Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Acquisitions

Acquisitions

On July 13, 2012, we acquired 37 branches in Western New York and recorded approximately $2 billion of assets acquired and deposits assumed at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Fair value adjustments to assets acquired and liabilities assumed will be amortized in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance over periods consistent with the average life, useful life and/or contractual term of the related assets and liabilities. The core deposit intangible will be amortized over a seven-year period using an accelerated amortization method reflective of the manner in which the related benefit attributable to the deposits will be recognized. In a second closing of this acquisition on September 14, 2012, we acquired approximately $69 million of credit card assets and assumed a related reward liability of $1 million. The fair values of these assets and the liability including the purchased credit card relationship intangible asset are still being determined.

On August 1, 2012, we acquired approximately $718 million (based on estimated fair value at acquisition date) in Key-branded credit card assets from Elan Financial Services, Inc. These assets and the related purchased credit card relationship intangible asset were recorded at acquisition date fair value. The intangible asset related to this acquisition will be amortized over an eight-year period using an accelerated amortization method reflective of the manner in which the related benefit attributable to the credit card assets will be recognized.

Additional information regarding these acquisitions is provided in Note 11.

Purchased Loans

Purchased Loans

We evaluate purchased loans for impairment in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance. Purchased loans that have evidence of deterioration in credit quality since origination and for which it is probable, at acquisition, that all contractually required payments will not be collected are deemed PCI and initially recorded at fair value without recording an allowance for loan losses. Fair value of these loans is determined using market participant assumptions in estimating the amount and timing of both principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected, as adjusted for an estimate of future credit losses and prepayments, and then a market-based discount rate is applied to those cash flows. PCI loans are generally accounted for on a pool basis, with pools formed based on the common characteristics of the loans, such as loan collateral type or loan product type. Each pool is accounted for as a single asset with one composite interest rate and an aggregate expectation of cash flows.

Under the accounting model for PCI loans, the excess of cash flows expected to be collected over the carrying amount of the loans, referred to as the “accretable amount,” is accreted into interest income over the life of the loans in each pool using the effective yield method. Accordingly, PCI loans are not subject to classification as nonaccrual (and nonperforming) in the same manner as originated loans. Rather, acquired PCI loans are considered to be accruing loans because their interest income relates to the accretable yield recognized at the pool level and not to contractual interest payments at the loan level. The difference between contractually required principal and interest payments and the cash flows expected to be collected, referred to as the “nonaccretable amount,” includes estimates of both the impact of prepayments and future credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the loans in each pool.

Subsequent to acquisition of loans determined to be PCI loans, actual cash collections are monitored relative to management’s expectations and revised cash flow expectations are prepared, as necessary. These revised expectations involve updates, as necessary, of the key assumptions used in the initial estimate of fair value. A decrease in expected cash flows in subsequent periods may indicate that the loan pool is impaired thus requiring the establishment of an allowance for loan losses by a charge to the provision for loan losses. An increase in expected cash flows in subsequent periods initially reduces any previously established allowance for loan losses by the increase in the present value of cash flows expected to be collected, and results in a recalculation of the amount of accretable yield for the loan pool. The adjustment of accretable yield due to an increase in expected cash flows is accounted for as a change in estimate. The additional cash flows expected to be collected are reclassified from the nonaccretable difference to the accretable yield, and the amount of periodic accretion is adjusted accordingly over the remaining life of the loans in the pool.

A purchased loan may be resolved either through receipt of payment (in full or in part) from the borrower, the sale of the loan to a third party or foreclosure of the collateral. In the event of a sale of the loan, a gain or loss on sale is recognized and reported within noninterest income based on the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the loan. In the case of a foreclosure an individual loan is removed from the pool based on comparing the amount received from its resolution (fair value of the underlying collateral less costs to sell). Any difference between this amount and the loan carrying value is absorbed by the nonaccretable difference established for the entire pool. For loans resolved by payment in full, there is no adjustment of the nonaccretable difference since there is no difference between the amount received at resolution and the outstanding balance of the loan. In these cases, the remaining accretable amount balance is unaffected and any material change in remaining effective yield caused by the removal of the loan from the pool is addressed in connection with the subsequent cash flow re-assessment for the pool. PCI loans subject to modification are not removed from the pool even if those loans would otherwise be deemed TDRs as the pool, and not the individual loan, represents the unit of account.

Offsetting Derivative Positions

Offsetting Derivative Positions

In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, we take into account the impact of bilateral collateral and master netting agreements that allow us to settle all derivative contracts held with a single counterparty on a net basis, and to offset the net derivative position with the related collateral when recognizing derivative assets and liabilities. Additional information regarding derivative offsetting is provided in Note 7 (“Derivatives and Hedging Activities”).

Fair value measurement

Fair value measurement.  In May 2011, the FASB issued accounting guidance that changed the wording used to describe many of the current accounting requirements for measuring fair value and disclosing information about fair value measurements. This accounting guidance clarified the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements. It was effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011 (effective January 1, 2012, for us). The adoption of this accounting guidance did not have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations. As required by this accounting guidance, additional information regarding the classification is provided in Note 5 (“Fair Value Measurements”).

Presentation of comprehensive income

Presentation of comprehensive income.  In June 2011, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that required all nonowner changes in shareholders’ equity to be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. This new accounting guidance did not change any of the components currently recognized in net income or comprehensive income. It was effective for public entities for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 (effective January 1, 2012, for us) as well as interim and annual periods thereafter. As required by this accounting guidance, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) are now included as part of our financial statements.

Testing goodwill for impairment

Testing goodwill for impairment.  In September 2011, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that simplified how an entity tests goodwill for impairment. It permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether additional goodwill impairment testing is required. This accounting guidance was effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 (effective January 1, 2012, for us). The adoption of this accounting guidance did not have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Repurchase agreements

Repurchase agreements.  In April 2011, the FASB issued accounting guidance that changed the accounting for repurchase agreements and other similar arrangements by eliminating the collateral maintenance requirement when assessing effective control in these transactions. This change could result in more of these transactions being accounted for as secured borrowings instead of sales. This accounting guidance was effective for new transactions and transactions modified on or after the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2011 (effective January 1, 2012, for us). The adoption of this accounting guidance did not have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations since we do not account for these types of arrangements as sales.

Testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment

Testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. In July 2012, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that simplifies how an entity tests indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill for impairment. It permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether further testing for impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill is required. This accounting guidance will be effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012 (January 1, 2013, for us). Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this accounting guidance is not expected to have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Offsetting disclosures

Offsetting disclosures.  In December 2011, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable financial statement users to understand the effect of those arrangements on the entity’s financial position. This new accounting guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods (effective January 1, 2013, for us).