Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Nov. 03, 2019

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidation, Policy

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements represent primarily the consolidation of all companies in which Capital Corporation has a controlling interest. Certain variable interest entities (VIEs) are consolidated since the Company has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIEs’ economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIEs. The Company records its investment in each unconsolidated affiliated company (generally 20 to 50 percent ownership) at its related equity in the net assets of such affiliate (see Note 25).

Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year

The Company uses a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday in the reporting period. The fiscal year ends for 2019, 2018, and 2017 were November 3, 2019, October 28, 2018, and October 29, 2017, respectively. Fiscal year 2019 contained 53 weeks compared to 52 weeks in fiscal years 2018 and 2017.

Use of Estimates in Financial Statements

Use of Estimates in Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and related disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Financing revenue is recorded over the lives of the related receivables using the interest method. Deferred costs on the origination of receivables are recognized as a reduction in finance revenue over the expected lives of the receivables using the interest method. Income and deferred costs on the origination of operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the scheduled lease terms in lease revenue.

Securitization of Receivables

Securitization of Receivables

Certain financing receivables are periodically transferred to SPEs in securitization transactions (see Note 6). These securitizations qualify as collateral for secured borrowings and no gains or losses are recognized at the time of securitization. The receivables remain on the balance sheet and are classified as “Retail notes securitized.” The Company recognizes finance income over the lives of these retail notes using the interest method.

Depreciation

Depreciation

Equipment on operating leases is depreciated over the terms of the leases using the straight-line method.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets when events or circumstances warrant such a review. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset is considered impaired, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset (see Notes 7 and 21).

Fees Paid to John Deere

Fees Paid to John Deere

Fees paid to John Deere include corporate support fees and interest on intercompany borrowings from John Deere based on approximate market rates.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

It is the Company’s policy that derivative transactions are executed only to manage exposures arising in the normal course of business and not for the purpose of creating speculative positions or trading. The Company manages the relationship of the types and amounts of its funding sources to its Receivable and Lease portfolios in an effort to diminish risk due to interest rate and foreign currency fluctuations, while responding to favorable financing opportunities. The Company also has foreign currency exposures at some of its foreign and domestic operations related to financing in currencies other than the functional currencies.

All derivatives are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet. Cash collateral received or paid is not offset against the derivative fair values on the balance sheet. Each derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, a fair value hedge, or remains undesignated. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and effective as cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (OCI) and reclassified to the income statement when the effects of the item being hedged are recognized in the income statement. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and effective as fair value hedges are recognized currently in net income. These changes are offset in net income by fair value changes related to the risk being hedged on the hedged item. Changes in the fair value of undesignated hedges are recognized currently in the income statement.

All designated hedges are formally documented as to the relationship with the hedged item as well as the risk-management strategy. Both at inception and on an ongoing basis, the hedging instrument is assessed as to its effectiveness. If and when a derivative is determined not to be highly effective as a hedge, the underlying hedged transaction is no longer likely to occur, the hedge designation is removed, or the derivative is terminated, hedge accounting is discontinued (see Note 22).

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currencies for most of the Company’s foreign operations are their respective local currencies. The assets and liabilities of these operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the end of the period exchange rates. The revenues and expenses are translated at weighted-average rates for the period. The gains or losses from these translations are recorded in OCI. Gains or losses from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the subsidiary involved and foreign exchange derivative contracts are included in net income. The pretax net gain for foreign exchange in 2019 was $3.9 million. The pretax net losses for foreign exchange in 2018 and 2017 were $11.4 million and $8.1 million, respectively.

Receivables - Non-Performing, Policy

DelinquenciesPast due balances of Receivables still accruing finance income represent the total balance held (principal plus accrued interest) with any payment amounts 30 days or more past the contractual payment due date.The Company monitors the credit quality of Receivables based on delinquency status. Non-performing Receivables represent loans for which the Company has ceased accruing finance income. Generally, when retail notes, revolving charge accounts, and finance lease accounts are 90 days delinquent, accrual of finance income and lease revenue is suspended. Generally, when a wholesale receivable becomes 60 days delinquent, the Company determines whether the accrual of finance income on interest-bearing wholesale receivables should be suspended. Finance income for non-performing Receivables is recognized on a cash basis. Accrual of finance income is generally resumed when the receivable becomes contractually current and collections are reasonably assured.During the first quarter of 2019, the Company amended the timing in which finance income and lease revenue is generally suspended on retail notes, revolving charge accounts, and finance lease accounts from 120 days delinquent to 90 days delinquent. This change in estimate was made on a prospective basis and did not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Management’s methodology to determine the collectability of delinquent accounts was not affected by the change.Receivable balances are written off to the allowance for credit losses when, in the judgement of management, they are considered uncollectible. Generally, when retail notes and finance lease accounts are 120 days delinquent, the collateral is repossessed or the account is designated for litigation, and the estimated uncollectible amount, after charging the dealer’s withholding account, if any, is written off to the allowance for credit losses. Revolving charge accounts are generally deemed to be uncollectible and written off to the allowance for credit losses when delinquency reaches 120 days. Generally, when a wholesale account becomes 60 days delinquent, the Company determines whether the collateral should be repossessed or the account designated for litigation, and the estimated uncollectible amount is written off to the allowance for credit losses.Impaired ReceivablesReceivables are considered impaired when it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms. Receivables reviewed for impairment generally include those that are past due, have provided bankruptcy notification, or require significant collection efforts. Receivables, which are impaired, are generally classified as non-performing.

Receivables - Allowance for Credit Losses, Policy

Allowance for Credit Losses

Allowances for credit losses on Receivables are maintained in amounts considered to be appropriate in relation to the Receivables outstanding based on historical loss experience by product category, portfolio duration, delinquency trends, economic conditions in the Company’s major markets and geographies, commodity price trends, and credit risk quality.

Troubled Debt Restructuring, Policy

A troubled debt restructuring is generally the modification of debt in which a creditor grants a concession it would not otherwise consider to a debtor that is experiencing financial difficulties. These modifications may include a reduction of the stated interest rate, an extension of the maturity dates, a reduction of the face amount or maturity amount of the debt, or a reduction of accrued interest.

Unremitted Earnings in Foreign Investment, Policy

At November 3, 2019, accumulated earnings in certain subsidiaries outside the U.S. totaled $31.3 million. No provision for foreign withholding taxes has been made since these earnings are expected to remain indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. Determination of the amount of foreign withholding tax liability on these unremitted earnings is not practicable.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy

For purposes of the statement of consolidated cash flows, the Company considers investments with purchased maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Substantially all of the Company’s short-term borrowings, excluding the securitization borrowings and current maturities of long-term borrowings, mature or may require payment within three months or less.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. To determine fair value, the Company uses various methods including market and income approaches. The Company utilizes valuation models and techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs. The models are industry-standard models that consider various assumptions including time values and yield curves as well as other economic measures. These valuation techniques are consistently applied.