Basis of Presentation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 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 Columbia Threadneedle Investments UK International Limited, 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.

In the first quarter of 2021, the Company recorded a favorable 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 impacts 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”). Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform with the current presentation.

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 (“RiverSource Life of NY”) 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 acquisition of the European-based asset management business of BMO Financial Group. See Note 9 for more information on this acquisition.

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 disclosed in Note 21 and 23, no other subsequent events or transactions requiring recognition or disclosure were identified.