SEC Form 10-K Filing Report

Company: GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP INC
CIK: 886982
SIC Code: 6211
Filing Date: 2012-02-28 00:00:00
Market Capitalization: 57654775.73048401

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
Introduction
Goldman Sachs is a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and high-net-worth individuals.
When we use the terms “Goldman Sachs,” “the firm,” “we,” “us” and “our,” we mean The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Group Inc.), a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.
References to “this Form 10-K” are to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. All references to 2011, 2010 and 2009 refer to our fiscal years ended, or the dates, as the context requires, December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
Group Inc. is a bank holding company and a financial holding company regulated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve Board). Our U.S. depository institution subsidiary, Goldman Sachs Bank USA (GS Bank USA), is a New York State-chartered bank.
As of December 2011, we had offices in over 30 countries and 48% of our total staff was based outside the Americas (which includes the countries in North and South America). Our clients are located worldwide, and we are an active participant in financial markets around the world. In 2011, we generated 38% of our net revenues outside the Americas. For more information on our geographic results, see Note 25 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Our Business Segments and Segment Operating Results
We report our activities in four business segments: Investment Banking, Institutional Client Services, Investing & Lending and Investment Management. The chart below presents our four business segments.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
The table below presents our segment operating results.
1. Financial information concerning our business segments for 2011, 2010 and 2009 is included in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” which are in Part II, Items 7 and 8, respectively, of this Form 10-K. See Note 25 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for a further breakdown of our net revenues.
2. Includes the following expenses that have not been allocated to our segments: (i) net provisions for a number of litigation and regulatory proceedings of $175 million, $682 million and $104 million for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively; (ii) charitable contributions of $103 million, $345 million and $810 million for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively; and (iii) real estate-related exit costs of $14 million, $28 million and $61 million for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively.
Investment Banking
Investment Banking serves corporate and government clients around the world. We provide financial advisory services and help companies raise capital to strengthen and grow their businesses. We seek to develop and maintain long-term relationships with a diverse global group of institutional clients, including governments, states and municipalities. Our goal is to deliver to our clients the entire resources of the firm in a seamless fashion, with investment banking serving as the main initial point of contact with Goldman Sachs.
Financial Advisory. Financial Advisory includes strategic advisory assignments with respect to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, risk management, restructurings and spin-offs. In particular, we help clients execute large, complex transactions for which we provide multiple services, including “one-stop” acquisition financing and cross-border structuring expertise. Financial Advisory also includes revenues from derivative transactions directly related to these client advisory assignments.
We also assist our clients in managing their asset and liability exposures and their capital. In addition, we may provide lending commitments and bank loan and bridge loan facilities in connection with our advisory assignments.
Underwriting. The other core activity of Investment Banking is helping companies raise capital to fund their businesses. As a financial intermediary, our job is to match the capital of our investing clients - who aim to grow the savings of millions of people - with the needs of our corporate and government clients - who need financing to generate growth, create jobs and deliver products and services. Our underwriting activities include public offerings and private placements, including domestic and cross-border transactions, of a wide range of securities and other financial instruments. Underwriting also includes revenues from derivative transactions entered into with institutional clients in connection with our underwriting activities.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Equity Underwriting. We underwrite common and preferred stock and convertible and exchangeable securities. We regularly receive mandates for large, complex transactions and have held a leading position in worldwide public common stock offerings and worldwide initial public offerings for many years.
Debt Underwriting. We underwrite and originate various types of debt instruments, including investment-grade and high-yield debt, bank loans and bridge loans, and emerging- and growth-market debt, which may be issued by, among others, corporate, sovereign, municipal and agency issuers. In addition, we underwrite and originate structured securities, which include mortgage-related securities and other asset-backed securities.
Institutional Client Services
Institutional Client Services serves our clients who come to the firm to buy and sell financial products, raise funding and manage risk. We do this by acting as a market maker and offering market expertise on a global basis. Institutional Client Services makes markets and facilitates client transactions in fixed income, equity, currency and commodity products. In addition, we make markets in and clear client transactions on major stock, options and futures exchanges worldwide. Market makers provide liquidity and play a critical role in price discovery, which contributes to the overall efficiency of the capital markets. Our willingness to make markets, commit capital and take risk in a broad range of products is crucial to our client relationships.
Our clients are primarily institutions that are professional market participants, including investment entities whose ultimate customers include individual investors investing for their retirement, buying insurance or putting aside surplus cash in a deposit account.
Through our global sales force, we maintain relationships with our clients, receiving orders and distributing investment research, trading ideas, market information and analysis. As a market maker, we provide prices to clients globally across thousands of products in all major asset classes and markets. At times we take the other side of transactions ourselves if a buyer or seller is not readily available and at other times we connect our clients to other parties who want to transact. Much of this connectivity between the firm and its clients is maintained on technology platforms and operates globally wherever and whenever markets are open for trading.
Institutional Client Services and our other businesses are supported by our Global Investment Research division, which, as of December 2011, provided fundamental research on more than 3,700 companies worldwide and more than 40 national economies, as well as on industries, currencies and commodities.
Institutional Client Services generates revenues in four ways:
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In large, highly liquid markets (such as markets for U.S. Treasury bills, large capitalization S&P 500 stocks or certain mortgage pass-through securities), we execute a high volume of transactions for our clients for modest spreads and fees.
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In less liquid markets (such as mid-cap corporate bonds, growth market currencies and certain non-agency mortgage-backed securities), we execute transactions for our clients for spreads and fees that are generally somewhat larger.
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We also structure and execute transactions involving customized or tailor-made products that address our clients’ risk exposures, investment objectives or other complex needs (such as a jet fuel hedge for an airline).
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We provide financing to our clients for their securities trading activities, as well as securities lending and other prime brokerage services.
Institutional Client Services activities are organized by asset class and include both “cash” and “derivative” instruments. “Cash” refers to trading the underlying instrument (such as a stock, bond or barrel of oil). “Derivative” refers to instruments that derive their value from underlying asset prices, indices, reference rates and other inputs, or a combination of these factors (such as an option, which is the right or obligation to buy or sell a certain bond or stock index on a specified date in the future at a certain price, or an interest rate swap, which is the agreement to convert a fixed rate of interest into a floating rate or vice versa).
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Client Execution. Includes interest rate products, credit products, mortgages, currencies and commodities.
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Interest Rate Products. Government bonds, money market instruments such as commercial paper, treasury bills, repurchase agreements and other highly liquid securities and instruments, as well as interest rate swaps, options and other derivatives.
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Credit Products. Investment-grade corporate securities, high-yield securities, bank and secured loans, municipal securities, emerging market and distressed debt, and credit derivatives.
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Mortgages. Commercial mortgage-related securities, loans and derivatives, residential mortgage-related securities, loans and derivatives (including U.S. government agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations, other prime, subprime and Alt-A securities and loans), and other asset-backed securities, loans and derivatives.
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Currencies. Most currencies, including growth-market currencies.
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Commodities. Oil and natural gas, base, precious and other metals, electricity, coal, agricultural and other commodity products.
Equities. Includes equity client execution, commissions and fees, and securities services.
Equities Client Execution. We make markets in equity securities and equity-related products, including convertible securities, options, futures and over-the-counter (OTC) derivative instruments, on a global basis. As a principal, we facilitate client transactions by providing liquidity to our clients with large blocks of stocks or options, requiring the commitment of our capital. In addition, we engage in insurance activities where we reinsure and purchase portfolios of insurance risk and pension liabilities.
We also structure and execute derivatives on indices, industry groups, financial measures and individual company stocks. We develop strategies and provide information about portfolio hedging and restructuring and asset allocation transactions for our clients. We also work with our clients to create specially tailored instruments to enable sophisticated investors to establish or liquidate
investment positions or undertake hedging strategies. We are one of the leading participants in the trading and development of equity derivative instruments.
Our exchange-based market-making activities include making markets in stocks and exchange-traded funds. In the United States, we are one of the leading Designated Market Makers (DMMs) for stocks traded on the NYSE. For ETFs, we are registered market makers on NYSE Arca. In listed options, we are registered as a primary or lead market maker or otherwise make markets on the International Securities Exchange, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, NYSE Arca, the Boston Options Exchange, the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and NYSE Amex. In futures and options on futures, we are market makers on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade.
Commissions and Fees. We generate commissions and fees from executing and clearing institutional client transactions on major stock, options and futures exchanges worldwide. We increasingly provide our clients with access to electronic “low-touch” equity trading platforms, and electronic trades account for the majority of our equity trading activity. However, a majority of our net revenues in these activities continue to be derived from our traditional “high-touch” handling of more complex trades. We expect both types of activity to remain important.
Securities Services. Includes financing, securities lending and other prime brokerage services.
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Financing Services. We provide financing to our clients for their securities trading activities through margin loans that are collateralized by securities, cash or other acceptable collateral. We earn a spread equal to the difference between the amount we pay for funds and the amount we receive from our client.
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Securities Lending Services. We provide services that principally involve borrowing and lending securities to cover institutional clients’ short sales and borrowing securities to cover our short sales and otherwise to make deliveries into the market. In addition, we are an active participant in broker-to-broker securities lending and third-party agency lending activities.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
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Other Prime Brokerage Services. We earn fees by providing clearing, custody and settlement services globally. In addition, we help our hedge fund and other clients maintain the infrastructure that supports their investing activity by providing a suite of services from the moment a client begins the process of establishing a new investing business. We provide a technology platform and reporting which enables clients to monitor their security portfolios, and manage risk exposures.
Investing & Lending
Our investing and lending activities, which are typically longer-term, include the firm’s investing and relationship lending activities across various asset classes, primarily including debt securities and loans, public and private equity securities, and real estate. These activities include investing directly in publicly and privately traded securities and also through certain investment funds that we manage. We also provide financing to our clients. We manage a diversified global portfolio of investments in equity and debt securities and other investments in privately negotiated transactions, leveraged buyouts, acquisitions and investments in funds managed by external parties.
ICBC. We have an investment in the ordinary shares of ICBC, the largest bank in China.
Equity Securities (excluding ICBC). We make corporate, real estate and infrastructure equity-related investments.
Debt Securities and Loans. We make corporate, real estate and infrastructure debt security-related investments. In addition, we provide credit to corporate clients through loan facilities and to high-net-worth individuals primarily through secured loans.
Other. Our other investments primarily include our consolidated investment entities, which are entities we hold for investment purposes strictly for capital appreciation. These entities have a defined exit strategy and are engaged in activities that are not closely related to our principal businesses. We also invest directly in distressed assets, currencies, commodities and other assets, including power generation facilities.
Investment Management
Investment Management provides investment and wealth advisory services to help clients preserve and grow their financial assets. Our clients include institutions and high-net-worth individuals as well as retail investors, who access our products through a network of third-party distributors around the world.
We manage client assets across a broad range of asset classes and investment strategies, including equity, fixed income and alternative investments. Alternative investments primarily include hedge funds, private equity, real estate, currencies, commodities, and asset allocation strategies. Our investment offerings include those managed on a fiduciary basis by our portfolio managers as well as strategies managed by third-party managers. We offer our investments in a variety of structures, including separately managed accounts, mutual funds, private partnerships, and other commingled vehicles.
We also provide customized investment advisory solutions designed to address our clients’ investment needs. These solutions begin with identifying clients’ objectives and continue through portfolio construction, ongoing asset allocation and risk management and investment realization. We draw from a variety of third-party managers as well as our proprietary offerings to implement solutions for clients.
We supplement our investment advisory solutions for high-net-worth clients with wealth advisory services that include income and liability management, trust and estate planning, philanthropic giving and tax planning. We also use the firm’s global securities and derivatives market-making capabilities to address clients’ specific investment needs.
Management and Other Fees. The majority of revenues in management and other fees is comprised of asset-based management fees on client assets. The fees that we charge vary by asset class and are affected by investment performance as well as asset inflows and redemptions. Other fees we receive include financial counseling fees generated through our wealth advisory services and fees related to the administration of real estate assets.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Assets under management include only those client assets where we earn a fee for managing assets on a discretionary basis. This includes net assets in our mutual funds, hedge funds and private equity funds (including real estate funds), and separately managed accounts for institutional and individual investors. Assets under management do not include the self-directed assets of our clients, including brokerage accounts, or interest-bearing deposits held through our bank depository institution subsidiaries.
Incentive Fees. In certain circumstances, we are also entitled to receive incentive fees based on a percentage of a fund’s or a separately managed account’s return, or when the return exceeds a specified benchmark or other performance targets. Such fees include overrides, which
consist of the increased share of the income and gains derived primarily from our private equity funds when the return on a fund’s investments over the life of the fund exceeds certain threshold returns. Incentive fees are recognized when all material contingencies are resolved.
Transaction Revenues. We receive commissions and net spreads for facilitating transactional activity in high-net-worth client accounts. In addition, we earn net interest income primarily associated with client deposits and margin lending activity undertaken by such clients.
The tables below present assets under management by asset class and by distribution channel and client category.
Business Continuity and Information Security
Business continuity and information security, including cybersecurity, are high priorities for Goldman Sachs. Our Business Continuity Program has been developed to provide reasonable assurance of business continuity in the event of disruptions at the firm’s critical facilities and to comply with regulatory requirements, including those of FINRA. Because we are a bank holding company, our Business Continuity Program is also subject to review by the Federal Reserve Board. The key elements of the program are crisis management, people recovery facilities, business recovery, systems and data recovery, and process improvement. In the area of information security, we have developed and implemented a framework of principles,
policies and technology to protect the information assets provided to us by our clients and those of the firm from cyber attacks and other misappropriation, corruption or loss. Safeguards are applied to maintain the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information resources.
Employees
Management believes that a major strength and principal reason for the success of Goldman Sachs is the quality and dedication of our people and the shared sense of being part of a team. We strive to maintain a work environment that fosters professionalism, excellence, diversity, cooperation among our employees worldwide and high standards of business ethics.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Instilling the Goldman Sachs culture in all employees is a continuous process, in which training plays an important part. All employees are offered the opportunity to participate in education and periodic seminars that we sponsor at various locations throughout the world. Another important part of instilling the Goldman Sachs culture is our employee review process. Employees are reviewed by supervisors, co-workers and employees they supervise in a 360-degree review process that is integral to our team approach, and includes an evaluation of an employee’s performance with respect to risk management, compliance and diversity.
As of December 2011, we had 33,300 total staff, excluding staff at consolidated entities held for investment purposes. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Results of Operations - Operating Expenses” in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K for additional information on our consolidated entities held for investment purposes.
Competition
The financial services industry - and all of our businesses - are intensely competitive, and we expect them to remain so. Our competitors are other entities that provide investment banking, securities and investment management services, as well as those entities that make investments in securities, commodities, derivatives, real estate, loans and other financial assets. These entities include brokers and dealers, investment banking firms, commercial banks, insurance companies, investment advisers, mutual funds, hedge funds, private equity funds and merchant banks. We compete with some entities globally and with others on a regional, product or niche basis. Our competition is based on a number of factors, including transaction execution, products and services, innovation, reputation and price.
We also face intense competition in attracting and retaining qualified employees. Our ability to continue to compete effectively will depend upon our ability to attract new employees, retain and motivate our existing employees and to continue to compensate employees competitively amid intense public and regulatory scrutiny on the compensation practices of large financial institutions. Our pay practices and those of our principal competitors are subject to review by, and the standards of, the Federal Reserve Board and regulators outside the United States, including the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in the United Kingdom. See “Regulation - Banking Regulation” and “Regulation - Compensation Practices” below and “Risk Factors - Our businesses may be adversely affected if we are unable to hire and retain qualified employees” in Part I,

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
We face a variety of risks that are substantial and inherent in our businesses, including market, liquidity, credit, operational, legal, regulatory and reputational risks. The following are some of the more important factors that could affect our businesses.
Our businesses have been and may continue to be adversely affected by conditions in the global financial markets and economic conditions generally.
Our businesses, by their nature, do not produce predictable earnings, and all of our businesses are materially affected by conditions in the global financial markets and economic conditions generally. In the past several years, these conditions have changed suddenly and, for a period of time, very negatively. In 2008 and through early 2009, the financial services industry and the securities markets generally were materially and adversely affected by significant declines in the values of nearly all asset classes and by a serious lack of liquidity. In 2011, concerns about European sovereign debt risk and its impact on the European banking system, and about U.S. growth and uncertainty regarding the U.S. federal debt ceiling, resulted in significant volatility and declines in the prices of most financial asset classes. In addition, declines in the value of sovereign debt held by financial institutions, as well as increased capital and other regulatory requirements and higher funding costs, have negatively impacted the cost of borrowing and access to debt markets for many financial institutions, including us. Such developments have negatively affected client activity.
Since 2008, governments, regulators and central banks in the United States and worldwide have taken numerous steps to increase liquidity and to restore investor and public confidence. In addition, there are numerous legislative and regulatory actions that have been taken to deal with what regulators, politicians and others believe to be the root causes of the financial crisis, including laws and regulations relating to financial institution capital requirements and compensation practices, restrictions on the type of activities
in which financial institutions are permitted to engage, and generally increased regulatory scrutiny. In some cases, additional taxes have been (or have been proposed to be) imposed on us and certain other financial institutions. Many of the regulations that are required to implement this legislation (including the Dodd-Frank Act) are still being drafted or are not yet in effect; therefore, the exact impact that these regulations will have on our businesses, results of operations and cash flows is presently unclear.
National and local governments continue to face difficult financial conditions due to significant reductions in tax revenues, particularly from corporate and personal income taxes, as well as increased outlays for unemployment benefits due to high unemployment levels and the cost of stimulus programs.
Declines in asset values, the lack of liquidity, general uncertainty about economic and market activities and a lack of consumer, investor and CEO confidence have negatively impacted many of our businesses.
Our financial performance is highly dependent on the environment in which our businesses operate. A favorable business environment is generally characterized by, among other factors, high global gross domestic product growth, transparent, liquid and efficient capital markets, low inflation, high business and investor confidence, stable geopolitical conditions, and strong business earnings. Unfavorable or uncertain economic and market conditions can be caused by: concerns about sovereign defaults; declines in economic growth, business activity or investor or business confidence; limitations on the availability or increases in the cost of credit and capital; increases in inflation, interest rates, exchange rate volatility, default rates or the price of basic commodities; outbreaks of hostilities or other geopolitical instability; corporate, political or other scandals that reduce investor confidence in capital markets; natural disasters or pandemics; or a combination of these or other factors.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Our businesses have been and may be adversely affected by declining asset values. This is particularly true for those businesses in which we have net “long” positions, receive fees based on the value of assets managed, or receive or post collateral.
Many of our businesses have net “long” positions in debt securities, loans, derivatives, mortgages, equities (including private equity and real estate) and most other asset classes. These include positions we take when we act as a principal to facilitate our clients’ activities, including our exchange-based market-making activities, or commit large amounts of capital to maintain positions in interest rate and credit products, as well as through our currencies, commodities and equities activities. Because nearly all of these investing, lending and market-making positions are marked-to-market on a daily basis, declines in asset values directly and immediately impact our earnings, unless we have effectively “hedged” our exposures to such declines. In certain circumstances (particularly in the case of leveraged loans and private equities or other securities that are
not freely tradable or lack established and liquid trading markets), it may not be possible or economic to hedge such exposures and to the extent that we do so the hedge may be ineffective or may greatly reduce our ability to profit from increases in the values of the assets. Sudden declines and significant volatility in the prices of assets may substantially curtail or eliminate the trading markets for certain assets, which may make it very difficult to sell, hedge or value such assets. The inability to sell or effectively hedge assets reduces our ability to limit losses in such positions and the difficulty in valuing assets may require us to maintain additional capital and increase our funding costs.
In our exchange-based market-making activities, we are obligated by stock exchange rules to maintain an orderly market, including by purchasing shares in a declining market. In markets where asset values are declining and in volatile markets, this results in losses and an increased need for liquidity.
We receive asset-based management fees based on the value of our clients’ portfolios or investment in funds managed by us and, in some cases, we also receive incentive fees based on increases in the value of such investments. Declines in asset values reduce the value of our clients’ portfolios or fund assets, which in turn reduce the fees we earn for managing such assets.
If financial markets decline, revenues from our variable annuity products are likely to decrease. In addition, unanticipated changes in reinvestment returns, policy lapses or mortality rates may also impact earnings from our insurance activities.
We post collateral to support our obligations and receive collateral to support the obligations of our clients and counterparties in connection with our client execution businesses. When the value of the assets posted as collateral declines, the party posting the collateral may need to provide additional collateral or, if possible, reduce its trading position. A classic example of such a situation is a “margin call” in connection with a brokerage account. Therefore, declines in the value of asset classes used as collateral mean that either the cost of funding positions is increased or the size of positions is decreased. If we are the party providing collateral, this can increase our costs and reduce our profitability and if we are the party receiving collateral, this can also reduce our profitability by reducing the level of business done with our clients and counterparties. In addition, volatile or less liquid markets increase the difficulty of valuing assets which can lead to costly and time-consuming disputes over asset values and the level of required collateral, as well as increased credit risk to the recipient of the collateral due to delays in receiving adequate collateral.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Our businesses have been and may be adversely affected by disruptions in the credit markets, including reduced access to credit and higher costs of obtaining credit.
Widening credit spreads, as well as significant declines in the availability of credit, have in the past adversely affected our ability to borrow on a secured and unsecured basis and may do so in the future. We fund ourselves on an unsecured basis by issuing long-term debt, by accepting deposits at our bank subsidiaries, by issuing promissory notes and commercial paper or by obtaining bank loans or lines of credit. We seek to finance many of our assets on a secured basis, including by entering into repurchase agreements. Any disruptions in the credit markets may make it harder and more expensive to obtain funding for our businesses. If our available funding is limited or we are forced to fund our operations at a higher cost, these conditions may require us to curtail our business activities and increase our cost of funding, both of which could reduce our profitability, particularly in our businesses that involve investing, lending and market making.
Our clients engaging in mergers and acquisitions often rely on access to the secured and unsecured credit markets to finance their transactions. A lack of available credit or an increased cost of credit can adversely affect the size, volume and timing of our clients’ merger and acquisition transactions - particularly large transactions - and adversely affect our financial advisory and underwriting businesses.
In addition, we may incur significant unrealized gains or losses due solely to changes in our credit spreads or those of third parties, as these changes may affect the fair value of our derivative instruments and the debt securities that we hold or issue.
Our market-making activities have been and may be affected by changes in the levels of market volatility.
Certain of our market-making activities depend on market volatility to provide trading and arbitrage opportunities to our clients, and decreases in volatility may reduce these opportunities and adversely affect the results of these activities. On the other hand, increased volatility, while it can increase trading volumes and spreads, also increases risk as measured by Value-at-Risk (VaR) and may expose us to increased risks in connection with our market-making activities or cause us to reduce our market-making positions in order to avoid increasing our VaR. Limiting the size of our market-making positions can adversely affect our profitability, even though spreads are widening and we may earn more on each trade. In periods when volatility is increasing, but asset values are declining significantly, it
may not be possible to sell assets at all or it may only be possible to do so at steep discounts. In such circumstances we may be forced to either take on additional risk or to incur losses in order to decrease our VaR. In addition, increases in volatility increase the level of our risk weighted assets and increase our capital requirements, both of which in turn increase our funding costs.
Our investment banking, client execution and investment management businesses have been adversely affected and may continue to be adversely affected by market uncertainty or lack of confidence among investors and CEOs due to general declines in economic activity and other unfavorable economic, geopolitical or market conditions.
Our investment banking business has been and may continue to be adversely affected by market conditions. Poor economic conditions and other adverse geopolitical conditions can adversely affect and have adversely affected investor and CEO confidence, resulting in significant industry-wide declines in the size and number of underwritings and of financial advisory transactions, which could have an adverse effect on our revenues and our profit margins. In particular, because a significant portion of our investment banking revenues is derived from our participation in large transactions, a decline in the number of large transactions would adversely affect our investment banking business.
In certain circumstances, market uncertainty or general declines in market or economic activity may affect our client execution businesses by decreasing levels of overall activity or by decreasing volatility, but at other times market uncertainty and even declining economic activity may result in higher trading volumes or higher spreads or both.
Market uncertainty, volatility and adverse economic conditions, as well as declines in asset values, may cause our clients to transfer their assets out of our funds or other products or their brokerage accounts and result in reduced net revenues, principally in our investment management business. To the extent that clients do not withdraw their funds, they may invest them in products that generate less fee income.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Our investment management business may be affected by the poor investment performance of our investment products.
Poor investment returns in our investment management business, due to either general market conditions or underperformance (relative to our competitors or to benchmarks) by funds or accounts that we manage or investment products that we design or sell, affects our ability to retain existing assets and to attract new clients or additional assets from existing clients. This could affect the management and incentive fees that we earn on assets under management or the commissions that we earn for selling other investment products, such as structured notes or derivatives.
We may incur losses as a result of ineffective risk management processes and strategies.
We seek to monitor and control our risk exposure through a risk and control framework encompassing a variety of separate but complementary financial, credit, operational, compliance and legal reporting systems, internal controls, management review processes and other mechanisms. Our risk management process seeks to balance our ability to profit from market-making, investing or lending positions with our exposure to potential losses. While we employ a broad and diversified set of risk monitoring and risk mitigation techniques, those techniques and the judgments that accompany their application cannot anticipate every economic and financial outcome or the specifics and timing of such outcomes. Thus, we may, in the course of our activities, incur losses. Market conditions in recent years have involved unprecedented dislocations and highlight the limitations inherent in using historical data to manage risk.
The models that we use to assess and control our risk exposures reflect assumptions about the degrees of correlation or lack thereof among prices of various asset classes or other market indicators. In times of market stress or other unforeseen circumstances, such as occurred during 2008 and early 2009, and to some extent in 2011, previously uncorrelated indicators may become correlated, or conversely previously correlated indicators may move in different directions. These types of market movements have at times limited the effectiveness of our hedging strategies and have caused us to incur significant losses, and they may do so in the future. These changes in correlation can be exacerbated where other market participants are using risk or trading models with assumptions or algorithms that are similar to ours. In these and other cases, it may be difficult to reduce our risk positions due to the activity of other
market participants or widespread market dislocations, including circumstances where asset values are declining significantly or no market exists for certain assets.
To the extent that we have positions through our market-making or origination activities or we make investments directly through our investing activities in securities, including private equity, that do not have an established liquid trading market or are otherwise subject to restrictions on sale or hedging, we may not be able to reduce our positions and therefore reduce our risk associated with such positions. In addition, we invest our own capital in private equity, debt, real estate and hedge funds that we manage and limitations on our ability to withdraw some or all of our investments in these funds, whether for legal, reputational or other reasons, may make it more difficult for us to control the risk exposures relating to these investments.
For a further discussion of our risk management policies and procedures, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Risk Management” in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K.
Our liquidity, profitability and businesses may be adversely affected by an inability to access the debt capital markets or to sell assets or by a reduction in our credit ratings or by an increase in our credit spreads.
Liquidity is essential to our businesses. Our liquidity may be impaired by an inability to access secured and/or unsecured debt markets, an inability to access funds from our subsidiaries, an inability to sell assets or redeem our investments, or unforeseen outflows of cash or collateral. This situation may arise due to circumstances that we may be unable to control, such as a general market disruption or an operational problem that affects third parties or us, or even by the perception among market participants that we, or other market participants, are experiencing greater liquidity risk.
The financial instruments that we hold and the contracts to which we are a party are complex, as we employ structured products to benefit our clients and ourselves, and these complex structured products often do not have readily available markets to access in times of liquidity stress. Our investing and lending activities may lead to situations where the holdings from these activities represent a significant portion of specific markets, which could restrict liquidity for our positions.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Further, our ability to sell assets may be impaired if other market participants are seeking to sell similar assets at the same time, as is likely to occur in a liquidity or other market crisis. In addition, financial institutions with which we interact may exercise set-off rights or the right to require additional collateral, including in difficult market conditions, which could further impair our access to liquidity.
Our credit ratings are important to our liquidity. A reduction in our credit ratings could adversely affect our liquidity and competitive position, increase our borrowing costs, limit our access to the capital markets or trigger our obligations under certain provisions in some of our trading and collateralized financing contracts. Under these provisions, counterparties could be permitted to terminate contracts with Goldman Sachs or require us to post additional collateral. Termination of our trading and collateralized financing contracts could cause us to sustain losses and impair our liquidity by requiring us to find other sources of financing or to make significant cash payments or securities movements. Certain rating agencies have indicated that the Dodd-Frank Act could result in the rating agencies reducing their assumed level of government support and therefore result in ratings downgrades for certain large financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs. As of December 2011, each of Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and Ratings and Investment Information, Inc. had issued a negative outlook on our long-term credit ratings. As of December 2011, in the event of a one-notch and two-notch downgrade of our credit ratings our counterparties could have called for additional collateral or termination payments in an aggregate amount of $1.30 billion and $2.18 billion, respectively.
Our cost of obtaining long-term unsecured funding is directly related to our credit spreads (the amount in excess of the interest rate of U.S. Treasury securities (or other benchmark securities) of the same maturity that we need to pay to our debt investors). Increases in our credit spreads can significantly increase our cost of this funding. Changes in credit spreads are continuous, market-driven, and subject at times to unpredictable and highly volatile movements. Credit spreads are influenced by market perceptions of our creditworthiness. In addition, our credit spreads may be influenced by movements in the costs to purchasers of credit default swaps referenced to our long-term debt. The market for credit default swaps, although very large, has proven to be extremely volatile and currently lacks a high degree of structure or transparency.
Conflicts of interest are increasing and a failure to appropriately identify and address conflicts of interest could adversely affect our businesses.
As we have expanded the scope of our businesses and our client base, we increasingly must address potential conflicts of interest, including situations where our services to a particular client or our own investments or other interests conflict, or are perceived to conflict, with the interests of another client, as well as situations where one or more of our businesses have access to material non-public information that may not be shared with other businesses within the firm and situations where we may be a creditor of an entity with which we also have an advisory or other relationship.
In addition, our status as a bank holding company subjects us to heightened regulation and increased regulatory scrutiny by the Federal Reserve Board with respect to transactions between GS Bank USA and entities that are or could be viewed as affiliates of ours.
We have extensive procedures and controls that are designed to identify and address conflicts of interest, including those designed to prevent the improper sharing of information among our businesses. However, appropriately identifying and dealing with conflicts of interest is complex and difficult, and our reputation, which is one of our most important assets, could be damaged and the willingness of clients to enter into transactions with us may be affected if we fail, or appear to fail, to identify, disclose and deal appropriately with conflicts of interest. In addition, potential or perceived conflicts could give rise to litigation or regulatory enforcement actions.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Group Inc. is a holding company and is dependent for liquidity on payments from its subsidiaries, many of which are subject to restrictions.
Group Inc. is a holding company and, therefore, depends on dividends, distributions and other payments from its subsidiaries to fund dividend payments and to fund all payments on its obligations, including debt obligations. Many of our subsidiaries, including our broker-dealer, bank and insurance subsidiaries, are subject to laws that restrict dividend payments or authorize regulatory bodies to block or reduce the flow of funds from those subsidiaries to Group Inc. In addition, our broker-dealer, bank and insurance subsidiaries are subject to restrictions on their ability to lend or transact with affiliates and to minimum regulatory capital requirements, as well as restrictions on their ability to use funds deposited with them in brokerage or bank accounts to fund their businesses. Additional restrictions on related-party transactions, increased capital requirements and additional limitations on the use of funds on deposit in bank or brokerage accounts, as well as lower earnings, can reduce the amount of funds available to meet the obligations of Group Inc. and even require Group Inc. to provide additional funding to such subsidiaries. Restrictions or regulatory action of that kind could impede access to funds that Group Inc. needs to make payments on its obligations, including debt obligations, or dividend payments. In addition, Group Inc.’s right to participate in a distribution of assets upon a subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors.
Furthermore, Group Inc. has guaranteed the payment obligations of certain of its subsidiaries, including GS&Co., GS Bank USA, GS Bank Europe and GSEC subject to certain exceptions, and has pledged significant assets to GS Bank USA to support obligations to GS Bank USA. In addition, Group Inc. guarantees many of the obligations of its other consolidated subsidiaries on a transaction-by-transaction basis, as negotiated with counterparties. These guarantees may require Group Inc. to provide substantial funds or assets to its subsidiaries or their creditors or counterparties at a time when Group Inc. is in need of liquidity to fund its own obligations. See “Business - Regulation” in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K for a further discussion of regulatory restrictions.
Our businesses, profitability and liquidity may be adversely affected by deterioration in the credit quality of, or defaults by, third parties who owe us money, securities or other assets or whose securities or obligations we hold.
We are exposed to the risk that third parties that owe us money, securities or other assets will not perform their obligations. These parties may default on their obligations to us due to bankruptcy, lack of liquidity, operational failure or other reasons. A failure of a significant market participant, or even concerns about a default by such an institution, could lead to significant liquidity problems, losses or defaults by other institutions, which in turn could adversely affect us.
We are also subject to the risk that our rights against third parties may not be enforceable in all circumstances. In addition, deterioration in the credit quality of third parties whose securities or obligations we hold could result in losses and/or adversely affect our ability to rehypothecate or otherwise use those securities or obligations for liquidity purposes. A significant downgrade in the credit ratings of our counterparties could also have a negative impact on our results. While in many cases we are permitted to require additional collateral from counterparties that experience financial difficulty, disputes may arise as to the amount of collateral we are entitled to receive and the value of pledged assets. The termination of contracts and the foreclosure on collateral may subject us to claims for the improper exercise of our rights. Default rates, downgrades and disputes with counterparties as to the valuation of collateral increase significantly in times of market stress and illiquidity.
As part of our clearing and prime brokerage activities, we finance our clients’ positions, and we could be held responsible for the defaults or misconduct of our clients. Although we regularly review credit exposures to specific clients and counterparties and to specific industries, countries and regions that we believe may present credit concerns, default risk may arise from events or circumstances that are difficult to detect or foresee.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Concentration of risk increases the potential for significant losses in our market-making, underwriting, investing and lending activities.
Concentration of risk increases the potential for significant losses in our market-making, underwriting, investing and lending activities. The number and size of such transactions may affect our results of operations in a given period. Moreover, because of concentration of risk, we may suffer losses even when economic and market conditions are generally favorable for our competitors. Disruptions in the credit markets can make it difficult to hedge these credit exposures effectively or economically. In addition, we extend large commitments as part of our credit origination activities. The Dodd-Frank Act will require issuers of asset-backed securities and any person who organizes and initiates an asset-backed securities transaction to retain economic exposure to the asset, which could significantly increase the cost to us of engaging in securitization activities. Our inability to reduce our credit risk by selling, syndicating or securitizing these positions, including during periods of market stress, could negatively affect our results of operations due to a decrease in the fair value of the positions, including due to the insolvency or bankruptcy of the borrower, as well as the loss of revenues associated with selling such securities or loans.
In the ordinary course of business, we may be subject to a concentration of credit risk to a particular counterparty, borrower or issuer, including sovereign issuers, and a failure or downgrade of, or default by, such entity could negatively impact our businesses, perhaps materially, and the systems by which we set limits and monitor the level of our credit exposure to individual entities, industries and countries may not function as we have anticipated. While our activities expose us to many different industries and counterparties, we routinely execute a high volume of transactions with counterparties engaged in financial services activities, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, clearing houses, exchanges and investment funds. This has resulted in significant credit concentration with respect to these counterparties. Provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act are expected to lead to increased centralization of trading activity through particular clearing houses, central agents or exchanges, which may increase our concentration of risk with respect to these entities.
The financial services industry is highly competitive.
The financial services industry and all of our businesses are intensely competitive, and we expect them to remain so. We compete on the basis of a number of factors, including transaction execution, our products and services, innovation, reputation, creditworthiness and price. Over time, there has been substantial consolidation and convergence among companies in the financial services industry. This trend accelerated over recent years as a result of numerous mergers and asset acquisitions among industry participants. This trend has also hastened the globalization of the securities and other financial services markets. As a result, we have had to commit capital to support our international operations and to execute large global transactions. To the extent we expand into new business areas and new geographic regions, we will face competitors with more experience and more established relationships with clients, regulators and industry participants in the relevant market, which could adversely affect our ability to expand. Governments and regulators have recently adopted regulations, imposed taxes or otherwise put forward various proposals that have or may impact our ability to conduct certain of our businesses in a cost-effective manner or at all in certain or all jurisdictions, including proposals relating to restrictions on the type of activities in which financial institutions are permitted to engage. These or other similar rules, many of which do not apply to all our U.S. or non-U.S. competitors, could impact our ability to compete effectively.
Pricing and other competitive pressures in our businesses have continued to increase, particularly in situations where some of our competitors may seek to increase market share by reducing prices. For example, in connection with investment banking and other assignments, we have experienced pressure to extend and price credit at levels that may not always fully compensate us for the risks we take.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
We face enhanced risks as new business initiatives lead us to transact with a broader array of clients and counterparties and expose us to new asset classes and new markets.
A number of our recent and planned business initiatives and expansions of existing businesses may bring us into contact, directly or indirectly, with individuals and entities that are not within our traditional client and counterparty base and expose us to new asset classes and new markets. For example, we are increasingly transacting business and investing in new regions, including a wider range of emerging and growth markets. Furthermore, in a number of our businesses, including where we make markets, invest and lend, we directly or indirectly own interests in, or otherwise become affiliated with the ownership and operation of public services, such as airports, toll roads and shipping ports, as well as power generation facilities, physical commodities and other commodities infrastructure components, both within and outside the United States. Recent market conditions may lead to an increase in opportunities to acquire distressed assets and we may determine opportunistically to increase our exposure to these types of assets.
These activities expose us to new and enhanced risks, including risks associated with dealing with governmental entities, reputational concerns arising from dealing with less sophisticated counterparties and investors, greater regulatory scrutiny of these activities, increased credit-related, sovereign and operational risks, risks arising from accidents or acts of terrorism, and reputational concerns with the manner in which these assets are being operated or held.
Derivative transactions and delayed settlements may expose us to unexpected risk and potential losses.
We are party to a large number of derivative transactions, including credit derivatives. Many of these derivative instruments are individually negotiated and non-standardized, which can make exiting, transferring or settling positions difficult. Many credit derivatives require that we deliver to the counterparty the underlying security, loan or other obligation in order to receive payment. In a number of cases, we do not hold the underlying security, loan or other obligation and may not be able to obtain the underlying security, loan or other obligation. This could cause us to forfeit the payments due to us under these contracts or result in settlement delays with the attendant credit and operational risk as well as increased costs to the firm. Derivative transactions may also involve the risk that they are not authorized or appropriate for a counterparty,
that documentation has not been properly executed or that executed agreements may not be enforceable against the counterparty.
Derivative contracts and other transactions, including secondary bank loan purchases and sales, entered into with third parties are not always confirmed by the counterparties or settled on a timely basis. While the transaction remains unconfirmed or during any delay in settlement, we are subject to heightened credit and operational risk and in the event of a default may find it more difficult to enforce our rights. In addition, as new and more complex derivative products are created, covering a wider array of underlying credit and other instruments, disputes about the terms of the underlying contracts could arise, which could impair our ability to effectively manage our risk exposures from these products and subject us to increased costs. The provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act requiring central clearing of credit derivatives and other OTC derivatives, or a market shift toward standardized derivatives, could reduce the risk associated with such transactions, but under certain circumstances could also limit our ability to develop derivatives that best suit the needs of our clients and ourselves and adversely affect our profitability and increase our credit exposure to such platform.
Our businesses may be adversely affected if we are unable to hire and retain qualified employees.
Our performance is largely dependent on the talents and efforts of highly skilled individuals; therefore, our continued ability to compete effectively in our businesses, to manage our businesses effectively and to expand into new businesses and geographic areas depends on our ability to attract new talented and diverse employees and to retain and motivate our existing employees. Factors that affect our ability to attract and retain such employees include our compensation and benefits, and our reputation as a successful business with a culture of fairly hiring, training and promoting qualified employees.
Competition from within the financial services industry and from businesses outside the financial services industry for qualified employees has often been intense. This is particularly the case in emerging and growth markets, where we are often competing for qualified employees with entities that have a significantly greater presence or more extensive experience in the region.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
As described further in “Business - Regulation - Banking Regulation” and “Regulation - Compensation Practices” in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K, our compensation practices are subject to review by, and the standards of, the Federal Reserve Board. As a large financial and banking institution, we are subject to limitations on compensation practices (which may or may not affect our competitors) by the Federal Reserve Board, the FSA, the FDIC or other regulators worldwide. These limitations, including any imposed by or as a result of future legislation or regulation, may require us to alter our compensation practices in ways that could adversely affect our ability to attract and retain talented employees. We may also be required to make additional disclosure with respect to the compensation of employees, including non-executive officers, in a manner that directly or indirectly results in the identity of such employees and their compensation being made public. Any such additional public disclosure of employee compensation may also make it difficult to attract and retain talented employees.
Our businesses and those of our clients are subject to extensive and pervasive regulation around the world.
As a participant in the financial services industry and a bank holding company, we are subject to extensive regulation in jurisdictions around the world. We face the risk of significant intervention by regulatory and taxing authorities in all jurisdictions in which we conduct our businesses. Among other things, as a result of regulators enforcing existing laws and regulations, we could be fined, prohibited from engaging in some of our business activities, subject to limitations or conditions on our business activities or subjected to new or substantially higher taxes or other governmental charges in connection with the conduct of our business or with respect to our employees.
There is also the risk that new laws or regulations or changes in enforcement of existing laws or regulations applicable to our businesses or those of our clients, including capital, liquidity and margin requirements, tax burdens and compensation restrictions, could be imposed on a limited subset of financial institutions (either based on size, activities, geography or other criteria), which may adversely affect our ability to compete effectively with other institutions that are not affected in the same way. In addition, regulation imposed on financial institutions or market participants generally, such as taxes on financial transactions, could adversely impact levels of market activity more broadly, and thus impact our businesses.
The impact of such developments could impact our profitability in the affected jurisdictions, or even make it uneconomic for us to continue to conduct all or certain of our businesses in such jurisdictions, or could cause us to incur significant costs associated with changing our business practices, restructuring our businesses, moving all or certain of our businesses and our employees to other locations or complying with applicable capital requirements, including liquidating assets or raising capital in a manner that adversely increases our funding costs or otherwise adversely affects our shareholders and creditors.
U.S. and non-U.S. regulatory developments, in particular the Dodd-Frank Act and Basel 3, will significantly alter the regulatory framework within which we operate and may adversely affect our competitive position and profitability. Among the aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act most likely to affect our businesses are: the prohibition on proprietary trading and the limitation on the sponsorship of, and investment in, hedge funds and private equity funds by bank holding companies and other banking entities; increased capital requirements; increased regulation of and restrictions on over-the-counter derivatives markets and transactions; limitations on incentive compensation; the prohibition on certain swaps-based activities through an insured depository institution; limitations on affiliate transactions; the establishment and annual updating of a resolution plan; the creation of a new systemic oversight body, the FSOC; increased deposit insurance assessments; and increased standards of care for broker-dealers in dealing with clients. The implementation of higher capital requirements, the liquidity coverage ratio and the net stable funding ratio under Basel 3 may adversely affect our profitability and competitive position, particularly if the requirements do not apply, or do not apply equally, to our competitors or are not implemented uniformly across jurisdictions.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
In addition, the attorneys general of a number of states have filed lawsuits against financial institutions alleging, among other things, that the centralized system of recording mortgages and designating a common entity as the mortgage holder is in violation of state law, and other authorities have indicated that they are contemplating similar actions. If this system and related practices are deemed invalid, it may call into question the validity or enforceability of certain mortgage-related obligations under securitizations and other transactions in which we have participated, negatively impact the market for mortgages and mortgage-related products and our mortgage-related activities, or subject us to additional costs or penalties.
For a discussion of the extensive regulation to which our businesses are subject, see “Business - Regulation” in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K.
We may be adversely affected by increased governmental and regulatory scrutiny or negative publicity.
Governmental scrutiny from regulators, legislative bodies and law enforcement agencies with respect to matters relating to compensation, our business practices, our past actions and other matters has increased dramatically in the past several years. The financial crisis and the current political and public sentiment regarding financial institutions has resulted in a significant amount of adverse press coverage, as well as adverse statements or charges by regulators or other government officials. Press coverage and other public statements that assert some form of wrongdoing often result in some type of investigation by regulators, legislators and law enforcement officials or in lawsuits. Responding to these investigations and lawsuits, regardless of the ultimate outcome of the proceeding, is time consuming and expensive and can divert the time and effort of our senior management from our business. Penalties and fines sought by regulatory authorities have increased substantially over the last several years, and certain regulators have been more likely in recent years to commence enforcement actions or to advance or support legislation targeted at the financial services industry. Adverse publicity, governmental scrutiny and legal and enforcement proceedings can also have a negative impact on our reputation and on the morale and performance of our employees, which could adversely affect our businesses and results of operations.
A failure in our operational systems or infrastructure, or those of third parties, could impair our liquidity, disrupt our businesses, result in the disclosure of confidential information, damage our reputation and cause losses.
Our businesses are highly dependent on our ability to process and monitor, on a daily basis, a very large number of transactions, many of which are highly complex, across numerous and diverse markets in many currencies. These transactions, as well as the information technology services we provide to clients, often must adhere to client-specific guidelines, as well as legal and regulatory standards.
As our client base and our geographical reach expands, developing and maintaining our operational systems and infrastructure becomes increasingly challenging. Our financial, accounting, data processing or other operational systems and facilities may fail to operate properly or become disabled as a result of events that are wholly or partially beyond our control, such as a spike in transaction volume, adversely affecting our ability to process these transactions or provide these services. We must continuously update these systems to support our operations and growth and to respond to changes in regulations and markets. This updating entails significant costs and creates risks associated with implementing new systems and integrating them with existing ones.
In addition, we also face the risk of operational failure, termination or capacity constraints of any of the clearing agents, exchanges, clearing houses or other financial intermediaries we use to facilitate our securities transactions, and as our interconnectivity with our clients grows, we increasingly face the risk of operational failure with respect to our clients’ systems.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
In recent years, there has been significant consolidation among clearing agents, exchanges and clearing houses and an increasing number of derivative transactions are now or in the near future will be cleared on exchanges, which has increased our exposure to operational failure, termination or capacity constraints of the particular financial intermediaries that we use and could affect our ability to find adequate and cost-effective alternatives in the event of any such failure, termination or constraint. Industry consolidation, whether among market participants or financial intermediaries, increases the risk of operational failure as disparate complex systems need to be integrated, often on an accelerated basis.
Furthermore, the interconnectivity of multiple financial institutions with central agents, exchanges and clearing houses, and the increased centrality of these entities, increases the risk that an operational failure at one institution or entity may cause an industry-wide operational failure that could materially impact our ability to conduct business. Any such failure, termination or constraint could adversely affect our ability to effect transactions, service our clients, manage our exposure to risk or expand our businesses or result in financial loss or liability to our clients, impairment of our liquidity, disruption of our businesses, regulatory intervention or reputational damage.
Despite the resiliency plans and facilities we have in place, our ability to conduct business may be adversely impacted by a disruption in the infrastructure that supports our businesses and the communities in which we are located. This may include a disruption involving electrical, satellite, undersea cable or other communications, internet, transportation or other services facilities used by us or third parties with which we conduct business. These disruptions may occur as a result of events that affect only our buildings or systems or those of such third parties, or as a result of events with a broader impact globally, regionally or in the cities where those buildings or systems are located.
Nearly all of our employees in our primary locations, including the New York metropolitan area, London, Bangalore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Salt Lake City, work in close proximity to one another, in one or more buildings. Notwithstanding our efforts to maintain business continuity, given that our headquarters and the largest concentration of our employees are in the New York metropolitan area, depending on the intensity and longevity of the event, a catastrophic event impacting our New York metropolitan area offices could very negatively affect our
business. If a disruption occurs in one location and our employees in that location are unable to occupy our offices or communicate with or travel to other locations, our ability to service and interact with our clients may suffer, and we may not be able to successfully implement contingency plans that depend on communication or travel.
Our operations rely on the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information in our computer systems and networks. We are regularly the target of attempted cyber attacks and must continuously monitor and develop our systems to protect our technology infrastructure and data from misappropriation or corruption. Although we take protective measures and endeavor to modify them as circumstances warrant, our computer systems, software and networks may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, misuse, computer viruses or other malicious code and other events that could have a security impact. If one or more of such events occur, this potentially could jeopardize our or our clients’ or counterparties’ confidential and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our computer systems and networks, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our, our clients’, our counterparties’ or third parties’ operations, which could result in significant losses or reputational damage. We expect to expend significant additional resources on an ongoing basis to modify our protective measures and to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures, and we may be subject to litigation and financial losses that are either not insured against or not fully covered through any insurance maintained by us.
We routinely transmit and receive personal, confidential and proprietary information by email and other electronic means. We have discussed and worked with clients, vendors, service providers, counterparties and other third parties to develop secure transmission capabilities and prevent against cyber attacks, but we do not have, and may be unable to put in place, secure capabilities with all of our clients, vendors, service providers, counterparties and other third parties and we may not be able to ensure that these third parties have appropriate controls in place to protect the confidentiality of the information. An interception, misuse or mishandling of personal, confidential or proprietary information being sent to or received from a client, vendor, service provider, counterparty or other third party could result in legal liability, regulatory action and reputational harm.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Substantial legal liability or significant regulatory action against us could have material adverse financial effects or cause us significant reputational harm, which in turn could seriously harm our business prospects.
We face significant legal risks in our businesses, and the volume of claims and amount of damages and penalties claimed in litigation and regulatory proceedings against financial institutions remain high. See “Legal Proceedings” in Part I, Item 3 of this Form 10-K for a discussion of certain legal proceedings in which we are involved. Our experience has been that legal claims by customers and clients increase in a market downturn and that employment-related claims increase following periods in which we have reduced our staff.
The growth of electronic trading and the introduction of new trading technology may adversely affect our business and may increase competition.
Technology is fundamental to our business and our industry. The growth of electronic trading and the introduction of new technologies is changing our businesses and presenting us with new challenges. Securities, futures and options transactions are increasingly occurring electronically, both on our own systems and through other alternative trading systems, and it appears that the trend toward alternative trading systems will continue and probably accelerate. Some of these alternative trading systems compete with us, particularly our exchange-based market-making activities, and we may experience continued competitive pressures in these and other areas. In addition, the increased use by our clients of low-cost electronic trading systems and direct electronic access to trading markets could cause a reduction in commissions and spreads. As our clients increasingly use our systems to trade directly in the markets, we may incur liabilities as a result of their use of our order routing and execution infrastructure. We have invested significant resources into the development of electronic trading systems and expect to continue to do so, but there is no assurance that the revenues generated by these systems will yield an adequate return on our investment, particularly given the relatively lower commissions arising from electronic trades.
Our commodities activities, particularly our power generation interests and our physical commodities activities, subject us to extensive regulation, potential catastrophic events and environmental, reputational and other risks that may expose us to significant liabilities and costs.
We engage in, or invest in entities that engage in, the production, storage, transportation, marketing and trading of numerous commodities, including crude oil, oil products, natural gas, electric power, agricultural products, metals (base and precious), minerals (including uranium), emission credits, coal, freight, liquefied natural gas and related products and indices. These activities subject us to extensive and evolving federal, state and local energy, environmental and other governmental laws and regulations worldwide, including environmental laws and regulations relating to, among others, air quality, water quality, waste management, transportation of hazardous substances, natural resources, site remediation and health and safety. Additionally, rising climate change concerns may lead to additional regulation that could increase the operating costs and profitability of our investments.
We may incur substantial costs in complying with current or future laws and regulations relating to our commodities-related activities and investments, particularly electric power generation, transportation and storage of physical commodities and wholesale sales and trading of electricity and natural gas. Compliance with these laws and regulations could require us to commit significant capital toward environmental monitoring, installation of pollution control equipment, renovation of storage facilities or transport vessels, payment of emission fees and carbon or other taxes, and application for, and holding of, permits and licenses.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Our commodities-related activities are also subject to the risk of unforeseen or catastrophic events, many of which are outside of our control, including breakdown or failure of power generation equipment, transmission lines, transport vessels, storage facilities or other equipment or processes or other mechanical malfunctions, fires, leaks, spills or release of hazardous substances, performance below expected levels of output or efficiency, terrorist attacks, natural disasters or other hostile or catastrophic events. In addition, we rely on third-party suppliers or service providers to perform their contractual obligations and any failure on their part, including the failure to obtain raw materials at reasonable prices or to safely transport or store commodities, could adversely affect our activities. Also, we may not be able to obtain insurance to cover some of these risks and the insurance that we have may be inadequate to cover our losses.
The occurrence of any of such events may prevent us from performing under our agreements with clients, may impair our operations or financial results and may result in litigation, regulatory action, negative publicity or other reputational harm.
In conducting our businesses around the world, we are subject to political, economic, legal, operational and other risks that are inherent in operating in many countries.
In conducting our businesses and maintaining and supporting our global operations, we are subject to risks of possible nationalization, expropriation, price controls, capital controls, exchange controls and other restrictive governmental actions, as well as the outbreak of hostilities or acts of terrorism. In many countries, the laws and regulations applicable to the securities and financial services industries and many of the transactions in which we are involved are uncertain and evolving, and it may be difficult for us to determine the exact requirements of local laws in every market. Any determination by local regulators that we have not acted in compliance with the application of local laws in a particular market or our failure to develop effective working relationships with local regulators could have a significant and negative effect not only on our businesses in that market but also on our reputation generally. We are also subject to the enhanced risk that transactions we structure might not be legally enforceable in all cases.
Our businesses and operations are increasingly expanding into new regions throughout the world, including emerging and growth markets, and we expect this trend to continue. Various emerging and growth market countries have experienced severe economic and financial disruptions, including significant devaluations of their currencies, defaults or threatened defaults on sovereign debt, capital and currency exchange controls, and low or negative growth rates in their economies, as well as military activity or acts of terrorism. The possible effects of any of these conditions include an adverse impact on our businesses and increased volatility in financial markets generally.
While business and other practices throughout the world differ, our principal legal entities are subject in their operations worldwide to rules and regulations relating to corrupt and illegal payments and money laundering, as well as laws relating to doing business with certain individuals, groups and countries, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the USA PATRIOT Act and U.K. Bribery Act. While we have invested and continue to invest significant resources in training and in compliance monitoring, the geographical diversity of our operations, employees, clients and customers, as well as the vendors and other third parties that we deal with, greatly increases the risk that we may be found in violation of such rules or regulations and any such violation could subject us to significant penalties or adversely affect our reputation.
In addition, there have been a number of highly publicized cases around the world, involving actual or alleged fraud or other misconduct by employees in the financial services industry in recent years, and we run the risk that employee misconduct could occur. This misconduct has included and may include in the future the theft of proprietary information, including proprietary software. It is not always possible to deter or prevent employee misconduct and the precautions we take to prevent and detect this activity have not been and may not be effective in all cases.
We may incur losses as a result of unforeseen or catastrophic events, including the emergence of a pandemic, terrorist attacks or natural disasters.
The occurrence of unforeseen or catastrophic events, including the emergence of a pandemic or other widespread health emergency (or concerns over the possibility of such an emergency), terrorist attacks or natural disasters, could create economic and financial disruptions, could lead to operational difficulties (including travel limitations) that could impair our ability to manage our businesses.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
In our life and our property catastrophe insurance activities, losses related to unforeseen or catastrophic events could significantly exceed the related reserves and reinsurance proceeds.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
There are no material unresolved written comments that were received from the SEC staff 180 days or more before the end of our fiscal year relating to our periodic or current reports under the Exchange Act.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties
Our principal executive offices are located at 200 West Street, New York, New York and comprise approximately 2.1 million gross square feet. The building is located on a parcel leased from Battery Park City Authority pursuant to a ground lease. Under the lease, Battery Park City Authority holds title to all improvements, including the office building, subject to Goldman Sachs’ right of exclusive possession and use until June 2069, the expiration date of the lease. Under the terms of the ground lease, we made a lump sum ground rent payment in June 2007 of $161 million for rent through the term of the lease.
We have offices at 30 Hudson Street in Jersey City, New Jersey, which we own and which include approximately 1.6 million gross square feet of office space, and we own over 700,000 square feet of additional commercial space spread among four locations in New York and New Jersey. We lease approximately 1.1 million rentable square feet in the New York Metropolitan Area.
We have additional offices in the U.S. and elsewhere in the Americas, which together comprise approximately 2.2 million rentable square feet of leased space.
In Europe, the Middle East and Africa, we have offices that total approximately 2.0 million rentable square feet of leased space. Our European headquarters is located in London at Peterborough Court, pursuant to a lease expiring in 2026. In total, we lease approximately 1.6 million rentable square feet in London through various leases, relating to various properties.
In Asia (including India), Australia and New Zealand, we have offices that total approximately 2.1 million rentable square feet. Our headquarters in this region are in Tokyo, at the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, and in Hong Kong, at the Cheung Kong Center. In Tokyo, we currently lease approximately 400,000 rentable square feet, the majority of which will expire in 2018. In Hong Kong, we currently lease approximately 340,000 rentable square feet under lease agreements, the majority of which will expire in 2017.
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations - Contractual Obligations” in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K for a discussion of exit costs we may incur in the future to the extent we (i) reduce our space capacity or (ii) commit to, or occupy, new properties in the locations in which we operate and, consequently, dispose of existing space that had been held for potential growth.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
We are involved in a number of judicial, regulatory and arbitration proceedings concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of our businesses. Many of these proceedings are at preliminary stages, and many of these cases seek an indeterminate amount of damages. However, we believe, based on currently available information, that the results of such proceedings, in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, but may be material to our operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period. Given the range of litigation and investigations presently under way, our litigation expenses can be expected to remain high. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Use of Estimates” in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K. See Note 27 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for information on certain judicial, regulatory and legal proceedings.

