Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
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12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2014
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Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||
BASIS OF PRESENTATION | BASIS OF PRESENTATION We prepared our consolidated financial statements using generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The statements include the accounts of SHI, its subsidiaries (all of which are wholly owned, except for certain indirect subsidiaries associated with a joint venture in which we own a 47% equity interest), and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in which we hold a controlling financial interest and for which we are considered to be the primary beneficiary as of the financial statement date. We eliminated all material intercompany accounts and transactions. We made judgments, estimates, and assumptions that affect amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. In management’s opinion, the consolidated financial statements include the normal, recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of results. Ultimate results could differ from our estimates. We evaluated the effects of and the need to disclose events that occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date. To conform to the 2014 presentation, we reclassified certain items in prior periods, including certain items in prior periods of our consolidated cash flow statement. In connection with SHI’s initial public offering of its common stock previously discussed, SFI became a wholly owned subsidiary of SHI. As a result, the financial statements of SFI have been adjusted on a retrospective basis, as appropriate, as financial statements of SHI. |
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Prior Period Revisions | Prior Period Revisions During the first quarter of 2014, we identified that the disclosure of the allowance for finance receivable losses related to our securitized finance receivables at December 31, 2013, was previously incorrectly overstated by $26.8 million. The parenthetical disclosure of the allowance of consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2013 on our consolidated balance sheet and the related VIE disclosures in Notes 5 and 11 have been revised in this report to $153.7 million. During the first quarter of 2014, we also discovered that our long-term debt associated with securitizations that were issued at a discount and which had embedded derivatives, was incorrectly excluded from the fair value disclosure of our financial instruments measured on a recurring basis. The affected fair value amount has been corrected in Note 23 in this report to include the fair value of our long-term debt measured on a recurring basis of $363.7 million at December 31, 2013. During the second quarter of 2014, we discovered that we incorrectly disclosed the carrying values at the date of sale of the real estate loans associated with the 2009-1 securitization and certain additional real estate loans sold on March 31, 2014. The affected carrying values have been corrected in Note 1 in this report as follows: (i) the carrying value of real estate loans associated with the 2009-1 securitization that were sold on March 31, 2014, was previously reported as $742.0 million but has been corrected to be $724.9 million and (ii) the carrying value of additional real estate loans sold on March 31, 2014, was previously reported as $93.3 million but has been corrected to be $89.9 million. During the fourth quarter of 2014, we discovered that we previously understated the carrying value of the real estate loans associated with the September Whole Loan Sales in our calculation of the gain (loss) on the September Whole Loan Sales. This error resulted in an overstatement of $9.8 million of net gain on sales of real estate loans and related trust assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. As a result of this finding, we recorded an out-of-period adjustment in the fourth quarter of 2014, which decreased net gain on sales of real estate loans and related trust assets by $9.8 million, decreased provision for income taxes by $3.6 million, and decreased basic and diluted earnings per share each by $0.05. Additionally, the carrying value at the date of sale of the real estate loans associated with the September Whole Loan Sales that were sold on September 30, 2014, was previously reported as $768.6 million but has been corrected in Note 1 in this report to be $778.4 million. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2014, we discovered that we previously overstated the carrying value of the real estate loans associated with the Securitization Assets Sale in our calculation of the gain (loss) on the Securitization Assets Sale. This error resulted in an understatement of $4.5 million of net gain on sales of real estate loans and related trust assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. As a result of this finding, we recorded an out-of-period adjustment in the fourth quarter of 2014, which increased net gain on sales of real estate loans and related trust assets by $4.5 million, increased provision for income taxes by $1.7 million, and increased basic and diluted earnings per share each by $0.02. Since the carrying value at the date of sale of the real estate loans associated with the Securitization Assets Sale that were sold on August 29, 2014, was previously reported in billions as $4.0 billion, the corrected carrying value reported in billions in Note 1 in this report did not change. In addition to the out-of-period adjustments previously discussed, during the fourth quarter of 2014, we discovered that we incorrectly included the accrued finance charges in gross finance receivables for certain loan accounts included in the SpringCastle Portfolio, which have revolving credit privileges. The affected disclosure in Note 4 of this report has been corrected by decreasing the gross finance receivables and increasing the accrued interest receivable as of December 31, 2013 by $26.8 million. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2014, we discovered that our personal loans and loans included in the SpringCastle Portfolio deemed to be troubled debt restructured (“TDR”) finance receivables were previously incorrectly excluded in the related disclosures of our finance receivables and allowance for finance receivable losses. The applicable amounts have been corrected in Notes 4 and 5 in this report for each period affected. After evaluating the quantitative and qualitative aspects of these corrections (individually and in the aggregate), management has determined that our previously issued interim and annual consolidated financial statements were not materially misstated. |
