EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 811830
Filing Year: 2021
Filename: 811830_10-K_2021_0000811830-21-000006.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1 - BUSINESS
General
SHUSA is the parent holding company of SBNA, a national banking association, SC, a consumer finance company headquartered in Dallas, Texas; SSLLC, a broker-dealer headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts; BSI, a financial services company headquartered in Miami, Florida that offers a full range of banking services to foreign individuals and corporations based primarily in Latin America; SIS, a registered broker-dealer headquartered in New York providing services in investment banking, institutional sales, trading and offering research reports of Latin American and European equity and fixed-income securities; SFS, a consumer credit institution headquartered in Puerto Rico; and several other subsidiaries. SHUSA is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and the Bank's main office is in Wilmington, Delaware. SC is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. SHUSA is also the parent company of SSLLC, SIS and another SHUSA subsidiary, SAM, which are registered investment advisers with the SEC.SHUSA's two largest subsidiaries by asset size and revenue are the Bank and SC. SHUSA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Santander.
As of December 31, 2020, SC was owned approximately 80.2% by SHUSA and 19.8% by other shareholders. SC Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol "SC."
The Bank's primary business consists of attracting deposits and providing other retail banking services through its network of retail branches, and originating small business loans, middle market, large and global commercial loans, multifamily loans, residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, and auto and other consumer loans throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern areas of the United States, principally located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. At December 31, 2020, the Bank had 580 branches and 2,214 ATMs across its footprint. The Bank uses its deposits, as well as other financing sources, to fund its loan and investment portfolios. The Bank earns interest income on its loan and investment portfolios. In addition, the Bank generates non-interest income from a number of sources, including deposit and loan services, sales of loans and investment securities, capital markets products and BOLI. The Bank's principal non-interest expenses include employee compensation and benefits, occupancy and facility-related costs, technology and other administrative expenses. The financial results of the Bank are affected by the economic environment, including interest rates and consumer and business confidence and spending, as well as the competitive conditions within the Bank's geographic footprint.
SC is a specialized consumer finance company focused on vehicle finance and third-party servicing and delivering service to dealers and customers across the full credit spectrum. SC's primary business is the indirect origination and servicing of RICs and leases, principally through manufacturer-franchised dealers in connection with their sale of new and used vehicles to retail consumers. Additionally, SC sells consumer RICs through flow agreements and, when market conditions are favorable, it accesses the ABS market through securitizations of consumer RICs. SAF is SC’s primary vehicle financing brand, and is available as a finance option for automotive dealers across the United States
Since May 2013, under the Chrysler Agreement with FCA, SC has operated as FCA's preferred provider for consumer loans, leases, and dealer loans and provides services to FCA customers and dealers under the Chrysler Capital brand. These products and services include consumer RICs and leases, as well as dealer loans for inventory, construction, real estate, working capital and revolving lines of credit. Refer to Note 20 for additional details. On June 28, 2019, SC entered into an amendment to the Chrysler Agreement which modified that agreement to, among other things, adjust certain performance metrics, exclusivity commitments and payment provisions. That amendment also terminated the previously disclosed tolling agreement, dated July 11, 2018, between the Company and FCA. In January 2021, FCA and Peugeot completed their merger, creating the fourth largest automobile manufacturer in the world.
Segments
The Company's reportable segments are focused principally around the customers the Company serves. At December 31, 2020, the Company has identified the following reportable segments:
CBB
The CBB segment includes the products and services provided to Bank consumer and business banking customers, including consumer deposit, business banking, residential mortgage, unsecured lending and investment services. This segment provides a wide range of products and services to consumers and business banking customers, including demand and interest-bearing demand deposit accounts, money market and savings accounts, CDs and retirement savings products. It also provides lending products such as credit cards, mortgages, home equity lines of credit, and business loans such as business lines of credit and commercial cards. The Bank also finances indirect consumer automobile RICs through an intercompany agreement with SC. In addition, the Bank provides investment services to its retail customers, including annuities, mutual funds, and insurance products. Santander Universities, which provides grants and scholarships to universities and colleges as a way to foster education through research, innovation and entrepreneurship, is the last component of this segment.
C&I
The C&I segment provides commercial lines, loans, letters of credit, receivables financing and deposit services to medium- and large-sized commercial customers, as well as financing and deposits for government entities. This segment also provides niche product financing for specific industries.
CRE & VF
The CRE & VF segment offers CRE loans and multifamily loans to customers. This segment also offers commercial loans to dealers and financing for commercial equipment and vehicles. This category also includes the Bank’s community development finance activities, including originating CRA-eligible loans and making CRA-eligible investments.
CIB
The CIB segment serves the needs of global commercial and institutional customers by leveraging Santander's international footprint to provide financing and banking services to corporations with over $500 million in annual revenues. CIB also includes SIS, which provides services in investment banking, institutional sales, and trading and offering research reports of Latin American and European equity and fixed-income securities. CIB's offerings and strategy are based on Santander's local and global capabilities in wholesale banking.
SC
The SC reporting segment consists of the results of the specialized consumer finance company as described in our General section above, adjusted for purchase marks and eliminations of amounts related to intercompany agreements SC has entered into with SHUSA and the Bank. All intercompany revenue and fees between SC and SHUSA or its subsidiaries are eliminated in the consolidated results of the Company.
The financial results for each of these reportable segments are included in Note 22 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and are discussed in Item 7, "Line of Business Results" within the MD&A section of this Form 10-K. These results have been presented based on the Company's management structure and management accounting practices. The structure and accounting practices are specific to the Company and, as a result, the financial results of the Company's reportable segments are not necessarily comparable with similar information for other financial institutions.
Other
The Other category includes certain immaterial subsidiaries such as BSI, SIS, SSLLC, and SFS, the unallocated interest expense on the Company's borrowings and other debt obligations and certain unallocated corporate income and indirect expenses.
Human Capital Management
Our employees are central to our Company’s success. Our Company invests significant resources to shepherd a Company culture that is Simple, Personal and Fair and to attract, develop and retain the high-caliber workforce needed to meet our corporate goals. We invest in our 15,698 employees (as of December 31, 2020) by seeking to create a diverse and inclusive work environment, providing competitive compensation and benefits, quality training and development opportunities, and ensuring a safe and healthy workplace.
Human Resources and Communications Teams
Our HR and Communications teams are responsible for:
•Communications - leads and manages employee communications and supports employee and customer events across the organization, as well as leads and manages proactive communications for issue resolution and overall media relations management.
•Corporate Social Responsibility - manages community development activities on behalf of the Bank; including philanthropy, community partnerships, and volunteerism.
•Compensation, Payroll and Benefits - responsible for compensation and benefits strategy and consulting with the business on compensation matters and compensation governance, as well as payroll and benefits support.
•Talent Acquisition - sources, hires, and onboards the best-qualified candidates, from within or outside of the organization.
•Talent Management - develops, engages, and retains the right talent to ensure SHUSA operates as a high-performing organization and attains business objectives.
•Learning & Development - partners with business areas to design, develop, and implements learning solutions that provide employees with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to meet and exceed the organization’s goals and objectives.
•Employee Relations - supports the Company to assist with conflict resolution, internal investigations of discrimination or harassment, questions on HR policies and procedures for all employees.
•DE&I - focuses on supporting workforce diversity.
DE&I
We define DE&I as respecting and valuing differences such as, but not limited to, gender, age, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, education, physical and cognitive abilities, veteran status and religion. We believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment helps create prosperity for employees, customers and our communities.
Our culture is underpinned by our core values and includes an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our DE&I Office supports the goals of further increasing workforce diversity, positioning the Company as an employer of choice that retains the best and brightest talent by educating team members about the benefits of fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce, Our employee resource groups foster career growth through networking, mentoring, professional development, community efforts, and philanthropy. We use multiple resources, including engaging with outside vendors and participating in various job fairs and networking events to help ensure that our job postings and recruitment efforts, including those for senior hires, reach individuals with disabilities, veterans, women, and minorities. The DE&I Office will continue to expand and support diversity and inclusion efforts within our company and our communities.
Compensation and Benefits
We provide competitive compensation, benefits, and services that help attract, retain and incentivize our employees. Our compensation and benefits package includes competitive pay, healthcare, retirement benefits, as well as paid time off and holidays, parental leave, disability benefits, military leave, and paid development and volunteer time off, along with other benefits and employee resources. We design our incentive compensation in order to reward pay for performance while appropriately mitigating risk in line with our corporate behaviors and ethical principles.
Our workforce decreased from approximately 17,000 employees in 2019 to 15,698 employees at December 31, 2020, driven primarily by the sale of SBC. None of our employees is represented by a collective bargaining agreement. At December 31, 2020, the Company's 12-month rolling voluntary attrition rate was 13.5%.
Learning and Development
The Company invests significant resources to train and develop our employees. Our programs provide employees with the resources they need to help achieve their career goals, build management skills, and lead their organization. We deliver numerous learning opportunities to aid in employee development, ensure compliance, and improve business acumen including quarterly compliance curriculums, workplace safety awareness, specialized job role training, and information security training.
Health and Wellness
The Company is committed to the health and safety of our employees. As such, we invest in programs designed to improve physical, mental, and financial well-being. The Company sponsors two medical plans that provide comprehensive medical coverage, telemedicine and wellness tools, condition management and support, health and well-being, and therapy applications. During the pandemic, the Company increased the mental health tools available to employees and also provides all employees with comprehensive paid leave programs and an employee assistance program that includes counseling sessions at no cost.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on our human capital management. In March 2020, we responded quickly to allow our non-location dependent staff to work remotely, while instituting various new protocols and procedures for the safety of our employees. Some of these protocols included, but are not limited to, enhanced facility cleanings, reconfiguration of the workplace to allow for social distancing, providing our employees personal protective equipment, the implementation of a daily health screen prior to reporting to our facilities, and comprehensive training for employees on these new protocols. The Company also established new initiatives to aid employees, such as a Temporary Emergency Paid Leave Program that provided employees with up to 120 hours of additional paid time off to assist with dependent care needs related to COVID-19, and pay premiums for frontline customer support workers to help defray additional costs incurred while working during the initial stages of the pandemic. As of December 31, 2020, approximately 90% of our non-branch workforce was working remotely.
Competition
The Bank is subject to substantial competition in attracting and retaining deposits and in lending funds. The primary factors in competing for deposits include the ability to offer attractive rates, the convenience of office locations, the availability of alternate channels of distribution, and servicing capabilities. Direct competition for deposits comes primarily from other national, regional, and state banks, thrift institutions, and broker-dealers. Competition for deposits also comes from money market mutual funds, corporate and government securities, and credit unions. The primary factors driving competition for commercial and consumer loans are interest rates, loan origination fees, service levels and the range of products and services offered. Competition for originating loans normally comes from thrift institutions, national and state banks, mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers, finance companies, and insurance companies.
The Company also provides investment management, broker-dealer and private banking services for its clients. We face competition in providing these services from trust companies, full-service banks, asset managers, investment advisors, securities dealers, mutual fund companies, and other financial institutions.
SC is also subject to substantial competition, particularly in the automobile finance industry. SC competes on the pricing offered on loans and leases as well as the customer service SC provides automobile dealer customers. Pricing for these loans and leases is transparent because SC, along with its industry competitors, posts pricing for loans and leases on web-based credit application aggregation platforms. When dealers submit applications for consumers acquiring vehicles, they can compare SC's pricing against its competitors’ pricing. Dealer relationships are important in the automotive finance industry. Vehicle finance providers tailor product offerings to meet dealers' needs.
While the used car financing market is fragmented with no single lender accounting for more than 10% of the market, there are a number of competitors in both the new and used car markets that have substantial positions nationally or in the markets in which they operate. Some of the Company’s competitors may have lower cost structures, or funding costs, and be less reliant on securitizations. The Company believes it can compete effectively by continuing to expand and deepen its relationships with dealers. In addition, through its Chrysler Capital brand, the Company benefits from FCA’s subvention programs and relationships with its dealers.
The Company’s primary competitors for the Bank and SC are:
•national and regional banks;
•credit unions;
•independent financial institutions; and
•the affiliated finance companies of automotive manufacturers.
Supervision and Regulation
SHUSA is a BHC pursuant to the BHC Act. As a BHC, the Company is subject to consolidated supervision by the Federal Reserve. SBNA is a national bank chartered under the National Bank Act and subject to supervision by the OCC and a member of the FDIC. In addition, the CFPB has oversight over SHUSA, SBNA, and SHUSA’s other non-bank affiliates, including SC, for compliance with federal consumer protection laws.
Refer to the "Regulatory Matters" section within Item 7 - MD&A for discussion of current regulatory matters impacting the Company.
BHC Activity and Acquisition Restrictions
Federal laws restrict the types of activities in which BHCs may engage, and subject them to a range of supervisory requirements, including regulatory enforcement actions for violations of laws and policies. BHCs may engage in the business of banking and managing and controlling banks, as well as closely-related activities.
The Company would be required to obtain approval from the Federal Reserve if the Company were to acquire shares of any depository institution or any holding company of a depository institution, or any financial entity that is not a depository institution, such as a lending company.
Control of the Company or the Bank
Under the Change in Bank Control Act, individuals, corporations or other entities acquiring SHUSA's common stock may, alone or together with other investors, be deemed to control the Company and thereby the Bank. Ownership of more than 10% of SHUSA’s capital stock may be deemed to constitute “control” if certain other control factors are present. If deemed to control the Company, those persons or groups would be required to obtain the Federal Reserve's approval to acquire the Company’s common stock and could be subject to certain ongoing reporting procedures and restrictions under federal law and regulations.
Standards for Safety and Soundness
The federal banking agencies adopted certain operational and managerial standards for depository institutions, including internal audit system components, loan documentation requirements, asset growth parameters, information technology and data security practices, and compensation standards for officers, directors and employees.
Insurance of Accounts and Regulation by the FDIC
The Bank is a member of the Deposit Insurance Fund, which is administered by the FDIC. The Bank's deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the FDIC. The FDIC assesses deposit insurance premiums and is authorized to conduct examinations of, and require reporting by, FDIC-insured institutions like the Bank. It also may prohibit any FDIC-insured institution from engaging in any activity the FDIC determines by regulation or order to pose a serious risk to the Deposit Insurance Fund. The FDIC also has the authority to initiate enforcement actions against banking institutions and may terminate an institution’s deposit insurance if it determines that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices or is in an unsafe or unsound condition.
The FDIC charges financial institutions deposit premium assessments to ensure it has reserves to cover deposits that are under FDIC-insured limits, which is currently $250,000 per depositor per ownership category for each ownership deposit account category.
FDIC insurance premium expenses were $45.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Restrictions on Dividends and Subsidiary Banking Institution Capital Distributions
Under the FDIA, insured depository institutions must be classified in one of five defined tiers (well-capitalized, adequately-capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized). Under OCC regulations, an institution is considered “well-capitalized” if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10% or greater, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8% or greater, (iii) has a CET1 capital ratio of 6.5% or greater, (iv) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 5% or greater and (v) is not subject to any order or written directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level. As of December 31, 2020, the Bank met the criteria to be classified as “well capitalized.”
If capital levels fall to significantly or critically undercapitalized levels, further material restrictions can be imposed, including restrictions on interest payable on accounts, dismissal of management and, in critically undercapitalized situations, appointment of a receiver or conservator. Critically undercapitalized institutions generally may not, beginning 60 days after becoming critically undercapitalized, make any payment of principal or interest on their subordinated debt. All but well-capitalized institutions are prohibited from accepting brokered deposits without prior regulatory approval. Pursuant to FDIA and OCC regulations, institutions which are not categorized as well-capitalized or adequately-capitalized are restricted from making capital distributions, which include cash dividends, stock redemptions and repurchases, cash-out mergers, interest payments on certain convertible debt and other transactions charged to the institution’s capital account.
Federal banking laws, regulations and policies limit the Bank’s ability to pay dividends and make other distributions to the Company. The Bank must obtain prior OCC approval to declare a dividend or make any other capital distribution if, after such dividend or distribution: (1) the Bank’s total distributions to the Company within that calendar year would exceed 100% of its net income during the year plus retained net income for the prior two years; (2) the Bank would not meet capital levels imposed by the OCC in connection with any order, or (3) the Bank is not adequately capitalized at the time. In addition, the OCC's prior approval is required if the OCC deems it to be in troubled condition or a problem institution.
Any dividends declared and paid have the effect of reducing the Bank’s Tier 1 capital to average consolidated assets and risk-based capital ratios. During 2020, 2019, and 2018, the Company paid cash dividends of $125.0 million, $400.0 million and $410.0 million, respectively. During the third quarter of 2018, SHUSA redeemed all of its outstanding preferred stock. Accordingly, during 2020 and 2019, the Company did not pay dividends to preferred shareholders. During 2018, the Company paid cash dividends to preferred shareholders of $11.0 million.
In June 2020, the Federal Reserve Board also announced an interim capital preservation policy (the “Interim Policy”), to be applied in the third quarter of 2020, which provided that certain large CCAR banks, including SHUSA, cannot pay common stock dividends that exceed the institution’s average trailing four quarters of net income. The Interim Policy also prohibits these banks from implementing share purchase programs, except to make share repurchases relating to issuances of common stock related to employee stock ownership plans.
As a result of the Interim Policy, SC and the Company would have been prohibited from paying a dividend or implementing share repurchase programs in the third quarter of 2020; however, in July 2020, SC announced that the Federal Reserve Board had approved certain exceptions to the Interim Policy and that SC was permitted to pay a dividend and continue its share repurchase program during the third quarter of 2020. In August 2020,SC announced that it had substantially exhausted the amount of shares it was permitted to repurchase under the exception to the Interim Policy and that SC expected to repurchase an immaterial number of shares remaining under the exception approval.
Subsequently, the Federal Reserve Board extended the Interim Policy through the first quarter of 2021. As a result of the extension of the Interim Policy, SC and the Company were prohibited from paying a dividend in fourth quarter of 2020 and, unless the Company obtains an exception from the Federal Reserve Board, will be prohibited from paying a dividend in the first quarter of 2021. Further, consistent with the Interim Policy, SC may continue to repurchase a number of shares of SC’s common stock equal to the amount of share issuances related to SC’s employee compensation through the first quarter of 2021.
It is uncertain whether the Federal Reserve will extend the Interim Policy in its present form beyond the first quarter of 2021. If it does so, the foregoing restrictions on dividends and share repurchases would continue.
Federal Reserve Regulation
Under Federal Reserve regulations, the Bank generally has been required to maintain a reserve against its transaction accounts (primarily interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing checking accounts). Because reserves must generally be maintained in cash or in low-interest-bearing accounts, the effect of the reserve requirements is to reduce an institution’s asset yields. On March 15, 2020 the Federal Reserve reduced reserve requirements to 0%. This change took effect on March 26, 2020.
FHLB System
The FHLB system was created in 1932 and consists of 11 regional FHLBs. FHLBs are federally-chartered but privately owned institutions created by Congress. The Federal Housing Finance Agency is an agency of the federal government that is charged with overseeing the FHLBs. Each FHLB is owned by its member institutions. The primary purpose of the FHLBs is to provide funding to their members for making housing loans as well as for affordable housing and community development lending. FHLBs are generally able to make advances to their member institutions at interest rates that are lower than could otherwise be obtained by such institutions. As a member, the Bank is required to make minimum investments in FHLB stock based on its level of borrowings from the FHLB. The Bank is a member of and held investments in the FHLB of Pittsburgh which totaled $77.0 million as of December 31, 2020, compared to $316.4 million at December 31, 2019. The Bank utilizes advances from the FHLB to fund balance sheet growth, provide liquidity and for asset and liability management purposes. The Bank had access to advances with the FHLB of up to $15.3 billion at December 31, 2020, and had outstanding advances of $1.2 billion. The level of borrowing capacity the Bank has with the FHLB of Pittsburgh is contingent upon the level of qualified collateral the Bank holds at a given time.
The Bank received $17.7 million and $16.6 million in dividends on its stock in the FHLB of Pittsburgh in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Anti-Money Laundering and the USA Patriot Act
Several federal laws, including the Bank Secrecy Act, the Money Laundering Control Act, and the USA Patriot Act require all financial institutions to, among other things, implement policies and procedures relating to anti-money laundering, compliance, suspicious activities, currency transaction reporting and due diligence on customers. The USA Patriot Act substantially broadened existing anti-money laundering legislation and the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the U.S., imposed compliance and due diligence obligations, created criminal penalties, compelled the production of documents located both inside and outside the U.S., including those of non-U.S. institutions that have a correspondent relationship in the U.S., and clarified the safe harbor from civil liability to clients. The U.S. Treasury has issued a number of regulations that further clarify the USA Patriot Act’s requirements and provide more specific guidance on their application.
Financial Privacy
Under the GLBA, financial institutions are required to disclose to their retail customers their policies and practices with respect to sharing nonpublic customer information with their affiliates and non-affiliates, how they maintain customer confidentiality, and how they secure customer information. Customers are required under the GLBA to be provided with the opportunity to “opt out” of information sharing with non-affiliates, subject to certain exceptions.
Environmental Laws
Environmentally-related hazards are a source of high risk and potentially significant liability for financial institutions related to their loans. Environmentally contaminated properties owned by an institution’s borrowers may result in a drastic reduction in the value of the collateral securing the institution’s loans to such borrowers, high environmental cleanup costs to the borrower affecting its ability to repay its loans, the subordination of any lien in favor of the institution to a state or federal lien securing clean-up costs, and liability to the institution for cleanup costs if it forecloses on the contaminated property or becomes involved in the management of the borrower. To minimize this risk, the Bank may require an environmental examination of, and reports with respect to, the property of any borrower or prospective borrower if circumstances affecting the property indicate a potential for contamination, taking into consideration the potential loss to the institution in relation to the burdens to the borrower. Such examination must be performed by an engineering firm experienced in environmental risk studies and acceptable to the institution, and the costs of such examinations and reports are the responsibility of the borrower. These costs may be substantial and may deter a prospective borrower from entering into a loan transaction with the Bank. The Company is not aware of any borrower which is currently subject to any environmental investigation or clean-up proceeding or any other environmental matter that is likely to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of SHUSA or its subsidiaries.
Securities and Investment Regulation
The Company conducts its securities and investment business activities through its subsidiaries SIS and SSLLC. SIS and SSLLC are registered broker-dealers with the SEC and members of FINRA. SIS’s activities include investment banking, institutional sales, trading and offering research reports of Latin American and European equity and fixed income securities. SIS, SSLLC and SAM are also registered investment advisers with the SEC, and BSI conducts certain securities transactions exempt from SEC registration on behalf of its clients.
Written Agreements and Regulatory Actions
See the “Regulatory Matters” section of the MD&A and Note 21 of the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K for a description of current regulatory actions.
Corporate Information
All reports filed electronically by the Company with the SEC, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as any amendments to those reports, are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Our filings are also accessible through our website at https://www.santanderus.com/us/investorshareholderrelations. The information contained on our website is not being incorporated herein and is provided for the information of the reader and are not intended to be active links.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A - RISK FACTORS
Summary Risk Factors
The Company is subject to a number of risks that if realized could affect its business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and access to liquidity materially. As a financial services organization, certain elements of risk are inherent in our businesses. Accordingly, the Company encounters risk as part of the normal course of its businesses. Some of the Company’s more significant challenges and risks include the following:
•The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our business. Closures and disruptions to businesses in the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic have led to negative effects on our customers, in some situations, reducing demand for certain of our products and services and necessitating greater customer support initiatives. Actions by government authorities to control the spread of COVID-19 and provide economic relief to the public, such as allowing customers to forego making scheduled loan payments or precluding creditors from exercising rights with respect to collateral, may contribute to negative effects to our business, financial condition and results of operations.
