10-Q 1 d719158d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[X]        QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2014

or

  [  ]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period from              to             

Commission file No. 1-6908

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

   

11-1988350

 

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)  

200 Vesey Street New York, New York

   

10285

 
(Address of principal executive offices)     (Zip Code)  

Registrant’s telephone number including area code:                    (866) 572-4944                     

 

            None

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)

THE REGISTRANT MEETS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(1)(a) AND (b) OF FORM 10-Q AND HAS THEREFORE OMITTED CERTAIN ITEMS FROM THIS REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT PERMITTED UNDER GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(2).

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes   X              No             

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes   X              No             

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨

  

Accelerated filer  ¨

Non-accelerated filer x

  

Smaller reporting company  ¨                             

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes                 No   X        

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class

     

Outstanding at May 6, 2014

 
Common Stock (par value $.10 per share)       1,504,938 Shares  


Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

INDEX

 

Part I.    Financial Information      Page No.   
  

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements

  
     

Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings – Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

     1  
     

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

     2  
     

Consolidated Balance Sheets – March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013

     3  
     

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

     4  
     

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     5  
  

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     15  
  

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

     24  
Part II.    Other Information   
  

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

     25  
  

Item 5.

  

Other Information

     25  
  

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

     25  
  

Signatures

     26  
  

Exhibit Index

     E-1   


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

AND RETAINED EARNINGS

(Unaudited)

 

                                             

 

Three Months Ended March 31 (Millions)

       2014    

2013

Revenues

      

Discount revenue earned from purchased Card Member receivables and loans

     $ 137     $               149 

Interest income from affiliates

       91     118 

Interest income from deposits

          

Finance revenue

       13     11 
    

 

 

   

 

Total revenues

       241     279 
    

 

 

   

 

Expenses

      

Provisions for losses

       61     42 

Interest expense

       125     168 

Interest expense to affiliates

       2    

Other, net

       (22   (32)
    

 

 

   

 

Total expenses

       166     180 
    

 

 

   

 

Pretax income

       75     99 

Income tax benefit

       (3   (12)
    

 

 

   

 

Net income

       78     111 

Retained earnings at beginning of period

       3,004     2,999 

Dividends

       (78   (73)
    

 

 

   

 

Retained earnings at end of period

     $ 3,004     $            3,037 
    

 

 

   

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

                                             

 

Three Months Ended March 31 (Millions)

       2014    

2013

Net income

     $ 78     $                111

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

      

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of: 2014, $(45); 2013, $(23)

       (25   18
    

 

 

   

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income

       (25   18
    

 

 

   

 

Comprehensive income

     $ 53     $                129
    

 

 

   

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

                                             

 

(Millions, except share data)

      
 
March 31,
2014
  
 
 

December 31,

2013

Assets

      

Cash and cash equivalents

     $ 79     $                 86 

Card Member receivables, less reserves: 2014, $102; 2013, $76

       17,482     14,458 

Card Member loans, less reserves: 2014, $5; 2013, $4

       494     519 

Loans to affiliates

       10,339     11,340 

Deferred charges and other assets

       213     143 

Due from affiliates

       4,159     3,380 
    

 

 

   

 

Total assets

     $ 32,766     $          29,926 
    

 

 

   

 

Liabilities and Shareholder’s Equity

      

Liabilities

      

Short-term debt

     $     $               200 

Short-term debt to affiliates

       4,558     3,583 

Long-term debt

       23,956     21,700 
    

 

 

   

 

Total debt

       28,514     25,483 

Due to affiliates

       1,234     1,323 

Accrued interest and other liabilities

       356     433 
    

 

 

   

 

Total liabilities

     $ 30,104     $          27,239 
    

 

 

   

 

Shareholder’s Equity

      

Common stock, $0.10 par value, authorized 3 million shares; issued and outstanding
1.5 million shares

           — 

Additional paid-in capital

       161     161 

Retained earnings

       3,004     3,004 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss:

      

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of: 2014, $(79); 2013, $(34)

       (503   (478)
    

 

 

   

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss

       (503   (478)
    

 

 

   

 

Total shareholder’s equity

       2,662     2,687 
    

 

 

   

 

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity

     $ 32,766     $          29,926 
    

 

 

   

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

                                             

 

Three Months Ended March 31 (Millions)

       2014    

2013

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

      

Net income

     $ 78     $                   111 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Provisions for losses

       61     42 

Amortization and other

       5    

Deferred taxes

       (8   (8)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Interest, taxes and other amounts due from affiliates, net

       41     (86)

Other operating assets and liabilities

       (156   124 
    

 

 

   

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

       21     189 
    

 

 

   

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

      

Net increase in Card Member receivables and loans

       (3,062   (2,288)

Net decrease in loans to affiliates

       969     2,129 

Net increase in due from affiliates

       (872   (487)
    

 

 

   

 

Net cash used in investing activities

       (2,965   (646)
    

 

 

   

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

      

Net increase in short-term debt to affiliates

       974     348 

Net (decrease) increase in short-term debt

       (200   86 

Issuance of long-term debt

       2,240     — 

Dividends paid

       (78   (73)
    

 

 

   

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

       2,936     361 
    

 

 

   

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

       1     — 
    

 

 

   

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

       (7   (96)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

       86     275 
    

 

 

   

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

     $ 79     $                   179 
    

 

 

   

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation

The Company

American Express Credit Corporation (Credco), together with its subsidiaries, is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (TRS), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company (American Express). American Express charge cards and American Express credit cards are collectively referred to herein as the card.

Credco is engaged in the business of financing non-interest-earning Card Member receivables arising from the use of the American Express® Green Card, the American Express® Gold Card, Platinum Card®, Corporate Card and other American Express cards issued in the U.S. and in certain countries outside the U.S. Credco also finances certain interest-earning revolving loans generated by Card Member spending on American Express credit cards issued in non-U.S. markets, although interest-earning revolving loans are primarily funded by subsidiaries of TRS other than Credco.

Credco executes material transactions with its affiliates. The agreements between Credco and its affiliates provide that the parties intend that the transactions thereunder be conducted on an arm’s length basis; however, there can be no assurance that the terms of these arrangements are the same as would be negotiated between independent, unrelated parties.

American Express provides Credco with financial support with respect to maintenance of its minimum overall 1.25 fixed charge coverage ratio, which is achieved by charging appropriate discount rates on the purchases of receivables Credco makes from, and the interest rates on the loans Credco provides to, TRS and other American Express subsidiaries. Each monthly period, the discount and interest rates are determined to generate income for Credco that is sufficient to maintain its minimum fixed charge coverage ratio.

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements in Credco’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (Form 10-K).

The interim consolidated financial information in this report has not been audited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which consist of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the interim period consolidated financial information, have been made. Results of operations reported for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expense. These accounting estimates reflect the best judgment of management, but actual results could differ.

Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not have a material impact on Credco’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

2. Card Member Receivables and Loans

American Express’ charge and lending payment card products result in the generation of Card Member receivables and Card Member loans, respectively. For information on Credco’s Card Member receivables and Card Member loans, related accounting policies and Credco’s participation interests in TRS’ securitization program, refer to Note 3 on pages F-13 – F-16 of the Form 10-K.

The net volume of Card Member receivables purchased during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $55 billion and $52 billion, respectively. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Credco Receivables Corporation (CRC) owned approximately $5.0 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively, of participation interests in Card Member receivables purchased without recourse from Receivables Financing Corporation VIII LLC (RFC VIII).

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Card Member receivables as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of:

 

                                             

 

(Millions)

       2014     

2013

U.S. Consumer and Small Business Services

     $ 4,953      $             2,490

International Card Services(a)

       1,270      (b)

Global Commercial Services

       11,361      (b)

International Card Services and Global Commercial Services(a)

       (b)       12,044
    

 

 

    

 

Card Member receivables(c)(d)

       17,584      14,534

Less: Reserve for losses

       102      76
    

 

 

    

 

Card Member receivables, net(e)

     $ 17,482      $           14,458
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

  (a)

International is comprised of consumer and small business services.

 

  (b)

Effective March 31, 2014, a split between International Card Services (ICS) and Global Commercial Services (GCS) for Card Member receivables has been provided to supplement the presentation of Card Member receivables aging for ICS.

 

  (c)

$229 million and $254 million of Card Member credit balances were reclassified from Card Member receivables to due to affiliates as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

  (d)

Net of deferred discount revenue totaling $26 million and $21 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

  (e)

Card Member receivables modified in a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) program were immaterial.

The net volume of Card Member loans purchased during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $1 billion and $0.9 billion, respectively.

Card Member loans as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of:

 

                                             

 

(Millions)

       2014     

2013

International Card Services(a)

     $ 499      $                523

Less: Reserve for losses

       5      4
    

 

 

    

 

Card Member loans, net(b)

     $ 494      $                519
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

  (a)

$8 million and $7 million of Card Member credit balances were reclassified from Card Member loans to due to affiliates as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

  (b)

Card Member loans modified in a TDR program were immaterial.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Card Member Receivables and Card Member Loans Aging

Generally, a Card Member account is considered past due if payment is not received within 30 days after the billing statement date. The following table represents the aging of Card Member receivables and Card Member loans as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

                                                                               

 

2014 (Millions)

       Current       
 
 
 
30-59
Days
Past
Due
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
60-89
Days
Past
Due
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
90+
Days
Past
Due
  
  
  
  
 

Total

Card Member Receivables:

            

U.S. Consumer and Small Business Services

     $ 4,894     $ 24     $ 11     $ 24     $       4,953

International Card Services(a)

       1,250       8       4       8     1,270

Global Commercial Services

       (b     (b     (b     84     11,361

Card Member Loans:

            

International Card Services(c)

     $ 491     $ 3     $ 2     $ 3     $          499

 

 

2013 (Millions)

       Current       
 
 
 
30-59
Days
Past
Due
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
60-89
Days
Past
Due
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
90+
Days
Past
Due
  
  
  
  
 

Total

Card Member Receivables:

            

U.S. Consumer and Small Business Services

     $ 2,464     $ 12     $ 5     $ 9     $       2,490

International Card Services and Global Commercial Services(a)

       (b     (b     (b     115     12,044

Card Member Loans:

            

International Card Services(c)

     $ 514     $ 4     $ 2     $ 3     $          523

 

 

  (a)

Effective March 31, 2014, as a result of system enhancements, delinquency data for International Card Services (ICS) is now available and presented on a prospective basis for the indicated aging categories. Comparable data for prior periods is not available. For risk management purposes, Credco has historically utilized 90 days past billing for the ICS segment as described below in (b).

 

  (b)

Data for periods prior to 90 days past billing are not available due to system constraints. Therefore, such data have not been utilized for risk management purposes. The balances that are current to 89 days past due can be derived as the difference between the Total and the 90+ Days Past Due balances. For Card Member receivables in Global Commercial Services (GCS) as of March 31, 2014 and ICS and GCS as of December 31, 2013, delinquency data is tracked based on days past billing status rather than days past due. A Card Member account is considered 90 days past billing if payment has not been received within 90 days of the Card Member’s billing statement date. In addition, if Credco initiates collection procedures on an account prior to the account becoming 90 days past billing, the associated Card Member receivable balance is considered as 90 days past billing. These amounts are shown above as 90+ Days Past Due for presentation purposes.

 

  (c)

Card Member loans over 90 days past due continue to accrue interest.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Credit Quality Indicators for Card Member Receivables and Card Member Loans

The following tables present the key credit quality indicators as of or for the three months ended March 31:

 

                                                                                           

 

       2014       2013

 

      
 
 
Net
Write-off
Rate
(a)
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
30 Days
Past Due
as a % of
Total
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
Net
Write-off
Rate
(a)
  
  
  
 

30 Days Past Due as a % of Total

Card Member Receivables:

          

U.S. Consumer and Small Business Services

       1.12     1.19     1.40   1.25%

International Card Services

       2.20     1.57     (b   (b)

Card Member Loans:

          

International Card Services

       0.78     1.60     0.85   1.56%

 

 

       2014       2013

 

      
 
 
 
 
Net Loss
Ratio as
a % of
Charge
Volume
(c)
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
90 Days
Past Billing
as a % of
Receivables
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
Net Loss
Ratio as
a % of
Charge
Volume
(c)
  
  
  
  
  
 

90 Days Past Billing

as a % of Receivables

Card Member Receivables:

          

Global Commercial Services

       0.08     0.74     (b   (b)

International Card Services and Global Commercial Services

       (b     (b     0.07   0.73%

 

 

  (a)

Credco’s net write-off rate represents the amount of Card Member receivables or Card Member loans owned by Credco that are written off, net of recoveries, expressed as a percentage of the average Card Member receivables or Card Member loans balances in each of the periods indicated.

 

  (b)

Historically, net loss ratio as a % of charge volume and 90 days past billings as a % of receivables were presented for ICS and GCS. Effective March 31, 2014, as a result of system enhancements, 30 days past due as a % of total and net write-off rate for ICS have been presented.

 

  (c)

Credco’s net loss ratio represents the amount of Card Member receivables owned by Credco that are written off, net of recoveries, expressed as a percentage of the volume of Card Member receivables purchased by Credco in each of the periods indicated.

Refer to Note 4 on pages F-16 – F-17 of the Form 10-K for additional indicators, including external environmental qualitative factors, management considers in its monthly evaluation process for reserves for losses.