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ITEM 4. RESERVED
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Executive Officers of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
Set forth below are the name, age, present title, principal occupation and certain biographical information as of February 1, 2012 for our executive officers. All of our executive officers have been appointed by and serve at the pleasure of our board of directors.
Lloyd C. Blankfein, 57
Mr. Blankfein has been our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since June 2006, and a director since April 2003. Previously, he had been our President and Chief Operating Officer since January 2004. Prior to that, from April 2002 until January 2004, he was a Vice Chairman of Goldman Sachs, with management responsibility for Goldman Sachs’ Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Division (FICC) and Equities Division (Equities). Prior to becoming a Vice Chairman, he had served as co-head of FICC since its formation in 1997. From 1994 to 1997, he headed or co-headed the Currency and Commodities Division. Mr. Blankfein is not currently on the board of any public company other than Goldman Sachs. He is affiliated with certain non-profit organizations, including as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board at Harvard Law School, the Dean’s Council at Harvard University and the Advisory Board of the Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management, an overseer of the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Partnership for New York City.
Alan M. Cohen, 61
Mr. Cohen has been an Executive Vice President of Goldman Sachs and our Global Head of Compliance since February 2004. From 1991 until January 2004, he was a partner in the law firm of O’Melveny & Myers LLP. He is affiliated with certain non-profit organizations, including as a board member of the New York Stem Cell Foundation.
Gary D. Cohn, 51
Mr. Cohn has been our President and Chief Operating Officer (or Co-Chief Operating Officer) and a director since June 2006. From December 2003 to June 2006, he was the co-head of our global Securities businesses, having been the co-head of FICC since September 2002. Prior to that, Mr. Cohn served as co-chief operating officer of FICC after having been responsible for Commodities and a number of other FICC businesses from 1999 to 2002. He was the head of Commodities from 1996 to 1999. Mr. Cohn is not currently on the board of any public company other than Goldman Sachs. He is affiliated with certain non-profit organizations, including NYU Hospital, NYU Medical School, the Harlem Children’s Zone and American University.
Edith W. Cooper, 50
Ms. Cooper has been an Executive Vice President of Goldman Sachs since April 2011 and our Global Head of Human Capital Management since March 2008. From 2002 to 2008, she served in various positions at the firm, including sales management within the Securities Division. In 2002, she was responsible for the firm’s Futures business and, prior to that, she was co-head of the commodities business in Europe and Asia.
J. Michael Evans, 54
Mr. Evans has been the global head of Growth Markets since January 2011, a Vice Chairman of Goldman Sachs since February 2008 and chairman of Goldman Sachs Asia since 2004. Prior to becoming a Vice Chairman, he had served as global co-head of Goldman Sachs’ securities business since 2003. Previously, he had been co-head of the Equities Division since 2001. Mr. Evans serves as a trustee of the Bendheim Center for Finance at Princeton University, serves as Chairman of the Board of Right to Play, USA, is a member of the Board of City Harvest and is a trustee of The Asia Society.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Gregory K. Palm, 63
Mr. Palm has been an Executive Vice President of Goldman Sachs since May 1999, and our General Counsel and head or co-head of the Legal Department since May 1992.
John F.W. Rogers, 55
Mr. Rogers has been an Executive Vice President of Goldman Sachs since April 2011 and Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Board of Directors of Goldman Sachs since November 2001. He joined the firm in 1994 in the Fixed Income division and served in various positions from 1994 to 2001. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, he was a senior fellow at the Baker Institute at Rice University, having served as Under Secretary of State for Management at the U.S. Department of State from 1991 to 1993. From 1988 to 1991, he was Executive Vice President of the Oliver Carr Company and, prior to that, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury from 1985 to 1987 and Assistant to the President for Management and Administration from 1981 to 1985. Mr. Rogers is chairman of the boards of the Goldman Sachs Foundation and Goldman Sachs Gives.
Michael S. Sherwood, 46
Mr. Sherwood has been a Vice Chairman of Goldman Sachs since February 2008 and co-chief executive officer of Goldman Sachs International since 2005. Prior to becoming a Vice Chairman, he had served as global co-head of Goldman Sachs’ securities business since 2003. Prior to that, he had been head of the Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Division in Europe since 2001.
David A. Viniar, 56
Mr. Viniar has been an Executive Vice President of Goldman Sachs and our Chief Financial Officer since May 1999. He has been the head of Operations, Technology, Finance and Services Division since December 2002. He was head of the Finance Division and co-head of Credit Risk Management and Advisory and Firmwide Risk from December 2001 to December 2002. Mr. Viniar was co-head of Operations, Finance and Resources from March 1999 to December 2001. He was Chief Financial Officer of The Goldman Sachs Group, L.P. from March 1999 to May 1999. From July 1998 until March 1999, he was Deputy Chief Financial Officer and from 1994 until July 1998, he was head of Finance, with responsibility for Controllers and Treasury. From 1992 to 1994, he was head of Treasury and prior to that was in the Structured Finance Department of Investment Banking. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of Union College.
John S. Weinberg, 54
Mr. Weinberg has been a Vice Chairman of Goldman Sachs since June 2006. He has been co-head of Goldman Sachs’ Investment Banking Division since December 2002. From January 2002 to December 2002, he was co-head of the Investment Banking Division in the Americas. Prior to that, he served as co-head of the Investment Banking Services Department since 1997. He is affiliated with certain non-profit organizations, including as a trustee of New York-Presbyterian Hospital and the Brunswick School, and as a member of the Board of Directors of The Steppingstone Foundation. Mr. Weinberg also serves on the Visiting Committee for Harvard Business School.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The principal market on which our common stock is traded is the NYSE. Information relating to the high and low sales prices per share of our common stock, as reported by the Consolidated Tape Association, for each full quarterly period during fiscal 2010 and 2011 is set forth under the heading “Supplemental Financial Information - Common Stock Price Range” in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K. As of February 17, 2012, there were 13,340 holders of record of our common stock.
During fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011, dividends of $0.35 per common share were declared on January 19, 2010, April 19, 2010, July 19, 2010, October 18, 2010, January 18, 2011, April 18, 2011, July 18, 2011 and October 17, 2011. The holders of our common stock share proportionately on a per share basis in all dividends and other distributions on common stock declared by the Board of Directors of Group Inc. (Board).
The declaration of dividends by Goldman Sachs is subject to the discretion of our Board. Our Board will take into account such matters as general business conditions, our financial results, capital requirements, contractual, legal and regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends by us to our shareholders or by our subsidiaries to us, the effect on our debt ratings and such other factors as our Board may deem relevant. See “Business - Regulation” in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K for a discussion of potential regulatory limitations on our receipt of funds from our regulated subsidiaries and our payment of dividends to shareholders of Group Inc.
The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of Group Inc. or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act), of our common stock during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year ended December 2011.
1. On March 21, 2000, we announced that our Board had approved a repurchase program, pursuant to which up to 15 million shares of our common stock may be repurchased. This repurchase program was increased by an aggregate of 325 million shares by resolutions of our Board adopted on June 18, 2001, March 18, 2002, November 20, 2002, January 30, 2004, January 25, 2005, September 16, 2005, September 11, 2006, December 17, 2007 and July 18, 2011. We use our share repurchase program to help maintain the appropriate level of common equity and to substantially offset increases in share count over time resulting from employee share-based compensation. The repurchase program is effected primarily through regular open-market purchases, the amounts and timing of which are determined primarily by the firm’s current and projected capital position (i.e., comparisons of our desired level and composition of capital to our actual level and composition of capital) and its issuance of shares resulting from employee share-based compensation, but which may also be influenced by general market conditions and the prevailing price and trading volumes of our common stock. The repurchase program has no set expiration or termination date. Any repurchase of our common stock requires approval by the Federal Reserve Board.
Information relating to compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance is presented in Part III, Item 12 of this Form 10-K.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The Selected Financial Data table is set forth under Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
INDEX
Page No.
Introduction
Executive Overview
Business Environment
Critical Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
Results of Operations
Balance Sheet and Funding Sources
Equity Capital
Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations
Overview and Structure of Risk Management
Liquidity Risk Management
Market Risk Management
Credit Risk Management
Operational Risk Management
Recent Accounting Developments
Certain Risk Factors That May Affect Our Businesses
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Introduction
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Group Inc.) is a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and high-net-worth individuals. Founded in 1869, the firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in all major financial centers around the world.
We report our activities in four business segments: Investment Banking, Institutional Client Services, Investing & Lending and Investment Management. See “Results of Operations” below for further information about our business segments.
When we use the terms “Goldman Sachs,” “the firm,” “we,” “us” and “our,” we mean Group Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.
References to “this Form 10-K” are to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. All references to 2011, 2010 and 2009 refer to our years ended, or the dates, as the context requires, December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Any reference to a future year refers to a year ending on December 31 of that year. Certain reclassifications have been made to previously reported amounts to conform to the current presentation.
In this discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations, we have included information that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only our beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside our control. This information includes statements other than historical information or statements of current condition and may relate to our future plans and objectives and results, among other things, and may also include statements about the objectives and effectiveness of our risk management and liquidity policies, statements about trends in or growth opportunities for our businesses, statements about our future status, activities or reporting under U.S. or non-U.S. banking and financial regulation, and statements about our investment banking transaction backlog. By identifying these statements for you in this manner, we are alerting you to the possibility that our actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ from those indicated in these forward-looking statements include, among others, those discussed below under “Certain Risk Factors That May Affect Our Businesses” as well as “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K and “Cautionary Statement Pursuant to the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995” in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Executive Overview
The firm generated net earnings of $4.44 billion for 2011, compared with $8.35 billion and $13.39 billion for 2010 and 2009, respectively. Our diluted earnings per common share were $4.51 for the year ended December 2011, compared with $13.18 1 for the year ended December 2010 and $22.13 for the year ended December 2009. Return on average common shareholders’ equity (ROE) 2 was 3.7% for 2011, compared with 11.5% 1 for 2010 and 22.5% for 2009. During 2011, we redeemed the 50,000 shares of our 10% Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series G (Series G Preferred Stock) held by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively, Berkshire Hathaway). Excluding the impact of the $1.64 billion preferred dividend related to this redemption, diluted earnings per common share were $7.46 3 and ROE was 5.9% 3 for 2011.
Book value per common share was $130.31 and tangible book value per common share 4 was $119.72 as of December 2011, both approximately 1% higher compared with the end of 2010. During the year, the firm repurchased 47.0 million shares of its common stock for a total cost of $6.04 billion. Our Tier 1 capital ratio under Basel 1 was 13.8% and our Tier 1 common ratio under Basel 1 5 was 12.1% as of December 2011.
2011 versus 2010. The firm generated net revenues of $28.81 billion for 2011. These results reflected significantly lower net revenues in Investing & Lending and Institutional Client Services, as well as lower net revenues in Investment Banking, compared with 2010. Net revenues in Investment Management were essentially unchanged compared with 2010.
An overview of net revenues for each of our business segments is provided below.
Investment Banking
The decrease in Investment Banking primarily reflected lower net revenues in our Underwriting business. Net revenues in equity underwriting were significantly lower than 2010, principally due to a decline in industry-wide activity. Net revenues in debt underwriting were essentially unchanged compared with 2010. Net revenues in Financial Advisory decreased slightly compared with 2010.
Institutional Client Services
The decrease in Institutional Client Services compared with 2010 reflected significantly lower net revenues in Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Client Execution. Although activity levels in Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Client Execution during 2011 were generally consistent with 2010 levels, and results were solid during the first quarter of 2011, the environment during the remainder of 2011 was characterized by broad market concerns and uncertainty, resulting in volatile markets and significantly wider credit spreads, which contributed to difficult market-making conditions and led to reductions in risk by us and our clients. As a result of these conditions, net revenues across the franchise were lower, including significant declines in mortgages and credit products, compared with 2010.
Net revenues in Equities were slightly higher compared with 2010. During 2011, average volatility levels increased and equity prices in Europe and Asia declined significantly, particularly during the third quarter. The increase in net revenues reflected higher commissions and fees, primarily due to higher transaction volumes, particularly during the third quarter of 2011. In addition, net revenues in securities services increased compared with 2010, reflecting the impact of higher average customer balances. Equities client execution net revenues were lower than 2010, primarily reflecting significantly lower net revenues in shares.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
1. Excluding the impact of the $465 million related to the U.K. bank payroll tax, the $550 million related to the SEC settlement and the $305 million impairment of our New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Designated Market Maker (DMM) rights, diluted earnings per common share were $15.22 and ROE was 13.1% for 2010. We believe that presenting our 2010 results excluding the impact of these items is meaningful because it increases the comparability of period-to-period results. Diluted earnings per common share and ROE excluding these items are non-GAAP measures and may not be comparable to similar non-GAAP measures used by other companies. See “Results of Operations - Financial Overview” below for further information about our calculation of diluted earnings per common share and ROE excluding the impact of these items.
2. See “Results of Operations - Financial Overview” below for further information about our calculation of ROE.
3. We believe that presenting our 2011 results excluding the impact of the $1.64 billion preferred dividend related to the redemption of our Series G Preferred Stock (calculated as the difference between the carrying value and the redemption value of the preferred stock) is meaningful because it increases the comparability of period-to-period results. Diluted earnings per common share and ROE excluding this item are non-GAAP measures and may not be comparable to similar non-GAAP measures used by other companies. See “Results of Operations - Financial Overview” below for further information about our calculation of diluted earnings per common share and ROE excluding the impact of this dividend.
4. Tangible book value per common share is a non-GAAP measure and may not be comparable to similar non-GAAP measures used by other companies. See “Equity Capital - Other Capital Metrics” below for further information about our calculation of tangible book value per common share.
5. Tier 1 common ratio is a non-GAAP measure and may not be comparable to similar non-GAAP measures used by other companies. See “Equity Capital - Consolidated Regulatory Capital Ratios” below for further information about our Tier 1 common ratio.
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Investing & Lending
Net revenues in Investing & Lending were $2.14 billion and $7.54 billion for 2011 and 2010, respectively. Results for 2011 included a loss of $517 million from our investment in the ordinary shares of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (ICBC) and net gains of $1.12 billion from other investments in equities, primarily in private equity positions, partially offset by losses from public equities. In addition, Investing & Lending included net revenues of $96 million from debt securities and loans. This amount includes approximately $1 billion of unrealized losses related to relationship lending activities, including the effect of hedges, offset by net interest income and net gains from other debt securities and loans. Results for 2011 also included other net revenues of $1.44 billion, principally related to our consolidated entities held for investment purposes.
Investment Management
Net revenues in Investment Management were essentially unchanged compared with 2010, primarily due to higher management and other fees, reflecting favorable changes in the mix of assets under management, offset by lower incentive fees. During the year, assets under management decreased $12 billion to $828 billion, reflecting net outflows of $17 billion, partially offset by net market appreciation of $5 billion. Net outflows primarily reflected outflows in fixed income and equity assets, partially offset by inflows in money market assets.
2010 versus 2009. The firm generated net revenues of $39.16 billion for 2010, despite a challenging operating environment. These results reflected significantly lower net revenues in Institutional Client Services and slightly lower net revenues in Investment Banking compared with 2009. These decreases were partially offset by significantly higher net revenues in Investing & Lending and higher net revenues in Investment Management.
An overview of net revenues for each of our business segments is provided below.
Investment Banking
The decrease in Investment Banking reflected lower net revenues in our Underwriting business, partially offset by higher net revenues in Financial Advisory. The decline in Underwriting reflected lower net revenues in equity underwriting, principally due to a decline in client activity in comparison to 2009, which included significant capital-raising activity by financial institution clients. Net revenues in debt underwriting were essentially unchanged compared with 2009. The increase in Financial Advisory primarily reflected an increase in client activity.
Institutional Client Services
The decrease in Institutional Client Services reflected significantly lower net revenues in Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Client Execution and, to a lesser extent, Equities. During 2010, Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Client Execution operated in a challenging environment characterized by lower client activity levels, which reflected broad market concerns including European sovereign debt risk and uncertainty over regulatory reform, as well as tighter bid/offer spreads. The decrease in net revenues compared with a particularly strong 2009 primarily reflected significantly lower results in interest rate products, credit products, commodities and, to a lesser extent, currencies. These decreases were partially offset by higher net revenues in mortgages, as 2009 included approximately $1 billion of losses related to commercial mortgage loans.
The decline in Equities compared with 2009 primarily reflected significantly lower net revenues in equities client execution, principally due to significantly lower results in derivatives and shares. Commissions and fees were also lower than 2009, primarily reflecting lower client activity levels. In addition, securities services net revenues were significantly lower compared with 2009, primarily reflecting tighter securities lending spreads, principally due to the impact of changes in the composition of customer balances, partially offset by the impact of higher average customer balances. During 2010, although equity markets were volatile during the first half of the year, equity prices generally improved and volatility levels declined in the second half of the year.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Investing & Lending
Net revenues in Investing & Lending were $7.54 billion and $2.86 billion for 2010 and 2009, respectively. During 2010, an increase in global equity markets and tighter credit spreads provided a favorable backdrop for our Investing & Lending business. Results in Investing & Lending for 2010 included a gain of $747 million from our investment in the ordinary shares of ICBC, a net gain of $2.69 billion from other investments in equities, a net gain of $2.60 billion from debt securities and loans and other net revenues of $1.51 billion, principally related to our consolidated entities held for investment purposes.
Investment Management
The increase in Investment Management primarily reflected higher incentive fees across our alternative investment products. Management and other fees also increased, reflecting favorable changes in the mix of assets under management, as well as the impact of appreciation in the value of client assets. During 2010, assets under management decreased 4% to $840 billion, primarily reflecting outflows in money market assets, consistent with industry trends.
Our business, by its nature, does not produce predictable earnings. Our results in any given period can be materially affected by conditions in global financial markets, economic conditions generally and other factors. For a further discussion of the factors that may affect our future operating results, see “Certain Risk Factors That May Affect Our Businesses” below, as well as “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Business Environment
Global economic growth generally moderated in 2011, as real gross domestic product (GDP) grew in most major economies and emerging markets, but at a slower pace than in 2010. Certain unfavorable market conditions that emerged in 2010 continued during the year, including concerns about European sovereign debt risk and uncertainty regarding financial regulatory reform. Additional concerns that emerged during the first half of the year that affected our businesses included political unrest in the Middle East, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and inflation in emerging markets. During the second half of the year, concerns about European sovereign debt risk and its impact on the European banking system intensified, while concerns about U.S. growth and the uncertainty regarding the U.S. federal debt ceiling emerged, contributing to higher volatility levels, significantly lower global equity prices and significantly wider corporate credit spreads. This prompted the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank to announce easing measures in order to stimulate economic growth in the U.S. and to alleviate concerns about Europe. Industry-wide completed and announced mergers and acquisitions volumes increased compared with 2010, but declined during the second half of the year. Industry-wide equity and equity-related offerings and industry-wide debt offerings both decreased compared with 2010, including significant declines during the second half of the year. For a further discussion of how market conditions affect our businesses, see “Certain Risk Factors That May Affect Our Businesses” below as well as “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K.
Global
During 2011, real GDP growth declined in most major economies and emerging markets. The slowdown in economic growth primarily reflected slower growth in domestic demand compared with 2010, while international trade continued to grow strongly during 2011. Unemployment levels declined slightly compared with 2010, although the rate of unemployment remained
elevated in some economies. During 2011, the U.S. Federal Reserve, the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan left interest rates unchanged, while the European Central Bank increased and then reduced its interest rate during the year, ending the year unchanged compared with 2010. In addition, the People’s Bank of China increased its one-year benchmark lending rate during the year. The price of crude oil increased during 2011. The U.S. dollar strengthened against the Euro and was essentially unchanged against the British pound, while it weakened against the Japanese yen.
United States
In the United States, real GDP increased by 1.7% in 2011, compared with an increase of 3.0% in 2010. Growth moderated, primarily reflecting a decline in government spending and reduced growth in exports, although business investment and consumer expenditure increased. Business and consumer confidence declined during most of the year, primarily reflecting increased global economic concerns and uncertainties. In addition, residential investment remained weak and measures of core inflation increased during the year from low levels. Growth in industrial production decreased, primarily reflecting the impact of supply-chain disruptions associated with Japan earlier in the year. The unemployment rate declined slightly during the year, although it remained high. The U.S. Federal Reserve maintained its federal funds rate at a target range of zero to 0.25% during the year. In addition, the U.S. Federal Reserve concluded quantitative easing measures that included the purchase of significant amounts of U.S. Treasury debt and announced further easing measures by extending the duration of the U.S. Treasury debt it holds. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note fell by 141 basis points during 2011 to 1.89%. In equity markets, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 6%, while the NASDAQ Composite Index decreased by 2% and the S&P 500 Index ended the year essentially unchanged.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Europe
Real GDP in the Euro area economies increased by an estimated 1.6% in 2011, compared with an increase of 1.8% in 2010. Growth moderated slightly, primarily reflecting reduced growth in consumer expenditure and exports, although fixed investment increased. Surveys of business and consumer confidence deteriorated over the course of the year. Measures of core inflation increased during the year from low levels. Concerns about fiscal challenges in several Euro area economies intensified during the year, weighing on economic growth in these economies and on risk appetite more broadly. In addition, concerns about European sovereign debt risk contributed to higher market volatility and funding pressures. The European Central Bank and governments in the Euro area took a range of policy measures to address these issues. The European Central Bank increased its main refinancing operations rate by 25 basis points during both the second and third quarters, but reversed these increases during the fourth quarter, such that the rate ended the year at 1.00%, unchanged compared with the end of 2010. In the United Kingdom, real GDP increased by 0.8% for 2011, compared with an increase of 2.1% in 2010. The Bank of England maintained its official bank rate at 0.50% during the year. Long-term government bond yields generally declined during the year, although long-term government bond yields in certain Euro area economies increased significantly. In addition, spreads between German bond yields and those of most Euro area economies widened during the year. The Euro depreciated by 3% and the British pound was essentially unchanged against the U.S. dollar. The Euro Stoxx 50 Index and the CAC 40 Index both declined by 17%, while the DAX Index and the FTSE 100 Index decreased by 15% and 6%, respectively, compared with the end of 2010.
Asia
In Japan, real GDP decreased by 0.9% in 2011, compared with an increase of 4.4% in 2010. Net exports and business investment declined during the year due to the economic impact of the earthquake and tsunami in the first quarter. Measures of inflation remained negative during 2011. The Bank of Japan maintained its target overnight call rate at a range of zero to 0.10% and the yield on 10-year Japanese government bonds fell by 14 basis points to 0.99%. The Japanese yen appreciated by 5% against the U.S. dollar. The Nikkei 225 Index decreased by 17% during the year. In China, real GDP increased by 9.2% in 2011 compared with an increase of 10.4% in 2010. Growth moderated, primarily reflecting a slowdown in net exports and fixed investment growth, although consumer spending increased. Measures of inflation increased significantly during 2011, reflecting the impact of higher food and energy prices, but decreased towards the end of the year. The People’s Bank of China raised its one-year benchmark lending rate by 75 basis points to 6.56% and increased the reserve requirement ratio by 250 basis points during the year. In addition, the Chinese yuan appreciated by 4% against the U.S. dollar and the Shanghai Composite Index decreased by 22% during 2011. In India, real GDP increased by an estimated 6.9% in 2011 compared with an increase of 8.5% in 2010. Growth moderated, primarily reflecting a slowdown in consumer expenditure and fixed investment growth. The rate of wholesale inflation remained at elevated levels, but decreased during the year. The Indian rupee depreciated by 19% against the U.S. dollar. Equity markets in Hong Kong and India declined significantly and equity markets in South Korea ended the year lower.
Other Markets
In Brazil, real GDP increased by an estimated 3.0% in 2011, compared with an increase of 7.5% in 2010. Growth moderated, primarily reflecting a slowdown in investment and consumer expenditure growth. The Brazilian real weakened against the U.S. dollar. Brazilian equity prices ended the year significantly lower compared with the end of 2010. In Russia, real GDP increased by an estimated 4.2% in 2011, compared with an increase of 4.0% in 2010. Growth was driven by an increase in domestic demand, particularly during the second half of the year. The Russian ruble weakened against the U.S. dollar and Russian equity prices ended the year significantly lower compared with the end of 2010.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Critical Accounting Policies
Fair Value
Fair Value Hierarchy. Financial instruments owned, at fair value and Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value (i.e., inventory), as well as certain other financial assets and financial liabilities, are reflected in our consolidated statements of financial condition at fair value (i.e., marked-to-market), with related gains or losses generally recognized in our consolidated statements of earnings. The use of fair value to measure financial instruments is fundamental to our risk management practices and is our most critical accounting policy.
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the hierarchy under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) gives (i) the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities (level 1 inputs), (ii) the next priority to inputs other than level 1 inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly (level 2 inputs), and (iii) the lowest priority to inputs that cannot be observed in market activity (level 3 inputs). Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to their fair value measurement.
The fair values for substantially all of our financial assets and financial liabilities are based on observable prices and inputs and are classified in levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy. Certain level 2 and level 3 financial assets and financial liabilities may require appropriate valuation adjustments that a market participant would require to arrive at fair value for factors such as counterparty and the firm’s credit quality, funding risk, transfer restrictions, liquidity and bid/offer spreads. Valuation adjustments are generally based on market evidence.
Instruments categorized within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, which represent approximately 5% of the firm’s total assets, require one or more significant inputs that are not observable. Absent evidence to the contrary, instruments classified within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are initially valued at transaction price, which is considered to be the best initial estimate of fair value. Subsequent to the transaction date, we use other methodologies to determine fair value, which vary based on the type of instrument. Estimating the fair value of level 3 financial instruments requires judgments to be made. These judgments include:
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determining the appropriate valuation methodology and/or model for each type of level 3 financial instrument;
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determining model inputs based on an evaluation of all relevant empirical market data, including prices evidenced by market transactions, interest rates, credit spreads, volatilities and correlations; and
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determining appropriate valuation adjustments related to illiquidity or counterparty credit quality.
Regardless of the methodology, valuation inputs and assumptions are only changed when corroborated by substantive evidence.
Controls Over Valuation of Financial Instruments. Market makers and investment professionals in our revenue-producing units are responsible for pricing our financial instruments. Our control infrastructure is independent of the revenue-producing units and is fundamental to ensuring that all of our financial instruments are appropriately valued at market-clearing levels. In the event that there is a difference of opinion in situations where estimating the fair value of financial instruments requires judgment (e.g., calibration to market comparables or trade comparison, as described below), the final valuation decision is made by senior managers in control and support functions that are independent of the revenue-producing units (independent control and support functions). This independent price verification is critical to ensuring that our financial instruments are properly valued.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Price Verification. The objective of price verification is to have an informed and independent opinion with regard to the valuation of financial instruments under review. Instruments that have one or more significant inputs which cannot be corroborated by external market data are classified within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Price verification strategies utilized by our independent control and support functions include:
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Trade Comparison. Analysis of trade data (both internal and external where available) is used to determine the most relevant pricing inputs and valuations.
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External Price Comparison. Valuations and prices are compared to pricing data obtained from third parties (e.g., broker or dealers, MarkIt, Bloomberg, IDC, TRACE). Data obtained from various sources is compared to ensure consistency and validity. When broker or dealer quotations or third-party pricing vendors are used for valuation or price verification, greater priority is generally given to executable quotations.
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Calibration to Market Comparables. Market-based transactions are used to corroborate the valuation of positions with similar characteristics, risks and components.
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Relative Value Analyses. Market-based transactions are analyzed to determine the similarity, measured in terms of risk, liquidity and return, of one instrument relative to another or, for a given instrument, of one maturity relative to another.
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Collateral Analyses. Margin disputes on derivatives are examined and investigated to determine the impact, if any, on our valuations.
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Execution of Trades. Where appropriate, trading desks are instructed to execute trades in order to provide evidence of market-clearing levels.
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Backtesting. Valuations are corroborated by comparison to values realized upon sales.
See Notes 5 through 8 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information about fair value measurements.
Review of Net Revenues. Independent control and support functions ensure adherence to our pricing policy through a combination of daily procedures, including the explanation and attribution of net revenues based on the underlying factors. Through this process we independently validate net revenues, identify and resolve potential fair value or trade booking issues on a timely basis and ensure that risks are being properly categorized and quantified.
Review of Valuation Models. Quantitative professionals within our Market Risk Management department (Market Risk Management) perform an independent model approval process. This process incorporates a review of a diverse set of model and trade parameters across a broad range of values (including extreme and/or improbable conditions) in order to critically evaluate:
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the model’s suitability for valuation and risk management of a particular instrument type;
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the model’s accuracy in reflecting the characteristics of the related product and its significant risks;
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the suitability and properties of the numerical algorithms incorporated in the model;
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the model’s consistency with models for similar products; and
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the model’s sensitivity to input parameters and assumptions.
New or changed models are reviewed and approved. Models are evaluated and re-approved annually to assess the impact of any changes in the product or market and any market developments in pricing theories.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Level 3 Financial Assets at Fair Value. The table below presents financial assets measured at fair value and the amount of such assets that are classified within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Total level 3 financial assets were $47.94 billion and $45.38 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively.
See Notes 5 through 8 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information about changes in level 3 financial assets and fair value measurements.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets
Goodwill. Goodwill is the cost of acquired companies in excess of the fair value of net assets, including identifiable intangible assets, at the acquisition date. Goodwill is assessed annually for impairment, or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change that indicate an impairment may exist, by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the results of the qualitative assessment are not conclusive, a quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit with its estimated net book value. We derive the fair value based on valuation techniques we believe market participants would use (i.e., observable price-to-earnings multiples and price-to-book multiples). We derive the net book value by estimating the amount of shareholders’ equity required to support the activities of each reporting unit. Estimating the fair value of our reporting units requires management to make judgments. Critical inputs include (i) projected earnings, (ii) estimated long-term growth rates and (iii) cost of equity.
During the second half of 2011, consistent with the decline in stock prices in the broader financial services sector, our stock price declined and throughout most of this period, our market capitalization was below book value. Accordingly, we performed a quantitative impairment test during the fourth quarter of 2011 and determined that goodwill was not impaired. The estimated fair value of our reporting units in which we hold substantially all of our goodwill significantly exceeded the estimated carrying values. We believe that it is appropriate to consider market capitalization, among other factors, as an indicator of fair value over a reasonable period of time.
If the current economic market conditions persist and if there is a prolonged period of weakness in the business environment and financial markets, our earnings may be adversely affected, which could result in an impairment of goodwill in the future. In addition, significant changes to other critical inputs of the goodwill impairment test (e.g., cost of equity) could cause the estimated fair value of our reporting units to decline, which could result in an impairment of goodwill in the future.
See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for information about amendments to the accounting guidance for goodwill impairment testing and Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for the carrying value of our goodwill.
Identifiable Intangible Assets. We amortize our identifiable intangible assets (i) over their estimated lives, (ii) based on economic usage or (iii) in proportion to estimated gross profits or premium revenues. Identifiable intangible assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that an asset’s or asset group’s carrying value may not be fully recoverable.
An impairment loss, generally calculated as the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of an asset or asset group, is recognized if the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows relating to the asset or asset group is less than the corresponding carrying value. See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for the carrying value and estimated remaining lives of our identifiable intangible assets by major asset class and impairments of our identifiable intangible assets.
A prolonged period of market weakness could adversely impact our businesses and impair the value of our identifiable intangible assets. In addition, certain events could indicate a potential impairment of our identifiable intangible assets, including (i) decreases in revenues from commodity-related customer contracts and relationships, (ii) decreases in cash receipts from television broadcast royalties, (iii) an adverse action or assessment by a regulator or (iv) adverse actual experience on the contracts in our variable annuity and life insurance business. Management judgment is required to evaluate whether indications of potential impairment have occurred, and to test intangibles for impairment if required.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Use of Estimates
The use of generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. In addition to the estimates we make in connection with fair value measurements, and the accounting for goodwill and identifiable intangible assets, the use of estimates and assumptions is also important in determining provisions for losses that may arise from litigation, regulatory proceedings and tax audits.
We estimate and provide for potential losses that may arise out of litigation and regulatory proceedings to the extent that such losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. In accounting for income taxes, we estimate and provide for potential liabilities that may arise out of tax audits to the extent that uncertain tax positions fail to meet the recognition standard under FASB Accounting Standards
Codification 740. See Note 24 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information about accounting for income taxes.
Significant judgment is required in making these estimates and our final liabilities may ultimately be materially different. Our total estimated liability in respect of litigation and regulatory proceedings is determined on a case-by-case basis and represents an estimate of probable losses after considering, among other factors, the progress of each case or proceeding, our experience and the experience of others in similar cases or proceedings, and the opinions and views of legal counsel. See Notes 18 and 27 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for information on certain judicial, regulatory and legal proceedings.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Results of Operations
The composition of our net revenues has varied over time as financial markets and the scope of our operations have changed. The composition of net revenues can also vary over the shorter term due to fluctuations in U.S. and global economic and market conditions. See “Certain Risk Factors That May Affect Our Businesses” below and “Risk
Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K for a further discussion of the impact of economic and market conditions on our results of operations.
Financial Overview
The table below presents an overview of our financial results.
1. ROE is computed by dividing net earnings applicable to common shareholders by average monthly common shareholders’ equity. The table below presents our average common shareholders’ equity.
2. We believe that presenting our results excluding the impact of the $1.64 billion Series G Preferred Stock dividend is meaningful, as it increases the comparability of period-to-period results. Diluted earnings per common share and ROE excluding this item are non-GAAP measures and may not be comparable to similar non-GAAP measures used by other companies. The tables below present the calculation of net earnings applicable to common shareholders, diluted earnings per common share and average common shareholders’ equity excluding the impact of this dividend.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
3. We believe that presenting our results excluding the impact of the U.K. bank payroll tax, the SEC settlement and the NYSE DMM rights impairment is meaningful, as it increases the comparability of period-to-period results. Diluted earnings per common share and ROE excluding these items are non-GAAP measures and may not be comparable to similar non-GAAP measures used by other companies. The tables below present the calculation of net earnings applicable to common shareholders, diluted earnings per common share and average common shareholders’ equity excluding the impact of these items.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Net Revenues
2011 versus 2010. Net revenues were $28.81 billion for 2011, 26% lower than 2010, reflecting significantly lower net revenues in Investing & Lending and Institutional Client Services, as well as lower net revenues in Investment Banking. Net revenues in Investment Management were essentially unchanged compared with 2010.
2010 versus 2009. Net revenues were $39.16 billion for 2010, 13% lower than 2009, reflecting significantly lower net revenues in Institutional Client Services and slightly lower net revenues in Investment Banking. These decreases were partially offset by significantly higher net revenues in Investing & Lending and higher net revenues in Investment Management.
Net Interest Income
2011 versus 2010. Net interest income was $5.19 billion for 2011, 6% lower than 2010. The decrease compared with 2010 was primarily due to higher interest expense related to our long-term borrowings and higher dividend expense related to financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, partially offset by an increase in interest income from higher yielding collateralized agreements.
2010 versus 2009. Net interest income was $5.50 billion for 2010, 26% lower than 2009. The decrease compared with 2009 was primarily due to lower average fixed income assets, most notably U.S. federal agency obligations, higher interest expense related to our long-term borrowings and tighter securities lending spreads.
Non-interest Revenues
Investment banking
Investment banking revenues reflected an operating environment generally characterized by significant declines in industry-wide underwriting and mergers and acquisitions activity levels during the second half of 2011. These declines reflected increased concerns regarding the weakened state of global economies, including heightened European sovereign debt risk, which contributed to a significant widening in credit spreads, a sharp increase in volatility levels and a significant decline in global equity markets during the second half of 2011. If these concerns continue or if equity markets decline further, resulting in lower levels of client activity, revenues in investment banking would likely continue to be negatively impacted.
2011 versus 2010. Investment banking revenues on the consolidated statement of earnings were $4.36 billion for 2011, 9% lower than 2010, primarily reflecting lower revenues in our underwriting business. Revenues in equity underwriting were significantly lower than 2010, principally due to a decline in industry-wide activity. Revenues in debt underwriting were essentially unchanged compared with 2010. Revenues in financial advisory decreased slightly compared with 2010.
2010 versus 2009. Investment banking revenues on the consolidated statement of earnings were $4.81 billion for 2010, 3% lower than 2009, reflecting lower revenues in our underwriting business, partially offset by higher revenues in financial advisory. The decline in underwriting reflected lower revenues in equity underwriting, principally due to a decline in client activity in comparison to 2009, which included significant capital-raising activity by financial institution clients. Revenues in debt underwriting were essentially unchanged compared with 2009. Revenues in financial advisory increased compared with 2009, primarily reflecting an increase in client activity.
Investment management
During the first half of 2011, investment management revenues reflected an operating environment generally characterized by improved asset prices and a shift in investor assets away from money markets in favor of asset classes with potentially higher risk and returns. However, during the second half of 2011, asset prices declined, particularly in equities, in part driven by increased uncertainty regarding the global economic outlook. Declining asset prices and economic uncertainty contributed to investors shifting assets away from asset classes with potentially higher risk and returns to asset classes with lower risk and returns. If asset prices continue to decline or investors continue to favor lower risk asset classes or withdraw their assets, investment management revenues would likely continue to be negatively impacted.
2011 versus 2010. Investment management revenues on the consolidated statement of earnings were $4.69 billion for 2011, essentially unchanged compared with 2010, primarily due to higher management and other fees, reflecting favorable changes in the mix of assets under management, offset by lower incentive fees.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
2010 versus 2009. Investment management revenues on the consolidated statement of earnings were $4.67 billion for 2010, 10% higher than 2009, primarily reflecting higher incentive fees across our alternative investment products. Management and other fees also increased, reflecting favorable changes in the mix of assets under management, as well as the impact of appreciation in the value of client assets.
Commissions and fees
Broad market concerns and uncertainties that emerged during 2010, including concerns about European sovereign debt risk and the weakened state of global economies, heightened during 2011. These concerns and uncertainties resulted in an increase in average volatility levels and significantly lower equity prices in Europe and Asia, particularly during the third quarter of 2011. The macro challenges during the year resulted in volatile markets, which contributed to higher transaction volumes and fees. If these concerns and uncertainties continue, but were to result in lower transaction volumes, commissions and fees would likely be negatively impacted.
2011 versus 2010. Commissions and fees on the consolidated statement of earnings were $3.77 billion for 2011, 6% higher than 2010, reflecting higher transaction volumes, particularly during the third quarter of 2011.
versus 2009. Commissions and fees on the consolidated statement of earnings were $3.57 billion for 2010, 7% lower than 2009, primarily reflecting lower client activity levels.
Market making
During 2011, market-making revenues were negatively impacted by increased concerns regarding the weakened state of global economies, including heightened European sovereign debt risk, and its impact on the European banking system and global financial institutions. These conditions also impacted expectations for economic prospects in the U.S. and were reflected in equity and debt markets more broadly. In addition, the downgrade in credit ratings of the U.S. government and federal agencies and many financial institutions during the second half of 2011 contributed to further uncertainty in the markets. These concerns, as well as other broad market concerns, such as uncertainty over financial regulatory reform, continued to have a negative impact on market-making revenues during 2011. If these concerns continue, and market-making conditions remain challenging, market-making revenues would likely continue to be negatively impacted.
2011 versus 2010. Market-making revenues on the consolidated statement of earnings were $9.29 billion for 2011, 32% lower than 2010. Although activity levels during 2011 were generally consistent with 2010 levels, and results were solid during the first quarter of 2011, the environment during the remainder of 2011 was characterized by broad market concerns and uncertainty, resulting in volatile markets and significantly wider credit spreads, which contributed to difficult market-making conditions and led to reductions in risk by us and our clients. As a result of these conditions, revenues across most of our major market-making activities were lower during 2011 compared with 2010.
2010 versus 2009. Market-making revenues on the consolidated statement of earnings were $13.68 billion for 2010, 38% lower than 2009. During 2010, market-making revenues were negatively impacted by lower client activity levels, which reflected broad market concerns including European sovereign debt risk and uncertainty over regulatory reform, as well as tighter bid/offer spreads. The decrease in revenues compared with a particularly strong 2009 primarily reflected lower results across most of our major market-making activities. These decreases were partially offset by higher revenues in mortgages, as 2009 included significant losses related to commercial mortgage loans.
Other principal transactions
During 2011, other principal transactions results reflected an operating environment characterized by a significant decline in equity markets in Europe and Asia, and unfavorable credit markets that were negatively impacted by increased concerns regarding the weakened state of global economies, including heightened European sovereign debt risk. If equity markets decline further and credit spreads widen further, other principal transactions revenues would likely continue to be negatively impacted.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
2011 versus 2010. Other principal transactions revenues on the consolidated statements of earnings were $1.51 billion and $6.93 billion for 2011 and 2010, respectively. Results for 2011 included a loss from our investment in the ordinary shares of ICBC and net gains from other investments in equities, primarily in private equity positions, partially offset by losses from public equities. In addition, revenues in other principal transactions included net losses from debt securities and loans, primarily reflecting approximately $1 billion of unrealized losses related to relationship lending activities, including the effect of hedges, partially offset by net gains from other debt securities and loans. Results for 2011 also included revenues related to our consolidated entities held for investment purposes.
2010 versus 2009. Other principal transactions revenues on the consolidated statements of earnings were $6.93 billion and $2.62 billion for 2010 and 2009, respectively. During 2010, an increase in global equity markets and tighter credit spreads provided a favorable backdrop for other principal transactions revenues. Results for 2010 included a gain from our investment in the ordinary shares of ICBC, net gains from other investments in equities, net gains from debt securities and loans and revenues related to our consolidated entities held for investment purposes. Results for 2009 included a gain from our investment in the ordinary shares of ICBC, net gains from debt securities and loans, and revenues related to our consolidated entities held for investment purposes, partially offset by net losses from other investments in equities. During 2009, continued weakness in commercial real estate markets negatively impacted our results.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses are primarily influenced by compensation, headcount and levels of business activity. Compensation and benefits includes salaries, discretionary compensation, amortization of equity awards and other items such as benefits. Discretionary compensation is significantly impacted by, among other factors, the level of net revenues, prevailing labor markets, business mix, the structure of our share-based compensation programs and the external environment.
In the context of more difficult economic and financial conditions, the firm launched an initiative during the second quarter of 2011 to identify areas where we can operate more efficiently and reduce our operating expenses. We targeted approximately $1.4 billion in annual run rate compensation and non-compensation reductions and will continue to monitor our expense run rate closely and make further adjustments as needed.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The table below presents our operating expenses and total staff.
1. Revenues related to our insurance activities are included in “Market making” on the consolidated statements of earnings.
2. Includes employees, consultants and temporary staff.
3. Compensation and benefits and non-compensation expenses related to consolidated entities held for investment purposes are included in their respective line items in the consolidated statements of earnings. Consolidated entities held for investment purposes are entities that are held strictly for capital appreciation, have a defined exit strategy and are engaged in activities that are not closely related to our principal businesses.
2011 versus 2010. Operating expenses were $22.64 billion for 2011, 14% lower than 2010. Compensation and benefits expenses were $12.22 billion for 2011, a 21% decline compared with $15.38 billion for 2010. The ratio of compensation to net revenues for 2011 was 42.4%, compared with 39.3% 1 (which excludes the impact of the
U.K. bank payroll tax) for 2010. Operating expenses for 2010 included $465 million related to the U.K. bank payroll tax. Total staff decreased 7% during 2011. Total staff including consolidated entities held for investment purposes decreased 10% during 2011.
1. We believe that presenting our ratio of compensation and benefits to net revenues excluding the impact of the $465 million U.K. bank payroll tax is meaningful, as excluding it increases the comparability of period-to-period results. The ratio of compensation and benefits to net revenues excluding the impact of this item is a non-GAAP measure and may not be comparable to similar non-GAAP measures used by other companies. The table below presents the calculation of the ratio of compensation and benefits to net revenues including and excluding the impact of this item.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Non-compensation expenses were $10.42 billion for 2011, essentially unchanged compared with 2010. Non-compensation expenses for 2011 included higher brokerage, clearing, exchange and distribution fees, increased reserves related to our insurance business and higher market development expenses compared with 2010. These increases were offset by lower other expenses during 2011. The decrease in other expenses primarily reflected lower net provisions for litigation and regulatory proceedings (2010 included $550 million related to a settlement with the SEC). In addition, non-compensation expenses during 2011 included impairment charges of approximately $440 million, primarily related to consolidated investments and Litton Loan Servicing LP. Charitable contributions were $163 million during 2011, primarily including $78 million to Goldman Sachs Gives, our donor-advised fund, and $25 million to The Goldman Sachs Foundation. Compensation was reduced to fund the charitable contribution to Goldman Sachs Gives. The $78 million contribution is in addition to prior year contributions made to Goldman Sachs Gives. The firm asks its participating managing directors to make recommendations regarding potential charitable recipients for this contribution.
2010 versus 2009. Operating expenses were $26.27 billion for 2010, 4% higher than 2009. Compensation and benefits expenses were $15.38 billion for 2010, a 5% decline compared with $16.19 billion for 2009, due to lower net revenues. The ratio of compensation and benefits to net revenues for 2010 was 39.3% (which excludes the impact of the $465 million U.K. bank payroll tax), compared with 35.8% for 2009. Total staff increased 10% during 2010. Total staff including consolidated entities held for investment purposes increased 7% during 2010.
During 2010, the United Kingdom enacted legislation that imposed a non-deductible 50% tax on certain financial institutions in respect of discretionary bonuses in excess of £25,000 awarded under arrangements made between December 9, 2009 and April 5, 2010 to “relevant banking employees.” Our operating expenses for 2010 included $465 million related to this tax.
Non-compensation expenses were $10.43 billion for 2010, 14% higher than 2009. This increase was primarily attributable to the impact of net provisions for litigation and regulatory proceedings of $682 million (including $550 million related to a settlement with the SEC), and an impairment of our NYSE DMM rights of $305 million, each during 2010. The remainder of the increase compared with 2009 generally reflected higher professional fees, market development expenses and occupancy expenses. These increases were partially offset by the impact of significantly higher real estate impairment charges during 2009 related to our consolidated entities held for investment purposes, as well as higher charitable contributions during 2009. The real estate impairment charges, which were measured based on discounted cash flow analyses, are included in our Investing & Lending segment and reflected weakness in the commercial real estate markets. Charitable contributions were approximately $420 million during 2010, primarily including $25 million to The Goldman Sachs Foundation and $320 million to Goldman Sachs Gives, our donor-advised fund. Compensation was reduced to fund the charitable contribution to Goldman Sachs Gives.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Provision for Taxes
The effective income tax rate for 2011 was 28.0%, down from 35.2% for 2010. Excluding the impact of the $465 million U.K. bank payroll tax and the $550 million SEC settlement, substantially all of which was non-deductible, the effective income tax rate for 2010 was 32.7% 1. The decrease from 32.7% to 28.0% was primarily due to an increase in permanent benefits as a percentage of earnings and the earnings mix.
The effective income tax rate for 2010 of 32.7% 1 was essentially unchanged from the effective income tax rate for 2009 of 32.5%.
In December 2010, the rules related to the deferral of U.S. tax on certain non-repatriated active financing income were extended retroactively to January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2011. If these rules are not extended, the expiration may materially increase our effective income tax rate beginning in 2013.
1. We believe that presenting our effective income tax rate for 2010 excluding the impact of the U.K. bank payroll tax and the SEC settlement, substantially all of which was non-deductible, is meaningful as excluding these items increases the comparability of period-to-period results. The effective income tax rate excluding the impact of these items is a non-GAAP measure and may not be comparable to similar non-GAAP measures used by other companies. The table below presents the calculation of the effective income tax rate excluding the impact of these amounts.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Segment Operating Results
The table below presents the net revenues, operating expenses and pre-tax earnings of our segments.
Operating expenses in the table above include the following expenses that have not been allocated to our segments:
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net provisions for a number of litigation and regulatory proceedings of $175 million, $682 million and $104 million for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively;
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charitable contributions of $103 million, $345 million and $810 million for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively; and
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real estate-related exit costs of $14 million, $28 million and $61 million for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively.
Net revenues in our segments include allocations of interest income and interest expense to specific securities, commodities and other positions in relation to the cash generated by, or funding requirements of, such underlying positions. See Note 25 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information about our business segments.
The cost drivers of Goldman Sachs taken as a whole - compensation, headcount and levels of business activity - are broadly similar in each of our business segments. Compensation and benefits expenses within our segments reflect, among other factors, the overall performance of Goldman Sachs as well as the performance of individual businesses. Consequently, pre-tax margins in one segment of our business may be significantly affected by the performance of our other business segments. A discussion of segment operating results follows.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Investment Banking
Our Investment Banking segment is comprised of:
Financial Advisory. Includes advisory assignments with respect to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, risk management, restructurings and spin-offs, and derivative transactions directly related to these client advisory assignments.
Underwriting. Includes public offerings and private placements of a wide range of securities, loans and other financial instruments, and derivative transactions directly related to these client underwriting activities.
The table below presents the operating results of our Investment Banking segment.
The table below presents our financial advisory and underwriting transaction volumes. 1
1. Source: Thomson Reuters. Announced and completed mergers and acquisitions volumes are based on full credit to each of the advisors in a transaction. Equity and equity-related offerings and debt offerings are based on full credit for single book managers and equal credit for joint book managers. Transaction volumes may not be indicative of net revenues in a given period. In addition, transaction volumes for prior periods may vary from amounts previously reported due to the subsequent withdrawal or a change in the value of a transaction.
2. Includes Rule 144A and public common stock offerings, convertible offerings and rights offerings.
3. Includes non-convertible preferred stock, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and taxable municipal debt. Includes publicly registered and Rule 144A issues. Excludes leveraged loans.
2011 versus 2010. Net revenues in Investment Banking were $4.36 billion for 2011, 9% lower than 2010.
Net revenues in Financial Advisory were $1.99 billion, 4% lower than 2010. Net revenues in our Underwriting business were $2.37 billion, 14% lower than 2010, reflecting significantly lower net revenues in equity underwriting, principally due to a decline in industry-wide activity. Net revenues in debt underwriting were essentially unchanged compared with 2010.
Investment Banking operated in an environment generally characterized by significant declines in industry-wide underwriting and mergers and acquisitions activity levels during the second half of 2011. These declines reflected increased concerns regarding the weakened state of global economies, including heightened European sovereign debt risk, which contributed to a significant widening in credit spreads, a sharp increase in volatility levels and a significant decline in global equity markets during the second half of 2011. If these concerns continue or if equity markets decline further, resulting in lower levels of client activity, net revenues in Investment Banking would likely continue to be negatively impacted.
Our investment banking transaction backlog increased compared with the end of 2010. The increase compared with the end of 2010 was due to an increase in potential equity underwriting transactions, primarily reflecting an increase in client mandates to underwrite initial public offerings. Estimated net revenues from potential debt underwriting transactions decreased slightly compared with the end of 2010. Estimated net revenues from potential advisory transactions were essentially unchanged compared with the end of 2010.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Our investment banking transaction backlog represents an estimate of our future net revenues from investment banking transactions where we believe that future revenue realization is more likely than not. We believe changes in our investment banking transaction backlog may be a useful indicator of client activity levels which, over the long term, impact our net revenues. However, the timeframe for completion and corresponding revenue recognition of transactions in our backlog varies based on the nature of the assignment, as certain transactions may remain in our backlog for longer periods of time and others may enter and leave within the same reporting period. In addition, our transaction backlog is subject to certain limitations, such as assumptions about the likelihood that individual client transactions will occur in the future. Transactions may be cancelled or modified, and transactions not included in the estimate may also occur.
Operating expenses were $2.96 billion for 2011, 16% lower than 2010, due to decreased compensation and benefits expenses, primarily resulting from lower net revenues. Pre-tax earnings were $1.39 billion in 2011, 7% higher than 2010.
2010 versus 2009. Net revenues in Investment Banking were $4.81 billion for 2010, 3% lower than 2009.
Net revenues in Financial Advisory were $2.06 billion, 9% higher than 2009, primarily reflecting an increase in client activity. Net revenues in our Underwriting business were $2.75 billion, 11% lower than 2009, reflecting lower net revenues in equity underwriting, principally due to a decline in client activity in comparison to 2009, which included significant capital-raising activity by financial institution clients. Net revenues in debt underwriting were essentially unchanged compared with 2009.
During 2010, Investment Banking operated in an environment generally characterized by a continuation of low levels of industry-wide mergers and acquisitions activity, reflecting heightened uncertainty regarding the global economic outlook. Although certain additional unfavorable market conditions emerged in the first half of 2010, including lower equity prices and wider corporate credit spreads, interest rates remained low throughout the year and underwriting activity improved during the second half of the year as global equity prices recovered and corporate credit spreads narrowed.
Our investment banking transaction backlog decreased compared with the end of 2009. The decrease compared with the end of 2009 reflected a decline in estimated net revenues from potential debt and equity underwriting transactions, primarily related to client mandates to underwrite leveraged finance transactions and common stock offerings. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in estimated net revenues from potential advisory transactions.
Operating expenses were $3.51 billion for 2010, essentially unchanged from 2009. Pre-tax earnings were $1.30 billion in 2010, 14% lower than 2009.
Institutional Client Services
Our Institutional Client Services segment is comprised of:
Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Client Execution. Includes client execution activities related to making markets in interest rate products, credit products, mortgages, currencies and commodities.
We generate market-making revenues in these activities, in three ways:
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In large, highly liquid markets (such as markets for U.S. Treasury bills, large capitalization S&P 500 stocks or certain mortgage pass-through certificates), we execute a high volume of transactions for our clients for modest spreads and fees.
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In less liquid markets (such as mid-cap corporate bonds, growth market currencies and certain non-agency mortgage-backed securities), we execute transactions for our clients for spreads and fees that are generally somewhat larger.
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We also structure and execute transactions involving customized or tailor-made products that address our clients’ risk exposures, investment objectives or other complex needs (such as a jet fuel hedge for an airline).
Given the focus on the mortgage market, our mortgage activities are further described below.
Our activities in mortgages include commercial mortgage-related securities, loans and derivatives, residential mortgage-related securities, loans and derivatives (including U.S. government agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations, other prime, subprime and Alt-A securities and loans), and other asset-backed securities, loans and derivatives.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
We buy, hold and sell long and short mortgage positions, primarily for market making for our clients. Our inventory therefore changes based on client demands and is generally held for short-term periods.
See Notes 18 and 27 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for information about exposure to mortgage repurchase requests, mortgage rescissions and mortgage-related litigation.
Equities. Includes client execution activities related to making markets in equity products, as well as commissions and fees from executing and clearing institutional client transactions on major stock, options and futures exchanges worldwide. Equities also includes our securities services business, which provides financing, securities lending and other prime brokerage services to institutional clients, including hedge funds, mutual funds, pension funds and foundations, and generates revenues primarily in the form of interest rate spreads or fees, and revenues related to our insurance activities.
The table below presents the operating results of our Institutional Client Services segment.
2011 versus 2010. Net revenues in Institutional Client Services were $17.28 billion for 2011, 21% lower than 2010.
Net revenues in Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Client Execution were $9.02 billion for 2011, 34% lower than 2010. Although activity levels during 2011 were generally consistent with 2010 levels, and results were solid during the first quarter of 2011, the environment during the remainder of 2011 was characterized by broad market concerns and uncertainty, resulting in volatile markets and significantly wider credit spreads, which contributed to difficult market-making conditions and led to reductions in risk by us and our clients. As a result of these conditions, net revenues across the franchise were lower, including significant declines in mortgages and credit products, compared with 2010.
Net revenues in Equities were $8.26 billion for 2011, 2% higher than 2010. During 2011, average volatility levels increased and equity prices in Europe and Asia declined significantly, particularly during the third quarter. The increase in net revenues reflected higher commissions and fees, primarily due to higher transaction volumes, particularly during the third quarter of 2011. In addition, net revenues in securities services increased compared with 2010, reflecting the impact of higher average customer balances. Equities client execution net revenues were lower than 2010, primarily reflecting significantly lower net revenues in shares.
The net gain attributable to the impact of changes in our own credit spreads on borrowings for which the fair value option was elected was $596 million and $198 million for 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Institutional Client Services operated in an environment generally characterized by increased concerns regarding the weakened state of global economies, including heightened European sovereign debt risk, and its impact on the European banking system and global financial institutions. These conditions also impacted expectations for economic prospects in the U.S. and were reflected in equity and debt markets more broadly. In addition, the downgrade in credit ratings of the U.S. government and federal agencies and many financial institutions during the second half of 2011 contributed to further uncertainty in the markets. These concerns, as well as other broad market concerns, such as uncertainty over financial regulatory reform, continued to have a negative impact on our net revenues during 2011. If these concerns continue, and market-making conditions remain challenging, net revenues in Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Client Execution and Equities would likely continue to be negatively impacted.
Operating expenses were $12.70 billion for 2011, 11% lower than 2010, due to decreased compensation and benefits expenses, primarily resulting from lower net revenues, the impact of the U.K. bank payroll tax during 2010, as well as an impairment of our NYSE DMM rights of $305 million during 2010. These decreases were partially offset by higher brokerage, clearing, exchange and distribution fees, principally reflecting higher transaction volumes in Equities. Pre-tax earnings were $4.58 billion in 2011, 39% lower than 2010.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
2010 versus 2009. Net revenues in Institutional Client Services were $21.80 billion for 2010, 33% lower than 2009.
Net revenues in Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Client Execution were $13.71 billion for 2010, 37% lower than a particularly strong 2009. During 2010, Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Client Execution operated in a challenging environment characterized by lower client activity levels, which reflected broad market concerns including European sovereign debt risk and uncertainty over regulatory reform, as well as tighter bid/offer spreads. The decrease in net revenues compared with 2009 primarily reflected significantly lower results in interest rate products, credit products, commodities and, to a lesser extent, currencies. These decreases were partially offset by higher net revenues in mortgages, as 2009 included approximately $1 billion of losses related to commercial mortgage loans.
Net revenues in Equities were $8.09 billion for 2010, 25% lower than 2009, primarily reflecting significantly lower net revenues in equities client execution, principally due to significantly lower results in derivatives and shares. Commissions and fees were also lower than 2009, primarily reflecting lower client activity levels. In addition, securities services net revenues were significantly lower compared with 2009, primarily reflecting tighter securities lending spreads, principally due to the impact of changes in the composition of customer balances, partially offset by the impact of higher average customer balances. During 2010, although equity markets were volatile during the first half of the year, equity prices generally improved and volatility levels declined in the second half of the year.
The net gain/(loss) attributable to the impact of changes in our own credit spreads on borrowings for which the fair value option was elected was $198 million and $(1.10) billion for 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Results in Institutional Client Services for 2010 were negatively impacted by a general decrease in client activity levels from very strong levels seen in 2009. Certain unfavorable conditions emerged during the second quarter of 2010 that made the environment more challenging for our businesses, resulting in lower client activity levels. These conditions included broad market concerns, such as
European sovereign debt risk and uncertainty regarding financial regulatory reform, sharply higher equity volatility levels, lower global equity prices and wider corporate credit spreads. During the second half of 2010, some of these conditions reversed as equity volatility levels decreased, global equity prices recovered, corporate credit spreads narrowed and commercial real estate asset prices began to improve. However, lower client activity levels, reflecting broad market concerns, including European sovereign debt risk and uncertainty over regulatory reform, continued to negatively impact our results. In addition, bid/offer spreads remained tight relative to 2009, as financial markets continued to stabilize, the availability of funding improved and volatility levels in both corporate credit spreads and commodity prices declined.
Operating expenses were $14.29 billion for 2010, 4% higher than 2009, due to the impact of the U.K. bank payroll tax, as well as an impairment of our NYSE DMM rights of $305 million. These increases were partially offset by lower compensation and benefits expenses, resulting from lower levels of discretionary compensation. Pre-tax earnings were $7.51 billion in 2010, 61% lower than 2009.
Investing & Lending
Investing & Lending includes our investing activities and the origination of loans to provide financing to clients. These investments and loans are typically longer-term in nature. We make investments, directly and indirectly through funds that we manage, in debt securities, loans, public and private equity securities, real estate, consolidated investment entities and power generation facilities.
The table below presents the operating results of our Investing & Lending segment.
1. Primarily includes net revenues related to our consolidated entities held for investment purposes.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
2011 versus 2010. Net revenues in Investing & Lending were $2.14 billion and $7.54 billion for 2011 and 2010, respectively. During 2011, Investing & Lending results reflected an operating environment characterized by a significant decline in equity markets in Europe and Asia, and unfavorable credit markets that were negatively impacted by increased concerns regarding the weakened state of global economies, including heightened European sovereign debt risk. Results for 2011 included a loss of $517 million from our investment in the ordinary shares of ICBC and net gains of $1.12 billion from other investments in equities, primarily in private equity positions, partially offset by losses from public equities. In addition, Investing & Lending included net revenues of $96 million from debt securities and loans. This amount includes approximately $1 billion of unrealized losses related to relationship lending activities, including the effect of hedges, offset by net interest income and net gains from other debt securities and loans. Results for 2011 also included other net revenues of $1.44 billion, principally related to our consolidated entities held for investment purposes. If equity markets decline further and credit spreads widen further, net revenues in Investing & Lending would likely continue to be negatively impacted.
Operating expenses were $2.67 billion for 2011, 20% lower than 2010, due to decreased compensation and benefits expenses, primarily resulting from lower net revenues. This decrease was partially offset by the impact of impairment charges related to consolidated investments during 2011. Pre-tax loss was $531 million in 2011, compared with pre-tax earnings of $4.18 billion in 2010.
2010 versus 2009. Net revenues in Investing & Lending were $7.54 billion and $2.86 billion for 2010 and 2009, respectively. Results for 2010 included a gain of $747 million from our investment in the ordinary shares of ICBC, a net gain of $2.69 billion from other investments in equities, a net gain of $2.60 billion from debt securities and loans and other net revenues of $1.51 billion, principally related to our consolidated entities held for investment purposes. The net gain from other investments in equities was primarily driven by an increase in global equity markets, which resulted in appreciation of both our public and private equity positions and provided favorable conditions for initial public offerings. The net gains and net interest from debt securities and loans primarily reflected the impact of tighter credit spreads and favorable credit markets during the year, which provided favorable conditions for borrowers to refinance.
Results for 2009 included a gain of $1.58 billion from our investment in the ordinary shares of ICBC, a net gain of $1.05 billion from debt securities and loans, and other net revenues of $832 million, principally related to our consolidated entities held for investment purposes, partially offset by a net loss of $596 million from other investments in equities. During 2009, continued weakness in commercial real estate markets negatively impacted our results.
Operating expenses were $3.36 billion for 2010, 5% lower than 2009, due to the impact of significantly higher real estate impairment charges during 2009 related to consolidated entities held for investment purposes, as well as decreased compensation and benefits expenses, resulting from lower levels of discretionary compensation. Pre-tax earnings were $4.18 billion in 2010, compared with a pre-tax loss of $660 million for 2009.
Investment Management
Investment Management provides investment management services and offers investment products (primarily through separately managed accounts and commingled vehicles, such as mutual funds and private investment funds) across all major asset classes to a diverse set of institutional and individual clients. Investment Management also offers wealth advisory services, including portfolio management and financial counseling, and brokerage and other transaction services to high-net-worth individuals and families.
Assets under management typically generate fees as a percentage of net asset value, which vary by asset class and are affected by investment performance as well as asset inflows and redemptions. In certain circumstances, we are also entitled to receive incentive fees based on a percentage of a fund’s return or when the return exceeds a specified benchmark or other performance targets. Incentive fees are recognized when all material contingencies are resolved.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The table below presents the operating results of our Investment Management segment.
Assets under management include only client assets where we earn a fee for managing assets on a discretionary basis. This includes net assets in our mutual funds, hedge funds and private equity funds (including real estate funds), and separately managed accounts for institutional and individual investors. Assets under management do not include the self-directed assets of our clients, including brokerage accounts, or interest-bearing deposits held through our bank depository institution subsidiaries.
The tables below present our assets under management by asset class and a summary of the changes in our assets under management.
1. Primarily includes hedge funds, private equity, real estate, currencies, commodities and asset allocation strategies.
1. Includes $6 billion of asset inflows in connection with our acquisitions of Goldman Sachs Australia Pty Ltd (GS Australia), formerly Goldman Sachs & Partners Australia Group Holdings Pty Ltd, and Benchmark Asset Management Company Private Limited.
2011 versus 2010. Net revenues in Investment Management were $5.03 billion for 2011, essentially unchanged compared with 2010, primarily due to higher management and other fees, reflecting favorable changes in the mix of assets under management, offset by lower incentive fees. During the year, assets under management decreased $12 billion to $828 billion, reflecting net outflows of $17 billion, partially offset by net market appreciation of $5 billion. Net outflows primarily reflected outflows in fixed income and equity assets, partially offset by inflows in money market assets.
During the first half of 2011, Investment Management operated in an environment generally characterized by improved asset prices and a shift in investor assets away from money markets in favor of asset classes with potentially higher risk and returns. However, during the second half of 2011, asset prices declined, particularly in equities, in part driven by increased uncertainty regarding the global economic outlook. Declining asset prices and economic uncertainty contributed to investors shifting assets away from asset classes with potentially higher risk and returns to asset classes with lower risk and returns. If asset prices continue to decline or investors continue to favor lower risk asset classes or withdraw their assets, net revenues in Investment Management would likely continue to be negatively impacted.
Operating expenses were $4.02 billion for 2011, essentially unchanged compared with 2010. Pre-tax earnings were $1.02 billion in 2011, 6% higher than 2010.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
2010 versus 2009. Net revenues in Investment Management were $5.01 billion for 2010, 9% higher than 2009, primarily reflecting higher incentive fees across our alternative investment products. Management and other fees also increased, reflecting favorable changes in the mix of assets under management, as well as the impact of appreciation in the value of client assets. During 2010, assets under management decreased 4% to $840 billion, primarily reflecting outflows in money market assets, consistent with industry trends.