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Fortress Acquisition | Fortress Acquisition Due to the significance of the ownership interest acquired by FCFI Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Fortress, (the “Fortress Acquisition”), the nature of the transaction, and at the direction of our acquirer, we applied push-down accounting to SFI as an acquired business. We revalued our assets and liabilities based on their fair values at the date of the Fortress Acquisition, November 30, 2010, in accordance with business combination accounting standards (“push-down accounting”). |
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Finance Receivables | Finance Receivables Generally, we classify finance receivables as held for investment based on management’s intent at the time of origination. We determine classification on a loan-by-loan basis. We classify finance receivables as held for investment due to our ability and intent to hold them until customer payoff. We carry finance receivables at amortized cost which includes accrued finance charges on interest bearing finance receivables, unamortized deferred origination costs, and unamortized net premiums and discounts on purchased finance receivables. They are net of unamortized finance charges on precomputed receivables and unamortized points and fees. We include the cash flows from finance receivables held for investment in the consolidated statements of cash flows as investing activities. We may finance certain insurance products offered to our customers as part of finance receivables. In such cases, the insurance premium is included as an operating cash inflow and the financing of the insurance premium is included as part of the finance receivable as an investing cash flow in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Although a significant portion of insurance claims and policyholder liabilities originate from the finance receivables, our policy is to report them as liabilities and not net them against finance receivables. Insurance claims and policyholder liabilities relate to the underwriting activities of our Consumer and Insurance segment. |
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Finance Receivable Revenue Recognition | Finance Receivable Revenue Recognition We recognize finance charges as revenue on the accrual basis using the interest method, which we report in interest income. We amortize premiums or accrete discounts on finance receivables as a revenue adjustment using the interest method and contractual cash flows. We defer the costs to originate certain finance receivables and the revenue from nonrefundable points and fees on loans and amortize them to revenue using the interest method. We stop accruing finance charges when the fourth contractual payment becomes past due for personal loans, the SpringCastle Portfolio, and retail sales contracts and when the sixth contractual payment becomes past due for revolving retail accounts. For finance receivables serviced externally, including real estate loans, we stop accruing finance charges when the third or fourth contractual payment becomes past due depending on the type of receivable and respective third party servicer. We reverse finance charge amounts previously accrued upon suspension of accrual of finance charges. For finance receivables that had a carrying value net of the fair value discount established at the time of the Fortress Acquisition, we stop accreting the discount at the time we stop accruing finance charges. We do not reverse accretion of discount that was previously recognized. We recognize the contractual interest portion of payments received on nonaccrual finance receivables as finance charges at the time of receipt. We resume the accrual of interest on a nonaccrual finance receivable when the past due status on the individual finance receivable improves to the point that the finance receivable no longer meets our policy for nonaccrual. We accrete the amount required to adjust the fair value of our finance receivables to their contractual amounts over the life of the related finance receivable for non-credit impaired finance receivables and over the life of a pool of finance receivables for purchased credit impaired finance receivables as described below. |
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Purchased Credit Impaired Finance Receivables | Purchased Credit Impaired Finance Receivables As part of each of our acquisitions, we identify a population of finance receivables for which it is determined that it is probable that we will be unable to collect all contractually required payments. The population of accounts identified principally consists of those finance receivables that are 60 days or more past due at acquisition, which had been classified as TDR finance receivables as of the acquisition date, or had been previously modified. We accrete the excess of the cash flows expected to be collected on the purchased credit impaired finance receivables over the discounted cash flows (the “accretable yield”) into interest income at a level rate of return over the expected lives of the underlying pools of the purchased credit impaired finance receivables. The underlying pools are based on finance receivables with common risk characteristics. We have established policies and procedures to periodically (at least once a quarter) update the amount of cash flows we expect to collect, incorporating assumptions regarding default rates, loss severities, the amounts and timing of prepayments and other factors that are reflective of then current market conditions. Probable decreases in expected finance receivable cash flows result in the recognition of impairment, which is recognized through the provision for finance receivable losses. Probable significant increases in expected cash flows to be collected would first reverse any previously recorded allowance for finance receivable losses; any remaining increases are recognized prospectively as adjustments to the respective pool’s yield. Our purchased credit impaired finance receivables remain in our purchased credit impaired pools until liquidation. We do not reclassify modified purchased credit impaired finance receivables as TDR finance receivables. We have additionally established policies and procedures related to maintaining the integrity of these pools. A finance receivable will not be removed from a pool unless we sell, foreclose, or otherwise receive assets in satisfaction of a particular finance receivable or a finance receivable is charged-off. If the facts and circumstances indicate that a finance receivable should be removed from a pool, that finance receivable will be removed at its carrying amount with the carrying amount being determined using the pro-rata method (the UPB of the particular finance receivable divided by the UPB of the pool multiplied by the carrying amount of the pool). Removal of the finance receivable from a pool does not affect the yield used to recognize accretable yield of the pool. If a finance receivable is removed from the pool because it is charged-off, it is removed at its carrying amount with a charge to the provision for finance receivable losses. |