•We are vulnerable to disruptions and volatility in the global financial markets. Disruptions and volatility in financial markets can have a material adverse effect on our ability to access capital and liquidity on acceptable financial terms. Negative and fluctuating economic conditions, such as a changing interest rate environment, may cause our lending margins to decrease and reduce customer demand for our higher margin products and services.
•Uncertainty regarding LIBOR may affect our business adversely. We have established an enterprise-wide initiative to identify, asses and monitor risks associated with the anticipated discontinuation of LIBOR. However, there can be no assurance that we and other market participants will be adequately prepared for the potential disruption to financial markets and potential adverse effects to interest rates on our loans, deposits, derivatives and other financial instruments currently tied to LIBOR.
•We are subject to substantial regulation. As a financial institution, we are subject to extensive regulation by government agencies, including limitations on permissible activities, required financial stress tests, required non-objection to certain actions, investigations and other regulatory proceedings. If we are unable to meet the expectations of our regulators fully, we may need to divert significant resources to remedial actions, be unable to take planned capital actions, and/or be subject to fines or other enforcement actions, among other things. These circumstances could affect our revenues and expenses and other aspects of our business and operations adversely.
•We may not be able to detect money laundering or other illegal or improper activities fully or on a timely basis. We work regularly to improve our policies, procedures and capabilities to detect and prevent financial crimes. However, such crimes are evolving continually, and there will be instances in which we may be used by other parties to engage in money laundering or other illegal or improper activities. These instances may result in regulatory fines, sanctions and/or legal enforcement, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, financial condition and prospects.
•Credit risk is inherent in our business. Our customers’ and counterparties’ financial condition, repayment abilities, repayment intentions, the value of their collateral, and government economic policies, market interest rates and other factors affect the quality of our loan portfolio. Many of these factors are beyond our control, and there can be no assurance that our current or future loan and lease loss reserves will be sufficient to cover actual losses.
•Liquidity and funding risks are inherent in our business. Changes in market interest rates and our credit spreads occur continuously, may be unpredictable and highly volatile and can significantly increase our cost of funding. We rely primarily on deposits to fund lending activities. However, our ability to maintain or grow deposits depends on factors outside our control, such as general economic conditions and confidence of depositors in the economy and the financial services industry. If deposit withdrawals increase significantly in a short period of time, it could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, financial condition and prospects.
•We are subject to fluctuations in interest rates. Interest rates are highly sensitive to factors beyond our control, such as increased regulation of the financial sector, monetary policies, economic and political conditions, and other factors. Variations in interest rates could impact net interest income, which comprises the majority of our revenue, reducing our growth and potentially resulting in losses.
•We are subject to significant competition. We compete with banks that are larger than us and non-traditional providers of banking services who may not be subject to the same regulatory or legislative requirements to which we are subject. If we are unable to compete successfully with current and new competitors and anticipate changing banking industry trends, our business may be affected adversely.
•Risks relating to data collection, processing, storage systems and data security. Proper functioning of financial controls, accounting and other data collection and processing systems is critical to our businesses and our ability to compete effectively. Inadequate personnel, inadequate or failed internal control processes or systems, or external events that interrupt normal business operations could each impair our data collection, processing, storage systems and data security and result in losses.
•We and others in our industry face cybersecurity risks. We take protective measures and monitor and develop our systems continuously to protect our technology infrastructure and data from cyberattacks. However, cybersecurity risks continue to increase for our industry, and the proliferation of new technologies and the increased sophistication and activities of parties behind such attacks present risks for compromised data, theft of funds or theft or destruction of corporate information and assets.
•SC’s financial results could impact our results. SC’s earnings have historically been a significant source of funding for the Company. Factors that could negatively affect SC’s financial results could consequently affect SHUSA’s financial results.
The above list is not exhaustive, and we face additional challenges and risks. Please carefully consider all of the information in this Form-K including matters set forth in this "Risk Factors" section.
Risk Factors
Risk management and mitigation are important parts of the Company's business model and integrated into the Company's day-to-day operations. The success of the Company's business is dependent on management's ability to identify, understand, manage and mitigate the risks presented by business activities in light of the Company's strategic and financial objectives. These risks include credit risk, market risk, capital risk, liquidity risk, operational risk, model risk, investment risk, compliance and legal risk, and strategic and reputational risk. We discuss our principal risk management processes in the Risk Management section included in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following are the most significant risk factors that affect the Company. Any one or more of these could have a material adverse impact on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows, in addition to presenting other possible adverse consequences, many of which are described below. These risk factors and other risks we may face are also discussed further in other sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Risks Related to COVID-19
The current outbreak COVID-19, has materially impacted our business, and the continuance of this pandemic or any future outbreak of any other highly contagious diseases or other public health emergency, could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.
COVID-19 was first reported in China in December 2019 and has now spread throughout the world, including the United States. The outbreak has been declared a public health emergency of international concern and a pandemic by the World Health Organization. As of the date hereof, a significant number of countries and the majority of state governments in the United States have also made emergency declarations related to the outbreak, and have attempted to slow community spread of the virus by providing social distancing guidelines and issuing stay-at-home orders, and mandating the closure of certain non-essential businesses from time to time.
The actions taken by authorities have not always been implemented on a consistent basis, contributing to the continued spread of COVID-19. Further, these actions are not always coordinated across jurisdictions and, at times, led to economic hardship in the jurisdictions in which they have been implemented. For example, in many jurisdictions, businesses have been required to temporarily close or restrict their operations. Further, even for businesses that have remained open, in-person interactions have been limited and consumer demand has deteriorated rapidly. As a result, earlier in 2020 we experienced a significant decline in our origination of loans and leases.
Closures and disruptions to businesses, leading to loss of revenue and unemployment, have led to negative effects on our customers. Similar to many other financial institutions, we have taken, and will continue to take, measures to mitigate our customers’ COVID-related economic challenges. Earlier in 2020, we announced that we were providing additional support to customers, employees, and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic and revised our servicing practices to increase the maximum number of permitted monthly payment extensions, grant waivers for late charges, permit mortgage loan forbearance, and provide lease extensions. Unlike the regional impact of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, the COVID-19 outbreak has impacted customers nationwide and is expected to have a materially more significant impact on the performance of our loan and auto lease portfolios over time than even the most severe historical natural disaster. As an example, we have experienced a sharp increase in requests for extensions and modifications related to COVID-19 nationwide, and a significant number of such extensions and modifications have been granted. Further, we have temporarily suspended - and may continue to temporarily suspend - involuntary repossessions, although we may elect to re-initiate involuntary repossessions at any time. We also placed foreclosures on hold beginning in March 2020, and anticipate refraining from this activity until further notice.
Further, in an effort to provide COVID-19 assistance, government and regulatory authorities could also enact laws, regulations, executive orders and other guidance that allow customers to forego making scheduled payments for some period of time, require modifications to receivables (e.g., waiving accrued interest), preclude creditors from exercising certain rights or taking certain actions with respect to collateral, including repossession or liquidation of the collateral, or mandate limited operations or temporary closures of the Company or our vendors as “non-essential businesses” or otherwise. While we have business continuity plans in place, if significant portions of our or our vendors’ workforces are unable to work effectively as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including because of illness, stay-at-home orders, facility closures, reductions in services or hours of operation, or ineffective remote work arrangements, there may be servicing disruptions, which could result in reduced collection effectiveness or our ability to operate our business and satisfy our obligations under our third-party servicing agreements.
We rely upon our ability to access various credit facilities to fund our operations. As international trade and business activity slowed and supply chains were disrupted related to the COVID-19 pandemic, global credit and financial markets experienced significant disruption and volatility. Earlier this year, financial markets experienced significant declines and volatility, and such market conditions may occur again and/or precede recessionary conditions in the U.S. economy. Under these circumstances, we may experience some or all of the risks related to market volatility and recessionary conditions described under the caption "We are vulnerable to disruptions and volatility in the global financial markets" in this Risk Factors section . These include reduced demand for our products and services and reduced access to capital markets funding.
Governmental and regulatory authorities implemented fiscal and monetary policies and initiatives to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on the economy and individual businesses and households, such as the reduction of the Federal Reserve’s benchmark interest rate to near zero in March 2020 and the Federal Reserve’s announcement of capital preservation measures applicable to banking organizations in June and September 2020, such as suspending share repurchases, capping dividend payments, requiring banking organizations to re-evaluate their longer-term capital plans and requiring resubmission of capital plans to reflect more recent macroeconomic developments. In addition, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act provided financial institutions with the option to suspend certain GAAP requirements for coronavirus-related loan modifications that would otherwise constitute troubled debt restructurings and further required the U.S. federal banking agencies to defer to financial institutions’ determinations in making such suspensions. However, these governmental and regulatory actions may not be successful in mitigating the adverse economic effects of COVID-19. Sustained adverse economic effects from the pandemic may also result in downgrades in our credit ratings or adversely affect the interest rate environment.
Due to the evolving and highly uncertain nature of the pandemic, we are currently unable to estimate the adverse impact of COVID-19. If the pandemic is prolonged, or other diseases emerge that give rise to similar effects, the adverse impact to the global economy could deepen. The pandemic may also cause us to experience lower originations and higher credit losses in our lending portfolio, reduced access to funding or significantly increased costs of funding, impairment of our goodwill and other financial assets. Any or all of the scenarios described in the preceding paragraphs could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and increase the likelihood of experiencing other risks described in our Risk Factors.
Macro-Economic and Political Risks
Given that our loan portfolios are concentrated in the United States, adverse changes affecting the economy of the United States could adversely affect our financial condition.
Our loan portfolios are concentrated in the United States. Accordingly, the recoverability of our loan portfolios and our ability to increase the amount of loans outstanding and our results of operations and financial condition in general are dependent to a significant extent on the level of economic activity in the United States. Recessionary conditions in the United States economy would likely have a significant adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We are vulnerable to disruptions and volatility in the global financial markets.
We face, among others, the following risks in the event of an economic downturn or another recession:
•Increased regulation of our industry. Compliance with such regulation has increased our costs and may affect the pricing of our products and services and limit our ability to pursue business opportunities.
•Reduced demand for our products and services.
•Inability of our borrowers to timely or fully comply with their existing obligations.
•The process we use to estimate losses inherent in our credit exposure requires complex judgments, including forecasts of economic conditions and how those economic conditions might impair the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans.
•The degree of uncertainty concerning economic conditions may adversely affect the accuracy of our estimates, which may, in turn, impact the reliability of the process and the sufficiency of our ALLL.
•The value and liquidity of the portfolio of investment securities that we hold may be adversely affected.
•Any worsening of economic conditions may delay the recovery of the financial industry and impact our financial condition and results of operations.
•Macroeconomic shocks may impact the household income of our retail customers negatively and adversely affect the recoverability of our retail loans, resulting in increased loan and lease losses.
Despite the long-term expansion of the U.S. economy, some uncertainty remains regarding U.S. monetary policy and the future economic environment. There can be no assurance that economic conditions will continue to improve. Such economic uncertainty could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. A downturn of the economic expansion or failure to sustain the economic recovery would likely aggravate the adverse effects of these difficult economic and market conditions on us and on others in the financial services industry.
In addition, these concerns continue even as the global economy recovers, and some previously stressed European economies have experienced at least partial recoveries from their low points during the recession. If measures to address sovereign debt and financial sector problems in Europe are inadequate, or if European nations default on their debt or experience a significant widening of credit spreads, it may delay or weaken economic recovery, adversely affect major financial institutions and bank systems throughout Europe, result in the further exit of member states from the Eurozone or contribute to other more severe economic and financial conditions. If realized, these risk scenarios could contribute to severe stress and adverse consequences for global financial markets, likely affecting the economy and capital markets in the United States as well.
Increased disruption and volatility in the financial markets could have a material adverse effect on us, including our ability to access capital and liquidity on financial terms acceptable to us, if at all. If capital markets financing ceases to become available, or becomes excessively expensive, we may be forced to raise the rates we pay on deposits to attract more customers and become unable to maintain certain liability maturities. Any such decrease in capital markets funding availability or increased costs or in deposit rates could have a material adverse effect on our net interest margins and liquidity.
If some or all of the foregoing risks were to materialize, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our growth, asset quality and profitability may be adversely affected by volatile macroeconomic and political conditions.
While the United States economy has performed well overall, it has experienced volatility in recent periods, characterized by slow or regressive growth. This volatility has resulted in fluctuations in the levels of deposits at depository institutions and in the relative economic strength of various segments of the economy to which we lend.
Negative and fluctuating economic conditions, such as a changing interest rate environment, impact our profitability by causing lending margins to decrease and leading to decreased demand for higher margin products and services. Negative and fluctuating economic conditions could also result in government defaults on public debt. This could affect us in two ways: directly, through portfolio losses, and indirectly, through instabilities that a default on public debt could cause to the banking system as a whole, particularly since commercial banks' exposure to government debt is high in certain Latin American and European regions or countries.
In addition, our revenues are subject to risk of loss from unfavorable political and diplomatic developments, social instability, and changes in governmental policies, international ownership legislation, interest rate caps and tax policies. Growth, asset quality and profitability may be affected by volatile macroeconomic and political conditions.
Uncertainty regarding LIBOR may adversely affect our business
The UK Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced in July 2017 that it will no longer persuade or require banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. In December 2020, ICE Benchmark Administration, the administrator of LIBOR, announced its intention to cease publication of LIBOR settings. The administrator indicated that it intends to cease publication of the one week and two month USD LIBOR setting immediately following the LIBOR publication on December 31, 2021, and the remaining USD LIBOR settings will cease immediately following the LIBOR publication on June 30, 2023.
Several international working groups are focused on transition plans and alternative contract language seeking to address potential market disruption that could arise from the replacement of LIBOR with a new reference rate. For example, in the U.S., the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a group convened by the Federal Reserve and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and comprised of private sector entities, banking regulators and other financial regulators, including the SEC, has identified SOFR as its preferred alternative for LIBOR. SOFR is a measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight, collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities, and is based on observable U.S. Treasury-backed repurchase transactions. In addition, ISDA launched the IBOR Fallbacks Supplement and IBOR Fallbacks Protocol, which amend ISDA’s standard definitions for interest rate derivatives to incorporate fallbacks for derivatives linked to certain IBORs, with the changes coming into effect on January 25, 2021. From that date, all new cleared and non-cleared derivatives that reference the definitions include the fallbacks. As a result of signing on to the IBOR Fallbacks Protocol, we will be able to incorporate those revisions into our legacy non-cleared derivatives trades with other counterparties that choose to adhere to the Protocol.
Even with the market progression away from LIBOR, there is no assurance that a replacement rate will be accepted or widely used by market participants, or that the characteristics of a new rate will be similar to, or produce the economic equivalent of LIBOR. If LIBOR were to be discontinued and an alternative rate has not been successfully introduced to replace that benchmark, it could result in widespread dislocation in the financial markets, engender volatility in the pricing of securities, derivatives and other instruments, and suppress capital markets activities, all of which could have adverse effects on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company, in collaboration with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is engaged in an enterprise-wide initiative to identify, assess, monitor and remediate risks associated with the potential discontinuation or unavailability of LIBOR and the transition to use of alternative reference rates such as SOFR. As part of these efforts, the Company has established a LIBOR Transition Steering Committee that includes the Company’s Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer and representatives of the Company’s significant subsidiaries and business lines. Among other matters, the Company is identifying assets and liabilities tied to LIBOR, the exposure of its subsidiaries to LIBOR, the degree to which fallback language currently exists in the Company’s contracts that references LIBOR, and monitoring relevant industry developments and publications by market associations and clearing houses.
While we continue the process of identifying existing contracts that extend beyond December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2023 to determine their exposure to LIBOR, there can be no assurance that we and other market participants will be adequately prepared for an actual discontinuation of LIBOR, or of the timing of the adoption and degree of integration of alternative reference rates in financial markets relevant to us. If LIBOR ceases to exist, or if new methods of calculating LIBOR are established, interest rates on our loans, derivatives and other financial instruments tied to LIBOR, as well as revenue and expenses associated with those financial instruments, may be adversely affected, and financial markets relevant to us could be disrupted. As of December 31, 2020, we had approximately $25 billion of assets and approximately $10 billion of liabilities with LIBOR exposure. We also had approximately $71 billion in notional amounts of off-balance sheet contracts with LIBOR exposure.
Even if financial instruments are transitioned to alternative reference rates successfully, the new reference rates are likely to differ from the previous reference rates, and the value and return on those instruments could be impacted adversely. We could also be subject to increased costs and pricing risk due to paying higher interest rates on our existing financial instruments and how changes to benchmark indices could impact pricing mechanisms on some instruments. We could incur legal risks in the event of such changes, as re-negotiation and changes to documentation for new and existing transactions may be required, especially if parties to an instrument cannot agree on how to effect the transition. We could incur conduct risks arising from the potential impact of communication with customers and engagement during the transition period. We could also incur further operational risks due to the potential need to adapt information technology systems, trade reporting infrastructure, and operational processes and controls, including models and hedging strategies.
In addition, it is possible that LIBOR quotes will become unavailable prior to LIBOR's expected discontinuation. This could result, for example, if a sufficient number of banks decline to make submissions to the LIBOR administrator. In that scenario, risks associated with the transition away from LIBOR would be accelerated for us and the rest of the financial industry.
Risks Relating to Our Business
Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Risks
We are subject to substantial regulation which could adversely affect our business and operations.
As a financial institution, the Company is subject to extensive regulation, which materially affects our businesses. The statutes, regulations, and policies to which the Company is subject may change at any time. In addition, regulators' interpretation and application of the laws and regulations to which the Company is subject may change from time to time. Extensive legislation affecting the financial services industry has been adopted in the United States, and regulations have been and are in the process of being implemented. The manner in which those laws and related regulations are applied to the operations of financial institutions is still evolving. Any legislative or regulatory actions and any required or other changes to our business operations resulting from such legislation and regulations could result in significant loss of revenue, limit our ability to pursue business opportunities in which we might otherwise consider engaging and provide certain products and services, affect the value of assets we hold, compel us to increase our prices and therefore reduce demand for our products, impose additional compliance and other costs on us or otherwise adversely affect our businesses. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that future changes in regulations or in their interpretation or application will not affect us adversely.
Regulation of the Company as a BHC includes limitations on permissible activities. Moreover, the Company and the Bank are required to perform stress tests and submit capital plans to the Federal Reserve and the OCC. The Federal Reserve may also impose substantial fines and other penalties and enforcement actions for violations we may commit, and has the authority to disallow acquisitions we or our subsidiaries may contemplate, which may limit our future growth plans. Such constraints currently applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries and/or regulatory actions could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Other regulations that significantly affect the Company, or that could significantly affect the Company in the future, relate to capital requirements, liquidity and funding, taxation of the financial sector, and development of regulatory reforms in the United States.
In addition, the volume, granularity, frequency and scale of regulatory and other reporting requirements necessitate a clear data strategy to enable consistent data aggregation, reporting and management. Inadequate management information systems or processes, including those relating to risk data aggregation and risk reporting, could lead to a failure to meet regulatory reporting requirements or other internal or external information demands that may result in supervisory measures.
Significant United States Regulation
From time to time, we are or may become subject to or involved in formal and informal reviews, investigations, examinations, proceedings, and information gathering requests by federal and state government agencies, including, among others, the FRB, the OCC, the CFPB, the FDIC, the DOJ, the SEC, FINRA the Federal Trade Commission and various state regulatory and enforcement agencies.
The DFA will continue to result in significant structural reforms affecting the financial services industry. This legislation provided for, among other things, the establishment of the CFPB with broad authority to regulate the credit, savings, payment and other consumer financial products and services we offer, the creation of a structure to regulate systemically important financial companies, more comprehensive regulation of the OTC derivatives market, prohibitions on engaging in certain proprietary trading activities, restrictions on ownership of, investment in or sponsorship of hedge funds and private equity funds and restrictions on interchange fees earned through debit card transactions.
The DFA provides for an extensive framework for the regulation of OTC derivatives, including mandatory clearing, exchange trading and transaction reporting of certain OTC derivatives. Entities that are swap dealers, security-based swap dealers, major swap participants or major security-based swap participants are required to register with the SEC, the CFTC or both, and are or will be subject to new capital, margin, business conduct, record-keeping, clearing, execution, reporting and other requirements. We may register as a swap dealer with the CFTC.
Within the DFA, the Volcker Rule prohibits “banking entities” from engaging in certain forms of proprietary trading and from sponsoring or investing in covered funds, in each case subject to certain exceptions. The Volcker Rule also limits the ability of banking entities and their affiliates to enter into certain transactions with such funds with which they or their affiliates have certain relationships. The final regulations implementing the Volcker Rule contain exclusions and certain exemptions for market-making, hedging, underwriting, and trading in United States government and agency obligations as well as certain foreign government obligations, and trading solely outside the United States, and also permit certain ownership interests in certain types of funds to be retained.
Our resolution in a bankruptcy proceeding could result in losses for holders of our debt and equity securities.
Under regulations issued by the Federal Reserve and the FDIC, and as required by Section 165(d) of the DFA, we and Santander must provide to the Federal Reserve and the FDIC a Section 165(d) Resolution Plan. The purpose of this DFA provision is to provide regulators with plans that would enable them to resolve failing financial companies that pose a significant risk to the financial stability of the United States in a manner that mitigates such risk. The most recently filed Section 165(d) Resolution Plan by Santander, dated as of December 31, 2018, provides a roadmap for the orderly resolution of the material U.S. operations of Santander under hypothetical stress scenarios and the failure of one or more of its U.S. MEs. MEs are defined as subsidiaries or foreign offices of Santander that are significant to the activities of a critical operation or core business line. The U.S. MEs identified in the 2018 Resolution Plan include, among other entities, the Company, the Bank and SC.
The 2018 Resolution Plan describes a strategy for resolving Santander’s U.S. operations, including its U.S. MEs and the core business lines that operate within those U.S. MEs, in a manner that would substantially mitigate the risk that the resolutions would have serious adverse effects on U.S. or global financial stability. Under the 2018 Resolution Plan’s hypothetical resolutions of the U.S. MEs, the Bank would be placed into FDIC receivership and the Company and SC would be placed into bankruptcy under Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, respectively.
The strategy described in the 2018 Resolution Plan contemplates a “multiple point of entry” strategy, in which Santander and the Company would each undergo separate resolution proceedings under European regulations and the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, respectively. In a scenario in which the Bank and SC were in resolution, the Company would file a voluntary petition under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, and holders of our LTD and other debt securities would be junior to the claims of priority (as determined by statute) and secured creditors of the Company.
The Company, the Federal Reserve and the FDIC are not obligated to follow the Company’s preferred resolution strategy for resolving its U.S. operations under its resolution plan. In addition, Santander could in the future change its resolution strategy for resolving its U.S. operations. In an alternative scenario, the Company alone could enter bankruptcy under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and the Company’s subsidiaries would be recapitalized as needed, using assets of the Company, so that they could continue normal operations as going concerns or subsequently be wound down in an orderly manner. As a result, the losses incurred by the Company and its subsidiaries would be imposed first on the holders of the Company’s equity securities and thereafter on unsecured creditors, including holders of our LTD and other debt securities. Holders of our LTD and other debt securities would be junior to the claims of creditors of the Company’s subsidiaries and to the claims of priority (as determined by statute) and secured creditors of the Company. Under either of these scenarios, in a resolution of the Company under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, holders of our LTD and other debt securities would realize value only to the extent available to the Company as a shareholder of the Bank, SC and its other subsidiaries, and only after any claims of priority and secured creditors of the Company have been fully repaid.
