Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

We enter into interest rate, foreign-currency, and equity swaps, futures, forwards, and options in connection with our market risk management activities. Derivative instruments are used to manage interest rate risk relating to specific groups of assets and liabilities, including available-for-sale securities, automotive loan assets, and debt. We use foreign exchange contracts to mitigate foreign-currency risk associated with foreign-currency-denominated debt, foreign exchange transactions, and our net investment in foreign subsidiaries. In addition, we also enter into equity option contracts to manage our exposure to the equity markets. Our primary objective for utilizing derivative financial instruments is to manage interest rate risk associated with our fixed- and variable-rate assets and liabilities, foreign exchange risks related to our foreign-currency denominated assets and liabilities, and market risks related to our investment portfolio and certain of our executive share-based compensation plans.

Interest Rate Risk

We monitor our mix of fixed- and variable-rate assets and liabilities. We may enter into interest rate swaps, forwards, futures, options, and swaptions to achieve our desired mix of fixed- and variable-rate assets and liabilities. We execute interest rate swaps, forwards, futures, and options to modify our exposure to interest rate risk by converting certain fixed-rate instruments to a variable-rate and certain variable-rate instruments to a fixed-rate. We use a mix of both derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting treatment and economic hedges.

Derivatives qualifying for hedge accounting can include receive-fixed swaps designated as fair value hedges of specific fixed-rate unsecured debt obligations, receive-fixed swaps designated as fair value hedges of specific fixed-rate FHLB advances, fair value hedges of U.S. Treasury positions within our available-for-sale portfolio, and pay-fixed swaps designated as fair value hedges of specific portfolios of fixed-rate held-for-investment retail automotive loan assets. Other derivatives qualifying for hedge accounting consist of pay-fixed swaps designated as cash flow hedges of the expected future cash flows in the form of interest payments on certain variable-rate borrowings. As of September 30, 2017, there were no open hedges related to our held-for-investment retail automotive loan assets.

We may also execute economic hedges, which consist of interest rate swaps and interest rate caps held to mitigate interest rate risk associated with our debt portfolio. We may also use interest rate swaps to economically hedge our net fixed-versus-variable interest rate exposure. We enter into economic hedges in the form of short-dated, exchange-traded Eurodollar futures to hedge the interest rate exposure of our fixed-rate automotive loans, as well as forwards, options, and swaptions to economically hedge our net fixed-versus-variable interest rate exposure.

We also enter into interest rate lock commitments and forward-sale commitments that are executed as part of our mortgage business that meet the accounting definition of a derivative.

Foreign Exchange Risk

We enter into derivative financial instrument contracts to mitigate the risk associated with variability in cash flows related to our various foreign-currency exposures.

We enter into foreign-currency forwards with external counterparties as net investment hedges of foreign exchange exposure on our investments in foreign subsidiaries. Our equity is impacted by the cumulative translation adjustments resulting from the translation of foreign subsidiary results; this impact is reflected in our accumulated other comprehensive loss. We also periodically enter into foreign-currency forwards to economically hedge our foreign-denominated debt, our centralized lending program, and foreign-denominated third-party loans. These foreign currency forwards that are used as economic hedges are recorded at fair value with changes recorded as income offsetting the gains and losses on the associated foreign-currency transactions.

Market Risk

We enter into equity options to economically hedge our exposure to the equity markets. We purchase options to assume a long position on certain equities and write options to assume a short position.

Counterparty Credit Risk

Derivative financial instruments contain an element of credit risk if counterparties are unable to meet the terms of the agreements. Credit risk associated with derivative financial instruments is measured as the net replacement cost should the counterparties that owe us under the contract completely fail to perform under the terms of those contracts, assuming no recoveries of underlying collateral as measured by the market value of the derivative financial instrument.

To mitigate the risk of counterparty default, we maintain collateral agreements with certain counterparties. The agreements generally require both parties to post collateral in the event the fair values of the derivative financial instruments meet posting thresholds established under the agreements. In the event that either party defaults on the obligation, the secured party may seize the collateral. Generally, our collateral arrangements are bilateral such that we and the counterparty post collateral for the value of our total obligation to each other. Contractual terms provide for standard and customary exchange of collateral based on changes in the market value of the outstanding derivatives. The securing party posts additional collateral when their obligation rises or removes collateral when it falls. These payments are characterized as collateral for over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives.