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Troubled Debt Restructured Finance Receivables | Troubled Debt Restructured Finance Receivables We make modifications to our personal loans and loans in our SpringCastle Portfolio to assist borrowers who are in bankruptcy or are participating in a consumer credit counseling arrangement. We make modifications to our real estate loans to assist borrowers in avoiding foreclosure. When we modify a loan’s contractual terms for economic or other reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties and grant a concession that we would not otherwise consider, we classify that loan as a TDR finance receivable. We restructure finance receivables only if we believe the customer has the ability to pay under the restructured terms for the foreseeable future. We establish reserves on our TDR finance receivables in accordance with the authoritative guidance for impaired loans. We may modify the terms of existing accounts in certain circumstances, such as certain bankruptcy or other catastrophic situations or for economic or other reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties that justify modification. When we modify an account, we primarily use a combination of the following to reduce the borrower’s monthly payment: reduce interest rate, extend the term, capitalize or forgive past due interest and, to a lesser extent, forgive principal. If the account is delinquent at the time of modification, the account is brought current for delinquency reporting. Account modifications that are deemed to be a TDR finance receivable are measured for impairment in accordance with the authoritative guidance for the accounting for impaired loans. Account modifications that are not classified as a TDR finance receivable are measured for impairment in accordance with the authoritative guidance for the accounting for contingencies. Finance charges for TDR finance receivables require the application of judgment. We place TDR finance receivables on accrual status or nonaccrual status based on the loans’ status prior to modification. We recognize the contractual interest portion of payments received on nonaccrual finance receivables as finance charges at the time of receipt. TDR finance receivables that are placed on nonaccrual status remain on nonaccrual status until the finance receivable liquidates. |
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Allowance for Finance Receivable Losses | Allowance for Finance Receivable Losses We establish the allowance for finance receivable losses through the provision for finance receivable losses. We evaluate our finance receivable portfolio by finance receivable type. Our finance receivable types (personal loans, SpringCastle Portfolio, real estate loans, and retail sales finance) consist of a large number of relatively small, homogeneous accounts. We evaluate our finance receivable types for impairment as pools. None of our accounts are large enough to warrant individual evaluation for impairment. Management considers numerous internal and external factors in estimating probable incurred losses in our finance receivable portfolio, including the following:
We generally charge off to the allowance for finance receivable losses personal loans that are beyond 180 days past due. To avoid unnecessary real estate loan foreclosures, we may refer borrowers to counseling services, as well as consider a cure agreement, loan modification, voluntary sale (including a short sale), or deed in lieu of foreclosure. When two payments are past due on a collateral dependent real estate loan and it appears that foreclosure may be necessary, we inspect the property as part of assessing the costs, risks, and benefits associated with foreclosure. Generally, we start foreclosure proceedings on real estate loans when four monthly installments are past due. When foreclosure is completed and we have obtained title to the property, we obtain a third-party’s valuation of the property, which is either a full appraisal or a real estate broker’s or appraiser’s estimate of the property sale value without the benefit of a full interior and exterior appraisal and lacking sales comparisons. Such appraisals or real estate brokers’ or appraisers’ estimate of value are one factor considered in establishing an appropriate valuation; however, we are ultimately responsible for the valuation established. We reduce finance receivables by the amount of the real estate loan, establish a real estate owned asset, and charge off any loan amount in excess of that value to the allowance for finance receivable losses. We infrequently extend the charge-off period for individual accounts when, in our opinion, such treatment is warranted and consistent with our credit risk policies. We increase the allowance for finance receivable losses for recoveries on accounts previously charged-off. We may renew a delinquent account if the customer meets current underwriting criteria and it does not appear that the cause of past delinquency will affect the customer’s ability to repay the new loan. We subject all renewals, whether the customer’s account is current or delinquent, to the same credit risk underwriting process as we would a new application for credit. For our personal loans and retail sales finance receivables, we may offer those customers whose accounts are in good standing the opportunity of a deferment, which extends the term of an account. Prior to granting the deferment, we require a partial payment that is usually the greater of one-half of a regular monthly payment or the interest due on the account. We may extend this offer to customers when they are experiencing higher than normal personal expenses. Generally, this offer is not extended to customers who are delinquent. However, we may offer a deferment to a delinquent customer who is experiencing a temporary financial problem. The account is considered current upon granting the deferment. To evaluate whether a borrower’s financial difficulties are temporary or