Reserves for Credit Losses (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Receivables [Abstract]

Schedule of Key Variables in Macroeconomic Scenarios Utilized for Computation of Reserves for Credit Losses

The following table reflects the range of macroeconomic scenario key variables used, in conjunction with other inputs, to calculate reserves for credit losses:

	U.S. Unemployment Rate		U.S. GDP Growth (Contraction) (a)
	December 31, 2021	December 31, 2020	December 31, 2021	December 31, 2020
Fourth quarter of 2021	5%	7% - 11%	7%	6% -(2)%
First quarter of 2022	4% - 7%	7% - 11%	6% - (4)%	5% - (2)%
Fourth quarter of 2022	4% - 9%	6% - 12%	2% - 1%	4% - 3%
Fourth quarter of 2023	3% - 7%	4% - 10%	4% - 3%	5% -3%

(a)Real GDP quarter over quarter percentage change seasonally adjusted to annualized rates.

Schedule of Changes in Card Member Loans and Receivables

The following table presents changes in the Card Member loans reserve for credit losses for the years ended December 31:

(Millions)	2021		2020		2019
Beginning Balance(a)	$	5,344	$	4,027	$	2,134
Provisions(b)	(1,155)		3,453		2,462
Net write-offs (c)
Principal	(672)		(1,795)		(1,860)
Interest and fees	(207)		(375)		(375)
Other(d)	(5)		34		22
Ending Balance	$	3,305	$	5,344	$	2,383

(a)For the year ended December 31, 2020, beginning balance includes an increase of $1,643 million as of January 1, 2020, related to the adoption of the CECL methodology.

(b)Provisions for principal, interest and fee reserve components. Provisions for credit losses includes reserve build (release) and replenishment for net write-offs.

(c)Principal write-offs are presented less recoveries of $657 million, $568 million and $525 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Recoveries of interest and fees were not significant. Amounts include net (write-offs) recoveries from TDRs of $(171) million, $(134) million and $(79) million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

(d)Primarily includes foreign currency translation adjustments of $(6) million, $35 million and $4 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The following table presents changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for credit losses for the years ended December 31:

(Millions)	2021		2020		2019
Beginning Balance (a)	$	267	$	126	$	573
Provisions (b)	(73)		1,015		963
Net write-offs (c)	(129)		(881)		(900)
Other (d)	(1)		7		(17)
Ending Balance	$	64	$	267	$	619

(a)For the year ended December 31, 2020, beginning balance includes a decrease of $493 million as of January 1, 2020, related to the adoption of the CECL methodology.

(b)Provisions for principal and fee reserve components. Provisions for credit losses includes reserve build (release) and replenishment for net write-offs.

(c)Net write-offs are presented less recoveries of $378 million, $386 million and $374 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Amounts include net recoveries (write-offs) from TDRs of $(64) million, $(47) million and $(16) million, for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

(d)Primarily includes foreign currency translation adjustments of $(1) million, $5 million and nil for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.