Variable Interest Entities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]

Variable Interest Entities

NOTE 6. Variable Interest Entities

GATX evaluates whether an entity is a VIE based on the sufficiency of the entity’s equity and whether the equity holders have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. To determine if it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, GATX assesses whether it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that may be significant to the VIE. These determinations are both qualitative and quantitative in nature and require certain judgments and assumptions about the VIE’s forecasted financial performance and the volatility inherent in those forecasted results. GATX evaluates new investments for VIE determination and regularly reviews all existing entities for any events that may result in an entity becoming a VIE or GATX becoming the primary beneficiary of an existing VIE.

GATX is the primary beneficiary of a consolidated VIE related to a structured lease financing for a portfolio of railcars because it has the power to direct the significant activities of the VIE through its ownership of the equity interests in the transaction.

The carrying amounts of assets and liabilities of the VIE that GATX consolidates were as follows (in millions):

	September 30 2011		December 31 2010
Operating assets, net of accumulated depreciation (a)	$	105.7	$	110.1
Nonrecourse debt		48.1		56.2

(a) All operating assets are pledged as collateral on the nonrecourse debt.

GATX is also involved with other entities determined to be VIEs of which GATX is not the primary beneficiary. These VIEs are primarily leveraged leases and certain investments in railcar and equipment leasing affiliates that have been financed through a mix of equity investments and third party lending arrangements. GATX determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs because it does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities’ economic performance. For certain investments in affiliates determined to be VIEs, GATX concluded that power was shared between the affiliate partners based on the terms of the relevant joint venture agreements, which require approval of all partners for significant decisions involving the VIE.

The carrying amounts and maximum exposure to loss with respect to VIEs that GATX does not consolidate were as follows (in millions):

	September 30, 2011				December 31, 2010
	Net Carrying Amount		Maximum Exposure to Loss		Net Carrying Amount		Maximum Exposure to Loss
Investments in affiliates	$	78.4	$	78.4	$	60.9	$	60.9
Leveraged leases		72.2		72.2		74.1		74.1
Other investment		0.9		0.9		1.0		1.0
Total	$	151.5	$	151.5	$	136.0	$	136.0