other than temporary we review the terms of each deferment to ensure that the borrower has the financial ability to repay the outstanding principal and associated interest in full following the deferment and after the customer is brought current. If, following this analysis, we believe a borrower’s financial difficulties are other than temporary, we will not grant deferment, and the loans may continue to age until they are charged off. We limit a customer to two deferments in a rolling twelve month period unless we determine that an exception is warranted and is consistent with our credit risk policies. For our real estate loans, we may offer a deferment to a delinquent customer who is experiencing a temporary financial problem, which extends the term of an account. Prior to granting the deferment, we require a partial payment that is usually the greater of one-half of a regular monthly payment or the interest due on the account and any escrow payments for real estate loans that were originated at our branch offices and require two contractual payments plus any past due principal and escrow payments due on the account for real estate loans that were originated or acquired centrally. We forebear the remaining past due interest when the deferment is granted for real estate loans that were originated or acquired centrally (prior to March 1, 2012, we waived the remaining past due interest). The account is considered current upon granting the deferment. We limit a customer to two deferments in a rolling twelve month period for real estate loans that were originated at our branch offices (one deferment for real estate loans that were originated or acquired centrally) unless we determine that an exception is warranted and is consistent with our credit risk policies. We do not systemically track deferments granted because we believe the deferments we elect to grant, individually and in the aggregate, do not have a material effect on the amount of contractual cash flows of the finance receivables or the timing of their receipt. Accounts that are granted a deferment are not classified as troubled debt restructurings. We do not consider deferments granted as a troubled debt restructuring because the customer is not experiencing an other than temporary financial difficulty, and we are not granting a concession to the customer or the concession granted is immaterial to the contractual cash flows. We pool accounts that have been granted a deferment together with accounts that have not been granted a deferment for measuring impairment in accordance with the authoritative guidance for the accounting for contingencies. The allowance for finance receivable losses related to our purchased credit impaired finance receivables is calculated using updated cash flows expected to be collected, incorporating assumptions regarding default rates, loss severities, the amounts and timing of prepayments and other factors that are reflective of current market conditions. Probable decreases in expected finance receivable cash flows result in the recognition of impairment. Probable and significant increases in expected cash flows to be collected would first reverse any previously recorded allowance for finance receivable losses. We also establish reserves for TDR finance receivables, which are included in our allowance for finance receivable losses. The allowance for finance receivable losses related to our TDR finance receivables represents loan-specific reserves based on an analysis of the present value of expected future cash flows. We establish our allowance for finance receivable losses related to our TDR finance receivables by calculating the present value (discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate prior to modification) of all expected cash flows less the recorded investment in the aggregated pool. We use certain assumptions to estimate the expected cash flows from our TDR finance receivables. The primary assumptions for our model are prepayment speeds, default rates, and severity rates. |
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Finance Receivables Held for Sale | Finance Receivables Held for Sale Depending on market conditions or certain of management’s capital sourcing strategies, which may impact our ability and/or intent to hold our finance receivables until maturity or for the foreseeable future, we may decide to sell finance receivables originally intended for investment. Our ability to hold finance receivables for the foreseeable future is subject to a number of factors, including economic and liquidity conditions, and therefore may change. As of each reporting period, management determines our ability to hold finance receivables for the foreseeable future based on assumptions for liquidity requirements or other strategic goals. When it is probable that management’s intent or ability is to no longer hold finance receivables for the foreseeable future and we subsequently decide to sell specifically identified finance receivables that were originally classified as held for investment, the net finance receivables, less allowance for finance receivable losses are reclassified as finance receivables held for sale and are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. Any amount by which cost exceeds fair value is accounted for as a valuation allowance and is recognized in finance receivables held for sale originated as held for investment revenues. We base the fair value estimates on negotiations with prospective purchasers (if any) or by using projected cash flows discounted at the weighted average interest rates offered in the market for similar finance receivables. We base cash flows on contractual payment terms adjusted for estimates of prepayments and credit related losses. Cash flows resulting from the sale of the finance receivables that were originally classified as held for investment are recorded as an investing activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows since U.S. GAAP requires the statement of cash flow presentation to be based on the original classification of the finance receivable. When sold, we record the sales price we receive less our carrying value of these finance receivables held for sale in other revenues. When it is determined that management no longer intends to sell finance receivables which had previously been classified as finance receivables held for sale and we have the ability to hold the finance receivables for the foreseeable future, we reclassify the finance receivables to finance receivables held for investment at the lower of cost or fair value and we accrete any fair value adjustment over the remaining life of the related finance receivables. |
