XML 129 R12.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.8
Variable Interest Entities (Notes)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Variable interest entities [Text Block]
Variable Interest Entities
We use special-purpose entities that are considered VIEs to issue variable funding notes to third party bank-sponsored warehouse facilities and that issue asset-backed securities to investors in securitization transactions. The securities issued by these VIEs are backed by the cash flows related to finance receivables and leasing related assets transferred by us to the VIEs (securitized assets). We hold variable interests in the VIEs that could potentially be significant to the VIEs. We determined that we are the primary beneficiary of the special-purpose entities because (i) our servicing responsibilities for the securitized assets give us the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the performance of the VIEs and (ii) our variable interests in the VIEs give us the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive residual returns that could potentially be significant. Therefore, the assets and liabilities of the VIEs are included in our consolidated balance sheets.
The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities related to our consolidated VIEs (in millions):
 
June 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
Restricted cash
$
1,397

 
$
744

VIE securitized assets
20,227

 
10,442

VIE liabilities
17,071

 
9,378


Restricted cash represents collections from the underlying securitized assets and certain reserve accounts held as credit enhancement for securitizations held by us for the benefit of the noteholders. Except for the acquisition accounting adjustments, we recognize finance charge income, leased vehicles income and other income on the securitized assets and interest expense on the secured debt issued by the special-purpose entities. We also maintain an allowance for estimated probable credit losses on securitized assets. Cash pledged to support the secured borrowings is deposited to a restricted cash account and recorded as restricted cash, which is invested in highly liquid securities with original maturities of 90 days or less.
The assets of the VIEs and the restricted cash held by us serve as the sole source of repayment for the asset-backed securities issued by these entities. Investors in the notes issued by the VIEs do not have recourse to us or our other assets, with the exception of customary representation and warranty repurchase provisions and indemnities we provide as the servicer. We are not required and do not currently intend to provide additional financial support to these VIEs. While these subsidiaries are included in our condensed consolidated financial statements, these subsidiaries are separate legal entities and their assets are legally owned by them and not available to our creditors.
In addition, we entered into interest rate swaps and caps with certain special-purpose entities that issue variable rate debt against fixed rate securitized assets. Under the terms of these swaps, the special purpose entities are obligated to pay us a fixed rate of interest on certain payment dates in exchange for receiving a floating rate of interest on notional amounts equal to the outstanding balance of the secured debt. This arrangement enables the special-purpose entities to mitigate the interest rate risk inherent in issuing variable rate debt that is secured by fixed rate securitized assets, as required to maintain ratings on such securitizations. See Note 8 - "Derivative Financial Instruments" for further discussion.
The transfers of the securitized assets to the special-purpose entities are considered to be sales for legal purposes. However, the securitized assets and the related debt, accounted for as secured borrowings, remain on our consolidated balance sheet. We recognize financing revenue on the securitized assets and interest expense on the secured debt issued by the special-purpose entities. We also maintain an allowance for credit losses on the securitized assets to cover estimated incurred credit losses using a methodology consistent with that used for our non-securitized asset portfolio.