Reserves for Losses (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Reserves for Losses [Abstract]

Changes in Card Member Receivable Reserve for Losses

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

(Millions)	2019		2018
Balance, January 1	$	167	$	145
Provisions	160		186
Other credits (a)	13		51
Net write-offs (b)	(166)		(173)
Other debits (c)	(6)		(26)
Balance, September 30	$	168	$	183

(a)Primarily reserve balances related to new groups of, and participation interests in, Card Member receivables purchased from affiliates, totaling $2.7 billion and $9.7 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

(b)Net of recoveries of $94 million and $84 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

(c)Primarily reserve balances related to participation interests in Card Member receivables sold to an affiliate. Participation interests in Card Member receivables sold totaled $1.1 billion and $4.5 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, 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 ended September 30:

(Millions)	2019		2018
Balance, January 1	$	5	$	5
Provisions	10		4
Net write-offs (a)	(7)		(4)
Balance, September 30	$	8	$	5

(a)Net of recoveries of $1.0 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.