During 2010, Investment Management operated in an environment generally characterized by a continuation of industry trends that emerged during 2009, as financial markets began to stabilize, asset prices improved and investors began to shift assets away from money markets in favor of asset classes with potentially higher risk and returns. This trend resulted in favorable changes in the mix of assets under management, as well as appreciation in the value of client assets.
Operating expenses were $4.05 billion for 2010, 10% higher than 2009, primarily reflecting increased staff levels and the impact of growth initiatives. Pre-tax earnings were $963 million in 2010, 3% higher than 2009.
Geographic Data
See Note 25 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for a summary of our total net revenues, pre-tax earnings and net earnings by geographic region.
Regulatory Developments
The U.S. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), enacted in July 2010, significantly altered the financial regulatory regime within which we operate. The implications of the Dodd-Frank Act for our businesses will depend to a large extent on the rules that will be adopted by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve Board), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the SEC, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and other agencies to implement the legislation, as well as the development of market practices and structures under the regime established by the legislation and the implementing rules. Similar reforms are being considered by other regulators and policy makers worldwide and these reforms may affect our businesses. We expect that the principal areas of impact from regulatory reform for us will be:
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the Dodd-Frank prohibition on “proprietary trading” and the limitation on the sponsorship of, and investment in, hedge funds and private equity funds by banking entities, including bank holding companies, referred to as the “Volcker Rule”;
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increased regulation of and restrictions on over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives markets and transactions; and
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increased regulatory capital requirements.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
In October 2011, the proposed rules to implement the Volcker Rule were issued and included an extensive request for comments on the proposal. The proposed rules are highly complex and many aspects of the Volcker Rule remain unclear. The full impact of the rule will depend upon the detailed scope of the prohibitions, permitted activities, exceptions and exclusions, and the full impact on the firm will not be known with certainty until the rules are finalized.
While many aspects of the Volcker Rule remain unclear, we evaluated the prohibition on “proprietary trading” and determined that businesses that engage in “bright line” proprietary trading are most likely to be prohibited. In 2011 and 2010, we liquidated substantially all of our Principal Strategies and global macro proprietary trading positions.
In addition, we evaluated the limitations on sponsorship of, and investments in, hedge funds and private equity funds. The firm earns management fees and incentive fees for investment management services from private equity and hedge funds, which are included in our Investment Management segment. The firm also makes investments in funds and the gains and losses from such investments are included in our Investing & Lending segment; these gains and losses will be impacted by the Volcker Rule. The Volcker Rule limitation on investments in hedge funds and private equity funds requires the firm to reduce its investment in each private equity and hedge fund to 3% or less of net asset value, and to reduce the firm’s aggregate investment in all such funds to 3% or less of the firm’s Tier 1 capital. Over the period from 1999 through 2011, the firm’s aggregate net revenues from its investments in hedge funds and private equity funds were not material to the firm’s aggregate total net revenues over the same period. We continue to manage our existing private equity funds taking into account the transition periods under the Volcker Rule. With respect to our hedge funds, we currently plan to comply with the Volcker Rule by redeeming certain of our interests in the funds. We currently expect to redeem up to approximately 10% of certain hedge funds’ total redeemable units per quarter over ten consecutive quarters, beginning March 2012 and ending June 2014. In addition, we have limited the firm’s initial investment to 3% for certain new funds.
As required by the Dodd-Frank Act, the Federal Reserve Board and FDIC have jointly issued a rule requiring each bank holding company with over $50 billion in assets and each designated systemically important financial institution to provide to regulators an annual plan for its rapid and orderly resolution in the event of material financial distress or failure (resolution plan). Our resolution plan must, among other things, ensure that Goldman Sachs Bank USA (GS Bank USA) is adequately protected from risks arising from our other entities. The regulators’ joint rule sets specific standards for the resolution plans, including requiring a detailed resolution strategy and analyses of the company’s material entities, organizational structure, interconnections and interdependencies, and management information systems, among other elements. We have commenced work on our first resolution plan, which we must submit to the regulators by July 1, 2012. GS Bank USA is also required by the FDIC to submit a plan for its rapid and orderly resolution in the event of material financial distress or failure by July 1, 2012.
In September 2011, the SEC proposed rules to implement the Dodd-Frank Act’s prohibition against securitization participants’ engaging in any transaction that would involve or result in any material conflict of interest with an investor in a securitization transaction. The proposed rules would except bona fide market-making activities and risk-mitigating hedging activities in connection with securitization activities from the general prohibition.
In December 2011, the Federal Reserve Board proposed regulations designed to strengthen the regulation and supervision of large bank holding companies and systemically important nonbank financial firms. These proposals address risk-based capital and leverage requirements, liquidity requirements, stress tests, single counterparty limits and early remediation requirements that are designed to address financial weakness at an early stage. Although many of the proposals mirror initiatives to which bank holding companies are already subject, their full impact on the firm will not be known with certainty until the rules are finalized.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
In addition, the U.S. federal bank regulatory agencies issued revised proposals to modify their market risk regulatory capital requirements for banking organizations in the United States that have significant trading activities. The modifications are designed to address the adjustments to the market risk framework that were announced by the Basel Committee in June 2010 (Basel 2.5), as well as the prohibition on the use of credit ratings, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. We expect the federal banking agencies to propose further modifications to their capital adequacy regulations to address both Basel 3 and other aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act, including requirements for global systemically important banks. Once implemented, it is likely that these changes will result in increased capital requirements, although their full impact will not be known until the U.S. federal bank regulatory agencies publish their final rules.
The Dodd-Frank Act also establishes a Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection having broad authority to regulate providers of credit, payment and other consumer financial products and services, and this Bureau has oversight over certain of our products and services.
See “Business-Regulation” in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K for more information.
Balance Sheet and Funding Sources
Balance Sheet Management
One of our most important risk management disciplines is our ability to manage the size and composition of our balance sheet. While our asset base changes due to client activity, market fluctuations and business opportunities, the size and composition of our balance sheet reflect (i) our overall risk tolerance, (ii) our ability to access stable funding sources and (iii) the amount of equity capital we hold.
Although our balance sheet fluctuates on a day-to-day basis, our total assets and adjusted assets at quarterly and year-end dates are generally not materially different from those occurring within our reporting periods.
In order to ensure appropriate risk management, we seek to maintain a liquid balance sheet and have processes in place to dynamically manage our assets and liabilities which include:
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quarterly planning;
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business-specific limits;
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monitoring of key metrics; and
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scenario analyses.
Quarterly Planning. We prepare a quarterly balance sheet plan that combines our projected total assets and composition of assets with our expected funding sources and capital levels for the upcoming quarter. The objectives of this quarterly planning process are:
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to develop our near-term balance sheet projections, taking into account the general state of the financial markets and expected client-driven and firm-driven activity levels;
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to ensure that our projected assets are supported by an adequate amount and tenor of funding and that our projected capital and liquidity metrics are within management guidelines; and
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to allow business risk managers and managers from our independent control and support functions to objectively evaluate balance sheet limit requests from business managers in the context of the firm’s overall balance sheet constraints. These constraints include the firm’s liability profile and equity capital levels, maturities and plans for new debt and equity issuances, share repurchases, deposit trends and secured funding transactions.
To prepare our quarterly balance sheet plan, business risk managers and managers from our independent control and support functions meet with business managers to review current and prior period metrics and discuss expectations for the upcoming quarter. The specific metrics reviewed include asset and liability size and composition, aged inventory, limit utilization, risk and performance measures, and capital usage.
Our consolidated quarterly plan, including our balance sheet plans by business, funding and capital projections, and projected capital and liquidity metrics, is reviewed by the Finance Committee. See “Overview and Structure of Risk Management.”
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Business-Specific Limits. The Finance Committee sets asset and liability limits for each business and aged inventory limits for certain financial instruments as a disincentive to hold inventory over longer periods of time. These limits are set at levels which are close to actual operating levels in order to ensure prompt escalation and discussion among business managers and managers in our independent control and support functions on a routine basis. The Finance Committee reviews and approves balance sheet limits on a quarterly basis and may also approve changes in limits on an ad hoc basis in response to changing business needs or market conditions.
Monitoring of Key Metrics. We monitor key balance sheet metrics daily both by business and on a consolidated basis, including asset and liability size and composition, aged inventory, limit utilization, risk measures and capital usage. We allocate assets to businesses and review and analyze movements resulting from new business activity as well as market fluctuations.
Scenario Analyses. We conduct scenario analyses to determine how we would manage the size and composition of our balance sheet and maintain appropriate funding, liquidity and capital positions in a variety of situations:
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These scenarios cover short-term and long-term time horizons using various macro-economic and firm-specific assumptions. We use these analyses to assist us in developing longer-term funding plans, including the level of unsecured debt issuances, the size of our secured funding program and the amount and composition of our equity capital. We also consider any potential future constraints, such as limits on our ability to grow our asset base in the absence of appropriate funding.
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Through our Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP) and our resolution and recovery planning, we further analyze how we would manage our balance sheet through the duration of a severe crisis and we develop plans to access funding, generate liquidity, and/or redeploy equity capital, as appropriate.
Balance Sheet Allocation
In addition to preparing our consolidated statement of financial condition in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we prepare a balance sheet that generally allocates assets to our businesses, which is a non-GAAP presentation and may not be comparable to similar non-GAAP presentations used by other companies. We believe that presenting our assets on this basis is meaningful because it is consistent with the way management views and manages risks associated with the firm’s assets and better enables investors to assess the liquidity of the firm’s assets. The table below presents a summary of this balance sheet allocation.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The following is a description of the captions in the table above.
Excess Liquidity and Cash. We maintain substantial excess liquidity to meet a broad range of potential cash outflows and collateral needs in the event of a stressed environment. See “Liquidity Risk Management” below for details on the composition and sizing of our excess liquidity pool or “Global Core Excess” (GCE). In addition to our excess liquidity, we maintain other operating cash balances, primarily for use in specific currencies, entities, or jurisdictions where we do not have immediate access to parent company liquidity.
Secured Client Financing. We provide collateralized financing for client positions, including margin loans secured by client collateral, securities borrowed, and resale agreements primarily collateralized by government obligations. As a result of client activities, we are required to segregate cash and securities to satisfy regulatory requirements. Our secured client financing arrangements, which are generally short-term, are accounted for at fair value or at amounts that approximate fair value, and include daily margin requirements to mitigate counterparty credit risk.
Institutional Client Services. In Institutional Client Services, we maintain inventory positions to facilitate market-making in fixed income, equity, currency and commodity products. Additionally, as part of client market-making activities, we enter into resale or securities borrowing arrangements to obtain securities which we can use to cover transactions in which we or our clients have sold securities that have not yet been purchased. The receivables in Institutional Client Services primarily relate to securities transactions.
Investing & Lending. In Investing & Lending, we make investments and originate loans to provide financing to clients. These investments and loans are typically longer-term in nature. We make investments, directly and indirectly through funds that we manage, in debt securities, loans, public and private equity securities, real estate and other investments.
Other Assets. Other assets are generally less liquid, non-financial assets, including property, leasehold improvements and equipment, goodwill and identifiable intangible assets, income tax-related receivables, equity-method investments and miscellaneous receivables.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The tables below present the reconciliation of this balance sheet allocation to our U.S. GAAP balance sheet. In the tables below, total assets for Institutional Client Services and Investing & Lending represent the inventory and related assets. These amounts differ from total assets by
business segment disclosed in Note 25 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K because total assets disclosed in Note 25 include allocations of our excess liquidity and cash, secured client financing and other assets.
1. Includes unencumbered cash, U.S. government and federal agency obligations (including highly liquid U.S. federal agency mortgage-backed obligations), and German, French, Japanese and United Kingdom government obligations.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Less Liquid Inventory Composition
We seek to maintain a liquid balance sheet comprised of assets that can be readily sold or funded on a secured basis. However, we do hold certain financial instruments that may be more difficult to sell, or fund on a secured basis, especially during times of market stress. We focus on funding these assets with liabilities that have longer-term contractual maturities to reduce the need to refinance in periods of market stress. The table below presents our aggregate holdings in these categories of financial instruments.
1. Includes funded commitments and inventory held in connection with our origination, investing and market-making activities.
2. Includes interests in funds that we manage. Such amounts exclude assets for which the firm does not bear economic exposure of $2.38 billion and $1.68 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, including assets related to consolidated investment funds and consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs).
3. Includes interests of $2.60 billion and $4.73 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, held by investment funds managed by Goldman Sachs. The decrease was primarily related to the sale of a portion of the ordinary shares of ICBC held by investment funds managed by Goldman Sachs.
4. Includes interests in other investment funds that we manage. See “Results of Operations - Regulatory Developments” for information about our plans to redeem certain of our interests in hedge funds to comply with the Volcker Rule.
See Notes 4 through 6 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information about the financial instruments we hold.
Balance Sheet Analysis and Metrics
As of December 2011, total assets on our consolidated statement of financial condition were $923.23 billion, an increase of $11.89 billion from December 2010. This increase was primarily due to (i) an increase in cash and cash equivalents of $16.22 billion, primarily due to increases in interest-bearing deposits with banks, (ii) an increase in cash and securities segregated for regulatory and other purposes of $10.53 billion, primarily due to an increase in reserve balances held by broker-dealer subsidiaries related to client activity, and (iii) an increase in financial instruments owned, at fair value of $7.25 billion, primarily due to increases in non-U.S. government obligations and derivatives, partially offset by a decrease in commodities. These increases were partially offset by decreases in (i) collateralized agreements of $13.53 billion, primarily due to decreases in client and firm activity, and (ii) receivables from customers and counterparties of $7.44 billion, primarily due to decreases in client activity in secured client financing.
As of December 2011, total liabilities on our consolidated statement of financial condition were $852.85 billion, an increase of $18.87 billion from December 2010. This increase was primarily due to (i) an increase in deposits of $7.54 billion, primarily due to increases in client activity and (ii) an increase in payables to customers and counterparties of $7.36 billion, primarily due to increases in client activity.
As of December 2011, our total securities sold under agreements to repurchase, accounted for as collateralized financings, were $164.50 billion, which was 7% higher and 3% higher than the daily average amount of repurchase agreements during the quarter ended and year ended December 2011, respectively. As of December 2011, the increase in our repurchase agreements relative to the daily average during the quarter and year was primarily due to increases in client activity at the end of the year. As of December 2010, our total securities sold under agreements to repurchase, accounted for as collateralized financings, were $162.35 billion, which was 2% higher and 10% higher than the daily average amount of repurchase agreements during the quarter ended and year ended December 2010, respectively. As of December 2010, the increase in our repurchase agreements relative to the daily average during the quarter and year was due to an increase in client activity at the end of the year and an increase in firm financing activities. The level of our repurchase agreements fluctuates between and within periods, primarily due to providing clients with access to highly liquid collateral, such as U.S. government, federal agency and investment-grade sovereign obligations through collateralized financing activities.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The table below presents information on our assets, unsecured long-term borrowings, shareholders’ equity and leverage ratios.
Adjusted assets. Adjusted assets equals total assets less (i) low-risk collateralized assets generally associated with our secured client financing transactions, federal funds sold and excess liquidity (which includes financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value, less derivative liabilities) and (ii) cash and securities we segregate for regulatory and other purposes. Adjusted assets is a non-GAAP measure and may not be comparable to similar non-GAAP measures used by other companies.
The table below presents the reconciliation of total assets to adjusted assets.
Leverage ratio. The leverage ratio equals total assets divided by total shareholders’ equity and measures the proportion of equity and debt the firm is using to finance assets. This ratio is different from the Tier 1 leverage ratio included in “Equity Capital - Consolidated Regulatory Capital Ratios” below, and further described in Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Adjusted leverage ratio. The adjusted leverage ratio equals adjusted assets divided by total shareholders’ equity. We believe that the adjusted leverage ratio is a more meaningful measure of our capital adequacy than the leverage ratio because it excludes certain low-risk collateralized assets that are generally supported with little or no capital. The adjusted leverage ratio is a non-GAAP measure and may not be comparable to similar non-GAAP measures used by other companies.
Our adjusted leverage ratio increased to 8.6x as of December 2011 from 7.6x as of December 2010 as our adjusted assets increased and our total shareholders’ equity decreased, primarily reflecting the redemption of the firm’s Series G Preferred Stock and the repurchase of 47.0 million shares of our common stock.
Debt to equity ratio. The debt to equity ratio equals unsecured long-term borrowings divided by total shareholders’ equity.
Funding Sources
Our primary sources of funding are secured financings, unsecured long-term and short-term borrowings, and deposits. We seek to maintain broad and diversified funding sources globally.
We raise funding through a number of different products, including:
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collateralized financings, such as repurchase agreements, securities loaned and other secured financings;
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long-term unsecured debt through syndicated U.S. registered offerings, U.S. registered and 144A medium-term note programs, offshore medium-term note offerings and other debt offerings;
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demand and savings deposits through cash sweep programs and time deposits through internal and third-party broker networks; and
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short-term unsecured debt through U.S. and non-U.S. commercial paper and promissory note issuances and other methods.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
We generally distribute our funding products through our own sales force to a large, diverse creditor base in a variety of markets in the Americas, Europe and Asia. We believe that our relationships with our creditors are critical to our liquidity. Our creditors include banks, governments, securities lenders, pension funds, insurance companies, mutual funds and individuals. We have imposed various internal guidelines to monitor creditor concentration across our funding programs.
Secured Funding. We fund a significant amount of our inventory on a secured basis. Secured funding is less sensitive to changes in our credit quality than unsecured funding due to the nature of the collateral we post to our lenders. However, because the terms or availability of secured funding, particularly short-dated funding, can deteriorate rapidly in a difficult environment, we generally do not rely on short-dated secured funding unless it is collateralized with highly liquid securities such as government obligations.
Substantially all of our other secured funding is executed for tenors of one month or greater. Additionally, we monitor counterparty concentration and hold a portion of
our GCE for refinancing risk associated with our secured funding transactions. We seek longer terms for secured funding collateralized by lower-quality assets because these funding transactions may pose greater refinancing risk.
The weighted average maturity of our secured funding, excluding funding collateralized by highly liquid securities eligible for inclusion in our GCE, exceeded 100 days as of December 2011.
A majority of our secured funding for securities not eligible for inclusion in the GCE is executed through term repurchase agreements and securities lending contracts. We also raise financing through other types of collateralized financings, such as secured loans and notes.
Unsecured Long-Term Borrowings. We issue unsecured long-term borrowings as a source of funding for inventory and other assets and to finance a portion of our GCE. We issue in different tenors, currencies, and products to maximize the diversification of our investor base. The table below presents our quarterly unsecured long-term borrowings maturity profile through 2017 as of December 2011.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The weighted average maturity of our unsecured long-term borrowings as of December 2011 was approximately eight years. To mitigate refinancing risk, we seek to limit the principal amount of debt maturing on any one day or during any week or year. We enter into interest rate swaps to convert a substantial portion of our long-term borrowings into floating-rate obligations in order to manage our exposure to interest rates. See Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information about our unsecured long-term borrowings.
Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (TLGP). As of December 2011, we had $8.53 billion of senior unsecured short-term debt outstanding guaranteed by the FDIC under the TLGP, all of which will mature on or prior to June 15, 2012. We have not issued long-term debt under the TLGP since March 2009 and the program has expired for new issuances.
Deposits. As of December 2011, our bank depository institution subsidiaries had $46.11 billion in customer deposits, including $13.27 billion of certificates of deposit and other time deposits with a weighted average maturity of three years, and $32.84 billion of other deposits, substantially all of which were from cash sweep programs. We utilize deposits to finance lending activities in our bank subsidiaries and to support potential outflows, such as draws on unfunded commitments.
Unsecured Short-Term Borrowings. A significant portion of our short-term borrowings were originally long-term debt that is scheduled to mature within one year of the reporting date. We use short-term borrowings to finance liquid assets and for other cash management purposes. We primarily issue commercial paper, promissory notes, and other hybrid instruments.
As of December 2011, our unsecured short-term borrowings, including the current portion of unsecured long-term borrowings, were $49.04 billion. See Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information about our unsecured short-term borrowings.
GS Bank USA has access to funding through the Federal Reserve Bank discount window. While we do not rely on this funding in our liquidity planning and stress testing, we maintain policies and procedures necessary to access this funding and test discount window borrowing procedures.
Equity Capital
Capital adequacy is of critical importance to us. Our principal objective is to be conservatively capitalized in terms of the amount and composition of our equity base. Accordingly, we have in place a comprehensive capital management policy that serves as a guide to determine the amount and composition of equity capital we maintain.
The level and composition of our equity capital are determined by multiple factors including our consolidated regulatory capital requirements and ICAAP, and may also be influenced by other factors such as rating agency guidelines, subsidiary capital requirements, the business environment, conditions in the financial markets and assessments of potential future losses due to adverse changes in our business and market environments. In addition, we maintain a capital plan which projects sources and uses of capital given a range of business environments, and a contingency capital plan which provides a framework for analyzing and responding to an actual or perceived capital shortfall.
Effective December 2011, as part of the Federal Reserve Board’s annual Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review, U.S. bank holding companies with total consolidated assets of $50 billion or greater, are required to submit annual capital plans for review by the Federal Reserve Board. The capital plans should demonstrate the ability of a bank holding company to maintain its capital ratios above minimum regulatory capital requirements and above a Tier 1 common ratio of 5% on a pro forma basis under expected and stressed scenarios. The purpose of the Federal Reserve Board’s review is to ensure that these institutions have robust, forward-looking capital planning processes that account for their unique risks and that permit continued operations during times of economic and financial stress. As part of the capital plan review, the Federal Reserve Board evaluates an institution’s plan to make capital distributions, such as increasing dividend payments or repurchasing or redeeming stock, across a range of macro-economic and firm-specific assumptions. The Federal Reserve Board began the annual capital plan reviews in early 2012.
Our consolidated regulatory capital requirements are determined by the Federal Reserve Board, as described below. Our ICAAP incorporates an internal risk-based capital assessment designed to identify and measure material risks associated with our business activities, including market risk, credit risk and operational risk, in a manner that is closely aligned with our risk management practices. Our internal risk-based capital assessment is supplemented with the results of stress tests.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
As of December 2011, our total shareholders’ equity was $70.38 billion (consisting of common shareholders’ equity of $67.28 billion and preferred stock of $3.10 billion). As of December 2010, our total shareholders’ equity was $77.36 billion (consisting of common shareholders’ equity of $70.40 billion and preferred stock of $6.96 billion). In addition, our $5.00 billion of junior subordinated debt issued to trusts qualifies as equity capital for regulatory and certain rating agency purposes. See “- Consolidated Regulatory Capital Ratios” below for information regarding the impact of regulatory developments.
Consolidated Regulatory Capital
The Federal Reserve Board is the primary regulator of Group Inc., a bank holding company and a financial holding company under the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. As a bank holding company, we are subject to consolidated regulatory capital requirements that are computed in accordance with the Federal Reserve Board’s capital adequacy regulations currently applicable to bank holding companies (which are based on the ‘Basel 1’ Capital Accord of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (Basel Committee)). These capital requirements are expressed as capital ratios that compare measures of capital to risk-weighted assets (RWAs). See Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information regarding the firm’s RWAs. The firm’s capital levels are also subject to qualitative judgments by its regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
Federal Reserve Board regulations require bank holding companies to maintain a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 4% and a minimum total capital ratio of 8%. The required minimum Tier 1 capital ratio and total capital ratio in order to be considered a “well-capitalized” bank holding company under the Federal Reserve Board guidelines are 6% and 10%, respectively. Bank holding companies may be expected to maintain ratios well above the minimum levels, depending on their particular condition, risk profile and growth plans. The minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio is 3% for bank holding companies that have received the highest supervisory rating under Federal Reserve Board guidelines or that have implemented the Federal Reserve Board’s risk-based capital measure for market risk. Other bank holding companies must have a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4%.
Consolidated Regulatory Capital Ratios
The table below presents information about our regulatory capital ratios.
1. Principally includes equity investments in non-financial companies and the cumulative change in the fair value of our unsecured borrowings attributable to the impact of changes in our own credit spreads, disallowed deferred tax assets, and investments in certain nonconsolidated entities.
2. Substantially all of our subordinated debt qualifies as Tier 2 capital for Basel 1 purposes.
3. See Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information about the firm’s RWAs and Tier 1 leverage ratio.
4. The Tier 1 common ratio equals Tier 1 common capital divided by RWAs. We believe that the Tier 1 common ratio is meaningful because it is one of the measures that we and investors use to assess capital adequacy and, while not currently a formal regulatory capital ratio, this measure is of increasing importance to regulators. The Tier 1 common ratio is a non-GAAP measure and may not be comparable to similar non-GAAP measures used by other companies.
Our Tier 1 capital ratio decreased to 13.8% as of December 2011 from 16.0% as of December 2010. Our Tier 1 leverage ratio decreased to 7.0% as of December 2011 from 8.0% as of December 2010. These decreases reflected a reduction in our Tier 1 capital primarily due to the impact of the redemption of the firm’s Series G Preferred Stock and the repurchase of 47.0 million shares of our common stock, partially offset by net earnings.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
We are currently working to implement the requirements set out in the Federal Reserve Board’s Risk-Based Capital Standards: Advanced Capital Adequacy Framework - Basel 2, as applicable to us as a bank holding company (Basel 2), which are based on the advanced approaches under the Revised Framework for the International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards issued by the Basel Committee. U.S. banking regulators have incorporated the Basel 2 framework into the existing risk-based capital requirements by requiring that internationally active banking organizations, such as us, adopt Basel 2, once approved to do so by regulators. As required by the Dodd-Frank Act, U.S. banking regulators have adopted a rule that requires large banking organizations, upon adoption of Basel 2, to continue to calculate risk-based capital ratios under both Basel 1 and Basel 2. For each of the Tier 1 and Total capital ratios, the lower of the Basel 1 and Basel 2 ratios calculated will be used to determine whether the bank meets its minimum risk-based capital requirements.
The U.S. federal bank regulatory agencies have issued revised proposals to modify their market risk regulatory capital requirements for banking organizations in the United States that have significant trading activities. These modifications are designed to address the adjustments to Basel 2.5, as well as the prohibition on the use of credit ratings, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. Once implemented, it is likely that these changes will result in increased capital requirements for market risk.
Additionally, the guidelines issued by the Basel Committee in December 2010 (Basel 3) revise the definition of Tier 1 capital, introduce Tier 1 common equity as a regulatory metric, set new minimum capital ratios (including a new “capital conservation buffer,” which must be composed exclusively of Tier 1 common equity and will be in addition to the minimum capital ratios), introduce a Tier 1 leverage ratio within international guidelines for the first time, and make substantial revisions to the computation of RWAs for credit exposures. Implementation of the new requirements is expected to take place over the next several years. Although the U.S. federal banking agencies have now issued proposed rules that are intended to implement certain aspects of the Basel 2.5 guidelines, they have not yet addressed all aspects of those guidelines or the Basel 3 changes.
The Basel Committee has published its final provisions for assessing the global systemic importance of banking institutions and the range of additional Tier 1 common equity that should be maintained by banking institutions deemed to be globally systemically important. The additional capital for these institutions would initially range from 1% to 2.5% of Tier 1 common equity and could be as much as 3.5% for a bank that increases its systemic footprint (e.g., by increasing total assets). The firm was one of 29 institutions identified by the Financial Stability Board (established at the direction of the leaders of the Group of 20) as globally systemically important under the Basel Committee’s methodology. Therefore, depending upon the manner and timing of the U.S. banking regulators’ implementation of the Basel Committee’s methodology, we expect that the minimum Tier 1 common ratio requirement applicable to us will include this additional capital assessment. The final determination of whether an institution is classified as globally systemically important and the calculation of the required additional capital amount is expected to be disclosed by the Basel Committee no later than November 2014 based on data through the end of 2013.
The Dodd-Frank Act will subject us at a firmwide level to the same leverage and risk-based capital requirements that apply to depository institutions and directs banking regulators to impose additional capital requirements as disclosed above. The Federal Reserve Board is expected to adopt the new leverage and risk-based capital regulations in 2012. As a consequence of these changes, Tier 1 capital treatment for our junior subordinated debt issued to trusts will be phased out over a three-year period beginning on January 1, 2013. The interaction among the Dodd-Frank Act, the Basel Committee’s proposed changes and other proposed or announced changes from other governmental entities and regulators adds further uncertainty to our future capital requirements.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
See “Business - Regulation” in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K and Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information about our regulatory capital ratios and the related regulatory requirements.
Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process
We perform an ICAAP with the objective of ensuring that the firm is appropriately capitalized relative to the risks in our business.
As part of our ICAAP, we perform an internal risk-based capital assessment. This assessment incorporates market risk, credit risk and operational risk. Market risk is calculated by using Value-at-Risk (VaR) calculations supplemented by risk-based add-ons which include risks related to rare events (tail risks). Credit risk utilizes assumptions about our counterparties’ probability of default, the size of our losses in the event of a default and the maturity of our counterparties’ contractual obligations to us. Operational risk is calculated based on scenarios incorporating multiple types of operational failures. Backtesting is used to gauge the effectiveness of models at capturing and measuring relevant risks.
We evaluate capital adequacy based on the result of our internal risk-based capital assessment, supplemented with the results of stress tests which measure the firm’s performance under various market conditions. Our goal is to hold sufficient capital, under our internal risk-based capital framework, to ensure we remain adequately capitalized after experiencing a severe stress event. Our assessment of capital adequacy is viewed in tandem with our assessment of liquidity adequacy and integrated into the overall risk management structure, governance and policy framework of the firm.
We attribute capital usage to each of our businesses based upon our internal risk-based capital and regulatory frameworks and manage the levels of usage based upon the balance sheet and risk limits established.
Rating Agency Guidelines
The credit rating agencies assign credit ratings to the obligations of Group Inc., which directly issues or guarantees substantially all of the firm’s senior unsecured obligations. Goldman, Sachs & Co. (GS&Co.) and Goldman Sachs International (GSI) have been assigned long- and short-term issuer ratings by certain credit rating agencies. GS Bank USA has also been assigned long-term issuer ratings as well as ratings on its long-term and short-term bank deposits. In addition, credit rating agencies have assigned ratings to debt obligations of certain other subsidiaries of Group Inc.
The level and composition of our equity capital are among the many factors considered in determining our credit ratings. Each agency has its own definition of eligible capital and methodology for evaluating capital adequacy, and assessments are generally based on a combination of factors rather than a single calculation. See “Liquidity Risk Management - Credit Ratings” for further information about credit ratings of Group Inc., GS&Co., GSI and GS Bank USA.
Subsidiary Capital Requirements
Many of our subsidiaries, including GS Bank USA and our broker-dealer subsidiaries, are subject to separate regulation and capital requirements in jurisdictions throughout the world. For purposes of assessing the adequacy of its capital, GS Bank USA has established an ICAAP which is similar to that used by Group Inc. GS Bank USA’s capital levels and prompt corrective action classification are subject to qualitative judgments by its regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
We expect that the capital requirements of several of our subsidiaries will be impacted in the future by the various developments arising from the Basel Committee, the Dodd-Frank Act, and other governmental entities and regulators.
See Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for information about GS Bank USA’s capital ratios under Basel 1 as implemented by the Federal Reserve Board, and for further information about the capital requirements of our other regulated subsidiaries and the potential impact of regulatory reform.
Subsidiaries not subject to separate regulatory capital requirements may hold capital to satisfy local tax guidelines, rating agency requirements (for entities with assigned credit ratings) or internal policies, including policies concerning the minimum amount of capital a subsidiary should hold based on its underlying level of risk. In certain instances, Group Inc. may be limited in its ability to access capital held at certain subsidiaries as a result of regulatory, tax or other constraints. As of December 2011 and December 2010, Group Inc.’s equity investment in subsidiaries was $67.70 billion and $71.30 billion, respectively, compared with its total shareholders’ equity of $70.38 billion and $77.36 billion, respectively.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Group Inc. has guaranteed the payment obligations of GS&Co., GS Bank USA, Goldman Sachs Bank (Europe) plc and Goldman Sachs Execution & Clearing, L.P. (GSEC) subject to certain exceptions. In November 2008, Group Inc. contributed subsidiaries into GS Bank USA, and Group Inc. agreed to guarantee certain losses, including credit-related losses, relating to assets held by the contributed entities. In connection with this guarantee, Group Inc. also agreed to pledge to GS Bank USA certain collateral, including interests in subsidiaries and other illiquid assets.
Our capital invested in non-U.S. subsidiaries is generally exposed to foreign exchange risk, substantially all of which is managed through a combination of derivatives and non-U.S. denominated debt.
Contingency Capital Plan
Our contingency capital plan provides a framework for analyzing and responding to a perceived or actual capital deficiency, including, but not limited to, identification of drivers of a capital deficiency, as well as mitigants and potential actions. It outlines the appropriate communication procedures to follow during a crisis period, including internal dissemination of information as well as ensuring timely communication with external stakeholders.
Equity Capital Management
Our objective is to maintain a sufficient level and optimal composition of equity capital. We principally manage our capital through issuances and repurchases of our common stock. We may also, from time to time, issue or repurchase our preferred stock, junior subordinated debt issued to trusts and other subordinated debt or other forms of capital as business conditions warrant and subject to any regulatory approvals. We manage our capital requirements principally by setting limits on balance sheet assets and/or limits on risk, in each case both at the consolidated and business levels. We attribute capital usage to each of our businesses based upon our internal risk-based capital and regulatory frameworks and manage the levels of usage based upon the balance sheet and risk limits established.
Preferred Stock. During 2011, we redeemed the 50,000 shares of our Series G Preferred Stock held by Berkshire Hathaway for the stated redemption price of $5.50 billion ($110,000 per share), plus accrued and unpaid dividends. In connection with this redemption, we recognized a preferred dividend of $1.64 billion (calculated as the difference between the carrying value and the redemption value of the preferred stock), which is included in the consolidated statement of earnings for 2011. Berkshire Hathaway continues to hold a five-year warrant, issued in October 2008, to purchase up to 43.5 million shares of common stock at an exercise price of $115.00 per share.
Share Repurchase Program. We seek to use our share repurchase program to help maintain the appropriate level of common equity and to substantially offset increases in share count over time resulting from employee share-based compensation. The repurchase program is effected primarily through regular open-market purchases, the amounts and timing of which are determined primarily by our current and projected capital positions (i.e., comparisons of our desired level and composition of capital to our actual level and composition of capital) and the issuance of shares resulting from employee share-based compensation, but which may also be influenced by general market conditions and the prevailing price and trading volumes of our common stock.
As of December 2011, under the share repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors of Group Inc. (Board), we can repurchase up to 63.5 million additional shares of common stock; however, any such repurchases are subject to the approval of the Federal Reserve Board. See “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities” in Part II, Item 5 and Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information on our repurchase program.
See Notes 16 and 19 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information about our preferred stock, junior subordinated debt issued to trusts and other subordinated debt.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Other Capital Metrics
The table below presents information on our shareholders’ equity and book value per common share.
Tangible common shareholders’ equity. Tangible common shareholders’ equity equals total shareholders’ equity less preferred stock, goodwill and identifiable intangible assets. We believe that tangible common shareholders’ equity is meaningful because it is a measure that we and investors use to assess capital adequacy. Tangible common shareholders’ equity is a non-GAAP measure and may not be comparable to similar non-GAAP measures used by other companies.
The table below presents the reconciliation of total shareholders’ equity to tangible common shareholders’ equity.
Book value and tangible book value per common share. Book value and tangible book value per common share are based on common shares outstanding, including restricted stock units granted to employees with no future service requirements, of 516.3 million and 546.9 million as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively. We believe that tangible book value per common share (tangible common shareholders’ equity divided by common shares outstanding) is meaningful because it is a measure that we and investors use to assess capital adequacy. Tangible book value per common share is a non-GAAP measure and may not be comparable to similar non-GAAP measures used by other companies.
Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations
Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements
We have various types of off-balance-sheet arrangements that we enter into in the ordinary course of business. Our involvement in these arrangements can take many different forms, including:
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purchasing or retaining residual and other interests in special purpose entities such as mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securitization vehicles;
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holding senior and subordinated debt, interests in limited and general partnerships, and preferred and common stock in other nonconsolidated vehicles;
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entering into interest rate, foreign currency, equity, commodity and credit derivatives, including total return swaps;
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entering into operating leases; and
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providing guarantees, indemnifications, loan commitments, letters of credit and representations and warranties.
We enter into these arrangements for a variety of business purposes, including securitizations. The securitization vehicles that purchase mortgages, corporate bonds, and other types of financial assets are critical to the functioning of several significant investor markets, including the mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities markets, since they offer investors access to specific cash flows and risks created through the securitization process.
We also enter into these arrangements to underwrite client securitization transactions; provide secondary market liquidity; make investments in performing and nonperforming debt, equity, real estate and other assets; provide investors with credit-linked and asset-repackaged notes; and receive or provide letters of credit to satisfy margin requirements and to facilitate the clearance and settlement process.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Our financial interests in, and derivative transactions with, such nonconsolidated entities are accounted for at fair value, in the same manner as our other financial instruments, except in cases where we apply the equity method of accounting.
The table below presents where a discussion of our various off-balance-sheet arrangements may be found in Part II, Items 7 and 8 of this Form 10-K. In addition, see Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for a discussion of our consolidation policies.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Contractual Obligations
We have certain contractual obligations which require us to make future cash payments. These contractual obligations include our unsecured long-term borrowings, secured long-term financings, time deposits, contractual interest payments and insurance agreements, all of which are included in our consolidated statement of financial condition. Our obligations to make future cash payments
also include certain off-balance-sheet contractual obligations such as purchase obligations, minimum rental payments under noncancelable leases and commitments and guarantees.
The table below presents our contractual obligations, commitments and guarantees as of December 2011.
1. Excludes $4.83 billion of time deposits maturing within one year.
2. The aggregate contractual principal amount of secured long-term financings for which the fair value option was elected, primarily consisting of transfers of financial assets accounted for as financings rather than sales and certain other nonrecourse financings, exceeded their related fair value by $239 million.
3. Includes $10.84 billion related to interest rate hedges on certain unsecured long-term borrowings. In addition, the aggregate contractual principal amount of unsecured long-term borrowings (principal and non-principal protected) for which the fair value option was elected exceeded the related fair value by $693 million.
4. Represents estimated future interest payments related to unsecured long-term borrowings, secured long-term financings and time deposits based on applicable interest rates as of December 2011. Includes stated coupons, if any, on structured notes.
5. Represents estimated undiscounted payments related to future benefits and unpaid claims arising from policies associated with our insurance activities, excluding separate accounts and estimated recoveries under reinsurance contracts.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
In the table above:
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Obligations maturing within one year of our financial statement date or redeemable within one year of our financial statement date at the option of the holder are excluded and are treated as short-term obligations.
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Obligations that are repayable prior to maturity at our option are reflected at their contractual maturity dates and obligations that are redeemable prior to maturity at the option of the holders are reflected at the dates such options become exercisable.
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Amounts included in the table do not necessarily reflect the actual future cash flow requirements for these arrangements because commitments and guarantees represent notional amounts and may expire unused or be reduced or cancelled at the counterparty’s request.
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Due to the uncertainty of the timing and amounts that will ultimately be paid, our liability for unrecognized tax benefits has been excluded. See Note 24 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information about our unrecognized tax benefits.
See Notes 15 and 18 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information about our short-term borrowings, and commitments and guarantees.
As of December 2011, our unsecured long-term borrowings were $173.55 billion, with maturities extending to 2061, and consisted principally of senior borrowings. See Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information about our unsecured long-term borrowings.
As of December 2011, our future minimum rental payments net of minimum sublease rentals under noncancelable leases were $3.26 billion. These lease commitments, principally for office space, expire on various dates through 2069. Certain agreements are subject to periodic escalation provisions for increases in real estate taxes and other charges. See Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information about our leases.
Our occupancy expenses include costs associated with office space held in excess of our current requirements. This excess space, the cost of which is charged to earnings as
incurred, is being held for potential growth or to replace currently occupied space that we may exit in the future. We regularly evaluate our current and future space capacity in relation to current and projected staffing levels. For the year ended December 2011, total occupancy expenses for space held in excess of our current requirements were $85 million, which includes costs related to the transition to our new headquarters in New York City. In addition, for the year ended December 2011, we incurred exit costs of $14 million related to our office space. We may incur exit costs in the future to the extent we (i) reduce our space capacity or (ii) commit to, or occupy, new properties in the locations in which we operate and, consequently, dispose of existing space that had been held for potential growth. These exit costs may be material to our results of operations in a given period.
Overview and Structure of Risk Management
Overview
We believe that effective risk management is of primary importance to the success of the firm. Accordingly, we have comprehensive risk management processes through which we monitor, evaluate and manage the risks we assume in conducting our activities. These include market, credit, liquidity, operational, legal, regulatory and reputational risk exposures. Our risk management framework is built around three core components: governance, processes and people.
Governance. Risk management governance starts with our Board, which plays an important role in reviewing and approving risk management policies and practices, both directly and through its Risk Committee, which consists of all of our independent directors. The Board also receives periodic updates on firmwide risks from our independent control and support functions. Next, at the most senior levels of the firm, our leaders are experienced risk managers, with a sophisticated and detailed understanding of the risks we take. Our senior managers lead and participate in risk-oriented committees, as do the leaders of our independent control and support functions - including those in internal audit, compliance, controllers, credit risk management, human capital management, legal, market risk management, operations, operational risk management, tax, technology and treasury.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The firm’s governance structure provides the protocol and responsibility for decision-making on risk management issues and ensures implementation of those decisions. We make extensive use of risk-related committees that meet regularly and serve as an important means to facilitate and foster ongoing discussions to identify, manage and mitigate risks.
We maintain strong communication about risk and we have a culture of collaboration in decision-making among the revenue-producing units, independent control and support functions, committees and senior management. While we believe that the first line of defense in managing risk rests with the managers in our revenue-producing units, we dedicate extensive resources to independent control and support functions in order to ensure a strong oversight structure and an appropriate segregation of duties.
Processes. We maintain various processes and procedures that are critical components of our risk management. First and foremost is our daily discipline of marking substantially all of the firm’s inventory to current market levels. Goldman Sachs carries its inventory at fair value, with changes in valuation reflected immediately in our risk management systems and in net revenues. We do so because we believe this discipline is one of the most effective tools for assessing and managing risk and that it provides transparent and realistic insight into our financial exposures.
We also apply a rigorous framework of limits to control risk across multiple transactions, products, businesses and markets. This includes setting credit and market risk limits at a variety of levels and monitoring these limits on a daily basis. Limits are typically set at levels that will be periodically exceeded, rather than at levels which reflect our maximum risk appetite. This fosters an ongoing dialogue on risk among revenue-producing units, independent control and support functions, committees and senior management, as well as rapid escalation of risk-related matters. See “Market Risk Management” and “Credit Risk Management” for further information on our risk limits.
Active management of our positions is another important process. Proactive mitigation of our market and credit exposures minimizes the risk that we will be required to take outsized actions during periods of stress.
We also focus on the rigor and effectiveness of the firm’s risk systems. The goal of our risk management technology is to get the right information to the right people at the right time, which requires systems that are comprehensive, reliable and timely. We devote significant time and resources to our risk management technology to ensure that it consistently provides us with complete, accurate and timely information.
People. Even the best technology serves only as a tool for helping to make informed decisions in real time about the risks we are taking. Ultimately, effective risk management requires our people to interpret our risk data on an ongoing and timely basis and adjust risk positions accordingly. In both our revenue-producing units and our independent control and support functions, the experience of our professionals, and their understanding of the nuances and limitations of each risk measure, guide the firm in assessing exposures and maintaining them within prudent levels.
Structure
Ultimate oversight of risk is the responsibility of the firm’s Board. The Board oversees risk both directly and through its Risk Committee. Within the firm, a series of committees with specific risk management mandates have oversight or decision-making responsibilities for risk management activities. Committee membership generally consists of senior managers from both our revenue-producing units and our independent control and support functions. We have established procedures for these committees to ensure that appropriate information barriers are in place. Our primary risk committees, most of which also have additional sub-committees or working groups, are described below. In addition to these committees, we have other risk-oriented committees which provide oversight for different businesses, activities, products, regions and legal entities.
Membership of the firm’s risk committees is reviewed regularly and updated to reflect changes in the responsibilities of the committee members. Accordingly, the length of time that members serve on the respective committees varies as determined by the committee chairs and based on the responsibilities of the members within the firm.
In addition, independent control and support functions, which report to the chief financial officer, general counsel, chief administrative officer, or in the case of Internal Audit, to the Audit Committee of the Board, are responsible for day-to-day oversight of risk, as discussed in greater detail in the following sections.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The chart below presents an overview of our risk management governance structure, highlighting the oversight
of our Board, our key risk-related committees and the independence of our control and support functions.
Management Committee. The Management Committee oversees the global activities of the firm, including all of the firm’s independent control and support functions. It provides this oversight directly and through authority delegated to committees it has established. This committee is comprised of the most senior leaders of the firm, and is chaired by the firm’s chief executive officer. The Management Committee has established various committees with delegated authority and the chairperson of the Management Committee appoints the chairpersons of these committees. Most members of the Management Committee are also members of other firmwide, divisional and regional committees. The following are the committees that are principally involved in firmwide risk management.
Firmwide Client and Business Standards Committee. The Firmwide Client and Business Standards Committee assesses and makes determinations regarding business standards and practices, reputational risk management, client relationships and client service, is chaired by the firm’s president and chief operating officer, and reports to the Management Committee. This committee also has responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the recommendations of the Business Standards Committee. This committee has established the following two risk-related committees that report to it:
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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Firmwide New Activity Committee. The Firmwide New Activity Committee is responsible for reviewing new activities and establishing a process to identify and review previously approved activities that are significant and that have changed in complexity and/or structure or present different reputational and suitability concerns over time to consider whether these activities remain appropriate. This committee is co-chaired by the firm’s head of operations/chief operating officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa and the chief administrative officer of our Investment Management Division who are appointed by the Firmwide Client and Business Standards Committee chairperson.
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Firmwide Suitability Committee. The Firmwide Suitability Committee is responsible for setting standards and policies for product, transaction and client suitability and providing a forum for consistency across divisions, regions and products on suitability assessments. This committee also reviews suitability matters escalated from other firm committees. This committee is co-chaired by the firm’s international general counsel and the co-head of our Investment Management Division who are appointed by the Firmwide Client and Business Standards Committee.
Firmwide Risk Committee. The Firmwide Risk Committee is responsible for the ongoing monitoring and control of the firm’s global financial risks. Through both direct and delegated authority, the Firmwide Risk Committee approves firmwide, product, divisional and business-level limits for both market and credit risks, approves sovereign credit risk limits and reviews results of stress tests and scenario analyses. This committee is co-chaired by the firm’s chief financial officer and a senior managing director from the firm’s executive office, and reports to the Management Committee. The following four committees report to the Firmwide Risk Committee, which is responsible for appointing the chairperson of each of these committees:
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Securities Division Risk Committee. The Securities Division Risk Committee sets market risk limits, subject to overall firmwide risk limits, for our Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Client Execution and Equities Client Execution businesses based on a number of risk measures, including VaR, stress tests, scenario analyses, and inventory levels. This committee is chaired by the chief risk officer of our Securities Division.
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Credit Policy Committee. The Credit Policy Committee establishes and reviews broad credit policies and parameters that are implemented by our Credit Risk Management department (Credit Risk Management). This committee is chaired by the firm’s chief credit officer.
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Operational Risk Committee. The Operational Risk Committee provides oversight of the ongoing development and implementation of our operational risk policies, framework and methodologies, and monitors the effectiveness of operational risk management. This committee is chaired by a managing director in Credit Risk Management.
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Finance Committee. The Finance Committee has oversight of firmwide liquidity, the size and composition of our balance sheet and capital base, and our credit ratings. This committee regularly reviews our liquidity, balance sheet, funding position and capitalization, and makes adjustments in light of current events, risks and exposures, and regulatory requirements. This committee is also responsible for reviewing and approving balance sheet limits and the size of our GCE. This committee is co-chaired by the firm’s chief financial officer and the firm’s global treasurer.
The following committees report jointly to the Firmwide Risk Committee and the Firmwide Client and Business Standards Committee.
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Firmwide Commitments Committee. The Firmwide Commitments Committee reviews the firm’s underwriting and distribution activities with respect to equity and equity-related product offerings, and sets and maintains policies and procedures designed to ensure that legal, reputational, regulatory and business standards are maintained on a global basis. In addition to reviewing specific transactions, this committee periodically conducts general strategic reviews of sectors and products and establishes policies in connection with transaction practices. This committee is co-chaired by the global co-head of our Financial Institutions Group for Investment Banking and the head of Mergers & Acquisitions for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific for Investment Banking who are appointed by the Firmwide Client and Business Standards Committee chairperson.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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Firmwide Capital Committee. The Firmwide Capital Committee provides approval and oversight of debt-related underwriting transactions, including related commitments of the firm’s capital. This committee aims to ensure that business and reputational standards for underwritings and capital commitments are maintained on a global basis. This committee is co-chaired by the firm’s global treasurer and the head of credit finance for Europe, Middle East and Africa who are appointed by the Firmwide Risk Committee chairpersons.
Investment Management Division Risk Committee. The Investment Management Division Risk Committee is responsible for the ongoing monitoring and control of global market, counterparty credit and liquidity risks associated with the activities of our investment management businesses. The head of Investment Management Division risk management is the chair of this committee. The Investment Management Division Risk Committee reports to the firm’s chief risk officer.
Liquidity Risk Management
Liquidity is of critical importance to financial institutions. Most of the recent failures of financial institutions have occurred in large part due to insufficient liquidity. Accordingly, the firm has in place a comprehensive and conservative set of liquidity and funding policies to address both firm-specific and broader industry or market liquidity events. Our principal objective is to be able to fund the firm and to enable our core businesses to continue to generate revenues, even under adverse circumstances.
We manage liquidity risk according to the following principles:
Excess Liquidity. We maintain substantial excess liquidity to meet a broad range of potential cash outflows and collateral needs in a stressed environment.
Asset-Liability Management. We assess anticipated holding periods for our assets and their expected liquidity in a stressed environment. We manage the maturities and diversity of our funding across markets, products and counterparties, and seek to maintain liabilities of appropriate tenor relative to our asset base.
Contingency Funding Plan. We maintain a contingency funding plan to provide a framework for analyzing and responding to a liquidity crisis situation or periods of market stress. This framework sets forth the plan of action to fund normal business activity in emergency and stress situations. These principles are discussed in more detail below.
Excess Liquidity
Our most important liquidity policy is to pre-fund our estimated potential cash needs during a liquidity crisis and hold this excess liquidity in the form of unencumbered, highly liquid securities and cash. We believe that the securities held in our global core excess would be readily convertible to cash in a matter of days, through liquidation, by entering into repurchase agreements or from maturities of reverse repurchase agreements, and that this cash would allow us to meet immediate obligations without needing to sell other assets or depend on additional funding from credit-sensitive markets.
As of December 2011 and December 2010, the fair value of the securities and certain overnight cash deposits included in our GCE totaled $171.58 billion and $174.78 billion, respectively. Based on the results of our internal liquidity risk model, discussed below, as well as our consideration of other factors including but not limited to a qualitative assessment of the condition of the financial markets and the firm, we believe our liquidity position as of December 2011 was appropriate.
The table below presents the fair value of the securities and certain overnight cash deposits that are included in our GCE.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The U.S. dollar-denominated excess is composed of (i) unencumbered U.S. government and federal agency obligations (including highly liquid U.S. federal agency mortgage-backed obligations), all of which are eligible as collateral in Federal Reserve open market operations and (ii) certain overnight U.S. dollar cash deposits. The non-U.S. dollar-denominated excess is composed of only unencumbered German, French, Japanese and United Kingdom government obligations and certain overnight cash deposits in highly liquid currencies. We strictly limit our excess liquidity to this narrowly defined list of securities and cash because they are highly liquid, even in a difficult funding environment. We do not include other potential sources of excess liquidity, such as lower-quality unencumbered securities or committed credit facilities, in our GCE.
The table below presents the fair value of our GCE by asset class.
The GCE is held at Group Inc. and our major broker-dealer and bank subsidiaries, as presented in the table below.
Our GCE reflects the following principles:
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The first days or weeks of a liquidity crisis are the most critical to a company’s survival.
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Focus must be maintained on all potential cash and collateral outflows, not just disruptions to financing flows. Our businesses are diverse, and our liquidity needs are determined by many factors, including market movements, collateral requirements and client commitments, all of which can change dramatically in a difficult funding environment.
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During a liquidity crisis, credit-sensitive funding, including unsecured debt and some types of secured financing agreements, may be unavailable, and the terms (e.g., interest rates, collateral provisions and tenor) or availability of other types of secured financing may change.
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As a result of our policy to pre-fund liquidity that we estimate may be needed in a crisis, we hold more unencumbered securities and have larger debt balances than our businesses would otherwise require. We believe that our liquidity is stronger with greater balances of highly liquid unencumbered securities, even though it increases our total assets and our funding costs.
We believe that our GCE provides us with a resilient source of funds that would be available in advance of potential cash and collateral outflows and gives us significant flexibility in managing through a difficult funding environment.
In order to determine the appropriate size of our GCE, we use an internal liquidity model, referred to as the Modeled Liquidity Outflow, which captures and quantifies the firm’s liquidity risks. We also consider other factors including but not limited to a qualitative assessment of the condition of the financial markets and the firm.
We distribute our GCE across subsidiaries, asset types, and clearing agents to provide us with sufficient operating liquidity to ensure timely settlement in all major markets, even in a difficult funding environment.
We maintain our GCE to enable us to meet current and potential liquidity requirements of our parent company, Group Inc., and our major broker-dealer and bank subsidiaries. The Modeled Liquidity Outflow incorporates a consolidated requirement as well as a standalone requirement for each of our major broker-dealer and bank subsidiaries. Liquidity held directly in each of these subsidiaries is intended for use only by that subsidiary to meet its liquidity requirements and is assumed not to be available to Group Inc. unless (i) legally provided for and (ii) there are no additional regulatory, tax or other restrictions. We hold a portion of our GCE directly at Group Inc. to support consolidated requirements not accounted for in the major subsidiaries. In addition to the GCE, we maintain operating cash balances in several of our other operating entities, primarily for use in specific currencies, entities, or jurisdictions where we do not have immediate access to parent company liquidity.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
In addition to our GCE, we have a significant amount of other unencumbered cash and financial instruments, including other government obligations, high-grade money market securities, corporate obligations, marginable equities, loans and cash deposits not included in our GCE. The fair value of these assets averaged $83.32 billion and $72.98 billion for the years ended December 2011 and December 2010, respectively. We do not consider these assets liquid enough to be eligible for our GCE liquidity pool and therefore conservatively do not assume we will generate liquidity from these assets in our Modeled Liquidity Outflow.
Modeled Liquidity Outflow. Our Modeled Liquidity Outflow is based on a scenario that includes both a market-wide stress and a firm-specific stress, characterized by some or all of the following qualitative elements:
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Global recession, default by a medium-sized sovereign, low consumer and corporate confidence, and general financial instability.
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Severely challenged market environment with material declines in equity markets and widening of credit spreads.
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Damaging follow-on impacts to financial institutions leading to the failure of a large bank.
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A firm-specific crisis potentially triggered by material losses, reputational damage, litigation, executive departure, and/or a ratings downgrade.
The following are the critical modeling parameters of the Modeled Liquidity Outflow:
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Liquidity needs over a 30-day scenario.
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A two-notch downgrade of the firm’s long-term senior unsecured credit ratings.
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A combination of contractual outflows, such as upcoming maturities of unsecured debt, and contingent outflows (e.g., actions though not contractually required, we may deem necessary in a crisis). We assume that most contingent outflows will occur within the initial days and weeks of a crisis.
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No issuance of equity or unsecured debt.
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No support from government funding facilities. Although we have access to various central bank funding programs, we do not assume reliance on them as a source of funding in a liquidity crisis.
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No diversification benefit across liquidity risks. We assume that liquidity risks are additive.
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Maintenance of our normal business levels. We do not assume asset liquidation, other than the GCE.
The Modeled Liquidity Outflow is calculated and reported to senior management on a daily basis. We regularly refine our model to reflect changes in market or economic conditions and the firm’s business mix.
The potential contractual and contingent cash and collateral outflows covered in our Modeled Liquidity Outflow include:
Unsecured Funding
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Contractual: All upcoming maturities of unsecured long-term debt, commercial paper, promissory notes and other unsecured funding products. We assume that we will be unable to issue new unsecured debt or rollover any maturing debt.
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Contingent: Repurchases of our outstanding long-term debt, commercial paper and hybrid financial instruments in the ordinary course of business as a market maker.
Deposits
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Contractual: All upcoming maturities of term deposits. We assume that we will be unable to raise new term deposits or rollover any maturing term deposits.
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Contingent: Withdrawals of bank deposits that have no contractual maturity. The withdrawal assumptions reflect, among other factors, the type of deposit, whether the deposit is insured or uninsured, and the firm’s relationship with the depositor.
Secured Funding
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Contractual: A portion of upcoming contractual maturities of secured funding due to either the inability to refinance or the ability to refinance only at wider haircuts (i.e., on terms which require us to post additional collateral). Our assumptions reflect, among other factors, the quality of the underlying collateral and counterparty concentration.
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Contingent: A decline in value of financial assets pledged as collateral for financing transactions, which would necessitate additional collateral postings under those transactions.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
OTC Derivatives
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Contingent: Collateral postings to counterparties due to adverse changes in the value of our OTC derivatives.
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Contingent: Other outflows of cash or collateral related to OTC derivatives, including the impact of trade terminations, collateral substitutions, collateral disputes, collateral calls or termination payments required by a two-notch downgrade in our credit ratings, and collateral that has not been called by counterparties, but is available to them.
Exchange-Traded Derivatives
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Contingent: Variation margin postings required due to adverse changes in the value of our outstanding exchange-traded derivatives.
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Contingent: An increase in initial margin and guaranty fund requirements by derivative clearing houses.
Customer Cash and Securities
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Contingent: Liquidity outflows associated with our prime brokerage business, including withdrawals of customer credit balances, and a reduction in customer short positions, which serve as a funding source for long positions.
Unfunded Commitments
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Contingent: Draws on our unfunded commitments. Draw assumptions reflect, among other things, the type of commitment and counterparty.
Other
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Other upcoming large cash outflows, such as tax payments.
Asset-Liability Management
Our liquidity risk management policies are designed to ensure we have a sufficient amount of financing, even when funding markets experience persistent stress. We seek to maintain a long-dated and diversified funding profile, taking into consideration the characteristics and liquidity profile of our assets.
Our approach to asset-liability management includes:
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Conservatively managing the overall characteristics of our funding book, with a focus on maintaining long-term, diversified sources of funding in excess of our current requirements. See “Balance Sheet and Funding Sources - Funding Sources” for additional details.
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Actively managing and monitoring our asset base, with particular focus on the liquidity, holding period and our ability to fund assets on a secured basis. This enables us to determine the most appropriate funding products and tenors. Less liquid assets are more difficult to fund and therefore require funding of longer tenor. See “Balance Sheet and Funding Sources - Balance Sheet Management” for more detail on our balance sheet management process.
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Raising secured and unsecured financing that has a sufficiently longer term than the anticipated holding period of our assets. This reduces the risk that our liabilities will come due in advance of our ability to generate liquidity from the sale of our assets. Because we maintain a highly liquid balance sheet, the holding period of certain of our assets may be materially shorter than their contractual maturity dates.
Our goal is to have sufficient total capital (unsecured long-term borrowings plus total shareholders’ equity) so that we can avoid reliance on asset sales (other than our GCE). However, we recognize that orderly asset sales may be prudent or necessary in a severe or persistent liquidity crisis. The target amount of our total capital is based on an internal funding model which incorporates the following long-term financing requirements:
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The portion of financial instruments owned, at fair value, that are not funded on a secured basis.
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Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets, property, leasehold improvements and equipment, and other illiquid assets.
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Derivative and other margin and collateral requirements.
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Anticipated draws on our unfunded loan commitments.
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Regulatory requirements to hold capital or other forms of financing in excess of what we would otherwise hold in regulated subsidiaries.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Subsidiary Funding Policies. The majority of our unsecured funding is raised by Group Inc. which lends the necessary funds to its subsidiaries, some of which are regulated, to meet their asset financing, liquidity and capital requirements. In addition, Group Inc. provides its regulated subsidiaries with the necessary capital to meet their regulatory requirements. The benefits of this approach to subsidiary funding are enhanced control and greater flexibility to meet the funding requirements of our subsidiaries. Funding is also raised at the subsidiary level through a variety of products, including secured funding, unsecured borrowings and deposits.
Our intercompany funding policies assume that, unless legally provided for, a subsidiary’s funds or securities are not freely available to its parent company or other subsidiaries. In particular, many of our subsidiaries are subject to laws that authorize regulatory bodies to block or reduce the flow of funds from those subsidiaries to Group Inc. Regulatory action of that kind could impede access to funds that Group Inc. needs to make payments on its obligations. Accordingly, we assume that the capital provided to our regulated subsidiaries is not available to Group Inc. or other subsidiaries and any other financing provided to our regulated subsidiaries is not available until the maturity of such financing.
Group Inc. has provided substantial amounts of equity and subordinated indebtedness, directly or indirectly, to its regulated subsidiaries. For example, as of December 2011, Group Inc. had $28.16 billion of equity and subordinated indebtedness invested in GS&Co., its principal U.S. registered broker-dealer; $28.43 billion invested in GSI, a regulated U.K. broker-dealer; $2.67 billion invested in GSEC, a U.S. registered broker-dealer; $4.28 billion invested in Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd., a regulated Japanese broker-dealer; and $19.23 billion invested in GS Bank USA, a regulated New York State-chartered bank. Group Inc. also provided, directly or indirectly, $84.83 billion of unsubordinated loans and $6.12 billion of collateral to these entities, substantially all of which was to GS&Co. and GSI, as of December 2011. In addition, as of December 2011, Group Inc. had significant amounts of capital invested in and loans to its other regulated subsidiaries.
Contingency Funding Plan
The Goldman Sachs contingency funding plan sets out the plan of action we would use to fund business activity in crisis situations and periods of market stress. The contingency funding plan outlines a list of potential risk factors, key reports and metrics that are reviewed on an ongoing basis to assist in assessing the severity of, and managing through, a liquidity crisis and/or market dislocation. The contingency funding plan also describes in detail the firm’s potential responses if our assessments indicate that the firm has entered a liquidity crisis, which include pre-funding for what we estimate will be our potential cash and collateral needs as well as utilizing secondary sources of liquidity. Mitigants and action items to address specific risks which may arise are also described and assigned to individuals responsible for execution.
The contingency funding plan identifies key groups of individuals to foster effective coordination, control and distribution of information, all of which are critical in the management of a crisis or period of market stress. The contingency funding plan also details the responsibilities of these groups and individuals, which include making and disseminating key decisions, coordinating all contingency activities throughout the duration of the crisis or period of market stress, implementing liquidity maintenance activities and managing internal and external communication.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Credit Ratings
The table below presents our unsecured credit ratings (excluding debt guaranteed by the FDIC under the TLGP) and outlook.
1. Trust preferred securities issued by Goldman Sachs Capital I.
2. Includes Group Inc.’s non-cumulative preferred stock and the Normal Automatic Preferred Enhanced Capital Securities (APEX) issued by Goldman Sachs Capital II and Goldman Sachs Capital III.
3. GS Bank USA has been assigned a rating of A+ for long-term bank deposits, for short-term bank deposits and A as a long-term issuer.
4. GS&Co. has been assigned a rating of as a short-term issuer and A as a long-term issuer.
5. GS Bank USA has been assigned a rating of Aa3 for long-term bank deposits, P-1 for short-term bank deposits and Aa3 as a long-term issuer.
6. GS&Co. has been assigned a rating of A-1 as a short-term issuer and A as a long-term issuer.
7. GSI has been assigned a rating of A-1 as a short-term issuer and A as a long-term issuer.
8. Applies to long-term and short-term ratings.
9. Applies to long-term issuer default ratings.
10. Applies to long-term ratings.
11. Applies to issuer rating.