We execute certain derivatives such as interest rate swaps with clearinghouses, which requires us to post collateral. For these clearinghouse derivatives, these payments are recognized as settlements rather than collateral.

Certain derivative instruments contain provisions that require us to either post additional collateral or immediately settle any outstanding liability balances upon the occurrence of a specified credit risk-related event. No such specified credit risk related events occurred during the third quarter of 2017 or 2016.

We placed cash collateral totaling $10 million and securities collateral totaling $145 million at September 30, 2017, and $122 million and $72 million at December 31, 2016, respectively, in accounts maintained by counterparties. This amount primarily relates to collateral posted to support our derivative positions. This amount also excludes cash and securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements. At September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, we placed cash collateral totaling $10 million and $45 million, respectively, with counterparties under collateral arrangements associated with repurchase agreements. Refer to Note 14 for details on the repurchase agreements. The receivables for cash collateral placed are included on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in other assets.

We received cash collateral from counterparties totaling $14 million and $10 million at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively, primarily to support these derivative positions. This amount also excludes cash and securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements. Refer to Note 14 for details on the repurchase agreements. The payables for cash collateral received are included on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in accrued expenses and other liabilities. In certain circumstances, we receive or post securities as collateral with counterparties. We do not record collateral received on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet unless certain conditions are met. At September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, we received noncash collateral of $2 million and $6 million, respectively. Included in these amounts is noncash collateral where we have been granted the right to sell or pledge the underlying assets. We have not sold or pledged any of the noncash collateral received under these agreements.

Balance Sheet Presentation

The following table summarizes the fair value amounts of derivative instruments reported on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The fair value amounts are presented on a gross basis, are segregated by derivatives that are designated and qualifying as hedging instruments or those that are not, and are further segregated by type of contract within those two categories. Notional amounts are reference amounts from which contractual obligations are derived and are not recorded on the balance sheet. In our view, derivative notional is not an accurate measure of our derivative exposure when viewed in isolation from other factors, such as market rate fluctuations and counterparty credit risk.



	September 30, 2017						December 31, 2016
	Derivative contracts in a				Notional amount		Derivative contracts in a				Notional amount
($ in millions)	receivable position (a)		payable position (b)				receivable position (a)		payable position (b)
Derivatives designated as accounting hedges
Interest rate contracts
Swaps (c) (d) (e) (f) (g)	$	—	$	—	$	6,140	$	19	$	21	$	4,731
Futures (h)	1		—		60		—		—		—
Foreign exchange contracts
Forwards	3		—		176		1		—		171
Total derivatives designated as accounting hedges	4		—		6,376		20		21		4,902
Derivatives not designated as accounting hedges
Interest rate contracts
Swaps	—		—		—		—		—		137
Futures and forwards	—		—		116		—		—		—
Written options	1		30		9,452		—		73		14,518
Purchased options	30		—		9,335		73		—		14,517
Total interest rate risk	31		30		18,903		73		73		29,172
Foreign exchange contracts
Futures and forwards	2		—		130		1		—		92
Total foreign exchange risk	2		—		130		1		—		92
Equity contracts
Written options	—		—		—		—		1		—
Purchased options	—		—		—		1		—		—
Total equity risk	—		—		—		1		1		—
Total derivatives not designated as accounting hedges	33		30		19,033		75		74		29,264
Total derivatives	$	37	$	30	$	25,409	$	95	$	95	$	34,166


(a)	Derivative contracts in a receivable position are classified as other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, and include accrued interest of $0 million and $7 million at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively.


(b)	Derivative contracts in a liability position are classified as accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, and include accrued interest of $0 million and $1 million at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively.

(c)

Includes fair value hedges consisting of receive-fixed swaps on fixed-rate unsecured debt obligations with $0 million and $8 million in a receivable position, $0 million and $14 million in a payable position, and a $3.1 billion and $1.7 billion notional amount at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively. The hedge notional amount of $3.1 billion at September 30, 2017, is associated with debt maturing in approximately five or more years.

(d)

Includes fair value hedges consisting of receive-fixed swaps on fixed-rate secured debt obligations (FHLB advances) with $0 million and $0 million in a receivable position, $0 million and $7 million in a payable position, and a $1.6 billion and $240 million notional amount at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively. Other fair value hedges include pay-fixed swaps on portfolios of held-for-investment automotive loan assets with $0 million and $10 million in a receivable position, $0 million and $1 million in a payable position, and a $0.0 billion and $2.8 billion notional amount at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively.


