Reserves for Losses (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Reserves for Losses [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 years ended December 31:

(Millions)	2019		2018		2017
Balance, January 1	$	167	$	145	$	110
Provisions	216		243		238
Other credits(a)	13		53		58
Net write-offs(b)	(229)		(238)		(198)
Other debits(c)	(5)		(36)		(63)
Balance, December 31	$	162	$	167	$	145

(a)Primarily reserve balances related to new groups of, and participation interests in, Card Member receivables purchased from affiliates, totaling $2.7 billion, $9.8 billion and $9.4 billion for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

(b)Net of recoveries of $125 million, $119 million and $95 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, 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, $6.2 billion and $9.4 billion for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, 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 years ended December 31:

(Millions)	2019		2018		2017
Balance, January 1	$	5	$	5	$	5
Provisions	14		6		6
Net write-offs(a)	(9)		(6)		(6)
Balance, December 31	$	10	$	5	$	5

(a)Net of recoveries of $1.6 million, $1.8 million and $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.