 

3. Reserves for Losses

Reserves for losses relating to Card Member receivables and loans represent management’s best estimate of the probable inherent losses in Credco’s outstanding portfolio of receivables and loans, as of the balance sheet date. Management’s evaluation process requires certain estimates and judgments. For information on Credco’s reserves for losses and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 4 on pages F-16 – F-17 of the Form 10-K.

 

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Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Changes in Card Member Receivables Reserve for Losses

The following table presents changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for losses for the three months ended March 31:

 

                                             

 

(Millions)

       2014    

2013

Balance, January 1

     $ 76     $             83 

Additions:

      

Provisions(a)

       59     41 

Other credits(b)

       15     21 

Deductions:

      

Net write-offs(c)

       (48   (43)

Other debits(d)

           (5)
    

 

 

   

 

Balance, March 31

     $ 102     $             97 
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

  (a)

Provisions resulting from authorized transactions.

 

  (b)

Primarily reserve balances applicable to the new groups of Card Member receivables purchased from TRS and certain of its subsidiaries and participation interests from affiliates. Credco purchases Card Member receivables at fair value but due to system constraints records the gross receivable amount and the corresponding reserve balance, which are included in its fair value estimate. Specifically, Credco’s systems do not have the ability to track multiple accounting bases for Card Member receivables. New groups of Card Member receivables purchased from affiliates totaled $3.4 billion and $3.3 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

  (c)

Net write-offs include recoveries of $24 million and $26 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

  (d)

Primarily reserves for losses attributable to participation interests in Card Member receivables sold to an affiliate. Participation interests in Card Member receivables sold to an affiliate totaled nil and $0.6 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Changes in Card Member Loans Reserve for Losses

The following table presents changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses for the three months ended March 31:

 

                                             

 

(Millions)

       2014    

2013

Balance, January 1

     $ 4     $                   5 

Additions:

      

Provisions(a)

       2    

Deductions:

      

Net write-offs(b)

       (1   (1)
    

 

 

   

 

Balance, March 31

     $ 5     $                   5 
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

  (a)

Provisions resulting from authorized transactions.

 

  (b)

Net write-offs include recoveries of $1 million and $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

4. Derivatives and Hedging Activities

Credco uses derivative financial instruments (derivatives) to manage exposures to various market risks. Derivatives derive their value from an underlying variable or multiple variables, including interest rate and foreign exchange rate. These instruments enable end users to increase, reduce or alter exposure to various market risks and, for that reason, are an integral component of Credco’s market risk management. Credco does not engage in derivatives for trading purposes. For information on Credco’s derivative instruments and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 7 on pages F-19 – F-23 of the Form 10-K.

In relation to Credco’s credit risk, under the terms of the derivative agreements it has with its various counterparties, Credco is not required to either immediately settle any outstanding liability balances or post collateral upon the occurrence of a specified credit risk-related event. Based on the assessment of credit risk of Credco’s derivative counterparties as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Credco does not have derivative positions that warrant credit valuation adjustments.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Credco’s derivatives are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Refer to Note 2 on pages F-10 – F-13 of the Form 10-K for a description of Credco’s methodology for determining the fair value of derivatives.

The following table summarizes the total fair value, excluding interest accruals, of derivative assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

                                                                                           

 

      
 

 

Deferred Charges and
Other Assets

Fair Value

  
  

  

   
 

 

Accrued Interest and
Other Liabilities

Fair Value

(Millions)

       2014       2013       2014    

2013

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

          

Interest rate contracts

          

Fair value hedges

     $ 154     $ 181     $ 11     $                   2 

Foreign exchange contracts

          

Net investment hedges

             17       97    
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments

       154       198       108    
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

          

Foreign exchange contracts

       83       16       13     42 
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

       83       16       13     42 
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Total derivatives, gross

       237       214       121     50 
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Cash collateral netting(a)

       (144     (167     (11   — 
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Derivative asset and derivative liability netting(b)

       (30     (9     (30   (9)
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Total derivatives, net(c)

     $ 63     $ 38     $ 80     $                 41 
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents the offsetting of derivative instruments and the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) arising from derivative instrument(s) executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement. Additionally, Credco posted $50 million and $26 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, as initial margin on its centrally cleared interest rate swaps; such amounts are not netted against the derivative balances.

 

  (b)

Represents the amount of netting of derivative assets and derivative liabilities executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement.

 

  (c)

Credco has no individually significant derivative counterparties and therefore, no significant risk exposure to any single derivative counterparty. The total net derivative assets and net derivative liabilities are presented within Deferred Charges and Other Assets and Accrued Interest and Other Liabilities on Credco’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

A majority of Credco’s derivative assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are subject to master netting agreements with its derivative counterparties. In addition, Credco has no derivative amounts subject to enforceable master netting arrangements that are not offset on Credco’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Derivative Financial Instruments that Qualify for Hedge Accounting

Refer to Note 7 on pages F-21 – F-23 of the Form 10-K for information on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting.

Fair Value Hedges

Credco is exposed to interest rate risk associated with its fixed-rate long-term debt. Credco uses interest rate swaps to economically convert certain fixed-rate long-term debt obligations to floating-rate obligations at the time of issuance. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Credco hedged $13.6 billion and $12.4 billion, respectively, of its fixed-rate debt to floating-rate debt using interest rate swaps.

The following table summarizes the impact on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings associated with Credco’s hedges of its fixed-rate long-term debt for the three months ended March 31:

 

                                                                                                                               

 

(Millions)            

 

    

Gains (losses) recognized in income

    

Derivative contract

  

 

Hedged item

  

   
 
Net hedge
ineffectiveness

Derivative Relationship

    

Income Statement Line Item

       Amount     

Income Statement Line Item

       Amount     
            2014       2013            2014        2013       2014    

2013

Interest rate contracts

     Other expenses      $ (36   $ (66   Other expenses      $ 37      $ 71     $ 1     $            5

 

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Credco also recognized a net reduction in interest expense of $45 million and $76 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, primarily related to the net settlements (interest accruals) on Credco’s interest rate derivatives designated as fair value hedges.

Net Investment Hedges

The effective portion of the gain or (loss) on net investment hedges, net of taxes, recorded in AOCI as part of the cumulative translation adjustment was $(76) million and $(39) million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Any ineffective portion of the gain or (loss) on net investment hedges is recognized in other expenses during the period of change. No ineffectiveness or other amounts associated with net investment hedges were reclassified from AOCI into income during the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges

For information on derivatives not designated as hedges, refer to Note 7 on page F-23 of the Form 10-K.

The following table summarizes the impact on pretax earnings of derivatives not designated as hedges, as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings for the three months ended March 31:

 

                                                                    

 

 

(Millions)

  

     Pretax gains   
         Amount   

Description

     Income Statement Line Item                 2014       2013  

Foreign exchange contracts

     Other expenses   $ 121     $                     139  
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

       $ 121     $                     139  
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Fair Values

Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value

For information about Credco’s valuation techniques for financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value and the fair value hierarchy, refer to Note 2 on pages F-10 – F-11 of the Form 10-K. Refer to Note 7 on pages F-19 – F-23 of the Form 10-K for additional information about the fair value of Credco’s derivative financial instruments.

