Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Reconciliation of the change in goodwill

The change in the carrying value of goodwill for the first three months of 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014 is summarized as follows (in millions).

	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
Balance at beginning of year	$	60,714		$	57,011
Acquisitions of businesses		2,464			4,006
Other, including foreign currency translation		(299	)		(303	)
Balance at end of period	$	62,879		$	60,714

Schedule of intangible assets

Intangible assets other than goodwill are included in other assets and are summarized as follows (in millions).

	March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization		Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization
Insurance and other	$	14,294	$	4,671	$	13,714	$	4,476
Railroad, utilities and energy		869		200		2,254		1,551
	$	15,163	$	4,871	$	15,968	$	6,027
Trademarks and trade names	$	3,111	$	625	$	3,117	$	599
Patents and technology		4,067		1,848		5,425		3,133
Customer relationships		5,541		1,858		5,603		1,768
Other		2,444		540		1,823		527
	$	15,163	$	4,871	$	15,968	$	6,027