares of Ally common stock.

(c) On January 16, 2009, we completed a rights offering for $1.3 billion of common equity from existing Ally common shareholders.

(d) On December 30, 2009, 60,000,000 shares of Series F Preferred Stock, all of which were owned by Treasury, were converted into 259,200 shares of Ally common stock.

Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock held by Treasury

Series F-2 Preferred Stock

On December 30, 2009, Ally entered into a Securities Purchase and Exchange Agreement (the Purchase Agreement) with Treasury, pursuant to which a series of transactions occurred resulting in Treasury acquiring 228,750,000 shares of Ally's newly issued Fixed Rate Cumulative Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock, Series F-2 (the New MCP), with a total liquidation preference of $11.4 billion. On December 30, 2010, Treasury converted 110,000,000 shares of the New MCP into 531,850 shares of Ally common stock. The conversion occurred at an agreed upon rate that exceeded the initial conversion rate as defined in Exhibit H to the Ally Certificate of Incorporation. The fair value of the additional shares was approximately $586 million and represented an inducement. The fair value of the additional common shares issued to Treasury was determined using a combination of valuation techniques consistent with the market approach (Level 3 fair value inputs). The market approach we used to estimate the fair value of our common stock incorporated a combination of the tangible equity and earnings multiples from comparable publicly traded companies deemed similar to Ally (and its operating segments) and by observing comparable transactions in the marketplace. We also considered the implied valuation of our common stock based on the December 30, 2010, conversion with Treasury.

In connection with the conversion, the New MCP Certificate of Designation was amended to require us to deliver additional shares to the New MCP holders upon occurrence of certain specified events. The fair value associated with this provision was $30 million and was reflected in the New MCP balance at December 31, 2010. The fair value of the provision was determined utilizing an option pricing model using inputs and assumptions that management believes a willing market participant would use in estimating fair value (a Level 3 fair value input).

As a result, Treasury now holds 118,750,000 shares of the New MCP, with a total liquidation preference of $5.9 billion. Dividends of the New MCP accrue at 9% per annum. Dividends are payable quarterly, in arrears, only if and when declared by Ally's Board of Directors. The New MCP generally is nonvoting, other than class-voting on certain matters under certain circumstances, including generally, the authorization of senior capital stock, the adverse amendment of the New MCP, and any exchange or reclassification involving the New MCP or merger or consolidation of Ally. Upon conversion of the New MCP into Ally common stock, the holder would have the voting rights associated with the common stock.

The shares of the New MCP are convertible into common stock at the applicable conversion rate (as provided in the Certificate of Designation) either: (i) at Ally's option, at any time or from time to time, with the prior approval of the Federal Reserve provided that Ally is not permitted to convert any shares of the New MCP held by Treasury except (a) with the prior written consent of Treasury (which consent may be granted in the sole discretion of Treasury with respect to each conversion considering such factors as it deems appropriate at such time, which may include seeking to condition the terms on which it may provide such consent, which may include seeking an alteration of the conversion rate) or (b) pursuant to an order of the Federal Reserve compelling such a conversion; or (ii) at the option of the holder, upon the occurrence of certain specified transactions. All shares of the New MCP that remain outstanding on December 30, 2016, will automatically convert into common stock at a conversion rate of 0.00432 common shares per share of the New MCP. Under any conversion of the New MCP, settlement will always occur by issuance of our common stock.

Subject to the approval of the Federal Reserve and the restrictions imposed by the terms of our other preferred stock, we may opt to redeem, in whole or in part, from time to time, the New MCP then outstanding at any time. On or before December 30, 2011, the New MCP may be redeemed at the liquidation preference, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends. After December 30, 2011, the New MCP may be redeemed at the greater of the liquidation preference, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends or the as-converted value, as defined in the Certificate of Designation.

