SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A. Nature of Operations

Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, a Delaware corporation organized in 1981 (together with its subsidiaries, "Cat Financial," "the Company," "we" and "our"), is a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. (together with its other subsidiaries, "Caterpillar" or "Cat"). Our primary business is to provide retail and wholesale financing alternatives for Caterpillar products to customers and dealers around the world. Retail financing is primarily comprised of financing of Caterpillar equipment, machinery and engines. In addition, we also provide financing for vehicles, power generation facilities and marine vessels that, in most cases, incorporate Caterpillar products. We also provide wholesale financing to Caterpillar dealers and purchase short-term receivables from Caterpillar.

B. Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cat Financial. Investments in companies that are owned 20 percent to 50 percent or are less than 20 percent owned and for which we have significant influence are accounted for by the equity method. Investments in companies that are less than 20 percent owned and for which we do not have significant influence are accounted for by the cost method. All material intercompany balances have been eliminated.

We consolidate all variable-interest entities (VIEs) where we are the primary beneficiary. For VIEs, we assess whether we are the primary beneficiary as prescribed by the accounting guidance on the consolidation of VIEs. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the party that has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the performance of the entity and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the entity. Please refer to Note 10 for more information.

C. Recognition of Earned Income


•	Retail finance revenue on finance leases and installment sale contracts is recognized over the term of the contract at a constant rate of return on the scheduled outstanding principal balance. Revenue on retail notes is recognized based on the daily balance of retail receivables outstanding and the applicable effective interest rate.


•	Operating lease revenue is recorded on a straight-line basis in the period earned over the life of the contract.

•

Wholesale finance revenue on finance leases and installment sale contracts related to financing dealer inventory and rental fleets is recognized over the term of the contract at a constant rate of return on the scheduled outstanding principal balance. Revenue on wholesale notes is recognized based on the daily balance of wholesale receivables outstanding and the applicable effective interest rate.


•	Loan origination and commitment fees are deferred and amortized to revenue using the interest method over the life of the finance receivables.

Recognition of income is suspended and the loan or finance lease is placed on non-accrual status when management determines that collection of future income is not probable (generally after 120 days past due except in locations where local regulatory requirements dictate a different method, or instances in which relevant information is known that warrants placing the loan or finance lease on non-accrual status). Accrual is resumed, and previously suspended income is recognized, when the loan or finance lease becomes contractually current and/or collection doubts are removed. Cash receipts on impaired loans or finance leases are recorded against the receivable and then to any unrecognized income. A loan or finance lease is considered impaired, based on current information and events, if it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan or finance lease. We consider a loan or finance lease past due if any portion of a contractual payment is due and unpaid for more than 30 days.

Revenues are presented net of sales and other related taxes.

D. Depreciation

Depreciation for equipment on operating leases is recognized using the straight-line method over the lease term, typically one to seven years. The depreciable basis is the original cost of the equipment less the estimated residual value of the equipment at the end of the lease term.

E. Residual Values

The residuals for leases classified as operating leases are included in Equipment on operating leases. The residuals for leases classified as capital leases, in accordance with lease accounting, are included in finance leases and installment sale contracts.

During the term of the leases, residual values are monitored. If estimated end-of-term market values of leased equipment reflect a non-temporary impairment due to economic factors, obsolescence or other adverse circumstances, the residual value of the leased equipment is adjusted so that the carrying value at end of lease term will approximate the estimated end-of-term market value. For equipment on operating leases, adjustments are made on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the lease through depreciation expense. For finance leases, adjustments are recognized at the time of assessment through a reduction of finance revenue.

F. Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs are capitalized and amortized to Interest expense over the term of the debt issue.

G. Derivative Financial Instruments

Our earnings and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Our Risk Management Policy allows for the use of derivative financial instruments to prudently manage foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate exposures and not for the purpose of creating speculative positions. Derivatives that we use are primarily foreign currency forward, option, and cross currency contracts and interest rate swaps. All derivatives are recorded at fair value. See Note 9 for additional information.