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Real Estate Owned | Real Estate Owned We acquire real estate owned through foreclosure on real estate loans and we initially record real estate owned in other assets at the estimated fair value less the estimated cost to sell. The estimated fair value used as a basis to determine the carrying value of real estate owned is defined as the price that would be received in selling the property in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. We test the balances of real estate owned for impairment on a quarterly basis. If the required impairment testing suggests real estate owned is impaired, we reduce the carrying amount to estimated fair value less the estimated costs to sell. We charge these impairments to other revenues. We record the sale price we receive for a property less the carrying value and any amounts refunded to the customer as a recovery or loss in other revenues. We do not profit from foreclosures in accordance with the American Financial Services Association’s Voluntary Standards for Consumer Mortgage Lending. We only attempt to recover our investment in the property, including expenses incurred. |
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Net Other Intangible Assets | Net Other Intangible Assets We have determined that each of our net other intangible assets has a finite useful life with the exception of the insurance licenses and certain domain names, which we determined to have indefinite lives. For those net intangible assets with a finite useful life, we review such intangibles for impairment at least annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Impairment is indicated if the sum of undiscounted estimated future cash flows is less than the carrying value of the respective asset. Impairment is permanently recognized by writing down the asset to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value. For indefinite lived intangible assets, we first complete a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test annually. If the qualitative assessment indicates that the assets are more likely than not to have been impaired, we proceed with the fair value calculation of the assets. The fair value is determined in accordance with our fair value measurement policy. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, an impairment loss will be recognized in an amount equal to the difference and the indefinite life classification will be evaluated to determine whether such classification remains appropriate. |
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Reserve for Sales Recourse Obligations | Reserve for Sales Recourse Obligations When we sell finance receivables, we establish a reserve for sales recourse in other liabilities, which represents our estimate of losses to be: (a) incurred by us on the repurchase of certain finance receivables that we previously sold; and (b) incurred by us for the indemnification of losses incurred by purchasers. Certain sale contracts include provisions requiring us to repurchase a finance receivable or indemnify the purchaser for losses it sustains with respect to a finance receivable if a borrower fails to make initial loan payments to the purchaser or if the accompanying mortgage loan breaches certain customary representations and warranties. These representations and warranties are made to the purchaser with respect to various characteristics of the finance receivable, such as the manner of origination, the nature and extent of underwriting standards applied, the types of documentation being provided, and, in limited instances, reaching certain defined delinquency limits. Although the representations and warranties are typically in place for the life of the finance receivable, we believe that most repurchase requests occur within the first five years of the sale of a finance receivable. In addition, an investor may request that we refund a portion of the premium paid on the sale of mortgage loans if a loan is prepaid within a certain amount of time from the date of sale. At the time of the sale of each finance receivable (exclusive of finance receivables included in our on-balance sheet securitizations), we record a provision for recourse obligations for estimated repurchases, loss indemnification and premium recapture on finance receivables sold, which is charged to other revenues. Any subsequent adjustments resulting from changes in estimated recourse exposure are recorded in other revenues. We include our reserve for sales recourse obligations in other liabilities. |
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Insurance Premiums and Commissions Revenue Recognition | Insurance Premiums and Commissions Revenue Recognition We recognize credit insurance premiums on closed-end real estate loans and revolving finance receivables as revenue when billed monthly. We defer single premium credit insurance premiums in unearned premium reserves which we include in insurance claims and policyholder liabilities. We recognize unearned premiums on credit life insurance as revenue using the sum-of-the-digits or actuarial methods, except in the case of level-term contracts, for which we recognize unearned premiums as revenue using the straight-line method over the terms of the policies. We recognize unearned premiums on credit accident and health insurance as revenue using an average of the sum-of-the-digits and the straight-line methods. We recognize unearned premiums on credit-related property and casualty and credit involuntary unemployment insurance as revenue using the straight-line method over the terms of the policies. We recognize non-credit life insurance premiums as revenue when due. We recognize commissions on ancillary products as other revenue when received. We may finance certain insurance products offered to our customers as part of finance receivables. In such cases, the insurance premium is included as an operating cash inflow and the financing of the insurance premium is included as part of the finance receivable as an investing cash flow in the consolidated statements of cash flows. |
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Policy Reserves | Policy Reserves Policy reserves for credit life, credit accident and health, credit-related property and casualty, and credit involuntary unemployment insurance equal related unearned premiums. We base claim reserves on Company experience. We estimate reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses for credit-related property and casualty insurance based upon claims reported plus estimates of incurred but not reported claims. We accrue liabilities for future life insurance policy benefits associated with non-credit life contracts and base the amounts on assumptions as to investment yields, mortality, and surrenders. We base annuity reserves on assumptions as to investment yields and mortality. We base insurance reserves assumed under reinsurance agreements where we assume the risk of loss on various tabular and unearned premium methods. Ceded insurance reserves are included in other assets and include estimates of the amounts expected to be recovered from reinsurers on insurance claims and policyholder liabilities. |