The resolution of the Company under the orderly liquidation authority could result in greater losses for holders of our equity and debt securities.
The ability of holders of our LTD and other debt securities to recover the full amount that would otherwise be payable on those securities in a resolution proceeding under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code may be impaired by the exercise of the FDIC’s powers under the “orderly liquidation authority” under Title II of the DFA.
Title II of the DFA created a new resolution regime known as the “orderly liquidation authority” to which financial companies, including U.S. IHC of FBOs with assets of $50 billion or more, such as the Company, can be subjected. Under the orderly liquidation authority, the FDIC may be appointed as receiver to liquidate a financial company if, upon the recommendation of applicable regulators, the United States Secretary of the Treasury determines that the entity is in severe financial distress, the entity’s failure would have serious adverse effects on the U.S. financial system, and resolution under the orderly liquidation authority would avoid or mitigate those effects, among other things. Absent such determinations, the Company would remain subject to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
If the FDIC were appointed as receiver under the orderly liquidation authority, then the orderly liquidation authority, rather than the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, would determine the powers of the receiver and the rights and obligations of creditors and other parties who have transacted with the Company. There are substantial differences between the rights available to creditors under the orderly liquidation authority and under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. For example, under the orderly liquidation authority, the FDIC may disregard the strict priority of creditor claims in some circumstances (which would otherwise be respected under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code), and an administrative claims procedures is used to determine creditors’ claims (as opposed to the judicial procedure utilized in bankruptcy proceedings). Under the orderly liquidation authority, in certain circumstances, the FDIC could elevate the priority of claims if it determines that doing so is necessary to facilitate a smooth and orderly liquidation without the need to obtain the consent of other creditors or prior court review. Furthermore, the FDIC has the right to transfer assets or liabilities of the failed company to a third party or “bridge” entity under the orderly liquidation authority.
Regardless of what resolution strategy Santander might prefer for resolving its U.S. operations, the FDIC could determine that it is a desirable strategy to resolve the Company in a manner that would, among other things, impose losses on the Company’s shareholder, unsecured debtholders (including holders of our LTD) and other creditors, while permitting the Company’s subsidiaries to continue to operate. It is likely that the application of such an entry strategy in which the Company would be the only legal entity in the U.S. to enter resolution proceedings would result in greater losses to holders of our LTD and other debt securities than the losses that would result from the application of a bankruptcy proceeding or a different resolution strategy for the Company. Assuming the Company entered resolution proceedings and support from the Company to its subsidiaries was sufficient to enable the subsidiaries to remain solvent, losses at the subsidiary level could be transferred to the Company and ultimately borne by the Company’s securityholders (including holders of our LTD and other debt securities), with the result that third-party creditors of the Company’s subsidiaries would receive full recoveries on their claims, while the Company’s securityholders (including holders of our LTD) and other unsecured creditors could face significant losses. In addition, in a resolution under the orderly liquidation authority, holders of our LTD and other debt securities of the Company could face losses ahead of our other similarly situated creditors if the FDIC exercised its right, to disregard the strict priority of creditor claims described above.
The orderly liquidation authority also requires that creditors and shareholders of the financial company in receivership must bear all losses before taxpayers are exposed to any losses, and amounts owed by the financial company or the receivership to the U.S. government would generally receive a statutory payment priority over the claims of private creditors, including holders of our LTD and other debt securities. In addition, under the orderly liquidation authority, claims of creditors (including holders of our LTD and other debt securities) could be satisfied through the issuance of equity or other securities in a bridge entity to which the Company’s assets are transferred, as described above. If securities were to be delivered in satisfaction of claims, there can be no assurance that the value of the securities of the bridge entity would be sufficient to repay all or any part of the creditor claims for which the securities were exchanged.
Although the FDIC has issued regulations to implement the orderly liquidation authority, not all aspects of how the FDIC might exercise this authority are known, and additional rulemaking is possible.
United States stress testing, capital planning, and related supervisory actions
The Company is subject to stress testing and capital planning requirements under regulations implementing the DFA and other banking laws and policies. Effective January 2017, the Federal Reserve finalized a rule adjusting its capital plan and stress testing rules, exempting from the qualitative portion of the CCAR certain BHCs and U.S. IHCs of FBOs with total consolidated assets between $50 billion and $250 billion and total nonbank assets of less than $75 billion, and that are not identified as global systemically important banks. Such firms, including the Company, are still required to meet CCAR’s quantitative requirements and are subject to regular supervisory assessments that examine their capital planning processes. In 2018, 2019, and 2020 the Federal Reserve did not object to SHUSA’s capital plan; however, in 2015 and 2016, the Federal Reserve, as part of its CCAR process, objected on qualitative grounds to the capital plans the Company submitted. There is risk that the Federal Reserve could object to the Company’s future capital plans, which would limit the Company's ability to make capital distributions or take certain capital actions.
Other supervisory actions and restrictions on U.S. activities
In addition to the foregoing, U.S. bank regulatory agencies from time to time take supervisory actions under certain circumstances that restrict or limit a financial institution’s activities. In many instances, we are subject to significant legal restrictions on our ability to disclose these actions or the full details of these actions publicly. In addition, as part of the regular examination process, certain U.S. subsidiaries’ regulators may advise the subsidiary to operate under various restrictions as a prudential matter. Under the BHC Act, the Federal Reserve has the authority to disallow us and certain of our U.S. subsidiaries from engaging in certain categories of new activities in the United States or acquiring shares or control of other companies in the United States. Such actions and restrictions currently applicable to us or certain of our U.S. subsidiaries could adversely affect our costs and revenues. Moreover, efforts to comply with nonpublic supervisory actions or restrictions could require material investments in additional resources and systems, as well as a significant commitment of managerial time and attention. As a result, such supervisory actions or restrictions could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations, and we may be subject to significant legal restrictions on our ability to publicly disclose these matters or the full details of these actions.
We are subject to potential intervention by any of our regulators or supervisors, particularly in response to customer complaints.
As noted above, our business and operations are subject to significant rules and regulations relating to the banking and financial services business. These apply to business operations, affect financial returns, include reserve and reporting requirements, and the conduct of our business. These requirements are established by the relevant central banks and regulatory authorities that authorize, regulate and supervise us in the jurisdictions in which we operate. The relationship between the Company and its customers is also regulated extensively under federal and state consumer protection laws. Among other things, these laws prohibit unfair, deceptive and abusive trading practices, require disclosures of the cost of credit, provide substantive consumer rights, prohibit discrimination in credit transactions, regulate the use of credit report information, provide financial privacy protections, and restrict our ability to raise interest rates.
In their supervisory roles, regulators seek to maintain the safety and soundness of financial institutions with the aim of strengthening, but not guaranteeing, the protection of customers and the financial system. Supervisors' continuing supervision of financial institutions is conducted through a variety of regulatory tools, including the collection of information by way of reports obtained from skilled persons, visits to firms and regular meetings with management to discuss issues such as performance, risk management and strategy. In general, regulators have an outcome-focused regulatory approach that involves proactive enforcement and penalties for infringement. As a result, we face increased supervisory intrusion and scrutiny (resulting in increasing internal compliance costs and supervision fees), and in the event of a breach of our regulatory obligations we are likely to face more stringent regulatory fines.
Some of the regulators focus strongly on consumer protection and on conduct risk. This has included a focus on the design and operation of products, the behavior of customers and the operation of markets. Some of the laws in the relevant jurisdictions in which we operate give regulators the power to make temporary product intervention rules either to improve a company's systems and controls in relation to product design, product management and implementation, or address problems identified with financial products. These problems may potentially cause significant detriment to consumers because of certain product features, governance flaws or distribution strategies. Such rules may prevent institutions from entering into product agreements with customers until such problems have been solved. Some regulators in the jurisdictions in which we operate also require us to be in compliance with training, authorization and supervision of personnel, systems, processes and documentation requirements. Sales practices with retail customers, including incentive compensation structures related to such practices, have recently been a focus of various regulatory and governmental agencies. If we fail to be compliant with such regulations, there would be a risk of an adverse impact on our business from sanctions, fines or other actions imposed by regulatory authorities.
We are exposed to risk of loss from legal and regulatory proceedings.
As noted above, we face risk of loss from legal and regulatory proceedings, including tax proceedings that could subject us to monetary judgments, regulatory enforcement actions, fines and penalties. The current regulatory environment reflects an increased supervisory focus on enforcement, combined with uncertainty about the evolution of the regulatory regime, and may lead to material operational and compliance costs. In general, amounts financial institutions pay in settlements of regulatory proceedings or investigations and the severity of terms of regulatory settlements have been increasing. In certain cases, regulatory authorities have required criminal pleas, admissions of wrongdoing, limitations on asset growth, managerial changes, and other extraordinary terms as part of such settlements, all of which could have significant economic consequences for a financial institution.
We are subject to civil and tax claims and party to certain legal proceedings incidental to the normal course of our business from time to time, including in connection with lending activities, relationships with our employees and other commercial or tax matters. In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of legal matters, particularly when the claimants seek very large or indeterminate damages, or when the cases present novel legal theories, involve a large number of parties or are in the early stages of investigation or discovery, we cannot state with confidence what the eventual outcome of these pending matters will be or what the eventual loss, fines or penalties related to each pending matter may be. We believe that we have established adequate reserves related to the costs anticipated to be incurred in connection with these various claims and legal proceedings. However, the amount of these provisions is substantially less than the total amount of the claims asserted against us and, in light of the uncertainties involved in such claims and proceedings, there is no assurance that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not significantly exceed the reserves we have currently accrued. As a result, the outcome of a particular matter may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations for a particular period, depending upon, among other factors, the size of the loss or liability imposed and our level of income for that period.
In addition, from time to time, the Company is, or may become, the subject of governmental and self-regulatory agency information-gathering requests, reviews, investigations and proceedings and other forms of regulatory inquiry, including by the SEC and law enforcement authorities.
Often, the announcement or other publication of claims or actions that may arise from such litigation and regulatory proceedings or of any related settlement may spur the initiation of similar claims by other customers, clients or governmental entities. In any such claim or action, demands for substantial monetary damages may be asserted against us and may result in financial liability, changes in our business practices or an adverse effect on our reputation or client demand for our products and services. In regulatory settlements since the financial crisis, fines imposed by regulators have increased substantially and may in some cases exceed the profit earned or harm caused by the breach.
Regular and ongoing inspection by our banking and other regulators may result in the need to enhance our regulatory compliance or risk management practices. Such remedial actions may entail significant costs, management attention, and systems development, and such efforts may affect our ability to expand our business until those remedial actions are completed. In some instances, we are subjected to significant legal restrictions on our ability to disclose these types of actions or the full detail of these actions publicly. Our failure to implement enhanced compliance and risk management procedures in a manner and timeframe deemed to be responsive by the applicable regulatory authority could adversely impact our relationship with that regulatory authority and lead to restrictions on our activities or other sanctions.
The magnitude and complexity of projects required to address the Company’s regulatory and legal proceedings, in addition to the challenging macroeconomic environment and pace of regulatory change, may result in execution risk and adversely affect the successful execution of such regulatory or legal priorities.
In many cases, we are required to self-report inappropriate or non-compliant conduct to regulatory authorities, and our failure to do so may represent an independent regulatory violation. Even when we promptly bring matters to the attention of appropriate authorities, we may nonetheless experience regulatory fines, liabilities to clients, harm to our reputation or other adverse effects in connection with self-reported matters.
We may not be able to detect money laundering and other illegal or improper activities fully or on a timely basis, which could expose us to additional liability and have a material adverse effect on us.
We are required to comply with anti-money laundering, anti-terrorism and other laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate. These laws and regulations require us, among other things, to adopt and enforce “know-your-customer” policies and procedures and to report suspicious and large transactions to applicable regulatory authorities. These laws and regulations have become increasingly complex and detailed, require improved systems and sophisticated monitoring and compliance personnel, and have become the subject of enhanced government supervision.
While we have adopted policies and procedures aimed at detecting and preventing the use of our banking network for money laundering and related activities, those policies and procedures may not completely eliminate instances in which we may be used by other parties to engage in money laundering and other illegal or improper activities. Emerging technologies, such as cryptocurrencies and blockchain, could limit our ability to track the movement of funds. Our ability to comply with legal requirements depends on our ability to improve detection and reporting capabilities and reduce variation in control processes and oversight accountability.
These require implementing and embedding effective controls and monitoring within our business and on-going changes to systems and operations. Financial crime is continually evolving and subject to increasingly stringent regulatory oversight and focus. Even known threats can never be fully eliminated, and there will be instances in which we may be used by other parties to engage in money laundering or other illegal or improper activities. To the extent we fail to fully comply with applicable laws and regulations, the relevant government agencies to which we report have the authority to impose fines and other penalties on us. In addition, our business and reputation could suffer if customers use our banking network for money laundering or other illegal or improper purposes.
While we review our relevant counterparties’ internal policies and procedures with respect to such matters, to a large degree we rely on our counterparties to maintain and properly apply their own appropriate anti-money laundering procedures. Such measures, procedures and compliance may not be completely effective in preventing third parties from using our and our counterparties’ services as conduits for money laundering (including illegal cash operations) or other illegal activities without our and our counterparties’ knowledge. If we are associated with, or even accused of being associated with, or become a party to, money laundering or other illegal activities, our reputation could suffer and/or we could become subject to fines, sanctions and/or legal enforcement (including being added to any “blacklists” that would prohibit certain parties from engaging in transactions with us), any one of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
An incorrect interpretation of tax laws and regulations may adversely affect us.
The preparation of our tax returns requires the use of estimates and interpretations of complex tax laws and regulations, and is subject to review by taxing authorities. We are subject to the income tax laws of the United States and certain foreign countries. These tax laws are complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and relevant governmental taxing authorities, which are sometimes subject to prolonged evaluation periods until a final resolution is reached. In establishing a provision for income tax expense and filing returns, we must make judgments and interpretations about the application of these inherently complex tax laws. If the judgments, estimates, and assumptions we use in preparing our tax returns are subsequently found to be incorrect, there could be a material effect on our results of operations.
Changes in taxes and other assessments may adversely affect us.
The legislatures and tax authorities in the jurisdictions in which we operate regularly enact reforms to the tax and other assessment regimes to which we and our customers are subject. Such reforms include changes in the rate of assessments and, occasionally, enactment of temporary taxes, the proceeds of which are earmarked for designated governmental purposes. The effects of these changes and any other changes that result from enactment of additional tax reforms cannot be quantified and there can be no assurance that such reforms would not have an adverse effect upon our business. Aspects of recent U.S. federal income tax reform such as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 limit or eliminate certain income tax deductions, including the home mortgage interest deduction, the deduction of interest on home equity loans and a limitation on the deductibility of property taxes. These limitations and eliminations could affect demand for some of our retail banking products and the valuation of assets securing certain of our loans adversely, increasing our credit loss expense and reducing profitability.
Credit Risks
If the level of our NPLs increases or our credit quality deteriorates in the future, or if our loan and lease loss reserves are insufficient to cover loan and lease losses, this could have a material adverse effect on us.
Risks arising from changes in credit quality and the recoverability of loans and amounts due from counterparties are inherent in a wide range of our businesses. Non-performing or low credit quality loans have in the past negatively impacted and can continue to
negatively impact our results of operations. In particular, the amount of our reported NPLs may increase in the future as a result of growth in our total loan portfolio, including as a result of loan portfolios we may acquire in the future, or factors beyond our control, such as adverse changes in the credit quality of our borrowers and counterparties or a general deterioration in economic conditions in the United States, the impact of political events, events affecting certain industries or events affecting financial markets. There can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively control the level of the NPLs in our loan portfolio.
Our loan and lease loss reserves are based on our current assessment of and expectations concerning various factors affecting the quality of our loan portfolio. These factors include, among other things, our borrowers’ financial condition, repayment abilities and repayment intentions, the realizable value of any collateral, the prospects for support from any guarantor, government macroeconomic policies, interest rates and the legal and regulatory environment. Many of these factors are beyond our control. As a result, there is no precise method for predicting loan and credit losses, and there can be no assurance that our current or future loan and lease loss reserves will be sufficient to cover actual losses. If our assessment of and expectations concerning the above-mentioned factors differ from actual developments, if the quality of our total loan portfolio deteriorates for any reason, including an increase in lending to individuals and small and medium enterprises, a volume increase in our credit card portfolio or the introduction of new products, or if future actual losses exceed our estimates of expected losses, we may be required to increase our loan and lease loss reserves, which may adversely affect us. If we were unable to control or reduce the level of our non-performing or poor credit quality loans, this also could have a material adverse effect on us.
In addition, the FASB’s ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2020 and increased our ACL by approximately $2.5 billion. This standard replaces existing incurred loss impairment guidance and establishes a single allowance framework for financial assets carried at amortized cost. As a result of the adoption of this standard, companies must recognize credit losses on these assets equal to management’s estimate of credit losses over the assets’ remaining expected lives. It is possible that our ongoing reported earnings and lending activity will be impacted negatively as a result of the application of this ASU. See “Changes in accounting standards could impact reported earnings” below.
Our loan and investment portfolios are subject to risk of prepayment, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
Our fixed-rate loan and investment portfolios are subject to prepayment risk, which results from the ability of a borrower or issuer to pay a debt obligation prior to maturity. Generally, in a low interest rate environment, prepayment activity increases, and this reduces the weighted average life of our earning assets and could have a material adverse effect on us. We would also be required to amortize net premiums into income over a shorter period of time, thereby reducing the corresponding asset yield and net interest income. Prepayment risk also has a significant adverse impact on credit card and collateralized mortgage loans, since prepayments could shorten the weighted average life of these assets, which may result in a mismatch in our funding obligations and reinvestment at lower yields. Prepayment risk is inherent in our commercial activity, and an increase in prepayments could have a material adverse effect on us.
The value of the collateral securing our loans may not be sufficient, and we may be unable to realize the full value of the collateral securing our loan portfolio.
The value of the collateral securing our loan portfolio may fluctuate or decline due to factors beyond our control, including macroeconomic factors affecting the United States. The value of the collateral securing our loan portfolio may be adversely affected by force majeure events such as natural disasters, particularly in locations in which a significant portion of our loan portfolio is composed of real estate loans. Natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods may cause widespread damage, which could impair the asset quality of our loan portfolio and have an adverse impact on the economy of the affected region. We also may not have sufficiently recent information on the value of collateral, which may result in an inaccurate assessment of impairment losses of our loans secured by such collateral. If any of the above were to occur, we may need to make additional provisions to cover actual impairment losses on our loans, which may materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, auto industry technology changes, accelerated by environmental rules, could affect our auto consumer business, particularly the residual values of leased vehicles, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, financial condition and prospects.
We are subject to counterparty risk in our banking business.
We are exposed to counterparty risk in addition to credit risks associated with lending activities. Counterparty risk may arise from, for example, investing in securities of third parties, entering into derivatives contracts under which counterparties have obligations to make payments to us or executing securities, futures, currency or commodity trades that fail to settle at the required time due to non-delivery by the counterparty or systems failure by clearing agents, clearinghouses or other financial intermediaries.
We routinely transact with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, mutual funds, hedge funds and other institutional clients. We rely on information provided by or on behalf of counterparties, such as financial statements, and we may rely on representations of our counterparties as to the accuracy and completeness of that information. Defaults by, and even rumors or questions about the solvency of, certain financial institutions and the financial services industry generally have led to market-wide liquidity problems and could lead to losses or defaults by other institutions. Many routine transactions we enter into expose us to significant credit risk in the event of default by one of our significant counterparties.
Liquidity and Financing Risks
Liquidity and funding risks are inherent in our business and could have a material adverse effect on us.
Liquidity risk is the risk that we either do not have available sufficient financial resources to meet our obligations as they become due or can secure them only at excessive cost. This risk is inherent in any retail and commercial banking business and can be heightened by a number of enterprise-specific factors, including over-reliance on a particular source of funding, changes in credit ratings or market-wide phenomena such as market dislocation. While we implement liquidity management processes to seek to mitigate and control these risks, unforeseen systemic market factors in particular make it difficult to eliminate these risks completely. Adverse and continued constraints in the supply of liquidity, including inter-bank lending, may materially and adversely affect the cost of funding our business, and extreme liquidity constraints may affect our current operations and our ability to fulfill regulatory liquidity requirements as well as limit growth possibilities.
Our cost of obtaining funding is directly related to prevailing market interest rates and our credit spreads. Increases in interest rates and our credit spreads can significantly increase the cost of our funding. Changes in our credit spreads are market-driven, and may be influenced by market perceptions of our creditworthiness. Changes to interest rates and our credit spreads occur continuously and may be unpredictable and highly volatile.
If wholesale markets financing ceases to be available, or becomes excessively expensive, we may be forced to raise the rates we pay on deposits, with a view to attracting more customers, and/or to sell assets, potentially at depressed prices. The persistence or worsening of these adverse market conditions or an increase in base interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our ability to access liquidity and cost of funding.
We rely, and will continue to rely, primarily on deposits to fund lending activities. The ongoing availability of this type of funding is sensitive to a variety of factors outside our control, such as general economic conditions and the confidence of depositors in the economy in general, and the financial services industry in particular, as well as competition among banks for deposits. Any of these factors could significantly increase the amount of deposit withdrawals in a short period of time, thereby reducing our ability to access deposit funding in the future on appropriate terms, or at all. If these circumstances were to arise, they could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, financial condition and prospects.
We anticipate that our customers will continue to make deposits (particularly demand deposits and short-term time deposits) in the near future, and we intend to maintain our emphasis on the use of banking deposits as a source of funds. The short-term nature of some deposits could cause liquidity problems for us in the future if deposits are not made in the volumes we expect or are not renewed. If a substantial number of our depositors withdraw their demand deposits, or do not roll over their time deposits upon maturity, we may be materially and adversely affected.
There can be no assurance that, in the event of a sudden or unexpected shortage of funds in the banking system, we will be able to maintain levels of funding without incurring high funding costs, a reduction in the term of funding instruments, or the liquidation of certain assets. If this were to happen, we could be materially adversely affected.
Credit, market and liquidity risk may have an adverse effect on our credit ratings and our cost of funds. Any downgrading in our credit rating would likely increase our cost of funding, require us to post additional collateral or take other actions under some of our derivative contracts and adversely affect our interest margins and results of operations.
Credit ratings affect the cost and other terms upon which we are able to obtain funding. Rating agencies regularly evaluate us, and their ratings of our debt are based on a number of factors, including our financial strength and conditions affecting the financial services industry generally.
Any downgrade in our or Santander's debt credit ratings would likely increase our borrowing costs and require us to post additional collateral or take other actions under some of our derivatives contracts, and could limit our access to capital markets and adversely affect our commercial business. For example, a ratings downgrade could adversely affect our ability to sell or market certain of our products, engage in certain longer-term and derivatives transactions and retain customers, particularly customers who need a minimum rating threshold in order to invest. In addition, under the terms of certain of our derivatives contracts, we may be required to maintain a minimum credit rating or terminate the contracts. Any of these results of a ratings downgrade, in turn, could reduce our liquidity and have an adverse effect on us, including our operating results and financial condition.
