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Fair Value Measurements
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements Fair Value MeasurementsFair Value Hierarchy. The following describes the hierarchy of valuation inputs (Levels 1, 2, and 3) used to measure fair value and the primary valuation methodologies used by Northern Trust for financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity; unobservable inputs reflect the entity’s own assumptions about how market participants would value an asset or liability based on the best information available. GAAP requires an entity measuring fair value to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and establishes a fair value hierarchy of inputs. Financial instruments are categorized within the hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to their valuation. No transfers into or out of Level 3 occurred during the six months ended June 30, 2021 or the year ended December 31, 2020.
Level 1 — Quoted, active market prices for identical assets or liabilities.
Northern Trust’s Level 1 assets are comprised of available for sale (AFS) investments in U.S. Treasury securities.
Level 2 — Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted active market prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in inactive markets, and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets.
Northern Trust’s Level 2 assets include AFS and trading account debt securities, the fair values of which are determined predominantly by external pricing vendors. Prices received from vendors are compared to other vendor and third-party prices. If a security price obtained from a pricing vendor is determined to exceed pre-determined tolerance levels that are assigned based on an asset type’s characteristics, the exception is researched and, if the price is not able to be validated, an alternate pricing vendor is utilized, consistent with Northern Trust’s pricing source hierarchy. As of June 30, 2021, Northern Trust’s AFS debt securities portfolio included 2,401 Level 2 debt securities with an aggregate market value of $34.3 billion. Substantially all 2,401 debt securities were valued by external pricing vendors. As of December 31, 2020, Northern Trust’s AFS debt securities portfolio included 2,260 Level 2 debt securities with an aggregate market value of $39.2 billion. All 2,260 debt securities were valued by external pricing vendors. Trading account debt securities, which totaled $0.5 million as of each of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, were all valued using external pricing vendors.
Level 2 assets and liabilities also include derivative contracts which are valued internally using widely accepted income-based models that incorporate inputs readily observable in actively quoted markets and reflect the contractual terms of the contracts. Observable inputs include foreign exchange rates and interest rates for foreign exchange contracts; credit spreads, default probabilities, and recovery rates for credit default swap contracts; interest rates for interest rate swap contracts and forward contracts; and interest rates and volatility inputs for interest rate option contracts. Northern Trust evaluates the impact of counterparty credit risk and its own credit risk on the valuation of its derivative instruments. Factors considered include the likelihood of default by Northern Trust and its counterparties, the remaining maturities of the instruments, net exposures after giving effect to master netting arrangements or similar agreements, available collateral, and other credit enhancements in determining the appropriate fair value of derivative instruments. The resulting valuation adjustments have not been considered material.
Level 3 — Valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable in the marketplace.
Northern Trust’s Level 3 liabilities consist of swaps that Northern Trust entered into with the purchaser of 1.1 million and 1.0 million shares of Visa Inc. Class B common stock (Visa Class B common shares) previously held by Northern Trust and sold in June 2016 and 2015, respectively. Pursuant to the swaps, Northern Trust retains the risks associated with the ultimate conversion of the Visa Class B common shares into shares of Visa Inc. Class A common stock (Visa Class A common shares), such that the counterparty will be compensated for any dilutive adjustments to the conversion ratio and Northern Trust will be compensated for any anti-dilutive adjustments to the ratio. The swaps also require periodic payments from Northern Trust to the counterparty calculated by reference to the market price of Visa Class A common shares and a fixed rate of interest. The fair value of the swaps is determined using a discounted cash flow methodology. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement are Northern Trust’s own assumptions about estimated changes in the conversion rate of the Visa Class B common shares into Visa Class A common shares, the date on which such conversion is expected to occur and the estimated growth rate of the Visa Class A common share price. See “Visa Class B Common Shares” under Note 21 — Commitments and Contingent Liabilities for further information.
Northern Trust believes its valuation methods for its assets and liabilities carried at fair value are appropriate; however, the use of different methodologies or assumptions, particularly as applied to Level 3 assets and liabilities, could have a material effect on the computation of their estimated fair values.
The following table presents the fair values of Northern Trust’s Level 3 liabilities as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, as well as the valuation techniques, significant unobservable inputs, and quantitative information used to develop significant unobservable inputs for such liabilities as of such dates.
TABLE 34: LEVEL 3 SIGNIFICANT UNOBSERVABLE INPUTS
JUNE 30, 2021
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTFAIR VALUEVALUATION TECHNIQUEUNOBSERVABLE INPUTSINPUT VALUES
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE INPUT VALUES(1)
Swaps Related to Sale of Certain Visa Class B Common Shares$38.4 millionDiscounted Cash FlowConversion Rate1.62x1.62x
Visa Class A Appreciation10.49%10.49%
Expected Duration12-33 months20 months
(1) Weighted average of expected duration based on scenario probability.
