Variable Interest Entities

Our involvement with VIEs includes our investments in venture capital and private equity funds, debt funds, private and public portfolio companies and our investments in qualified affordable housing projects.

The following table presents the carrying amounts and classification of significant variable interests in consolidated and unconsolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2015:



(Dollars in thousands)	Consolidated VIEs		Unconsolidated VIEs (1)		Maximum Exposure to Loss in Unconsolidated VIEs
December 31, 2015:
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	11,811	$	—	$	—
Non-marketable and other securities (2)	203,714		364,450		364,450
Accrued interest receivable and other assets	494		—		—
Total assets	$	216,019	$	364,450	$	364,450
Liabilities:
Other liabilities	$	433	$	—	$	—
Accrued expenses and other liabilities (2)	—		90,978		—
Total liabilities	$	433	$	90,978	$	—

(1)

During the second quarter of 2015 we adopted ASU 2015-02, which amends the consolidation requirements for certain legal entities. We applied the accounting guidance as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption, January 1, 2015. Upon adoption, we deconsolidated 16 entities, which reduced our total assets and total equity (which includes total SVBFG stockholders' equity plus noncontrolling interests) by $1.1 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, primarily as a result of the reduction of our non-marketable and other securities and noncontrolling interests, respectively. SVB Financial continues to consolidate its interest in five SVB Capital funds that meet the new consolidation criteria.


(2)	Included in our unconsolidated non-marketable and other securities portfolio are investments in qualified affordable housing projects of $154.4 million and related unfunded commitments of $91.0 million.

Non-marketable and other securities

Our non-marketable and other securities portfolio primarily represents investments in venture capital and private equity funds, debt funds, private and public portfolio companies and investments in qualified affordable housing projects. A majority of these investments are through third party funds held by SVB Financial in which we do not have controlling or significant variable interests. These investments represent our unconsolidated VIEs in the table above. Our non-marketable and other securities portfolio also includes investments from SVB Capital. SVB Capital is the venture capital investment arm of SVB Financial, which focuses primarily on funds management. The SVB Capital family of funds is comprised of direct venture funds that invest in companies and funds of funds that invest in other venture capital funds. We have a controlling and significant variable interest in five of these SVB Capital funds and consolidate these funds for financial reporting purposes.

All investments are generally non-redeemable and distributions are expected to be received through the liquidation of the underlying investments throughout the life of the investment fund. Investments may be sold or transferred subject to the notice and approval provisions of the underlying investment agreement. Subject to applicable regulatory requirements, including the Volcker Rule, we also make commitments to invest in venture capital and private equity funds, but are not obligated to fund commitments beyond our initial investment. For additional details, see Note 19—"Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees, and Other Commitments" of the "Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part II, Item 8 of this report.

The Bank also has variable interests in low income housing tax credit funds that are designed to generate a return primarily through the realization of federal tax credits. These investments are typically limited partnerships in which the general partner, other than the Bank, holds the power over significant activities of the VIE. We have not consolidated these investments in accordance with the new guidelines in ASU 2015-02. For additional information on our investments in qualified affordable housing projects see Note 8—“Investment Securities" of the "Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part II, Item 8 of this report.

As of December 31, 2015, our exposure to loss with respect to the consolidated VIEs is limited to our net assets of $215.6 million and our exposure to loss for our unconsolidated VIEs is equal to our investment in these assets of $364.5 million.