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Acquisition Costs | Acquisition Costs We defer insurance policy acquisition costs (primarily commissions, reinsurance fees, and premium taxes). We include deferred policy acquisition costs in other assets and amortize these costs over the terms of the related policies, whether directly written or reinsured. |
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Valuation of Investment Securities | Valuation of Investment Securities We generally classify our investment securities as available-for-sale or trading, depending on management’s intent. Our investment securities classified as available-for-sale are recorded at fair value. We adjust related balance sheet accounts to reflect the current fair value of investment securities and record the adjustment, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in shareholders’ equity. We record interest receivable on investment securities in other assets. We classify investment securities that are deemed to incorporate an embedded derivative and for which it is impracticable for us to isolate and/or value the derivative as trading securities, which we record at fair value. We recognize any changes in fair value in investment revenues. We classify our investment securities in the fair value hierarchy framework based on the observability of inputs. Inputs to the valuation techniques are described as being either observable (level 1 or 2) or unobservable (level 3) assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. |
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Impairments on Investment Securities | Impairments on Investment Securities Available-for-sale. Each quarter, we evaluate our available-for-sale investment securities on an individual basis to identify any instances where the fair value of the investment security is below its amortized cost. For these securities, we then evaluate whether an other-than-temporary impairment exists if any of the following conditions are present:
If we intend to sell an impaired investment security or we will likely be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current period credit loss, we recognize an other-than-temporary impairment in investment revenues equal to the difference between the investment security’s amortized cost and its fair value at the balance sheet date. In determining whether a credit loss exists, we compare our best estimate of the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected from the security to the amortized cost basis of the security. Any shortfall in this comparison represents a credit loss. The cash flows expected to be collected are determined by assessing all available information, including length and severity of unrealized loss, issuer default rate, ratings changes and adverse conditions related to the industry sector, financial condition of issuer, credit enhancements, collateral default rates, and other relevant criteria. Management considers factors such as our investment strategy, liquidity requirements, overall business plans, and recovery periods for securities in previous periods of broad market declines. If a credit loss exists with respect to an investment in a security (i.e., we do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security), we would be unable to assert that we will recover our amortized cost basis even if we do not intend to sell the security. Therefore, in these situations, an other-than-temporary impairment is considered to have occurred. If a credit loss exists, but we do not intend to sell the security and we will likely not be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current period credit loss, the impairment is classified as: (1) the estimated amount relating to credit loss; and (2) the amount relating to all other factors. We recognize the estimated credit loss in investment revenues, and the non-credit loss amount in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Once a credit loss is recognized, we adjust the investment security to a new amortized cost basis equal to the previous amortized cost basis less the amount recognized in investment revenues. For investment securities for which other-than-temporary impairments were recognized in investment revenues, the difference between the new amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected is accreted to investment income. We recognize subsequent increases and decreases in the fair value of our available-for-sale investment securities in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, unless the decrease is considered other than temporary. |
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Investment Revenue Recognition | Investment Revenue Recognition We recognize interest on interest bearing fixed-maturity investment securities as revenue on the accrual basis. We amortize any premiums or accrete any discounts as a revenue adjustment using the interest method. We stop accruing interest revenue when the collection of interest becomes uncertain. We record dividends on equity securities as revenue on ex-dividend dates. We recognize income on mortgage-backed securities as revenue using an effective yield based on estimated prepayments of the underlying mortgages. If actual prepayments differ from estimated prepayments, we calculate a new effective yield and adjust the net investment in the security accordingly. We record the adjustment, along with all investment securities revenue, in investment revenues. |
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Realized Gains and Losses on Investment Securities | Realized Gains and Losses on Investment Securities We specifically identify realized gains and losses on investment securities and include them in investment revenues. |