(e)	Includes cash flow hedge of pay-fixed swap on variable-rate borrowings of a secured credit facility with $0 million in a receivable and payable position, and $1.3 billion of notional amount at September 30, 2017.


(f)	Includes fair value hedge of pay-fixed swaps on fixed-rate U.S. Treasury securities with $0 million in a receivable and payable position, and $225 million of notional amount at September 30, 2017.

(g)

Derivative contracts in a receivable and payable position exclude open trade equity on derivatives cleared through central clearing counterparties. Any associated collateral exchanged with our central clearing counterparties are treated as settlements of the derivative exposure, rather than collateral. Such payments are recognized as settlements of the derivatives contracts in a receivable and payable position in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.


(h)	Includes fair value hedge of future contract on fixed-rate U.S. Treasury securities with $1 million in a receivable position, $0 million in a payable position, and $60 million of notional amount at September 30, 2017.

Statement of Comprehensive Income Presentation

The following table summarizes the location and amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments reported in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.



	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
($ in millions)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Derivatives qualifying for hedge accounting
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings on derivatives
Interest rate contracts
Interest and fees on finance receivables and loans (a)	$	—		$	16		$	1		$	(18	)
Interest and dividends on investment securities	4			—			1			—
Interest on long-term debt (b)	(5		)	(31		)	19			211
(Loss) gain recognized in earnings on hedged items
Interest rate contracts
Interest and fees on finance receivables and loans (c)	—			(17		)	(3		)	16
Interest and dividends on investment securities	(4		)	—			(1		)	—
Interest on long-term debt (d)	5			32			(18		)	(214		)
Total derivatives qualifying for hedge accounting	—			—			(1		)	(5		)
Derivatives not designated as accounting hedges
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings on derivatives
Interest rate contracts
Gain on mortgage and automotive loans, net	—			—			1			—
Other income, net of losses	—			(5		)	(3		)	(2		)
Total interest rate contracts	—			(5		)	(2		)	(2		)
Foreign exchange contracts (e)
Interest on long-term debt	—			—			—			(2		)
Other income, net of losses	(3		)	(1		)	(7		)	(4		)
Total foreign exchange contracts	(3		)	(1		)	(7		)	(6		)
Equity contracts
Compensation and benefits expense	—			2			—			—
Total equity contracts	—			2			—			—
Loss recognized in earnings on derivatives	$	(3	)	$	(4	)	$	(10	)	$	(13	)

(a)

Amounts exclude losses related to interest for qualifying accounting hedges of retail automotive loans held-for-investment, which are primarily offset by the fixed coupon payments of the loans. The losses were $0 million and $4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, and $1 million and $16 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

(b)

Amounts exclude gains related to interest for qualifying accounting hedges of unsecured debt, which are primarily offset by the fixed coupon payment on the long-term debt. The gains were $7 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, and $19 million and $34 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Amounts also exclude gains related to interest for qualifying accounting hedges of secured debt (FHLB advances), which are primarily offset by the fixed coupon payment on the long-term debt. The gains were $0 million and $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, and $1 million and $4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively.


(c)	Amounts exclude losses related to amortization of deferred loan basis adjustments on the de-designated hedged item of $6 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, and $17 million and $15 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

(d)

Amounts exclude gains related to amortization of deferred debt basis adjustments on the de-designated hedged item of $19 million and $23 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, and $59 million and $62 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Amounts also exclude losses related to amortization of deferred debt basis adjustments (FHLB advances) on the de-designated hedge item of $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, and $2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.


(e)	Amounts exclude gains and losses related to the revaluation of the related foreign-denominated debt or receivable. Gains of $3 million and $1 million were recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, and gains of $8 million and $4 million were recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

The following table summarizes derivative instruments used in cash flow and net investment hedge accounting relationships.



	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
($ in millions)	2017			2016		2017			2016
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate contracts
Gain recognized in other comprehensive loss	$	2		$	—	$	2		$	—
Net investment hedges
Foreign exchange contracts
(Loss) gain recognized in other comprehensive loss (a)	$	(6	)	$	2	$	(12	)	$	(4	)

(a)

The amounts represent the effective portion of net investment hedges. There are offsetting amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the revaluation of the related net investment in foreign operations, including the tax impacts of the hedge and related net investment, as disclosed separately in Note 16. There were gains of $7 million and losses of $2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, and gains of $14 million and $9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016.