The following table summarizes Credco’s financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by GAAP’s valuation hierarchy as Level 2, as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

                                             

 

(Millions)

       2014     

2013

Assets:

       

Derivatives(a)

     $ 237      $                  214
    

 

 

    

 

Total assets

       237      214
    

 

 

    

 

Liabilities:

       

Derivatives(a)

       121      50
    

 

 

    

 

Total liabilities

     $ 121      $                    50
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

  (a)

Refer to Note 4 for the fair values of derivative assets and liabilities on a further disaggregated basis.

Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Other Than Fair Value

For information about the valuation techniques used in the measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities carried at other than fair value, refer to Note 2 on pages F-11 – F-13 of the Form 10-K.

The following table discloses the estimated fair value for Credco’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis, as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The fair values of these financial instruments are estimates based upon the market conditions and perceived risks as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and require management judgment. These figures may not be indicative of their future fair values. The fair value of Credco cannot be reliably estimated by aggregating the amounts presented.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

                                                                                           

 

      
 
Carrying
Value
  
  
    Corresponding Fair Value Amount

2014 (Billions)

         Total        Level 2     

Level 3

Financial Assets:

          

Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value

     $ 21.8     $ 21.8     $ 21.8     $                  —

Financial assets carried at other than fair value

          

Card Member loans, net

       0.5       0.5           0.5

Loans to affiliates

       10.3       10.4       7.0     3.4

Financial Liabilities:

          

Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value

       6.0       6.0       6.0    

Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value

          

Long-term debt

     $ 24.0     $ 24.3     $ 24.3     $                  —

 

 

      
 
Carrying
Value
  
  
    Corresponding Fair Value Amount

2013 (Billions)

         Total        Level 2     

Level 3

Financial Assets:

          

Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value

     $ 18.0     $ 18.0     $ 18.0     $                  —

Financial assets carried at other than fair value

          

Card Member loans, net

       0.5       0.5           0.5

Loans to affiliates

       11.3       11.4       8.2     3.2

Financial Liabilities:

          

Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value

       5.4       5.4       5.4    

Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value

          

Long-term debt

     $ 21.7     $ 22.0     $ 22.0     $                  —

 

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

Credco did not have any assets that were measured at fair value for impairment on a nonrecurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2014 or during the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

6. Variable Interest Entity

Credco has established a variable interest entity (VIE), American Express Canada Credit Corporation (AECCC), used primarily to loan funds to affiliates. AECCC has a shelf registration in Canada for a medium-term note program providing for the issuance of notes by AECCC. All notes issued under this program are fully guaranteed by Credco. These medium-term note issuances are the primary source of financing loans to the Canadian affiliate. Credco is considered the primary beneficiary of the entity and owns all of the outstanding voting interests and therefore, consolidates the entity in accordance with accounting guidance governing consolidation of VIEs. Total assets as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, were $2.1 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively, the majority of which were eliminated in consolidation. Total liabilities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, were $2.1 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively, and were primarily recorded in long-term debt. As of both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, no liabilities were eliminated in consolidation. The assets of the VIE are not used solely to settle the obligations of the VIE. The note holders of the VIE have recourse to Credco.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

7. Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

AOCI is a balance sheet item in the Shareholder’s Equity section of Credco’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. It is comprised of items that have not been recognized in earnings but may be recognized in earnings in the future when certain events occur. Changes in each component of AOCI for the three months ended March 31 were as follows:

 

                                             

 

2014 (Millions), net of tax

      

 
 
 

Foreign

Currency
Translation
Adjustments

  

  
  
  

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

(Loss) Income

Balances as of December 31, 2013

     $ (478   $               (478)
    

 

 

   

 

Net translation of investment in foreign operations

       51     51 

Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations

       (76   (76)
    

 

 

   

 

Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss

       (25   (25)
    

 

 

   

 

Balances as of March 31, 2014

     $ (503   $               (503)
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

2013 (Millions), net of tax

      
 
 
 
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
  
  
  
  
 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

(Loss) Income

Balances as of December 31, 2012

     $ 8     $                    8 
    

 

 

   

 

Net translation of investment in foreign operations

       57     57 

Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations

       (39   (39)
    

 

 

   

 

Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income

       18     18 
    

 

 

   

 

Balances as of March 31, 2013

     $ 26     $                  26 
    

 

 

   

 

 

No amounts were reclassified out of AOCI into the Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

8. Income Taxes

The results of operations of Credco are included in the consolidated U.S. federal income tax return of American Express. Under an agreement with American Express, provision for income taxes is recognized on a separate company basis. If benefits for net operating losses, future tax deductions and foreign tax credits cannot be recognized on a separate company basis, such benefits are then recognized based upon a share, derived by formula, of those deductions and credits that are recognizable on an American Express consolidated reporting basis.

American Express is under continuous examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and tax authorities in other countries and states in which American Express has significant business operations. The tax years under examination and open for examination vary by jurisdiction. The IRS has completed its field examination of American Express’ federal tax returns for years through 2007; however, refund claims for those years continue to be reviewed by the IRS. In addition, American Express is currently under examination by the IRS for the years 2008 through 2011.

Credco believes it is reasonably possible that its unrecognized tax benefits could decrease within the next 12 months by as much as $487 million principally as a result of potential resolutions of prior years’ tax items with various taxing authorities. The prior years’ tax items include unrecognized tax benefits relating to the deductibility of certain expenses or losses and the attribution of taxable income to a particular jurisdiction or jurisdictions. Of the $487 million of unrecognized tax benefits, approximately $485 million relates to amounts that if recognized would be recorded to shareholder’s equity and would not impact the effective tax rate. The remaining $2 million is not expected to have a material impact on the effective tax rate and net income. Resolution of the prior years’ items that comprise this remaining amount could have an impact on the effective tax rate and on net income, either favorably (principally as a result of settlements that are less than the liability for unrecognized tax benefits) or unfavorably (if such settlements exceed the liability for unrecognized tax benefits).

The effective tax rates were (4.0) percent and (12.1) percent for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The tax rate in each of the periods reflects the geographic mix of expenses in the United States attracting a 35 percent statutory benefit and foreign earnings taxed at lower rates, which are indefinitely reinvested. In addition, the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2013 includes an additional benefit due to the renewal by the U.S. Congress of the active financing legislation in January 2013.

The tax rates in both periods reflect the favorable impact of the tax benefit related to Credco’s ongoing funding activities outside the United States. Credco’s provision for income taxes for interim financial periods is not based on an estimated annual effective rate due to volatility in certain components of revenues and expenses which prevent Credco from projecting a reliable estimate of full year pretax income. A discrete calculation of the provision for income taxes is calculated for each interim period.