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Variable Interest Entities | Variable Interest Entities An entity is a VIE if the entity does not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional financial support or has equity investors who lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. A VIE is consolidated into the financial statements of its primary beneficiary. When we have a variable interest in a VIE, we qualitatively assess whether we have a controlling financial interest in the entity and, if so, whether we are the primary beneficiary. In applying the qualitative assessment to identify the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we are determined to have a controlling financial interest if we have (1) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. We consider the VIE’s purpose and design, including the risks that the entity was designed to create and pass through to its variable interest holders. We continually reassess the VIE’s primary beneficiary and whether we have acquired or divested the power to direct the activities of the VIE through changes in governing documents or other circumstances. |
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Other Invested Assets | Other Invested Assets Commercial mortgage loans and insurance policy loans are part of our investment portfolio and we include them in other assets at amortized cost. We recognize interest on commercial mortgage loans and insurance policy loans as revenue on the accrual basis using the interest method. We stop accruing revenue when collection of interest becomes uncertain. We include other invested asset revenue in investment revenues. We record accrued other invested asset revenue receivable in other assets. |
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Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider unrestricted cash on hand and short-term investments having maturity dates within three months of their date of acquisition to be cash and cash equivalents. We typically maintain cash in financial institutions in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. We evaluate the creditworthiness of these financial institutions in determining the risk associated with these cash balances. We do not believe that the Company is exposed to any significant credit risk on these accounts and have not experienced any losses in such accounts. |
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Restricted Cash | Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents We include funds to be used for future debt payments relating to our securitization transactions and escrow deposits in restricted cash and cash equivalents. |
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Long-term Debt | Long-term Debt We generally report our long-term debt issuances at the face value of the debt instrument, which we adjust for any unaccreted discount or unamortized premium associated with the debt. Other than securitized products, we generally accrete discounts and premiums over the contractual life of the security using contractual payment terms. With respect to securitized products, we have elected to amortize deferred costs over the contractual life of the security. Accretion of discounts and premiums are recorded to interest expense. Additionally, we generally accrete other deferred amounts (e.g., issuance costs) following the same method elected on the associated unaccreted discount or premium. |
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Income Taxes | Income Taxes We recognize income taxes using the asset and liability method. We establish deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, using the tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. Realization of our gross deferred tax asset depends on our ability to generate sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character within the carryforward periods of the jurisdictions in which the net operating and capital losses, deductible temporary differences and credits were generated. When we assess our ability to realize deferred tax assets, we consider all available evidence, including:
We provide a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that we will not realize the deferred tax asset in whole or in part. We include an increase or decrease in a valuation allowance resulting from a change in the realizability of the related deferred tax asset in income. We recognize income tax benefits associated with uncertain tax positions, when, in our judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. For a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we initially and subsequently measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that we judge to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the taxing authority. |
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Derivative Financial Instruments | Derivative Financial Instruments Our derivatives were governed by International Swap and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) standard Master Agreements, whereby the parties agreed to net the amounts payable and receivable under all contracts governed by the ISDA Master Agreement in the event of a contract default by either one of the parties. If the net exposure was from the counterparty to us, we recorded the derivative asset in other assets on our consolidated balance sheet. If the net exposure was from us to the counterparty, we recorded the derivative liability in other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. We recorded net unrealized gains and losses on derivative transactions as adjustments to cash flows from operating activities on our consolidated statements of cash flows. We recognized the derivatives on our consolidated balance sheets at their fair value. We estimated the fair value of our derivatives using industry standard valuation models. Our previously held derivatives were formally documented and designated as cash flow hedges or hedges that did not qualify as a cash flow or fair value hedge. We recorded the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of a derivative that was highly effective and was qualified and designated as a cash flow hedge in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, net of tax, until earnings were affected by the variability of cash flows of the hedged transaction. We recorded changes in the fair value of a derivative that did not qualify as either a cash flow or fair value hedge and changes in the fair value of hedging instruments measured as ineffectiveness in current period earnings in other revenues. We included all components of each derivative’s gain or loss in the assessment of hedge effectiveness. We discontinued hedge accounting prospectively when:
