Segment Reporting

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting

We have three reportable segments for management reporting purposes: Global Commercial Bank, SVB Private Bank and SVB Capital. The results of our operating segments are based on our internal management reporting process.

Our operating segments’ primary source of revenue is from net interest income, which is primarily the difference between interest earned on loans, net of funds transfer pricing (“FTP”), and interest paid on deposits, net of FTP. Accordingly, our segments are reported using net interest income, net of FTP. FTP is an internal measurement framework designed to assess the financial impact of a financial institution’s sources and uses of funds. It is the mechanism by which an earnings credit is given for deposits raised, and an earnings charge is made for funded loans. FTP is calculated at an instrument level based on account characteristics.

We also evaluate performance based on provision for loan losses, noninterest income and noninterest expense, which are presented as components of segment operating profit or loss. In calculating each operating segment’s noninterest expense, we consider the direct costs incurred by the operating segment as well as certain allocated direct costs. As part of this review, we allocate certain corporate overhead costs to a corporate account. We do not allocate income taxes to our segments. Additionally, our management reporting model is predicated on average asset balances; therefore, period-end asset balances are not presented for segment reporting purposes. Changes in an individual client’s primary relationship designation have resulted, and in the future may result, in the inclusion of certain clients in different segments in different periods.

Unlike financial reporting, which benefits from the comprehensive structure provided by GAAP, our internal management reporting process is highly subjective, as there is no comprehensive, authoritative guidance for management reporting. Our management reporting process measures the performance of our operating segments based on our internal operating structure, which is subject to change from time to time, and is not necessarily comparable with similar information for other financial services companies.

The following is a description of the services that our three reportable segments provide:

• Global Commercial Bank provides solutions to the financial needs of commercial clients through lending, deposit products, cash management services, and global banking and trade products and services. It also serves the needs of our non-U.S. clients with global banking products, including loans, deposits and global finance, in key foreign entrepreneurial markets, where applicable. Our Global Commercial Bank segment is comprised of results from our Commercial Bank, and also includes SVB Specialty Lending, SVB Analytics and our Debt Fund Investments. (For further description of these operating segments, refer to Note 20—“Segment Reporting” under Part II, Item 8 of our 2012 Form 10-K.)

• SVB Private Bank provides banking products and a range of credit services primarily to venture capital/private equity professionals using both long-term secured and short-term unsecured lines of credit.

• SVB Capital is the venture capital investment arm of SVBFG, which focuses primarily on funds management. SVB Capital manages funds (primarily venture capital funds) on behalf of third party limited partners and SVB Financial Group. The SVB Capital family of funds is comprised of funds of funds and direct venture funds. SVB Capital generates income for the Company primarily through management fees, carried interest arrangements and returns through the Company’s investments in the funds.

The summary financial results of our operating segments are presented along with a reconciliation to our consolidated interim results. The Other Items column reflects the adjustments necessary to reconcile the results of the operating segments to the consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP. Noninterest income in the Other Items column is primarily attributable to noncontrolling interests and gains on equity warrant assets. Noninterest expense in the Other Items column primarily consists of expenses associated with corporate support functions such as finance, human resources, marketing, legal and other expenses. Additionally, average assets in the Other Items column primarily consists of cash and cash equivalents.

Our segment information for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	Global Commercial Bank (1)			SVB Private   Bank			SVB Capital (1)			Other Items			Total
Three months ended March 31, 2013
Net interest income	$	148,936		$	6,104		$	1		$	8,128		$	163,169
(Provision for) reduction of loan losses	(6,207		)	394			—			—			(5,813		)
Noninterest income	46,541			234			5,441			26,388			78,604
Noninterest expense (2)	(105,578		)	(3,461		)	(2,386		)	(37,589		)	(149,014		)
Income (loss) before income tax expense (3)	$	83,692		$	3,271		$	3,056		$	(3,073	)	$	86,946
Total average loans, net of unearned income	$	7,868,587		$	844,807		$	—		$	(32,477	)	$	8,680,917
Total average assets (4)	20,463,477			853,932			238,743			758,407			22,314,559
Total average deposits	18,302,877			470,673			—			11,963			18,785,513
Three months ended March 31, 2012
Net interest income	$	143,264		$	4,965		$	7		$	2,701		$	150,937
Provision for loan losses	(13,236		)	(1,293		)	—			—			(14,529		)
Noninterest income	39,928			157			3,587			15,621			59,293
Noninterest expense (2)	(96,443		)	(3,126		)	(2,536		)	(29,907		)	(132,012		)
Income before income tax expense (3)	$	73,513		$	703		$	1,058		$	(11,585	)	$	63,689
Total average loans, net of unearned income	$	6,031,356		$	737,968		$	—		$	35,024		$	6,804,348
Total average assets (4)	18,556,741			741,962			260,127			673,713			20,232,543
Total average deposits	16,702,114			240,500			—			23,149			16,965,763

(1) Global Commercial Bank’s and SVB Capital’s components of net interest income, noninterest income, noninterest expense and total average assets are shown net of noncontrolling interests for all periods presented.

(2) The Global Commercial Bank segment includes direct depreciation and amortization of $5.0 million and $3.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

(3) The internal reporting model used by management to assess segment performance does not calculate income tax expense by segment. Our effective tax rate is a reasonable approximation of the segment rates.

(4) Total average assets equals the greater of total average assets or the sum of total liabilities and total stockholders’ equity for each segment.