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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Businesses and Assets Held for Sale Policy

summary of significant accounting policies

We utilized significant estimates in the preparation of the first quarter financial statements.

In addition to the discussion below on estimates used to determine the fair value of businesses and assets held for sale, please refer to the Critical Accounting Estimates section within MD&A and Note 1, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the consolidated financial statements of our 2014 Form 10-K Report for a summary of our significant accounting policies and the critical accounting estimates we use to: assess the recoverability of assets such as financing receivables and goodwill; determine the fair value of financial assets; and determine our provision for income taxes and recoverability of deferred tax assets.

BUSINESSES AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

Businesses held for sale represent components that meet accounting requirements to be classified as held for sale and are presented as single asset and liability amounts in our financial statements with a valuation allowance, if necessary, to recognize the net carrying amount at the lower of cost or fair value, less cost to sell. Financing receivables that no longer qualify to be presented as held for investment must be classified as held for sale and recognized in our financial statements at the lower of cost or fair value, less cost to sell, with that amount representing a new cost basis at the date of transfer.

As a result of the GE Capital Exit Plan, certain GECC businesses met the criteria to be classified as businesses held for sale and certain financing receivables were required to be recognized as held for sale at March 31, 2015.

The determination of fair value for businesses and portfolios of financing receivables involves significant judgments and assumptions. Development of estimates of fair values in this circumstance is complex and is dependent upon, among other factors, the nature of the potential sales transaction (for example, asset sale versus sale of legal entity), composition of assets and/or businesses in the disposal group, the comparability of the disposal group to market transactions, negotiations with third party purchasers, etc. Such factors bear directly on the range of potential fair values and the selection of the best estimates. Key assumptions were developed based on market observable data and, in the absence of such data, internal information that is consistent with what market participants would use in a hypothetical transaction as of March 31, 2015.

We will review all businesses and assets held for sale each reporting period to determine whether the existing carrying amounts are fully recoverable in comparison to estimated fair values.