For cash flow hedges that were discontinued for reasons other than the forecasted transaction is not probable of occurring, we began reclassifying the accumulated other comprehensive income or loss adjustment to earnings when earnings were affected by the hedged item. For cash flows from derivatives that are a part of fair value hedges or cash flow hedges, we classify the cash flows in the same category as cash flows related to the hedged item within the consolidated statements of cash flows. In compliance with the authoritative guidance for fair value measurements, our valuation methodology for derivatives incorporated the effect of our non-performance risk and the non-performance risk of our counterparties. Effective January 1, 2012, we made an accounting policy election to continue to measure the credit risk of our derivative financial instruments that were subject to master netting agreements on a net basis by counterparty portfolio in compliance with the new authoritative guidance for fair value measurements. |
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Benefit Plans | Benefit Plans We have funded and unfunded noncontributory defined pension plans. We recognize the net pension asset or liability, also referred to herein as the funded status of the benefit plans, in other assets or other liabilities, depending on the funded status at the end of each reporting period. We recognize the net actuarial gains or losses and prior service cost or credit that arise during the period in other comprehensive income or loss. Many of our employees are participants in our 401(k) plan. Our contributions to the plan are charged to salaries and benefits within operating expenses. |
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Share-based Compensation Plans | Share-based Compensation Plans We measure compensation cost for service-based and performance-based awards at estimated fair value and recognize compensation expense over the requisite service period for awards expected to vest. The estimation of awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment to salaries and benefits in the period estimates are revised. For service-based awards subject to graded vesting, expense is recognized under the straight-line method. Expense for performance-based awards with graded vesting is recognized under the accelerated method, whereby each vesting is treated as a separate award with expense for each vesting recognized ratably over the requisite service period. |
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Fair Value Measurements | Fair Value Measurements Management is responsible for the determination of the fair value of our financial assets and financial liabilities and the supporting methodologies and assumptions. We employ widely accepted internal valuation models or utilize third-party valuation service providers to gather, analyze, and interpret market information and derive fair values based upon relevant methodologies and assumptions for individual instruments or pools of finance receivables. When our valuation service providers are unable to obtain sufficient market observable information upon which to estimate the fair value for a particular security, we determine fair value either by requesting brokers who are knowledgeable about these securities to provide a quote, which is generally non-binding, or by employing widely accepted internal valuation models. Our valuation process typically requires obtaining data about market transactions and other key valuation model inputs from internal or external sources and, through the use of widely accepted valuation models, provides a single fair value measurement for individual securities or pools of finance receivables. The inputs used in this process include, but are not limited to, market prices from recently completed transactions and transactions of comparable securities, interest rate yield curves, credit spreads, bid-ask spreads, currency rates, and other market-observable information as of the measurement date as well as the specific attributes of the security being valued, including its term, interest rate, credit rating, industry sector, and other issue or issuer-specific information. When market transactions or other market observable data is limited, the extent to which judgment is applied in determining fair value is greatly increased. We assess the reasonableness of individual security values received from our valuation service providers through various analytical techniques. As part of our internal price reviews, assets that fall outside a price change tolerance are sent to our third-party investment manager for further review. In addition, we may validate the reasonableness of fair values by comparing information obtained from our valuation service providers to other third-party valuation sources for selected securities. We measure and classify assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets in a hierarchy for disclosure purposes consisting of three “Levels” based on the observability of inputs available in the market place used to measure the fair values. In general, we determine the fair value measurements classified as Level 1 based on inputs utilizing quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access. We generally obtain market price data from exchange or dealer markets. We do not adjust the quoted price for such instruments. We determine the fair value measurements classified as Level 2 based on inputs utilizing other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. The use of observable and unobservable inputs is further discussed in Note 23. In certain cases, the inputs we use to measure the fair value of an asset may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, we determine the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. We recognize transfers into and out of each level of the fair value hierarchy as of the end of the reporting period. Our fair value processes include controls that are designed to ensure that fair values are appropriate. Such controls include model validation, review of key model inputs, analysis of period-over-period fluctuations, and reviews by senior management. |
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Earnings Per Share | Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income or loss by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential common shares represent outstanding unvested restricted stock units and awards. |
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Transactions with Affiliates of Fortress or AIG | Transactions with Affiliates of Fortress or AIG We may enter into transactions with affiliates of Fortress or AIG. These transactions occur at prevailing market rates and terms and primarily include subservicing and refinancing agreements, reinsurance agreements, and derivative transactions. See Note 9 for further information on our transactions with affiliates of Fortress and AIG. |