We conduct a significant number of our material derivatives activities through Santander and Santander UK. We estimate that, as of December 31, 2020, if all of the rating agencies were to downgrade Santander’s or Santander UK’s long-term senior debt ratings, we would be required to post additional collateral pursuant to derivatives and other financial contracts. Refer to further discussion in Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
While certain potential impacts of these downgrades are contractual and quantifiable, the full consequences of a credit rating downgrade are inherently uncertain, as they depend on numerous dynamic, complex and inter-related factors and assumptions, including market conditions at the time of any downgrade, whether any downgrade of a company's long-term credit rating precipitates downgrades to its short-term credit rating, and assumptions about the potential behaviors of various customers, investors and counterparties. Actual outflows could be higher or lower than this hypothetical example depending on certain factors, including which credit rating agency downgrades our credit rating, any management or restructuring actions that could be taken to reduce cash outflows and the potential liquidity impact from loss of unsecured funding (such as from money market funds) or loss of secured funding capacity. Although unsecured and secured funding stresses are included in our stress testing scenarios and a portion of our total liquid assets is held against these risks, it is still the case that a credit rating downgrade could have a material adverse effect on the Company, the Bank, and SC.
In addition, if we were required to cancel our derivatives contracts with certain counterparties and were unable to replace those contracts, our market risk profile could be altered.
There can be no assurance that the rating agencies will maintain their current ratings or outlooks. In general, the future evolution of our ratings will be linked, to a large extent, to the macroeconomic outlook and to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our asset quality, profitability and capital. Failure to maintain favorable ratings and outlooks could increase the cost of funding and adversely affect interest margins, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
Market Risks
We are subject to fluctuations in interest rates and other market risks, which may materially and adversely affect us.
Market risk refers to the probability of variations in our net interest income or in the market value of our assets and liabilities due to volatility of interest rates, exchange rates or equity prices. Changes in interest rates affect the following areas, of our business, among others:
•net interest income;
•the volume of loans originated;
•the market value of our securities holdings;
•the value of our loans and deposits;
•gains from sales of loans and securities; and
•gains and losses from derivatives.
Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors beyond our control, including increased regulation of the financial sector, monetary policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions, and other factors. Variations in interest rates could affect our net interest income, which comprises the majority of our revenue, reducing our growth rate and potentially resulting in losses. This is a result of the different effect a change in interest rates may have on the interest earned on our assets and the interest paid on our borrowings. In addition, we may incur costs (which, in turn, will impact our results) as we implement strategies to reduce future interest rate exposure.
Increases in interest rates may reduce the volume of loans we originate. Sustained high interest rates have historically discouraged customers from borrowing and have resulted in increased delinquencies in outstanding loans and deterioration in the quality of assets. Increases in interest rates may also reduce the propensity of our customers to prepay or refinance fixed-rate loans. Increases in interest rates may reduce the value of our financial assets and the collateral used to secure our loans, and may reduce gains or require us to record losses on sales of our loans or securities.
In addition, we may experience increased delinquencies in a low interest rate environment when such an environment is accompanied by high unemployment and recessionary conditions.
We are exposed to foreign exchange rate risk as a result of mismatches between assets and liabilities denominated in different currencies. Fluctuations in the exchange rate between currencies may negatively affect our earnings and value of our assets and securities.
Some of our investment management services fees are based on financial market valuations of assets certain of our subsidiaries manage or hold in custody for clients. Changes in these valuations can affect noninterest income positively or negatively, and ultimately affect our financial results. Significant changes in the volume of activity in the capital markets, and in the number of assignments we are awarded, could also affect our financial results.
We are also exposed to equity price risk in our investments in equity securities. The performance of financial markets may cause changes in the value of our investment and trading portfolios. The volatility of world equity markets due to economic uncertainty and sovereign debt concerns has had a particularly strong impact on the financial sector. Continued volatility may affect the value of our investments in equity securities and, depending on their fair value and future recovery expectations, could become a permanent impairment which would be subject to write-offs against our results. To the extent any of these risks materialize, our net interest income and the market value of our assets and liabilities could be materially adversely affected.
Market conditions have resulted, and could result, in material changes to the estimated fair values of our financial assets. Negative fair value adjustments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In recent years, financial markets have been subject to volatility and the resulting widening of credit spreads. We have material exposures to securities and other investments that are recorded at fair value and are therefore exposed to potential negative fair value adjustments. Asset valuations in future periods, reflecting then-prevailing market conditions, may result in negative changes in the fair values of our financial assets, and also may translate into increased impairments. In addition, the value we ultimately realize on disposal of the asset may be lower than its current fair value. Any of these factors could require us to record negative fair value adjustments, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, to the extent fair values are determined using financial valuation models, such values may be inaccurate or subject to change, as the data used by such models may not be available or may become unavailable due to changes in market conditions, particularly for illiquid assets and in times of economic instability. In such circumstances, our valuation methodologies require us to make assumptions, judgments and estimates in order to establish fair value, and reliable assumptions are difficult to make and are inherently uncertain. In addition, valuation models are complex, making them inherently imperfect predictors of actual results. Any resulting impairments or write-downs could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, financial condition and prospects.
We are subject to market, operational and other related risks associated with our derivatives transactions that could have a material adverse effect on us.
We enter into derivatives transactions for trading purposes as well as for hedging purposes. We are subject to market, credit and operational risks associated with these transactions, including basis risk (the risk of loss associated with variations in the spread between the asset yield and the funding and/or hedge cost) and credit or default risk (the risk of insolvency or other inability of the counterparty to a particular transaction to perform its obligations thereunder, including providing sufficient collateral).
The execution and performance of derivatives transactions depend on our ability to maintain adequate control and administration systems and to hire and retain qualified personnel. Moreover, our ability to adequately monitor, analyze and report derivatives transactions continues to depend, to a great extent, on our IT systems. These factors further increase the risks associated with these transactions and could have a material adverse effect on us.
In addition, disputes with counterparties may arise regarding the terms or the settlement procedures of derivatives contracts, including with respect to the value of underlying collateral, which could cause us to incur unexpected costs, including transaction, operational, legal and litigation costs, or result in credit losses, all of which may impair our ability to manage our risk exposure from these products.
Risk Management
Failure to successfully implement and continue to improve our risk management policies, procedures and methods, including our credit risk management system, could materially and adversely affect us, and we may be exposed to unidentified or unanticipated risks.
The management of risk is an integral part of our activities. We seek to monitor and manage our risk exposure through a variety of separate but complementary financial, credit, market, operational, compliance and legal reporting systems. Although we employ a broad and diversified set of risk monitoring and risk mitigation techniques, such techniques and strategies may not be fully effective in mitigating our risk exposure in all economic market environments or against all types of risk, including risks that we fail to identify or anticipate.
We rely on quantitative models to measure risks and estimate certain financial values. Models may be used in such processes as determining the pricing of various products, grading loans and extending credit, measuring interest rate and other market risks, predicting losses, assessing capital adequacy, and calculating economic and regulatory capital levels, as well as estimating the value of financial instruments and balance sheet items. Poorly designed or implemented models present the risk that our business decisions based on information incorporating models will be adversely affected due to the inadequacy of that information. Also, information we provide to the public or our regulators based on poorly designed or implemented models could be inaccurate or misleading.
Some of our qualitative tools and metrics for managing risk are based on our use of observed historical market behavior. We apply statistical and other tools to these observations to arrive at quantifications of our risk exposures. These qualitative tools and metrics may fail to predict future risk exposures. These risk exposures could, for example, arise from factors we did not anticipate or correctly evaluate in our statistical models. This would limit our ability to manage our risks. Our losses therefore could be significantly greater than the historical measures indicate. In addition, our quantified modeling does not take all risks into account. Our more qualitative approach to managing those risks could prove insufficient, exposing us to material unanticipated losses. We could face adverse consequences as a result of decisions based on models that are poorly developed, implemented, or used, or as a result of a modeled outcome being misunderstood or used of for purposes for which it was not designed. In addition, if existing or potential customers believe our risk management is inadequate, they could take their business elsewhere or seek to limit transactions with us. This could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, operating results, financial condition, and prospects.
As a commercial bank, one of the main types of risks inherent in our business is credit risk. For example, an important feature of our credit risk management is to employ an internal credit rating system to assess the particular risk profile of a customer. Since this process involves detailed analyses of the customer, taking into account both quantitative and qualitative factors, it is subject to human and IT systems errors. In exercising their judgment on the current and future credit risk of our customers, our employees may not always assign an accurate credit rating, which may result in our exposure to higher credit risks than indicated by our risk rating system.
We have been refining our credit policies and guidelines to address potential risks associated with particular industries or types of customers. However, we may not be able to timely detect all possible risks before they occur or, due to limited tools available to us, our employees may not be able to implement them effectively, which may increase our credit risk. Failure to effectively implement, consistently follow or continuously refine our credit risk management system may result in an increase in the level of NPLs and a higher risk exposure for us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Business and Industry Risks
The financial problems our customers face could adversely affect us.
Market turmoil and economic recession could materially and adversely affect the liquidity, businesses and/or financial condition of our borrowers, which could in turn increase our NPL ratios, impair our loan and other financial assets and result in decreased demand for borrowings in general. In addition, our customers may further decrease their risk tolerance to non-deposit investments such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds significantly, which would adversely affect our fee and commission income. Any of the conditions described above could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Increased competition and industry consolidation may adversely affect our results of operations.
We face substantial competition in all parts of our business from numerous banks and non-bank providers of financial services, including in originating loans and attracting deposits, providing customer service, the quality and range of products and services, technology, interest rates and overall reputation, and we expect competitive conditions to continue to intensify. Our competition comes principally from other domestic and foreign banks, mortgage banking companies, consumer finance companies, insurance companies and other lenders and purchasers of loans.
There has been a trend towards consolidation in the banking industry, which has created larger and stronger banks with which we must now compete. Some of our competitors are substantially larger than we are, which may give those competitors advantages such as a more diversified product and customer base, the ability to reach more customers and potential customers, operational efficiencies, lower-cost funding and larger branch networks. Many competitors are also focused on cross-selling their products, which could affect our ability to maintain or grow existing customer relationships or require us to offer lower interest rates or fees on our lending products or higher interest rates on deposits. There can be no assurance that increased competition will not adversely affect our growth prospects and therefore our operations. We also face competition from non-bank competitors such as brokerage companies, department stores (for some credit products), leasing and factoring companies, mutual fund and pension fund management companies and insurance companies.
Non-traditional providers of banking services, such as financial technology companies, internet based e-commerce providers, mobile telephone companies and internet search engines, may offer and/or increase their offerings of financial products and services directly to customers. These non-traditional providers of banking services currently have an advantage over traditional providers because they are not subject to the same regulatory or legislative requirements to which we are subject. Several of these competitors may have long operating histories, large customer bases, strong brand recognition and significant financial, marketing and other resources. They may adopt more aggressive pricing and rates and devote more resources to technology, infrastructure and marketing.
New competitors may enter the market or existing competitors may adjust their services with unique product or service offerings or approaches to providing banking services. If we are unable to compete successfully with current and new competitors, or if we are unable to anticipate and adapt our offerings to changing banking industry trends, including technological changes, our business may be adversely affected. In addition, our failure to anticipate or adapt to emerging technologies or changes in customer behavior effectively, including among younger customers, could delay or prevent our access to new digital-based markets, which would in turn have an adverse effect on our competitive position and business. Furthermore, the widespread adoption of new technologies, including cryptocurrencies and payment systems, could require substantial expenditures to modify or adapt our existing products and services as we continue to grow our internet and mobile banking capabilities. Our customers may choose to conduct business or offer products in areas that may be considered speculative or risky. Such new technologies and the rise in customer use of internet and mobile banking platforms in recent years could negatively impact our investments in bank premises, equipment and personnel for our branch network. The persistence or acceleration of this shift in demand towards internet and mobile banking may necessitate changes to our retail distribution strategy, which may include closing and/or selling certain branches and restructuring our remaining branches and workforce. These actions could lead to losses on these assets and increased expenditures to renovate, reconfigure or close a number of our remaining branches or otherwise reform our retail distribution channel. Furthermore, our failure to keep pace with innovation or to swiftly and effectively implement such changes to our distribution strategy could have an adverse effect on our competitive position.
Increasing competition could also require that we increase the rates we offer on deposits or lower the rates we charge on loans, which could also have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. It may also negatively affect our business results and prospects by, among other things, limiting our ability to increase our customer base and expand our operations and increasing competition for investment opportunities.
If our customer service levels were perceived by the market to be materially below those of our competitors, we could lose existing and potential business. If we are not successful in retaining and strengthening customer relationships, we may lose market share, incur losses on some or all of our activities or fail to attract new deposits or retain existing deposits, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Goodwill impairments may be required in relation to acquired businesses.
We have made business acquisitions for which it is possible that the goodwill which has been attributed to those businesses may have to be written down if our valuation assumptions are required to be reassessed as a result of any deterioration in the business’ underlying profitability, asset quality or other relevant matters. Impairment testing with respect to goodwill is performed annually, more frequently if impairment indicators are present, and includes a comparison of the carrying amount of the reporting unit with its fair value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit is higher than the fair value, the impairment is measured as this excess of carrying value over fair value. We did not recognize any impairments of goodwill in 2018 or 2019, but did record a goodwill impairment of $1.8 billion in 2020. Based on future market conditions and the Company's financial performance, it is possible we may be required to record additional impairment of goodwill up to $2.6 billion attributable to SC and SBNA in the future. There can be no assurance that we will not have to write down the value attributed to goodwill further in the future, which would not impact risk-based capital ratios adversely, but would adversely affect our results of operations and stockholder's equity.
We rely on recruiting, retaining and developing appropriate senior management and skilled personnel.
Our continued success depends in part on the continued service of key members of our management team. The ability to continue to attract, train, motivate and retain highly qualified professionals is a key element of our strategy. The successful implementation of our growth strategy depends on the availability of skilled management, both at our head office and at each of our business units. If we or one of our business units or other functions fails to staff its operations appropriately or loses one or more of its key senior executives and fails to replace them in a satisfactory and timely manner, our business, financial condition and results of operations, including control and operational risks, may be adversely affected.
The financial industry in the United States has experienced and may continue to experience more stringent regulation of employee compensation, which could have an adverse effect on our ability to hire or retain the most qualified employees. In addition, due to our relationship with Santander, we are subject to indirect regulation by the European Central Bank, which has recently imposed compensation restrictions that may apply to certain of our executive officers and other employees under the CRD IV prudential rules. These restrictions may impact our ability to retain our experienced management team and key employees and our ability to attract appropriately qualified personnel, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Damage to our reputation could cause harm to our business prospects.
Maintaining a positive reputation is critical to our attracting and maintaining customers, investors and employees and conducting business transactions with our counterparties. Damage to our reputation can therefore cause significant harm to our business and prospects. Harm to our reputation can arise from numerous sources including, among others, employee misconduct, litigation or regulatory outcomes, failure to deliver minimum standards of service and quality, dealing with sectors that are not well perceived by the public (e.g., weapons industries), dealing with customers on sanctions lists, ratings downgrades, compliance failures, unethical behavior, and the activities of customers and counterparties, including activities that affect the environment negatively. Further, adverse publicity, regulatory actions or fines, litigation, operational failures or the failure to meet client expectations or other obligations could materially and adversely affect our reputation, our ability to attract and retain clients or our sources of funding for the same or other businesses.
Actions by the financial services industry generally or by certain members of, or individuals in, the industry can also affect our reputation. For example, the role played by financial services firms in the financial crisis and increased regulatory supervision and enforcement have caused public perception of us and others in the financial services industry to decline. Activists increasingly target financial services firms with criticism for relationships with clients engaged in businesses whose products are perceived to be harmful to the health of customers, or whose activities are perceived to affect public safety affect the environment, climate or workers’ rights negatively. Such criticism could increase dissatisfaction among customers, investors and employees of the Company and damage the Company’s reputation. Alternatively, yielding to such activism could damage the Company’s reputation with groups whose views are not aligned with those of the activists. In either case, certain clients and customers may cease to do business with the Company, and the Company’s ability to attract new clients and customers may be diminished.
Preserving and enhancing our reputation also depends on maintaining systems, procedures and controls that address known risks and regulatory requirements, as well as our ability to timely identify, understand and mitigate additional risks that arise due to changes in our businesses and the markets in which we operate, the regulatory environment and customer expectations.
We could suffer significant reputational harm if we fail to identify and manage potential conflicts of interest properly. The failure to adequately address, or the perceived failure to adequately address, conflicts of interest could affect the willingness of clients to deal with us, or give rise to litigation or enforcement actions against us. Therefore, there can be no assurance that conflicts of interest will not arise in the future that could cause material harm to us.
While negative public opinion once was primarily a response to adverse coverage in traditional news media, increased use of social media platforms has resulted in rapid dissemination of information and misinformation, which can magnify potential harm to the Company’s reputation. We may be the subject of misinformation and misrepresentations propagated deliberately to harm our reputation or for other deceitful purposes, including by others seeking to gain an illegal market advantage by spreading false information about us. There can be no assurance that we will be able to neutralize or contain false information that may be propagated regarding the Company, which could have an adverse effect on our operating results, financial condition and prospects effectively.
Fraudulent activity associated with our products or networks could cause us to suffer reputational damage, the use of our products to decrease and our fraud losses to be materially adversely affected. We are subject to the risk of fraudulent activity associated with merchants, customers and other third parties handling customer information. The risk of fraud continues to increase for the financial services industry in general. Credit and debit card fraud, identity theft and related crimes are prevalent, and perpetrators are growing more sophisticated. Our resources, customer authentication methods and fraud prevention tools may not be sufficient to accurately predict or prevent fraud. Additionally, our fraud risk continues to increase as third parties that handle confidential consumer information suffer security breaches and we expand our direct banking business and introduce new products and features. Our financial condition, the level of our fraud charge-offs and other results of operations could be materially adversely affected if fraudulent activity were to increase significantly. High-profile fraudulent activity could negatively impact our brand and reputation. In addition, significant increases in fraudulent activity could lead to regulatory intervention and reputational and financial damage to our brands, which could negatively impact the use of our products and services and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Bank engages in transactions with its subsidiaries or affiliates that others may not consider to be on an arm’s-length basis.
The Bank and its subsidiaries have entered into a number of services agreements pursuant to which we render services, such as administrative, accounting, finance, treasury, legal services and others.
United States law applicable to certain financial institutions, including the Bank and other Santander entities and offices in the U.S., establish several procedures designed to ensure that the transactions entered into with or among our subsidiaries and/or affiliates do not deviate from prevailing market conditions for those types of transactions.
The Bank and its affiliates are likely to continue to engage in transactions with their respective affiliates. Future conflicts of interests among our affiliates may arise, which conflicts are not required to be and may not be resolved in SHUSA's favor.
Technology and Cybersecurity Risks
Any failure to effectively maintain, secure, improve or upgrade our IT infrastructure and management information systems in a timely manner could have a material adverse effect on us.
Our ability to remain competitive depends in part on our ability to maintain, protect and upgrade our IT on a timely and cost-effective basis. We must continually make significant investments and improvements in our IT infrastructure in order to remain competitive. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain the level of capital expenditures necessary to support the improvement or upgrading of our IT infrastructure in the future. Any failure to improve or upgrade our IT infrastructure and management information systems effectively and in a timely manner could have a material adverse effect on us.
Risks relating to data collection, processing, storage systems and security are inherent in our business.
Like other financial institutions with a large customer base, we have been subject to and are likely to continue to be the subject of attempted cyberattacks in light of the fact that we manage and hold confidential personal information of customers in the conduct of our banking operations, as well as a large number of assets. Our business depends on the ability to process a large number of transactions efficiently and accurately, and on our ability to rely on our digital technologies, computer and e-mail services, spreadsheets, software and networks, as well as on the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information in our computer systems and networks. The proper functioning of financial controls, accounting and other data collection and processing systems is critical to our businesses and our ability to compete effectively. Losses can result from inadequate personnel, inadequate or failed internal control processes and systems, or external events that interrupt normal business operations. We also face the risk that the design of our controls and procedures proves to be inadequate or is circumvented. Although we work with our clients, vendors, service providers, counterparties and other third parties to develop secure transmission capabilities and prevent information security risk, we routinely exchange personal, confidential and proprietary information by electronic means, which may be a target for attempted cyberattacks. This is especially applicable in the current response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift we have experienced in having a significant part of our employees working from their homes for the time being, as our employees access our secure networks through their home networks. If we cannot maintain effective and secure electronic data and information, management and processing systems or if we fail to maintain complete physical and electronic records, this could result in disruptions to our operations, claims from customers, regulators, employees and other parties, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory sanctions and serious reputational and financial harm to us.
Many companies across the country and in the financial services industry have reported significant breaches in the security of their websites or other systems. Cybersecurity risks have increased significantly in recent years due to the development and proliferation of new technologies, increased use of the internet and telecommunications technology to conduct financial transactions, and increased sophistication and activities of organized crime groups, state-sponsored and individual hackers, terrorist organizations, disgruntled employees and vendors, activists and other third parties. Financial institutions, the government and retailers have in recent years reported cyber incidents that compromised data, resulted in the theft of funds or the theft or destruction of corporate information and other assets.
We take protective measures and continuously monitor and develop our systems to protect our technology infrastructure and data from misappropriation or corruption. We have policies, practices and controls designed to prevent or limit disruptions to our systems and enhance the security of our infrastructure. These include performing risk management for information systems that store, transmit or process information assets identifying and managing risks to information assets managed by third-party service providers through on-going oversight and auditing of the service providers’ operations and controls. We develop controls regarding user access to software on the principle that access is forbidden to a system unless expressly permitted, limited to the minimum amount necessary for business purposes, and terminated promptly when access is no longer required. We seek to educate and make our employees aware of information security and privacy controls and their specific responsibilities on an ongoing basis.
Nevertheless, while we have not experienced material losses or other material consequences relating to cyberattacks or other information or security breaches, whether directed at us or third parties, our systems, software and networks, as well as those of our clients, vendors, service providers, counterparties and other third parties, may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, misuse, computer viruses or other malicious code, cyberattacks such as denial of service, malware, ransomware, phishing, and other events that could result in security breaches or give rise to the manipulation or loss of significant amounts of personal, proprietary or confidential information of our customers, employees, suppliers, counterparties and other third parties, disrupt, sabotage or degrade service on our systems, or result in the theft or loss of significant levels of liquid assets, including cash. As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and increase in sophistication, we cannot guarantee the effectiveness of our policies, practices and controls to protect against all such circumstances that could result in disruptions to our systems. This is because, among other reasons, the techniques used in cyberattacks change frequently, cyberattacks can originate from a wide variety of sources, and third parties may seek to gain access to our systems either directly or by using equipment or passwords belonging to employees, customers, third-party service providers or other authorized users of our systems. In the event of a cyberattack or security breach affecting a vendor or other third party entity on whom we rely, our ability to conduct business, and the security of our customer information, could be impaired in a manner to that of a cyberattack or security breach affecting us directly. We also may not receive information or notice of the breach in a timely manner, or we may have limited options to influence how and when the cyberattack or security breach is addressed.
As financial institutions are becoming increasingly interconnected with central agents, exchanges and clearinghouses, they may be increasingly susceptible to negative consequences of cyberattacks and security breaches affecting the systems of such third parties. It could take a significant amount of time for a cyberattack to be investigated, during which time we may not be in a position to fully understand and remediate the attack, and certain errors or actions could be repeated or compounded before they are discovered and remediated, any or all of which could further increase the costs and consequences associated with a particular cyberattack. The perception of a security breach affecting us or any part of the financial services industry, whether correct or not, could result in a loss of confidence in our cybersecurity measures or otherwise damage our reputation with customers and third parties with whom we do business. Should such adverse events occur, we may not have indemnification or other protection from the third party sufficient to compensate or protect us from the consequences.
