Reserves for Losses (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Reserves For Losses Tables [Abstract]

Changes in the Card Member receivable reserve for losses

The following table presents changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for losses for the nine months endedSeptember 30:

(Millions)		2017		2016
Balance, January 1		$	110	$	114
	Provisions		171		101
	Other credits (a)		35		13
	Net write-offs (b)		(142)		(105)
	Other debits (c)		(16)		(17)
Balance, September 30		$	158	$	106

• Primarily reserve balances related to participation interests in Card Member receivables purchased from affiliates. Participation interests in Card Member receivables purchased totaled $6.0 billion and $3.4billion for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
• Net of recoveries of $70 million and $71 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
• Primarily reserve balances related to participation interests in Card Member receivables sold to an affiliate. Participation interests in Card Member receivables sold totaled $2.6 billion and $4.7 billion for the nine months endedSeptember 30,2017 and 2016, respectively.

Changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses

The following table presents changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses for the nine months endedSeptember 30:

(Millions)		2017		2016
Balance, January 1		$	5	$	4
	Provisions		5		4
	Net write-offs(a)		(5)		(4)
Balance, September 30		$	5	$	4

Net of recoveries of $1.0 million for both the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016.