 

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  ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

American Express Credit Corporation (Credco), together with its subsidiaries, is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (TRS), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company (American Express). Both American Express and TRS are bank holding companies.

Credco is engaged in the business of financing non-interest-earning Card Member receivables arising from the use of the American Express® Green Card, the American Express® Gold Card, Platinum Card®, Corporate Card and other American Express cards issued in the U.S. and in certain countries outside the U.S. Credco also finances certain interest-earning revolving loans generated by Card Member spending on American Express credit cards issued in non-U.S. markets, although interest-earning and revolving loans are primarily funded by subsidiaries of TRS other than Credco. American Express charge cards and American Express credit cards are collectively referred to herein as the card.

Certain of the statements in this Form 10-Q report are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Refer to the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” section.

Current Business Environment/Outlook

American Express’ results for the first quarter of 2014 reflect increased spending by Card Members, continued low write-off rates and lower operating expenses. Billed business grew over the prior year, with higher volumes in the U.S. and internationally. Billed business and revenue growth remained solid but slowed modestly from the fourth quarter of 2013. In addition, the stronger U.S. dollar continued to put downward pressure on American Express’ billed business and revenue growth.

Competition remains extremely intense across American Express’ businesses. While American Express’ business is diversified, the global economic environment remains challenging. In addition, any impact of potential U.S. income tax law changes or volatility in foreign exchange rates remains uncertain.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

Pretax income depends primarily on the volume of Card Member receivables and loans purchased, the discount factor used to determine purchase price, interest earned, interest expense and collectability of Card Member receivables and loans purchased.

Credco’s consolidated net income decreased $33 million or 30 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013. The year-over-year decrease is primarily due to lower interest income, lower discount revenues earned from purchased Card Member receivables and loans and higher provision for losses, partially offset by lower interest expense.

 

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The following table summarizes the changes attributable to the increase (decrease) in key revenue and expense accounts for the three months ended March 31:

 

                                             

 

(Millions)

       2014    

2013

Discount revenue earned from purchased Card Member receivables and loans:

      

Volume of receivables and loans purchased

     $ 8     $                     17 

Discount rates

       (20   25 
    

 

 

   

 

Total

     $ (12   $                     42 
    

 

 

   

 

Interest income from affiliates:

      

Average loans to affiliates

     $ (13   $                     22 

Interest rates

       (14   (37)
    

 

 

   

 

Total

     $ (27   $                    (15)
    

 

 

   

 

Interest income from deposits:

      

Average deposits outstanding

     $ (1   $                     — 

Interest rates

           (1)
    

 

 

   

 

Total

     $ (1   $                      (1)
    

 

 

   

 

Finance revenue:

      

Average Card Member loans outstanding

     $ 2     $                       1 

Interest rates

           (1)
    

 

 

   

 

Total

     $ 2     $                     — 
    

 

 

   

 

Interest expense:

      

Average debt outstanding

     $ (13   $                     21 

Interest rates

       (30   (38)
    

 

 

   

 

Total

     $ (43   $                    (17)
    

 

 

   

 

Interest expense to affiliates:

      

Average debt outstanding

     $     $                     — 

Interest rates

           (1)
    

 

 

   

 

Total

     $     $                      (1)
    

 

 

   

 

 

Discount revenue earned from purchased Card Member receivables and loans

Discount revenue decreased 8 percent or $12 million to $137 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, as compared to $149 million for the same period in 2013. This change was primarily driven by a 4 basis points decrease in the discount rate charged on Card Member receivables and loans, partially offset by an increase in net volume of receivables and loans purchased by 6 percent or $3 billion to $56 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2014, as compared to $53 billion for the same period in 2013.

Interest income from affiliates

Interest income from affiliates decreased 23 percent or $27 million to $91 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, as compared to $118 million for the same period in 2013. This change was primarily driven by a decrease of 49 basis points in the annualized effective interest rate charged to affiliates to 3.18 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2014 from 3.67 percent for the same period in 2013, and a decrease in average loan balances with affiliates by 11 percent or $1.4 billion to $11.5 billion for three months ended March 31, 2014 as compared to $12.9 billion for the same period in 2013.

Interest income from deposits

Interest income from deposits decreased by $1 million to nil for the three months ended March 31, 2014, primarily driven by lower average deposit balances during 2014.

 

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Finance revenue

Finance revenue increased 18 percent or $2 million to $13 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, as compared to $11 million for the same period in 2013. This change was primarily driven by an increase in the average Card Member loan balance outstanding during 2014.

Provisions for losses

Provisions for losses increased 45 percent or $19 million to $61 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, as compared to $42 million for the same period in 2013. This change was primarily driven by reserve builds for the three months ended March 31, 2014, as compared to reserve releases for the same period in 2013, and higher net write-offs during the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Interest expense

Interest expense decreased 26 percent or $43 million to $125 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, as compared to $168 million for the same period in 2013. This change was primarily driven by a decrease in annualized effective interest rates on average debt outstanding by 56 basis points to 2.28 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2014, from 2.84 percent for the same period in 2013, and a decrease in average debt outstanding by 8 percent or $2 billion to $22 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2014, as compared to $24 billion for the same period in 2013.

Interest expense to affiliates

Interest expense to affiliates remained flat at $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013.

Other, net

The benefit recorded in other, net decreased by $10 million to a benefit of $22 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, as compared to a benefit of $32 million for the same period in 2013. This change was primarily driven by a $4 million decrease in the forward points gain generated by foreign exchange forward contracts and a decrease in fair value hedge ineffectiveness gain of $4 million. Credco uses foreign exchange forward contracts to manage foreign exchange risk for certain cross-currency funding activities. At inception, the difference between the spot rate and the contractual forward rate, referred to as the forward points, generates gains (or losses) as a component of the derivative contract’s valuation.

Income taxes

The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were (4.0) percent and (12.1) percent, respectively. The tax rates in each of the periods primarily reflect the favorable impact of the tax benefit related to Credco’s ongoing funding activities outside the U.S. In addition, the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2013 includes an additional benefit due to the renewal by the U.S. Congress of the active financing legislation in January 2013. The availability of this benefit in future years is largely dependent on the continued extension by Congress of a provision of the United States Internal Revenue Code. Refer to the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for further discussion of this provision.

Card Member Receivables and Card Member Loans

As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Credco owned $17.6 billion and $14.5 billion, respectively, of gross Card Member receivables. Card Member receivables represent amounts due on American Express and certain American Express joint venture charge card products and are recorded at the time they are purchased from the seller. Included in Card Member receivables are Credco Receivables Corporation’s (CRC) purchases of the participation interests from American Express Receivables Financing Corporation VIII LLC (RFC VIII) in conjunction with TRS’ securitization program. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, CRC owned approximately $5.0 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively, of such participation interests.