During the fourth quarter of 2011, after revising its global rating methodology for banks, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services lowered Group Inc.’s ratings on long-term debt (from A to A-), short-term debt (from A-1 to A-2), subordinated debt (from A- to BBB+), trust preferred (from BBB- to BB+) and preferred stock (from BBB- to BB+), and retained its outlook of “negative.” In addition, as part of a global review of financial institutions, Fitch, Inc. lowered Group Inc.’s ratings on long-term debt (from A+ to A), short-term debt (from+ to), subordinated debt (from A to A-), trust preferred (from A- to BBB+) and preferred stock (from A- to BBB+), and retained its outlook of “stable.”
On February 10, 2012, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services assigned GS Bank USA, a rating of A-1 as a short-term issuer and A as a long-term issuer.
On February 15, 2012, Moody’s Investors Service placed the long- and short-term debt ratings of Group Inc. under review for downgrade as part of a global review of financial institutions.
We rely on the short-term and long-term debt capital markets to fund a significant portion of our day-to-day operations and the cost and availability of debt financing is influenced by our credit ratings. Credit ratings are also important when we are competing in certain markets, such as OTC derivatives, and when we seek to engage in longer-term transactions. See “Certain Risk Factors That May Affect Our Businesses” below and “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K for a discussion of the risks associated with a reduction in our credit ratings.
We believe our credit ratings are primarily based on the credit rating agencies’ assessment of:
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our liquidity, market, credit and operational risk management practices;
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the level and variability of our earnings;
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our capital base;
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our franchise, reputation and management;
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our corporate governance; and
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the external operating environment, including the assumed level of government support.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
We allocate a portion of our GCE to ensure we would be able to make the additional collateral or termination payments that may be required in the event of a two-notch reduction in our long-term credit ratings, as well as collateral that has not been called by counterparties, but is available to them. The table below presents the additional collateral or termination payments that could have been called at the reporting date by counterparties in the event of a one-notch and two-notch downgrade in our credit ratings.
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s international framework for liquidity risk measurement, standards and monitoring calls for imposition of a liquidity coverage ratio, designed to ensure that the banking entity maintains an adequate level of unencumbered high-quality liquid assets based on expected cash outflows under an acute liquidity stress scenario, and a net stable funding ratio, designed to promote more medium- and long-term funding of the assets and activities of banking entities over a one-year time horizon. The liquidity coverage ratio is not expected to be introduced as a requirement until January 1, 2015, and the net stable funding ratio is not expected to be introduced as a requirement until January 1, 2018. While the principles behind the new framework are broadly consistent with our current liquidity management framework, it is possible that the implementation of these standards could impact our liquidity and funding requirements and practices.
Cash Flows
As a global financial institution, our cash flows are complex and bear little relation to our net earnings and net assets. Consequently, we believe that traditional cash flow analysis is less meaningful in evaluating our liquidity position than the excess liquidity and asset-liability management policies described above. Cash flow analysis may, however, be helpful in highlighting certain macro trends and strategic initiatives in our businesses.
Year Ended December 2011. Our cash and cash equivalents increased by $16.22 billion to $56.01 billion at the end of 2011. We generated $23.13 billion in net cash from operating and investing activities. We used net cash of $6.91 billion for financing activities, primarily for repurchases of our Series G Preferred Stock and common stock, partially offset by an increase in bank deposits.
Year Ended December 2010. Our cash and cash equivalents increased by $1.50 billion to $39.79 billion at the end of 2010. We generated $7.84 billion in net cash from financing activities primarily from net proceeds from issuances of short-term secured financings. We used net cash of $6.34 billion for operating and investing activities, primarily to fund an increase in securities purchased under agreements to resell and an increase in cash and securities segregated for regulatory and other purposes, partially offset by cash generated from a decrease in securities borrowed.
Year Ended December 2009. Our cash and cash equivalents increased by $24.49 billion to $38.29 billion at the end of 2009. We generated $48.88 billion in net cash from operating activities. We used net cash of $24.39 billion for investing and financing activities, primarily for net repayments in unsecured and secured short-term borrowings and the repurchases of Series H Preferred Stock and the related common stock warrant from the U.S. Treasury, partially offset by an increase in bank deposits and the issuance of common stock.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Market Risk Management
Overview
Market risk is the risk of loss in the value of our inventory due to changes in market prices. We hold inventory primarily for market making for our clients and for our investing and lending activities. Our inventory therefore changes based on client demands and our investment opportunities. Our inventory is accounted for at fair value and therefore fluctuates on a daily basis. Categories of market risk include the following:
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Interest rate risk: results from exposures to changes in the level, slope and curvature of yield curves, the volatilities of interest rates, mortgage prepayment speeds and credit spreads.
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Equity price risk: results from exposures to changes in prices and volatilities of individual equities, baskets of equities and equity indices.
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Currency rate risk: results from exposures to changes in spot prices, forward prices and volatilities of currency rates.
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Commodity price risk: results from exposures to changes in spot prices, forward prices and volatilities of commodities, such as electricity, natural gas, crude oil, petroleum products, and precious and base metals.
Market Risk Management Process
We manage our market risk by diversifying exposures, controlling position sizes and establishing economic hedges in related securities or derivatives. This includes:
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accurate and timely exposure information incorporating multiple risk metrics;
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a dynamic limit setting framework; and
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constant communication among revenue-producing units, risk managers and senior management.
Market Risk Management, which is independent of the revenue-producing units and reports to the firm’s chief risk officer, has primary responsibility for assessing, monitoring and managing market risk at the firm. We monitor and control risks through strong firmwide oversight and independent control and support functions across the firm’s global businesses.
Managers in revenue-producing units are accountable for managing risk within prescribed limits. These managers have in-depth knowledge of their positions, of markets and the instruments available to hedge their exposures.
Managers in revenue-producing units and Market Risk Management discuss market information, positions and estimated risk and loss scenarios on an ongoing basis.
Risk Measures
Market Risk Management produces risk measures and monitors them against market risk limits set by our firm’s risk committees. These measures reflect an extensive range of scenarios and the results are aggregated at trading desk, business and firmwide levels.
We use a variety of risk measures to estimate the size of potential losses for both moderate and more extreme market moves over both short-term and long-term time horizons. Risk measures used for shorter-term periods include VaR and sensitivity metrics. For longer-term horizons, our primary risk measures are stress tests. Our risk reports detail key risks, drivers and changes for each desk and business, and are distributed daily to senior management of both our revenue-producing units and our independent control and support functions.
Systems
We have made a significant investment in technology to monitor market risk including:
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an independent calculation of VaR and stress measures;
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risk measures calculated at individual position levels;
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attribution of risk measures to individual risk factors of each position;
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the ability to report many different views of the risk measures (e.g., by desk, business, product type or legal entity); and
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the ability to produce ad hoc analyses in a timely manner.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Value-at-Risk
VaR is the potential loss in value of inventory positions due to adverse market movements over a defined time horizon with a specified confidence level. We typically employ a one-day time horizon with a 95% confidence level. The VaR model captures risks including interest rates, equity prices, currency rates and commodity prices. As such, VaR facilitates comparison across portfolios of different risk characteristics. VaR also captures the diversification of aggregated risk at the firmwide level.
We are aware of the inherent limitations to VaR and therefore use a variety of risk measures in our market risk management process. Inherent limitations to VaR include:
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VaR does not estimate potential losses over longer time horizons where moves may be extreme.
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VaR does not take account of the relative liquidity of different risk positions.
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Previous moves in market risk factors may not produce accurate predictions of all future market moves.
When calculating VaR, we use historical simulations with full valuation of approximately 70,000 market factors. The historical data used in our VaR calculation is weighted to give greater importance to more recent observations and reflect current asset volatilities. This improves the accuracy of our estimates of potential loss. As a result, even if our inventory positions were unchanged, our VaR would increase with increasing market volatility and vice versa.
Given its reliance on historical data, VaR is most effective in estimating risk exposures in markets in which there are no sudden fundamental changes or shifts in market conditions.
We evaluate the accuracy of our VaR model through daily backtesting (i.e., comparing daily trading net revenues to the VaR measure calculated as of the prior business day) at the firmwide level and for each of our businesses and major regulated subsidiaries.
Our VaR measure does not include:
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positions that are best measured and monitored using sensitivity measures; and
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the impact of changes in counterparty and our own credit spreads on derivatives as well as changes in our own credit spreads on unsecured borrowings for which the fair value option was elected.
Stress Testing
We use stress testing to examine risks of specific portfolios as well as the potential impact of significant risk exposures across the firm. We use a variety of scenarios to calculate the potential loss from a wide range of market moves on the firm’s portfolios. These scenarios include the default of single corporate or sovereign entities, the impact of a move in a single risk factor across all positions (e.g., equity prices or credit spreads) or a combination of two or more risk factors.
Unlike VaR measures, which have an implied probability because they are calculated at a specified confidence level, there is generally no implied probability that our stress test scenarios will occur. Instead, stress tests are used to model both moderate and more extreme moves in underlying market factors. When estimating potential loss, we generally assume that our positions cannot be reduced or hedged (although experience demonstrates that we are generally able to do so).
Stress test scenarios are conducted on a regular basis as part of the firm’s routine risk management process and on an ad hoc basis in response to market events or concerns. Stress testing is an important part of the firm’s risk management process because it allows us to highlight potential loss concentrations, undertake risk/reward analysis, and assess and mitigate our risk positions.
Limits
We use risk limits at various levels in the firm (including firmwide, product and business) to govern risk appetite by controlling the size of our exposures to market risk. Limits are reviewed frequently and amended on a permanent or temporary basis to reflect changing market conditions, business conditions or tolerance for risk.
The Firmwide Risk Committee sets market risk limits at firmwide and product levels and our Securities Division Risk Committee sets sub-limits for market-making and investing activities at a business level. The purpose of the firmwide limits is to assist senior management in controlling the firm’s overall risk profile. Sub-limits set the desired maximum amount of exposure that may be managed by any particular business on a day-to-day basis without additional levels of senior management approval, effectively leaving day-to-day trading decisions to individual desk managers and traders. Accordingly, sub-limits are a management tool designed to ensure appropriate escalation rather than to establish maximum risk tolerance. Sub-limits also distribute risk among various businesses in a manner that is consistent with their level of activity and client demand, taking into account the relative performance of each area.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Our market risk limits are monitored daily by Market Risk Management, which is responsible for identifying and escalating, on a timely basis, instances where limits have been exceeded. The business-level limits that are set by the Securities Division Risk Committee are subject to the same scrutiny and limit escalation policy as the firmwide limits.
When a risk limit has been exceeded (e.g., due to changes in market conditions, such as increased volatilities or changes in correlations), it is reported to the appropriate risk committee and a discussion takes place with the relevant desk managers, after which either the risk position is reduced or the risk limit is temporarily or permanently increased.
Metrics
We analyze VaR at the firmwide level and a variety of more detailed levels, including by risk category, business, and region. The tables below present average daily VaR and year-end VaR by risk category.
Average Daily VaR
1. Equals the difference between total VaR and the sum of the VaRs for the four risk categories. This effect arises because the four market risk categories are not perfectly correlated.
Our average daily VaR decreased to $113 million in 2011 from $134 million in 2010, primarily reflecting decreases in the equity prices and currency rates categories, principally due to reduced exposures. These decreases were partially offset by a decrease in the diversification benefit across risk categories.
Our average daily VaR decreased to $134 million in 2010 from $218 million in 2009, principally due to a decrease in the interest rates category which was primarily due to reduced exposures, lower levels of volatility and tighter spreads.
Year-End VaR and High and Low VaR
1. Equals the difference between total VaR and the sum of the VaRs for the four risk categories. This effect arises because the four market risk categories are not perfectly correlated.
Our daily VaR decreased to $99 million as of December 2011 from $111 million as of December 2010, primarily reflecting decreases in the equity prices and currency rates categories, principally due to reduced exposures. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in the interest rates category, primarily due to higher levels of volatility and wider credit spreads.
During the year ended December 2011, the firmwide VaR risk limit was exceeded on one occasion. It was resolved by a temporary increase in the firmwide VaR risk limit, which was subsequently made permanent due to higher levels of volatility. The firmwide VaR risk limit had previously been reduced on one occasion in 2011, reflecting lower risk utilization and the market environment.
During the year ended December 2010, the firmwide VaR risk limit was exceeded on one occasion in order to facilitate a client transaction and was resolved by a reduction in the risk position on the following day. Separately, during the year ended December 2010, the firmwide VaR risk limit was reduced on one occasion reflecting lower risk utilization.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The chart below reflects the VaR over the last four quarters.
The chart below presents the frequency distribution of our daily trading net revenues for substantially all
inventory positions included in VaR for the year ended December 2011.
Daily trading net revenues are compared with VaR calculated as of the end of the prior business day. The firm incurred trading losses on a single day in excess of our 95%
one-day VaR (i.e., a VaR exception) on three occasions during 2011 and on two occasions during 2010.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
During periods in which the firm has significantly more positive net revenue days than net revenue loss days, we expect to have fewer VaR exceptions because, under normal conditions, our business model generally produces positive net revenues. In periods in which our franchise revenues are adversely affected, we generally have more loss days, resulting in more VaR exceptions. In addition, VaR backtesting is performed against total daily market-making revenues, including bid/offer net revenues which are more likely than not to be positive by their nature.
Sensitivity Measures
Certain portfolios and individual positions are not included in VaR because VaR is not the most appropriate risk measure. The market risk of these positions is determined by estimating the potential reduction in net revenues of a 10% decline in the underlying asset value.
The table below presents market risk for positions that are not included in VaR. These measures do not reflect diversification benefits across asset categories and therefore have not been aggregated.
1. Excludes third-party interests held by investment funds managed by Goldman Sachs.
2. Relates to private and restricted public equity securities, including interests in firm-sponsored funds that invest in corporate equities and real estate and interests in firm-sponsored hedge funds.
3. Relates to corporate bank debt, loans backed by commercial and residential real estate, and other corporate debt, including acquired portfolios of distressed loans and interests in our firm-sponsored funds that invest in corporate mezzanine and senior debt instruments.
VaR excludes the impact of changes in counterparty and our own credit spreads on derivatives as well as changes in our own credit spreads on unsecured borrowings for which the fair value option was elected. The estimated sensitivity to a one basis point increase in credit spreads (counterparty and our own) on derivatives was a $4 million gain as of December 2011. In addition, the estimated sensitivity to a one basis point increase in our own credit spreads on unsecured borrowings for which the fair value option was elected was a $7 million gain (including hedges) as of December 2011. However, the actual net impact of a change in our own credit spreads is also affected by the liquidity, duration and convexity (as the sensitivity is not linear to changes in yields) of those unsecured borrowings for which the fair value option was elected, as well as the relative performance of any hedges undertaken.
The firm engages in insurance activities where we reinsure and purchase portfolios of insurance risk and pension liabilities. The risks associated with these activities include, but are not limited to: equity, interest rate, reinvestment and mortality risk. The firm mitigates risks associated with insurance activities through the use of reinsurance and hedging. Certain of the assets associated with the firm’s insurance activities are included in VaR. In addition to the positions included in VaR we held $4.86 billion of securities accounted for as available-for-sale as of December 2011, substantially all of which support the firm’s insurance subsidiaries. As of December 2011, our available-for-sale securities primarily consisted of $1.81 billion of corporate debt securities with an average yield of 5%, the majority of which will mature after five years, $1.42 billion of mortgage and other asset-backed loans and securities with an average yield of 10%, the majority of which will mature after ten years, and $662 million of U.S. government and federal agency obligations with an average yield of 3%, the majority of which will mature after ten years. As of December 2010, we held $3.67 billion of securities accounted for as available-for-sale primarily consisting of $1.69 billion of corporate debt securities with an average yield of 6%, the majority of which will mature after five years, $670 million of mortgage and other asset-backed loans and securities with an average yield of 11%, which will mature after ten years, and $637 million of U.S. government and federal agency obligations with an average yield of 4%, the majority of which will mature after ten years.
In addition, as of December 2011 and December 2010, we had commitments and held loans under the William Street credit extension program. As of December 2010, we also held money market instruments under this program. See Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information about our William Street credit extension program.
Additionally, we make investments accounted for under the equity method and we also make direct investments in real estate, both of which are included in “Other assets” in the consolidated statements of financial condition. Direct investments in real estate are accounted for at cost less accumulated depreciation. See Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for information on “Other assets.”
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Credit Risk Management
Overview
Credit risk represents the potential for loss due to the default or deterioration in credit quality of a counterparty (e.g., an OTC derivatives counterparty or a borrower) or an issuer of securities or other instruments we hold. Our exposure to credit risk comes mostly from client transactions in OTC derivatives and loans and lending commitments. Credit risk also comes from cash placed with banks, securities financing transactions (i.e., resale and repurchase agreements and securities borrowing and lending activities) and receivables from brokers, dealers, clearing organizations, customers and counterparties.
Credit Risk Management, which is independent of the revenue-producing units and reports to the firm’s chief risk officer, has primary responsibility for assessing, monitoring and managing credit risk at the firm. The Credit Policy Committee and the Firmwide Risk Committee establish and review credit policies and parameters. In addition, we hold other positions that give rise to credit risk (e.g., bonds held in our inventory and secondary bank loans). These credit risks are captured as a component of market risk measures, which are monitored and managed by Market Risk Management, consistent with other inventory positions.
Policies authorized by the Firmwide Risk Committee and the Credit Policy Committee prescribe the level of formal approval required for the firm to assume credit exposure to a counterparty across all product areas, taking into account any enforceable netting provisions, collateral or other credit risk mitigants.
Credit Risk Management Process
Effective management of credit risk requires accurate and timely information, a high level of communication and knowledge of customers, countries, industries and products. Our process for managing credit risk includes:
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approving transactions and setting and communicating credit exposure limits;
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monitoring compliance with established credit exposure limits;
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assessing the likelihood that a counterparty will default on its payment obligations;
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measuring the firm’s current and potential credit exposure and losses resulting from counterparty default;
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reporting of credit exposures to senior management, the Board and regulators;
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use of credit risk mitigants, including collateral and hedging; and
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communication and collaboration with other independent control and support functions such as operations, legal and compliance.
As part of the risk assessment process, Credit Risk Management performs credit reviews which include initial and ongoing analyses of our counterparties. A credit review is an independent judgment about the capacity and willingness of a counterparty to meet its financial obligations. For substantially all of our credit exposures, the core of our process is an annual counterparty review. A counterparty review is a written analysis of a counterparty’s business profile and financial strength resulting in an internal credit rating which represents the probability of default on financial obligations to the firm. The determination of internal credit ratings incorporates assumptions with respect to the counterparty’s future business performance, the nature and outlook for the counterparty’s industry, and the economic environment. Senior personnel within Credit Risk Management, with expertise in specific industries, inspect and approve credit reviews and internal credit ratings.
Our global credit risk management systems capture credit exposure to individual counterparties and on an aggregate basis to counterparties and their subsidiaries (economic groups). These systems also provide management with comprehensive information on our aggregate credit risk by product, internal credit rating, industry, country and region.
Risk Measures and Limits
We measure our credit risk based on the potential loss in an event of non-payment by a counterparty. For derivatives and securities financing transactions, the primary measure is potential exposure, which is our estimate of the future exposure that could arise over the life of a transaction based on market movements within a specified confidence level. Potential exposure takes into account netting and collateral arrangements. For loans and lending commitments, the primary measure is a function of the notional amount of the position. We also monitor credit risk in terms of current exposure, which is the amount presently owed to the firm after taking into account applicable netting and collateral.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
We use credit limits at various levels (counterparty, economic group, industry, country) to control the size of our credit exposures. Limits for counterparties and economic groups are reviewed regularly and revised to reflect changing appetites for a given counterparty or group of counterparties. Limits for industries and countries are based on the firm’s risk tolerance and are designed to allow for regular monitoring, review, escalation and management of credit risk concentrations.
Stress Tests/Scenario Analysis
We use regular stress tests to calculate the credit exposures, including potential concentrations that would result from applying shocks to counterparty credit ratings or credit risk factors (e.g., currency rates, interest rates, equity prices). These shocks include a wide range of moderate and more extreme market movements. Some of our stress tests include shocks to multiple risk factors, consistent with the occurrence of a severe market or economic event (e.g., sovereign debt default). Unlike potential exposure, which is calculated within a specified confidence level, with a stress test there is generally no assumed probability of these events occurring.
We run stress tests on a regular basis as part of our routine risk management processes and conduct tailored stress tests on an ad hoc basis in response to market developments. Stress tests are regularly conducted jointly with the firm’s market and liquidity risk functions.
Risk Mitigants
To reduce our credit exposures on derivatives and securities financing transactions, we may enter into netting agreements with counterparties that permit us to offset receivables and payables with such counterparties. We may also reduce credit risk with counterparties by entering into agreements that enable us to obtain collateral from them on an upfront or contingent basis and/or to terminate transactions if the counterparty’s credit rating falls below a specified level.
For loans and lending commitments, we typically employ a variety of potential risk mitigants, depending on the credit quality of the borrower and other characteristics of the transaction. Risk mitigants include: collateral provisions, guarantees, covenants, structural seniority of the bank loan claims and, for certain lending commitments, provisions in the legal documentation that allow the firm to adjust loan amounts, pricing, structure and other terms as market conditions change. The type and structure of risk mitigants employed can significantly influence the degree of credit risk involved in a loan.
When we do not have sufficient visibility into a counterparty’s financial strength or when we believe a counterparty requires support from its parent company, we may obtain third-party guarantees of the counterparty’s obligations. We may also mitigate our credit risk using credit derivatives or participation agreements.
Credit Exposures
The firm’s credit exposures are described further below.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include both interest-bearing and non-interest bearing deposits. To mitigate the risk of credit loss, we place substantially all of our deposits with highly rated banks and central banks.
OTC Derivatives. Derivatives are reported on a net-by-counterparty basis (i.e., the net payable or receivable for derivative assets and liabilities for a given counterparty) when a legal right of setoff exists under an enforceable netting agreement.
Derivatives are accounted for at fair value net of cash collateral received or posted under credit support agreements. As credit risk is an essential component of fair value, the firm includes a credit valuation adjustment (CVA) in the fair value of derivatives to reflect counterparty credit risk, as described in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K. CVA is a function of the present value of expected exposure, the probability of counterparty default and the assumed recovery upon default.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The tables below present the distribution of our exposure to OTC derivatives by tenor, based on expected duration for mortgage-related credit derivatives and generally on remaining contractual maturity for other derivatives, both before and after the effect of collateral and netting agreements. Receivable and payable balances for the same counterparty across tenor categories are netted under
enforceable netting agreements, and cash collateral received is netted under credit support agreements. Receivable and payable balances with the same counterparty in the same tenor category are netted within such tenor category. The categories shown reflect our internally determined public rating agency equivalents.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Lending Activities. We manage the firm’s traditional credit origination activities, including funded loans, lending commitments and the William Street credit extension program, using the credit risk process, measures and limits described above. Other lending positions, including secondary trading positions, are risk-managed as a component of market risk.
Other Credit Exposures. The firm is exposed to credit risk from its receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and customers and counterparties. Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations are primarily comprised of initial margin placed with clearing organizations and receivables related to sales of securities which have traded, but not yet settled. These receivables have minimal credit risk due to the low probability of clearing organization default and the short-term nature of receivables related to securities settlements. Receivables from customers and counterparties are generally comprised of collateralized receivables related to customer securities transactions and have minimal credit risk due to both the value of the collateral received and the short-term nature of these receivables.
Credit Exposures
During the year ended December 2011, our credit exposures increased, reflecting growth in lending activity and OTC derivatives, and increased cash balances. While credit spreads widened during the year ended December 2011, the percentage of our credit exposure arising from non-investment-grade counterparties (based on our internally determined public rating agency equivalents) was essentially unchanged from December 2010. Counterparty defaults and the associated credit losses have remained at low levels during the year ended December 2011 as compared with the same prior year period.
The tables below present the firm’s credit exposures related to cash, OTC derivatives, and loans and lending commitments associated with traditional credit origination activities broken down by industry, region and internal credit rating.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Credit Exposure by Industry
Credit Exposure by Region
Credit Exposure by Credit Quality
1. Includes approximately $10 billion and $4 billion of loans as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, and approximately $61 billion and $49 billion of lending commitments as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively. Excludes approximately $10 billion and $14 billion of loans as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, and lending commitments with a total notional value of approximately $5 billion and $3 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, that are risk managed as part of market risk using VaR and sensitivity measures.
2. The firm bears credit risk related to resale agreements and securities borrowed only to the extent that cash advanced to the counterparty exceeds the value of the collateral received. The firm also has credit exposure on repurchase agreements and securities loaned to the extent that the value of securities pledged or delivered to the counterparty for these transactions exceeds the amount of cash or collateral received. We had approximately $41 billion and $31 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, in credit exposure related to securities financing transactions reflecting enforceable netting agreements.
3. EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa).
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Selected Country Exposures
During 2011 and continuing into 2012, there have been concerns about European sovereign debt risk and its impact on the European banking system and a number of European member states have been experiencing significant credit deterioration. The most pronounced market concerns relate to Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain. The table below presents our credit exposure (both gross and net of hedges) to all sovereigns, financial institutions and corporate counterparties or borrowers in these countries. In
addition, the table includes the market exposure of our long and short inventory in which the issuer or underlier is located in these countries.
The country of risk is determined by the location of the counterparty, issuer or underlier’s assets, where they generate revenue, the country in which they are headquartered, and/or the government whose policies affect their ability to repay their obligations.
1. Includes the benefit of $6.5 billion of cash and U.S. Treasury securities collateral and excludes non-U.S. government and corporate securities collateral of $341 million.
2. Includes written and purchased credit derivative notionals reduced by the fair values of such credit derivatives.
We economically hedge our exposure to written credit derivatives by entering into offsetting purchased credit derivatives with identical underlyings. Where possible, we endeavor to match the tenor and credit default terms of such hedges to that of our written credit derivatives. Substantially all purchased credit derivatives included above are bought from investment-grade counterparties domiciled outside of these countries and are collateralized with cash or U.S. Treasury securities. The gross purchased and written credit derivative notionals across the above countries for single-name credit default swaps were
$147.3 billion and $142.4 billion, respectively. Including netting under legally enforceable netting agreements, within each and across all of the countries above, the purchased and written credit derivative notionals for single-name credit default swaps were $21.1 billion and $16.2 billion, respectively. These notionals are not representative of our exposure because they exclude available netting under legally enforceable netting agreements on other derivatives outside of these countries and collateral received or posted under credit support agreements.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
For information about the nature of or payout under trigger events related to written and purchased credit protection contracts see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
We evaluate and monitor the effects of indirect exposure from these countries. See “Liquidity Risk Management - Modeled Liquidity Outflow,” “Market Risk Management - Stress Testing” and “Credit Risk Management - Stress Tests/Scenario Analysis” for further discussion.
On January 13, 2012, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services lowered the sovereign debt ratings on Italy from A to BBB+, Portugal from BBB- to BB, and Spain from AA- to A. On January 27, 2012, Fitch, Inc. lowered the sovereign debt ratings on Italy from A+ to A-, and Spain from AA- to A. On February 13, 2012, Moody’s Investors Service lowered the sovereign debt ratings on Italy from A2 to A3, Portugal from Ba2 to Ba3, and Spain from A1 to A3. On February 22, 2012, Fitch, Inc. lowered the sovereign debt ratings on Greece from CCC to C. These downgrades did not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or capital resources.
Operational Risk Management
Overview
Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems or from external events. Our exposure to operational risk arises from routine processing errors as well as extraordinary incidents, such as major systems failures. Potential types of loss events related to internal and external operational risk include:
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clients, products and business practices;
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execution, delivery and process management;
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business disruption and system failures;
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employment practices and workplace safety;
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damage to physical assets;
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internal fraud; and
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external fraud.
The firm maintains a comprehensive control framework designed to provide a well-controlled environment to minimize operational risks. The Firmwide Operational Risk Committee, along with the support of regional or entity-specific working groups or committees, provides oversight of the ongoing development and implementation of our operational risk policies and framework. Our Operational Risk Management
department (Operational Risk Management) is a risk management function independent of our revenue-producing units, reports to the firm’s chief risk officer, and is responsible for developing and implementing policies, methodologies and a formalized framework for operational risk management with the goal of minimizing our exposure to operational risk.
Operational Risk Management Process
Managing operational risk requires timely and accurate information as well as a strong control culture. We seek to manage our operational risk through:
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the training, supervision and development of our people;
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the active participation of senior management in identifying and mitigating key operational risks across the firm;
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independent control and support functions that monitor operational risk on a daily basis and have instituted extensive policies and procedures and implemented controls designed to prevent the occurrence of operational risk events;
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proactive communication between our revenue-producing units and our independent control and support functions; and
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a network of systems throughout the firm to facilitate the collection of data used to analyze and assess our operational risk exposure.
We combine top-down and bottom-up approaches to manage and measure operational risk. From a top-down perspective, the firm’s senior management assesses firmwide and business level operational risk profiles. From a bottom-up perspective, revenue-producing units and independent control and support functions are responsible for risk management on a day-to-day basis, including identifying, mitigating, and escalating operational risks to senior management.
Our operational risk framework is in part designed to comply with the operational risk measurement rules under Basel 2 and has evolved based on the changing needs of our businesses and regulatory guidance. Our framework includes the following practices:
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Risk identification and reporting;
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Risk measurement; and
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Risk monitoring.
Internal Audit performs a review of our operational risk framework, including our key controls, processes and applications, on an annual basis to ensure the effectiveness of our framework.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Risk Identification and Reporting
The core of our operational risk management framework is risk identification and reporting. We have a comprehensive data collection process, including firmwide policies and procedures, for operational risk events.
We have established policies that require managers in our revenue-producing units and our independent control and support functions to escalate operational risk events. When operational risk events are identified, our policies require that the events be documented and analyzed to determine whether changes are required in the firm’s systems and/or processes to further mitigate the risk of future events.
In addition, our firmwide systems capture internal operational risk event data, key metrics such as transaction volumes, and statistical information such as performance trends. We use an internally-developed operational risk management application to aggregate and organize this information. Managers from both revenue-producing units and independent control and support functions analyze the information to evaluate operational risk exposures and identify businesses, activities or products with heightened levels of operational risk. We also provide operational risk reports to senior management, risk committees and the Board periodically.
Risk Measurement
We measure the firm’s operational risk exposure over a twelve-month time horizon using both statistical modeling and scenario analyses, which involve qualitative assessments of the potential frequency and extent of potential operational risk losses, for each of the firm’s businesses. Operational risk measurement incorporates qualitative and quantitative assessments of factors including:
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internal and external operational risk event data;
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assessments of the firm’s internal controls;
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evaluations of the complexity of the firm’s business activities;
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the degree of and potential for automation in the firm’s processes;
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new product information;
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the legal and regulatory environment;
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changes in the markets for the firm’s products and services, including the diversity and sophistication of the firm’s customers and counterparties; and
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the liquidity of the capital markets and the reliability of the infrastructure that supports the capital markets.
The results from these scenario analyses are used to monitor changes in operational risk and to determine business lines that may have heightened exposure to operational risk. These analyses ultimately are used to determine the appropriate level of operational risk capital to hold.
Risk Monitoring
We evaluate changes in the operational risk profile of the firm and its businesses, including changes in business mix or jurisdictions in which the firm operates, by monitoring these factors at a firmwide, entity and business level. The firm has both detective and preventive internal controls, which are designed to reduce the frequency and severity of operational risk losses and the probability of operational risk events. We monitor the results of assessments and independent internal audits of these internal controls.
Recent Accounting Developments
See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for information about Recent Accounting Developments.
Certain Risk Factors That May Affect Our Businesses
We face a variety of risks that are substantial and inherent in our businesses, including market, liquidity, credit, operational, legal, regulatory and reputational risks. For a discussion of how management seeks to manage some of these risks, see “Overview and Structure of Risk Management.” A summary of the more important factors that could affect our businesses follows. For a further discussion of these and other important factors that could affect our businesses, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity, see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K.
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Our businesses have been and may continue to be adversely affected by conditions in the global financial markets and economic conditions generally.
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Our businesses have been and may be adversely affected by declining asset values. This is particularly true for those businesses in which we have net “long” positions, receive fees based on the value of assets managed, or receive or post collateral.
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Our businesses have been and may be adversely affected by disruptions in the credit markets, including reduced access to credit and higher costs of obtaining credit.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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Our market-making activities have been and may be affected by changes in the levels of market volatility.
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Our investment banking, client execution and investment management businesses have been adversely affected and may continue to be adversely affected by market uncertainty or lack of confidence among investors and CEOs due to general declines in economic activity and other unfavorable economic, geopolitical or market conditions.
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Our investment management business may be affected by the poor investment performance of our investment products.
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We may incur losses as a result of ineffective risk management processes and strategies.
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Our liquidity, profitability and businesses may be adversely affected by an inability to access the debt capital markets or to sell assets or by a reduction in our credit ratings or by an increase in our credit spreads.
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Conflicts of interest are increasing and a failure to appropriately identify and address conflicts of interest could adversely affect our businesses.
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Group Inc. is a holding company and is dependent for liquidity on payments from its subsidiaries, many of which are subject to restrictions.
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Our businesses, profitability and liquidity may be adversely affected by deterioration in the credit quality of, or defaults by, third parties who owe us money, securities or other assets or whose securities or obligations we hold.
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Concentration of risk increases the potential for significant losses in our market-making, underwriting, investing and lending activities.
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The financial services industry is highly competitive.
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We face enhanced risks as new business initiatives lead us to transact with a broader array of clients and counterparties and expose us to new asset classes and new markets.
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Derivative transactions and delayed settlements may expose us to unexpected risk and potential losses.
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Our businesses may be adversely affected if we are unable to hire and retain qualified employees.
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Our businesses and those of our clients are subject to extensive and pervasive regulation around the world.
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We may be adversely affected by increased governmental and regulatory scrutiny or negative publicity.
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A failure in our operational systems or infrastructure, or those of third parties, could impair our liquidity, disrupt our businesses, result in the disclosure of confidential information, damage our reputation and cause losses.
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Substantial legal liability or significant regulatory action against us could have material adverse financial effects or cause us significant reputational harm, which in turn could seriously harm our business prospects.
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The growth of electronic trading and the introduction of new trading technology may adversely affect our business and may increase competition.
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Our commodities activities, particularly our power generation interests and our physical commodities activities, subject us to extensive regulation, potential catastrophic events and environmental, reputational and other risks that may expose us to significant liabilities and costs.
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In conducting our businesses around the world, we are subject to political, economic, legal, operational and other risks that are inherent in operating in many countries.
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We may incur losses as a result of unforeseen or catastrophic events, including the emergence of a pandemic, terrorist attacks or natural disasters.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk are set forth under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Overview and Structure of Risk Management” in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
INDEX
Page No.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1.
Description of Business
Note 2.
Basis of Presentation
Note 3.
Significant Accounting Policies
Note 4.
Financial Instruments Owned, at Fair Value and Financial Instruments Sold, But Not Yet Purchased, at Fair Value
Note 5.
Fair Value Measurements
Note 6.
Cash Instruments
Note 7.
Derivatives and Hedging Activities
Note 8.
Fair Value Option
Note 9.
Collateralized Agreements and Financings
Note 10.
Securitization Activities
Note 11.
Variable Interest Entities
Note 12.
Other Assets
Note 13.
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets
Note 14.
Deposits
Note 15.
Short-Term Borrowings
Note 16.
Long-Term Borrowings
Note 17.
Other Liabilities and Accrued Expenses
Note 18.
Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees
Note 19.
Shareholders’ Equity
Note 20.
Regulation and Capital Adequacy
Note 21.
Earnings Per Common Share
Note 22.
Transactions with Affiliated Funds
Note 23.
Interest Income and Interest Expense
Note 24.
Income Taxes
Note 25.
Business Segments
Note 26.
Credit Concentrations
Note 27.
Legal Proceedings
Note 28.
Employee Benefit Plans
Note 29.
Employee Incentive Plans
Note 30.
Parent Company
Supplemental Financial Information
Quarterly Results
Common Stock Price Range
Common Stock Price Performance
Selected Financial Data
Statistical Disclosures
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries (the firm), is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The firm’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of the firm’s principal executive and principal financial officers to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the firm’s financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
As of December 31, 2011, management conducted an assessment of the firm’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment, management has determined that the firm’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 was effective.
Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; provide reasonable assurances that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of the firm; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the firm’s assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
The firm’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing on page 109, which expresses an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the firm’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and the Shareholders of
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.:
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) at December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing on page 108. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
New York, New York
February 28, 2012
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
1. Relates primarily to repurchases of common stock by a broker-dealer subsidiary to facilitate customer transactions in the ordinary course of business and shares withheld to satisfy withholding tax requirements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:
Cash payments for interest, net of capitalized interest, were $8.05 billion, $6.74 billion and $7.32 billion for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively.
Cash payments for income taxes, net of refunds, were $1.78 billion, $4.48 billion and $4.78 billion for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively.
Non-cash activities:
During the year ended December 2011, the firm assumed $2.09 billion of debt and issued $103 million of common stock in connection with the acquisition of Goldman Sachs Australia Pty Ltd (GS Australia), formerly Goldman Sachs & Partners Australia Group Holdings Pty Ltd. During the years ended December 2010 and December 2009, the firm assumed $90 million and $16 million, respectively, of debt in connection with business acquisitions. In addition, in the first quarter of 2010, the firm recorded an increase of approximately $3 billion in both assets (primarily financial instruments owned, at fair value) and liabilities (primarily unsecured short-term borrowings and other liabilities) upon adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2009-17, “Consolidations (Topic 810) - Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities.”
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Description of Business Note 1.
Description of Business
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Group Inc.), a Delaware corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, the firm), is a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and high-net-worth individuals. Founded in 1869, the firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in all major financial centers around the world.
The firm reports its activities in the following four business segments:
Investment Banking
The firm provides a broad range of investment banking services to a diverse group of corporations, financial institutions, investment funds and governments. Services include advisory assignments with respect to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, risk management, restructurings and spin-offs, and debt and equity underwriting of public offerings and private placements, as well as derivative transactions directly related to these activities.
Institutional Client Services
The firm facilitates client transactions and makes markets in fixed income, equity, currency and commodity products, primarily with institutional clients such as corporates, financial institutions, investment funds and governments. The firm also makes markets and clears client transactions on major stock, options and futures exchanges worldwide and provides financing, securities lending and prime brokerage services to institutional clients.
Investing & Lending
The firm invests in and originates loans to provide financing to clients. These investments and loans are typically longer-term in nature. The firm makes investments, directly and indirectly through funds that the firm manages, in debt securities, loans, public and private equity securities, real estate, consolidated investment entities and power generation facilities.
Investment Management
The firm provides investment management services and offers investment products (primarily through separately managed accounts and commingled vehicles, such as mutual funds and private investment funds) across all major asset classes to a diverse set of institutional and individual clients. The firm also offers wealth advisory services, including portfolio management and financial counseling, and brokerage and other transaction services to high-net-worth individuals and families.
Basis of Presentation Note 2.
Basis of Presentation
These consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) and include the accounts of Group Inc. and all other entities in which the firm has a controlling financial interest. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
All references to 2011, 2010 and 2009 refer to the firm’s years ended, or the dates, as the context requires, December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. In connection with becoming a bank holding company in 2008, the firm was required to change its fiscal year-end from November to December. The beginning of the year ended December 2009 is December 27, 2008. Any reference to a future year refers to a year ending on December 31 of that year. Certain reclassifications have been made to previously reported amounts to conform to the current presentation.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Significant Accounting Policies Note 3.
Significant Accounting Policies
The firm’s significant accounting policies include when and how to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities, accounting for goodwill and identifiable intangible assets, and when to consolidate an entity. See Notes 5 through 8 for policies on fair value measurements, Note 13 for policies on goodwill and identifiable intangible assets, and below and Note 11 for policies on consolidation accounting. All other significant accounting policies are either discussed below or included in the following footnotes:
Consolidation
The firm consolidates entities in which the firm has a controlling financial interest. The firm determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting interest entity or a variable interest entity (VIE).
Voting Interest Entities. Voting interest entities are entities in which (i) the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable the entity to finance its activities independently and (ii) the equity holders have the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact its economic performance, the obligation to absorb the losses of the entity and the right to receive the residual returns of the entity. The usual condition for a controlling financial interest in a voting interest entity is ownership of a majority voting interest. If the firm has a majority voting interest in a voting interest entity, the entity is consolidated.
Variable Interest Entities. A VIE is an entity that lacks one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. The firm has a controlling financial interest in a VIE when the firm has a variable interest or interests that provide it with (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. See Note 11 for further information about VIEs.
Equity-Method Investments. When the firm does not have a controlling financial interest in an entity but can exert significant influence over the entity’s operating and financial policies, the investment is accounted for either (i) under the equity method of accounting or (ii) at fair value by electing the fair value option available under U.S. GAAP. Significant influence generally exists when the firm owns 20% to 50% of the entity’s common stock or in-substance common stock.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
In general, the firm accounts for investments acquired subsequent to November 24, 2006, when the fair value option became available, at fair value. In certain cases, the firm applies the equity method of accounting to new investments that are strategic in nature or closely related to the firm’s principal business activities, when the firm has a significant degree of involvement in the cash flows or operations of the investee or when cost-benefit considerations are less significant. See Note 12 for further information about equity-method investments.
Investment Funds. The firm has formed numerous investment funds with third-party investors. These funds are typically organized as limited partnerships or limited liability companies for which the firm acts as general partner or manager. Generally, the firm does not hold a majority of the economic interests in these funds. These funds are usually voting interest entities and generally are not consolidated because third-party investors typically have rights to terminate the funds or to remove the firm as general partner or manager. Investments in these funds are included in “Financial instruments owned, at fair value.” See Notes 6, 18 and 22 for further information about investments in funds.
Use of Estimates
Preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions, the most important of which relate to fair value measurements, accounting for goodwill and identifiable intangible assets, and the provision for losses that may arise from litigation, regulatory proceedings and tax audits. These estimates and assumptions are based on the best available information but actual results could be materially different.
Revenue Recognition
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities at Fair Value. Financial instruments owned, at fair value and Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value are recorded at fair value either under the fair value option or in accordance with other U.S. GAAP. In addition, the firm has elected to account for certain of its other financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value by electing the fair value option. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to
transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Financial assets are marked to bid prices and financial liabilities are marked to offer prices. Fair value measurements do not include transaction costs. Fair value gains or losses are generally included in “Market making” for positions in Institutional Client Services and “Other principal transactions” for positions in Investing & Lending. See Notes 5 through 8 for further information about fair value measurements.
Investment Banking. Fees from financial advisory assignments and underwriting revenues are recognized in earnings when the services related to the underlying transaction are completed under the terms of the assignment. Expenses associated with such transactions are deferred until the related revenue is recognized or the assignment is otherwise concluded. Expenses associated with financial advisory assignments are recorded as non-compensation expenses, net of client reimbursements. Underwriting revenues are presented net of related expenses.
Investment Management. The firm earns management fees and incentive fees for investment management services. Management fees are calculated as a percentage of net asset value, invested capital or commitments, and are recognized over the period that the related service is provided. Incentive fees are calculated as a percentage of a fund’s or separately managed account’s return, or excess return above a specified benchmark or other performance target. Incentive fees are generally based on investment performance over a 12-month period or over the life of a fund. Fees that are based on performance over a 12-month period are subject to adjustment prior to the end of the measurement period. For fees that are based on investment performance over the life of the fund, future investment underperformance may require fees previously distributed to the firm to be returned to the fund. Incentive fees are recognized only when all material contingencies have been resolved. Management and incentive fee revenues are included in “Investment management” revenues.
Commissions and Fees. The firm earns “Commissions and fees” from executing and clearing client transactions on stock, options and futures markets. Commissions and fees are recognized on the day the trade is executed.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Transfers of Assets
Transfers of assets are accounted for as sales when the firm has relinquished control over the assets transferred. For transfers of assets accounted for as sales, any related gains or losses are recognized in net revenues. Assets or liabilities that arise from the firm’s continuing involvement with transferred assets are measured at fair value. For transfers of assets that are not accounted for as sales, the assets remain in “Financial instruments owned, at fair value” and the transfer is accounted for as a collateralized financing, with the related interest expense recognized over the life of the transaction. See Note 9 for further information about transfers of assets accounted for as collateralized financings and Note 10 for further information about transfers of assets accounted for as sales.
Receivables from Customers and Counterparties
Receivables from customers and counterparties generally relate to collateralized transactions. Such receivables are primarily comprised of customer margin loans, transfers of assets accounted for as secured loans rather than purchases and collateral posted in connection with certain derivative transactions. Certain of the firm’s receivables from customers and counterparties are accounted for at fair value under the fair value option, with changes in fair value generally included in “Market making” revenues. See Note 8 for further information about the fair values of these receivables. Receivables from customers and counterparties not accounted for at fair value are accounted for at amortized cost net of estimated uncollectible amounts, which generally approximates fair value. Interest on receivables from customers and counterparties is recognized over the life of the transaction and included in “Interest income.”
Insurance Activities
Certain of the firm’s insurance and reinsurance contracts are accounted for at fair value under the fair value option, with changes in fair value included in “Market making” revenues. See Note 8 for further information about the fair values of these insurance and reinsurance contracts.
Revenues from variable annuity and life insurance and reinsurance contracts not accounted for at fair value generally consist of fees assessed on contract holder account balances for mortality charges, policy administration fees and surrender charges. These revenues are recognized in earnings over the period that services are provided and are included in “Market making” revenues. Changes in reserves, including interest credited to policyholder account balances, are recognized in “Insurance reserves.”
Premiums earned for underwriting property catastrophe reinsurance are recognized in earnings over the coverage period, net of premiums ceded for the cost of reinsurance, and are included in “Market making” revenues. Expenses for liabilities related to property catastrophe reinsurance claims, including estimates of losses that have been incurred but not reported, are included in “Insurance reserves.”
Foreign Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities denominated in non-U.S. currencies are translated at rates of exchange prevailing on the date of the consolidated statements of financial condition and revenues and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange for the period. Foreign currency remeasurement gains or losses on transactions in nonfunctional currencies are recognized in earnings. Gains or losses on translation of the financial statements of a non-U.S. operation, when the functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar, are included, net of hedges and taxes, in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The firm defines cash equivalents as highly liquid overnight deposits held in the ordinary course of business. As of December 2011 and December 2010, “Cash and cash equivalents” included $7.95 billion and $5.75 billion, respectively, of cash and due from banks, and $48.05 billion and $34.04 billion, respectively, of interest-bearing deposits with banks.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Recent Accounting Developments
Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements (FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820). In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) - Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements.” ASU No. 2010-06 provides amended disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements. Certain of these disclosure requirements became effective for the firm beginning in the first quarter of 2010, while others became effective for the firm beginning in the first quarter of 2011. Since these amended principles require only additional disclosures concerning fair value measurements, adoption did not affect the firm’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements (ASC 860). In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-03, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860) - Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements.” ASU No. 2011-03 changes the assessment of effective control by removing (i) the criterion that requires the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the transferee, and (ii) the collateral maintenance implementation guidance related to that criterion. ASU No. 2011-03 is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU No. 2011-03 will not affect the firm’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (ASC 820). In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) - Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.” ASU No. 2011-04 clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements, changes certain principles related to measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. ASU No. 2011-04 is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Adoption of ASU No. 2011-04 will not materially affect the firm’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Testing Goodwill for Impairment (ASC 350). In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - Testing Goodwill for Impairment.” ASU No. 2011-08 simplifies how entities test goodwill for impairment by permitting an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative, two-step goodwill impairment test. ASU No. 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. The firm adopted these amended principles in conjunction with its goodwill impairment test performed in the fourth quarter of 2011. The adoption of ASU No. 2011-08 did not affect the firm’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Derecognition of in Substance Real Estate (ASC 360). In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-10, “Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360) - Derecognition of in Substance Real Estate - a Scope Clarification.” ASU No. 2011-10 clarifies that in order to deconsolidate a subsidiary (that is in substance real estate) as a result of a parent no longer controlling the subsidiary due to a default on the subsidiary’s nonrecourse debt, the parent also must satisfy the sale criteria in ASC 360-20, “Property, Plant, and Equipment - Real Estate Sales.” The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2012. The firm will apply the provisions of the ASU to such events occurring on or after January 1, 2013. Adoption is not expected to materially affect the firm’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (ASC 210). In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210) - Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” ASU No. 2011-11 will require disclosure of the effect or potential effect of offsetting arrangements on the firm’s financial position as well as enhanced disclosure of the rights of setoff associated with the firm’s recognized assets and recognized liabilities. ASU No. 2011-11 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. Since these amended principles require only additional disclosures concerning offsetting and related arrangements, adoption will not affect the firm’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Instruments Owned, at Fair Value and Financial Instruments Sold, But Not Yet Purchased, at Fair Value Note 4.
Financial Instruments Owned, at Fair Value and Financial Instruments Sold, But Not Yet Purchased, at Fair Value
Financial instruments owned, at fair value and financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value are accounted for at fair value either under the fair value option or in accordance with other U.S. GAAP. See Note 8 for further information about the fair value option. The table below presents the firm’s financial instruments owned, at fair value, including those pledged as collateral, and
financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value. Financial instruments owned, at fair value included $4.86 billion and $3.67 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, of securities accounted for as available-for-sale, substantially all of which are held in the firm’s insurance subsidiaries.
1. Net of cash collateral received or posted under credit support agreements and reported on a net-by-counterparty basis when a legal right of setoff exists under an enforceable netting agreement.
2. Includes the fair value of unfunded commitments to extend credit. The fair value of partially funded commitments is primarily included in “Financial instruments owned, at fair value.”
3. Includes $4.06 billion as of December 2010 of money market instruments held by William Street Funding Corporation (Funding Corp.) to support the William Street credit extension program. See Note 18 for further information about the William Street credit extension program.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Gains and Losses from Market Making and Other Principal Transactions
The table below presents, by major product type, the firm’s “Market making” and “Other principal transactions” revenues. These gains/(losses) are primarily related to the firm’s financial instruments owned, at fair value and financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value, including both derivative and non-derivative financial instruments. These gains/(losses) exclude related interest income and interest expense. See Note 23 for further information about interest income and interest expense.
The gains/(losses) in the table are not representative of the manner in which the firm manages its business activities because many of the firm’s market-making, client facilitation, and investing and lending strategies utilize financial instruments across various product types. Accordingly, gains or losses in one product type frequently offset gains or losses in other product types. For example, most of the firm’s longer-term derivatives are sensitive to changes in interest rates and may be economically hedged with interest rate swaps. Similarly, a significant portion of the firm’s cash instruments and derivatives has exposure to foreign currencies and may be economically hedged with foreign currency contracts.
Fair Value Measurements Note 5.
Fair Value Measurements
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Financial assets are marked to bid prices and financial liabilities are marked to offer prices. Fair value measurements do not include transaction costs.
The best evidence of fair value is a quoted price in an active market. If listed prices or quotations are not available, fair value is determined by reference to prices for similar instruments, quoted prices or recent transactions in less active markets, or internally developed models that primarily use as inputs market-based or independently sourced parameters, including, but not limited to, interest rates, volatilities, equity or debt prices, foreign exchange rates, commodities prices, credit curves and funding rates.
U.S. GAAP has a three-level fair value hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes inputs to the valuation techniques used to measure fair value, giving the highest priority to level 1 inputs and the lowest priority to level 3 inputs. A financial instrument’s level in the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to its fair value measurement.
The fair value hierarchy is as follows:
Level 1. Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets to which the firm had access at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2. Inputs to valuation techniques are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3. One or more inputs to valuation techniques are significant and unobservable.
The fair values for substantially all of our financial assets and financial liabilities are based on observable prices and inputs and are classified in levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy. Certain level 2 and level 3 financial assets and financial liabilities may require appropriate valuation adjustments that a market participant would require to arrive at fair value for factors such as counterparty and the firm’s credit quality, funding risk, transfer restrictions, liquidity and bid/offer spreads. Valuation adjustments are generally based on market evidence. See Notes 6, 7 and 8 for further information about valuation adjustments.
See Notes 6 and 7 for further information about fair value measurements of cash instruments and derivatives, respectively, included in “Financial instruments owned, at fair value” and “Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value,” and Note 8 for further information about other financial assets and financial liabilities accounted for at fair value under the fair value option.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value are summarized below.
1. Represents the impact on derivatives of cash collateral and counterparty netting across levels of the fair value hierarchy. Netting among positions classified in the same level is included in that level.
The increase in level 3 financial assets during the year ended December 2011 primarily reflected an increase in private equity investments, principally due to purchases and net transfers from level 2, partially offset by sales. Level 3 bank loans and bridge loans also increased, primarily reflecting purchases, partially offset by sales, settlements and net transfers to level 2.
See Notes 6, 7 and 8 for further information about level 3 cash instruments, derivatives and other financial assets and financial liabilities accounted for at fair value under the fair value option, respectively, including information about significant unrealized gains/(losses) and significant transfers in or out of level 3.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Cash Instruments Note 6.
Cash Instruments
Cash instruments include U.S. government and federal agency obligations, non-U.S. government obligations, bank loans and bridge loans, corporate debt securities, equities and convertible debentures, and other non-derivative financial instruments owned and financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased. See below for the types of cash instruments included in each level of the fair value hierarchy and the valuation techniques and significant inputs used to determine their fair values. See Note 5 for an overview of the firm’s fair value measurement policies.
Level 1 Cash Instruments
Level 1 cash instruments include U.S. government obligations and most non-U.S. government obligations, actively traded listed equities and certain money market instruments. These instruments are valued using quoted prices for identical unrestricted instruments in active markets.
The firm defines active markets for equity instruments based on the average daily trading volume both in absolute terms and relative to the market capitalization for the instrument. The firm defines active markets for debt instruments based on both the average daily trading volume and the number of days with trading activity.
The fair value of a level 1 instrument is calculated as quantity held multiplied by quoted market price. U.S. GAAP prohibits valuation adjustments being applied to level 1 instruments even in situations where the firm holds a large position and a sale could impact the quoted price.
Level 2 Cash Instruments
Level 2 cash instruments include commercial paper, certificates of deposit, time deposits, most government agency obligations, most corporate debt securities, commodities, certain mortgage-backed loans and securities, certain bank loans and bridge loans, restricted or less liquid publicly listed equities, most state and municipal obligations and certain money market instruments and lending commitments.
Valuations of level 2 cash instruments can be verified to quoted prices, recent trading activity for identical or similar instruments, broker or dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. Consideration is given to the nature of the quotations (e.g., indicative or firm) and the relationship of recent market activity to the prices provided from alternative pricing sources.
Valuation adjustments are typically made to level 2 cash instruments (i) if the cash instrument is subject to transfer restrictions and/or (ii) for other premiums and liquidity discounts that a market participant would require to arrive at fair value. Valuation adjustments are generally based on market evidence.
Level 3 Cash Instruments
Level 3 cash instruments have one or more significant valuation inputs that are not observable. Absent evidence to the contrary, level 3 cash instruments are initially valued at transaction price, which is considered to be the best initial estimate of fair value. Subsequently, the firm uses other methodologies to determine fair value, which vary based on the type of instrument. Valuation inputs and assumptions are changed when corroborated by substantive observable evidence, including values realized on sales of level 3 financial assets.
The table below presents the valuation techniques and the nature of significant inputs generally used to determine the fair values of each class of level 3 cash instrument.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Level 3 Cash Instrument
Valuation Techniques and Significant Inputs
Loans and securities backed by commercial real estate
 Collateralized by a single commercial real estate property or a portfolio of properties
 May include tranches of varying levels of subordination
Valuation techniques vary by instrument, but are generally based on discounted cash flow techniques.
Significant inputs for these valuations include:
 Transaction prices in both the underlying collateral and instruments with the same or similar underlying collateral
 Current levels and changes in market indices such as the CMBX (an index that tracks the performance of commercial mortgage bonds)
 Market yields implied by transactions of similar or related assets
 Current performance of the underlying collateral
 Capitalization rates and multiples
 Amount and timing of future cash flows
Loans and securities backed by residential real estate
 Collateralized by portfolios of residential real estate
 May include tranches of varying levels of subordination
Valuation techniques vary by instrument, but are generally based on relative value analyses, discounted cash flow techniques or a combination thereof.
Significant inputs are determined based on relative value analyses, which incorporate comparisons to instruments with similar collateral and risk profiles, including relevant indices such as the ABX (an index that tracks the performance of subprime residential mortgage bonds). Significant inputs include:
 Home price projections, residential property liquidation timelines and related costs
 Underlying loan prepayment, default and cumulative loss expectations
 Transaction prices in both the underlying collateral and instruments with the same or similar underlying collateral
 Market yields implied by transactions of similar or related assets
Bank loans and bridge loans
Corporate debt securities
State and municipal obligations
Other debt obligations
Valuation techniques vary by instrument, but are generally based on discounted cash flow techniques.
Significant inputs are generally determined based on relative value analyses, which incorporate comparisons both to prices of credit default swaps that reference the same or similar underlying credit risk and to other debt instruments for the same issuer for which observable prices or broker quotations are available. Significant inputs include:
 Amount and timing of expected future cash flows
 Current levels and trends of market indices such as CDX, LCDX and MCDX (indices that track the performance of corporate credit, loans and municipal obligations, respectively)
 Market yields implied by transactions of similar or related assets
 Current performance and recovery assumptions and, where the firm uses credit default swaps to value the related cash instrument, the cost of borrowing the underlying reference obligation
Equities and convertible debentures
 Private equity investments
Recent third-party investments or pending transactions are considered to be the best evidence for any change in fair value. When these are not available, the following valuation methodologies are used, as appropriate and available:
 Transactions in similar instruments
 Discounted cash flow techniques
 Third-party appraisals
 Industry multiples and public comparables
Evidence includes recent or pending reorganizations (e.g., merger proposals, tender offers, debt restructurings) and significant changes in financial metrics, such as:
 Current financial performance as compared to projected performance
 Capitalization rates and multiples
 Market yields implied by transactions of similar or related assets
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Fair Value of Cash Instruments by Level
The tables below present, by level within the fair value hierarchy, cash instrument assets and liabilities, at fair value. Cash instrument assets and liabilities are included in
“Financial instruments owned, at fair value” and “Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value,” respectively.
1. Includes $213 million and $595 million of collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) backed by real estate in level 2 and level 3, respectively.
2. Includes $403 million and $1.19 billion of CDOs and collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) backed by corporate obligations in level 2 and level 3, respectively.
3. Consists of publicly listed equity securities.
4. Principally consists of restricted or less liquid publicly listed securities.
5. Includes $12.07 billion of private equity investments, $1.10 billion of real estate investments and $497 million of convertible debentures.
6. Includes $27 million of CDOs and CLOs backed by corporate obligations in level 3.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Includes $212 million and $565 million of CDOs backed by real estate in level 2 and level 3, respectively.
2. Includes $368 million and $1.07 billion of CDOs and CLOs backed by corporate obligations in level 2 and level 3, respectively.
3. Consists of publicly listed equity securities.
4. Substantially all consists of restricted or less liquid publicly listed securities.
5. Includes $10.03 billion of private equity investments, $874 million of real estate investments and $156 million of convertible debentures.
6. Includes $35 million of CDOs and CLOs backed by corporate obligations in level 3.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Level 3 Rollforward
If a cash instrument asset or liability was transferred to level 3 during a reporting period, its entire gain or loss for the period is included in level 3. Transfers between levels are reported at the beginning of the reporting period in which they occur.
Level 3 cash instruments are frequently economically hedged with level 1 and level 2 cash instruments and/or level 1, level 2 or level 3 derivatives. Accordingly, gains or losses that are reported in level 3 can be partially offset by
gains or losses attributable to level 1 or level 2 cash instruments and/or level 1, level 2 or level 3 derivatives. As a result, gains or losses included in the level 3 rollforward below do not necessarily represent the overall impact on the firm’s results of operations, liquidity or capital resources.
The tables below present changes in fair value for all cash instrument assets and liabilities categorized as level 3 as of the end of the year.
1. Includes both originations and secondary market purchases.
2. The aggregate amounts include approximately $(202) million, $623 million and $1.29 billion reported in “Market making,” “Other principal transactions” and “Interest income,” respectively.
The net unrealized loss on level 3 cash instrument assets and liabilities of $310 million for the year ended December 2011 primarily consisted of losses on bank loans and bridge loans and corporate debt securities, primarily reflecting the impact of unfavorable credit markets and losses on relationship lending. These losses were partially offset by gains in private equity investments, where prices were generally corroborated through market transactions in similar financial instruments during the year.
Significant transfers in or out of level 3 cash instrument assets during the year ended December 2011 included:
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Bank loans and bridge loans: net transfer out of level 3 of $1.79 billion, primarily due to transfers to level 2 of certain loans due to improved transparency of market prices as a result of market transactions in these or similar loans, partially offset by transfers to level 3 of other loans primarily due to reduced transparency of market prices as a result of less market activity in these loans.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Equities and convertible debentures: net transfer into level 3 of $1.35 billion, primarily due to transfers to level 3 of certain private equity investments due to reduced transparency of market prices as a result of less market activity in these financial instruments, partially offset by transfers to level 2 of other private equity investments due to improved transparency of market prices as a result of market transactions in these financial instruments.