As attempted cyberattacks continue to evolve in scope and sophistication, we may incur significant costs in our attempts to modify or enhance our protective measures against such attacks to investigate or remediate any vulnerability or resulting breach, or in communicating cyberattacks to our customers. An interception, misuse or mishandling of personal, confidential or proprietary information sent to or received from a client, vendor, service provider, counterparty or third party or a cyberattack could result in our inability to recover or restore data that has been stolen, manipulated or destroyed, damage to our systems and those of our clients, customers and counterparties, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, or other significant disruption of operations, including disruptions in our ability to use our accounting, deposit, loan and other systems and our ability to communicate with and perform transactions with customers, vendors and other parties. These effects could be exacerbated if we would need to shut down portions of our technology infrastructure temporarily to address a cyberattack, if our technology infrastructure is not sufficiently redundant to meet our business needs while an aspect of our technology is compromised, or if a technological or other solution to a cyberattack is slow to be developed. Even if we timely resolve the technological issues in a cyberattack, a temporary disruption in our operations could adversely affect customer satisfaction and behavior, expose us to reputational damage, contractual claims, regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions, or litigation.
U.S. banking agencies and other federal and state government agencies have increased their attention on cybersecurity and data privacy risks, and have proposed enhanced risk management standards that would apply to us. For example, the California Consumer Privacy Act, which took effect on January 1, 2020, requires, among other things, notification to affected individuals when there has been a security breach of their personal data, and imposes increased privacy and security obligations of entities handling certain personal information of individuals. Such legislation and regulations relating to cybersecurity and data privacy may require that we modify systems, change service providers, or alter business practices or policies regarding information security, handling of data and privacy. Changes such as these could subject us to heightened operational costs. To the extent we do not successfully meet supervisory standards pertaining to cybersecurity, we could be subject to supervisory actions, litigation and reputational damage or ordered to change our business practices, policies or systems in a manner that adversely impacts our operating results.
Risks Associated with our Majority-Owned Consolidated Subsidiary
The financial results of SC could have a negative impact on the Company's operating results and financial condition.
SC historically has provided a significant source of funding to the Company through earnings. Our investment in SC involves risk, including the possibility that poor operating results of SC could negatively affect the operating results of SHUSA.
Factors that affect the financial results of SC in addition to those which have been previously addressed include, but are not limited to:
•Periods of economic slowdown may result in decreased demand for automobiles as well as declining values of automobiles and other consumer products used as collateral to secure outstanding loans. Higher gasoline prices, the general availability of consumer credit, and other factors which impact consumer confidence could increase loss frequency and decrease consumer demand for automobiles. In addition, during an economic slowdown, servicing costs may increase without a corresponding increase in finance charge income. Changes in the economy may impact the collateral value of repossessed automobiles and repossession, and foreclosure sales may not yield sufficient proceeds to repay the receivables in full and result in losses.
•SC’s growth strategy is subject to significant risks, some of which are outside its control, including general economic conditions, the ability to obtain adequate financing for growth, laws and regulatory environments in the states in which the business seeks to operate, competition in new markets, the ability to attract new customers, the ability to recruit qualified personnel, and the ability to obtain and maintain all required approvals, permits, and licenses on a timely basis.
•Our relationship with FCA is a significant source of our loan and lease originations. Loss of our relationship with FCA, including as a result of termination of our agreement with FCA, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
•SC’s business may be negatively impacted if it is unsuccessful in developing and maintaining relationships with automobile dealerships that correlate to SC’s ability to acquire loans and automotive leases. In addition, economic downturns may result in the closure of dealerships and corresponding decreases in sales and loan volumes.
•SC's business could be negatively impacted if it is unsuccessful in developing and maintaining its serviced for others portfolio. As this is a significant and growing portion of SC's business strategy, if an institution for which SC currently services assets chooses to terminate SC's rights as a servicer or if SC fails to add additional institutions or portfolios to its servicing platform, SC may not achieve the desired revenue or income from this platform.
•SC has repurchase obligations in its capacity as a servicer in securitizations and whole loan sales. If significant repurchases of assets or other payments are required under its responsibility as a servicer, this could have a material adverse effect on SC’s financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity.
•The obligations associated with being a public company require significant resources and management attention, which increases the costs of SC's operations and may divert focus from business operations. As a result of its IPO, SC is now required to remain in compliance with the reporting requirements of the SEC and the NYSE, maintain corporate infrastructure required of a public company, and incur significant legal and financial compliance costs, which may divert SC management’s attention and resources from implementing its growth strategy.
•The market price of SC Common Stock may be volatile, which could cause the value of an investment in SC Common Stock to decline. Conditions affecting the market price of SC Common Stock may be beyond SC’s control and include general market conditions, economic factors, actual or anticipated fluctuations in quarterly operating results, changes in or failure to meet publicly disclosed expectations related to future financial performance, analysts’ estimates of SC’s financial performance or lack of research or reports by industry analysts, changes in market valuations of similar companies, future sales of SC Common Stock, or additions or departures of its key personnel.
•SC's business and results of operations could be negatively impacted if it fails to manage and complete divestitures. SC regularly evaluates its portfolio in order to determine whether an asset or business may no longer be aligned with its strategic objectives. When SC decides to sell assets or a business, it may encounter difficulty in finding buyers or alternative exit strategies on acceptable terms in a timely manner, which could delay the achievement of our strategic objectives. SC may also experience greater costs and synergies than expected, and the impact of the divestiture on revenue may be larger than projected. Additionally, SC may ultimately dispose of assets or a business at a price or on terms that are less favorable than those it had originally anticipated. After reaching a definitive agreement with a buyer, SC typically must satisfy pre-closing conditions and the completion of the transaction may be subject to regulatory and governmental approvals. Failure of these conditions and approvals to be satisfied or obtained may prevent SC from completing the transaction. Divestitures involve a number of risks, including the diversion of management and employee attention, significant costs and expenses, and a decrease in revenues and earnings associated with the divested business. Divestitures may also involve continued financial involvement in the divested business, such as through continuing equity ownership, guarantees, indemnities or other financial obligations. Under these arrangements, performance by the divested businesses or other conditions outside of our control could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. SC continues to classify loans from its Bluestem portfolio as held-for-sale with a carrying value of approximately $0.9 billion as of December 31, 2020. SC remains a party to agreements with Bluestem that obligate it to, among other things, purchase new advances originated by Bluestem, along with existing balances on accounts with new advances through April 2022. Both parties have the right to terminate this agreement upon written notice if certain events were to occur, including if there is a material adverse change in the financial reporting condition of either party. Although SC is seeking a third party willing and able to take on this obligation, it may not be successful in finding such a party, and Bluestem may not agree to the substitution. SC has recorded significant lower-of-cost-or-market adjustments on this portfolio and may continue to do so as long as the portfolio is held, particularly due to the new volume it is committed to purchase. Until SC finds a third party to assume this obligation, there is a risk that material changes to its relationship with Bluestem, or the loss or discontinuance of Bluestem’s business, would materially and adversely affect SC’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
•SC's business could be negatively impacted if access to funding is reduced. Adverse changes in SC's ABS program or in the ABS market generally could materially adversely affect its ability to securitize loans on a timely basis or upon terms acceptable to SC. This could increase its cost of funding, reduce its margins, or cause it to hold assets until investor demand improves.
•As with SHUSA, adverse outcomes to current and future litigation against SC may negatively impact its business, financial condition, and results of operations, and liquidity. SC is party to various litigation claims and legal proceedings. In particular, as a consumer finance company, it is subject to various consumer claims and litigation seeking damages and statutory penalties. Some litigation against it could take the form of class action complaints by consumers. As the assignee of loans originated by automotive dealers, it also may be named as a co-defendant in lawsuits filed by consumers principally against automotive dealers.
The Chrysler Agreement may not result in currently anticipated levels of growth and is subject to certain performance conditions that could result in termination of the agreement. If SC fails to meet certain of these performance conditions, FCA may seek to terminate the agreement. In addition, FCA has the option to acquire an equity participation in the Chrysler Capital portion of SC's business.
In February 2013, SC entered into the Chrysler Agreement with FCA through which SC launched the Chrysler Capital brand in May 2013. Through the Chrysler Capital brand, SC originates private-label loans and leases to facilitate the purchase of FCA vehicles by consumers and FCA-franchised automotive dealers. The financing services SC provides under the Chrysler Agreement include providing (1) credit lines to finance FCA-franchised dealers’ acquisitions of vehicles and other products FCA sells or distributes, (2) automotive loans and leases to finance consumer acquisitions of new and used vehicles at FCA-franchised dealerships, (3) financing for commercial and fleet customers, and (4) ancillary services. In addition, SC may facilitate, for an affiliate, offerings to dealers for dealer loan financing, construction loans, real estate loans, working capital loans, and revolving lines of credit. On June 28, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment of the Chrysler Agreement which modified the Chrysler Agreement to, among other things, adjust certain performance metrics, exclusivity commitments and payment provisions.
In May 2013, in accordance with the terms of the Chrysler Agreement, SC paid FCA a $150 million upfront, nonrefundable payment, to be amortized over ten years. In addition, in June 2019, in connection with the execution of the amendment to the Chrysler Agreement, SC paid a $60 million upfront fee to FCA. The unamortized portion would be recognized as expense immediately if the Chrysler Agreement were terminated in accordance with its terms.
As part of the Chrysler Agreement, SC received limited exclusivity rights to participate in specified minimum percentages of certain of FCA's financing incentive programs, which include loan rate subvention and automotive lease residual support subvention. Among other covenants, SC has committed to certain revenue sharing arrangements. SC bears the risk of loss on loans originated pursuant to the Chrysler Agreement, while FCA shares in any residual gains and losses in respect of automotive leases, subject to specific provisions in the Chrysler Agreement, including limitations on SC’s participation in such gains and losses.
The Chrysler Agreement is subject to early termination in certain circumstances, including SC's failure to meet certain key performance metrics, provided FCA treats SC in a manner consistent with other comparable OEMs. FCA may also terminate the agreement if, among other circumstances, (i) a person other than Santander and its affiliates or SC's other stockholders owns 20% or more of SC Common Stock and Santander and its affiliates own fewer shares of common stock than such person, (ii) SC controls, or becomes controlled by, an OEM that competes with FCA or (iii) certain of SC’s credit facilities become impaired. In addition, under the Chrysler Agreement, FCA has the option to acquire, for fair market value, an equity participation in the business offering and providing the financial services contemplated by the Chrysler Agreement. There is no maximum limit on the size of FCA’s potential equity participation. Although the Chrysler Agreement contains provisions that are designed to address a situation in which the parties disagree on the fair market value of the equity participation interest, there is a risk that SC ultimately receives less than what it believes to be the fair market value for such interest, and the loss of its associated revenue and profits may not be offset fully by the immediate proceeds for such interest. There can be no assurance that SC would be able to re-deploy the immediate proceeds for such interest in other businesses or investments that would provide comparable returns, thereby reducing SC’s profitability.
SC’s ability to realize the full strategic and financial benefits of its relationship with FCA depends in part on the successful development of its Chrysler Capital business, which requires a significant amount of management's time and effort as well as the success of FCA's business. If FCA exercises its equity option, if the Chrysler Agreement (or FCA's limited exclusivity obligations thereunder) were to terminate, or if SC otherwise is unable to realize the expected benefits of its relationship with FCA, including as a result of FCA's bankruptcy or loss of business, there could be a materially adverse impact to SHUSA's and SC’s business, financial condition, results of operations, profitability, loan and lease volume, the credit quality of SHUSA's and SC’s portfolio, liquidity, reputation, funding costs and growth, and SHUSA's and SC's ability to obtain or find other OEM relationships or to otherwise implement our business strategy could be materially adversely affected.
General Risk Factors
Macro-Economic and Political Risks
Developments stemming from the U.K. withdrawal from the EU could have a material adverse effect on us.
The U.K.’s withdrawal from the EU may have negative effects on global economic conditions and global financial markets. The EU and the U.K. recently signed the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which provides a basic framework for free trade in goods and cooperation in certain policy areas; however, there are many aspects pertaining to trade and cooperation between the EU and the U.K. that remain subject to negotiation and there is still uncertainty about the long-term relationship between the EU and the U.K. and whether the U.K. will replicate or replace certain EU laws. The U.K.’s withdrawal from the EU has contributed to political and economic uncertainty in the U.K. and may contribute to such environments in EU member states. Such political and economic uncertainty could have a material adverse effect on economic conditions and the stability of financial markets in the U.K., and could significantly reduce market liquidity and restrict the ability of key market participants to operate in certain financial markets. While the Company does not maintain a presence in the U.K., political and economic uncertainty in countries with significant economies and relationships to the global financial industry have in the past led to declines in market liquidity and activity levels, volatile market conditions, a contraction of available credit, lower or negative interest rates, weaker economic growth and reduced business confidence on an international level, each of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Business and Industry Risks
We depend in part upon dividends and other funds from subsidiaries.
Most of our operations are conducted through our subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to pay dividends, to the extent we decide to do so, depends in part on the ability of our subsidiaries to generate earnings and pay dividends to us. Payment of dividends, distributions and advances by our subsidiaries will be contingent on our subsidiaries’ earnings and business considerations, and are limited by legal and regulatory restrictions. Additionally, our right to receive any assets of our subsidiaries as an equity holder of such subsidiaries upon their liquidation or reorganization will be effectively subordinated to the claims of our subsidiaries’ creditors, including trade creditors.
Our ability to maintain our competitive position depends, in part, on the success of new products and services we offer our clients and our ability to continue offering products and services from third parties, and we may not be able to manage various risks we face as we expand our range of products and services that could have a material adverse effect on us.
The success of our operations and our profitability depend, in part, on the success of new products and services we offer our clients and our ability to continue offering products and services from third parties. However, we cannot guarantee that our new products and services will be responsive to client demands or successful once they are offered to our clients, or that they will be successful in the future. In addition, our clients’ needs or desires may change over time, and such changes may render our products and services obsolete, outdated or unattractive, and we may not be able to develop new products that meet our clients’ changing needs. Our success is also dependent on our ability to anticipate and leverage new and existing technologies that may have an impact on products and services in the banking industry. Technological changes may further intensify and complicate the competitive landscape and influence client behavior. If we cannot respond in a timely fashion to the changing needs of our clients, we may lose clients, which could in turn materially and adversely affect us.
The introduction of new products and services can entail significant time and resources, including regulatory approvals. Substantial risks and uncertainties are associated with the introduction of new products and services, including technical and control requirements that may need to be developed and implemented, rapid technological change in the industry, our ability to access technical and other information from our clients and the significant and ongoing investments required to bring new products and services to market in a timely manner at competitive prices. Our failure to manage these risks and uncertainties also exposes us to the enhanced risk of operational lapses, which may result in the recognition of financial statement liabilities. Regulatory and internal control requirements, capital requirements, competitive alternatives, vendor relationships and shifting market preferences may also determine whether initiatives can be brought to market in a manner that is timely and attractive to our clients. Failure to manage these risks in the development and implementation of new products or services successfully could have a material adverse effect on our business and reputation, as well as on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the cost of developing products that are not launched is likely to affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Any or all of these factors, individually or collectively, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on third parties for important products and services.
Third-party vendors provide key components of our business infrastructure such as loan and deposit servicing systems, internet connections and network access. Third parties can be sources of operational risk to us, including with respect to security breaches affecting those parties. We may be required to take steps to protect the integrity of our operational systems, thereby increasing our operational costs and potentially decreasing customer satisfaction. In addition, any problems caused by these third parties, including as a result of their not providing us their services for any reason, their performing their services poorly, or employee misconduct could adversely affect our ability to deliver products and services to customers and otherwise to conduct business, which could lead to reputational damage and regulatory investigations and intervention. Replacing these third-party vendors could also entail significant delays and expense. Further, the operational and regulatory risk we face as a result of these arrangements may be increased to the extent that we restructure them. Any restructuring could involve significant expense to us and entail significant delivery and execution risk, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If a third party obtains access to our customer information and that third party experiences a cyberattack or breach of its systems, this could result in several negative outcomes for us, including losses from fraudulent transactions, potential legal and regulatory liability and associated damages, penalties and restitution, increased operational costs to remediate the consequences of the third party’s security breach, and harm to our reputation from the perception that our systems or third-party systems or services that we rely on may not be secure.
Our business and financial performance could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by disasters, natural or otherwise, terrorist activities or international hostilities.
Neither the occurrence nor potential impact of disasters (such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and other severe weather conditions, pandemics, and other significant public health emergencies, dislocations, fires, explosions, or other catastrophic accidents or events), terrorist activities or international hostilities can be predicted. However, these occurrences could impact us directly (for example, by causing significant damage to our facilities, preventing a subset of our employees from working for a prolonged period and otherwise preventing us from conducting our business in the ordinary course), or indirectly as a result of their impact on our borrowers, depositors, other customers, suppliers or other counterparties. We could also suffer adverse consequences to the extent that disasters, terrorist activities or international hostilities affect the financial markets or the economy in general or in any particular region. These types of impacts could lead, for example, to an increase in delinquencies, bankruptcies and defaults that could result in our experiencing higher levels of nonperforming assets, net charge-offs and provisions for credit losses.
Our ability to mitigate the adverse consequences of such occurrences is in part dependent on the quality of our resiliency planning and our ability to anticipate the nature of any such event that may occur. The adverse impact of disasters, terrorist activities or international hostilities also could be increased to the extent that there is a lack of preparedness on the part of national or regional emergency responders or on the part of other organizations and businesses with which we deal.
Financial Reporting and Control Risks
Changes in accounting standards could impact reported earnings.
The accounting standard setters and other regulatory bodies periodically change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements. These changes can materially impact how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations, as well as affect the calculation of our capital ratios. In some cases, we could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in the restatement of prior period financial statements.
For example, as noted in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K, in June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The adoption of this standard resulted in the increase in the ACL of approximately $2.5 billion and a decrease to opening retained earnings, net of income taxes, at January 1, 2020. The estimated increase is based on forecasts of expected future economic conditions and is primarily driven by the fact that the allowance will cover expected credit losses over the full expected life of the loan portfolios. The standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s other financial instruments. Additionally, we elected to utilize regulatory relief which permitted us to phase in 25 percent of the capital impact of CECL in our calculation of regulatory capital amounts and ratios in 2020, and will permit us to phase in an additional 25 percent each subsequent year until fully phased-in by the first quarter of 2023.
Our financial statements are based in part on assumptions and estimates which, if inaccurate, could cause material misstatement of the results of our operations and financial position.
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Due to the inherent uncertainty in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may be based upon amounts which differ from those estimates. Estimates, judgments and assumptions are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected. The accounting policies deemed critical to our results and financial position, based upon materiality and significant judgments and estimates, include impairment of loans and advances, goodwill impairment, valuation of financial instruments, impairment of available-for-sale financial assets, deferred tax assets and provisions for liabilities.
The ACL is a significant critical estimate. Due to the inherent nature of this estimate, we cannot provide assurance that the Company will not significantly increase the ACL or sustain credit losses that are significantly higher than the provided allowance.
The valuation of financial instruments measured at fair value can be subjective, in particular when models are used which include unobservable inputs. Given the uncertainty and subjectivity associated with valuing such instruments it is possible that the results of our operations and financial position could be materially misstated if the estimates and assumptions used prove inaccurate.
If the judgments, estimates and assumptions we use in preparing our Consolidated Financial Statements are subsequently found to be incorrect, there could be a material effect on our results of operations and a corresponding effect on our funding requirements and capital ratios.
Disclosure controls and procedures over financial reporting and internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all errors or acts of fraud, and lapses in these controls could materially and adversely affect our operations, liquidity and/or reputation.
Disclosure controls and procedures over financial reporting are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, and recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. We also maintain a system of internal controls over financial reporting. However, these controls may not achieve their intended objectives. Control processes that involve human diligence and compliance, such as our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting, are subject to lapses in judgement and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Controls can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of these limitations, there are risks that material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected, and that information may not be reported on a timely basis.
Further, there can be no assurance that we will not suffer from material weaknesses in disclosure controls and processes over financial reporting in the future. If we fail to remediate any future material weaknesses or fail to otherwise maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting in the future, such failure could result in a material misstatement of our annual or quarterly financial statements that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis and which could cause investors and other users to lose confidence in our financial statements and limit our ability to raise capital. Additionally, failure to remediate the material weaknesses or otherwise failing to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting may negatively impact our operating results and financial condition, impair our ability to timely file our periodic reports with the SEC, subject us to additional litigation and regulatory actions and cause us to incur substantial additional costs in future periods relating to the implementation of remedial measures.
Failure to satisfy obligations associated with public securities filings may have adverse regulatory, economic, and reputational consequences.
If we are not able to file our periodic reports within the time periods prescribed by the SEC, among other consequences, we would be unable to use Form S-3 registration statements until we have timely filed our SEC periodic reports for a period of 12 consecutive months. Our inability to use Form S-3 registration statements would increase the time and resources we need to spend if we choose to access the public capital markets.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B - UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2 - PROPERTIES
As of December 31, 2020, the Company utilized 667 buildings that occupy a total of 6.9 million square feet, including 149 owned properties with 1.2 million square feet, and 518 leased properties with 5.8 million square feet. The executive and primary administrative offices for SHUSA and the Bank are located at 75 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts. The Company leases this location. SC's corporate headquarters are located at 1601 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas. SC leases this location.
Eight major buildings serve as the headquarters or house significant operational and administrative functions, and are : Operations Center - 2 Morrissey Boulevard, Dorchester, Massachusetts-Leased; Call Center and Operations and Loan Processing Center-Santander Way; 95 Amaral Street, Riverside, Rhode Island-Leased; SHUSA/SBNA Administrative Offices-75 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts-Leased; Call Center and Operations and Loan Processing Center-450 Penn Street, Reading; Pennsylvania-Leased; Loan Processing Center-601 Penn Street; Reading, Pennsylvania-Owned; Operations and Administrative Offices-1130 Berkshire Boulevard, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania-Owned; Operations and Administrative Offices-1401 Brickell Avenue, Miami, Florida-Owned; and SC Administrative Offices-1601 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas-Leased.
The majority of these eight Company properties identified above are utilized for general corporate purposes. The remaining 659 properties consist primarily of bank branches and lending offices. Of the total number of buildings, the Bank has 580 retail branches.
For additional information regarding the Company's properties refer to Note 5 - "Premises and Equipment" and Note 7 - "Other Assets" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Refer to Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosure regarding the lawsuit filed by SHUSA against the IRS and Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for SHUSA’s litigation disclosures, which are incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4 - MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The Company has one class of common stock. The Company’s common stock was traded on the NYSE under the symbol “SOV” through January 29, 2009. On January 30, 2009, all shares of the Company's common stock were acquired by Santander and de-listed from the NYSE. Following this de-listing, there has not been, nor is there currently, an established public trading market in shares of the Company’s common stock. As of the date of this filing, Santander was the sole holder of the Company’s common stock.
At February 28, 2021, 530,391,043 shares of common stock were outstanding. There were no issuances of common stock during 2020, 2019, or 2018.
During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 the Company declared and paid cash dividends of $125.0 million, $400.0 million, and $410.0 million respectively, to its shareholder.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6 - SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Not applicable.