Gross Card Member receivables owned as of March 31, 2014 increased approximately $3.1 billion from December 31, 2013, primarily as a result of an increase in Card Member receivables purchased driven by an increase in the seller’s interest in the American Express Issuance Trust II (the Charge Trust).

As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Credco owned gross Card Member loans totaling $499 million and $523 million, respectively. These loans represent revolving amounts due on American Express and certain American Express joint venture lending card products.

 

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Table of Contents

The following table summarizes selected information related to the Card Member receivables portfolio as of or for the three months ended March 31:

 

                                             

 

(Millions, except percentages)

       2014    

2013

Total gross Card Member receivables(a)

     $ 17,584     $        17,570    

Loss reserves – Card Member receivables

     $ 102     $               97    

Loss reserves as a % of receivables

       0.58   0.55%

Average life of Card Member receivables (# in days)(b)

       29     29    

U.S. Consumer and Small Business gross Card Member receivables

     $ 4,953     $          5,857    

30 days past due as a % of total

       1.19   1.25%

Average receivables

     $ 4,294     $          4,868    

Write-offs, net of recoveries

     $ 12     $               17    

Net write-off rate(c)

       1.12   1.40%

International Card Services gross Card Member receivables

     $ 1,270      (d)

30 days past due as a % of total

       1.57   (d)

Average Receivables

     $ 1,270      (d)

Write-offs, net of recoveries

     $ 7      (d)

Net write-off rate(c)

       2.20   (d)

Global Commercial gross Card Member receivables

     $ 11,361      (d)

90 days past billing as a % of total

       0.74   (d)

Write-offs, net of recoveries

     $ 29      (d)

Net loss ratio(e)

       0.08   (d)

International and Global Commercial gross Card Member receivables

       (d   $        11,713    

90 days past billing as a % of total

       (d   0.73%

Write-offs, net of recoveries

       (d   $               26    

Net loss ratio(e)

       (d   0.07%

 

 

  (a)

$229 million of Card Member credit balances were reclassified from Card Member receivables to due to affiliates as of March 31, 2014.

 

  (b)

Represents the average life of Card Member receivables owned by Credco, based upon the ratio of the average amount of both billed and unbilled receivables owned by Credco at the end of each month, during the period indicated, to the volume of Card Member receivables purchased by Credco.

 

  (c)

Credco’s net write-off rate represents the amount of Card Member receivables owned by Credco that are written off, net of recoveries, expressed as a percentage of the average Card Member receivables balances in each of the periods indicated.

 

  (d)

Effective March 31, 2014, a split between International Card Services (ICS) & Global Commercial Services (GCS) for Card Member receivables has been provided to supplement the presentation of Card Member receivables aging for ICS. Historically 90 days past billing as a % of total, write-offs, net of recoveries and net loss ratio were presented for ICS and GCS. Effective March 31, 2014, as a result of system enhancements, 30 days past due as a % of total and net write-off rate will be presented for ICS.

 

  (e)

Credco’s net loss ratio represents the amount of Card Member receivables owned by Credco that are written off, net of recoveries, expressed as a percentage of the volume of Card Member receivables purchased by Credco in each of the periods indicated.

 

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Loans to Affiliates

Credco’s loans to affiliates represent floating-rate interest-bearing intercompany borrowings by other wholly-owned subsidiaries of TRS.

The components of loans to affiliates as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

                                             

 

(Millions)

       2014     

2013

American Express Services Europe Limited

     $ 3,217      $             3,185

American Express Australia Limited

       2,987      3,119

Amex Bank of Canada

       2,444      3,161

American Express Company

       640      819

American Express Co. (Mexico) S.A. de C.V.

       538      535

American Express Bank (Mexico) S.A.

       417      415

American Express International, Inc.

       96      106
    

 

 

    

 

Total(a)

     $ 10,339      $           11,340
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

  (a)

As of March 31, 2014, Credco had $10.3 billion of outstanding loans to affiliates, of which approximately $5.7 billion were collateralized by the underlying Card Member receivables and Card Member loans transferred with recourse and the remaining $4.6 billion were uncollateralized loans primarily with affiliated banks and American Express Company. As of December 31, 2013, Credco had $11.3 billion of outstanding loans to affiliates, of which approximately $5.8 billion were collateralized by the underlying Card Member receivables and Card Member loans transferred with recourse and the remaining $5.5 billion were uncollateralized loans primarily with affiliated banks and American Express Company.

Due from/to Affiliates

As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, amounts due from affiliates were $4.2 billion and $3.4 billion, respectively. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, amounts due to affiliates were $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively. These amounts relate primarily to timing differences from the purchase of Card Member receivables, net of remittances from TRS, as well as from operating activities.

Short-term Debt to Affiliates

Short-term debt to affiliates consists primarily of master note agreements for which there is no stated term. Credco does not expect any changes to its short-term funding strategies with affiliates.

Components of short-term debt to affiliates as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

                                             

 

(Millions)

       2014     

2013

AE Exposure Management Ltd.

     $ 2,580      $             2,541

American Express Europe LLC

       1,246      261

American Express Swiss Holdings

       432      419

American Express Holdings (Netherlands) C.V.

       188      188

National Express Company, Inc.

            123

Other

       112      51
    

 

 

    

 

Total

     $ 4,558      $             3,583
    

 

 

    

 

 

Service Fees to Affiliates

Certain affiliates do not explicitly charge Credco a servicing fee for the servicing of receivables purchased. Instead Credco receives a lower discount rate on the receivables sold to Credco than would be the case if servicing fees were charged. If a servicing fee had been charged by these affiliates from which Credco purchases receivables, servicing fees to affiliates would have been higher by approximately $33 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. Correspondingly, discount revenue would have increased by approximately the same amounts in these periods.

 

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Consolidated Capital Resources and Liquidity

Credco’s balance sheet management objectives are to maintain:

 

   

A broad, deep and diverse set of funding sources to finance its assets and meet operating requirements; and

 

   

Liquidity programs that enable Credco to continuously meet expected future financing obligations and business requirements for at least a 12-month period, even in the event it is unable to continue to raise new funds under its traditional funding programs during a substantial weakening in economic conditions.

Funding Strategy

American Express has in place an enterprise-wide funding policy. The principal funding objective is to maintain broad and well-diversified funding sources to allow American Express, including Credco, to meet its maturing obligations, cost-effectively finance current and future asset growth in its global businesses as well as to maintain a strong liquidity profile. The diversity of funding sources by type of debt instrument, by maturity and by investor base, among other factors, provides additional insulation from the impact of disruptions in any one type of debt, maturity or investor. The mix of Credco’s funding in any period will seek to achieve cost efficiency consistent with both maintaining diversified sources and achieving its liquidity objectives. Credco’s funding strategy and activities are integrated into its asset-liability management activities.