Loans and securities backed by residential real estate: net transfer out of level 3 of $574 million, principally due to transfers to level 2 of certain loans due to improved transparency of market prices used to value these loans, as well as unobservable inputs no longer being significant to the valuation of these loans.
There were no significant transfers in or out of level 3 cash instrument liabilities during the year ended December 2011.
1. The aggregate amounts include approximately $836 million, $1.03 billion and $1.26 billion reported in “Market making,” “Other principal transactions” and “Interest income,” respectively.
The net unrealized gain on level 3 cash instrument assets and liabilities of $1.67 billion for the year ended December 2010 primarily consisted of unrealized gains on private equity investments, bank loans and bridge loans and corporate debt securities, where prices were generally corroborated through sales and partial sales of similar assets in these asset classes during the period.
Significant transfers in or out of level 3 cash instrument assets during the year ended December 2010 included:

Loans and securities backed by commercial real estate: net transfer out of level 3 of $830 million, principally due to transfers to level 2 of certain loans due to improved transparency of market prices as a result of partial sales.

Corporate debt securities: net transfer out of level 3 of $573 million, principally due to a reduction in financial instruments as a result of the consolidation of a VIE which holds intangible assets.

Other debt obligations: net transfer out of level 3 of $861 million, principally due to a reduction in financial instruments as a result of the consolidation of a VIE. The VIE holds real estate assets which are included in “Other assets.”

Equities and convertible debentures: net transfer out of level 3 of $631 million, principally due to transfers to level 2 of certain private equity investments due to improved transparency of market prices as a result of partial sales and initial public offerings.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Investments in Funds That Calculate Net Asset
Value Per Share
Cash instruments at fair value include investments in funds that are valued based on the net asset value per share (NAV) of the investment fund. The firm uses NAV as its measure of fair value for fund investments when (i) the fund investment does not have a readily determinable fair value and (ii) the NAV of the investment fund is calculated in a manner consistent with the measurement principles of investment company accounting, including measurement of the underlying investments at fair value.
The firm’s investments in funds that calculate NAV primarily consist of investments in firm-sponsored funds where the firm co-invests with third-party investors. The private equity, private debt and real estate funds are primarily closed-end funds in which the firm’s investments are not eligible for redemption. Distributions will be received from these funds as the underlying assets are
liquidated and it is estimated that substantially all of the underlying assets of existing funds will be liquidated over the next 10 years. The firm continues to manage its existing private equity funds taking into account the transition periods under the Volcker Rule of the U.S. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), although the rules have not yet been finalized.
The firm’s investments in hedge funds are generally redeemable on a quarterly basis with 91 days’ notice, subject to a maximum redemption level of 25% of the firm’s initial investments at any quarter-end. The firm currently plans to comply with the Volcker Rule by redeeming certain of its interests in hedge funds.
The table below presents the fair value of the firm’s investments in, and unfunded commitments to, funds that calculate NAV.
1. These funds primarily invest in a broad range of industries worldwide in a variety of situations, including leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations and growth investments.
2. These funds generally invest in loans and other fixed income instruments and are focused on providing private high-yield capital for mid- to large-sized leveraged and management buyout transactions, recapitalizations, financings, refinancings, acquisitions and restructurings for private equity firms, private family companies and corporate issuers.
3. These funds are primarily multi-disciplinary hedge funds that employ a fundamental bottom-up investment approach across various asset classes and strategies including long/short equity, credit, convertibles, risk arbitrage, special situations and capital structure arbitrage.
4. These funds invest globally, primarily in real estate companies, loan portfolios, debt recapitalizations and direct property.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Derivatives and Hedging Activities Note 7.
Derivatives and Hedging Activities
Derivative Activities
Derivatives are instruments that derive their value from underlying asset prices, indices, reference rates and other inputs, or a combination of these factors. Derivatives may be privately negotiated contracts, which are usually referred to as over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, or they may be listed and traded on an exchange (exchange-traded).
Market-Making. As a market maker, the firm enters into derivative transactions with clients and other market participants to provide liquidity and to facilitate the transfer and hedging of risk. In this capacity, the firm typically acts as principal and is consequently required to commit capital to provide execution. As a market maker, it is essential to maintain an inventory of financial instruments sufficient to meet expected client and market demands.
Risk Management. The firm also enters into derivatives to actively manage risk exposures that arise from market-making and investing and lending activities in derivative and cash instruments. The firm’s holdings and exposures are hedged, in many cases, on either a portfolio or risk-specific basis, as opposed to an instrument-by-instrument basis. The offsetting impact of this economic hedging is reflected in the same business segment as the related revenues. In addition, the firm may enter into derivatives designated as hedges under U.S. GAAP. These derivatives are used to manage foreign currency exposure on the net investment in certain non-U.S. operations and to manage interest rate exposure in certain fixed-rate unsecured long-term and short-term borrowings, and certificates of deposit.
The firm enters into various types of derivatives, including:

Futures and Forwards. Contracts that commit counterparties to purchase or sell financial instruments, commodities or currencies in the future.

Swaps. Contracts that require counterparties to exchange cash flows such as currency or interest payment streams. The amounts exchanged are based on the specific terms of the contract with reference to specified rates, financial instruments, commodities, currencies or indices.

Options. Contracts in which the option purchaser has the right, but not the obligation, to purchase from or sell to the option writer financial instruments, commodities or currencies within a defined time period for a specified price.
Derivatives are accounted for at fair value, net of cash collateral received or posted under credit support agreements. Derivatives are reported on a net-by-counterparty basis (i.e., the net payable or receivable for derivative assets and liabilities for a given counterparty) when a legal right of setoff exists under an enforceable netting agreement. Derivative assets and liabilities are included in “Financial instruments owned, at fair value” and “Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value,” respectively.
Substantially all gains and losses on derivatives not designated as hedges under ASC 815 are included in “Market making” and “Other principal transactions.”
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The table below presents the fair value of derivatives on a net-by-counterparty basis.
The table below presents the fair value and the number of derivative contracts by major product type on a gross basis. Gross fair values in the table below exclude the effects of both netting under enforceable netting agreements and
netting of cash collateral received or posted under credit support agreements, and therefore are not representative of the firm’s exposure.
1. Represents the netting of receivable balances with payable balances for the same counterparty under enforceable netting agreements.
2. Represents the netting of cash collateral received and posted on a counterparty basis under credit support agreements.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Valuation Techniques for Derivatives
See Note 5 for an overview of the firm’s fair value measurement policies.
Level 1 Derivatives
Exchange-traded derivatives fall within level 1 if they are actively traded and are valued at their quoted market price.
Level 2 Derivatives
Level 2 derivatives include exchange-traded derivatives that are not actively traded and OTC derivatives for which all significant valuation inputs are corroborated by market evidence.
Level 2 exchange-traded derivatives are valued using models that calibrate to market-clearing levels of OTC derivatives. Inputs to the valuations of level 2 OTC derivatives can be verified to market-clearing transactions, broker or dealer quotations or other alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. Consideration is given to the nature of the quotations (e.g., indicative or firm) and the relationship of recent market activity to the prices provided from alternative pricing sources.
Where models are used, the selection of a particular model to value an OTC derivative depends on the contractual terms of and specific risks inherent in the instrument, as well as the availability of pricing information in the market. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, credit curves, measures of volatility, prepayment rates, loss severity rates and correlations of such inputs. For OTC derivatives that trade in liquid markets, model selection does not involve significant management judgment because outputs of models can be calibrated to market-clearing levels.
Price transparency of OTC derivatives can generally be characterized by product type.
Interest Rate. In general, the prices and other inputs used to value interest rate derivatives are transparent, even for long-dated contracts. Interest rate swaps and options denominated in the currencies of leading industrialized nations are characterized by high trading volumes and tight bid/offer spreads. Interest rate derivatives that reference indices, such as an inflation index, or the shape of the yield curve (e.g., 10-year swap rate vs. 2-year swap rate), are more complex and are therefore less transparent, but the prices and other inputs are generally observable.
Credit. Price transparency for credit default swaps, including both single names and baskets of credits, varies by market and underlying reference entity or obligation. Credit default swaps that reference indices, large corporates and major sovereigns generally exhibit the most price transparency. For credit default swaps with other underliers, price transparency varies based on credit rating, the cost of borrowing the underlying reference obligations, and the availability of the underlying reference obligations for delivery upon the default of the issuer. Credit default swaps that reference loans, asset-backed securities and emerging market debt instruments tend to be less transparent than those that reference corporate bonds. In addition, more complex credit derivatives, such as those sensitive to the correlation between two or more underlying reference obligations, generally have less price transparency.
Currency. Prices for currency derivatives based on the exchange rates of leading industrialized nations, including those with longer tenors, are generally transparent. The primary difference between the transparency of developed and emerging market currency derivatives is that emerging markets tend to be observable for contracts with shorter tenors.
Commodity. Commodity derivatives include transactions referenced to energy (e.g., oil and natural gas), metals (e.g., precious and base) and soft commodities (e.g., agricultural). Price transparency varies based on the underlying commodity, delivery location, tenor and product quality (e.g., diesel fuel compared to unleaded gasoline). In general, price transparency for commodity derivatives is greater for contracts with shorter tenors and contracts that are more closely aligned with major and/or benchmark commodity indices.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Equity. Price transparency for equity derivatives varies by market and underlier. Options on indices and the common stock of corporates included in major equity indices exhibit the most price transparency. Exchange-traded and OTC equity derivatives generally have observable market prices, except for contracts with long tenors or reference prices that differ significantly from current market prices. More complex equity derivatives, such as those sensitive to the correlation between two or more individual stocks, generally have less price transparency.
Liquidity is essential to observability of all product types. If transaction volumes decline, previously transparent prices and other inputs may become unobservable. Conversely, even highly structured products may at times have trading volumes large enough to provide observability of prices and other inputs.
Level 3 Derivatives
Level 3 OTC derivatives are valued using models which utilize observable level 1 and/or level 2 inputs, as well as unobservable level 3 inputs.

For the majority of the firm’s interest rate and currency derivatives classified within level 3, the significant unobservable inputs are correlations of certain currencies and interest rates (e.g., the correlation of Japanese yen foreign exchange rates to U.S. dollar interest rates).

For credit derivatives classified within level 3, significant level 3 inputs include long-dated credit and funding spreads, as well as certain correlation inputs required to value credit and mortgage derivatives (e.g., the likelihood of default of the underlying reference obligations relative to one another).

For level 3 equity derivatives, significant level 3 inputs generally include equity volatility inputs for options that are very long-dated and/or have strike prices that differ significantly from current market prices. In addition, the valuation of certain structured trades requires the use of level 3 inputs for the correlation of the price performance for two or more individual stocks.

For level 3 commodity derivatives, significant level 3 inputs include volatilities for options with strike prices that differ significantly from current market prices and prices for certain products for which the product quality is not aligned with benchmark indices.
Subsequent to the initial valuation of a level 3 OTC derivative, the firm updates the level 1 and level 2 inputs to reflect observable market changes and any resulting gains and losses are recorded in level 3. Level 3 inputs are changed when corroborated by evidence such as similar market transactions, third-party pricing services and/or broker or dealer quotations or other empirical market data. In circumstances where the firm cannot verify the model value by reference to market transactions, it is possible that a different valuation model could produce a materially different estimate of fair value.
Valuation Adjustments
Valuation adjustments are integral to determining the fair value of derivatives and are used to adjust the mid-market valuations, produced by derivative pricing models, to the appropriate exit price valuation. These adjustments incorporate bid/offer spreads, the cost of liquidity on illiquid positions, credit valuation adjustments (CVA) and funding valuation adjustments, which account for the credit and funding risk inherent in derivative portfolios. Market-based inputs are generally used when calibrating valuation adjustments to market-clearing levels.
In addition, for derivatives that include significant unobservable inputs, the firm makes model or exit price adjustments to account for the valuation uncertainty present in the transaction.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Fair Value of Derivatives by Level
The tables below present the fair value of derivatives on a gross basis by level and major product type. Gross fair values in the tables below exclude the effects of both netting under enforceable netting agreements and netting of cash
received or posted under credit support agreements both in and across levels of the fair value hierarchy, and therefore are not representative of the firm’s exposure.
1. Represents the netting of receivable balances with payable balances for the same counterparty under enforceable netting agreements.
2. Represents the netting of cash collateral received and posted on a counterparty basis under credit support agreements.
3. Represents the netting of receivable balances with payable balances for the same counterparty across levels of the fair value hierarchy under enforceable netting agreements.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Represents the netting of receivable balances with payable balances for the same counterparty under enforceable netting agreements.
2. Represents the netting of cash collateral received and posted on a counterparty basis under credit support agreements.
3. Represents the netting of receivable balances with payable balances for the same counterparty across levels of the fair value hierarchy under enforceable netting agreements.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Level 3 Rollforward
If a derivative was transferred to level 3 during a reporting period, its entire gain or loss for the period is included in level 3. Transfers between levels are reported at the beginning of the reporting period in which they occur.
Gains and losses on level 3 derivatives should be considered in the context of the following:
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A derivative with level 1 and/or level 2 inputs is classified in level 3 in its entirety if it has at least one significant
level 3 input.
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If there is one significant level 3 input, the entire gain or loss from adjusting only observable inputs (i.e., level 1 and level 2 inputs) is classified as level 3.
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Gains or losses that have been reported in level 3 resulting from changes in level 1 or level 2 inputs are frequently offset by gains or losses attributable to level 1 or level 2 derivatives and/or level 1, level 2 and level 3 cash instruments. As a result, gains/(losses) included in the level 3 rollforward below do not necessarily represent the overall impact on the firm’s results of operations, liquidity or capital resources.
The tables below present changes in fair value for all derivatives categorized as level 3 as of the end of the year.
1. The aggregate amounts include approximately $2.35 billion and $62 million reported in “Market making” and “Other principal transactions,” respectively.
2. Principally resulted from changes in level 2 inputs.
The net unrealized gain on level 3 derivatives of $2.28 billion for the year ended December 2011 was primarily attributable to the impact of changes in interest rates and exchange rates underlying certain credit derivatives. Unrealized gains on level 3 derivatives were substantially offset by unrealized losses on derivatives classified within level 2 which economically hedge derivatives classified within level 3.
Significant transfers in or out of level 3 derivatives during the year ended December 2011 included:
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Credit - net: net transfer out of level 3 of $636 million, primarily reflecting transfers to level 2 of certain credit derivative assets principally due to unobservable inputs no longer being significant to the valuation of these derivatives, and transfers into level 3 of certain credit
derivative liabilities due to reduced transparency of the correlation inputs used to value these derivatives. The impact of these transfers was partially offset by transfers into level 3 of certain credit and mortgage derivative assets, primarily due to reduced transparency of the correlation inputs used to value these derivatives.
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Commodities - net: net transfer out of level 3 of $489 million, primarily reflecting transfers to level 2, due to increased transparency of market prices used to value certain commodity derivative assets as a result of market activity in similar instruments, and unobservable inputs becoming less significant to the valuation of other commodity derivative assets. In addition, certain commodity derivative liabilities were transferred into level 3 due to reduced transparency of volatility inputs used to value these derivatives.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. The aggregate amounts include approximately $4.99 billion and $55 million reported in “Market making” and “Other principal transactions,” respectively.
2. Principally resulted from changes in level 2 inputs.
The net unrealized gain on level 3 derivatives of $5.18 billion for the year ended December 2010 was primarily attributable to lower interest rates underlying certain credit derivatives. These unrealized gains were substantially offset by unrealized losses on currency, interest rate and credit derivatives categorized in level 2, which economically hedge level 3 derivatives.
Significant transfers in or out of level 3 derivatives during the year ended December 2010 included:
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Interest rates - net and Currencies - net: net transfer into level 3 of $306 million and $539 million, respectively, principally due to reduced transparency of the correlation inputs used to value these financial instruments.
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Credit - net: net transfer out of level 3 of $1.06 billion, principally due to improved transparency of correlation inputs used to value certain mortgage derivatives.
Impact of Credit Spreads on Derivatives
On an ongoing basis, the firm realizes gains or losses relating to changes in credit risk through the unwind of derivative contracts and changes in credit mitigants.
The net gain attributable to the impact of changes in credit exposure and credit spreads (counterparty and the firm’s) on derivatives was $573 million, $68 million and $572 million for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively.
Bifurcated Embedded Derivatives
The table below presents derivatives, primarily equity and interest rate products, that have been bifurcated from their related borrowings. These derivatives are recorded at fair value and included in “Unsecured short-term borrowings” and “Unsecured long-term borrowings.” See Note 8 for further information.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
OTC Derivatives
The tables below present the fair values of OTC derivative assets and liabilities by tenor and by product type. Tenor is based on expected duration for mortgage-related credit
derivatives and generally on remaining contractual maturity for other derivatives.
1. Represents the netting of receivable balances with payable balances for the same counterparty across product types within a tenor category under enforceable netting agreements. Receivable and payable balances with the same counterparty in the same product type and tenor category are netted within such product type and tenor category.
2. Represents the netting of receivable balances with payable balances for the same counterparty across tenor categories under enforceable netting agreements.
3. Represents the netting of cash collateral received and posted on a counterparty basis under credit support agreements.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Represents the netting of receivable balances with payable balances for the same counterparty across product types within a tenor category under enforceable netting agreements. Receivable and payable balances with the same counterparty in the same product type and tenor category are netted within such product type and tenor category.
2. Represents the netting of receivable balances with payable balances for the same counterparty across tenor categories under enforceable netting agreements.
3. Represents the netting of cash collateral received and posted on a counterparty basis under credit support agreements.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Derivatives with Credit-Related Contingent Features
Certain of the firm’s derivatives have been transacted under bilateral agreements with counterparties who may require the firm to post collateral or terminate the transactions based on changes in the firm’s credit ratings. The table below presents the aggregate fair value of net derivative liabilities under such agreements (excluding application of collateral posted to reduce these liabilities), the related aggregate fair value of the assets posted as collateral, and the additional collateral or termination payments that could have been called at the reporting date by counterparties in the event of a one-notch and two-notch downgrade in the firm’s credit ratings.
Credit Derivatives
The firm enters into a broad array of credit derivatives in locations around the world to facilitate client transactions and to manage the credit risk associated with market-making and investing and lending activities. Credit derivatives are actively managed based on the firm’s net risk position.
Credit derivatives are individually negotiated contracts and can have various settlement and payment conventions. Credit events include failure to pay, bankruptcy, acceleration of indebtedness, restructuring, repudiation and dissolution of the reference entity.
Credit Default Swaps. Single-name credit default swaps protect the buyer against the loss of principal on one or more bonds, loans or mortgages (reference obligations) in the event the issuer (reference entity) of the reference obligations suffers a credit event. The buyer of protection pays an initial or periodic premium to the seller and receives protection for the period of the contract. If there is no credit event, as defined in the contract, the seller of protection makes no payments to the buyer of protection. However, if a credit event occurs, the seller of protection is required to make a payment to the buyer of protection, which is calculated in accordance with the terms of the contract.
Credit Indices, Baskets and Tranches. Credit derivatives may reference a basket of single-name credit default swaps or a broad-based index. If a credit event occurs in one of the underlying reference obligations, the protection seller pays the protection buyer. The payment is typically a pro-rata portion of the transaction’s total notional amount based on the underlying defaulted reference obligation. In certain transactions, the credit risk of a basket or index is separated into various portions (tranches), each having different levels of subordination. The most junior tranches cover initial defaults and once losses exceed the notional amount of these junior tranches, any excess loss is covered by the next most senior tranche in the capital structure.
Total Return Swaps. A total return swap transfers the risks relating to economic performance of a reference obligation from the protection buyer to the protection seller. Typically, the protection buyer receives from the protection seller a floating rate of interest and protection against any reduction in fair value of the reference obligation, and in return the protection seller receives the cash flows associated with the reference obligation, plus any increase in the fair value of the reference obligation.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Credit Options. In a credit option, the option writer assumes the obligation to purchase or sell a reference obligation at a specified price or credit spread. The option purchaser buys the right, but not the obligation, to sell the reference obligation to, or purchase it from, the option writer. The payments on credit options depend either on a particular credit spread or the price of the reference obligation.
The firm economically hedges its exposure to written credit derivatives primarily by entering into offsetting purchased credit derivatives with identical underlyings. Substantially all of the firm’s purchased credit derivative transactions are with financial institutions and are subject to stringent collateral thresholds. In addition, upon the occurrence of a specified trigger event, the firm may take possession of the reference obligations underlying a particular written credit derivative, and consequently may, upon liquidation of the reference obligations, recover amounts on the underlying reference obligations in the event of default.
As of December 2011, written and purchased credit derivatives had total gross notional amounts of $1.96 trillion and $2.08 trillion, respectively, for total net notional purchased protection of $116.93 billion. As of December 2010, written and purchased credit derivatives had total gross notional amounts of $2.05 trillion and $2.19 trillion, respectively, for total net notional purchased protection of $140.63 billion.
The table below presents certain information about credit derivatives. In the table below:

fair values exclude the effects of both netting under enforceable netting agreements and netting of cash received or posted under credit support agreements, and therefore are not representative of the firm’s exposure;

tenor is based on expected duration for mortgage-related credit derivatives and on remaining contractual maturity for other credit derivatives; and
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the credit spread on the underlying, together with the tenor of the contract, are indicators of payment/performance risk. The firm is less likely to pay or otherwise be required to perform where the credit spread and the tenor are lower.
1. Offsetting purchased credit derivatives represent the notional amount of purchased credit derivatives to the extent they economically hedge written credit derivatives with identical underlyings.
2. This purchased protection represents the notional amount of purchased credit derivatives in excess of the notional amount included in “Offsetting Purchased Credit Derivatives.”
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Hedge Accounting
The firm applies hedge accounting for (i) certain interest rate swaps used to manage the interest rate exposure of certain fixed-rate unsecured long-term and short-term borrowings and certain fixed-rate certificates of deposit and (ii) certain foreign currency forward contracts and foreign currency-denominated debt used to manage foreign currency exposures on the firm’s net investment in certain non-U.S. operations.
To qualify for hedge accounting, the derivative hedge must be highly effective at reducing the risk from the exposure being hedged. Additionally, the firm must formally document the hedging relationship at inception and test the hedging relationship at least on a quarterly basis to ensure the derivative hedge continues to be highly effective over the life of the hedging relationship.
Interest Rate Hedges
The firm designates certain interest rate swaps as fair value hedges. These interest rate swaps hedge changes in fair value attributable to the relevant benchmark interest rate (e.g., London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)), effectively converting a substantial portion of fixed-rate obligations into floating-rate obligations.
The firm applies the “long-haul method” in assessing the effectiveness of its fair value hedging relationships in achieving offsetting changes in the fair values of the hedging instrument and the risk being hedged (i.e., interest rate risk).
During the three months ended March 2010, the firm changed its method of prospectively and retrospectively assessing the effectiveness of all of its fair value hedging relationships from a dollar-offset method, which is a non-statistical method, to regression analysis, which is a statistical method.
An interest rate swap is considered highly effective in offsetting changes in fair value attributable to changes in the hedged risk when the regression analysis results in a coefficient of determination of 80% or greater and a slope between 80% and 125%.
The dollar-offset method compared the change in the fair value of the hedging instrument to the change in the fair value of the hedged item, excluding the effect of the passage of time. The prospective dollar-offset assessment used scenario analyses to test hedge effectiveness through simulations of numerous parallel and slope shifts of the relevant yield curve. Parallel shifts changed the interest rate of all maturities by identical amounts. Slope shifts changed the curvature of the yield curve. For both the prospective assessment, in response to each of the simulated yield curve shifts, and the retrospective assessment, a hedging relationship was considered effective if the fair value of the hedging instrument and the hedged item changed inversely within a range of 80% to 125%.
For qualifying fair value hedges, gains or losses on derivatives are included in “Interest expense.” The change in fair value of the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged is reported as an adjustment to its carrying value and is subsequently amortized into interest expense over its remaining life. Gains or losses resulting from hedge ineffectiveness are included in “Interest expense.” When a derivative is no longer designated as a hedge, any remaining difference between the carrying value and par value of the hedged item is amortized to interest expense over the remaining life of the hedged item using the effective interest method. See Note 23 for further information about interest income and interest expense.
For the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, the gain/(loss) recognized on interest rate derivatives accounted for as hedges was $4.68 billion, $1.62 billion and $(10.07) billion, respectively, and the related gain/(loss) recognized on the hedged borrowings and bank deposits was $(6.30) billion, $(3.45) billion and $9.95 billion, respectively. The hedge ineffectiveness recognized on these derivatives for the years ended December 2011 and December 2010 was a loss of $1.62 billion and $1.84 billion, respectively, and was not material for the year ended December 2009. These losses consisted primarily of the amortization of prepaid credit spreads. The gain/(loss) excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness was not material for the years ended December 2011 and December 2010, and was a loss of $1.23 billion for the year ended December 2009.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Net Investment Hedges
The firm seeks to reduce the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on its net investment in certain non-U.S. operations through the use of foreign currency forward contracts and foreign currency-denominated debt. For foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges, the effectiveness of the hedge is assessed based on the overall changes in the fair value of the forward contracts (i.e., based on changes in forward rates). For foreign currency-denominated debt designated as a hedge, the effectiveness of the hedge is assessed based on changes in spot rates.
For qualifying net investment hedges, the gains or losses on the hedging instruments, to the extent effective, are included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
The table below presents the gains/(losses) from net investment hedging. The gains/(losses) below are included in “Currency translation adjustment, net of tax.”
The gain/(loss) related to ineffectiveness was not material for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009. The loss reclassified to earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income was $186 million for the year ended December 2011 and was not material for the years ended December 2010 and December 2009.
As of December 2011 and December 2010, the firm had designated $3.11 billion and $3.88 billion, respectively, of foreign currency-denominated debt, included in “Unsecured long-term borrowings” and “Unsecured short-term borrowings,” as hedges of net investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries.
Fair Value Option Note 8.
Fair Value Option
Other Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities at Fair Value
In addition to all cash and derivative instruments included in “Financial instruments owned, at fair value” and “Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value,” the firm has elected to account for certain of its other financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value under the fair value option.
The primary reasons for electing the fair value option are to:

reflect economic events in earnings on a timely basis;

mitigate volatility in earnings from using different measurement attributes (e.g., transfers of financial instruments owned accounted for as financings are recorded at fair value whereas the related secured financing would be recorded on an accrual basis absent electing the fair value option); and

address simplification and cost-benefit considerations (e.g., accounting for hybrid financial instruments at fair value in their entirety versus bifurcation of embedded derivatives and hedge accounting for debt hosts).
Hybrid financial instruments are instruments that contain bifurcatable embedded derivatives and do not require settlement by physical delivery of non-financial assets (e.g., physical commodities). If the firm elects to bifurcate the embedded derivative from the associated debt, the derivative is accounted for at fair value and the host contract is accounted for at amortized cost, adjusted for the effective portion of any fair value hedges. If the firm does not elect to bifurcate, the entire hybrid financial instrument is accounted for at fair value under the fair value option.
Other financial assets and financial liabilities accounted for at fair value under the fair value option include:

resale and repurchase agreements;

securities borrowed and loaned within Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Client Execution;
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

certain other secured financings, primarily transfers of assets accounted for as financings rather than sales and certain other nonrecourse financings, including debt raised through the firm’s William Street credit extension program outstanding as of December 2010;
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certain unsecured short-term borrowings, consisting of all promissory notes and commercial paper and certain hybrid financial instruments;
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certain unsecured long-term borrowings, including prepaid commodity transactions and certain hybrid financial instruments;
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certain receivables from customers and counterparties, including certain margin loans and transfers of assets accounted for as secured loans rather than purchases;
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certain insurance and reinsurance contract assets and liabilities and certain guarantees;
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certain subordinated liabilities issued by consolidated VIEs; and
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certain deposits issued by the firm’s bank subsidiaries. Deposits with no stated maturity are not eligible for a fair value option election.
These financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value are generally valued based on discounted cash flow techniques, which incorporate inputs with reasonable levels of price transparency, and are generally classified as level 2 because the inputs are observable. Valuation adjustments may be made for liquidity and for counterparty and the firm’s credit quality.
Significant inputs for each category of other financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value are as follows:
Resale and Repurchase Agreements and Securities Borrowed and Loaned. The significant inputs to the valuation of resale and repurchase agreements and securities borrowed and loaned are the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, interest rates and collateral funding spreads. See Note 9 for further information.
Other Secured Financings. The significant inputs to the valuation of other secured financings at fair value are the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, interest rates, the fair value of the collateral delivered by the firm (which is determined using the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, market yields and recovery assumptions), the frequency of additional collateral calls and the credit spreads of the firm. See Note 9 for further information.
Unsecured Short-term and Long-term Borrowings. The significant inputs to the valuation of unsecured short-term and long-term borrowings at fair value are the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, interest rates, the credit spreads of the firm, as well as commodity prices in the case of prepaid commodity transactions and, for certain hybrid financial instruments, equity prices, inflation rates and index levels. See Notes 15 and 16 for further information.
Receivables from Customers and Counterparties. The significant inputs to the valuation of certain receivables from customers and counterparties are commodity prices, interest rates and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows.
Insurance and Reinsurance Contracts. Insurance and reinsurance contracts at fair value are included in “Receivables from customers and counterparties” and “Other liabilities and accrued expenses.” The insurance and reinsurance contracts for which the firm has elected the fair value option are contracts that can be settled only in cash and that qualify for the fair value option because they are recognized financial instruments. These contracts are valued using market transactions and other market evidence where possible, including market-based inputs to models, calibration to market-clearing transactions or other alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. Significant level 2 inputs typically include interest rates and inflation risk. Significant level 3 inputs typically include mortality or funding benefit assumptions. When unobservable inputs to a valuation model are significant to the fair value measurement of an instrument, the instrument is classified in level 3.
Deposits. The significant inputs to the valuation of deposits are interest rates.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Fair Value of Other Financial Assets and Financial
Liabilities by Level
The tables below present, by level within the fair value hierarchy, other financial assets and financial liabilities
accounted for at fair value under the fair value option.
1. Includes securities segregated for regulatory and other purposes accounted for at fair value under the fair value option, which consists of securities borrowed and resale agreements. The table above also includes $21.26 billion of level 1 and $528 million of level 2 securities segregated for regulatory and other purposes accounted for at fair value under other U.S. GAAP, principally consisting of U.S. Treasury securities, money market instruments and insurance separate account assets.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Includes securities segregated for regulatory and other purposes accounted for at fair value under the fair value option, which consists of securities borrowed and resale agreements. The table above also includes $19.79 billion of level 1 and $3.53 billion of level 2 securities segregated for regulatory and other purposes accounted for at fair value under other U.S. GAAP, principally consisting of U.S. Treasury securities, money market instruments and insurance separate account assets.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Level 3 Rollforward
If a financial asset or financial liability was transferred to level 3 during a reporting period, its entire gain or loss for the period is included in level 3. Transfers between levels are recognized at the beginning of the reporting period in which they occur. The tables below present changes in fair value for other financial assets and financial liabilities accounted for at fair value under the fair value option categorized as level 3 as of the end of the year.
Level 3 other financial assets and liabilities are frequently economically hedged with cash instruments and derivatives. Accordingly, gains or losses that are reported in level 3 can be partially offset by gains or losses attributable to level 1, 2 or 3 cash instruments or derivatives. As a result, gains or losses included in the level 3 rollforward below do not necessarily represent the overall impact on the firm’s results of operations, liquidity or capital resources.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The net unrealized loss on level 3 other financial assets and liabilities at fair value of $709 million for the year ended December 2011 primarily consisted of losses on other liabilities and accrued expenses, primarily attributable to the impact of a change in interest rates on certain insurance liabilities. These losses were partially offset by gains on unsecured short-term borrowings, primarily reflecting gains on certain equity-linked notes, principally due to a decline in global equity markets.
Significant transfers in or out of level 3 during the year ended December 2011 included:
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Other secured financings: net transfer out of level 3 of $3.03 billion, principally due to transfers to level 2 of certain borrowings as unobservable inputs were no longer significant to the valuation of these borrowings as they neared maturity.