Subject to certain exceptions, for so long as any shares of the New MCP are outstanding and owned by Treasury, Ally is generally prohibited from paying certain dividends or distributions on, or redeeming, repurchasing, or acquiring its capital stock or other equity securities without the consent of Treasury. Additionally, Ally is generally prohibited from making any dividends or distributions on, or redeeming, repurchasing, or acquiring its capital stock or other equity securities unless all accrued and unpaid dividends for all past dividend periods on the New MCP are fully paid.

The following table summarizes information about the New MCP.

December 31,	2011		2010
Series F-2 preferred stock (a)
Carrying value ($ in millions)	$	5,685	$	5,685
Par value (per share)	$	0.01	$	0.01
Liquidation preference (per share)	$	50	$	50
Number of shares authorized	228,750,000		228,750,000
Number of shares issued and outstanding	118,750,000		118,750,000
Dividend/coupon	Fixed 9%
Redemption/call feature	Perpetual (b)

(a) Mandatorily convertible to common equity on December 30, 2016.

(b) Convertible prior to mandatory conversion date with consent of Treasury.

Preferred Stock

The following table summarizes information about our Series A and Series G preferred stock.

December 31,	2011			2010
Series A (a)
Carrying value ($ in millions)	$	1,021		$	1,053
Par value (per share)	$	0.01		$	0.01
Liquidation preference (per share)	$	25		$	1,000
Number of shares authorized	160,870,560			4,021,764
Number of shares issued and outstanding	40,870,560			1,021,764
Dividend/coupon
Prior to May 15, 2016	8.5		%
On and after May 15, 2016	3 month LIBOR + 6.243%
Redemption/call feature	Perpetual (b)
Series G (c)
Carrying value ($ in millions)	$	234		$	234
Par value (per share)	$	0.01		$	0.01
Liquidation preference (per share)	$	1,000		$	1,000
Number of shares authorized	2,576,601			2,576,601
Number of shares issued and outstanding	2,576,601			2,576,601
Dividend/coupon	Fixed 7%
Redemption/call feature	Perpetual (d)

(a) Refer to the next section of this note for a description of an amendment to the Series A preferred stock that occurred on March 25, 2011.

(b) Nonredeemable prior to May 15, 2016.

(c) Pursuant to a registration rights agreement, we are required to maintain an effective shelf registration statement. In the event we fail to meet this obligation, we may be required to pay additional interest to the holders of the Series G Preferred Stock.

(d) Redeemable beginning at December 31, 2011.

Series A Preferred Stock

On March 1, 2011, pursuant to a registration rights agreement between Ally and GM, GM notified Ally of its intent to sell shares of Ally's existing Fixed Rate Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (Existing Series A Preferred Stock), held by a subsidiary of GM. On March 25, 2011, Ally filed a Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the Amendment) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. Pursuant to the Amendment, Ally's Certificate of Incorporation, which included the terms of the Existing Series A Preferred Stock, was amended to modify certain terms of the Existing Series A Preferred Stock. As part of the Amendment, the Existing Series A Preferred Stock was redesignated as Ally's Fixed Rate / Floating Rate Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (the Amended Series A Preferred Stock) and the liquidation amount was reduced from $1,000 per share to $25 per share. The Amendment, and a corresponding amendment to Ally's bylaws, also increased the authorized number of shares of Amended Series A Preferred Stock to 160,870,560 shares, which was adjusted to account for the decreased liquidation amount per share. The total number of shares outstanding following the Amendment is 40,870,560 shares.

Immediately following the Amendment, the subsidiary of GM that held all of the outstanding Amended Series A Preferred Stock sold 100% of such stock in an offering registered with the SEC. Ally did not receive any proceeds from the sale.