Credco, like many financial services companies, has historically relied on the debt capital markets to fulfill a substantial amount of its funding needs. It has a variety of funding sources available to access the debt capital markets, including senior unsecured debentures and commercial paper. One of the principal tenets of Credco’s funding strategy is to issue debt with a wide range of maturities to distribute its refinancing requirements across future periods. Credco continues to assess its funding needs and investor demand and could change the mix of its existing sources as well as add new sources to its funding mix. Credco’s funding plan is subject to various risks and uncertainties, such as the disruption of financial markets or market capacity and demand for securities offered by Credco as well as any regulatory changes or changes in its long-term or short-term credit ratings. Many of these risks and uncertainties are beyond Credco’s control.

American Express seeks to raise funds to meet the financing needs of itself and all of its subsidiaries, including Credco, including seasonal and other working capital needs, while also seeking to maintain sufficient cash and readily marketable securities that are easily convertible to cash, in order to meet the scheduled maturities of all long-term funding obligations on a consolidated basis for a 12-month period.

Credco’s funding strategy is designed, among other things, to maintain appropriate and stable unsecured debt ratings from the major credit rating agencies: Dominion Bond Rating Services (DBRS), Fitch Ratings (Fitch), Moody’s Investor Services (Moody’s) and Standard & Poor’s (S&P). Such ratings help support Credco’s access to cost-effective unsecured funding as part of its overall funding strategy.

Credco’s short-term ratings, long-term ratings and outlook as disclosed by the four major credit rating agencies are as follows:

 

 

Credit

Agency

  

Short-Term

Ratings

  

Long-Term

Ratings

 

Outlook

DBRS

   R-1 (middle)    A (high)   Stable

Fitch

   F1    A+   Stable

Moody’s

   Prime-1    A2   Stable

S&P

   A-2    A-   Stable
 

Downgrades in the ratings of Credco’s unsecured debt could result in higher funding costs, as well as higher fees related to borrowings under its unused lines of credit. Declines in credit ratings could also reduce Credco’s borrowing capacity in the unsecured term debt and commercial paper markets. The overall level of the funding provided by Credco to other American Express affiliates is impacted by a variety of factors, among them Credco’s ratings. To the extent that Credco is subject to a higher cost of funds, whether due to an adverse ratings action or otherwise, the affiliates could continue to use, or could increase their use of, alternative sources of funding for their receivables that offer better pricing.

 

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Short-term Funding Programs

Credco’s issuance and sale of commercial paper is primarily utilized for working capital needs. The amount of short-term borrowings issued in the future will depend on Credco’s funding strategy, its needs and market conditions. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Credco had nil and $0.2 billion, respectively, of commercial paper outstanding. The average commercial paper outstanding was nil and $0.1 billion during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013, respectively.

Long-term Debt Programs

Long-term debt is raised through the offering of debt securities in the United States and capital markets outside the United States. Long-term debt is generally defined as any debt with an original maturity greater than 12 months.

Credco had the following long-term debt outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

                                             

 

(Billions)

       2014     

2013

Long-term debt outstanding

     $ 24.0      $               21.7

Average long-term debt

     $ 21.9      $               22.3

 

Credco has the ability to issue debt securities under shelf registrations filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The latest shelf registration statement filed with the SEC is for an unspecified amount of debt securities. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Credco had $16.4 billion and $14.2 billion, respectively, of debt securities outstanding, issued under the SEC registration statement. During the first quarter of 2014, Credco issued $2.3 billion dual-tranche senior unsecured debt consisting of (i) $1.3 billion of fixed-rate senior notes with a maturity of 5 years and a coupon of 2.125 percent and (ii) $1.0 billion of floating-rate senior notes with a maturity of 5 years at a rate of 3-month LIBOR plus 55 basis points.

Credco has established a program for the issuance of debt instruments outside the United States, which is listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. The prospectus for this program expired in February 2013. Credco expects to renew the prospectus as management deems appropriate. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, no notes were issued under this program. As of both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, $1.2 billion of debt instruments were outstanding under this program.

Credco has also established a program in Australia for the issuance of debt securities of up to approximately $5.5 billion (AUD $6.0 billion). During the three months ended March 31, 2014, no notes were issued under this program. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the entire amount of approximately $5.5 billion and $5.3 billion, respectively, of notes were available for issuance under this program and the outstanding notes were nil as of such dates.

Credco has also established a medium-term note program in Canada providing for the issuance, when necessary, of up to approximately $3.1 billion (CAD $3.5 billion) of notes by American Express Canada Credit Corporation (AECCC), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Credco. All notes issued by AECCC under this shelf registration are guaranteed by Credco. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, no notes were issued under this program. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, AECCC had $2.1 billion and $2.2 billion of medium-term notes outstanding under this program, respectively. The financial results of AECCC are included in the consolidated financial results of Credco.

The covenants of debt instruments issued by Credco impose the requirement that Credco maintain a minimum consolidated net worth of $50 million, which limits the amount of dividends Credco could pay to its parent. As of March 31, 2014, management believed Credco was in compliance with all restrictive covenants contained in its debt agreements. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, Credco paid $78 million and $73 million, respectively, of cash dividends to TRS. The increase in the amount of dividends is primarily driven by higher levels of net income from periods prior to the first quarter of 2014 as compared to net income from comparable periods prior to the first quarter of 2013. When considering the amount of dividends it pays, Credco takes into account the amount of capital required to maintain capital strength, support business growth, and meet the expectations of debt investors. To the extent excess capital is available, it may be distributed to TRS, Credco’s parent company, via dividends. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of Credco to obtain funds from its subsidiaries by dividend or loan. Additionally, there are no limitations on the amount of debt that can be issued by Credco, provided it maintains the minimum required fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25.

 

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Liquidity Management

General principles and the overall framework for managing liquidity risk across American Express on an enterprise-wide basis are set out in American Express’ Liquidity Risk Policy. The liquidity objective is to maintain access to a diverse set of cash, readily marketable securities and contingent sources of liquidity, so that American Express and its subsidiaries, including Credco, can continuously meet their expected future financing obligations and business requirements for at least a 12-month period, even in the event they are unable to raise new funds under their regular funding programs during a substantial weakening in economic conditions.

Credco manages this objective by regularly accessing capital through its various funding programs, as well as by maintaining a variety of contingent sources of cash and financing, such as access to securitizations of Card Member receivables through sales of receivables to TRS for securitization by RFC VIII and the Charge Trust, as well as committed bank facilities.

American Express, including Credco, incurs and accepts liquidity risk arising in the normal course of its activities. This liquidity risk exposure can arise from a variety of sources, and thus the enterprise-wide liquidity management strategy includes a variety of parameters, assessments and guidelines, including, but not limited to:

 

   

Maintaining a diversified set of funding sources (refer to Funding Strategy section for more details);

 

   

Maintaining unencumbered liquid assets and off-balance sheet liquidity sources; and

 

   

Projecting cash inflows and outflows from a variety of sources and under a variety of scenarios including collateral requirements for derivative transactions.