DECEMBER 31, 2020
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTFAIR VALUEVALUATION TECHNIQUEUNOBSERVABLE INPUTSINPUT VALUES
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE INPUT VALUES(1)
Swaps Related to Sale of Certain Visa Class B Common Shares$35.3 millionDiscounted Cash FlowConversion Rate1.62x1.62x
Visa Class A Appreciation8.73%8.73%
Expected Duration12-33 months20 months
(1) Weighted average of expected duration based on scenario probability.

The following table presents assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, segregated by fair value hierarchy level.
TABLE 35: RECURRING BASIS HIERARCHY LEVELING
JUNE 30, 2021
(In Millions)LEVEL 1LEVEL 2LEVEL 3NETTINGASSETS/LIABILITIES AT FAIR VALUE
Debt Securities
Available for Sale
U.S. Government$2,559.0 $— $— $— $2,559.0 
Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions— 3,488.9 — — 3,488.9 
Government Sponsored Agency— 17,645.8 — — 17,645.8 
Non-U.S. Government— 623.8 — — 623.8 
Corporate Debt— 2,462.9 — — 2,462.9 
Covered Bonds— 535.4 — — 535.4 
Sub-Sovereign, Supranational and Non-U.S. Agency Bonds— 3,058.5 — — 3,058.5 
Other Asset-Backed— 5,278.1 — — 5,278.1 
Commercial Mortgage-Backed— 1,211.6 — — 1,211.6 
Total Available for Sale2,559.0 34,305.0 — — 36,864.0 
Trading Account— 0.5 — — 0.5 
Total Available for Sale and Trading Debt Securities2,559.0 34,305.5 — — 36,864.5 
Other Assets
Derivative Assets
Foreign Exchange Contracts— 2,608.9 — (884.1)1,724.8 
Interest Rate Contracts— 207.4 — (2.7)204.7 
Total Derivative Assets— 2,816.3 — (886.8)1,929.5 
Other Liabilities
Derivative Liabilities
Foreign Exchange Contracts— 2,406.3 — (2,021.1)385.2 
Interest Rate Contracts— 106.2 — (67.2)39.0 
Other Financial Derivatives(1)
— — 38.4 — 38.4 
Total Derivative Liabilities$— $2,512.5 $38.4 $(2,088.3)$462.6 
Note: Northern Trust has elected to net derivative assets and liabilities when legally enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements exist between Northern Trust and the counterparty. As of June 30, 2021, derivative assets and liabilities shown above also include reductions of $126.4 million and $1,327.9 million, respectively, as a result of cash collateral received from and deposited with derivative counterparties.
(1)This line consists of swaps related to the sale of certain Visa Class B common shares.
DECEMBER 31, 2020
(In Millions)LEVEL 1LEVEL 2LEVEL 3NETTINGASSETS/LIABILITIES AT FAIR VALUE
Debt Securities
Available for Sale
U.S. Government$2,799.9 $— $— $— $2,799.9 
Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions— 3,083.6 — — 3,083.6 
Government Sponsored Agency— 24,956.7 — — 24,956.7 
Non-U.S. Government— 714.0 — — 714.0 
Corporate Debt— 2,539.6 — — 2,539.6 
Covered Bonds— 553.1 — — 553.1 
Sub-Sovereign, Supranational and Non-U.S. Agency Bonds— 2,345.8 — — 2,345.8 
Other Asset-Backed— 3,997.5 — — 3,997.5 
Commercial Mortgage-Backed— 1,031.8 — — 1,031.8 
Total Available for Sale2,799.9 39,222.1 — — 42,022.0 
Trading Account— 0.5 — — 0.5 
Total Available for Sale and Trading Debt Securities2,799.9 39,222.6 — — 42,022.5 
Other Assets
Derivative Assets
Foreign Exchange Contracts— 4,260.7 — (3,505.3)755.4 
Interest Rate Contracts— 297.5 — (2.5)295.0 
Total Derivative Assets— 4,558.2 — (3,507.8)1,050.4 
Other Liabilities
Derivative Liabilities
Foreign Exchange Contracts— 4,722.5 — (2,718.6)2,003.9 
Interest Rate Contracts— 125.0 — (98.5)26.5 
Other Financial Derivatives(1)
— — 35.3 — 35.3 
Total Derivative Liabilities$— $4,847.5 $35.3 $(2,817.1)$2,065.7 
Note: Northern Trust has elected to net derivative assets and liabilities when legally enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements exist between Northern Trust and the counterparty. As of December 31, 2020, derivative assets and liabilities shown above also include reductions of $1,867.8 million and $1,177.2 million, respectively, as a result of cash collateral received from and deposited with derivative counterparties.
(1) This line consists of swaps related to the sale of certain Visa Class B common shares.

