Basis of Presentation (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Business

TCF Financial Corporation (together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries, "we," "us," "our," "TCF" or the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, is a national bank holding company based in Wayzata, Minnesota. References herein to "TCF Financial" or the "Holding Company" refer to TCF Financial Corporation on an unconsolidated basis. Its principal subsidiary, TCF National Bank ("TCF Bank"), is headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. TCF Bank operates bank branches in Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Colorado, Wisconsin, Arizona and South Dakota (TCF's "primary banking markets"), providing an exceptional customer experience driven by convenience through multiple points of contact, including digital banking, phone banking, a branch presence with select locations open at least six days a week and with extended hours, and access to automated teller machine ("ATM") networks. Through its direct subsidiaries, TCF Bank provides a full range of consumer-facing and commercial services, including consumer banking services in 47 states, commercial banking services in 42 states, commercial leasing and equipment financing in all 50 states and, to a limited extent, in foreign countries and commercial inventory financing in all 50 states and Canada and, to a limited extent, in other foreign countries.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates are based on information available to management at the time the estimates are made. Actual results could differ from those estimates. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements to conform to the current period presentation.

Auto Finance Strategic Shift

Effective April 1, 2017, the Company executed its strategic shift from an originate-to-sell and originate-to-hold model to an entirely originate-to-hold model for its auto finance business and effective December 1, 2017, the Company discontinued auto finance loan originations. The determination was based on management's review of strategic alternatives and the financial outlook of the auto finance loan origination business compared with alternative uses of capital. TCF's subsidiary, Gateway One Lending & Finance, LLC ("Gateway One"), continues to service existing auto loans on its balance sheet and those that are serviced for others. The decision to discontinue auto finance loan originations resulted in a goodwill impairment charge of $73.0 million, an other intangible assets impairment charge of $0.4 million and approximately $14.8 million of expenses related to severance, other asset impairments and lease termination expenses in 2017.