Unsecured short-term borrowings: net transfer into level 3 of $443 million, principally due to transfers to level 3 of certain borrowings due to less transparency of market prices as a result of less activity in these financial instruments.
Significant transfers in or out of level 3 during the year ended December 2010, which were principally due to the consolidation of certain VIEs upon adoption of ASU No. 2009-17 as of January 1, 2010, included:

Unsecured short-term borrowings: net transfer into level 3 of $1.34 billion, principally due to the consolidation of certain VIEs.

Unsecured long-term borrowings: net transfer out of level 3 of $1.25 billion, principally due to the consolidation of certain VIEs, which caused the firm’s borrowings from these VIEs to become intercompany borrowings which were eliminated in consolidation. Substantially all of these borrowings were level 3.

Other liabilities and accrued expenses: net transfer into level 3 of $587 million, principally due to an increase in subordinated liabilities issued by certain consolidated VIEs.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Gains and Losses on Other Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities at Fair Value
The “Fair Value Option” columns in the table below present the gains and losses recognized as a result of the firm electing to apply the fair value option to certain financial assets and financial liabilities. These gains and losses are included in “Market making” and “Other principal transactions.”
The amounts in the table exclude contractual interest, which is included in “Interest income” and “Interest expense,” for all instruments other than hybrid financial instruments. See Note 23 for further information about interest income and interest expense. The table also excludes gains and losses related to financial instruments owned, at fair value and financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value.
Included in the “Other” columns in the table below are:

Gains and losses on the embedded derivative component of hybrid financial instruments included in unsecured short-term borrowings and unsecured long-term borrowings. These gains and losses would have been recognized under other U.S. GAAP even if the firm had not elected to account for the entire hybrid instrument at fair value.
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Gains and losses on secured financings related to transfers of assets accounted for as financings rather than sales. These gains and losses are offset by gains and losses on the related instruments included in “Financial instruments owned, at fair value” and “Receivables from customers and counterparties.”
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Gains and losses on receivables from customers and counterparties related to transfers of assets accounted for as receivables rather than purchases. These gains and losses are offset by gains and losses on the related financial instruments included in “Other secured financings.”
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Gains and losses on subordinated liabilities issued by consolidated VIEs, which are included in “Other liabilities and accrued expenses.” These gains and losses are offset by gains and losses on the financial assets held by the consolidated VIEs.
1. Primarily consists of gains/(losses) on certain transfers accounted for as receivables rather than purchases and certain reinsurance contracts.
2. Primarily consists of gains/(losses) on certain insurance contracts.
3. Primarily consists of gains/(losses) on resale and repurchase agreements, securities borrowed and loaned and deposits.
Excluding the gains and losses on the instruments accounted for under the fair value option described above, “Market making” and “Other principal transactions”
primarily represents gains and losses on “Financial instruments owned, at fair value” and “Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value.”
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Loans and Lending Commitments
The table below presents the difference between the aggregate fair value and the aggregate contractual principal amount for loans and long-term receivables for which the fair value option was elected.
1. The aggregate contractual principal exceeds the related fair value primarily because the firm regularly purchases loans, such as distressed loans, at values significantly below contractual principal amounts.
As of December 2011 and December 2010, the fair value of unfunded lending commitments for which the fair value option was elected was a liability of $2.82 billion and $1.26 billion, respectively, and the related total contractual amount of these lending commitments was $66.12 billion and $51.20 billion, respectively.
Long-term Debt Instruments
The aggregate contractual principal amount of long-term debt instruments (principal and non-principal protected) for which the fair value option was elected exceeded the related fair value by $932 million and $701 million as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively. Of these amounts, $693 million and $349 million as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, related to unsecured long-term borrowings and the remainder related to long-term other secured financings.
Impact of Credit Spreads on Loans and Lending Commitments
The estimated net gain/(loss) attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit spreads on loans and lending commitments for which the fair value option was elected was $(805) million, $1.85 billion and $1.65 billion for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively. Changes in the fair value of loans and lending commitments are primarily attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit spreads. Substantially all of the firm’s performing loans and lending commitments are floating-rate.
Impact of Credit Spreads on Borrowings
The table below presents the net gains/(losses) attributable to the impact of changes in the firm’s own credit spreads on borrowings for which the fair value option was elected. The firm calculates the fair value of borrowings by discounting future cash flows at a rate which incorporates the firm’s credit spreads.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Collateralized Agreements and Financings Note 9.
Collateralized Agreements and Financings
Collateralized agreements are securities purchased under agreements to resell (resale agreements or reverse repurchase agreements) and securities borrowed. Collateralized financings are securities sold under agreements to repurchase (repurchase agreements), securities loaned and other secured financings. The firm enters into these transactions in order to, among other things, facilitate client activities, invest excess cash, acquire securities to cover short positions and finance certain firm activities.
Collateralized agreements and financings are presented on a net-by-counterparty basis when a legal right of setoff exists. Interest on collateralized agreements and collateralized financings is recognized over the life of the transaction and included in “Interest income” and “Interest expense,” respectively. See Note 23 for further information about interest income and interest expense.
The table below presents the carrying value of resale and repurchase agreements and securities borrowed and loaned transactions.
1. Resale and repurchase agreements are carried at fair value under the fair value option. See Note 8 for further information about the valuation techniques and significant inputs used to determine fair value.
2. As of December 2011 and December 2010, $47.62 billion and $48.82 billion of securities borrowed and $107 million and $1.51 billion of securities loaned were at fair value, respectively.
Resale and Repurchase Agreements
A resale agreement is a transaction in which the firm purchases financial instruments from a seller, typically in exchange for cash, and simultaneously enters into an agreement to resell the same or substantially the same financial instruments to the seller at a stated price plus accrued interest at a future date.
A repurchase agreement is a transaction in which the firm sells financial instruments to a buyer, typically in exchange for cash, and simultaneously enters into an agreement to repurchase the same or substantially the same financial instruments from the buyer at a stated price plus accrued interest at a future date.
The financial instruments purchased or sold in resale and repurchase agreements typically include U.S. government and federal agency, and investment-grade sovereign obligations.
The firm receives financial instruments purchased under resale agreements, makes delivery of financial instruments sold under repurchase agreements, monitors the market value of these financial instruments on a daily basis, and delivers or obtains additional collateral due to changes in the market value of the financial instruments, as appropriate. For resale agreements, the firm typically requires delivery of collateral with a fair value approximately equal to the carrying value of the relevant assets in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
Even though repurchase and resale agreements involve the legal transfer of ownership of financial instruments, they are accounted for as financing arrangements because they require the financial instruments to be repurchased or resold at the maturity of the agreement. However, “repos to maturity” are accounted for as sales. A repo to maturity is a transaction in which the firm transfers a security under an agreement to repurchase the security where the maturity date of the repurchase agreement matches the maturity date of the underlying security. Therefore, the firm effectively no longer has a repurchase obligation and has relinquished control over the underlying security and, accordingly, accounts for the transaction as a sale. The firm had no repos to maturity outstanding as of December 2011 or December 2010.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Securities Borrowed and Loaned Transactions
In a securities borrowed transaction, the firm borrows securities from a counterparty in exchange for cash. When the firm returns the securities, the counterparty returns the cash. Interest is generally paid periodically over the life of the transaction.
In a securities loaned transaction, the firm lends securities to a counterparty typically in exchange for cash or securities, or a letter of credit. When the counterparty returns the securities, the firm returns the cash or securities posted as collateral. Interest is generally paid periodically over the life of the transaction.
The firm receives securities borrowed, makes delivery of securities loaned, monitors the market value of these securities on a daily basis, and delivers or obtains additional collateral due to changes in the market value of the securities, as appropriate. For securities borrowed transactions, the firm typically requires delivery of collateral with a fair value approximately equal to the carrying value of the securities borrowed transaction.
Securities borrowed and loaned within Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Client Execution are recorded at fair value under the fair value option.
Securities borrowed and loaned within Securities Services are recorded based on the amount of cash collateral advanced or received plus accrued interest. As these arrangements generally can be terminated on demand, they exhibit little, if any, sensitivity to changes in interest rates.
As of December 2011 and December 2010, the firm had $20.22 billion and $12.86 billion, respectively, of securities received under resale agreements and securities borrowed transactions that were segregated to satisfy certain regulatory requirements. These securities are included in “Cash and securities segregated for regulatory and other purposes.”
Other Secured Financings
In addition to repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions, the firm funds certain assets through the use of other secured financings and pledges financial instruments and other assets as collateral in these transactions. These other secured financings consist of:
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liabilities of consolidated VIEs;
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transfers of assets accounted for as financings rather than sales (primarily collateralized central bank financings, pledged commodities, bank loans and mortgage whole loans);

other structured financing arrangements; and

debt raised through the firm’s William Street credit extension program outstanding as of December 2010.
Other secured financings include arrangements that are nonrecourse. As of December 2011 and December 2010, nonrecourse other secured financings were $3.14 billion and $8.42 billion, respectively.
The firm has elected to apply the fair value option to the following other secured financings because the use of fair value eliminates non-economic volatility in earnings that would arise from using different measurement attributes:

transfers of assets accounted for as financings rather than sales;
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certain other nonrecourse financings; and
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debt raised through the firm’s William Street credit extension program outstanding as of December 2010.
See Note 8 for further information about other secured financings that are accounted for at fair value. Other secured financings that are not recorded at fair value are recorded based on the amount of cash received plus accrued interest, which generally approximates fair value.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The table below presents information about other secured financings. In the table below:

short-term secured financings include financings maturing within one year of the financial statement date and financings that are redeemable within one year of the financial statement date at the option of the holder;

long-term secured financings that are repayable prior to maturity at the option of the firm are reflected at their contractual maturity dates; and

long-term secured financings that are redeemable prior to maturity at the option of the holders are reflected at the dates such options become exercisable.
1. The weighted average interest rates exclude secured financings at fair value and include the effect of hedging activities. See Note 7 for further information about hedging activities.
2. Includes $9.36 billion and $8.32 billion related to transfers of financial assets accounted for as financings rather than sales as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively. Such financings were collateralized by financial assets included in “Financial instruments owned, at fair value” of $9.51 billion and $8.53 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively.
3. Includes $14.82 billion and $25.63 billion of other secured financings collateralized by financial instruments owned, at fair value and $21.06 billion and $10.14 billion of other secured financings collateralized by financial instruments received as collateral and repledged as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively.
4. Primarily real estate and cash.
The table below presents other secured financings by maturity.
The aggregate contractual principal amount of other secured financings (long-term) for which the fair value option was elected exceeded the related fair value by $239 million and $352 million as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively.
Collateral Received and Pledged
The firm receives financial instruments (e.g., U.S. government and federal agency, other sovereign and corporate obligations, as well as equities and convertible debentures) as collateral, primarily in connection with resale agreements, securities borrowed, derivative transactions and customer margin loans.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
In many cases, the firm is permitted to deliver or repledge these financial instruments when entering into repurchase agreements and securities lending agreements, primarily in connection with secured client financing activities. The firm is also permitted to deliver or repledge these financial instruments in connection with other secured financings, collateralizing derivative transactions and meeting firm or customer settlement requirements.
The table below presents financial instruments at fair value received as collateral that were available to be delivered or repledged and were delivered or repledged by the firm.
The firm also pledges certain financial instruments owned, at fair value in connection with repurchase agreements, securities lending agreements and other secured financings, and other assets (primarily real estate and cash) in connection with other secured financings to counterparties who may or may not have the right to deliver or repledge them. The table below presents information about assets pledged by the firm.
Securitization Activities Note 10.
Securitization Activities
The firm securitizes residential and commercial mortgages, corporate bonds, loans and other types of financial assets by selling these assets to securitization vehicles (e.g., trusts, corporate entities, and limited liability companies) and acts as underwriter of the beneficial interests that are sold to investors. The firm’s residential mortgage securitizations are substantially all in connection with government agency securitizations.
Beneficial interests issued by securitization entities are debt or equity securities that give the investors rights to receive all or portions of specified cash inflows to a securitization vehicle and include senior and subordinated shares of principal, interest and/or other cash inflows. The proceeds from the sale of beneficial interests are used to pay the transferor for the financial assets sold to the securitization vehicle or to purchase securities which serve as collateral.
The firm accounts for a securitization as a sale when it has relinquished control over the transferred assets. Prior to securitization, the firm accounts for assets pending transfer at fair value and therefore does not typically recognize significant gains or losses upon the transfer of assets. Net revenues from underwriting activities are recognized in connection with the sales of the underlying beneficial interests to investors.
For transfers of assets that are not accounted for as sales, the assets remain in “Financial instruments owned, at fair value” and the transfer is accounted for as a collateralized financing, with the related interest expense recognized over the life of the transaction. See Notes 9 and 23 for further information about collateralized financings and interest expense, respectively.
The firm generally receives cash in exchange for the transferred assets but may also have continuing involvement with transferred assets, including ownership of beneficial interests in securitized financial assets, primarily in the form of senior or subordinated securities, and servicing rights that the firm retains at the time of securitization. The firm may also purchase senior or subordinated securities issued by securitization vehicles (which are typically VIEs) in connection with secondary market-making activities.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The primary risks included in beneficial interests and other interests from the firm’s continuing involvement with securitization vehicles are the performance of the underlying collateral, the position of the firm’s investment in the capital structure of the securitization vehicle and the market yield for the security. These interests are accounted for at fair value and are included in “Financial instruments owned, at fair value” and are generally classified in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. See Notes 5 through 8 for further information about fair value measurements.
The table below presents the amount of financial assets securitized and the cash flows received on retained interests in securitization entities in which the firm had continuing involvement.
The table below presents the firm’s continuing involvement in nonconsolidated securitization entities to which the firm sold assets, as well as the total outstanding principal amount of transferred assets in which the firm has continuing involvement. In this table:

the outstanding principal amount is presented for the purpose of providing information about the size of the securitization entities in which the firm has continuing involvement and is not representative of the firm’s risk of loss;
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for retained or purchased interests, the firm’s risk of loss is limited to the fair value of these interests; and
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purchased interests represent senior and subordinated interests, purchased in connection with secondary market-making activities, in securitization entities in which the firm also holds retained interests.
1. Outstanding principal amount and fair value of retained interests primarily relate to securitizations during 2011 and 2010 as of December 2011, and securitizations during 2010 and 2009 as of December 2010.
2. Outstanding principal amount and fair value of retained interests as of both December 2011 and December 2010 primarily relate to prime and Alt-A securitizations during 2007 and 2006.
3. Outstanding principal amount as of both December 2011 and December 2010 primarily relate to securitizations during 2010, 2007 and 2006. Fair value of retained interests as of both December 2011 and December 2010 primarily relate to securitizations during 2010.
4. Outstanding principal amount and fair value of retained interests as of both December 2011 and December 2010 primarily relate to CDO and CLO securitizations during 2007 and 2006.
5. Outstanding principal amount and fair value of retained interests include $774 million and $0, respectively, as of December 2011, and $7.64 billion and $16 million, respectively, as of December 2010, related to securitization entities in which the firm’s only continuing involvement is retained servicing which is not a variable interest.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
In addition to the interests in the table above, the firm had other continuing involvement in the form of derivative transactions and guarantees with certain nonconsolidated VIEs. The carrying value of these derivatives and guarantees was a net liability of $52 million and $98 million as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively. The notional amounts of these derivatives and guarantees are included in maximum exposure to loss in the nonconsolidated VIE tables in Note 11.
The table below presents the weighted average key economic assumptions used in measuring the fair value of retained interests and the sensitivity of this fair value to immediate adverse changes of 10% and 20% in those assumptions.
1. Due to the nature and current fair value of certain of these retained interests, the weighted average assumptions for constant prepayment and discount rates and the related sensitivity to adverse changes are not meaningful as of December 2011 and December 2010. The firm’s maximum exposure to adverse changes in the value of these interests is the carrying value of $32 million and $62 million as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively.
2. Constant prepayment rate is included only for positions for which constant prepayment rate is a key assumption in the determination of fair value.
3. The majority of mortgage-backed retained interests are U.S. government agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations, for which there is no anticipated credit loss. For the remainder of retained interests, the expected credit loss assumptions are reflected in the discount rate.
The preceding table does not give effect to the offsetting benefit of other financial instruments that are held to mitigate risks inherent in these retained interests. Changes in fair value based on an adverse variation in assumptions generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of the change in assumptions to the change in fair value is
not usually linear. In addition, the impact of a change in a particular assumption in the preceding table is calculated independently of changes in any other assumption. In practice, simultaneous changes in assumptions might magnify or counteract the sensitivities disclosed above.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Variable Interest Entities Note 11.
Variable Interest Entities
VIEs generally finance the purchase of assets by issuing debt and equity securities that are either collateralized by or indexed to the assets held by the VIE. The debt and equity securities issued by a VIE may include tranches of varying levels of subordination. The firm’s involvement with VIEs includes securitization of financial assets, as described in Note 10, and investments in and loans to other types of VIEs, as described below. See Note 10 for additional information about securitization activities, including the definition of beneficial interests. See Note 3 for the firm’s consolidation policies, including the definition of a VIE.
The firm is principally involved with VIEs through the following business activities:
Mortgage-Backed VIEs and Corporate CDO and CLO VIEs. The firm sells residential and commercial mortgage loans and securities to mortgage-backed VIEs and corporate bonds and loans to corporate CDO and CLO VIEs and may retain beneficial interests in the assets sold to these VIEs. The firm purchases and sells beneficial interests issued by mortgage-backed and corporate CDO and CLO VIEs in connection with market-making activities. In addition, the firm may enter into derivatives with certain of these VIEs, primarily interest rate swaps, which are typically not variable interests. The firm generally enters into derivatives with other counterparties to mitigate its risk from derivatives with these VIEs.
Certain mortgage-backed and corporate CDO and CLO VIEs, usually referred to as synthetic CDOs or credit-linked note VIEs, synthetically create the exposure for the beneficial interests they issue by entering into credit derivatives, rather than purchasing the underlying assets. These credit derivatives may reference a single asset, an index, or a portfolio/basket of assets or indices. See Note 7 for further information about credit derivatives. These VIEs use the funds from the sale of beneficial interests and the premiums received from credit derivative counterparties to purchase securities which serve to collateralize the beneficial interest holders and/or the credit derivative counterparty. These VIEs may enter into other derivatives, primarily interest rate swaps, which are typically not variable interests. The firm may be a counterparty to derivatives with these VIEs and generally enters into derivatives with other counterparties to mitigate its risk.
Real Estate, Credit-Related and Other Investing VIEs. The firm purchases equity and debt securities issued by and makes loans to VIEs that hold real estate, performing and nonperforming debt, distressed loans and equity securities.
Other Asset-Backed VIEs. The firm structures VIEs that issue notes to clients and purchases and sells beneficial interests issued by other asset-backed VIEs in connection with market-making activities. In addition, the firm may enter into derivatives with certain other asset-backed VIEs, primarily total return swaps on the collateral assets held by these VIEs under which the firm pays the VIE the return due to the note holders and receives the return on the collateral assets owned by the VIE. The firm generally can be removed as the total return swap counterparty. The firm generally enters into derivatives with other counterparties to mitigate its risk from derivatives with these VIEs. The firm typically does not sell assets to the other asset-backed VIEs it structures.
Power-Related VIEs. The firm purchases debt and equity securities issued by and may provide guarantees to VIEs that hold power-related assets. The firm typically does not sell assets to or enter into derivatives with these VIEs.
Investment Funds. The firm purchases equity securities issued by and may provide guarantees to certain of the investment funds it manages. The firm typically does not sell assets to or enter into derivatives with these VIEs.
Principal-Protected Note VIEs. The firm structures VIEs that issue principal-protected notes to clients. These VIEs own portfolios of assets, principally with exposure to hedge funds. Substantially all of the principal protection on the notes issued by these VIEs is provided by the asset portfolio rebalancing that is required under the terms of the notes. The firm enters into total return swaps with these VIEs under which the firm pays the VIE the return due to the principal-protected note holders and receives the return on the assets owned by the VIE. The firm may enter into derivatives with other counterparties to mitigate the risk it has from the derivatives it enters into with these VIEs. The firm also obtains funding through these VIEs.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Municipal Bond Securitizations. The firm sold municipal securities to VIEs that issued short-term qualifying tax-exempt securities. During 2011, the firm dissolved these VIEs after having redeemed and/or purchased the outstanding securities issued.
VIE Consolidation Analysis
A variable interest in a VIE is an investment (e.g., debt or equity securities) or other interest (e.g., derivatives or loans and lending commitments) in a VIE that will absorb portions of the VIE’s expected losses or receive portions of the VIE’s expected residual returns.
The firm’s variable interests in VIEs include senior and subordinated debt in residential and commercial mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securitization entities, CDOs and CLOs; loans and lending commitments; limited and general partnership interests; preferred and common equity; derivatives that may include foreign currency, equity and/or credit risk; guarantees; and certain of the fees the firm receives from investment funds. Certain interest rate, foreign currency and credit derivatives the firm enters into with VIEs are not variable interests because they create rather than absorb risk.
The enterprise with a controlling financial interest in a VIE is known as the primary beneficiary and consolidates the VIE. The firm determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE by performing an analysis that principally considers:
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which variable interest holder has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance;
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which variable interest holder has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE;
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the VIE’s purpose and design, including the risks the VIE was designed to create and pass through to its variable interest holders;
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the VIE’s capital structure;
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the terms between the VIE and its variable interest holders and other parties involved with the VIE; and
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related-party relationships.
The firm reassesses its initial evaluation of whether an entity is a VIE when certain reconsideration events occur. The firm reassesses its determination of whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE on an ongoing basis based on current facts and circumstances.
Nonconsolidated VIEs
The firm’s exposure to the obligations of VIEs is generally limited to its interests in these entities. In certain instances, the firm provides guarantees, including derivative guarantees, to VIEs or holders of variable interests in VIEs.
The tables below present information about nonconsolidated VIEs in which the firm holds variable interests. Nonconsolidated VIEs are aggregated based on principal business activity. The nature of the firm’s variable interests can take different forms, as described in the rows under maximum exposure to loss. In the tables below:
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The maximum exposure to loss excludes the benefit of offsetting financial instruments that are held to mitigate the risks associated with these variable interests.
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For retained and purchased interests and loans and investments, the maximum exposure to loss is the carrying value of these interests.
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For commitments and guarantees, and derivatives, the maximum exposure to loss is the notional amount, which does not represent anticipated losses and also has not been reduced by unrealized losses already recorded. As a result, the maximum exposure to loss exceeds liabilities recorded for commitments and guarantees, and derivatives provided to VIEs.
The carrying values of the firm’s variable interests in nonconsolidated VIEs are included in the consolidated statement of financial condition as follows:
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Substantially all assets held by the firm related to mortgage-backed, corporate CDO and CLO and other asset-backed VIEs and investment funds are included in “Financial instruments owned, at fair value.” Substantially all liabilities held by the firm related to mortgage-backed, corporate CDO and CLO and other asset-backed VIEs are included in “Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value.”
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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Assets and liabilities held by the firm related to real estate, credit-related and other investing VIEs are primarily included in “Financial instruments owned, at fair value” and “Payables to customers and counterparties,” “Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value” and “Other liabilities and accrued expenses,” respectively.

Assets and liabilities held by the firm related to power-related VIEs are primarily included in “Other assets” and “Other liabilities and accrued expenses,” respectively.
1. The aggregate amounts include $4.17 billion and $4.52 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, related to guarantees and derivative transactions with VIEs to which the firm transferred assets.
2. Assets in VIE and maximum exposure to loss include $6.15 billion and $2.62 billion, respectively, as of December 2011, and $6.14 billion and $3.25 billion, respectively, as of December 2010, related to CDOs backed by mortgage obligations.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated VIEs
The tables below present the carrying amount and classification of assets and liabilities in consolidated VIEs, excluding the benefit of offsetting financial instruments that are held to mitigate the risks associated with the firm’s variable interests. Consolidated VIEs are aggregated based on principal business activity and their assets and liabilities are presented net of intercompany eliminations. The majority of the assets in principal-protected notes VIEs are intercompany and are eliminated in consolidation.
Substantially all the assets in consolidated VIEs can only be used to settle obligations of the VIE.
The tables below exclude VIEs in which the firm holds a majority voting interest if (i) the VIE meets the definition of a business and (ii) the VIE’s assets can be used for purposes other than the settlement of its obligations.
The liabilities of real estate, credit-related and other investing VIEs and CDOs, mortgage-backed and other asset-backed VIEs do not have recourse to the general credit of the firm.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Other Assets Note 12.
Other Assets
Other assets are generally less liquid, non-financial assets. The table below presents other assets by type.
1. Net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $8.46 billion and $7.87 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively.
2. See Note 13 for further information about goodwill and identifiable intangible assets.
3. See Note 24 for further information about income taxes.
4. Excludes investments accounted for at fair value under the fair value option where the firm would otherwise apply the equity method of accounting of $4.17 billion and $3.77 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, which are included in “Financial instruments owned, at fair value.” The firm has generally elected the fair value option for such investments acquired after the fair value option became available.
Property, Leasehold Improvements and Equipment
Property, leasehold improvements and equipment included $6.48 billion and $6.44 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, related to property, leasehold improvements and equipment that the firm uses in connection with its operations. The remainder is held by investment entities, including VIEs, consolidated by the firm.
Substantially all property and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the asset.
Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the improvement or the term of the lease, whichever is shorter.
Certain costs of software developed or obtained for internal use are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the software.
Property, leasehold improvements and equipment are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that an asset’s or asset group’s carrying value may not be fully recoverable. The firm’s policy for impairment testing of property, leasehold improvements and equipment is the same as is used for identifiable intangible assets with finite lives. See Note 13 for further information.
Impairments
In the first quarter of 2011, the firm classified certain assets as held for sale, primarily related to Litton Loan Servicing LP (Litton) and recognized impairment losses of approximately $220 million, principally in the firm’s Institutional Client Services segment. These impairment losses, which were included in “Depreciation and amortization,” represent the excess of (i) the carrying value of these assets over (ii) their estimated fair value less estimated cost to sell. These assets were sold in the third quarter of 2011. The firm received total consideration that approximated the firm’s adjusted carrying value for Litton. See Note 18 for further information about the sale of Litton.
As a result of a decline in the market conditions in which certain of the firm’s consolidated investments operate, during 2011 the firm tested certain commodity-related intangible assets and property, leasehold improvements and equipment associated with these investments for impairment in accordance with ASC 360. The carrying value of these assets exceeded the projected undiscounted cash flows over the estimated remaining useful lives of these assets; as such, the firm determined the assets were impaired and recorded an impairment loss of approximately $220 million ($120 million related to commodity-related intangible assets and $100 million related to property, leasehold improvements and equipment), which was included in “Depreciation and amortization” in the firm’s Investing & Lending segment. This impairment loss represented the excess of the carrying value of these assets over their estimated fair value, which is a level 3 measurement, using a combination of discounted cash flow analyses and relative value analyses, including the estimated cash flows expected to be received from the disposition of certain of these assets.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
During the fourth quarter of 2010, as a result of continuing weak operating results in the firm’s NYSE DMM business, the firm tested its NYSE DMM rights for impairment in accordance with ASC 360. Because the carrying value of the firm’s NYSE DMM rights exceeded the projected undiscounted cash flows over the estimated remaining useful life of the firm’s NYSE DMM rights, the firm determined that the rights were impaired. The firm recorded an impairment loss of $305 million, which was included in “Depreciation and amortization” in the firm’s Institutional Client Services segment in the fourth quarter of 2010. This impairment loss represented the excess of the carrying value of the firm’s NYSE DMM rights over their estimated fair value. The firm estimated this fair value, which is a level 3 measurement, using a relative value analysis which incorporated a comparison to another DMM portfolio that was transacted between third parties.
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets Note 13.
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets
The tables below present the carrying values of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets, which are included in “Other assets.”
1. The increase from December 2010 to December 2011 is related to the acquisition of GS Australia.
2. The increase from December 2010 to December 2011 is related to the acquisition of GS Australia, partially offset by the sale of Litton. See Note 12 for further information about the sale of Litton.
Goodwill
Goodwill is the cost of acquired companies in excess of the fair value of net assets, including identifiable intangible assets, at the acquisition date.
Goodwill is assessed annually for impairment or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change that indicate an impairment may exist. Qualitative factors are assessed to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If results of the qualitative assessment are not conclusive, a quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed. See Note 3 for information about amended accounting principles for goodwill impairment testing.
The quantitative goodwill impairment test consists of two steps.
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The first step compares the estimated fair value of each reporting unit with its estimated net book value (including goodwill and identified intangible assets). If the reporting unit’s fair value exceeds its estimated net book value, goodwill is not impaired.
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If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its estimated net book value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. An impairment loss is equal to the excess of the carrying amount of goodwill over its fair value.
Goodwill was tested for impairment, using a quantitative test, during the fourth quarter of 2011 and goodwill was not impaired.
To estimate the fair value of each reporting unit, both relative value and residual income valuation techniques are used because the firm believes market participants would use these techniques to value the firm’s reporting units.
Relative value techniques apply average observable price-to-earnings multiples of comparable competitors to certain reporting units’ net earnings. For other reporting units, fair value is estimated using price-to-book multiples based on residual income techniques, which consider a reporting unit’s return on equity in excess of the firm’s cost of equity capital. The net book value of each reporting unit reflects the estimated amount of shareholders’ equity required to support the activities of the reporting unit.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Identifiable Intangible Assets
The table below presents the gross carrying amount, accumulated amortization and net carrying amount of
identifiable intangible assets and their weighted average remaining lives.
1. Primarily includes commodity-related customer contracts and relationships, permits and access rights.
2. Represents television broadcast royalties held by a consolidated VIE.
3. Represents value of business acquired related to the firm’s insurance businesses.
4. Primarily includes the firm’s New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Designated Market Maker (DMM) rights and exchange-traded fund lead market maker rights.
Substantially all of the firm’s identifiable intangible assets are considered to have finite lives and are amortized (i) over their estimated lives, (ii) based on economic usage for certain commodity-related intangibles or (iii) in proportion
to estimated gross profits or premium revenues. Amortization expense for identifiable intangible assets is included in “Depreciation and amortization.”
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The tables below present amortization expense for identifiable intangible assets for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, and the estimated future amortization expense through 2016 for identifiable intangible assets as of December 2011.
Identifiable intangible assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset’s or asset group’s carrying value may not be recoverable.
If a recoverability test is necessary, the carrying value of an asset or asset group is compared to the total of the undiscounted cash flows expected to be received over the remaining useful life and from the disposition of the asset or asset group.

If the total of the undiscounted cash flows exceeds the carrying value, the asset or asset group is not impaired.
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If the total of the undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value, the asset or asset group is not fully recoverable and an impairment loss is recognized as the difference between the carrying amount of the asset or asset group and its estimated fair value.
See Note 12 for information about impairments of our identifiable intangible assets.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Deposits Note 14.
Deposits
The tables below present deposits held in U.S. and non-U.S. offices and the maturities of time deposits. Substantially all U.S. deposits were held at Goldman Sachs Bank USA (GS Bank USA) and were interest-bearing and substantially all non-U.S. deposits were held at Goldman Sachs Bank (Europe) plc (GS Bank Europe) and were interest-bearing.
1. Includes $71 million greater than $100,000, of which $4 million matures within three months, $2 million matures within three to six months, $35 million matures within six to twelve months, and $30 million matures after twelve months.
2. Substantially all were greater than $100,000.
Short-Term Borrowings
Note 15.
Short-Term Borrowings
Short-term borrowings were comprised of the following:
See Note 9 for further information about other secured financings.
Unsecured short-term borrowings include the portion of unsecured long-term borrowings maturing within one year of the financial statement date and unsecured long-term borrowings that are redeemable within one year of the financial statement date at the option of the holder.
The firm accounts for promissory notes, commercial paper and certain hybrid financial instruments at fair value under the fair value option. See Note 8 for further information about unsecured short-term borrowings that are accounted for at fair value. Short-term borrowings that are not recorded at fair value are recorded based on the amount of cash received plus accrued interest, and such amounts approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of the obligations.
The table below presents unsecured short-term borrowings.
1. Includes $8.53 billion and $10.43 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, issued by Group Inc. and guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) under the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (TLGP).
2. Includes $27.95 billion and $24.46 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, issued by Group Inc.
3. The weighted average interest rates for these borrowings include the effect of hedging activities and exclude financial instruments accounted for at fair value under the fair value option. See Note 7 for further information about hedging activities.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Long-Term Borrowings Note 16.
Long-Term Borrowings
Long-term borrowings were comprised of the following:
See Note 9 for further information about other secured financings. The table below presents unsecured long-term
borrowings extending through 2061 and consisting principally of senior borrowings.
1. Interest rates on U.S. dollar-denominated debt ranged from 0.10% to 10.04% (with a weighted average rate of 5.62%) and 0.20% to 10.04% (with a weighted average rate of 5.52%) as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively. Interest rates on non-U.S. dollar-denominated debt ranged from 0.85% to 14.85% (with a weighted average rate of 4.75%) and 0.85% to 14.85% (with a weighted average rate of 4.65%) as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively.
2. Floating interest rates generally are based on LIBOR or the federal funds target rate. Equity-linked and indexed instruments are included in floating-rate obligations.
3. Includes $0 and $8.58 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, guaranteed by the FDIC under the TLGP.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The table below presents unsecured long-term borrowings by maturity date. In the table below:

unsecured long-term borrowings maturing within one year of the financial statement date and unsecured long-term borrowings that are redeemable within one year of the financial statement date at the option of the holder are included as unsecured short-term borrowings;
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unsecured long-term borrowings that are repayable prior to maturity at the option of the firm are reflected at their contractual maturity dates; and
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unsecured long-term borrowings that are redeemable prior to maturity at the option of the holders are reflected at the dates such options become exercisable.
1. Includes $10.84 billion related to interest rate hedges on certain unsecured long-term borrowings, by year of maturity as follows: $542 million in 2013, $882 million in 2014, $653 million in 2015, $1.19 billion in 2016 and $7.57 billion in 2017 and thereafter.
The aggregate contractual principal amount of unsecured long-term borrowings (principal and non-principal protected) for which the fair value option was elected exceeded the related fair value by $693 million and $349 million as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively.
The firm designates certain derivatives as fair value hedges to effectively convert a substantial portion of its fixed-rate unsecured long-term borrowings which are not accounted for at fair value into floating-rate obligations. Accordingly, excluding the cumulative impact of changes in the firm’s credit spreads, the carrying value of unsecured long-term borrowings approximated fair value as of December 2011 and December 2010. For unsecured long-term borrowings for which the firm did not elect the fair value option, the cumulative impact due to changes in the firm’s own credit spreads would be a reduction in the carrying value of total unsecured long-term borrowings of less than 4% as of both December 2011 and December 2010. See Note 7 for further information about hedging activities.
The table below presents unsecured long-term borrowings, after giving effect to hedging activities that converted a substantial portion of fixed-rate obligations to floating-rate obligations.
1. The weighted average interest rates on the aggregate amounts were 2.59% (5.18% related to fixed-rate obligations and 2.03% related to floating-rate obligations) and 1.90% (5.69% related to fixed-rate obligations and 1.74% related to floating-rate obligations) as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively. These rates exclude financial instruments accounted for at fair value under the fair value option.
2. During 2011, certain fair value hedges were de-designated resulting in a larger portion of fixed-rate debt carried at amortized cost.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Subordinated Borrowings
Unsecured long-term borrowings include subordinated debt and junior subordinated debt. Junior subordinated debt is junior in right of payment to other subordinated borrowings, which are junior to senior borrowings. As of December 2011 and
December 2010, subordinated debt had maturities ranging from 2017 to 2038 and 2012 to 2038, respectively. The table below presents subordinated borrowings.
1. Weighted average interest rate after giving effect to fair value hedges used to convert these fixed-rate obligations into floating-rate obligations. See Note 7 for further information about hedging activities. See below for information about interest rates on junior subordinated debt.
2. Par amount and carrying amount of subordinated debt issued by Group Inc., was $13.75 billion and $16.80 billion, respectively, as of December 2011, and $13.81 billion and $16.44 billion, respectively, as of December 2010.
3. The increase in the weighted average interest rate as of December 2011 compared with December 2010 is primarily due to the de-designation of certain fair value hedges resulting in a larger portion of subordinated debt carried as a fixed-rate obligation.
Junior Subordinated Debt
Junior Subordinated Debt Issued to APEX Trusts. In 2007, Group Inc. issued a total of $2.25 billion of remarketable junior subordinated debt to Goldman Sachs Capital II and Goldman Sachs Capital III (APEX Trusts), Delaware statutory trusts. The APEX Trusts issued $2.25 billion of guaranteed perpetual Normal Automatic Preferred Enhanced Capital Securities (APEX) to third parties and a de minimis amount of common securities to Group Inc. Group Inc. also entered into contracts with the APEX Trusts to sell $2.25 billion of Group Inc. perpetual non-cumulative preferred stock (the stock purchase contracts). See Note 19 for information about the preferred stock that Group Inc. will issue in connection with the stock purchase contracts.
The APEX Trusts are wholly-owned finance subsidiaries of the firm for regulatory and legal purposes but are not consolidated for accounting purposes.
The firm accounted for the stock purchase contracts as equity instruments and, accordingly, recorded the cost of the stock purchase contracts as a reduction to additional paid-in capital.
The firm pays interest semi-annually on $1.75 billion of junior subordinated debt issued to Goldman Sachs Capital II at a fixed annual rate of 5.59% and the debt matures on June 1, 2043. The firm pays interest quarterly on $500 million of junior subordinated debt issued to Goldman Sachs Capital III at a rate per annum equal to
three-month LIBOR plus 0.57% and the debt matures on September 1, 2043. In addition, the firm makes contract payments at a rate of 0.20% per annum on the stock purchase contracts held by the APEX Trusts.
The firm has the right to defer payments on the junior subordinated debt and the stock purchase contracts, subject to limitations, and therefore cause payment on the APEX to be deferred. During any such extension period, the firm will not be permitted to, among other things, pay dividends on or make certain repurchases of its common or preferred stock.
In connection with the APEX issuance, the firm covenanted in favor of certain of its debtholders, who were initially and are currently the holders of Group Inc.’s 6.345% Junior Subordinated Debentures due February 15, 2034, that, subject to certain exceptions, the firm would not redeem or purchase (i) Group Inc.’s junior subordinated debt issued to the APEX Trusts prior to the applicable stock purchase date or (ii) APEX or shares of Group Inc.’s perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series E (Series E Preferred Stock) or perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series F (Series F Preferred Stock) prior to the date that is ten years after the applicable stock purchase date, unless the applicable redemption or purchase price does not exceed a maximum amount determined by reference to the aggregate amount of net cash proceeds that the firm has received from the sale of qualifying equity securities during the 180-day period preceding the redemption or purchase.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Junior Subordinated Debt Issued in Connection with Trust Preferred Securities. Group Inc. issued $2.84 billion of junior subordinated debentures in 2004 to Goldman Sachs Capital I (Trust), a Delaware statutory trust. The Trust issued $2.75 billion of guaranteed preferred beneficial interests to third parties and $85 million of common beneficial interests to Group Inc. and used the proceeds from the issuances to purchase the junior subordinated debentures from Group Inc. The Trust is a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of the firm for regulatory and legal purposes but is not consolidated for accounting purposes.
The firm pays interest semi-annually on the debentures at an annual rate of 6.345% and the debentures mature on February 15, 2034. The coupon rate and the payment dates applicable to the beneficial interests are the same as the interest rate and payment dates for the debentures. The firm has the right, from time to time, to defer payment of interest on the debentures, and therefore cause payment on the Trust’s preferred beneficial interests to be deferred, in each case up to ten consecutive semi-annual periods. During any such extension period, the firm will not be permitted to, among other things, pay dividends on or make certain repurchases of its common stock. The Trust is not permitted to pay any distributions on the common beneficial interests held by Group Inc. unless all dividends payable on the preferred beneficial interests have been paid in full.
Other Liabilities and Accrued Expenses Note 17.
Other Liabilities and Accrued Expenses
The table below presents other liabilities and accrued expenses by type.
1. Includes $1.17 billion and $593 million related to consolidated investment funds as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively.
2. See Note 24 for further information about income taxes.
The table below presents insurance-related liabilities by type.
1. Substantially all of the increase from December 2010 to December 2011 is related to acquisitions. In connection with these acquisitions, the firm acquired $7.50 billion of assets (primarily financial instruments owned, at fair value, principally consisting of corporate debt securities) and assumed $7.10 billion of liabilities.
Separate account liabilities are supported by separate account assets, representing segregated contract holder funds under variable annuity and life insurance contracts. Separate account assets are included in “Cash and securities segregated for regulatory and other purposes.”
Liabilities for future benefits and unpaid claims include liabilities arising from reinsurance provided by the firm to other insurers. The firm had a receivable of $1.30 billion and $1.26 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, related to such reinsurance contracts, which is reported in “Receivables from customers and counterparties.” In addition, the firm has ceded risks to reinsurers related to certain of its liabilities for future benefits and unpaid claims and had a receivable of $648 million and $839 million as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, related to such reinsurance contracts, which is reported in “Receivables from customers and counterparties.” Contracts to cede risks to reinsurers do not relieve the firm of its obligations to contract holders. Liabilities for future benefits and unpaid claims include $8.75 billion and $2.05 billion carried at fair value under the fair value option as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively.
Reserves for guaranteed minimum death and income benefits represent a liability for the expected value of guaranteed benefits in excess of projected annuity account balances. These reserves are based on total payments expected to be made less total fees expected to be assessed over the life of the contract.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees Note 18.
Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees
Commitments
The table below presents the firm’s commitments.
1. Commitments to extend credit are presented net of amounts syndicated to third parties.
2. These agreements generally settle within three business days.
3. Consists of commitments under letters of credit issued by various banks which the firm provides to counterparties in lieu of securities or cash to satisfy various collateral and margin deposit requirements.
Commitments to Extend Credit
The firm’s commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend with fixed termination dates and depend on the satisfaction of all contractual conditions to borrowing. The total commitment amount does not necessarily reflect actual future cash flows because the firm may syndicate all or substantial portions of these commitments and commitments can expire unused or be reduced or cancelled at the counterparty’s request.
The firm generally accounts for commitments to extend credit at fair value. Losses, if any, are generally recorded, net of any fees in “Other principal transactions.”
Commercial Lending. The firm’s commercial lending commitments are generally extended in connection with contingent acquisition financing and other types of corporate lending as well as commercial real estate financing. Commitments that are extended for contingent
acquisition financing are often intended to be short-term in nature, as borrowers often seek to replace them with other funding sources.
William Street Credit Extension Program. Substantially all of the commitments provided under the William Street credit extension program are to investment-grade corporate borrowers. Commitments under the program are principally extended by GS Bank USA and its subsidiaries, including William Street Commitment Corporation (Commitment Corp.). Historically, commitments extended by Commitment Corp. were supported, in part, by funding raised by Funding Corp., another consolidated wholly-owned subsidiary of GS Bank USA. As of April 26, 2011, the funding raised by Funding Corp. had been repaid in its entirety. The commitments extended by Commitment Corp. that had been supported by this funding are now supported by funding from GS Bank USA.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The assets and liabilities of Commitment Corp. are legally separated from other assets and liabilities of the firm. The assets of Commitment Corp. will not be available to its shareholders until the claims of its creditors have been paid. In addition, no affiliate of Commitment Corp., except in limited cases as expressly agreed in writing, is responsible for any obligation of Commitment Corp.
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) provides the firm with credit loss protection that is generally limited to 95% of the first loss the firm realizes on approved loan commitments, up to a maximum of approximately $950 million, with respect to most of the William Street commitments. In addition, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, upon the firm’s request, SMFG will provide protection for 70% of additional losses on such commitments, up to a maximum of $1.13 billion, of which $300 million and $375 million of protection had been provided as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively. The firm also uses other financial instruments to mitigate credit risks related to certain William Street commitments not covered by SMFG.
Warehouse Financing. The firm provides financing to clients who warehouse financial assets. These arrangements are secured by the warehoused assets, primarily consisting of residential and commercial mortgages.
Contingent and Forward Starting Resale and Securities Borrowing Agreements/Forward Starting Repurchase and Secured Lending Agreements
The firm enters into resale and securities borrowing agreements and repurchase and secured lending agreements that settle at a future date. The firm also enters into commitments to provide contingent financing to its clients through resale agreements. The firm’s funding of these commitments depends on the satisfaction of all contractual conditions to the resale agreement and these commitments can expire unused.
Investment Commitments
The firm’s investment commitments consist of commitments to invest in private equity, real estate and other assets directly and through funds that the firm raises and manages. These commitments include $1.62 billion and $1.97 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, related to real estate private investments and $7.50 billion and $9.12 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, related to corporate and other private investments. Of these amounts, $8.38 billion and $10.10 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, relate to commitments to invest in funds managed by the firm, which will be funded at market value on the date of investment.
Leases
The firm has contractual obligations under long-term noncancelable lease agreements, principally for office space, expiring on various dates through 2069. Certain agreements are subject to periodic escalation provisions for increases in real estate taxes and other charges. The table below presents future minimum rental payments, net of minimum sublease rentals.
Rent charged to operating expense for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009 was $475 million, $508 million and $434 million, respectively.
Operating leases include office space held in excess of current requirements. Rent expense relating to space held for growth is included in “Occupancy.” The firm records a liability, based on the fair value of the remaining lease rentals reduced by any potential or existing sublease rentals, for leases where the firm has ceased using the space and management has concluded that the firm will not derive any future economic benefits. Costs to terminate a lease before the end of its term are recognized and measured at fair value on termination.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Contingencies
Legal Proceedings. See Note 27 for information about legal proceedings, including certain mortgage-related matters.
Certain Mortgage-Related Contingencies. There are multiple areas of focus by regulators, governmental agencies and others within the mortgage market that may impact originators, issuers, servicers and investors. There remains significant uncertainty surrounding the nature and extent of any potential exposure for participants in this market.
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Representations and Warranties. The firm has not been a significant originator of residential mortgage loans. The firm did purchase loans originated by others and generally received loan-level representations of the type described below from the originators. During the period 2005 through 2008, the firm sold approximately $10 billion of loans to government-sponsored enterprises and approximately $11 billion of loans to other third parties. In addition, the firm transferred loans to trusts and other mortgage securitization vehicles. As of December 2011 and December 2010, the outstanding balance of the loans transferred to trusts and other mortgage securitization vehicles during the period 2005 through 2008 was approximately $42 billion and $49 billion, respectively. This amount reflects paydowns and cumulative losses of approximately $83 billion ($17 billion of which are cumulative losses) as of December 2011 and approximately $76 billion ($14 billion of which are cumulative losses) as of December 2010. A small number of these Goldman Sachs-issued securitizations with an outstanding principal balance of $635 million and total paydowns and cumulative losses of $1.42 billion ($465 million of which are cumulative losses) as of December 2011, and an outstanding principal balance of $739 million and total paydowns and cumulative losses of $1.32 billion ($410 million of which are cumulative losses) as of December 2010, were structured with credit protection obtained from monoline insurers. In connection with both sales of loans and securitizations, the firm provided loan level representations of the type described below and/or assigned the loan level representations from the party from whom the firm purchased the loans.
The loan level representations made in connection with the sale or securitization of mortgage loans varied among transactions but were generally detailed representations applicable to each loan in the portfolio and addressed matters relating to the property, the borrower and the note. These representations generally included, but were not limited to, the following: (i) certain attributes of the borrower’s financial status; (ii) loan-to-value ratios, owner occupancy status and certain other characteristics of the property; (iii) the lien position; (iv) the fact that the loan was originated in compliance with law; and (v) completeness of the loan documentation.
To date, repurchase claims and actual repurchases of residential mortgage loans based upon alleged breaches of representations have not been significant and have mainly involved government-sponsored enterprises. During the year ended December 2011, the firm repurchased loans with an unpaid principal balance of less than $10 million. During the year ended December 2010, the firm repurchased loans with an unpaid principal balance of less than $50 million. The loss related to the repurchase of these loans was not material for the years ended December 2011 and December 2010.
Ultimately, the firm’s exposure to claims for repurchase of residential mortgage loans based on alleged breaches of representations will depend on a number of factors including the following: (i) the extent to which these claims are actually made; (ii) the extent to which there are underlying breaches of representations that give rise to valid claims for repurchase; (iii) in the case of loans originated by others, the extent to which the firm could be held liable and, if it is, the firm’s ability to pursue and collect on any claims against the parties who made representations to the firm; (iv) macro-economic factors, including developments in the residential real estate market; and (v) legal and regulatory developments.
Based upon the large number of defaults in residential mortgages, including those sold or securitized by the firm, there is a potential for increasing claims for repurchases. However, the firm is not in a position to make a meaningful estimate of that exposure at this time.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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Foreclosure and Other Mortgage Loan Servicing Practices and Procedures. The firm had received a number of requests for information from regulators and other agencies, including state attorneys general and banking regulators, as part of an industry-wide focus on the practices of lenders and servicers in connection with foreclosure proceedings and other aspects of mortgage loan servicing practices and procedures. The requests sought information about the foreclosure and servicing protocols and activities of Litton, a residential mortgage servicing subsidiary sold by the firm to a third-party purchaser in the third quarter of 2011. The firm is cooperating with the requests and these inquiries may result in the imposition of fines or other regulatory action. In the third quarter of 2010, prior to the firm’s sale of Litton, Litton had temporarily suspended evictions and foreclosure and real estate owned sales in a number of states, including those with judicial foreclosure procedures. Litton resumed these activities beginning in the fourth quarter of 2010. In connection with the sale of Litton, the firm agreed to provide certain representations and warranties, and specific indemnities related to Litton’s servicing and foreclosure practices prior to the close of the sale. The liability associated with certain of these indemnities has been capped. For indemnities not subject to a cap, management is unable to develop an estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments because no amounts have yet been specified or claimed. However, management does not believe, based on currently available information, that any payments under these indemnities will have a material adverse effect on the firm’s financial condition.
On September 1, 2011, Group Inc. and GS Bank USA entered into a Consent Order (the Order) with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve Board) relating to the servicing of residential mortgage loans. The terms of the Order are substantially similar and, in many respects, identical to the orders entered into with the Federal Reserve Board by other large U.S. financial institutions. The Order sets forth various allegations of
improper conduct in servicing by Litton, requires that Group Inc. and GS Bank USA cease and desist such conduct, and requires that Group Inc. and GS Bank USA, and their boards of directors, take various affirmative steps. The Order requires (i) Group Inc. and GS Bank USA to engage a third-party consultant to conduct a review of certain foreclosure actions or proceedings that occurred or were pending between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010; (ii) the adoption of policies and procedures related to management of third parties used to outsource residential mortgage servicing, loss mitigation or foreclosure; (iii) a “validation report” from an independent third-party consultant regarding compliance with the Order for the first year; and (iv) submission of quarterly progress reports as to compliance with the Order by the boards of directors (or committees thereof) of Group Inc. and GS Bank USA.
In addition, on September 1, 2011, GS Bank USA entered into an Agreement on Mortgage Servicing Practices with the New York State Banking Department, Litton and the acquirer of Litton relating to the servicing of residential mortgage loans, and, in a related agreement with the New York State Banking Department, Group Inc. agreed to forgive 25% of the unpaid principal balance on certain delinquent first lien residential mortgage loans owned by Group Inc. or a subsidiary, totaling approximately $13 million in principal forgiveness.
Guaranteed Minimum Death and Income Benefits. In connection with its insurance business, the firm is contingently liable to provide guaranteed minimum death and income benefits to certain contract holders and has established a reserve related to $5.52 billion and $6.11 billion of contract holder account balances as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, for such benefits. The weighted average attained age of these contract holders was 69 years for both December 2011 and December 2010.
The net amount at risk, representing guaranteed minimum death and income benefits in excess of contract holder account balances, was $1.51 billion and $1.60 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively. See Note 17 for further information about insurance liabilities.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Guarantees
The firm enters into various derivatives that meet the definition of a guarantee under U.S. GAAP, including written equity and commodity put options, written currency contracts and interest rate caps, floors and swaptions. Disclosures about derivatives are not required if they may be cash settled and the firm has no basis to conclude it is probable that the counterparties held the underlying instruments at inception of the contract. The firm has concluded that these conditions have been met for certain large, internationally active commercial and investment bank counterparties and certain other counterparties. Accordingly, the firm has not included such contracts in the table below.
The firm, in its capacity as an agency lender, indemnifies most of its securities lending customers against losses incurred in the event that borrowers do not return securities and the collateral held is insufficient to cover the market value of the securities borrowed.
In the ordinary course of business, the firm provides other financial guarantees of the obligations of third parties (e.g., standby letters of credit and other guarantees to enable
clients to complete transactions and fund-related guarantees). These guarantees represent obligations to make payments to beneficiaries if the guaranteed party fails to fulfill its obligation under a contractual arrangement with that beneficiary.
The table below presents certain information about derivatives that meet the definition of a guarantee and certain other guarantees. The maximum payout in the table below is based on the notional amount of the contract and therefore does not represent anticipated losses. See Note 7 for further information about credit derivatives that meet the definition of a guarantee which are not included below.
Because derivatives are accounted for at fair value, the carrying value is considered the best indication of payment/performance risk for individual contracts. However, the carrying values below exclude the effect of a legal right of setoff that may exist under an enforceable netting agreement and the effect of netting of cash collateral posted under credit support agreements.
1. These derivatives are risk managed together with derivatives that do not meet the definition of a guarantee, and therefore these amounts do not reflect the firm’s overall risk related to its derivative activities. As of December 2010, the carrying value of the net liability related to derivative guarantees was $8.26 billion.
2. Collateral held by the lenders in connection with securities lending indemnifications was $28.58 billion as of December 2011. Because the contractual nature of these arrangements requires the firm to obtain collateral with a market value that exceeds the value of the securities lent to the borrower, there is minimal performance risk associated with these guarantees.
3. Other financial guarantees excludes certain commitments to issue standby letters of credit that are included in “Commitments to extend credit.” See table in “Commitments” above for a summary of the firm’s commitments. As of December 2010, the carrying value of the net liability related to other financial guarantees was $28 million.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Guarantees of Securities Issued by Trusts. The firm has established trusts, including Goldman Sachs Capital I, II and III, and other entities for the limited purpose of issuing securities to third parties, lending the proceeds to the firm and entering into contractual arrangements with the firm and third parties related to this purpose. The firm does not consolidate these entities. See Note 16 for further information about the transactions involving Goldman Sachs Capital I, II and III.
The firm effectively provides for the full and unconditional guarantee of the securities issued by these entities. Timely payment by the firm of amounts due to these entities under the borrowing, preferred stock and related contractual arrangements will be sufficient to cover payments due on the securities issued by these entities.
Management believes that it is unlikely that any circumstances will occur, such as nonperformance on the part of paying agents or other service providers, that would make it necessary for the firm to make payments related to these entities other than those required under the terms of the borrowing, preferred stock and related contractual arrangements and in connection with certain expenses incurred by these entities.
Indemnities and Guarantees of Service Providers. In the ordinary course of business, the firm indemnifies and guarantees certain service providers, such as clearing and custody agents, trustees and administrators, against specified potential losses in connection with their acting as an agent of, or providing services to, the firm or its affiliates.
The firm also indemnifies some clients against potential losses incurred in the event specified third-party service providers, including sub-custodians and third-party brokers, improperly execute transactions. In addition, the firm is a member of payment, clearing and settlement networks as well as securities exchanges around the world that may require the firm to meet the obligations of such networks and exchanges in the event of member defaults.
In connection with its prime brokerage and clearing businesses, the firm agrees to clear and settle on behalf of its clients the transactions entered into by them with other
brokerage firms. The firm’s obligations in respect of such transactions are secured by the assets in the client’s account as well as any proceeds received from the transactions cleared and settled by the firm on behalf of the client. In connection with joint venture investments, the firm may issue loan guarantees under which it may be liable in the event of fraud, misappropriation, environmental liabilities and certain other matters involving the borrower.
The firm is unable to develop an estimate of the maximum payout under these guarantees and indemnifications. However, management believes that it is unlikely the firm will have to make any material payments under these arrangements, and no material liabilities related to these guarantees and indemnifications have been recognized in the consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 2011 and December 2010.
Other Representations, Warranties and Indemnifications. The firm provides representations and warranties to counterparties in connection with a variety of commercial transactions and occasionally indemnifies them against potential losses caused by the breach of those representations and warranties. The firm may also provide indemnifications protecting against changes in or adverse application of certain U.S. tax laws in connection with ordinary-course transactions such as securities issuances, borrowings or derivatives.
In addition, the firm may provide indemnifications to some counterparties to protect them in the event additional taxes are owed or payments are withheld, due either to a change in or an adverse application of certain non-U.S. tax laws.
These indemnifications generally are standard contractual terms and are entered into in the ordinary course of business. Generally, there are no stated or notional amounts included in these indemnifications, and the contingencies triggering the obligation to indemnify are not expected to occur. The firm is unable to develop an estimate of the maximum payout under these guarantees and indemnifications. However, management believes that it is unlikely the firm will have to make any material payments under these arrangements, and no material liabilities related to these arrangements have been recognized in the consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 2011 and December 2010.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Guarantees of Subsidiaries. Group Inc. fully and unconditionally guarantees the securities issued by GS Finance Corp., a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of the firm.
Group Inc. has guaranteed the payment obligations of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (GS&Co.), GS Bank USA, GS Bank Europe and Goldman Sachs Execution & Clearing, L.P. (GSEC), subject to certain exceptions.
In November 2008, the firm contributed subsidiaries into GS Bank USA, and Group Inc. agreed to guarantee the reimbursement of certain losses, including credit-related losses, relating to assets held by the contributed entities. In connection with this guarantee, Group Inc. also agreed to pledge to GS Bank USA certain collateral, including interests in subsidiaries and other illiquid assets.
In addition, Group Inc. guarantees many of the obligations of its other consolidated subsidiaries on a transaction-by-transaction basis, as negotiated with counterparties. Group Inc. is unable to develop an estimate of the maximum payout under its subsidiary guarantees; however, because these guaranteed obligations are also obligations of consolidated subsidiaries included in the table above, Group Inc.’s liabilities as guarantor are not separately disclosed.
Group Inc. has established a program for the issuance of securities by Goldman Sachs Secured Finance Limited insured by GS Secured Guaranty Company Limited (SGCL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Group Inc. that is a financial guaranty insurer organized under the laws of Bermuda. The funds raised by SGCL are used to enter into repurchase transactions with GS&Co. and Goldman Sachs International (GSI). Group Inc. has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the securities issued by Goldman Sachs Secured Finance Limited, as well as the obligations of GS&Co. and GSI under their respective repurchase transactions. Group Inc. has not guaranteed the obligations of SGCL. The assets and liabilities of SGCL are legally separated from other assets and liabilities of the firm. The assets of SGCL will not be available to any holder of its capital stock until the claims of creditors have been paid.
Shareholders' Equity Note 19.
Shareholders’ Equity
Common Equity
Dividends declared per common share were $1.40 in 2011, $1.40 in 2010 and $1.05 in 2009. On January 17, 2012, Group Inc. declared a dividend of $0.35 per common share to be paid on March 29, 2012 to common shareholders of record on March 1, 2012.
On July 1, 2011, the firm issued $103 million of common stock (774,823 shares) in connection with the acquisition of GS Australia.
The firm’s share repurchase program is intended to help maintain the appropriate level of common equity and to substantially offset increases in share count over time resulting from employee share-based compensation. The repurchase program is effected primarily through regular open-market purchases, the amounts and timing of which are determined primarily by the firm’s current and projected capital positions (i.e., comparisons of the firm’s desired level and composition of capital to its actual level and composition of capital) and the issuance of shares resulting from employee share-based compensation, but which may also be influenced by general market conditions and the prevailing price and trading volumes of the firm’s common stock. Any repurchase of the firm’s common stock requires approval by the Federal Reserve Board.
During 2011, 2010 and 2009, the firm repurchased 47.0 million, 25.3 million and 19,578 shares of its common stock at an average cost per share of $128.33, $164.48 and $80.83, for a total cost of $6.04 billion, $4.16 billion and $2 million, respectively, under the share repurchase program. In addition, pursuant to the terms of certain share-based compensation plans, employees may remit shares to the firm or the firm may cancel restricted stock units (RSUs) to satisfy minimum statutory employee tax withholding requirements. Under these plans, during 2011, 2010 and 2009, employees remitted 75,517 shares, 164,172 shares and 4,506 shares with a total value of $12 million, $25 million and $342,153 and the firm cancelled 12.0 million, 6.2 million and 11.2 million of RSUs with a total value of $1.91 billion, $972 million and $863 million, respectively.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Preferred Equity
The table below presents perpetual preferred stock issued and outstanding.
Each share of non-cumulative Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock issued and outstanding has a par value of $0.01, has a liquidation preference of $25,000, is represented by 1,000 depositary shares and is redeemable at the firm’s option, subject to the approval of the Federal Reserve Board, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 plus declared and unpaid dividends.
All series of preferred stock are pari passu and have a preference over the firm’s common stock on liquidation. Dividends on each series of preferred stock, if declared, are payable quarterly in arrears. The firm’s ability to declare or pay dividends on, or purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, its common stock is subject to certain restrictions in the event that the firm fails to pay or set aside full dividends on the preferred stock for the latest completed dividend period.
In 2007, the Board of Directors of Group Inc. (Board) authorized 17,500.1 shares of Series E Preferred Stock, and 5,000.1 shares of Series F Preferred Stock, in connection with the APEX Trusts. See Note 16 for further information about the APEX Trusts.
Under the stock purchase contracts with the APEX Trusts, Group Inc. will issue $2.25 billion of preferred stock, in the aggregate, on the relevant stock purchase dates (on or before June 1, 2013 and September 1, 2013 for Series E and Series F Preferred Stock, respectively), comprised of one share of Series E and Series F Preferred Stock to Goldman Sachs Capital II and III, respectively, for each $100,000 principal amount of subordinated debt held by these trusts. When issued, each share of Series E and Series F Preferred Stock will have a par value of $0.01 and a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share.
Dividends on Series E Preferred Stock, if declared, will be payable semi-annually at a fixed annual rate of 5.79% if the stock is issued prior to June 1, 2012 and quarterly thereafter, at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (i) three-month LIBOR plus 0.77% and (ii) 4.00%.
Dividends on Series F Preferred Stock, if declared, will be payable quarterly at a rate per annum equal to three-month LIBOR plus 0.77% if the stock is issued prior to September 1, 2012 and quarterly thereafter, at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (i) three-month LIBOR plus 0.77% and (ii) 4.00%.
The preferred stock may be redeemed at the option of the firm on the stock purchase dates or any day thereafter, subject to approval from the Federal Reserve Board and certain covenant restrictions governing the firm’s ability to redeem or purchase the preferred stock without issuing common stock or other instruments with equity-like characteristics.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
In June 2009, Group Inc. repurchased from the U.S. Treasury the 10.0 million shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series H (Series H Preferred Stock), that were issued to the U.S. Treasury pursuant to the U.S. Treasury’s TARP Capital Purchase Program. The repurchase resulted in a preferred dividend of $426 million (calculated as the difference between the carrying value and redemption value of the preferred stock), which is included in the consolidated statement of earnings for 2009. The repurchase also resulted in the payment of $44 million of accrued dividends. In connection with the issuance of the Series H Preferred Stock in October 2008, the firm issued a 10-year warrant to the U.S. Treasury to purchase up to 12.2 million shares of common stock at an exercise price of $122.90 per share. The firm repurchased this warrant in full in July 2009 for $1.1 billion. This amount was recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital.
During 2011, the firm redeemed the 50,000 shares of the firm’s 10% Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series G (Series G Preferred Stock) held by Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively, Berkshire Hathaway) for the stated redemption price of $5.50 billion ($110,000 per share), plus accrued and unpaid dividends. In connection with this redemption, the firm recognized a preferred dividend of $1.64 billion (calculated as the difference between the carrying value and the redemption value of the preferred stock), which is included in the consolidated statement of earnings for 2011. Berkshire Hathaway continues to hold a five-year warrant, issued in October 2008, to purchase up to 43.5 million shares of common stock at an exercise price of $115.00 per share.
On January 12, 2012, Group Inc. declared dividends of $239.58, $387.50, $255.56 and $255.56 per share of Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock, respectively, to be paid on February 10, 2012 to preferred shareholders of record on January 26, 2012.
The table below presents preferred dividends declared on preferred stock.
1. Amount for the year ended December 2011 excludes preferred dividends related to the redemption of the firm’s Series G Preferred Stock.
2. Amount for the year ended December 2009 excludes the preferred dividend related to the repurchase of the TARP Series H Preferred Stock, as well as accrued dividends paid on repurchase of the Series H Preferred Stock.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
The table below presents accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) by type.
1. Substantially all consists of net unrealized gains on securities held by the firm’s insurance subsidiaries as of both December 2011 and December 2010.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Regulation and Capital Adequacy Note 20.
Regulation and Capital Adequacy
The Federal Reserve Board is the primary regulator of Group Inc., a bank holding company and a financial holding company under the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. As a bank holding company, the firm is subject to consolidated regulatory capital requirements that are computed in accordance with the Federal Reserve Board’s capital adequacy regulations currently applicable to bank holding companies (which are based on the ‘Basel 1’ Capital Accord of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (Basel Committee)). These capital requirements are expressed as capital ratios that compare measures of capital to risk-weighted assets (RWAs). The firm’s bank depository institution subsidiaries, including GS Bank USA, are subject to similar capital requirements.
Under the Federal Reserve Board’s capital adequacy requirements and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action that is applicable to GS Bank USA, the firm and its bank depository institution subsidiaries must meet specific capital requirements that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory reporting practices. The firm and its bank depository institution subsidiaries’ capital amounts, as well as GS Bank USA’s prompt corrective action classification, are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
Many of the firm’s subsidiaries, including GS&Co. and the firm’s other broker-dealer subsidiaries, are subject to separate regulation and capital requirements as described below.
Group Inc.
Federal Reserve Board regulations require bank holding companies to maintain a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 4% and a minimum total capital ratio of 8%. The required minimum Tier 1 capital ratio and total capital ratio in order to be considered a “well-capitalized” bank holding company under the Federal Reserve Board guidelines are 6% and 10%, respectively. Bank holding companies may be expected to maintain ratios well above the minimum levels, depending on their particular condition, risk profile
and growth plans. The minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio is 3% for bank holding companies that have received the highest supervisory rating under Federal Reserve Board guidelines or that have implemented the Federal Reserve Board’s risk-based capital measure for market risk. Other bank holding companies must have a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4%.
The table below presents information regarding Group Inc.’s regulatory capital ratios.
RWAs under the Federal Reserve Board’s risk-based capital guidelines are calculated based on the amount of market risk and credit risk. RWAs for market risk are determined by reference to the firm’s Value-at-Risk (VaR) models, supplemented by other measures to capture risks not reflected in VaR models. Credit risk for on-balance sheet assets is based on the balance sheet value. For off-balance sheet exposures, including OTC derivatives and commitments, a credit equivalent amount is calculated based on the notional amount of each trade. All such assets and amounts are then assigned a risk weight depending on, among other things, whether the counterparty is a sovereign, bank or qualifying securities firm or other entity (or if collateral is held, depending on the nature of the collateral).
Tier 1 leverage ratio is defined as Tier 1 capital under Basel 1 divided by average adjusted total assets (which includes adjustments for disallowed goodwill and intangible assets, and the carrying value of equity investments in non-financial companies that are subject to deductions from Tier 1 capital).
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Regulatory Reform
The firm is currently working to implement the requirements set out in the Federal Reserve Board’s Risk-Based Capital Standards: Advanced Capital Adequacy Framework - Basel 2, as applicable to Group Inc. as a bank holding company (Basel 2), which are based on the advanced approaches under the Revised Framework for the International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards issued by the Basel Committee. U.S. banking regulators have incorporated the Basel 2 framework into the existing risk-based capital requirements by requiring that internationally active banking organizations, such as Group Inc., adopt Basel 2, once approved to do so by regulators. As required by the Dodd-Frank Act, U.S. banking regulators have adopted a rule that requires large banking organizations, upon adoption of Basel 2, to continue to calculate risk-based capital ratios under both Basel 1 and Basel 2. For each of the Tier 1 and Total capital ratios, the lower of the Basel 1 and Basel 2 ratios calculated will be used to determine whether the bank meets its minimum risk-based capital requirements.
In December 2011, the U.S. federal bank regulatory agencies issued revised proposals to modify their market risk regulatory capital requirements for banking organizations in the United States that have significant trading activities. These modifications are designed to address the adjustments to the market risk framework that were announced by the Basel Committee in June 2010 (Basel 2.5), as well as the prohibition in the use of credit ratings, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. Once implemented, it is likely that these changes will result in increased capital requirements for market risk.
Additionally, the guidelines issued by the Basel Committee in December 2010 (Basel 3) revise the definition of Tier 1 capital, introduce Tier 1 common equity as a regulatory metric, set new minimum capital ratios (including a new “capital conservation buffer,” which must be composed exclusively of Tier 1 common equity and will be in addition to the minimum capital ratios), introduce a Tier 1 leverage ratio within international guidelines for the first time, and make substantial revisions to the computation of RWAs for credit exposures. Implementation of the new requirements is expected to take place over the next several years. The federal banking agencies have not yet proposed rules to implement the Basel 3 guidelines in the United States.
The Basel Committee has published its final provisions for assessing the global systemic importance of banking institutions and the range of additional Tier 1 common equity that should be maintained by banking institutions deemed to be globally systemically important. The additional capital for these institutions would initially range from 1% to 2.5% of Tier 1 common equity and could be as much as 3.5% for a bank that increases its systemic footprint (e.g., by increasing total assets). The firm was one of 29 institutions identified by the Financial Stability Board (established at the direction of the leaders of the Group of 20) as globally systemically important under the Basel Committee’s methodology. Therefore, depending upon the manner and timing of the U.S. banking regulators’ implementation of the Basel Committee’s methodology, the firm expects that the minimum Tier 1 common ratio requirement applicable to the firm will include this additional capital assessment. The final determination of whether an institution is classified as globally systemically important and the calculation of the required additional capital amount is expected to be disclosed by the Basel Committee no later than November 2014 based on data through the end of 2013.
The Federal Reserve Board has proposed regulations designed to strengthen the regulation and supervision of large bank holding companies and systemically important nonbank financial firms. These proposals address risk-based capital and leverage requirements, liquidity requirements, stress tests, single counterparty limits and early remediation requirements that are designed to address financial weakness at an early stage. Although many of the proposals mirror initiatives to which bank holding companies are already subject, their full impact on the firm will not be known with certainty until the rules are finalized.
The Dodd-Frank Act will subject the firm at a firmwide level to the same leverage and risk-based capital requirements that apply to depository institutions and directs banking regulators to impose additional capital requirements as disclosed above. The Federal Reserve Board is expected to adopt the new leverage and risk-based capital regulations in 2012. As a consequence of these changes, Tier 1 capital treatment for the firm’s junior subordinated debt issued to trusts will be phased out over a three-year period beginning on January 1, 2013. The interaction among the Dodd-Frank Act, the Basel Committee’s proposed changes and other proposed or announced changes from other governmental entities and regulators adds further uncertainty to the firm’s future capital requirements and those of our subsidiaries.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
A number of other governmental entities and regulators, including the European Union (EU) and the U.K.’s Financial Services Authority (FSA), have also proposed or announced changes that will result in increased capital requirements for financial institutions.
As a consequence of these developments, the firm expects minimum capital ratios required to be maintained under Federal Reserve Board regulations will be increased and changes in the prescribed calculation methodology are expected to result in higher RWAs and lower capital ratios than those currently computed.
The capital and liquidity requirements of several of the firm’s subsidiaries will also be impacted in the future by the various developments arising from the Basel Committee, the Dodd-Frank Act, and other governmental entities and regulators.
Bank Subsidiaries
GS Bank USA, an FDIC-insured, New York State-chartered bank and a member of the Federal Reserve System, is supervised and regulated by the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC and the New York State Department of Financial Services (formerly the New York State Banking Department) and is subject to minimum capital requirements (described below) that are calculated in a manner similar to those applicable to bank holding companies. GS Bank USA computes its capital ratios in accordance with the regulatory capital guidelines currently applicable to state member banks, which are based on Basel 1 as implemented by the Federal Reserve Board, for purposes of assessing the adequacy of its capital. Under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action that is applicable to GS Bank USA, in order to be considered a “well-capitalized” depository institution, GS Bank USA must maintain a Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 6%, a total capital ratio of at least 10% and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5%. GS Bank USA has agreed with the Federal Reserve Board to minimum capital ratios in excess of these “well-capitalized” levels. Accordingly, for a period of time, GS Bank USA is expected to maintain a Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 8%, a total capital ratio of at least 11% and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 6%. As noted in the table below, GS Bank USA was in compliance with these minimum capital requirements as of December 2011 and December 2010.
The table below presents information regarding GS Bank USA’s regulatory capital ratios under Basel 1 as implemented by the Federal Reserve Board.
1. The decrease from December 2010 to December 2011 is primarily related to GS Bank USA’s repayment of $5.00 billion of subordinated debt to Group Inc. and $1.00 billion dividend to Group Inc. during 2011.
GS Bank USA is currently working to implement the Basel 2 framework, as implemented by the Federal Reserve Board. Similar to the firm’s requirement as a bank holding company, GS Bank USA is required to adopt Basel 2, once approved to do so by regulators. In addition, the capital requirements for GS Bank USA are expected to be impacted by changes to the Basel Committee’s capital guidelines, as outlined above. Furthermore, the firm expects that GS Bank USA will be impacted by aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act, including stress test and resolution plan requirements.
The deposits of GS Bank USA are insured by the FDIC to the extent provided by law. The Federal Reserve Board requires depository institutions to maintain cash reserves with a Federal Reserve Bank. The amount deposited by the firm’s depository institution held at the Federal Reserve Bank was approximately $40.06 billion and $28.12 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, which exceeded required reserve amounts by $39.51 billion and $27.45 billion as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Transactions between GS Bank USA and its subsidiaries and Group Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (other than, generally, subsidiaries of GS Bank USA) are regulated by the Federal Reserve Board. These regulations generally limit the types and amounts of transactions (including loans to and borrowings from GS Bank USA) that may take place and generally require those transactions to be on an arm’s-length basis.
Goldman Sachs International Bank, a wholly-owned credit institution, regulated by the FSA, and GS Bank Europe, a wholly-owned credit institution, regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, are both subject to minimum capital requirements. As of December 2011 and December 2010, Goldman Sachs International Bank and GS Bank Europe were in compliance with all regulatory capital requirements.
Broker-Dealer Subsidiaries
The firm’s U.S. regulated broker-dealer subsidiaries include GS&Co. and GSEC. GS&Co. and GSEC are registered U.S. broker-dealers and futures commission merchants, and are subject to regulatory capital requirements, including those imposed by the SEC, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Chicago Mercantile Exchange, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) and the National Futures Association. Rule 15c3-1 of the SEC and Rule 1.17 of the CFTC specify uniform minimum net capital requirements, as defined, for their registrants, and also effectively require that a significant part of the registrants’ assets be kept in relatively liquid form. GS&Co. and GSEC have elected to compute their minimum capital requirements in accordance with the “Alternative Net Capital Requirement” as permitted by Rule 15c3-1.
As of December 2011, GS&Co. had regulatory net capital, as defined by Rule 15c3-1, of $11.24 billion, which exceeded the amount required by $9.34 billion. As of December 2011, GSEC had regulatory net capital, as defined by Rule 15c3-1, of $2.10 billion, which exceeded the amount required by $2.00 billion.
In addition to its alternative minimum net capital requirements, GS&Co. is also required to hold tentative net capital in excess of $1 billion and net capital in excess of $500 million in accordance with the market and credit risk standards of Appendix E of Rule 15c3-1. GS&Co. is also required to notify the SEC in the event that its tentative net capital is less than $5 billion. As of December 2011 and December 2010, GS&Co. had tentative net capital and net capital in excess of both the minimum and the notification requirements.
Insurance Subsidiaries
The firm has U.S. insurance subsidiaries that are subject to state insurance regulation and oversight in the states in which they are domiciled and in the other states in which they are licensed. In addition, certain of the firm’s insurance subsidiaries outside of the U.S. are regulated by the FSA and certain are regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority. The firm’s insurance subsidiaries were in compliance with all regulatory capital requirements as of December 2011 and December 2010.
Other Non-U.S. Regulated Subsidiaries
The firm’s principal non-U.S. regulated subsidiaries include GSI and Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd. (GSJCL). GSI, the firm’s regulated U.K. broker-dealer, is subject to the capital requirements imposed by the FSA. GSJCL, the firm’s regulated Japanese broker-dealer, is subject to the capital requirements imposed by Japan’s Financial Services Agency. As of December 2011 and December 2010, GSI and GSJCL were in compliance with their local capital adequacy requirements. Certain other non-U.S. subsidiaries of the firm are also subject to capital adequacy requirements promulgated by authorities of the countries in which they operate. As of December 2011 and December 2010, these subsidiaries were in compliance with their local capital adequacy requirements.
Restrictions on Payments
The regulatory requirements referred to above restrict Group Inc.’s ability to withdraw capital from its regulated subsidiaries. As of December 2011 and December 2010, approximately $25.53 billion and $24.70 billion, respectively, of net assets of regulated subsidiaries were restricted as to the payment of dividends to Group Inc. In addition to limitations on the payment of dividends imposed by federal and state laws, the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC and the New York State Department of Financial Services have authority to prohibit or to limit the payment of dividends by the banking organizations they supervise (including GS Bank USA) if, in the relevant regulator’s opinion, payment of a dividend would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice in the light of the financial condition of the banking organization.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Earnings Per Common Share Note 21.
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic earnings per common share (EPS) is calculated by dividing net earnings applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Common shares outstanding includes common stock and RSUs for which no future service is required as a condition to the delivery of the underlying common stock. Diluted EPS includes the determinants of
basic EPS and, in addition reflects the dilutive effect of the common stock deliverable for stock warrants and options and for RSUs for which future service is required as a condition to the delivery of the underlying common stock.
The table below presents the computations of basic and diluted EPS.
In the table above, unvested share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents are treated as a separate class of securities in calculating EPS. The impact of applying this methodology was a reduction in basic EPS of $0.07, $0.08 and $0.06 for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively.
The diluted EPS computations in the table above do not include the following:
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Transactions with Affiliated Funds Note 22.
Transactions with Affiliated Funds
The firm has formed numerous nonconsolidated investment funds with third-party investors. The firm generally acts as the investment manager for these funds and, as such, is entitled to receive management fees and, in certain cases, advisory fees or incentive fees from these funds. Additionally, the firm invests alongside the third-party investors in certain funds.
The tables below present fees earned from affiliated funds, fees receivable from affiliated funds and the aggregate carrying value of the firm’s interests in affiliated funds.
The firm has provided voluntary financial support to certain of its funds that have experienced significant reductions in capital and liquidity or had limited access to the debt markets during the financial crisis. As of December 2011 and December 2010, the firm had exposure to these funds in the form of loans and guarantees of $289 million and $253 million, respectively, primarily related to certain real estate funds. In addition, as of December 2011 and 2010, the firm had outstanding commitments to extend credit to these funds of $0 and $160 million, respectively.
The firm may provide additional voluntary financial support to these funds if they were to experience significant financial distress; however, such amounts are not expected to be material to the firm. In the ordinary course of business, the firm may also engage in other activities with these funds, including, among others, securities lending, trade execution, market making, custody, and acquisition and bridge financing. See Note 18 for the firm’s investment commitments related to these funds.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Interest Income and Interest Expense Note 23.
Interest Income and Interest Expense
Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis based on contractual interest rates. The table below presents the
sources of interest income and interest expense.
1. Primarily includes interest income on customer debit balances and other interest-earning assets.
2. Includes interest on unsecured borrowings and other secured financings.
3. Primarily includes interest expense on customer credit balances and other interest-bearing liabilities.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Income Taxes Note 24.
Income Taxes
Provision for Income Taxes
Income taxes are provided for using the asset and liability method under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. The firm reports interest expense related to income tax matters in “Provision for taxes” and income tax penalties in “Other expenses.”
The tables below present the components of the provision/(benefit) for taxes and a reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to the firm’s effective income tax rate.
1. Primarily includes the effect of the SEC settlement of $550 million, substantially all of which is non-deductible.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Deferred Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. These temporary differences result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years and are measured using the tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established to reduce
deferred tax assets to the amount that more likely than not will be realized. Tax assets and liabilities are presented as a component of “Other assets” and “Other liabilities and accrued expenses,” respectively.
The table below presents the significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities.
1. Relates primarily to the ability to utilize losses in various tax jurisdictions.
2. Before netting within tax jurisdictions.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The firm has recorded deferred tax assets of $213 million and $250 million as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, in connection with U.S. federal, state and local and foreign net operating loss carryforwards. The firm also recorded a valuation allowance of $59 million and $42 million as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively, related to these net operating loss carryforwards. As of December 2011, the U.S. federal, state and local, and foreign net operating loss carryforwards were $96 million, $1.65 billion and $378 million, respectively. If not utilized, the U.S. federal net operating loss carryforward will begin to expire in 2017 and the state and local net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2012. The foreign net operating loss carryforwards can be carried forward indefinitely. The firm had foreign tax credit carryforwards of $12 million and $11 million as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively. The firm recorded a related net deferred income tax asset of $6 million and $5 million as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively. These carryforwards will begin to expire in 2013.
The firm had capital loss carryforwards of $6 million and $12 million as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively. The firm recorded a related net deferred income tax asset of $2 million as of both December 2011 and December 2010. These carryforwards expire in 2013.
The valuation allowance increased by $15 million and decreased by $24 million during 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase was due to losses considered more likely than not to expire unused. The decrease was primarily due to the utilization of losses previously considered more likely than not to expire unused.
The firm permanently reinvests eligible earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries and, accordingly, does not accrue any U.S. income taxes that would arise if such earnings were repatriated. As of December 2011 and December 2010, this policy resulted in an unrecognized net deferred tax liability of $3.32 billion and $2.67 billion, respectively, attributable to reinvested earnings of $20.63 billion and $17.70 billion, respectively.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
The firm recognizes tax positions in the financial statements only when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on examination by the relevant taxing authority based on the technical merits of the position. A position that meets this standard is measured at the largest amount of benefit that will more likely than not be realized on settlement. A liability is established for differences between positions taken in a tax return and amounts recognized in the financial statements.
As of December 2011 and December 2010, the accrued liability for interest expense related to income tax matters and income tax penalties was $233 million and $213 million, respectively. The firm recognized $21 million, $28 million and $62 million of interest and income tax penalties for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively. It is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits could change significantly during the twelve months subsequent to December 2011 due to potential audit settlements. At this time, it is not possible to estimate the change or its impact on the firm’s effective tax rate over the next twelve months.
The table below presents the changes in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which is recorded in “Other liabilities and accrued expenses.” See Note 17 for further information.
1. Included in “Other assets.” See Note 12.
2. If recognized, the net tax benefit would reduce the firm’s effective income tax rate.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Regulatory Tax Examinations
The firm is subject to examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and other taxing authorities in jurisdictions where the firm has significant business operations, such as the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea and various states, such as New York. The tax years under examination vary by jurisdiction. The firm believes that during 2012, certain audits have a reasonable possibility of being completed. The firm does not expect completion of these audits to have a material impact on the firm’s financial condition but it may be material to operating results for a particular period, depending, in part, on the operating results for that period.
The table below presents the earliest tax years that remain subject to examination by major jurisdiction.
1. IRS examination of fiscal 2008 through calendar 2010 began during 2011. IRS examination of fiscal 2005, 2006 and 2007 began during 2008. IRS examination of fiscal 2003 and 2004 has been completed, but the liabilities for those years are not yet final.
2. New York State and City examination of fiscal 2004, 2005 and 2006 began in 2008.
3. Japan National Tax Agency examination of fiscal 2005 through 2009 began during the first quarter of 2010. The examinations have been completed, but the liabilities for 2008 and 2009 are not yet final.
All years subsequent to the above remain open to examination by the taxing authorities. The firm believes that the liability for unrecognized tax benefits it has established is adequate in relation to the potential for additional assessments.
Business Segments Note 25.
Business Segments
In the fourth quarter of 2010, the firm reorganized its three previous reportable business segments into four new reportable business segments: Investment Banking, Institutional Client Services, Investing & Lending and Investment Management. Prior periods are presented on a comparable basis.
Basis of Presentation
In reporting segments, certain of the firm’s business lines have been aggregated where they have similar economic characteristics and are similar in each of the following areas: (i) the nature of the services they provide, (ii) their methods of distribution, (iii) the types of clients they serve and (iv) the regulatory environments in which they operate.
The cost drivers of the firm taken as a whole - compensation, headcount and levels of business activity - are broadly similar in each of the firm’s business segments. Compensation and benefits expenses in the firm’s segments reflect, among other factors, the overall performance of the firm as well as the performance of individual businesses. Consequently, pre-tax margins in one segment of the firm’s business may be significantly affected by the performance of the firm’s other business segments.
The firm allocates revenues and expenses among the four reportable business segments. Due to the integrated nature of these segments, estimates and judgments are made in allocating certain revenue and expense items. Transactions between segments are based on specific criteria or approximate third-party rates. Total operating expenses include corporate items that have not been allocated to individual business segments. The allocation process is based on the manner in which management views the business of the firm.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The segment information presented in the table below is prepared according to the following methodologies:

Revenues and expenses directly associated with each segment are included in determining pre-tax earnings.

Net revenues in the firm’s segments include allocations of interest income and interest expense to specific securities, commodities and other positions in relation to the cash generated by, or funding requirements of, such underlying positions. Net interest is included in segment net revenues as it is consistent with the way in which management assesses segment performance.

Overhead expenses not directly allocable to specific segments are allocated ratably based on direct segment expenses.
Management believes that the following information provides a reasonable representation of each segment’s contribution to consolidated pre-tax earnings and total assets.
1. Includes $115 million, $111 million and $36 million for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively, of realized gains on available-for-sale securities held in the firm’s insurance subsidiaries.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Operating expenses in the table above include the following expenses that have not been allocated to the firm’s segments:

net provisions for a number of litigation and regulatory proceedings of $175 million, $682 million and $104 million for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively;

charitable contributions of $103 million, $345 million and $810 million for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively; and

real estate-related exit costs of $14 million, $28 million and $61 million for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively.
The tables below present the amounts of net interest income included in net revenues, and the amounts of depreciation and amortization expense included in pre-tax earnings.
1. Includes real estate-related exit costs of $1 million and $5 million for the years ended December 2010 and December 2009, respectively, that have not been allocated to the firm’s segments.
Geographic Information
Due to the highly integrated nature of international financial markets, the firm manages its businesses based on the profitability of the enterprise as a whole. The methodology for allocating profitability to geographic regions is dependent on estimates and management judgment because a significant portion of the firm’s activities require cross-border coordination in order to facilitate the needs of the firm’s clients.
Geographic results are generally allocated as follows:

Investment Banking: location of the client and investment banking team.

Institutional Client Services: Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Client Execution, and Equities (excluding Securities Services): location of the market-making desk; Securities Services: location of the primary market for the underlying security.

Investing & Lending: Investing: location of the investment; Lending: location of the client.