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7 - MD&A
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
SHUSA is the parent holding company of SBNA, a national banking association; SC, a consumer finance company headquartered in Dallas, Texas; SSLLC, a broker-dealer headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts; BSI, a financial services company headquartered in Miami, Florida that offers a full range of banking services to foreign individuals and corporations based primarily in Latin America; SIS, a registered broker-dealer headquartered in New York providing services in investment banking, institutional sales, trading and offering research reports of Latin American and European equity and fixed-income securities; SFS, a consumer credit institution headquartered in Puerto Rico; and several other subsidiaries. SHUSA is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and the Bank's main office is in Wilmington, Delaware. SSLLC, SIS and another SHUSA subsidiary, SAM, are registered investment advisers with the SEC. SHUSA's two largest subsidiaries by asset size and revenue are the Bank and SC. SHUSA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Santander.
As of December 31, 2020, SC was owned approximately 80.2% by SHUSA and 19.8% by other shareholders. SC Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol "SC."
The Bank's primary business consists of attracting deposits and providing other retail banking services through its network of retail branches, and originating small business loans, middle market, large and global commercial loans, multifamily loans, residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, and auto and other consumer loans throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern areas of the United States, principally located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The Bank uses its deposits, as well as other financing sources, to fund its loan and investment portfolios. The Bank earns interest income on its loan and investment portfolios. In addition, the Bank generates non-interest income from a number of sources, including deposit and loan services, sales of loans and investment securities, capital markets products and BOLI. The Bank's principal non-interest expenses include employee compensation and benefits, occupancy and facility-related costs, technology and other administrative expenses. The financial results of the Bank are affected by the economic environment, including interest rates and consumer and business confidence and spending, as well as the competitive conditions within the Bank's geographic footprint.
SC is a specialized consumer finance company focused on vehicle finance and third-party servicing and delivering service to dealers and customers across the full credit spectrum. . SC's primary business is the indirect origination and servicing of RICs and leases, principally through manufacturer-franchised dealers in connection with their sale of new and used vehicles to subprime retail consumers. Additionally, SC sells consumer RICs through flow agreements and, when market conditions are favorable, it accesses the ABS market through securitizations of consumer RICs. SAF is SC’s primary vehicle financing brand, and is available as a finance option for automotive dealers across the United States Further information about SC’s business is provided below in the “Chrysler Capital” section.
SC is managed through a single reporting segment which included vehicle financial products and services, including RICs, vehicle leases, and dealer loans, as well as financial products and services related to recreational and marine vehicles and other consumer finance products.
SC also originates vehicle loans through a web-based direct lending program, purchases vehicle RICs from other lenders, and services automobile and recreational and marine vehicle portfolios for other lenders. Additionally, SC has other relationships through which it holds other consumer finance products. .
Chrysler Capital
Since May 2013, under the Chrysler Agreement, SC has operated as FCA’s preferred provider for consumer loans, leases and dealer loans and provides services to FCA customers and dealers under the Chrysler Capital brand. These products and services include consumer RICs and leases, as well as dealer loans for inventory, construction, real estate, working capital and revolving lines of credit.
Chrysler Capital continues to be a focal point of SC's strategy. On June 28, 2019, SC entered into an amendment to the Chrysler Agreement with FCA which modified the Chrysler Agreement to, among other things, adjust certain performance metrics, exclusivity commitments and payment provisions under the agreement. The amendment also established an operating framework that is mutually beneficial for both parties for the remainder of the contract. The Company's average penetration rate under the Chrysler Agreement for the year ended December 31, 2020 was 34%, flat from 34% for the year ended December 31, 2019.
SC has dedicated financing facilities in place for its Chrysler Capital business and has worked strategically and collaboratively with FCA to continue to strengthen its relationship and create value within the Chrysler Capital program. During the year ended December 31, 2020, SC originated $14.2 billion in Chrysler Capital loans, which represented 60% of the UPB of its total RIC originations, as well as $6.8 billion in Chrysler Capital leases. Additionally, substantially all of the leases originated by SC during year ended December 31, 2020 were under the Chrysler Agreement.
ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Overview
During the fourth quarter of 2020, unemployment decreased and year-to-date market results were mixed, reflecting the effects of COVID-19.
The unemployment rate at December 31, 2020 was 6.7%, compared to 7.9% at September 30, 2020 and 3.5% one year ago. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment rose sharply in the leisure and hospitality sector. In addition, notable increases were seen in retail trade, social assistance and health services, and professional and business services.
Market year-to-date returns for the following indices based on closing prices at December 31, 2020 were:
December 31, 2020
Dow Jones Industrial Average 7.5%
S&P 500 16.6%
NASDAQ Composite 44.1%
In light of the effects COVID-19 will have on economic activity, at its December 2020 meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee decided to maintain the federal funds rate target range to 0.00% to 0.25%. The Committee expects to maintain this target rate until it is confident that the economy has weathered recent events and is on track to achieve its maximum employment and price stability. This action will help support economic activity, strong labor market conditions and inflation to remain at the targeted rate of 2.0%.
The ten-year Treasury bond rate at December 31, 2020 was 0.92%, down from 1.90% at December 31, 2019. Within the industry, changes in this metric are often considered to correspond to changes in 15-year and 30-year mortgage rates.
Changing market conditions are considered a significant risk factor to the Company. The interest rate environment can present challenges in the growth of net interest income for the banking industry, which continues to rely on non-interest activities to support revenue growth. Changing market conditions and political uncertainty could have an overall impact on the Company's results of operations and financial condition. Such conditions could also impact the Company's credit risk and the associated credit loss expense and legal expense.
Credit Rating Actions
The following table presents Moody’s, S&P and Fitch credit ratings for the Bank, SHUSA, and Santander senior debt / long-term issuer rating:
SANTANDER (1)
SHUSA SBNA (2)
Overall Outlook
Fitch A BBB+ BBB+ Negative
Moody's A2 Baa3 Baa1 Stable
S&P A BBB+ A- Negative
(1) Senior preferred rating
(2) Moody's rating represents SBNA long-term issuer rating
SHUSA funds its operations independently of the other entities owned by Santander, and believes its business is not necessarily closely related to the business or outlook of other entities owned by Santander. Future changes in the credit ratings of its parent, Santander, or the Kingdom of Spain, however, could impact SHUSA's or its subsidiaries' credit ratings, and any other change in the condition of Santander could affect SHUSA.
At this time, SC is not rated by the major credit rating agencies.
Impacts of COVID- 19 on our current and future financial and operating status and planning
The current outbreak of COVID-19 has materially impacted our business, and the continuance of this pandemic or any future outbreak of any other highly contagious diseases or other public health emergency, could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.
Due to the unpredictable and rapidly changing nature of this outbreak and the resulting economic distress, it is not possible to determine with certainty the ultimate impact on our results of operations or whether other currently unanticipated consequences of the pandemic are reasonably likely to materially affect our results of operations; however, certain adverse effects have already occurred or are probable. The following summarizes our current discussion of the impacts of COVID-19 on the Company's current financial and operating status, as well as on its future operational and financial planning as of the date hereof:
•Impact on services: The COVID-19 outbreak as well as state stay-at-home orders resulted in the closure of certain branches in highly affected areas within the Bank's footprint. To comply with social distancing guidelines and help minimize the spread of the coronavirus, the Bank instituted temporary changes to how it operates, including closure of certain branches and limitations on services provided to others. Certain limited service locations were only performing teller transactions- such as depositing and cashing checks and handling requests for cash withdrawals, money orders and cashier's checks - in the lobby or at the drive-through. In addition, some branches were only providing account opening and servicing with a banker by appointment only. Full and limited-service branches are limiting the number of people allowed in our locations at one time. Branch hours have been changed temporarily, with certain branches providing special hours for high-risk customers. As the quarter wore on and states changed their guidance, the Bank has resumed normal branch operations for over 90% of its current branches while maintaining applicable social distancing guidelines. Retail customers are encouraged to take advantage of mobile and online banking enabling customers to bank anytime, anywhere, for services including: checking account balances, remote check deposit, transfers, bill pay, and more. Retail customers can also utilize automated services via phone to make balance and transaction inquiries, payments on loans, transfers between accounts, stop payments, and more. Our call center remains staffed and open seven days a week to better serve our customers. Business customers can continue to utilize the business mobile banking application and business online banking to minimize the need to go to branches or exchange cash. We have developed the "Business First Coronavirus Resource Page" for our business customers during this time.
•Impact on customers and loan and lease performance: The COVID-19 outbreak and associated economic crisis have led to negative effects on our customers. Unlike the regional impact of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, the COVID-19 outbreak is impacting customers nationwide and is expected to have a materially more significant impact on the performance of our loan and lease portfolios than even the most severe historical natural disaster.
Closures and disruptions to businesses in the United States have led to negative effects on our customers. Similar to many other financial institutions, we have taken and will continue to take measures to mitigate our customers’ COVID-19-related economic challenges. The Company is actively working with its borrowers who have been impacted by COVID-19. This unique and evolving situation has created temporary personal and financial challenges for our retail and commercial borrowers. The Company is working prudently with borrowers who are or may be unable to meet their contractual payment obligations because of the effects of COVID-19 and has developed loan modification and deferral programs to mitigate the financial effects of COVID-19 on our loan customers. We have experienced a sharp increase in requests for extensions and modifications related to COVID-19 nationwide and a significant number of such extensions and modifications have been granted. The Bank also permitted fee reversals for those customers impacted by COVID-19, even if the amount exceed the allowable courtesy fee reversal. The Bank also joined other U.S. banks in providing overdrawn customers full access to their EIP by providing a temporary credit in the amount of their overdrawn balance as of the end of the day prior to receipt of the EIP, up to a limit of 5,000. To date, the Bank has provided over $3 million in temporary credits, helping nearly 10,000 customers. Beginning July 15, 2020, the Bank began removing these temporary credits from customers’ accounts.
These customer support programs, by their nature, are expected to negatively impact our financial performance and other results of operations in the near term. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected in the longer term if the COVID-19 outbreak leads us to continue to conduct such programs for a significant period of time, if the number of customers experiencing hardship related directly or indirectly to the pandemic increases, or if our customer support programs are not effective in mitigating the effects of the pandemic and the recession on our customers' financial situations. Given the unpredictable nature of this situation, the nature and extent of such effects cannot be predicted at this time, but such effects could be materially adverse to our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition to the measures discussed above, the Bank is providing assistance for its retail customers, including helping those experiencing difficulties with loan payments, waiving fees for early CD withdrawals, refunding late payment and overdraft fees, offering credit card limit increases, and increasing cash availability limits at ATMs. The policy of a more relaxed approach to providing fee refunds in the wake of hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic remains, but beginning in August the Bank began to see fewer refund requests. As a result, fee reversals are approaching pre-pandemic levels. For business banking customers, the Bank works with customers to provide loan accommodations and deferrals and extensions for customers experiencing hardships.
The PPP, a key part of the CARES Act, authorizes loans to small businesses to help meet payroll costs and pay other eligible expenses during the COVID-19 outbreak. The program is administered by the SBA, and the loans and accrued interest are forgivable as long as the borrower uses at least 60% of the proceeds of the loan for eligible purposes, such as payroll, benefits, rent and utilities, and maintains employee and payroll levels. The original funding for the PPP was fully allocated by mid-April 2020, with additional funding made available on April 24, 2020. Original loans were originated with a two-year maturity, unless extended by mutual agreement between the lender and borrower. Loans made on or after June 5, 2020 have a five-year maturity. In July 2020, the PPP was extended through August 8, 2020. The Bank originated loans in the first, second and third rounds of the PPP. In rounds one and two, SBNA assisted more than 12,070 business customers in receiving PPP loans for more than $1.2 billion in funding. SBNA launched a pilot of the PPP loan forgiveness application on August 14, 2020. On December 27, 2020, the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act was enacted, which re-authorized lending under the PPP through March 31, 2021, modified provisions relating to originating PPP loans and forgiveness of PPP loans, and authorized second draw PPP loans.
•Impact on originations, including the relationship with FCA: Since the COVID-19 outbreak, SC has partnered with FCA to launch new incentive programs including implementing 90 day first payment deferrals and a 0% annual percentage rate for 84 months on select 2019/2020 FCA models. Most dealers are open today and operating at full capacity; however, some dealers are operating in a modified capacity based on state requirements and/or COVID-19-related employee concerns. Third party sources are reporting a new car seasonally adjusted annual rate that is approximately 95% of pre-COVID expectations. While an economic downturn associated with the pandemic will impact sales, most dealers have developed business models that will allow them to continue operation in some capacity.
While banking is considered an essential business in all of the Bank’s footprint states, executive orders have limited the scope of work of vendors supporting mortgage and home equity lines of credit such as appraisers, notaries, law firms, title companies and settlement agents or stopped these vendors from working altogether at certain times throughout the year. As a result of these restrictions, the number of mortgages, home equity lines of credit and refinancings declined, for a period in certain states. While many of these restrictions have been lifted, it remains difficult to estimate the overall negative impact these limitations will have on mortgages, home equity lines of credits and refinancing as restrictions may be reinstated with rising COVID-19 numbers in the upcoming months.
•Impact on debt and liquidity: As international trade and business activity has slowed and supply chains have been disrupted, global credit and financial markets have recently experienced, and may continue to experience significant disruption and volatility. During 2020, financial markets experienced significant declines and volatility, and such market conditions may continue in the U.S. economy. Under these circumstances, we may experience some or all of the risks related to market volatility and recessionary conditions described under the caption "We are vulnerable to disruptions and volatility in the global financial markets" in the Risk Factors section above.
Governmental and regulatory authorities have recently implemented fiscal and monetary policies and initiatives to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on the economy and individual businesses and households, such as the reduction of the Federal Reserve's benchmark interest rate to near zero in March 2020. Further, the Federal Reserve established TALF to support the flow of credit to consumers and businesses, including the investment in certain eligible ABS bonds. Given the current state of the capital markets and the recent tightening in ABS credit spreads, the Company did not utilize TALF during 2020, but the Company may utilize TALF in the future. These governmental and regulatory actions may not be successful in mitigating the adverse economic effects of COVID-19 and could affect our liquidity, access to funding, net interest income and reduce our profitability. Sustained adverse economic effects from the outbreak may also result in downgrades in our credit ratings or adversely affect the interest rate environment. If our access to funding is reduced or if our costs to obtain such funding significantly increases, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
The capital markets have shown some signs of recovery during the second half of 2020; however, due to the rapidly evolving nature of the pandemic, it is not possible to predict whether unanticipated consequences of the outbreak are reasonably likely to affect liquidity, access to funding and capital resources in the future.
•Impact on impairment of goodwill, indefinite-lived and long-lived assets: The Company has analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on its financial statements, including the potential for impairment. As a result of this analysis, the Company has recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $1.8 billion during the second quarter of 2020. The analysis did not indicate any impairment for the Company's loan and lease portfolios, leased vehicles, ROU assets, or other non-financial assets such as upfront fees or other intangibles.
•Impact on communities: The Company is committed to supporting our communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Company's non-profit foundation has begun responding to the COVID-19 crisis with donations to a select group of organizations addressing community issues. In addition, SHUSA's ongoing support for non-profit partners providing essential services in our communities includes $15.0 million in charitable giving this year. Further SHUSA will provide $25.0 million in financing to community development financial institutions to fund small business loans and will expedite grant funding and payments where possible to help sustain nonprofit operations during this time.
Impact from Texas Winter Storm
In February 2021, our footprint was impacted by a significant winter storm, which struck the State of Texas and surrounding region. The Company is in the process of assessing the potential losses related to our exposure in this region. The Company will continue to monitor and assess the impact of this event on our subsidiaries’ businesses and may establish reserves for losses in future periods. There is no impact on the December 31, 2020 Balance Sheet or results of operations.
REGULATORY MATTERS
The activities of the Company and its subsidiaries, including the Bank and SC, are subject to regulation under various U.S. federal laws and regulatory agencies which impose regulations, supervise and conduct examinations, and may affect the operations and management of the Company and its ability to take certain actions, including making distributions to our parent, Santander. The Company is regulated on a consolidated basis by the Federal Reserve, including the FRB of Boston, and the CFPB. The Company's subsidiaries are further supervised by the OCC, the FRB of Atlanta, and the NYDFS. As a subsidiary of the Company, SC is also subject to regulatory oversight by the Federal Reserve as well as the CFPB.
Payment of Dividends
SHUSA is the parent holding company of SBNA and other consolidated subsidiaries, and is a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiaries. SHUSA and SBNA are subject to various regulatory restrictions relating to the payment of dividends, including regulatory capital minimums and the requirement to remain "well-capitalized" under prompt corrective action regulations. As a consolidated subsidiary of the Company, SC is included in various regulatory restrictions relating to the payment of dividends as described under the caption “Stress Tests and Capital Planning” in this section. Refer to the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section of this MD&A for detail of the capital actions of the Company and its subsidiaries during the period.
In June 2020, the Federal Reserve announced that, due to the economic uncertainty resulting from COVID-19, it will require all large banks, including SHUSA, to update and resubmit their capital plans under new scenarios by November 2, 2020. In addition, the Federal Reserve issued the Interim Policy, which includes:
•A cap on common stock dividends that cannot exceed the average of the trailing four quarters’ net income; and
•A prohibition on share repurchases.
The Interim Policy applied to the third quarter of 2020, and was extended into the fourth quarter by the Federal Reserve. Based on the Interim Policy and the Company’s expected average trailing four quarters of net income, the Company and SC are prohibited from paying dividends in the first quarter of 2021. SC is consolidated into SHUSA’s capital plan and therefore is subject to the Interim Policy that utilizes SHUSA’s average trailing income to determine the cap on common stock dividends. SHUSA requested an exception to the Interim Policy for SC to be able to pay dividends of up to $0.22 per share in the third quarter of 2020. The Federal Reserve granted this request, and on July 31, 2020 SC’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.22 per share of SC Common Stock payable to shareholders of record as of August 13, 2020. This dividend was paid on August 24, 2020. SC did not declare or pay a dividend in the fourth quarter of 2020. It is uncertain whether the Federal Reserve will extend the Interim Policy in its present form beyond the first quarter of 2021. If it does so, the foregoing restrictions on dividends and share repurchases would continue.
Regulatory Capital Requirements
U.S. Basel III regulatory capital rules are applicable to both SHUSA and the Bank and establish a comprehensive capital framework that includes both the advanced approaches for the largest internationally active U.S. banks, formerly known as Basel II, and a standardized approach that applies to all banking organizations with over $500 million in assets.
These rules narrow the definition of regulatory capital and establish higher minimum risk-based capital ratios and prompt corrective action thresholds that require banking organizations, including the Company and the Bank, to maintain a minimum CET1 capital ratio of 4.5%, a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.0%, a total capital ratio of 8.0% and a minimum leverage ratio, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to average consolidated assets for the quarter, of 4.0%. A further capital conservation buffer of 2.5% above these minimum ratios was phased in effective January 1, 2019. This buffer is required for banking institutions and BHCs to avoid restrictions on their ability to make capital distributions, including paying dividends.
These U.S. Basel III regulatory capital rules include deductions from and adjustments to CET1. These include, for example, the requirement that MSRs and deferred tax assets dependent upon future taxable income are deducted from CET1 to the extent any one such category exceeds 25% of CET1. Implementation of the deductions and other adjustments to CET1 for the Company and the Bank began on January 1, 2015 and was initially planned over three years, with a fully phased-in requirement of January 1, 2018. However, during 2017, the regulatory agencies finalized changes to the capital rules that became effective on January 1, 2018. These changes extended the current treatment and deferred the final transition provision phase-in at non-advanced approach institutions for certain capital elements, and suspended the risk weight to 100 percent for certain deferred taxes and mortgage servicing assets not disallowed from capital, in lieu of advancing to 250 percent. During 2019, the regulatory agencies approved a final rule which includes simplifications for non-advanced approaches to the generally applicable capital rules, specifically with regard to the treatment of minority interest, as well as modifying the risk-weight to 250 percent for certain deferred taxes and mortgage servicing assets not disallowed from capital. This final rule became effective on April 1, 2020.
As described in Note 1, on January 1, 2020, we adopted the CECL standard, which upon adoption resulted in a reduction to our opening retained earnings balance, net of income tax, and an increase to the allowance for loan losses of approximately $2.5 billion. As also described Note 1, the U.S. banking agencies in December 2018 approved a final rule to address the impact of CECL on regulatory capital by allowing banking organizations, including the Company, the option to phase in the day-one impact of CECL until the first quarter of 2023. In March 2020, the U.S. banking agencies issued an interim final rule that provides banking organizations with an alternative option to delay for two years an estimate of CECL’s effect on regulatory capital relative to the incurred loss methodology’s effect on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period. The Company has elected this alternative option instead of the one described in the December 2018 rule.
See the "Bank Regulatory Capital" section of this MD&A for the Company's capital ratios under Basel III standards. The implementation of certain regulations and standards relating to regulatory capital could disproportionately affect the Company's regulatory capital position relative to that of its competitors, including those that may not be subject to the same regulatory requirements as the Company.
If capital has reached the significantly or critically undercapitalized levels, further material restrictions can be imposed, including restrictions on interest payable on accounts, dismissal of management and, in critically undercapitalized situations, appointment of a receiver or conservator. Critically undercapitalized institutions generally may not, beginning 60 days after becoming critically undercapitalized, make any payment of principal or interest on their subordinated debt. All but well-capitalized institutions are prohibited from accepting brokered deposits without prior regulatory approval. Pursuant to the FDIA and OCC regulations, institutions which are not categorized as well-capitalized or adequately-capitalized are restricted from making capital distributions, which include cash dividends, stock redemptions or repurchases, cash-out mergers, interest payments on certain convertible debt and other transactions charged to the capital account of the institution. At December 31, 2020, the Bank met the criteria to be classified as “well-capitalized.”
On March 4, 2020, the Federal Reserve adopted a final rule to simplify capital rules for large banks. Under the final rule, firms' supervisory stress test results are now used to establish the size of the SCB requirement, replacing the 2.5% of risk-weighted assets component under the prior capital conservation buffer requirement. The SCB is calculated as the maximum decline in CET1 in the severely adverse scenario (subject to a 2.5% floor) plus four quarters of dividends. The rule results in new regulatory capital minimums which are equal to 4.5% of CET1 plus the SCB, any GSIB surcharge, and any countercyclical capital buffer. The GSIB buffer is applicable only to the largest and most complex firms and does not apply to SHUSA. In the event a firm falls below its new minimums, the rule imposes restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonuses. Firms continue to submit a capital plan annually. Supervisory expectations for capital planning processes do not change under the proposal. The Company does not expect this rule to have a material impact on its current or future planned capital actions.
Stress Testing and Capital Planning
In October 2019, the Federal Reserve issued rules that tailor the stress testing a company is required to perform based on the company’s asset size, cross-jurisdictional activity, reliance on short-term wholesale funding, nonbank assets, and off-balance sheet exposure. In March 2020, the Federal Reserve amended and simplified its capital planning rules and introduced the SCB to more closely align individual firm capital requirements to the firm’s risk profile. The SCB uses the results from the Federal Reserve's supervisory stress tests, which are one component of the CCAR, to help determine each firm's capital requirements for the coming year. On August 10, 2020 the Federal Reserve announced the individual large bank capital requirements. SHUSA’s CET1 SCB is 2.5% resulting in a 7% CET1 capital requirement under the revised rules. The simplified SCB rule was effective on October 1, 2020 but has been superseded, temporarily in the third and fourth quarter of 2020, by the Interim Policy which limits distributions as described above under “Payment of Dividends”.