Holders of the Amended Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, and if declared by Ally, noncumulative cash dividends. Beginning March 25, 2011, to but excluding May 15, 2016, dividends accrue at a fixed rate of 8.500% per annum. Beginning on May 15, 2016, dividends will accrue at a rate equal to three-month London interbank offer rate (LIBOR) plus 6.243%, commencing on August 15, 2016, in each case on the 15th day of February, May, August, and November. Dividends will be payable to holders of record at the close of business on the preceding February 1, May 1, August 1, or November 1, as the case may be, or on such other date, not more than seventy calendar days prior to the dividend payment date, as will be fixed by the Ally Board of Directors. In the event that dividends with respect to a dividend period have not been paid in full on the dividend payment date, we will be prohibited, subject to certain specified exceptions, from (i) redeeming, purchasing or otherwise acquiring, any stock that ranks on a parity basis with, or junior in interest to, the Amended Series A Preferred Stock; (ii) paying any dividends or making any distributions with respect to any stock that ranks junior in interest to the Amended Series A Preferred Stock, until such time as Ally has paid the dividends payable on shares of the Amended Series A Preferred Stock with respect to a subsequent dividend period; and (iii) declaring or paying any dividend on any stock ranking on a parity basis with the Amended Series A Preferred Stock, subject to certain exceptions.

The holders of the Amended Series A Preferred Stock do not have voting rights other than those set forth in the certificate of designations for the Amended Series A Preferred Stock included in Ally's Certificate of Incorporation. Ally may not redeem the Amended Series A Preferred Stock before May 15, 2016, and after such time the Amended Series A Preferred Stock may be redeemed in certain circumstances. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of Ally, holders of the Amended Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive the liquidation amount per share of Amended Series A Preferred Stock and an amount equal to all declared, but unpaid dividends declared prior to the date of payment out of assets available for distribution, before any distribution is made for holders of stock that ranks junior in interest to the Amended Series A Preferred Stock, subject to the rights of Ally's creditors.

The changes to the terms of the Existing Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to the terms of the Amendment were deemed substantive, and as a result, the transaction was accounted for as a redemption of the Existing Series A Preferred Stock and the issuance of the Amended Series A Preferred Stock. The Existing Series A Preferred Stock was removed at its carrying value, the Amended Series A Preferred Stock was recognized at its fair value, and the difference of $32 million was recorded as an increase to retained earnings, which impacted the income available to common stockholders used for the earnings per common share calculation.

Series G Preferred Stock

Effective June 30, 2009, we converted (the Conversion) from a Delaware limited liability company into a Delaware corporation in accordance with applicable law. In connection with the Conversion, the 7% Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the Blocker Preferred) of Preferred Blocker Inc. (PBI), a wholly owned subsidiary, was required to be converted into or exchanged for preferred stock. For this purpose, we had previously authorized for issuance its 7% Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series G (the Series G Preferred Stock). Pursuant to the terms of a Certificate of Merger, effective October 15, 2009, PBI merged with and into Ally with Ally continuing as the surviving entity. At that time, each share of the Blocker Preferred issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger was converted into the right to receive an equal number of newly issued shares of Series G Preferred Stock. In the aggregate, 2,576,601 shares of Series G Preferred Stock were issued to holders of the Blocker Preferred in connection with the merger. The Series G Preferred Stock ranks equally in right of payment with each of our outstanding series of preferred stock in accordance with the terms thereof.

The Series G Preferred Stock accrues dividends at a rate of 7% per annum. Dividends are payable quarterly, in arrears, only if and when declared by Ally's Board of Directors. Subject to any other restrictions contained in the terms of any other series of stock or other agreements that Ally is or may become subject to, at Ally's option and subject to Ally having obtained any required regulatory approvals, Ally may, subject to certain conditions, redeem the Series G Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, upon proper notice given, at a redemption price equal to the liquidation amount plus the amount of any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon through the date of redemption. The Series G Preferred Stock generally is nonvoting other than class-voting on certain matters under certain circumstances including generally, the authorization of senior capital stock or amendments that adversely impact the Series G Preferred Stock. Ally is generally prohibited from making any Restricted Payments on or prior to January 1, 2014, and may only make Restricted Payments after January 1, 2014, if certain conditions are satisfied. For this purpose, Restricted Payments include, subject to certain exceptions, any dividend payment or distribution of assets on any common stock or any redemption, purchase, or other acquisition of any shares of common stock.