Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Ameriprise Financial, Inc. is a holding company, which primarily conducts business through its subsidiaries to provide financial planning, products and services that are designed to be utilized as solutions for clients’ cash and liquidity, asset accumulation, income, protection and estate and wealth transfer needs. The foreign operations of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. are conducted primarily through Threadneedle Asset Management Holdings Sàrl and Ameriprise Asset Management Holdings Singapore (Pte.) Ltd and their respective subsidiaries (collectively, “Threadneedle”).

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Ameriprise Financial, Inc., companies in which it directly or indirectly has a controlling financial interest and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in which it is the primary beneficiary (collectively, the “Company”). All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The interim financial information in this report has not been audited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for fair statement of the consolidated results of operations and financial position for the interim periods have been made. All adjustments made were of a normal recurring nature.

Changes to the Company’s reportable segments have been made as further discussed in Note 18.

Certain prior period amounts have been revised to conform to current period presentation. These changes have no impact on previously reported consolidated balance sheets or statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders equity, or cash flows.

In the first quarter of 2021, the Company recorded an unfavorable out-of-period correction of $29 million in other comprehensive income related to defined benefit plans.

In the first quarter of 2020, the Company recorded an unfavorable out-of-period correction of $19 million in management and financial advice fees related to performance fees.

The impact of the errors were not material to the prior period financial statements.

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Results of operations reported for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. These Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 24, 2021 (“2020 10-K”).

On April 12, 2021, the Company signed a definitive agreement to acquire the European-based asset management business of BMO Financial Group for £615 million, or approximately $845 million. The all-cash transaction is expected to add approximately $124 billion of assets under management in Europe and is currently expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to regulatory approvals in the relevant jurisdictions.

The Company evaluated events or transactions that may have occurred after the balance sheet date for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the financial statements were issued. Other than the transaction noted above, no other subsequent events or transactions requiring recognition or disclosure were identified.