Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 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 TAM UK International Holdings Ltd 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.

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 current and 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 June 2, 2021, the Company filed an application to convert Ameriprise Bank, FSB to a state-chartered industrial bank regulated by the Utah Department of Financial Institutions and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company also filed an application to transition the FSB’s personal trust services business to a new limited purpose national trust bank regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

During the third quarter of 2021, RiverSource Life Insurance Company (“RiverSource Life”), one of the Company’s life insurance subsidiaries, closed on a transaction with Global Atlantic Financial Group’s subsidiary Commonwealth Annuity and Life Insurance Company, effective July 1, 2021, to reinsure approximately $7.0 billion of fixed deferred and immediate annuity policies. As part of the transaction, RiverSource Life transferred $7.8 billion in consideration primarily consisting of Available-for-Sale securities, commercial mortgage loans, syndicated loans and cash. The transaction resulted in a net realized gain of approximately $532 million on investments sold. A similar previously announced transaction with RiverSource Life Insurance Co. of New York did not receive regulatory approval in time to close by September 30, 2021 and the transaction was terminated by the parties.

On November 8, 2021, the Company completed its previously announced acquisition of the European-based asset management business of BMO Financial Group. At close, the consideration transferred consisted of £615 million (or $829 million) for initial price, plus an additional £103 million (or $138 million) largely associated with a customary adjustment for excess capital surplus that will be accessible over time. The overall purchase price will continue to be subject to further customary post-close adjustments. The all-cash transaction will add approximately $131 billion of assets under management in EMEA.

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 items noted above, no other subsequent events or transactions requiring recognition or disclosure were identified.