Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Northern Trust Corporation (Corporation) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Northern Trust Company (Bank), and various other wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Corporation and Bank. Throughout the notes to the consolidated financial statements, the term “Northern Trust” refers to the Corporation and its subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements, as of and for the periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, have not been audited by the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm. In the opinion of management, all accounting entries and adjustments, including normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods have been made. The accounting and financial reporting policies of Northern Trust conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and reporting practices prescribed for the banking industry.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On January 1, 2024, Northern Trust adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2023-02, “Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method—a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force” (ASU 2023-02). The amendments in ASU 2023-02 allow entities to elect the proportional amortization method to account for tax equity investments if certain conditions are met regardless of the tax credit program from which the income tax credits are received. Under the proportional amortization method, an entity amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the income tax credits and other income tax benefits received and recognizes the net amortization and income tax credits and other income tax benefits in the income statement as a component of income tax expense (benefit). In addition, ASU 2023-02 requires specific disclosures that must be applied to all investments that generate income tax credits and other income tax benefits for which the entity has elected to apply the proportional amortization method in accordance with Subtopic 323-740. Upon adoption of ASU 2023-02, there was no significant impact to Northern Trust’s consolidated balance sheets or consolidated statements of income. Please refer to Note 19—Variable Interest Entities for further information.

On January 1, 2024, Northern Trust adopted ASU No. 2022-03, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions” (ASU 2022-03). The amendments in ASU 2022-03 clarify that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value. ASU 2022-03 also clarifies that an entity cannot, as a separate unit of account, recognize and measure a contractual sale restriction. Additionally, ASU 2022-03 introduces new disclosure requirements to provide investors with information about contractual sale restrictions including the nature and remaining duration of these restrictions. Upon adoption of ASU 2022-03, there was no impact to Northern Trust’s consolidated balance sheets or consolidated statements of income.