As of March 31, 2014, Credco had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $79 million. In addition to its actual holdings of cash and cash equivalents, Credco maintains access to additional liquidity, in the form of cash and cash equivalents held by certain affiliates, through intercompany loan agreements.

The yield Credco receives on its cash and cash equivalents is generally less than the interest expense on the sources of funding for these balances. Thus, Credco incurs net interest costs on these amounts. The level of net interest costs is dependent on the amount of Credco’s cash and cash equivalents, as well as the difference between its cost of funding these amounts and their investment yields.

Committed Bank Credit Facilities

Credco maintained $7.2 billion of committed syndicated bank credit facilities as of March 31, 2014, of which the amount outstanding (drawn) was $4.2 billion. On April 23, 2014, Credco replaced its $3.0 billion committed bank credit facility expiring in 2015 with a new $3.0 billion committed bank credit facility expiring in 2017.

Giving effect to this new facility, Credco’s committed bank credit facilities expire as follows:

 

                      

 

 

(Billions)

    

 

 

 

2015

     $ 1.9  

2016

       2.3  

2017

       3.0  
    

 

 

 

Total

     $             7.2  
    

 

 

 

 

 

The availability of the credit lines is subject to Credco’s compliance with certain financial covenants that require maintenance of a 1.25 ratio of earnings to fixed charges. The ratio of earnings to fixed charges for Credco was 1.59 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The ratio of earnings to fixed charges for American Express for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was 5.88.

The committed bank credit facilities do not contain material adverse change clauses, which might otherwise preclude borrowing under the credit facilities, nor are they dependent on Credco’s credit rating.

In consideration of all its funding sources, Credco expects it would have access to liquidity to satisfy all maturing obligations for at least a 12-month period in the event that access to the secured and unsecured fixed income capital markets is completely interrupted for that length of time. These events are not considered likely to occur.

 

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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Various statements have been made in this Quarterly Report on this First Quarter 2014 Form 10-Q that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may also be made in Credco’s other reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and in other documents. In addition, from time to time, Credco, through its management, may make oral forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those identified above and below, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. The words “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “optimistic,” “intend,” “plan,” “aim,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “likely” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Credco cautions readers that the risk factors described above and in Credco’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and other factors described below are not exclusive. There may also be other risks that Credco is unable to predict at this time that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Credco undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Credco’s forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

 

   

credit trends, which will depend in part on the economic environment, including, among other things, the housing market and the rates of bankruptcies, which can affect spending on card products and debt payments by individual and corporate customers;

 

   

the effectiveness of Credco’s risk management policies and procedures, including Credco’s ability to accurately estimate the provisions for losses in Credco’s outstanding portfolio of Card Member receivables and loans, and operational risk;

 

   

fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;

 

   

negative changes in Credco’s credit ratings, which could result in decreased liquidity and higher borrowing costs;

 

   

changes in laws or government regulations affecting American Express’ business, including the potential impact of regulations adopted by federal bank regulators relating to certain credit and charge card practices, and the impact of the Dodd-Frank Reform Act, which is subject to further extensive rulemaking, the implications of which are not fully known at this time;

 

   

the effect of fluctuating interest rates, which could affect Credco’s borrowing costs;

 

   

the impact on American Express’ business resulting from continuing geopolitical uncertainty;

 

   

the impact on American Express’ business that could result from litigation such as class actions or proceedings brought by governmental and regulatory agencies (including the lawsuit filed against American Express by the DOJ and certain states’ attorneys general);

 

   

ability to satisfy Credco’s liquidity needs and execute on its funding plans, which will depend on, among other things, Credco’s future business growth, the impact of global economic, political and other events on market capacity, Credco’s credit ratings, demand for securities offered by Credco, performance by Credco’s counterparties under its bank credit facilities and other lending facilities, and regulatory changes; and

 

   

the potential failure of the U.S. Congress to renew legislation regarding the active financing exception to Subpart F of the Internal Revenue Code, which could increase Credco’s effective tax rate and have an adverse impact on net income.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Credco’s management, with the participation of Credco’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of Credco’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, Credco’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, Credco’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective and designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in Credco’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the requisite time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to Credco’s management, including Credco’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There have not been any changes in Credco’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during Credco’s fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Credco’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Table of Contents

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

For a discussion of Credco’s risk factors, see Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of Credco’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the 2013 Form 10-K). There are no material changes from the risk factors set forth in the 2013 Form 10-K. However, the risks and uncertainties that Credco faces are not limited to those set forth in the 2013 Form 10-K. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to Credco or that it currently believes to be immaterial may also adversely affect Credco’s business.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

Pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, which added Section 13(r) to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), an issuer is required to disclose in its annual or quarterly reports, as applicable, whether it or any of its affiliates knowingly engaged in certain activities, transactions or dealings relating to Iran or with individuals or entities designated pursuant to certain Executive Orders. Disclosure is generally required even where the activities, transactions or dealings were conducted outside the United States by non-U.S. affiliates in compliance with applicable law, and whether or not the activities are sanctionable under U.S. law.

A travel company that may be considered an affiliate of Credco, American Express Nippon Travel Agency, Inc. (“Nippon Travel Agency”), has informed American Express that during the first quarter of 2014 it obtained 14 visas from the Iranian embassy in Japan in connection with certain travel arrangements on behalf of clients. Nippon Travel Agency had negligible gross revenues and net profits attributable to these transactions. Nippon Travel Agency has informed American Express that it intends to continue to engage in this activity so long as such activity is permitted under U.S. law.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The exhibits required to be filed with this report are listed on page E-1 hereof, under “Exhibit Index,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

   

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION

(Registrant)

Date: May 6, 2014

   

By

 

/s/ David L. Yowan

     

David L. Yowan

     

Chief Executive Officer

Date: May 6, 2014

   

By

 

/s/ Kimberly R. Scardino

     

Kimberly R. Scardino

     

Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K

 

Exhibit

No.

 

Description

  

How Filed

12.1   Computation in Support of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges of American Express Credit Corporation.    Electronically filed herewith.
12.2   Computation in Support of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges of American Express Company.    Electronically filed herewith.
31.1   Certification of David L. Yowan, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.    Electronically filed herewith.
31.2   Certification of Anderson Y. Lee, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.    Electronically filed herewith.
32.1   Certification of David L. Yowan, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.    Electronically filed herewith.
32.2   Certification of Anderson Y. Lee, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.    Electronically filed herewith.
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document    Electronically filed herewith.
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document    Electronically filed herewith.
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document    Electronically filed herewith.
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document    Electronically filed herewith.
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document    Electronically filed herewith.
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document    Electronically filed herewith.

 

E-1