H. Allowance for Credit Losses

The Allowance for credit losses is an estimate of the losses inherent in our finance receivable portfolio and includes consideration of accounts that have been individually identified as impaired, as well as pools of finance receivables where it is probable that certain receivables in the pool are impaired but the individual accounts cannot yet be identified. In identifying and measuring impairment, management takes into consideration past loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of underlying collateral and current economic conditions. In estimating probable credit losses, we review accounts that are past due, non-performing, in bankruptcy or otherwise identified as at-risk for potential credit loss including accounts which have been modified. Accounts are identified as at-risk for potential credit loss using information available about the customer, such as financial statements, news reports and published credit ratings, as well as general information regarding industry trends and the economic environment in which our customers operate.

The Allowance for credit losses attributable to specific accounts is based on the most probable source of repayment, which is normally the liquidation of collateral. In determining collateral value, we estimate the current fair market value of the collateral less selling costs. We also consider credit enhancements such as additional collateral and contractual third-party guarantees. The Allowance for credit losses attributable to the remaining accounts not yet individually identified as impaired is estimated utilizing probabilities of default and the estimated loss given default. In addition, qualitative factors not able to be fully captured in previous analysis including industry trends, macroeconomic factors and model imprecision are considered in the evaluation of the adequacy of the Allowance for credit losses. These qualitative factors are subjective and require a degree of management judgment.

Uncollectible receivable balances, including accrued interest, are written off against the Allowance for credit losses when the underlying collateral is repossessed or when we determine that it is probable that the receivable balance is uncollectible. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the Allowance for credit losses when received.

I. Income Taxes

The Provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability approach. Tax laws require items to be included in tax filings at different times than the items are reflected in the financial statements. A current liability is recognized for the estimated taxes payable for the current year. Deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences expected to occur when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid. Deferred taxes are adjusted for enacted changes in tax rates and tax laws. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.

We join Caterpillar in the filing of a consolidated U.S. Federal income tax return and certain state income tax returns. In accordance with our tax sharing agreement with Caterpillar, we generally pay to or receive from Caterpillar our allocated share of income taxes or credits reflected in these consolidated filings. This amount is calculated on a separate return basis by taking taxable income times the applicable statutory tax rate.

J. Foreign Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries (the majority of which use the local currency as their functional currency) are translated at current exchange rates. The effects of translation adjustments are reported as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive income entitled "Foreign currency translation." Gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement of foreign currency amounts to functional currency are included in Other income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Profit.

K. Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts. Significant estimates include the Allowance for credit losses, residual values for leased assets, income taxes and the assumptions used to determine the fair value of derivatives. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

L. New Accounting Pronouncements

Parent's accounting for the cumulative translation adjustment upon derecognition of certain subsidiaries or groups of assets within a foreign entity or of an investment in a foreign entity – In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued accounting guidance on the parent's accounting for the cumulative translation adjustment (CTA) upon derecognition of certain subsidiaries or groups of assets within a foreign entity or of an investment in a foreign entity. The new standard clarifies existing guidance regarding when the CTA should be released into earnings upon various deconsolidation and consolidation transactions. The guidance was effective January 1, 2014 and did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists – In July 2013, the FASB issued accounting guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The guidance requires an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, to be presented as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward in the financial statements if available under the applicable tax jurisdiction. The guidance was effective January 1, 2014 and did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Reporting discontinued operations and disclosures of disposals of components of an entity – In April 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. The guidance defines a discontinued operation as a disposal of a component or group of components that is disposed of or is classified as held for sale and represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. This guidance is effective January 1, 2015. We do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our financial statements.

Revenue recognition – In May 2014, the FASB issued new revenue recognition guidance to provide a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers. Under the new guidance, an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. A five step model has been introduced for an entity to apply when recognizing revenue. The new guidance also includes enhanced disclosure requirements and is effective January 1, 2017. Entities have the option to apply the new guidance under a retrospective approach to each prior reporting period presented, or a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially applying the new guidance recognized at the date of initial application within the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholder's Equity. We are in the process of evaluating the application and implementation of the new guidance.