On October 7, 2020 the Federal Reserve proposed amendments to capital planning and stress testing requirements for large BHCs. Under the proposal, as a Category IV firm under the supervisory tailoring rule, SHUSA would be required to submit a capital plan on an annual basis but would generally no longer be required to utilize the scenarios provided by the Federal Reserve. The Company continues to evaluate planned capital actions in its annual capital plan and on an ongoing basis.
Liquidity Rules
The Federal Reserve, the FDIC, and the OCC have established a rule to implement the Basel III LCR for certain internationally active banks and nonbank financial companies, and a modified version of the LCR for certain depository institution holding companies that are not internationally active. The LCR is designed to ensure that a banking entity maintains an adequate level of unencumbered high-quality liquid assets equal to its expected net cash outflow for a 30-day time horizon. Smaller covered companies (more than $50 billion in assets) such as the Company were required to calculate the LCR monthly beginning January 2016.
In October 2019, the Federal Reserve finalized rules that tailor the liquidity requirements based on a company’s asset size, cross-jurisdictional activity, reliance on short-term wholesale funding, nonbank assets, and off-balance sheet exposure. In light of the fact that the Company is under $250 billion in assets and has less than $50 billion in short-term wholesale funding, the Company is no longer required to disclose the US LCR.
In October 2020, the joint agencies published the final rule for the NSFR. The NSFR is designed to encourage more medium- and long-term funding of the assets and activities of banking entities over a one-year time horizon. The metric requires large banking organizations to maintain a stable funding profile in relation to their on- and off-balance sheet activities, thereby reducing the likelihood that disruptions to a bank's regular sources of funding will erode its liquidity in a way that could increase the risk of its failure and potentially lead to broader systemic stress. Similar to the aforementioned criteria used to determine US LCR reporting requirements, the final NSFR rule would not be applicable to the Company based upon its size and risk profile.
Resolution Planning
The DFA requires the Company to prepare and regularly update resolution plans. The 165(d) resolution plan must assume that the covered company is resolved under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and that no “extraordinary support” is received from the U.S. or any other government. The most recent 165(d) resolution plan was submitted to the Federal Reserve and FDIC in December 2018. In addition, under amended FDIA rules, the IDI resolution plan rule requires that a bank with assets of $50 billion or more develop a plan for its resolution that supports depositors’ rapid access to their insured deposits, maximizes the net present value return from the sale or disposition of its assets, and minimizes the amount of any loss realized by creditors in resolution. The most recent IDI resolution plan was submitted to the FDIC in June 2018.
TLAC
The TLAC Rule requires certain U.S. organizations to maintain a minimum amount of loss-absorbing instruments, including a minimum amount of unsecured LTD. The TLAC Rule applies to U.S. GSIBs and to IHCs with $50 billion or more in U.S. non-branch assets that are controlled by a global systemically important FBO. The Company is such an IHC.
Under the TLAC Rule, companies are required to maintain a minimum amount of TLAC, which consists of a minimum amount of LTD and Tier 1 capital. As a result, SHUSA must hold the higher of 18% of its RWAs or 9% of its total consolidated assets in the form of TLAC, of which 6% of its RWAs or 3.5% of total consolidated assets must consist of LTD. In addition, SHUSA must maintain a TLAC buffer composed solely of CET1 capital and will be subject to restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonus payments based on the size of the TLAC buffer it maintains. The TLAC Rule became effective on January 1, 2019.
Volcker Rule
Section 13 of the BHCA, commonly referred to as the “Volcker Rule,” prohibits a “banking entity” from engaging in “proprietary trading” or engaging in any of the following activities with respect to a Covered Fund: (i) acquiring or retaining any equity, partnership or other ownership interest in the Covered Fund; (ii) controlling the Covered Fund; or (iii) engaging in certain transactions with the fund if the banking entity or any affiliate is an investment adviser or sponsor to the Covered Fund. These prohibitions are subject to certain exemptions for permitted activities.
Because the term “banking entity” includes an IDI, a depository institution holding company and any of their affiliates, the Volcker Rule has sweeping worldwide application and covers entities such as Santander, the Company, and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries (including the Bank and SC), as well as other Santander subsidiaries in the United States and abroad.
The Company implemented certain policies and procedures, training programs, recordkeeping, internal controls and other compliance requirements that were necessary to comply with the Volcker Rule. As required by the Volcker Rule, the compliance infrastructure has been tailored to each banking entity based on its size and its level of trading and Covered Fund activities. SHUSA's compliance program includes, among other things, processes for prior approval of new activities and investments permitted under the Volcker Rule, testing and auditing for compliance and a process for attesting annually that the compliance program is reasonably designed to achieve compliance with the rule.
In October 2019, the joint agencies responsible for administering the Volcker Rule finalized revisions to Volcker Rule. The final rule tailors the Volcker Rule’s compliance requirements to the amount of a firm’s trading activity, revise the definition of a trading account, clarify certain key provisions in the Volcker Rule, and simplify the information companies are required to provide the banking agencies.
In July 2020, the joint agencies finalized a rule that revised the Volcker Rule further. The 2020 revisions provide an exemption for activities of qualifying foreign excluded funds, revise the exclusions from the definition of a “covered fund”, create new exclusions from the definition of a covered fund, and modify the definition of an ownership interest. The new rule became effective on October 1, 2020, and the Company is in the process of transitioning to the requirements of this revised rule.
Risk Retention Rule
The Federal Reserve's final credit risk retention rule generally requires sponsors of ABS to retain at least five percent of the credit risk of the assets collateralizing ABS. SHUSA, primarily through SC, is an active participant in the structured finance markets and complies with these retention requirements.
Market Risk Rule
The market risk rule requires certain national banks to measure and hold risk-based regulatory capital for the market risk of their covered positions. The bank must measure and hold capital for its market risk using its internal-risk based models. The market risk rule outlines quantitative requirements for the bank's internal risk based models, as well as qualitative requirements for the bank's management of market risk. Banks subject to the market risk rule must also measure and hold market risk regulatory capital for the specific risk associated with certain debt and equity positions.
A bank is subject to the market risk capital rules if its consolidated trading activity, defined as the sum of trading assets and liabilities as reported in its FFIEC 031 and FR Y-9C for the previous quarter, equals the lesser of: (1) 10 percent or more of the bank's total assets as reported in its Call Report and FR Y-9C for the previous quarter, or (2) $1 billion or more. At September 30, 2019, SBNA reported aggregate trading exposure in excess of the market risk threshold and, as a result, both the Company and SBNA began holding the market risk component within RWAs of the risk-based capital ratios, and submitted the FFIEC 102 - Market Risk Regulatory Report beginning for the period ended December 31, 2019. The incorporation of market risk within regulatory capital has resulted in a decrease in the risk-based capital ratios.
Capital Simplification Rule
The federal banking agencies adopted a final rule that simplifies for non-advanced approaches banking organizations the generally applicable capital rules and makes a number of technical corrections. Specifically, it reverses the previous transition provision freeze on MSRs and deferred tax assets by modifying the risk-weight from 100% to 250%. The rule also replaces the existing methodology for calculating includible minority interest with a flat 10% limit at each capital level. The increased risk weighting presents an unfavorable decline to the Company's risk-based ratios, but Tier 1 and total capital ratios has improved overall due to the additional minority interest includible under the simplified rule. Adoption of the capital simplification rule was required by the regulatory agencies on April 1, 2020.
Heightened Standards
OCC guidelines to strengthen the governance and risk management practices of large financial institutions are commonly referred to as “heightened standards.” The heightened standards apply to insured national banks with $50 billion or more in consolidated assets. The heightened standards require covered institutions to establish and adhere to a written risk governance framework to manage and control their risk-taking activities. The heightened standards also provide minimum standards for the institutions’ boards of directors to oversee the risk governance framework.
Transactions with Affiliates
Depository institutions must remain in compliance with Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and the Federal Reserve's Regulation W, which governs transactions of the Company's banking subsidiaries with affiliated companies and individuals. Section 23A imposes limits on certain specified “covered transactions,” which include loans, lines, and letters of credit to affiliated companies or individuals, and investments in affiliated companies, as well as certain other transactions with affiliated companies and individuals.
Section 23B of the Federal Reserve Act prohibits a depository institution from engaging in certain transactions with affiliates unless the transactions are considered arms'-length. As a U.S. domiciled subsidiary of a global parent with significant non-bank affiliates, the Company faces elevated compliance risk in this area.
Regulation AB II
Regulation AB II, among other things, expanded disclosure requirements and modified the offering and shelf registration process for ABS. SC must comply with these rules, which impact all offerings of publicly registered ABS and all reports under the Exchange Act, for outstanding publicly-registered ABS, and affect SC's public securitization platform.
CRA
SBNA is subject to the requirements of the CRA, which requires the appropriate federal financial supervisory agency to assess an institution's record of helping to meet the credit needs of the local communities in which it is located. SBNA’s current CRA rating is "Satisfactory." The OCC takes into account the Bank’s CRA rating in considering certain regulatory applications the Bank makes, including applications related to establishing and relocating branches, and the Federal Reserve does the same with respect to certain regulatory applications the Company makes. Subsequent to December 31, 2020, the OCC upgraded SBNA's CRA rating to "Outstanding."
On December 12, 2019, the OCC and the FDIC jointly issued the CRA NPR to modernize the regulatory framework implementing the CRA. On May 20, 2020, the OCC issued the CRA Final Rule implementing many of the provisions of the CRA NPR. The CRA NPR generally focuses on clarifying and expanding the activities that qualify for CRA consideration, allowing the OCC to evaluate a bank’s CRA performance through quantitative measures intended to assess the volume and value of activity, updating how assessment areas are determined to account for institutions such as internet-based banks that receive a substantial portion of their deposits outside physical branch locations, and increasing transparency and timeliness in reporting. In connection with promulgating the CRA Final Rule, the OCC issued a publicly available, non-exhaustive list of activities that would automatically receive CRA consideration. and a process for confirming that particular activities meet the qualifying activities criteria. In addition, the CRA Final Rule allows banks to receive consideration for certain qualifying activities conducted outside their assessment areas. While the CRA Final Rule took effect on October 1, 2020, SBNA will have until January 1, 2023 to bring its operations into compliance with the rule. Although SBNA will be required to comply with the CRA Final Rule in 2023, the OCC has deferred to a future rulemaking process how to calibrate the key thresholds and benchmarks used in the rule to determine the level of performance necessary to achieve a performance rating.
Other Regulatory Matters
On March 21, 2017, SC and the Company entered into a written agreement with the FRB of Boston. Under the terms of that agreement, SC was required to enhance its compliance risk management program, board oversight of risk management and senior management oversight of risk management, and the Company was required to enhance its oversight of SC's management and operations. On February 2, 2021, the FRB of Boston closed this matter.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
This MD&A is based on the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes that have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The significant accounting policies of the Company are described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain policies inherently have a greater reliance on the use of estimates, assumptions and judgments and, accordingly, have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. However, the Company is not currently aware of any likely events or circumstances that would result in materially different results. Management identified accounting for ALLL and the reserve for unfunded lending commitments, estimates of expected residual values of leased vehicles subject to operating leases, goodwill, fair value measurements and income taxes as the Company's most critical accounting estimates, in that they are important to the portrayal of the Company's financial condition and results and require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments as a result of the need to make estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain.
ALLL for Loan Losses and Reserve for Unfunded Lending Commitments
The Company maintains an ACL for the Company’s held-for-investment portfolio, excluding those loans measured at fair value
in accordance with applicable accounting standards.
The allowance for expected credit losses is measured based on a current expected loss model, which means that it is not necessary for a loss event to occur before a credit loss is recognized. Management’s estimate of expected credit losses is based on an evaluation of relevant information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the future collectability of the reported amounts. Management's evaluation takes into consideration the risks in the portfolio, past loss experience, specific loans with loss potential, geographic and industry concentrations, delinquency trends, economic forecasts and other relevant factors. While management uses the best information available to make such evaluations, future adjustments to the ACL may be necessary if conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the evaluations.
The Company uses a statistical methodology based on an expected credit losses approach that focuses on forecasting the expected credit loss components (i.e., PD, payoff, LGD and EAD) on a loan level basis to estimate the expected future lifetime losses. The individual loan balances used in the models are measured on an amortized cost basis. Regardless of the extent of the Company's analysis of customer performance, portfolio evaluations, trends or risk management processes established, a level of imprecision will always exist due to the judgmental nature of loan portfolio and/or individual loan evaluations. The Company maintains a qualitative reserve as a component of the ACL to recognize the existence of these exposures. Imprecisions include loss factors inherent in the loan portfolio that may not have been discreetly contemplated in deriving the quantitative component of the allowance, as well as potential variability in estimates. The qualitative adjustment is also established in consideration of several factors such as the interpretation of economic trends, changes in the nature and volume of our loan portfolio, trends in delinquency and collateral values, and concentration risks. This analysis is conducted at least quarterly, and the Company revises the qualitative component of the allowance when necessary in order to address improving or deteriorating credit quality trends or specific risks associated with loan pool classification not otherwise captured in the quantitative models.
The Company generally uses a third-party vendor's consensus baseline macroeconomic scenario for the quantitative estimate and additional positive and negative macroeconomic scenarios to make qualitative adjustments for macroeconomic uncertainty, and considers adjustments to macroeconomic inputs based on market volatility. The baseline scenario was based on the latest consensus forecasts available which showed an improvement in key variables during the second half of 2020, including a sharp decrease in unemployment rates (which are a key driver to losses). Using the weighted-average of our economic forecast scenarios, we estimated at December 31, 2020 that the unemployment rate is expected to be to be approximately 7% at the end of 2021, with the labor market continuing to recover in 2022. While the economy has seen significant recovery in recent months, there is still considerable uncertainty regarding overall lifetime loss estimates. The scenarios used are periodically updated over a reasonable and supportable time horizon with weightings assigned by management and approved through established committee governance.
Management reviews, updates, and validates its process and loss assumptions on a periodic basis. This process involves an analysis of data integrity, review of loss and credit trends, a retrospective evaluation of actual loss information to loss forecasts, and other analyses.
Valuation of Automotive Lease Assets and Residuals
The Company has significant investments in vehicles in SC's operating lease portfolio. In accounting for operating leases, management must make a determination at the beginning of the lease contract of the estimated realizable value (i.e., residual value) of the vehicle at the end of the lease. Residual value represents an estimate of the market value of the vehicle at the end of the lease term, which typically ranges from two to four years. At contract inception, the Company determines the projected residual value based on an internal evaluation of the expected future value. This evaluation is based on a proprietary model using internally-generated data that is compared against third-party, independent data for reasonableness. The customer is obligated to make payments during the term of the lease for the difference between the purchase price and the contract residual value plus a finance charge. However, since the customer is not obligated to purchase the vehicle at the end of the contract, the Company is exposed to a risk of loss to the extent the value of the vehicle is below the residual value estimated at contract inception. Management periodically performs a detailed review of the estimated realizable value of leased vehicles to assess the appropriateness of the carrying value of leased assets.
To account for residual risk, the Company depreciates automobile operating lease assets to estimated realizable value on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The estimated realizable value is initially based on the residual value established at contract inception. Periodically, the Company revises the projected value of the leased vehicle at termination based on current market conditions and other relevant data points, and adjusts depreciation expense appropriately over the remaining term of the lease.
The Company periodically evaluates its investment in operating leases for impairment if circumstances, such as a systemic and material decline in used vehicle values occurs. These circumstances could include, for example, a decline in the residual value of our lease portfolio due to an event caused by shocks to oil and gas prices (which may have a pronounced impact on certain models of vehicles) or pervasive manufacturer defects (which may systemically affect the value of a particular brand or model). Impairment is determined to exist if the fair value of the leased asset is less than its carrying value and it is determined that the net carrying value is not recoverable. The net carrying value of a leased asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted expected future cash flows expected to result from the lease payments and the estimated residual value upon eventual disposition. If our operating lease assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value as estimated by DCF. No such impairment was recognized in 2020, 2019, or 2018.
The Company's depreciation methodology for operating lease assets considers management's expectation of the value of the vehicles upon lease termination, which is based on numerous assumptions and factors influencing used vehicle values. The critical assumptions underlying the estimated carrying value of automobile lease assets include: (1) estimated market value information obtained and used by management in estimating residual values, (2) proper identification and estimation of business conditions, (3) our remarketing abilities, and (4) automobile manufacturer vehicle and marketing programs. Changes in these assumptions could have a significant impact on the value of the lease residuals. Expected residual values include estimates of payments from automobile manufacturers related to residual support and risk-sharing agreements, if any. To the extent an automotive manufacturer is not able to fully honor its obligation relative to these agreements, the Company's depreciation expense would be negatively impacted.
Goodwill
The acquisition method of accounting for business combinations requires the Company to make use of estimates and judgments to allocate the purchase price paid for acquisitions to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities represents goodwill. Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized on a recurring basis, but rather are subject to periodic impairment testing.
As more fully described in Note 22 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, a reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below. The Company conducts its evaluation of goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis on October 1, and more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. As of December 31, 2020, the reporting units with assigned goodwill were CBB, C&I, CRE & VF, CIB, and SC.
An entity's quantitative goodwill impairment analysis must be completed unless the entity determines, based on certain qualitative factors, that it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, including goodwill, and that no impairment exists. An entity has an unconditional option to bypass the preceding qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to the quantitative analysis of the goodwill impairment test.
The quantitative analysis requires a comparison of the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying amount, including its allocated goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is in excess of the carrying value, the related goodwill is considered not to be impaired and no further analysis is necessary. If the carrying value of the reporting unit is higher than the fair value, impairment is measured as the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value. A recognized impairment charge cannot exceed the amount of goodwill allocated to a reporting unit, and cannot subsequently be reversed even if the fair value of the reporting unit recovers. The Company utilizes the market capitalization approach to determine the fair value of its SC reporting unit, as it is a publicly traded company that has a single reporting unit. Determining the fair value of the remaining reporting units requires significant valuation inputs, assumptions, and estimates.
The Company determines the carrying value of each reporting unit using a risk-based capital approach. Certain of the Company's assets are assigned to a Corporate/Other category. These assets are related to the Company's corporate-only programs, such as BOLI, and are not employed in or related to the operations of a reporting unit or considered in determining the fair value of a reporting unit.
Goodwill impairment testing involves management's judgment, requiring an assessment of whether the carrying value of the reporting unit can be supported by its fair value. This is performed using widely-accepted valuation techniques, such as the guideline public company market approach (earnings and price-to-tangible book value multiples of comparable public companies), the market capitalization approach (share price of the reporting unit and control premium of comparable public companies), and the income approach (the DCF method). The Company uses a combination of these accepted methodologies to determine the fair valuation of reporting units. Several factors are taken into account, including actual operating results, future business plans, economic projections, and market data.
The guideline public company market approach ("market approach") includes earnings and price-to-tangible book value multiples of comparable public companies which were applied to the earnings and equity for all of the Company's reporting units. The market capitalization plus control premium approach was applied to the Company's SC reporting unit, as the SC reporting unit is a publicly traded subsidiary whose securities are traded in an active market.
In connection with the market capitalization plus control premium approach applied to the Company's SC reporting unit, the Company used SC's stock price as of the date of the annual impairment analysis. The Company also considered historical auto loan industry transactions and control premiums over the last three years in determining the control premium.
The DCF method of the income approach incorporates the reporting units' forecasted cash flows, including a terminal value to estimate the fair value of cash flows beyond the final year of the forecasts. The discount rates utilized to obtain the net present value of the reporting units' cash flows were estimated using a capital asset pricing model. Significant inputs to this model include a risk-free rate of return, beta (which is a measure of the level of non-diversifiable risk associated with comparable companies for each specific reporting unit), market equity risk premium, and, in certain cases, additional premium for size and/or unsystematic company-specific risk factors. The Company utilized discount rates that it believes adequately reflect the risk and uncertainty in the financial markets. The Company estimated expected rates of equity returns based on historical market returns and risk/return rates for similar industries of the reporting unit. The Company uses its internal forecasts to estimate future cash flows, so actual results may differ from forecasted results.
All of the preceding fair value determinations require considerable judgment and are sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions and factors. As a result, there can be no assurance that the estimates and assumptions made for purposes of the annual goodwill impairment test will prove to be accurate predictions in the future. Examples of events or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to negatively affect the underlying key assumptions and ultimately impacts the estimated fair value of the aforementioned reporting units include such items as:
•a prolonged downturn in the business environment in which the reporting units operate;
•an economic recovery that significantly differs from our assumptions in timing or degree;
•volatility in equity and debt markets resulting in higher discount rates and unexpected regulatory changes;
•Specific to the SC reporting unit, a decrease in SC's share price.
Refer to the Financial Condition, Goodwill section of this MD&A for further details on the Company's goodwill, including the results of management's goodwill impairment analyses.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company uses fair value measurements to estimate the fair value of certain assets and liabilities for both measurement and disclosure purposes. Refer to Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of valuation methodologies used to measure material assets and liabilities at fair value and details of the valuation models, key inputs to those models, and significant assumptions utilized. The Company follows the fair value hierarchy set forth in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements to prioritize the inputs utilized to measure fair value. The Company reviews and modifies, as necessary, the fair value hierarchy classifications on a quarterly basis. Accordingly, there may be reclassifications between hierarchy levels due to changes in inputs to the valuation techniques used to measure fair value.
The Company has numerous internal controls in place to ensure the appropriateness of fair value measurements, including controls over the inputs into and the outputs from the fair value measurements. Certain valuations are benchmarked to market indices when appropriate and available.
Considerable judgment is used in forming conclusions from observable market data used to estimate the Company's Level 2 fair value measurements and in estimating inputs to the Company's internal valuation models used to estimate Level 3 fair value measurements. Level 3 inputs such as interest rate movements, prepayment speeds, credit losses, recovery rates and discount rates are inherently difficult to estimate. Changes to these inputs can have a significant effect on fair value measurements. Accordingly, the Company's estimates of fair value are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized or would be paid in a current market exchange.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which includes considerable judgment. Deferred taxes are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, including investments in subsidiaries. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates that apply or will apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse or be realized. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance will be established if the Company determines that it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. This requires periodic analysis of the carrying amount of deferred tax assets and when the deferred tax assets will be realized in future periods. Consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of deferred tax assets. The critical assumptions used in the Company's deferred tax asset valuation allowance analysis are as follows: (a) the expectation of future earnings; (b) estimates of the Company's long-term annual growth rate, based on the Company's long-term economic outlook in the U.S.; (c) estimates of the dividend income payout ratio from the Company's consolidated subsidiary, SC, based on current policies and practices of SC; (d) estimates of book income to tax income differences, based on the analysis of historical differences and the historical timing of the reversal of temporary differences; (e) the ability to carry back losses to recoup taxes previously paid; (f) estimates of tax credits to be earned on current investments, based on the Company's evaluation of the credits applicable to each investment; (g) experience with operating loss and tax credit carryforwards not expiring unused; (h) estimates of applicable state tax rates based on current/most recent enacted tax rates and state apportionment calculations; (i) tax planning strategies; and (j) current tax laws. Significant judgment is required to assess future earnings trends and the timing of reversals of temporary differences. The Company makes certain assertions with regard to its investment in subsidiaries, which impact whether a deferred tax liability is recorded for the book over tax basis difference in the investment in these subsidiaries. This requires the Company to make judgments with respect to its ability to permanently reinvest its earnings in foreign subsidiaries and its ability to recover its investment in domestic subsidiaries in a tax free manner.