Investment Management: location of the sales team.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The table below presents the total net revenues, pre-tax earnings and net earnings of the firm by geographic region allocated based on the methodology referred to above, as
well as the percentage of total net revenues, pre-tax earnings and net earnings (excluding Corporate) for each geographic region.
1. Substantially all relates to the U.S.
2. EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). Pre-tax earnings and net earnings include the impact of the U.K. bank payroll tax for the year ended December 2010.
3. Asia also includes Australia and New Zealand.
4. The decline in net revenues in Asia compared with 2010 primarily reflects lower results in Investing & Lending, principally due to losses from public equities, reflecting a significant decline in equity markets in Asia during 2011.
5. Consists of net provisions for a number of litigation and regulatory proceedings of $175 million, $682 million and $104 million for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively; charitable contributions of $103 million, $345 million and $810 million for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively; and real estate-related exit costs of $14 million, $28 million and $61 million for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Credit Concentrations Note 26.
Credit Concentrations
Credit concentrations may arise from market making, client facilitation, investing, underwriting, lending and collateralized transactions and may be impacted by changes in economic, industry or political factors. The firm seeks to mitigate credit risk by actively monitoring exposures and obtaining collateral from counterparties as deemed appropriate.
While the firm’s activities expose it to many different industries and counterparties, the firm routinely executes a high volume of transactions with asset managers, investment funds, commercial banks, brokers and dealers, clearing houses and exchanges, which results in significant credit concentrations.
In the ordinary course of business, the firm may also be subject to a concentration of credit risk to a particular counterparty, borrower or issuer, including sovereign issuers, or to a particular clearing house or exchange.
The table below presents the credit concentrations in assets held by the firm. As of December 2011 and December 2010, the firm did not have credit exposure to any other counterparty that exceeded 2% of total assets.
1. Included in “Financial instruments owned, at fair value” and “Cash and securities segregated for regulatory and other purposes.”
2. Principally consisting of securities issued by the governments of the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany as of December 2011, and the United Kingdom, Japan and France as of December 2010.
To reduce credit exposures, the firm may enter into agreements with counterparties that permit the firm to offset receivables and payables with such counterparties and/or enable the firm to obtain collateral on an upfront or contingent basis. Collateral obtained by the firm related to derivative assets is principally cash and is held by the firm or a third-party custodian. Collateral obtained by the firm related to resale agreements and securities borrowed transactions is primarily U.S. government and federal agency obligations and other sovereign obligations. See Note 9 for further information about collateralized agreements and financings.
The table below presents U.S. government and federal agency obligations, and other sovereign obligations that collateralize resale agreements and securities borrowed transactions (including those in “Cash and securities segregated for regulatory and other purposes”). Because the firm’s primary credit exposure on such transactions is to the counterparty to the transaction, the firm would be exposed to the collateral issuer only in the event of counterparty default.
1. Principally consisting of securities issued by the governments of Germany and France.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Legal Proceedings Note 27.
Legal Proceedings
The firm is involved in a number of judicial, regulatory and arbitration proceedings (including those described below) concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of the firm’s businesses. Many of these proceedings are in early stages, and many of these cases seek an indeterminate amount of damages.
Under ASC 450 an event is “reasonably possible” if “the chance of the future event or events occurring is more than remote but less than likely” and an event is “remote” if “the chance of the future event or events occurring is slight.” Thus, references to the upper end of the range of reasonably possible loss for cases in which the firm is able to estimate a range of reasonably possible loss mean the upper end of the range of loss for cases for which the firm believes the risk of loss is more than slight. The amounts reserved against such matters are not significant as compared to the upper end of the range of reasonably possible loss.
With respect to proceedings described below for which management has been able to estimate a range of reasonably possible loss where (i) plaintiffs have claimed an amount of money damages, (ii) the firm is being sued by purchasers in an underwriting and is not being indemnified by a party that the firm believes will pay any judgment, or (iii) the purchasers are demanding that the firm repurchase securities, management has estimated the upper end of the range of reasonably possible loss as being equal to (a) in the case of (i), the amount of money damages claimed, (b) in the case of (ii), the amount of securities that the firm sold in the underwritings and (c) in the case of (iii), the price that purchasers paid for the securities less the estimated value, if any, as of December 2011 of the relevant securities, in each of cases (i), (ii) and (iii), taking into account any factors believed to be relevant to the particular proceeding. As of the date hereof, the firm has estimated the aggregate amount of reasonably possible losses for such proceedings and for any other proceedings described below where management has been able to estimate a range of reasonably possible loss to be approximately $2.4 billion.
Management is generally unable to estimate a range of reasonably possible loss for proceedings other than those included in the estimate above, including where (i) plaintiffs have not claimed an amount of money damages, unless management can otherwise determine an appropriate amount, (ii) the proceedings are in early stages, (iii) there is uncertainty as to the likelihood of a class being certified or the ultimate size of the class, (iv) there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals or motions, (v) there are significant factual issues to be resolved, and/or (vi) there are novel legal issues presented. However, for these cases, management does not believe, based on currently available information, that the outcomes of such proceedings will have a material adverse effect on the firm’s financial condition, though the outcomes could be material to the firm’s operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.
IPO Process Matters. Group Inc. and GS&Co. are among the numerous financial services companies that have been named as defendants in a variety of lawsuits alleging improprieties in the process by which those companies participated in the underwriting of public offerings in recent years.
GS&Co. has, together with other underwriters in certain offerings as well as the issuers and certain of their officers and directors, been named as a defendant in a number of related lawsuits filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging, among other things, that the prospectuses for the offerings violated the federal securities laws by failing to disclose the existence of alleged arrangements tying allocations in certain offerings to higher customer brokerage commission rates as well as purchase orders in the aftermarket, and that the alleged arrangements resulted in market manipulation. On October 5, 2009, the district court approved a settlement agreement entered into by the parties. The firm has paid into a settlement fund the full amount that GS&Co. would contribute in the settlement. Certain objectors appealed certain aspects of the settlement’s approval, but all such appeals have been withdrawn or finally dismissed, thereby concluding the matter.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
GS&Co. is among numerous underwriting firms named as defendants in a number of complaints filed commencing October 3, 2007, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington alleging violations of Section 16 of the Exchange Act in connection with offerings of securities for 15 issuers during 1999 and 2000. The complaints generally assert that the underwriters, together with each issuer’s directors, officers and principal shareholders, entered into purported agreements to tie allocations in the offerings to increased brokerage commissions and aftermarket purchase orders. The complaints further allege that, based upon these and other purported agreements, the underwriters violated the reporting provisions of, and are subject to short-swing profit recovery under, Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The district court granted defendants’ motions to dismiss on the grounds that the plaintiff’s demands were inadequate with respect to certain actions and that the remaining actions were time-barred. On December 2, 2010, the appellate court affirmed in part and reversed in part, upholding the dismissal of seven of the actions in which GS&Co. is a defendant that were dismissed based on the deficient demands but remanding the remaining eight actions in which GS&Co. is a defendant that were dismissed as time-barred for consideration of other bases for dismissal. On June 27, 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the defendants’ petition for review of whether the actions that were remanded are time-barred and denied the plaintiff’s petition.
GS&Co. has been named as a defendant in an action commenced on May 15, 2002 in New York Supreme Court, New York County, by an official committee of unsecured creditors on behalf of eToys, Inc., alleging that the firm intentionally underpriced eToys, Inc.’s initial public offering. The action seeks, among other things, unspecified compensatory damages resulting from the alleged lower amount of offering proceeds. On appeal from rulings on GS&Co.’s motion to dismiss, the New York Court of Appeals dismissed claims for breach of contract, professional malpractice and unjust enrichment, but permitted claims for breach of fiduciary duty and fraud to continue. On remand, the lower court granted GS&Co.’s motion for summary judgment and, on December 8, 2011, the appellate court affirmed the lower court’s decision. On January 9, 2012, the creditors moved for permission either to reargue the appellate decision or to appeal further to the New York Court of Appeals.
Group Inc. and certain of its affiliates have, together with various underwriters in certain offerings, received subpoenas and requests for documents and information from various governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations in connection with investigations relating to the public offering process. Goldman Sachs has cooperated with these investigations.
World Online Litigation. In March 2001, a Dutch shareholders’ association initiated legal proceedings for an unspecified amount of damages against GSI and others in Amsterdam District Court in connection with the initial public offering of World Online in March 2000, alleging misstatements and omissions in the offering materials and that the market was artificially inflated by improper public statements and stabilization activities. Goldman Sachs and ABN AMRO Rothschild served as joint global coordinators of the approximately 2.9 billion offering. GSI underwrote 20,268,846 shares and GS&Co. underwrote 6,756,282 shares for a total offering price of approximately 1.16 billion.
The district court rejected the claims against GSI and ABN AMRO, but found World Online liable in an amount to be determined. On appeal, the Netherlands Court of Appeals affirmed in part and reversed in part the decision of the district court, holding that certain of the alleged disclosure deficiencies were actionable as to GSI and ABN AMRO. On further appeal, the Netherlands Supreme Court affirmed the rulings of the Court of Appeals, except that it found certain additional aspects of the offering materials actionable and held that individual investors could potentially hold GSI and ABN AMRO responsible for certain public statements and press releases by World Online and its former CEO. The parties entered into a definitive settlement agreement, dated July 15, 2011, pursuant to which GSI will contribute up to 48 million to a settlement fund. The firm has paid the full amount of GSI’s proposed contribution to the settlement into an escrow account. Other shareholders’ associations have made demands or filed claims for compensation of alleged damages.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Research Matters. Group Inc. and certain of its affiliates are subject to a number of investigations and reviews by various governmental and regulatory bodies and self-regulatory organizations relating to research practices, including, among other things, research analysts’ methods for obtaining receipt and distribution of information and communications among research analysts, sales and trading personnel and clients. On June 9, 2011, pursuant to a settlement, a consent order was entered by the Massachusetts Securities Division pursuant to which GS&Co. paid a $10 million civil penalty and agreed to various undertakings regarding certain of its research practices. Other regulators, including the SEC and FINRA, have been investigating matters similar to those involved in the Massachusetts settlement, and Goldman Sachs has been discussing potential resolution of their proposed charges.
Adelphia Communications Fraudulent Conveyance Litigation. GS&Co. is named a defendant in two adversary proceedings commenced in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, one on July 6, 2003 by a creditors committee, and the second on or about July 31, 2003 by an equity committee of Adelphia Communications, Inc. Those proceedings were consolidated in a single amended complaint filed by the Adelphia Recovery Trust on October 31, 2007. The complaint seeks, among other things, to recover, as fraudulent conveyances, approximately $62.9 million allegedly paid to GS&Co. by Adelphia Communications, Inc. and its affiliates in respect of margin calls made in the ordinary course of business on accounts owned by members of the family that formerly controlled Adelphia Communications, Inc. The district court assumed jurisdiction over the action and on April 8, 2011 granted GS&Co.’s motion for summary judgment. The plaintiff has appealed.
Specialist Matters. Spear, Leeds & Kellogg Specialists LLC (SLKS) and certain affiliates have received requests for information from various governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations as part of an industry-wide investigation relating to activities of floor specialists in recent years. Goldman Sachs has cooperated with the requests.
On March 30, 2004, certain specialist firms on the NYSE, including SLKS, without admitting or denying the allegations, entered into a final global settlement with the SEC and the NYSE covering certain activities during the years 1999 through 2003. The SLKS settlement involves, among other things, (i) findings by the SEC and the NYSE that SLKS violated certain federal securities laws and NYSE rules, and in some cases failed to supervise certain individual specialists, in connection with trades that allegedly disadvantaged customer orders, (ii) a cease and desist order against SLKS, (iii) a censure of SLKS, (iv) SLKS’ agreement to pay an aggregate of $45.3 million in disgorgement and a penalty to be used to compensate customers, (v) certain undertakings with respect to SLKS’ systems and procedures, and (vi) SLKS’ retention of an independent consultant to review and evaluate certain of SLKS’ compliance systems, policies and procedures. Comparable findings were made and sanctions imposed in the settlements with other specialist firms. The settlement did not resolve the related private civil actions against SLKS and other firms or regulatory investigations involving individuals or conduct on other exchanges. On May 26, 2011, the SEC issued an order directing the undistributed settlement funds to be transferred to the U.S. Treasury; the funds will accordingly not be allocated to any settlement fund for the civil actions described below.
SLKS, Spear, Leeds & Kellogg, L.P. and Group Inc. are among numerous defendants named in purported class actions brought beginning in October 2003 on behalf of investors in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging violations of the federal securities laws and state common law in connection with NYSE floor specialist activities. The actions, which have been consolidated, seek unspecified compensatory damages, restitution and disgorgement on behalf of purchasers and sellers of unspecified securities between October 17, 1998 and October 15, 2003. By a decision dated March 14, 2009, the district court granted plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. The defendants’ petition with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit seeking review of the certification ruling was denied, and the specialist defendants’ petition for a rehearing and/or rehearing en banc was denied on February 24, 2010. On December 5, 2011, the parties reached a settlement in principle, subject to documentation and court approval. The firm has reserved the full amount of its proposed contribution to the settlement.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Treasury Matters. GS&Co. was named as a defendant in a purported class action filed on March 10, 2004 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on behalf of holders of short positions in 30-year U.S. Treasury futures and options on the morning of October 31, 2001. The complaint alleged that the firm purchased 30-year bonds and futures prior to a forthcoming U.S. Treasury refunding announcement that morning based on non-public information about that announcement, and that such purchases increased the costs of covering such short positions. The complaint also named as defendants the Washington, D.C.-based political consultant who allegedly was the source of the information, a former GS&Co. economist who allegedly received the information, and another company and one of its employees who also allegedly received and traded on the information prior to its public announcement. The complaint alleged violations of the federal commodities and antitrust laws, as well as Illinois statutory and common law, and seeks, among other things, unspecified damages including treble damages under the antitrust laws. The district court dismissed the antitrust and Illinois state law claims but permitted the federal commodities law claims to proceed. Plaintiff’s motion for class certification was denied. GS&Co. moved for summary judgment, and the district court granted the motion but only insofar as the claim relates to the trading of treasury bonds. On October 13, 2009, the parties filed an offer of judgment and notice of acceptance with respect to plaintiff’s individual claim. The plaintiff attempted to pursue an appeal of the denial of class certification, as did another individual trader who had previously litigated and lost an individual claim and unsuccessfully sought to intervene in the purported class action. On August 5, 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed the lower court’s rulings that neither the plaintiff nor the proposed intervenor could pursue the class issues on appeal, but remanded for further consideration as to the amount of pre-judgment interest on the plaintiff’s individual claim. The appellants’ petition for reconsideration en banc was denied on October 19, 2011. On remand, the district court entered a final stipulation and order on December 7, 2011 regarding calculation of pre-judgment interest, which concluded the matter.
Fannie Mae Litigation. GS&Co. was added as a defendant in an amended complaint filed on August 14, 2006 in a purported class action pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The complaint asserts violations of the federal securities laws generally arising from allegations concerning Fannie Mae’s accounting practices in connection with certain Fannie Mae-sponsored REMIC transactions that were allegedly arranged by GS&Co. The complaint does not specify a dollar amount of damages. The other defendants include Fannie Mae, certain of its past and present officers and directors, and accountants. By a decision dated May 8, 2007, the district court granted GS&Co.’s motion to dismiss the claim against it. The time for an appeal will not begin to run until disposition of the claims against other defendants. A motion to stay the action filed by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which took control of the foregoing action following Fannie Mae’s conservatorship, was denied on November 14, 2011.
Beginning in September 2006, Group Inc. and/or GS&Co. were named as defendants in four Fannie Mae shareholder derivative actions in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The complaints generally allege that the Goldman Sachs defendants aided and abetted a breach of fiduciary duty by Fannie Mae’s directors and officers in connection with certain Fannie Mae-sponsored REMIC transactions, and one of the complaints also asserts a breach of contract claim. The complaints also name as defendants certain former officers and directors of Fannie Mae as well as an outside accounting firm. The complaints seek, inter alia, unspecified damages. The Goldman Sachs defendants were dismissed without prejudice from the first filed of these actions, and the remaining claims in that action were dismissed for failure to make a demand on Fannie Mae’s board of directors. That dismissal has been affirmed on appeal. The district court dismissed the remaining three actions on July 28, 2010. The plaintiffs filed motions for reconsideration, which were denied on October 22, 2010, and have revised their notices of appeal in these actions. On January 20, 2011, the appellate court consolidated all actions on appeal.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Compensation-Related Litigation. On January 17, 2008, Group Inc., its Board, executive officers and members of its management committee were named as defendants in a purported shareholder derivative action in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York predicting that the firm’s 2008 Proxy Statement would violate the federal securities laws by undervaluing certain stock option awards and alleging that senior management received excessive compensation for 2007. The complaint seeks, among other things, an equitable accounting for the allegedly excessive compensation. Plaintiff’s motion for a preliminary injunction to prevent the 2008 Proxy Statement from using options valuations that the plaintiff alleges are incorrect and to require the amendment of SEC Form 4s filed by certain of the executive officers named in the complaint to reflect the stock option valuations alleged by the plaintiff was denied, and plaintiff’s appeal from this denial was dismissed. On February 13, 2009, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint, which added purported direct (i.e., non-derivative) claims based on substantially the same theory. The plaintiff filed a further amended complaint on March 24, 2010, and the defendants’ motion to dismiss this further amended complaint was granted on the ground that dismissal of the shareholder plaintiff’s prior action relating the firm’s 2007 Proxy Statement based on the failure to make a demand to the Board precluded relitigation of demand futility. On December 19, 2011, the appellate court vacated the order of dismissal, holding only that preclusion principles did not mandate dismissal and remanding for consideration of the alternative grounds for dismissal.
On March 24, 2009, the same plaintiff filed an action in New York Supreme Court, New York County against Group Inc., its directors and certain senior executives alleging violation of Delaware statutory and common law in connection with substantively similar allegations regarding stock option awards. On January 7, 2011, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint. Defendants moved to dismiss the amended complaint, and the parties subsequently agreed to stay the state court action pending the final resolution of the appeal from the dismissal of the federal court action in respect of the firm’s 2008 Proxy Statement described above, as well as any remanded proceedings further adjudicating defendants’ motion to dismiss.
Purported shareholder derivative actions were commenced in New York Supreme Court, New York County and the Delaware Court of Chancery beginning on December 14, 2009, alleging that the Board breached its fiduciary duties in connection with setting compensation levels for the year 2009 and that such levels were excessive. The complaints name as defendants Group Inc., the Board and certain senior executives. The complaints sought, inter alia, unspecified damages, restitution of certain compensation paid, and an order requiring the firm to adopt corporate reforms. In the actions in New York state court, on April 8, 2010, the plaintiffs filed a motion indicating that they no longer intend to pursue their claims but are seeking an award of attorneys’ fees in connection with bringing the suit, which the defendants opposed. By a decision dated September 21, 2011, the New York court dismissed plaintiffs’ claims as moot and denied plaintiffs’ application for attorneys’ fees. On October 25, 2011, plaintiffs appealed from the denial of a fee award. In the actions brought in the Delaware Court of Chancery, the defendants moved to dismiss, and the plaintiffs amended their complaint on April 28, 2010 to include, among other things, the allegations included in the SEC’s action described in the “Mortgage-Related Matters” section below. The plaintiffs amended the complaint a second time on January 20, 2011, the defendants moved to dismiss the second amended complaint and, by a decision dated October 12, 2011, the Delaware court dismissed plaintiffs’ second amended complaint. Plaintiffs appealed on November 9, 2011.
Group Inc. and certain of its affiliates are subject to a number of investigations and reviews from various governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations regarding the firm’s compensation processes. The firm is cooperating with the investigations and reviews.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Mortgage-Related Matters. On April 16, 2010, the SEC brought an action (SEC Action) under the U.S. federal securities laws in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against GS&Co. and Fabrice Tourre, one of its employees, in connection with a CDO offering made in early 2007 (ABACUS 2007-AC1 transaction), alleging that the defendants made materially false and misleading statements to investors and seeking, among other things, unspecified monetary penalties. Investigations of GS&Co. by FINRA and of GSI by the FSA were subsequently initiated, and Group Inc. and certain of its affiliates have received subpoenas and requests for information from other regulators, regarding CDO offerings, including the ABACUS 2007-AC1 transaction, and related matters.
On July 14, 2010, GS&Co. entered into a consent agreement with the SEC, settling all claims made against GS&Co. in the SEC Action (SEC Settlement), pursuant to which GS&Co. paid $550 million of disgorgement and civil penalties, and which was approved by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on July 20, 2010.
On January 6, 2011, ACA Financial Guaranty Corp. filed an action against GS&Co. in respect of the ABACUS 2007-AC1 transaction in New York Supreme Court, New York County. The complaint includes allegations of fraudulent inducement, fraudulent concealment and unjust enrichment and seeks at least $30 million in compensatory damages, at least $90 million in punitive damages and unspecified disgorgement. On March 8, 2011, GS&Co. filed a motion to compel arbitration and/or to dismiss the complaint. On April 25, 2011, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint and, on June 3, 2011, GS&Co. moved to dismiss the amended complaint.
Since April 22, 2010, a number of putative shareholder derivative actions have been filed in New York Supreme Court, New York County, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Group Inc., the Board and certain officers and employees of Group Inc. and its affiliates in connection with mortgage-related matters between 2004 and 2007, including the ABACUS 2007-AC1 transaction and other CDO offerings. These derivative complaints generally include allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste, abuse of control, mismanagement, unjust enrichment, misappropriation of information, securities fraud and insider trading, and
challenge the accuracy and adequacy of Group Inc.’s disclosure. These derivative complaints seek, among other things, declaratory relief, unspecified compensatory damages, restitution and certain corporate governance reforms. In addition, as described in the “Compensation-Related Litigation” section above, the plaintiffs in the compensation-related Delaware Court of Chancery actions twice amended their complaint, including to assert allegations similar to those in the derivative claims referred to above, the Delaware court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss the second amended complaint and plaintiffs appealed on November 9, 2011.
The federal court cases have been consolidated, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint on August 1, 2011, and, on October 6, 2011, the defendants moved to dismiss the action. On December 8, 2011, the parties to the federal court action stipulated that (i) if the dismissal of the Delaware action is affirmed, the parties will submit a proposed order dismissing the federal court action with prejudice and (ii) if the Delaware action is remanded, the federal court action will be reinstated. The New York Supreme Court has consolidated the two actions pending in that court and the defendants moved to dismiss on December 2, 2011.
Since July 1, 2011, two putative shareholder derivative actions have been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Group Inc., the Board and certain officers and employees of Group Inc. and Litton in connection with the servicing of residential mortgage loans and other mortgage-related activities beginning in January 2009. The complaints generally include allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, waste, abuse of control, and mismanagement and seek, among other things, declaratory relief, unspecified damages and certain governance reforms. The district court consolidated the actions, and, on December 20, 2011, the plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint. On January 31, 2012, the defendants moved to dismiss.
In addition, in October 2011, the Board received a books and records demand from a shareholder for materials relating to, among other subjects, the firm’s mortgage servicing and foreclosure activities, participation in federal programs providing assistance to financial institutions and homeowners and loan sales to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Since April 23, 2010, the Board has received letters from shareholders demanding that the Board take action to address alleged misconduct by GS&Co., the Board and certain officers and employees of Group Inc. and its affiliates. The demands generally allege misconduct in connection with the firm’s securitization practices, including the ABACUS 2007-AC1 transaction, the alleged failure by Group Inc. to adequately disclose the SEC investigation that led to the SEC Action, and Group Inc.’s 2009 compensation practices. The demands include a letter from a Group Inc. shareholder, which previously made a demand that the Board investigate and take action in connection with auction products matters, and expanded its demand to address the foregoing matters. The Board previously rejected the demand relating to auction products matters in September 2010, and, in August 2011, the shareholder made a books and records demand for materials related to the Board’s rejection of the shareholder’s demand letter.
In addition, beginning April 26, 2010, a number of purported securities law class actions have been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York challenging the adequacy of Group Inc.’s public disclosure of, among other things, the firm’s activities in the CDO market and the SEC investigation that led to the SEC Action. The purported class action complaints, which name as defendants Group Inc. and certain officers and employees of Group Inc. and its affiliates, have been consolidated, generally allege violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and seek unspecified damages. Plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint on July 25, 2011. On October 6, 2011, the defendants moved to dismiss.
GS&Co., Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company (GSMC) and GS Mortgage Securities Corp. (GSMSC) and three current or former Goldman Sachs employees are defendants in a putative class action commenced on December 11, 2008 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York brought on behalf of purchasers of various mortgage pass-through certificates and asset-backed certificates issued by various securitization trusts established by the firm and underwritten by GS&Co. in 2007. The complaint generally alleges that the registration statement and prospectus supplements for the certificates violated the federal securities laws, and seeks unspecified compensatory damages and rescission or rescissionary damages. The defendants’ motion to dismiss the second amended complaint was granted with leave to replead certain claims. On March 31, 2010, the plaintiff filed a third amended complaint relating to two offerings, which the defendants moved to dismiss. This motion to dismiss was denied as to the plaintiff’s Section 12(a)(2) claims and granted as to the plaintiff’s Section 11 claims, and the plaintiff’s motion for reconsideration was denied. The plaintiff filed a motion for entry of final judgment or certification of an interlocutory appeal as to plaintiff’s Section 11 claims, which was denied. The plaintiff then filed a motion for leave to amend to reinstate the damages claims based on allegations that it had sold its securities, which was denied. On May 5, 2011, the court granted plaintiff’s motion for entry of a final judgment dismissing all its claims. The plaintiff has appealed the dismissal with respect to all of the offerings included in its original complaint. On June 3, 2010, another investor (who had unsuccessfully sought to intervene in the action) filed a separate putative class action asserting substantively similar allegations relating to an additional offering pursuant to the 2007 registration statement. The defendants moved to dismiss this separate action, and the district court dismissed the action, with leave to replead. Plaintiff filed an amended complaint on October 20, 2011, and, on December 16, 2011, defendants moved to dismiss. These trusts issued, and GS&Co. underwrote, approximately $785 million principal amount of certificates to all purchasers in the offering at issue in this amended complaint.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Group Inc., GS&Co., GSMC and GSMSC are among the defendants in a separate putative class action commenced on February 6, 2009 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York brought on behalf of purchasers of various mortgage pass-through certificates and asset-backed certificates issued by various securitization trusts established by the firm and underwritten by GS&Co. in 2006. The other original defendants include three current or former Goldman Sachs employees and various rating agencies. The second amended complaint generally alleges that the registration statement and prospectus supplements for the certificates violated the federal securities laws, and seeks unspecified compensatory and rescissionary damages. Defendants moved to dismiss the second amended complaint. On January 12, 2011, the district court granted the motion to dismiss with respect to offerings in which plaintiff had not purchased securities as well as all claims against the rating agencies, but denied the motion to dismiss with respect to a single offering in which the plaintiff allegedly purchased securities. These trusts issued, and GS&Co. underwrote, approximately $698 million principal amount of certificates to all purchasers in the offerings at issue in the complaint (excluding those offerings for which the claims have been dismissed). On February 2, 2012, the district court granted the plaintiff’s motion for class certification and on February 16, 2012, defendants filed a petition to review that ruling with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
On September 30, 2010, a putative class action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against GS&Co., Group Inc. and two former GS&Co. employees on behalf of investors in notes issued in 2006 and 2007 by two synthetic CDOs (Hudson Mezzanine 2006-1 and 2006-2). The complaint, which was amended on February 4, 2011, asserts federal securities law and common law claims, and seeks unspecified compensatory, punitive and other damages. The defendants moved to dismiss on April 5, 2011.
GS&Co., GSMC and GSMSC are among the defendants in a lawsuit filed in August 2011 by CIFG Assurance of North America, Inc. (CIFG) in the New York Supreme Court. The complaint alleges that CIFG was fraudulently induced to provide credit enhancement for a 2007 securitization sponsored by GSMC, and seeks, among other things, the repurchase of $24.7 million in aggregate principal amount of mortgages that CIFG had previously stated to be non-conforming, an accounting for any proceeds associated with mortgages discharged from the securitization and unspecified compensatory damages. On October 17, 2011, the Goldman Sachs defendants moved to dismiss.
Various alleged purchasers of, and counterparties involved in transactions relating to, mortgage pass-through certificates, CDOs and other mortgage-related products (including certain Allstate affiliates, Basis Yield Alpha Fund (Master), Cambridge Place Investment Management Inc., the Charles Schwab Corporation, the Federal Home Loan Banks of Boston, Chicago, Indianapolis and Seattle, the FHFA (as conservator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac), Heungkuk Life Insurance Co. Limited (Heungkuk), Landesbank Baden-Württemberg, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, MoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc., the National Credit Union Administration, Stichting Pensioenfonds ABP, The Union Central Life Insurance Company, Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., Acacia Life Insurance Company, and The Western and Southern Life Insurance Co.) have filed complaints in state and federal court against firm affiliates, generally alleging that the offering documents for the securities that they purchased contained untrue statements of material facts and material omissions and generally seeking rescission and damages. Certain of these complaints allege fraud and seek punitive damages. Certain of these complaints also name other firms as defendants.
A number of other entities (including American International Group, Inc. (AIG), Bayerische Landesbank, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftbank, Erste Abwicklungsanstalt and related parties, HSH Nordbank, IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG, John Hancock and related parties, M&T Bank, Norges Bank Investment Management, Prudential Insurance Company of America and related parties, and Sealink Funding Ltd.) have threatened to assert claims of various types against the firm in connection with various mortgage-related transactions, and the firm has entered into agreements with a number of these entities to toll the relevant statute of limitations.
As of the date hereof, the aggregate notional amount of mortgage-related securities sold to plaintiffs in active cases brought against the firm where those plaintiffs are seeking rescission of such securities was approximately $16.5 billion (which does not reflect adjustment for any subsequent paydowns or distributions or any residual value of such securities). This amount does not include the threatened claims noted above or potential claims by other purchasers in the same or other mortgage-related offerings that have not actually brought claims against the firm, or claims that have been dismissed (including a claim by Landesbank Baden-Württemberg, which was dismissed by a decision dated September 26, 2011, from which the plaintiff appealed on October 24, 2011).
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
In June 2011, Heungkuk filed a criminal complaint against certain past and present employees of the firm in South Korea relating to its purchase of a CDO securitization from Goldman Sachs. The filing does not represent any judgment by a governmental entity, but starts a process whereby the prosecutor investigates the complaint and determines whether to take action.
On September 1, 2011, Group Inc. and GS Bank USA entered into a Consent Order with the Federal Reserve Board relating to the servicing of residential mortgage loans. In addition, on September 1, 2011, GS Bank USA entered into an Agreement on Mortgage Servicing Practices with the New York State Banking Department, Litton and the acquirer of Litton, in connection with which Group Inc. agreed to forgive 25% of the unpaid principal balance on certain delinquent first lien residential mortgage loans owned by Group Inc. or a subsidiary, totaling approximately $13 million in principal forgiveness. See Note 18 for further information about these settlements.
Group Inc., GS&Co. and GSMC are among the numerous financial services firms named as defendants in a qui tam action originally filed by a realtor on April 7, 2010 purportedly on behalf of the City of Chicago and State of Illinois in Cook County, Illinois Circuit Court asserting claims under the Illinois Whistleblower Reward and Protection Act and Chicago False Claims Act, based on allegations that defendants had falsely certified compliance with various Illinois laws, which were purportedly violated in connection with mortgage origination and servicing activities. The complaint, which was originally filed under seal, seeks treble damages and civil penalties. Plaintiff filed an amended complaint on December 28, 2011, naming GS&Co. and GSMC, among others, as additional defendants and a second amended complaint on February 8, 2012.
The firm has also received, and continues to receive, requests for information and/or subpoenas from federal, state and local regulators and law enforcement authorities, relating to the mortgage-related securitization process, subprime mortgages, CDOs, synthetic mortgage-related products, particular transactions involving these products, and servicing and foreclosure activities, and is cooperating with these regulators and other authorities. See also “Financial Crisis-Related Matters” below.
On February 24, 2012, the firm received a “Wells” notice from the staff of the SEC with respect to the disclosures contained in the offering documents used in connection with a late 2006 offering of approximately $1.3 billion of subprime residential mortgage-backed securities
underwritten by GS&Co. The firm will be making a submission to, and intends to engage in a dialogue with, the SEC staff seeking to address their concerns.
The firm expects to be the subject of additional putative shareholder derivative actions, purported class actions, rescission and “put back” claims and other litigation, additional investor and shareholder demands, and additional regulatory and other investigations and actions with respect to mortgage-related offerings, loan sales, CDOs, and servicing and foreclosure activities. See Note 18 for further information regarding mortgage-related contingencies.
Auction Products Matters. On August 21, 2008, GS&Co. entered into a settlement in principle with the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York and the Illinois Securities Department (on behalf of the North American Securities Administrators Association) regarding auction rate securities. Under the agreement, Goldman Sachs agreed, among other things, (i) to offer to repurchase at par the outstanding auction rate securities that its private wealth management clients purchased through the firm prior to February 11, 2008, with the exception of those auction rate securities where auctions were clearing, (ii) to continue to work with issuers and other interested parties, including regulatory and governmental entities, to expeditiously provide liquidity solutions for institutional investors, and (iii) to pay a $22.5 million fine. The settlement is subject to definitive documentation and approval by the various states. On June 2, 2009, GS&Co. entered into an Assurance of Discontinuance with the New York State Attorney General. On March 19, 2010, GS&Co. entered into an Administrative Consent Order with the Illinois Secretary of State, Securities Department, which had conducted an investigation on behalf of states other than New York. GS&Co. has entered into similar consent orders with most states and is in the process of doing so with the remaining states.
On September 4, 2008, Group Inc. was named as a defendant, together with numerous other financial services firms, in two complaints filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging that the defendants engaged in a conspiracy to manipulate the auction securities market in violation of federal antitrust laws. The actions were filed, respectively, on behalf of putative classes of issuers of and investors in auction rate securities and seek, among other things, treble damages in an unspecified amount. Defendants’ motion to dismiss was granted on January 26, 2010. On March 1, 2010, the plaintiffs appealed from the dismissal of their complaints.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Private Equity-Sponsored Acquisitions Litigation. Group Inc. and “GS Capital Partners” are among numerous private equity firms and investment banks named as defendants in a federal antitrust action filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts in December 2007. As amended, the complaint generally alleges that the defendants have colluded to limit competition in bidding for private equity-sponsored acquisitions of public companies, thereby resulting in lower prevailing bids and, by extension, less consideration for shareholders of those companies in violation of Section 1 of the U.S. Sherman Antitrust Act and common law. The complaint seeks, among other things, treble damages in an unspecified amount. Defendants moved to dismiss on August 27, 2008. The district court dismissed claims relating to certain transactions that were the subject of releases as part of the settlement of shareholder actions challenging such transactions, and by an order dated December 15, 2008 otherwise denied the motion to dismiss. On April 26, 2010, the plaintiffs moved for leave to proceed with a second phase of discovery encompassing additional transactions. On August 18, 2010, the court permitted discovery on eight additional transactions, and the plaintiffs filed a fourth amended complaint on October 7, 2010. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss certain aspects of the fourth amended complaint on October 21, 2010, and the court granted that motion on January 13, 2011. On January 21, 2011, certain defendants, including Group Inc., filed a motion to dismiss another claim of the fourth amended complaint on the grounds that the transaction was the subject of a release as part of the settlement of a shareholder action challenging the transaction. The court granted that motion on March 1, 2011. On July 11, 2011, the plaintiffs moved for leave to file a fifth amended complaint encompassing additional transactions and to take discovery concerning those transactions. On September 7, 2011, the district court denied the plaintiffs’ motion, without prejudice, insofar as it sought leave to file a fifth amended complaint, but permitted an additional six-month phase of discovery with respect to the additional transactions.
Washington Mutual Securities Litigation. GS&Co. is among numerous underwriters named as defendants in a putative securities class action amended complaint filed on August 5, 2008 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. As to the underwriters, plaintiffs allege that the offering documents in connection with various securities offerings by Washington Mutual, Inc.
failed to describe accurately the company’s exposure to mortgage-related activities in violation of the disclosure requirements of the federal securities laws. The defendants include past and present directors and officers of Washington Mutual, the company’s former outside auditors, and numerous underwriters. On June 30, 2011, the underwriter defendants and plaintiffs entered into a definitive settlement agreement, pursuant to which GS&Co. would contribute to a settlement fund. On November 4, 2011, the court approved the settlement, and the time to appeal has run, thereby concluding the matter. The firm has paid the full amount of GS&Co.’s contribution to the settlement fund.
IndyMac Pass-Through Certificates Litigation. GS&Co. is among numerous underwriters named as defendants in a putative securities class action filed on May 14, 2009 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. As to the underwriters, plaintiffs allege that the offering documents in connection with various securitizations of mortgage-related assets violated the disclosure requirements of the federal securities laws. The defendants include IndyMac-related entities formed in connection with the securitizations, the underwriters of the offerings, certain ratings agencies which evaluated the credit quality of the securities, and certain former officers and directors of IndyMac affiliates. On November 2, 2009, the underwriters moved to dismiss the complaint. The motion was granted in part on February 17, 2010 to the extent of dismissing claims based on offerings in which no plaintiff purchased, and the court reserved judgment as to the other aspects of the motion. By a decision dated June 21, 2010, the district court formally dismissed all claims relating to offerings in which no named plaintiff purchased certificates (including all offerings underwritten by GS&Co.), and both granted and denied the defendants’ motions to dismiss in various other respects. On May 17, 2010, four additional investors filed a motion seeking to intervene in order to assert claims based on additional offerings (including two underwritten by GS&Co.). On July 6, 2010 and August 19, 2010, two additional investors filed motions to intervene in order to assert claims based on additional offerings (none of which were underwritten by GS&Co.). The defendants opposed the motions on the ground that the putative intervenors’ claims were time-barred and, on June 21, 2011, the court denied the motions to intervene with respect to, among others, the claims based on the offerings underwritten by GS&Co. Certain of the putative intervenors (including those seeking to assert claims based on two offerings underwritten by GS&Co.) have appealed.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
GS&Co. underwrote approximately $751 million principal amount of securities to all purchasers in the offerings at issue in the May 2010 motion to intervene. On July 11, 2008, IndyMac Bank was placed under an FDIC receivership, and on July 31, 2008, IndyMac Bancorp, Inc. filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles, California.
MF Global Securities Litigation. GS&Co. is among numerous underwriters named as defendants in class action complaints filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York commencing November 18, 2011. These complaints generally allege that the offering materials for two offerings of MF Global Holdings Ltd. convertible notes (aggregating approximately $575 million in principal amount) in February 2011 and July 2011 failed to, among other things, describe adequately the extent of MF Global’s exposure to European sovereign debt, in violation of the disclosure requirements of the federal securities laws. GS&Co. underwrote an aggregate principal amount of approximately $214 million of the notes. On October 31, 2011, MF Global Holdings Ltd. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan, New York.
GS&Co. has also received inquiries from various governmental and regulatory bodies and self-regulatory organizations concerning certain transactions with MF Global prior to its bankruptcy filing. Goldman Sachs is cooperating with all such inquiries.
Employment-Related Matters. On May 27, 2010, a putative class action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York by several contingent technology workers who were employees of third-party vendors. The plaintiffs are seeking overtime pay for alleged hours worked in excess of 40 per work week. The complaint alleges that the plaintiffs were de facto employees of GS&Co. and that GS&Co. is responsible for the overtime pay under federal and state overtime laws. The complaint seeks class action status and unspecified damages. On March 21, 2011, the parties agreed to the terms of a settlement in principle and on February 10, 2012, the court approved the terms of the settlement. The firm has reserved the full amount of the proposed settlement.
On September 15, 2010, a putative class action was filed in the U.S. District for the Southern District of New York by three former female employees alleging that Group Inc. and GS&Co. have systematically discriminated against female employees in respect of compensation, promotion, assignments, mentoring and performance evaluations. The complaint alleges a class consisting of all female employees employed at specified levels by Group Inc. and GS&Co. since July 2002, and asserts claims under federal and New York City discrimination laws. The complaint seeks class action status, injunctive relief and unspecified amounts of compensatory, punitive and other damages. Group Inc. and GS&Co. filed a motion to stay the claims of one of the named plaintiffs and to compel individual arbitration with that individual, based on an arbitration provision contained in an employment agreement between Group Inc. and the individual. On April 28, 2011, the magistrate judge to whom the district judge assigned the motion denied the motion. On July 7, 2011, the magistrate judge denied Group Inc.’s and GS&Co.’s motion for reconsideration of the magistrate judge’s decision, and on July 21, 2011 Group Inc. and GS&Co. appealed the magistrate judge’s decision to the district court. On June 13, 2011, Group Inc. and GS&Co. moved to strike the class allegations of one of the three named plaintiffs based on her failure to exhaust administrative remedies. On September 29, 2011, the magistrate judge recommended denial of the motion to strike and Group Inc. and GS&Co. filed their objections to that recommendation with the district judge presiding over the case on October 11, 2011. By a decision dated January 10, 2012, the district court denied the motion to strike. On July 22, 2011, Group Inc. and GS&Co. moved to strike all of the plaintiffs’ class allegations, and for partial summary judgment as to plaintiffs’ disparate impact claims. By a decision dated January 19, 2012, the magistrate judge recommended that defendants’ motion be denied as premature. The defendants have filed their objections to that recommendation with the district judge. On November 15, 2011, the district court denied the defendants’ motion to compel arbitration with one of the three named plaintiffs; defendants have appealed.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Transactions with the Hellenic Republic (Greece). Group Inc. and certain of its affiliates have been subject to a number of investigations and reviews by various governmental and regulatory bodies and self-regulatory organizations in connection with the firm’s transactions with the Hellenic Republic (Greece), including financing and swap transactions. Goldman Sachs has cooperated with the investigations and reviews.
Investment Management Services. Group Inc. and certain of its affiliates are parties to various civil litigation and arbitration proceedings and other disputes with clients relating to losses allegedly sustained as a result of the firm’s investment management services. These claims generally seek, among other things, restitution or other compensatory damages and, in some cases, punitive damages. In addition, Group Inc. and its affiliates are subject from time to time to investigations and reviews by various governmental and regulatory bodies and self-regulatory organizations in connection with the firm’s investment management services. Goldman Sachs is cooperating with all such investigations and reviews.
Sales, Trading and Clearance Practices. Group Inc. and certain of its affiliates are subject to a number of investigations and reviews, certain of which are industry-wide, by various governmental and regulatory bodies and self-regulatory organizations relating to the sales, trading and clearance of corporate and government securities and other financial products, including compliance with the SEC’s short sale rule, algorithmic and quantitative trading, futures trading, transaction reporting, securities lending practices, trading and clearance of credit derivative instruments, commodities trading, private placement practices and compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
The European Commission announced in April 2011 that it is initiating proceedings to investigate further numerous financial services companies, including Group Inc., in
connection with the supply of data related to credit default swaps and in connection with profit sharing and fee arrangements for clearing of credit default swaps, including potential anti-competitive practices. These proceedings are ongoing. The firm has received civil investigative demands from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for information on similar matters.
The CFTC has been investigating the role of GSEC as the clearing broker for an SEC-registered broker-dealer client. The CFTC staff has orally advised GSEC that it intends to recommend that the CFTC bring aiding and abetting, civil fraud and supervision-related charges against GSEC arising from its provision of clearing services to this broker-dealer client based on allegations that GSEC knew or should have known that the client’s subaccounts maintained at GSEC were actually accounts belonging to customers of the broker-dealer client and not the client’s proprietary accounts. GSEC has been discussing a potential resolution. Goldman Sachs is cooperating with the investigations and reviews.
Insider Trading Investigations. From time to time, the firm and its employees are the subject of or otherwise involved in regulatory investigations relating to insider trading, the potential misuse of material nonpublic information and the effectiveness of the firm’s insider trading controls and information barriers. It is the firm’s practice to fully cooperate with any such investigations.
EU Price-Fixing Matter. On July 5, 2011, the European Commission issued a Statement of Objections to Group Inc. raising allegations of an industry-wide conspiracy to fix prices for power cables including by an Italian cable company in which certain Goldman Sachs-affiliated investment funds held ownership interests from 2005 to 2009. The Statement of Objections proposes to hold Group Inc. jointly and severally liable for some or all of any fine levied against the cable company under the concept of parental liability under EU competition law.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Municipal Securities Matters. Group Inc. and certain of its affiliates are subject to a number of investigations and reviews by various governmental and regulatory bodies and self-regulatory organizations relating to transactions involving municipal securities, including wall-cross procedures and conflict of interest disclosure with respect to state and municipal clients, the trading and structuring of municipal derivative instruments in connection with municipal offerings, political contribution rules, underwriting of Build America Bonds and the possible impact of credit default swap transactions on municipal issuers. Goldman Sachs is cooperating with the investigations and reviews.
Group Inc., Goldman Sachs Mitsui Marine Derivative Products, L.P. (GSMMDP) and GS Bank USA are among numerous financial services firms that have been named as defendants in numerous substantially identical individual antitrust actions filed beginning on November 12, 2009 that have been coordinated with related antitrust class action litigation and individual actions, in which no Goldman Sachs affiliate is named, for pre-trial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The plaintiffs include individual California municipal entities and three New York non-profit entities. All of these complaints against Group Inc., GSMMDP and GS Bank USA generally allege that the Goldman Sachs defendants participated in a conspiracy to arrange bids, fix prices and divide up the market for derivatives used by municipalities in refinancing and hedging transactions from 1992 to 2008.
The complaints assert claims under the federal antitrust laws and either California’s Cartwright Act or New York’s Donnelly Act, and seek, among other things, treble damages under the antitrust laws in an unspecified amount and injunctive relief. On April 26, 2010, the Goldman Sachs defendants’ motion to dismiss complaints filed by several individual California municipal plaintiffs was denied. On August 19, 2011, Group Inc., GSMMDP and GS Bank USA were voluntarily dismissed without prejudice from all actions except one brought by a California municipal entity.
Financial Crisis-Related Matters. Group Inc. and certain of its affiliates are subject to a number of investigations and reviews by various governmental and regulatory bodies and self-regulatory organizations and litigation relating to the 2008 financial crisis, including the establishment and unwind of credit default swaps between Goldman Sachs and AIG and other transactions with, and in the securities of, AIG, The Bear Stearns Companies Inc., Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and other firms. Goldman Sachs is cooperating with the investigations and reviews.
In the second quarter of 2011, a Staff Report of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations concerning the key causes of the financial crisis was issued. Goldman Sachs and another financial institution were used as case studies with respect to the role of investment banks. The report was referred to the DOJ and the SEC for review. The firm is cooperating with the investigations arising from this referral, which are ongoing.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Employee Benefit Plans Note 28.
Employee Benefit Plans
The firm sponsors various pension plans and certain other postretirement benefit plans, primarily healthcare and life insurance. The firm also provides certain benefits to former or inactive employees prior to retirement.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Postretirement Plans
Employees of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries participate in various defined benefit pension plans. These plans generally provide benefits based on years of credited service and a percentage of the employee’s eligible compensation. The firm maintains a defined benefit pension plan for certain U.K. employees. As of April 2008, the U.K. defined benefit plan was closed to new participants, but will continue to accrue benefits for existing participants. These plans do not have a material impact on the firm’s consolidated results of operations.
The firm also maintains a defined benefit pension plan for substantially all U.S. employees hired prior to November 1, 2003. As of November 2004, this plan was closed to new participants and frozen such that existing participants would not accrue any additional benefits. In addition, the firm maintains unfunded postretirement benefit plans that provide medical and life insurance for eligible retirees and their dependents covered under these programs. These plans do not have a material impact on the firm’s consolidated results of operations.
The firm recognizes the funded status of its defined benefit pension and postretirement plans, measured as the difference between the fair value of the plan assets and the benefit obligation, in the consolidated statements of financial condition. As of December 2011, “Other assets” and “Other liabilities and accrued expenses” included $135 million (related to an overfunded pension plan) and $858 million, respectively, related to these plans. As of December 2010, “Other assets” and “Other liabilities and accrued expenses” included $164 million (related to an overfunded pension plan) and $641 million, respectively, related to these plans.
Defined Contribution Plans
The firm contributes to employer-sponsored U.S. and non-U.S. defined contribution plans. The firm’s contribution to these plans was $225 million, $193 million and $178 million for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Employee Incentive Plans Note 29.
Employee Incentive Plans
The cost of employee services received in exchange for a share-based award is generally measured based on the grant-date fair value of the award. Share-based awards that do not require future service (i.e., vested awards, including awards granted to retirement-eligible employees) are expensed immediately. Share-based awards that require future service are amortized over the relevant service period. Expected forfeitures are included in determining share-based employee compensation expense.
The firm pays cash dividend equivalents on outstanding RSUs. Dividend equivalents paid on RSUs are generally charged to retained earnings. Dividend equivalents paid on RSUs expected to be forfeited are included in compensation expense. The firm accounts for the tax benefit related to dividend equivalents paid on RSUs as an increase to additional paid-in capital.
In certain cases, primarily related to conflicted employment (as outlined in the applicable award agreements), the firm may cash settle share-based compensation awards. For awards accounted for as equity instruments, additional paid-in capital is adjusted to the extent of the difference between the current value of the award and the grant-date value of the award.
Stock Incentive Plan
The firm sponsors a stock incentive plan, The Goldman Sachs Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan (SIP), which provides for grants of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, restricted stock, RSUs, awards with performance conditions and other share-based awards. In the second quarter of 2003, the SIP was approved by the firm’s shareholders, effective for grants after April 1, 2003. The SIP was further amended and restated, effective December 31, 2008.
The total number of shares of common stock that may be delivered pursuant to awards granted under the SIP through the end of the 2008 fiscal year could not exceed 250 million shares. The total number of shares of common stock that may be delivered for awards granted under the SIP in the 2009 fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter cannot exceed 5% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock, determined as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year, increased by the number of shares available for awards in previous years but not covered by awards granted in such years. As of December 2011 and December 2010, 161.0 million and 139.2 million shares, respectively, were available for grant under the SIP.
Restricted Stock Units
The firm issues RSUs to employees under the SIP, primarily in connection with year-end compensation and acquisitions. RSUs are valued based on the closing price of the underlying shares on the date of grant after taking into account a liquidity discount for any applicable post-vesting transfer restrictions. Year-end RSUs generally vest and deliver as outlined in the applicable RSU agreements. Employee RSU agreements generally provide that vesting is accelerated in certain circumstances, such as on retirement, death and extended absence. Delivery of the underlying shares of common stock is conditioned on the grantees satisfying certain vesting and other requirements outlined in the award agreements. The table below presents the activity related to RSUs.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. The weighted average grant-date fair value of RSUs granted during the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009 was $141.21, $132.64 and $151.31, respectively. The fair value of the RSUs granted during the year ended December 2011 and December 2010 includes a liquidity discount of 12.7% and 13.2%, respectively, to reflect post-vesting transfer restrictions of up to 4 years.
2. The aggregate fair value of awards that vested during the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009 was $2.40 billion, $4.07 billion and $2.18 billion, respectively.
3. Includes RSUs that were cash settled.
4. Includes 754,482 shares of restricted stock subject to future service requirements.
In the first quarter of 2012, the firm granted to its employees 10.4 million year-end RSUs, of which 6.2 million RSUs require future service as a condition of delivery. These awards are subject to additional conditions as outlined in the award agreements. Generally, shares underlying these awards, net of required withholding tax, deliver over a three-year period but are subject to post-vesting transfer restrictions through January 2017. These grants are not included in the above table.
Stock Options
Stock options generally vest as outlined in the applicable stock option agreement. Options granted in February 2010 will generally become exercisable in one-third installments in January 2011, January 2012 and January 2013 and will expire in February 2014. In general, options granted prior to February 2010 expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date, although they may be subject to earlier termination or cancellation under certain circumstances in accordance with the terms of the SIP and the applicable stock option agreement.
The table below presents the activity related to stock options.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009 was $143 million, $510 million and
$484 million, respectively. The table below presents options outstanding.
The weighted average fair value of options granted in the year ended December 2010 was $37.58 per option.
The tables below present the primary weighted average assumptions used to estimate fair value as of the grant date based on a Black-Scholes option-pricing model, and share-based compensation and the related tax benefit.
1. Represents the tax benefit/(provision) recognized in additional paid-in capital on stock options exercised and the delivery of common stock underlying share-based awards.
As of December 2011, there was $926 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements. This cost is
expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.62 years.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Parent Company Note 30.
Parent Company
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:
Cash payments for third-party interest, net of capitalized interest, were $3.83 billion, $3.07 billion and $2.77 billion for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively.
Cash payments for income taxes, net of refunds, were $1.39 billion, $2.05 billion and $2.77 billion for the years ended December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively.
1. Includes $6.25 billion and $7.82 billion at fair value as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively.
2. Includes $12.91 billion and $13.44 billion at fair value as of December 2011 and December 2010, respectively.
3. Unsecured long-term borrowings with subsidiaries by maturity date are $263 million in 2013, $656 million in 2014, $243 million in 2015, $97 million in 2016 and $277 million in 2017-thereafter.
Non-cash activity:
During the year ended December 2011, $103 million of common stock was issued in connection with the acquisition of Goldman Sachs Australia Pty Ltd (GS Australia), formerly Goldman Sachs & Partners Australia Group Holdings Pty Ltd.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Financial Information
Quarterly Results (unaudited)
The following represents the firm’s unaudited quarterly results for the years ended December 2011 and December 2010. These quarterly results were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and reflect all
adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results. These adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.
1. The timing and magnitude of changes in the firm’s discretionary compensation accruals can have a significant effect on results in a given quarter.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Financial Information
Common Stock Price Range
The table below presents the high and low sales prices per share of the firm’s common stock.
As of February 17, 2012, there were 13,340 holders of record of the firm’s common stock.
On February 17, 2012, the last reported sales price for the firm’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $115.91 per share.
Common Stock Price Performance
The following graph compares the performance of an investment in the firm’s common stock from November 24, 2006 through December 31, 2011, with the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Financials Index. The graph assumes $100 was invested on November 24, 2006 in each of the firm’s common stock, the S&P 500
Index and the S&P 500 Financials Index, and the dividends were reinvested on the date of payment without payment of any commissions. The performance shown in the graph represents past performance and should not be considered an indication of future performance.
The table below shows the cumulative total returns in dollars of the firm’s common stock, the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Financials Index for Goldman Sachs’ last five fiscal year ends 1, assuming $100 was invested on November 24, 2006 in each of the firm’s common stock,
the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Financials Index, and the dividends were reinvested on the date of payment without payment of any commissions. The performance shown in the table represents past performance and should not be considered an indication of future performance.
1. As a result of the firm’s change in fiscal year-end during 2009, this table includes 61 months beginning November 24, 2006 and ending December 31, 2011.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Financial Information
Selected Financial Data
1. In connection with becoming a bank holding company, the firm was required to change its fiscal year-end from November to December. December 2008 represents the period from November 29, 2008 to December 26, 2008.
2. Book value per common share is based on common shares outstanding, including RSUs granted to employees with no future service requirements, of 516.3 million, 546.9 million, 542.7 million, 485.4 million, 439.0 million and 485.9 million as of December 2011, December 2010, December 2009, November 2008, November 2007 and December 2008, respectively.
3. Rounded to the nearest penny. Exact dividend amount was $0.4666666 per common share and was reflective of a four-month period (December 2008 through March 2009), due to the change in the firm’s fiscal year-end.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Financial Information
Statistical Disclosures
Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
The table below presents a summary of consolidated average balances and interest rates.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Financial Information
1. Consists of cash financial instruments, including equity securities and convertible debentures.
2. Derivative instruments and commodities are included in other non-interest-earning assets and other non-interest-bearing liabilities.
3. Primarily consists of cash and securities segregated for regulatory and other purposes and certain receivables from customers and counterparties.
4. Consists of short-term other secured financings and unsecured short-term borrowings, excluding commercial paper.
5. Interest rates include the effects of interest rate swaps accounted for as hedges.
6. Consists of long-term secured financings and unsecured long-term borrowings.
7. Primarily consists of certain payables to customers and counterparties.
8. Assets, liabilities and interest are attributed to U.S. and non-U.S. based on the location of the legal entity in which the assets and liabilities are held.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Financial Information
Changes in Net Interest Income, Volume and Rate Analysis
The table below presents an analysis of the effect on net interest income of volume and rate changes. In this analysis,
changes due to volume/rate variance have been allocated to volume.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Financial Information
Available-for-sale Securities Portfolio
The table below presents the fair value of available-for-sale securities.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Financial Information
The table below presents the fair value, amortized cost and weighted average yields of available-for-sale securities by
contractual maturity. Yields are calculated on a weighted average basis.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Financial Information
Deposits
The table below presents a summary of the firm’s interest-bearing deposits.
1. Amounts are available for withdrawal upon short notice, generally within seven days.
Ratios
The table below presents selected financial ratios.
1. Based on net earnings applicable to common shareholders divided by average monthly common shareholders’ equity.
2. Based on net earnings divided by average monthly total shareholders’ equity.
3. Dividends declared per common share as a percentage of diluted earnings per common share.
Short-term and Other Borrowed Funds
The table below presents a summary of the firm’s securities loaned and securities sold under agreements to repurchase and short-term borrowings. These borrowings generally
mature within one year of the financial statement date and include borrowings that are redeemable at the option of the holder within one year of the financial statement date.
1. Includes short-term secured financings of $29.19 billion, $24.53 billion and $12.93 billion as of December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, respectively.
2. As of December 2011, December 2010 and December 2009, weighted average interest rates include the effects of hedging.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Financial Information
Cross-border Outstandings
Cross-border outstandings are based on the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s (FFIEC) regulatory guidelines for reporting cross-border information and represent the amounts that the firm may not be able to obtain from a foreign country due to country-specific events, including unfavorable economic and political conditions, economic and social instability, and changes in government policies.
Credit exposure represents the potential for loss due to the default or deterioration in credit quality of a counterparty or an issuer of securities or other instruments the firm holds and is measured based on the potential loss in an event of non-payment by a counterparty. Credit exposure is reduced through the effect of risk mitigants, such as netting agreements with counterparties that permit the firm to offset receivables and payables with such counterparties or obtaining collateral from counterparties. The tables below do not include all the effects of such risk mitigants and do not represent the firm’s credit exposure.
Claims in the tables below include cash, receivables, securities purchased under agreements to resell, securities borrowed and cash financial instruments, but exclude derivative instruments and commitments. Securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities borrowed are presented gross, without reduction for related securities collateral held, based on the domicile of the counterparty. Margin loans (included in receivables) are presented based on the amount of collateral advanced by the counterparty.
The tables below present cross-border outstandings for each country in which cross-border outstandings exceed 0.75% of consolidated assets in accordance with the FFIEC guidelines.
1. Primarily comprised of secured lending transactions with a clearing house which are secured by collateral.
2. Primarily comprised of interests in and receivables from funds domiciled in Ireland, but whose underlying investments are primarily located outside of Ireland, and secured lending transactions which are secured by U.S. government obligations.
3. Excludes claims of $2.27 billion, $6.99 billion and $53.01 billion as of December 2011, and $1.21 billion, $7.06 billion and $26.84 billion as of December 2010 for the Cayman Islands, Japan and the United Kingdom, respectively, where the firm’s subsidiary and the counterparty are domiciled within the same foreign country, but the claim is not denominated in that country’s local currency.
4. Primarily comprised of secured lending transactions which are primarily secured by German government obligations.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
There were no changes in or disagreements with accountants on accounting and financial disclosure during the last two years.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was carried out by Goldman Sachs’ management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. In addition, no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the fourth quarter of our year ended December 31, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are set forth in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information
Not applicable.
PART III

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Information relating to our executive officers is included on pages 35 to 36 of this Form 10-K. Information relating to our directors, including our audit committee and audit committee financial experts and the procedures by which shareholders can recommend director nominees, and our executive officers will be in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed within 120 days of the end of 2011 (2012 Proxy Statement) and is incorporated herein by reference. Information relating to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which applies to our senior financial officers, is included under “Available Information” in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Information relating to our executive officer and director compensation and the compensation committee of our board of directors will be in the 2012 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management and
Related Stockholder Matters
Information relating to security ownership of certain beneficial owners of our common stock and information relating to the security ownership of our management will be in the 2012 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2011, the last day of 2011, regarding securities to be issued on exercise of outstanding stock options or pursuant to outstanding restricted stock units and performance-based awards, and securities remaining available for issuance under our equity compensation plans that were in effect during 2011.
1. The Goldman Sachs Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan (SIP) was approved by the shareholders of Group Inc. at our 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is a successor plan to The Goldman Sachs 1999 Stock Incentive Plan (1999 Plan), which was approved by our shareholders immediately prior to our initial public offering in May 1999 and under which no additional awards have been granted since approval of the SIP.
2. Includes: (i) 47,256,938 shares of common stock that may be issued upon exercise of outstanding options; (ii) 44,388,287 shares that may be issued pursuant to outstanding restricted stock units; and (iii) 26,143 shares that may be issued pursuant to outstanding performance-based units granted under the SIP. These awards are subject to vesting and other conditions to the extent set forth in the respective award agreements, and the underlying shares will be delivered net of any required tax withholding.
3. This weighted-average exercise price relates only to the options described in footnote 2. Shares underlying restricted stock units and performance-based units are deliverable without the payment of any consideration, and therefore these awards have not been taken into account in calculating the weighted-average exercise price.
4. Represents shares remaining to be issued under the SIP, excluding shares reflected in the second column. The total number of shares of common stock that may be delivered pursuant to awards granted under the SIP through the end of our 2008 fiscal year could not exceed 250 million shares. The total number of shares of common stock that may be delivered pursuant to awards granted under the SIP in our 2009 fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter cannot exceed 5% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock, determined as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year, increased by the number of shares available for awards in previous years but not covered by awards granted in such years. There are no shares remaining to be issued under the 1999 Plan other than those reflected in the second column.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions and director independence will be in the 2012 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Information regarding principal accountant fees and services will be in the 2012 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Documents filed as part of this Report:
1. Consolidated Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements required to be filed in this Form 10-K are included in Part II, Item 8 hereof.
2. Exhibits
2.1
Plan of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s registration statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-74449)).
3.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., amended as of May 6, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2011, filed May 10, 2011).
3.2
Amended and Restated By-Laws of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., amended as of May 7, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 11, 2010).
4.1
Indenture, dated as of May 19, 1999, between The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and The Bank of New York, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6 to the Registrant’s registration statement on Form 8-A, filed June 29, 1999).
4.2
Subordinated Debt Indenture, dated as of February 20, 2004, between The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and The Bank of New York, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2003).
4.3
Warrant Indenture, dated as of February 14, 2006, between The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and The Bank of New York, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.34 to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Form S-3, filed on March 1, 2006).
4.4
Senior Debt Indenture, dated as of December 4, 2007, among GS Finance Corp., as issuer, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., as guarantor, and The Bank of New York, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.69 to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Form S-3, filed on December 4, 2007).
Certain instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt securities of the Registrant and its subsidiaries are omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K. The Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish to the SEC, upon request, copies of any such instruments.
4.5
Senior Debt Indenture, dated as of July 16, 2008, between The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.82 to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Form S-3 (No. 333-130074), filed July 17, 2008).
4.6
Senior Debt Indenture, dated as of October 10, 2008, among GS Finance Corp., as issuer, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., as guarantor, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.70 to the Registrant’s registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-154173), filed October 10, 2008).
10.1
The Goldman Sachs Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2008). 
10.2
The Goldman Sachs Amended and Restated Restricted Partner Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended February 24, 2006). 
10.3
Form of Employment Agreement for Participating Managing Directors (applicable to executive officers) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Registrant’s registration statement on
Form S-1 (No. 333-75213)). 
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
10.4
Form of Agreement Relating to Noncompetition and Other Covenants (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.20 to the Registrant’s registration statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-75213)). 
10.5
Tax Indemnification Agreement, dated as of May 7, 1999, by and among The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and various parties (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Registrant’s registration statement on
Form S-1 (No. 333-75213)).
10.6
Amended and Restated Shareholders’ Agreement, effective as of January 22, 2010, among The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and various parties (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009).
10.7
Instrument of Indemnification (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Registrant’s registration statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-75213)).
10.8
Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 26, 1999).
10.9
Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 26, 1999).
10.10
Form of Indemnification Agreement, dated as of July 5, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 25, 2000).
10.11
Amendment No. 1, dated as of September 5, 2000, to the Tax Indemnification Agreement, dated as of
May 7, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 25, 2000).
10.12
Letter, dated February 6, 2001, from The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. to Mr. John H. Bryan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.64 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 24, 2000). 
10.13
Letter, dated February 6, 2001, from The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. to Mr. James A. Johnson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.65 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 24, 2000). 
10.14
Letter, dated December 18, 2002, from The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. to Mr. William W. George (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 29, 2002). 
10.15
Letter, dated June 20, 2003, from The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. to Mr. Claes Dahlbäck (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
May 30, 2003). 
10.16
Letter, dated March 31, 2004, from The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. to Ms. Lois D. Juliber (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
February 27, 2004). 
10.17
Letter, dated April 6, 2005, from The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. to Mr. Stephen Friedman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 8, 2005). 
10.18
Letter, dated May 12, 2009, from The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. to Mr. James J. Schiro (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
June 26, 2009). 
10.19
Form of Amendment, dated November 27, 2004, to Agreement Relating to Noncompetition and Other Covenants, dated May 7, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 26, 2004). 
10.20
Form of Year-End Restricted Stock Award (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2007). 
10.21
Form of Year-End Restricted Stock Award in Connection with Outstanding RSU Awards (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2007). 
10.22
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for U.S. Participating Managing Directors (terminated as of December 15, 2008) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2007). 
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
10.23
Form of Year-End Option Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2008). 
10.24
Form of Year-End RSU Award Agreement (French alternative award) (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.32 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009). 
10.25
Amendments to 2005 and 2006 Year-End RSU and Option Award Agreements (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2007). 
10.26
Form of Non-Employee Director Option Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009). 
10.27
Form of Non-Employee Director RSU Award Agreement. 
10.28
Description of Non-Employee Director Compensation. 
10.29
Ground Lease, dated August 23, 2005, between Battery Park City Authority d/b/a/ Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority, as Landlord, and Goldman Sachs Headquarters LLC, as Tenant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed August 26, 2005).
10.30
General Guarantee Agreement, dated January 30, 2006, made by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. relating to certain obligations of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 25, 2005).
10.31
Goldman, Sachs & Co. Executive Life Insurance Policy and Certificate with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for Participating Managing Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 25, 2006). 
10.32
Form of Goldman, Sachs & Co. Executive Life Insurance Policy with Pacific Life & Annuity Company for Participating Managing Directors, including policy specifications and form of restriction on Policy Owner’s Rights (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 25, 2006). 
10.33
Form of Second Amendment, dated November 25, 2006, to Agreement Relating to Noncompetition and Other Covenants, dated May 7, 1999, as amended effective November 27, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
November 24, 2006). 
10.34
Description of PMD Retiree Medical Program (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended February 29, 2008). 
10.35
Letter, dated June 28, 2008, from The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. to Mr. Lakshmi N. Mittal (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 30, 2008). 
10.36
Securities Purchase Agreement, dated September 29, 2008, between The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 29, 2008).
10.37
General Guarantee Agreement, dated December 1, 2008, made by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. relating to certain obligations of Goldman Sachs Bank USA (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.80 to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Form S-3, filed March 19, 2009).
10.38
General Guarantee Agreement, dated November 24, 2008, made by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. relating to the obligations of Goldman Sachs Bank (Europe) plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.59 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2008).
10.39
Guarantee Agreement, dated November 28, 2008 and amended effective as of January 1, 2010, between The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and Goldman Sachs Bank USA (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009).
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
10.40
Collateral Agreement, dated November 28, 2008, between The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Goldman Sachs Bank USA and each other party that becomes a pledgor pursuant thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.61 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2008).
10.41
Form of One-Time RSU Award Agreement. 
10.42
Amendments to Certain Equity Award Agreements (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.68 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2008). 
10.43
Amendments to Certain Non-Employee Director Equity Award Agreements (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.69 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2008). 
10.44
Form of Signature Card for Equity Awards. 
10.45
Form of Signature Card for Equity Awards (employees in Asia outside China). 
10.46
Form of Signature Card for Equity Awards (employees in China). 
10.47
Form of Year-End RSU Award Agreement (not fully vested). 
10.48
Form of Year-End RSU Award Agreement (fully vested). 
10.49
Form of Year-End RSU Award Agreement (Base and/or Supplemental). 
10.50
Form of Year-End Short-Term RSU Award Agreement. 
10.51
Form of Year-End Restricted Stock Award Agreement (Base and/or Supplemental). 
10.52
Form of Year-End Restricted Stock Award Agreement (fully vested). 
10.53
Form of Year-End Short-Term Restricted Stock Award Agreement. 
10.54
General Guarantee Agreement, dated March 2, 2010, made by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. relating to the obligations of Goldman Sachs Execution & Clearing, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2010).
10.55
Form of Deed of Gift (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2010). 
10.56
The Goldman Sachs Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan, dated December 17, 2010 (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 23, 2010). 
10.57
Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 23, 2010). 
10.58
Form of Performance-Based Option Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 23, 2010). 
10.59
Form of Performance-Based Cash Compensation Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 23, 2010). 
10.60
Amended and Restated General Guarantee Agreement dated November 21, 2011 made by the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. relating to certain obligations of Goldman Sachs Bank USA (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 21, 2011).
10.61
Form of Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement. 
12.1
Statement re: Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.
21.1
List of significant subsidiaries of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.1
Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications.
32.1
Section 1350 Certifications. *
99.1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Selected Financial Data.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010; (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009; (v) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009; and (vi) the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 This exhibit is a management contract or a compensatory plan or arrangement.
* This information is furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC.
By:
/s/ David A. Viniar
Name:
David A. Viniar
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
Date: February 28, 2012
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Capacity
Date
/s/ Lloyd C. Blankfein
Lloyd C. Blankfein
Director, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
February 28, 2012
/s/ John H. Bryan
John H. Bryan
Director
February 28, 2012
/s/ M. Michele Burns
M. Michele Burns
Director
February 28, 2012
/s/ Gary D. Cohn
Gary D. Cohn
Director
February 28, 2012
/s/ Claes Dahlbäck
Claes Dahlbäck
Director
February 28, 2012
/s/ Stephen Friedman
Stephen Friedman
Director
February 28, 2012
/s/ William W. George
William W. George
Director
February 28, 2012
/s/ James A. Johnson
James A. Johnson
Director
February 28, 2012
/s/ Lois D. Juliber
Lois D. Juliber
Director
February 28, 2012
/s/ Lakshmi N. Mittal
Lakshmi N. Mittal
Director
February 28, 2012
/s/ James J. Schiro
James J. Schiro
Director
February 28, 2012
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K
II-1
/s/ Debora L. Spar
Debora L. Spar
Director
February 28, 2012
/s/ David A. Viniar
David A. Viniar
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
February 28, 2012
/s/ Sarah E. Smith
Sarah E. Smith
Principal Accounting Officer
February 28, 2012
II-2
Goldman Sachs 2011 Form 10-K

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Stock Performance Metrics:
Return: 0.01058244146406651
1-Day Return: $1_day_return
3-Day Return: $3_day_return
5-Day Return: $5_day_return
10-Day Return: $10_day_return
20-Day Return: $20_day_return
40-Day Return: $40_day_return
60-Day Return: $60_day_return
80-Day Return: $80_day_return
100-Day Return: $100_day_return
150-Day Return: $150_day_return
252-Day Return: $252_day_return