The following table presents the changes in Level 3 liabilities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.

TABLE 36: CHANGES IN LEVEL 3 LIABILITIES
(In Millions)SWAPS RELATED TO SALE OF CERTAIN VISA CLASS B COMMON SHARES
THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,20212020
Fair Value at April 1
$34.6 $26.5 
Total (Gains) Losses:
Included in Earnings(1)
8.5 8.6 
Purchases, Issues, Sales, and Settlements
Settlements(4.7)(3.8)
Fair Value at June 30
$38.4 $31.3 
(1) (Gains) losses are recorded in Other Operating Income on the consolidated statements of income.
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,20212020
Fair Value at January 1$35.3 $33.4 
Total (Gains) Losses:
Included in Earnings(1)
12.1 5.7 
Purchases, Issues, Sales, and Settlements
Settlements(9.0)(7.8)
Fair Value at June 30
$38.4 $31.3 
(1) (Gains) losses are recorded in Other Operating Income on the consolidated statements of income.
Carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis may be adjusted to fair value in periods subsequent to their initial recognition, for example, to record an impairment of an asset. GAAP requires entities to separately disclose these subsequent fair value measurements and to classify them under the fair value hierarchy.
Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, all of which were categorized as Level 3 under the fair value hierarchy, were comprised of nonaccrual loans whose values were based on real estate and other available collateral, and of other real estate owned (OREO) properties.
Fair values of real estate loan collateral were estimated using a market approach typically supported by third-party valuations and property-specific fees and taxes. The fair values of real estate loan collateral were subject to adjustments to reflect management’s judgment as to realizable value and consisted of discount factors ranging from 15.0% to 20.0% with a weighted average based on fair values of 16.3% and 16.8% as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Other loan collateral, which typically consists of accounts receivable, inventory and equipment, is valued using a market approach adjusted for asset-specific characteristics and in limited instances third-party valuations are used. OREO assets are carried at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell, with fair value typically based on third-party appraisals.
Collateral-based nonaccrual loans that have been adjusted to fair value totaled $8.2 million and $24.6 million at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
The following table presents the fair values of Northern Trust’s Level 3 assets that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, as well as the valuation technique, significant unobservable inputs and quantitative information used to develop the significant unobservable inputs for such assets as of such dates.
TABLE 37: LEVEL 3 NONRECURRING BASIS SIGNIFICANT UNOBSERVABLE INPUTS
JUNE 30, 2021
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT
FAIR VALUE(1)
VALUATION TECHNIQUEUNOBSERVABLE INPUTSINPUT VALUESWEIGHTED-AVERAGE INPUT VALUES
Loans$8.2 millionMarket ApproachDiscount factor applied to real estate collateral-based loans to reflect realizable value15.0 %-20.0%16.3%
(1) Includes real estate collateral-based loans and other collateral-based loans.
DECEMBER 31, 2020
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT
FAIR VALUE(1)
VALUATION TECHNIQUEUNOBSERVABLE INPUTSINPUT VALUESWEIGHTED-AVERAGE INPUT VALUES
Loans$24.6 millionMarket ApproachDiscount factor applied to real estate collateral-based loans to reflect realizable value15.0 %-20.0%16.8%
(1) Includes real estate collateral-based loans and other collateral-based loans.
The following table summarizes the fair values of all financial instruments.
TABLE 38: FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
JUNE 30, 2021
  FAIR VALUE
(In Millions)BOOK VALUETOTAL FAIR VALUELEVEL 1LEVEL 2LEVEL 3
ASSETS
Cash and Due from Banks$4,799.3 $4,799.3 $4,799.3 $— $— 
Federal Reserve and Other Central Bank Deposits54,232.9 54,232.9 — 54,232.9 — 
Interest-Bearing Deposits with Banks3,848.4 3,848.4 — 3,848.4 — 
Federal Funds Sold0.1 0.1 — 0.1 — 
Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell947.8 947.8 — 947.8 — 
Debt Securities
Available for Sale(1)
36,864.0 36,864.0 2,559.0 34,305.0 — 
Held to Maturity21,655.3 21,579.6 99.0 21,480.6 — 
Trading Account0.5 0.5 — 0.5 — 
Loans (excluding Leases)
Held for Investment37,116.1 37,152.9 — — 37,152.9 
Held for Sale131.2 150.3 — 150.3 — 
Client Security Settlement Receivables2,011.6 2,011.6 — 2,011.6 — 
Other Assets
Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock230.0 230.0 — 230.0 — 
Community Development Investments903.8 903.8 — 903.8 — 
Employee Benefit and Deferred Compensation224.5 227.1 123.7 103.4 — 
LIABILITIES
Deposits
Demand, Noninterest-Bearing, Savings, Money Market and Other Interest-Bearing$73,627.1 $73,627.1 $73,627.1 $— $— 
Savings Certificates and Other Time877.7 879.7 — 879.7 — 
Non U.S. Offices Interest-Bearing71,705.4 71,705.4 — 71,705.4 — 
Federal Funds Purchased0.2 0.2 — 0.2 — 
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase529.1 529.1 — 529.1 — 
Other Borrowings5,140.6 5,141.1 — 5,141.1 — 
Senior Notes3,036.0 3,137.0 — 3,137.0 — 
Long-Term Debt
Subordinated Debt1,165.3 1,226.3 — 1,226.3 — 
Floating Rate Capital Debt277.8 271.9 — 271.9 — 
Other Liabilities
Standby Letters of Credit17.9 17.9 — — 17.9 
Loan Commitments67.0 67.0 — — 67.0 
Derivative Instruments
Asset/Liability Management
Foreign Exchange Contracts
Assets$147.3 $147.3 $— $147.3 $— 
Liabilities28.2 28.2 — 28.2 — 
Interest Rate Contracts
Assets8.9 8.9 — 8.9 — 
Liabilities7.2 7.2 — 7.2 — 
Other Financial Derivatives
Liabilities(2)
38.4 38.4 — — 38.4 
Client-Related and Trading
Foreign Exchange Contracts
Assets2,461.6 2,461.6 — 2,461.6 — 
Liabilities2,378.1 2,378.1 — 2,378.1 — 
Interest Rate Contracts
Assets198.5 198.5 — 198.5 — 
Liabilities99.0 99.0 — 99.0 — 
(1) Refer to the table located on page 41 for the disaggregation of AFS debt securities.
(2) This line consists of swaps related to the sale of certain Visa Class B common shares.
DECEMBER 31, 2020
  FAIR VALUE
(In Millions)BOOK VALUETOTAL FAIR VALUELEVEL 1LEVEL 2LEVEL 3
ASSETS
Cash and Due from Banks$4,389.5 $4,389.5 $4,389.5 $— $— 
Federal Reserve and Other Central Bank Deposits55,503.6 55,503.6 — 55,503.6 — 
Interest-Bearing Deposits with Banks4,372.6 4,372.6 — 4,372.6 — 
Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell1,596.5 1,596.5 — 1,596.5 — 
Debt Securities
Available for Sale(1)
42,022.0 42,022.0 2,799.9 39,222.1 — 
Held to Maturity17,791.1 17,797.4 90.0 17,707.4 — 
Trading Account0.5 0.5 — 0.5 — 
Loans (excluding Leases)
Held for Investment33,558.0 34,017.5 — — 34,017.5 
Client Security Settlement Receivables1,160.2 1,160.2 — 1,160.2 — 
Other Assets
Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock275.0 275.0 — 275.0 — 
Community Development Investments919.6 919.6 — 919.6 — 
Employee Benefit and Deferred Compensation215.8 228.9 138.6 90.3 — 
LIABILITIES
Deposits
Demand, Noninterest-Bearing, Savings, Money Market and Other Interest-Bearing$71,742.5 $71,742.5 $71,742.5 $— $— 
Savings Certificates and Other Time937.1 943.0 — 943.0 — 
Non U.S. Offices Interest-Bearing71,198.4 71,198.4 — 71,198.4 — 
Federal Funds Purchased260.2 260.2 — 260.2 — 
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase39.8 39.8 — 39.8 — 
Other Borrowings4,011.5 4,012.7 — 4,012.7 — 
Senior Notes3,122.4 3,222.6 — 3,222.6 — 
Long-Term Debt
Subordinated Debt1,189.3 1,250.1 — 1,250.1 — 
Floating Rate Capital Debt277.8 264.6 — 264.6 — 
Other Liabilities
Standby Letters of Credit22.4 22.4 — — 22.4 
Loan Commitments77.0 77.0 — — 77.0 
Derivative Instruments
Asset/Liability Management
Foreign Exchange Contracts
Assets$15.6 $15.6 $— $15.6 $— 
Liabilities311.8 311.8 — 311.8 — 
Interest Rate Contracts
Assets8.3 8.3 — 8.3 — 
Liabilities10.2 10.2 — 10.2 — 
Other Financial Derivatives
Liabilities(2)
35.3 35.3 — — 35.3 
Client-Related and Trading
Foreign Exchange Contracts
Assets4,245.1 4,245.1 — 4,245.1 — 
Liabilities4,410.7 4,410.7 — 4,410.7 — 
Interest Rate Contracts
Assets289.2 289.2 — 289.2 — 
Liabilities114.8 114.8 — 114.8 — 
(1) Refer to the table located on page 42 for the disaggregation of AFS debt securities.    
(2) This line consists of swaps related to the sale of certain Visa Class B common shares.