The Company bases its expectations of future earnings, which are used to assess the realizability of its deferred tax assets, on financial performance forecasts of its operating subsidiaries and unconsolidated investees. The budgets and estimates used in these forecasts are approved by the Company's management, and the assumptions underlying the forecasts are reviewed at least annually and adjusted as necessary based on current developments or when new information becomes available. The updates made and the variances between the Company's forecasts and its actual performance have not been significant enough to alter the Company's conclusions with regard to the realizability of its deferred tax asset. The Company continues to forecast sufficient taxable income to fully realize its current deferred tax assets. Forecasted taxable income is subject to changes in overall market and global economic conditions.
In establishing a provision for income tax expense, the Company must make judgments and interpretations about the application of inherently complex tax laws in the U.S., its states and municipalities, and abroad. Actual income taxes paid may vary from estimates depending on changes in income tax laws, actual results of operations, and the final audit of tax returns by taxing authorities. Tax assessments may arise several years after tax returns have been filed. The Company reviews its tax balances quarterly and as new information becomes available. Interest and penalties on income tax payments are included within income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Company recognizes tax benefits in its financial statements when it is more likely than not the related tax position will be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. Such tax positions are initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the taxing authority assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts. See Note 16 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for details on the Company's income taxes.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion compares and discusses operating results for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. For a discussion of our results of operations comparing the two prior years, see Part II, Item 7: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation" included in our 2019 Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 11, 2020.
NET INTEREST INCOME AND NET INTEREST MARGIN
CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET / NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019
2020 (1)
2019 (1)
Change due to
(dollars in thousands) Average
Balance Interest Yield/
Rate(2)
Average
Balance Interest Yield/
Rate(2)
Increase/(Decrease) Volume Rate
EARNING ASSETS
INVESTMENTS AND INTEREST EARNING DEPOSITS $ 26,948,991 $ 363,194 1.35 % $ 22,175,778 $ 551,713 2.49 % $ (188,519) $ 167,273 $ (355,792)
LOANS(3):
Commercial loans 32,836,569 1,131,851 3.45 % 33,452,626 1,430,831 4.28 % (298,980) (25,922) (273,058)
Multifamily 8,499,746 304,098 3.58 % 8,398,303 346,766 4.13 % (42,668) 4,254 (46,922)
Total commercial loans 41,336,315 1,435,949 3.47 % 41,850,929 1,777,597 4.25 % (341,648) (21,668) (319,980)
Consumer loans:
Residential mortgages 8,186,116 293,830 3.59 % 9,959,837 400,943 4.03 % (107,113) (66,399) (40,714)
Home equity loans and lines of credit 4,442,712 155,981 3.51 % 5,081,252 256,030 5.04 % (100,049) (29,294) (70,755)
Total consumer loans secured by real estate 12,628,828 449,811 3.56 % 15,041,089 656,973 4.37 % (207,162) (95,693) (111,469)
RICs and auto loans 39,022,741 5,178,166 13.27 % 32,594,822 4,972,829 15.26 % 205,337 606,196 (400,859)
Personal unsecured 2,035,356 574,251 28.21 % 2,449,744 664,069 27.11 % (89,818) (118,165) 28,347
Other consumer(4)
269,050 18,913 7.03 % 374,712 27,014 7.21 % (8,101) (7,442) (659)
Total consumer 53,955,975 6,221,141 11.53 % 50,460,367 6,320,885 12.53 % (99,744) 384,896 (484,640)
Total loans 95,292,290 7,657,090 8.04 % 92,311,296 8,098,482 8.77 % (441,392) 363,228 (804,620)
Intercompany investments - - % - - - % - - -
TOTAL EARNING ASSETS 122,241,281 8,020,284 6.56 % 114,487,074 8,650,195 7.56 % (629,911) 530,501 (1,160,412)
Allowance for loan losses(5)
(6,883,161) (3,802,702)
Other assets(6)
34,287,746 31,624,211
TOTAL ASSETS $ 149,645,866 $ 142,308,583
INTEREST-BEARING FUNDING LIABILITIES
Deposits and other customer related accounts:
Interest-bearing demand deposits $ 11,234,908 $ 23,525 0.21 % $ 10,724,077 $ 83,794 0.78 % $ (60,269) $ 4,201 $ (64,470)
Savings 5,595,609 7,806 0.14 % 5,794,992 13,132 0.23 % (5,326) (430) (4,896)
Money market 30,074,345 164,730 0.55 % 24,962,744 317,300 1.27 % (152,570) 86,263 (238,833)
CDs 6,091,246 94,344 1.55 % 8,291,400 160,245 1.93 % (65,901) (37,834) (28,067)
TOTAL INTEREST-BEARING DEPOSITS 52,996,108 290,405 0.55 % 49,773,213 574,471 1.15 % (284,066) 52,200 (336,266)
BORROWED FUNDS:
FHLB advances, federal funds, and repurchase agreements 4,840,413 67,209 1.39 % 5,471,080 143,804 2.63 % (76,595) (15,051) (61,544)
Other borrowings 44,864,694 1,303,189 2.90 % 41,710,311 1,489,152 3.57 % (185,963) 125,506 (311,469)
TOTAL BORROWED FUNDS (7)
49,705,107 1,370,398 2.76 % 47,181,391 1,632,956 3.46 % (262,558) 110,455 (373,013)
TOTAL INTEREST-BEARING FUNDING LIABILITIES 102,701,215 1,660,803 1.62 % 96,954,604 2,207,427 2.28 % (546,624) 162,655 (709,279)
Noninterest bearing demand deposits 17,815,420 14,572,605
Other liabilities(8)
7,409,555 6,141,813
TOTAL LIABILITIES 127,926,190 117,669,022
STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY 21,719,676 24,639,561
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY $ 149,645,866 $ 142,308,583
NET INTEREST SPREAD (9)
4.94 % 5.28 %
NET INTEREST MARGIN (10)
5.20 % 5.63 %
NET INTEREST INCOME (11)
$ 6,359,481 $ 6,442,768
(1)Average balances are based on daily averages when available. When daily averages are unavailable, mid-month averages are substituted.
(2)Yields calculated using taxable equivalent net interest income.
(3)Interest on loans includes amortization of premiums and discounts on purchased loan portfolios and amortization of deferred loan fees, net of origination costs. Average loan balances includes non-accrual loans and LHFS.
(4)Other consumer primarily includes RV and marine loans.
(5)Refer to Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
(6)Other assets primarily includes leases, goodwill and intangibles, premise and equipment, net deferred tax assets, equity method investments, BOLI, accrued interest receivable, derivative assets, miscellaneous receivables, prepaid expenses and MSRs. Refer to Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
(7)Refer to Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
(8)Other liabilities primarily includes accounts payable and accrued expenses, derivative liabilities, net deferred tax liabilities and the unfunded lending commitments liability.
(9)Represents the difference between the yield on total earning assets and the cost of total funding liabilities.
(10)Represents annualized, taxable equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
(11)Intercompany investment income is eliminated from this line item.
Net interest income decreased $83.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, respectively, compared to 2019. The most significant factors contributing to these changes are as follows:
Interest Income on Investment Securities and Interest-Earning Deposits
Interest income on investment securities and interest-earning deposits decreased $188.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 2019. The average balances of investment securities and interest-earning deposits for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $26.9 billion with an average yield of 1.35%, compared to an average balance of $22.2 billion with an average yield of 2.49% for the corresponding period in 2019. The decrease in interest income on investment securities and interest-earning deposits for the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily due to a decrease in the average yield on interest-earning deposits resulting from the Federal Reserve response to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Interest Income on Loans
Interest income on loans decreased for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to 2019. This decrease reflected decreasing rates, offset by increases in the average balances during 2020.
Interest Expense on Deposits and Related Customer Accounts
Interest expense on deposits and related customer accounts decreased $284.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 2019. These decreases were a result of the near zero interest rate environment offset by builds in overall deposits.
Interest Expense on Borrowed Funds
Interest expense on borrowed funds decreased $262.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 2019. This decrease was due to lower interest rates being paid offset by increased balances during the year ended December 31, 2020. The average balance of total borrowings was $49.7 billion with an average cost of 2.76% for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to an average balance of $47.2 billion with an average cost of 3.46% for 2019. The average balance of borrowed funds increased for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily due to increases in credit facilities and secured structured financings.
CREDIT LOSS EXPENSE
Credit loss expense was $2.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $2.3 billion for the comparative period in 2019. The increase year over year was primarily due to reserve build during the first and second quarters of 2020 associated with a weaker economic outlook related to COVID-19.
Total charge-offs of $3.8 billion for year ended December 31, 2020 were lower by $1.8 billion from the comparative period in 2019 as a result of the Company's programs in response to COVID-19. Total recoveries during these periods also decreased.
NON-INTEREST INCOME
Year Ended December 31, YTD Change
(dollars in thousands) 2020 2019 Dollar increase/(decrease) Percentage
Consumer fees $ 338,169 $ 391,495 $ (53,326) (13.6) %
Commercial fees 133,732 157,351 (23,619) (15.0) %
Lease income 3,037,284 2,872,857 164,427 5.7 %
Miscellaneous income, net 409,506 301,598 107,908 35.8 %
Net gains recognized in earnings 31,297 5,816 25,481 438.1 %
Total non-interest income $ 3,949,988 $ 3,729,117 $ 220,871 5.9 %
Total non-interest income increased $220.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the corresponding period in 2019. The increase for the period ended December 31, 2020 was primarily due to an increase in lease income and miscellaneous income, net, partially offset by a decrease in consumer fees.
Consumer fees
Consumer fees decreased $53.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 2019. This decrease was primarily related to a decrease in consumer deposit fees, related to more fee waivers given in 2020 compared to 2019 in response to COVID-19 outbreak.
Commercial fees
Commercial fees consists of deposit overdraft fees, deposit automated teller machine fees, cash management fees, letter of credit fees, and loan syndication fees for commercial accounts.
Lease income
Lease income increased $164.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 2019. This increase was the result of the growth in the Company's lease portfolio, with an average balance of $16.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $15.3 billion for 2019.
Miscellaneous income
Year Ended December 31, YTD Change
(dollars in thousands) 2020 2019 Dollar increase/(decrease) Percentage
Mortgage banking income, net $ 49,082 $ 44,315 $ 4,767 10.8 %
BOLI 58,981 62,782 (3,801) (6.1) %
Capital market revenue 227,421 197,042 30,379 15.4 %
Net gain on sale of operating leases 243,189 135,948 107,241 78.9 %
Asset and wealth management fees 208,732 175,611 33,121 18.9 %
Loss on sale of non-mortgage loans (366,976) (397,965) 30,989 7.8 %
Other miscellaneous (loss) / income, net (10,923) 83,865 (94,788) (113.0) %
Total miscellaneous income $ 409,506 $ 301,598 $ 107,908 35.8 %
Miscellaneous income increased $107.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in 2019. The increase is primarily related to an increase in gain on sale of operating leases. The change in other miscellaneous (loss) income, net is primarily due to the fair value adjustment on the transfer of BSPR's loan portfolio to HFS, partially offset by the gain recognized on the sale of SBC.
GENERAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER EXPENSES
Year Ended December 31, YTD Change
(dollars in thousands) 2020 2019 Dollar increase/(decrease) Percentage
Compensation and benefits $ 1,896,480 $ 1,945,047 $ (48,567) (2.5) %
Occupancy and equipment expenses 632,424 603,716 28,708 4.8 %
Technology, outside services, and marketing expense 548,662 656,681 (108,019) (16.4) %
Loan expense 328,549 405,367 (76,818) (19.0) %
Lease expense 2,393,339 2,067,611 325,728 15.8 %
Impairment of goodwill 1,848,228 - 1,848,228 100%
Other expenses 560,552 687,430 (126,878) (18.5) %
Total general, administrative and other expenses $ 8,208,234 $ 6,365,852 $ 1,842,382 28.9 %
Total general, administrative and other expenses increased $1.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to 2019. The most significant contributing factors were as follows:
•During the second quarter of 2020 the Company took a $1.8 billion goodwill impairment. For additional discussion please see Note 6 and the goodwill section in this MD&A.
•Technology, outside services, and marketing expense decreased $108.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 2019. This decrease was driven by reductions in marketing and technology spending that have resulted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
•Loan expense decreased $76.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 2019. This is primarily due to the lower repossession volumes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
•Lease expense increased $325.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 2019. This increase was primarily due to more depreciation on a larger lease portfolio and fewer liquidations.
•Other expenses decreased $126.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to the corresponding period in 2019. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in legal and operational risk expenses. Travel and entertainment expenses also saw a significant decrease as COVID-19 has limited corporate travel.
INCOME TAX PROVISION
An income tax benefit of $110.6 million and a provision of $472.2 million were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. This resulted in an ETR of 14.4% and 31.2% for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The Company's ETR in future periods will be affected by the results of operations allocated to the various tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates, any change in income tax laws or regulations within those jurisdictions, and interpretations of income tax regulations that differ from the Company's interpretations by tax authorities that examine tax returns filed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Refer to Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year-to-year comparison of the ETR.
LINE OF BUSINESS RESULTS
General
The Company's segments at December 31, 2020 and 2019 consisted of CBB, C&I, CRE & VF, CIB and SC.
Results Summary
CBB
Year Ended December 31, YTD Change
(dollars in thousands) 2020 2019 Dollar increase/(decrease) Percentage
Net interest income $ 1,359,280 $ 1,288,540 $ 70,740 5.5 %
Total non-interest income 291,116 342,373 (51,257) (15.0) %
Credit loss expense 370,250 150,329 219,921 146.3 %
Total expenses 3,083,520 1,598,837 1,484,683 92.9 %
Income / (loss)/ before income taxes (1,803,374) (118,253) (1,685,121) 1,425.0 %
Intersegment revenue (856) (933) 77 (8.3) %
Total assets 21,947,514 23,841,001 (1,893,487) (7.9) %
CBB reported a loss before income taxes of $1.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to a loss before income taxes of $118.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Factors contributing to this change were:
•Non-interest income decreased $51.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the corresponding period of 2019. This decrease was due to a one-time gain recorded on the sale of branches in 2019, and decreased fee income in 2020 resulting from lower transaction volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
•Credit loss expense increased $219.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the corresponding period of 2019. This increase was due to large reserve builds in response to the economic uncertainty related to the COVID-19 outbreak and the growing auto loan portfolio.
•Total expenses increased $1.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the corresponding period of 2019. This increase was due to the goodwill impairment that was recorded in the second quarter of 2020.
C&I Banking
Year Ended December 31, YTD Change
(dollars in thousands) 2020 2019 Dollar increase/(decrease) Percentage
Net interest income $ 339,386 $ 329,368 $ 10,018 3.0 %
Total non-interest income 67,241 87,467 (20,226) (23.1) %
Credit loss expense 135,400 38,102 97,298 255.4 %
Total expenses 541,397 298,877 242,520 81.1 %
Income / (Loss) before income taxes (270,170) 79,856 (350,026) (438.3) %
Intersegment revenue 12,617 9,403 3,214 34.2 %
Total assets 7,960,282 8,758,027 (797,745) (9.1) %
C&I reported a loss before income taxes of $270.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to income before income taxes of $79.9 million for the corresponding period in 2019. Factors contributing to these changes were:
•Credit loss expense increased $97.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the corresponding period of 2019. This increase was due to large reserve builds in response to the economic uncertainty related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
•Total expenses increased $242.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the corresponding period of 2019. This increase was the result of the goodwill impairment recorded during the second quarter of 2020, offset by small reductions in travel and entertainment expenses, and marketing expenses related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
CRE & VF
Year Ended December 31, YTD Change
(dollars in thousands) 2020 2019 Dollar increase/(decrease) Percentage
Net interest income $ 379,710 $ 400,506 $ (20,796) (5.2) %
Total non-interest income 13,221 18,231 (5,010) (27.5) %
Credit loss expense / (Release of) credit loss expense 106,201 13,507 92,694 686.3 %
Total expenses 117,449 119,686 (2,237) (1.9) %
Income before income taxes 169,281 285,544 (116,263) (40.7) %
Intersegment revenue 4,879 5,950 (1,071) (18.0) %
Total assets 20,506,030 21,117,141 (611,111) (2.9) %
CRE & VF reported income before income taxes of $169.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to income before income taxes of $285.5 million for 2019. Factors contributing to these changes were:
•Credit loss expense increased $92.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the corresponding period of 2019. This increase was due to large reserve builds in response to the economic uncertainty related to COVID-19 outbreak.
CIB
Year Ended December 31, YTD Change
(dollars in thousands) 2020 2019 Dollar increase/(decrease) Percentage
Net interest income $ 157,855 $ 152,041 $ 5,814 3.8 %
Total non-interest income 263,966 208,851 55,115 26.4 %
Credit loss expense / (release of) credit loss expenses 28,099 6,045 22,054 (364.8) %
Total expenses 258,793 270,065 (11,272) (4.2) %
Income before income taxes 134,929 84,782 50,147 59.1 %
Intersegment expense (16,640) (14,420) (2,220) (15.4) %
Total assets 10,965,616 10,074,677 890,939 8.8 %
CIB reported income before income taxes of $134.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to income before income taxes of $84.8 million for 2019. Factors contributing to these changes were:
•Total non-interest income increased $55.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the corresponding period of 2019. This increase was due to the increase in fee income resulting from the large amounts of debt underwritten during 2020 in response to the COVID-19 related economic uncertainty, and higher fixed income revenues.
•Credit loss expense increased $22.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the corresponding period of 2019. This increase was due to large reserve builds in response to the economic uncertainty related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Other
Year Ended December 31, YTD Change
(dollars in thousands) 2020 2019 Dollar increase/(decrease) Percentage
Net interest income $ (43,120) $ 207,738 $ (250,858) (120.8) %
Total non-interest income 323,982 409,948 (85,966) (21.0) %
(Release of Credit loss expense)/Credit loss expense (137,065) (7,381) (129,684) 1,757.0 %
Total expenses 591,122 782,938 (191,816) (24.5) %
Income / (Loss) before income taxes (173,195) (157,871) (15,324) (9.7) %
Total assets 39,165,741 36,786,099 2,379,642 6.5 %
The Other category reported loss before income taxes of $173.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, respectively, compared to loss before income taxes of $157.9 million for 2019. Factors contributing to these changes were:
•Net interest income decreased $250.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the corresponding period of 2019, due to lower rates.
•Total non-interest income decreased $86.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the corresponding period of 2019, due to fair value adjustments related to the transfer of loans to HFS in the second quarter of 2020, offset by the gain on sale of SBC.
•Credit loss expense decreased $129.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the corresponding period of 2019, due to the release of provision related to SBC during the second quarter of 2020.
•Total expenses decreased $191.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the corresponding period of 2019, due to lower operational risk expenses and lower FDIC premiums.
SC
Year Ended December 31, YTD Change
(dollars in thousands) 2020 2019 Dollar increase/(decrease) Percentage
Net interest income $ 4,151,344 $ 3,971,826 $ 179,518 4.5 %
Total non-interest income 3,024,918 2,760,370 264,548 9.6 %
Credit loss expense 2,364,460 2,093,749 270,711 12.9 %
Total expenses 3,601,970 3,284,179 317,791 9.7 %
Income before income taxes 1,209,832 1,354,268 (144,436) (10.7) %
Total assets 48,887,493 48,922,532 (35,039) (0.1) %
SC reported income before income taxes of $1.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to income before income taxes of $1.4 billion for 2019. Contributing to this change was:
•Credit loss expense increased $270.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the corresponding period of 2019, due to large reserve builds in response to the economic uncertainty related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
LOAN PORTFOLIO
The Company's LHFI portfolio consisted of the following at the dates indicated:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
(dollars in thousands) Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent
Commercial LHFI:
CRE $ 7,327,853 8.0 % $ 8,468,023 9.1 % $ 8,704,481 10.0 % $ 9,279,225 11.5 % $ 10,112,043 11.8 %
C&I 16,537,899 17.9 % 16,534,694 17.8 % 15,738,158 18.1 % 14,438,311 17.9 % 18,812,002 21.9 %
Multifamily 8,367,147 9.1 % 8,641,204 9.3 % 8,309,115 9.5 % 8,274,435 10.1 % 8,683,680 10.1 %
Other commercial 7,455,504 8.1 % 7,390,795 8.2 % 7,630,004 8.8 % 7,174,739 8.9 % 6,832,403 8.0 %
Total commercial loans (1)
39,688,403 43.1 % 41,034,716 44.4 % 40,381,758 46.4 % 39,166,710 48.4 % 44,440,128 51.8 %
Consumer loans secured by real estate:
Residential mortgages 6,590,168 7.2 % 8,835,702 9.5 % 9,884,462 11.4 % 8,846,765 11.0 % 7,775,272 9.1 %
Home equity loans and lines of credit 4,108,505 4.5 % 4,770,344 5.1 % 5,465,670 6.3 % 5,907,733 7.3 % 6,001,192 7.1 %
Total consumer loans secured by real estate 10,698,673 11.7 % 13,606,046 14.6 % 15,350,132 17.7 % 14,754,498 18.3 % 13,776,464 16.2 %
Consumer loans not secured by real estate:
RICs and auto loans 40,698,642 44.1 % 36,456,747 39.3 % 29,335,220 33.7 % 24,966,121 30.9 % 25,573,721 29.8 %
Personal unsecured loans 824,430 0.9 % 1,291,547 1.4 % 1,531,708 1.8 % 1,285,677 1.6 % 1,234,094 1.4 %
Other consumer 223,034 0.2 % 316,384 0.3 % 447,050 0.4 % 617,675 0.8 % 795,378 0.8 %
Total consumer loans 52,444,779 56.9 % 51,670,724 55.6 % 46,664,110 53.6 % 41,623,971 51.6 % 41,379,657 48.2 %
Total LHFI $ 92,133,182 100.0 % $ 92,705,440 100.0 % $ 87,045,868 100.0 % $ 80,790,681 100.0 % $ 85,819,785 100.0 %
Total LHFI with:
Fixed $ 64,036,154 69.5 % $ 61,775,942 66.6 % $ 56,696,491 65.1 % $ 50,703,619 62.8 % $ 51,752,761 60.3 %
Variable 28,097,028 30.5 % 30,929,498 33.4 % 30,349,377 34.9 % 30,087,062 37.2 % 34,067,024 39.7 %
Total LHFI $ 92,133,182 100.0 % $ 92,705,440 100.0 % $ 87,045,868 100.0 % $ 80,790,681 100.0 % $ 85,819,785 100.0 %
(1) As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $338.5 million of commercial loans that were denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar.
Commercial
Commercial loans decreased approximately $1.3 billion, or 3.3%, from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020. This decrease was comprised of decreases in CRE loans of $1.1 billion and multifamily loans of $274.1 million. This decrease is reflective of the sale of SBC, largely in the CRE and C&I portfolios, offset by originations of C&I loans, including PPP loans.
At December 31, 2020, Maturing
(in thousands) In One Year
Or Less One to Five
Years After Five
Years Total (1)
CRE loans $ 1,787,067 $ 4,623,996 $ 944,808 $ 7,355,871
C&I and other commercial 11,500,027 11,056,299 1,659,758 24,216,084
Multifamily loans 952,415 4,985,413 2,433,074 8,370,902
Total $ 14,239,509 $ 20,665,708 $ 5,037,640 $ 39,942,857
Loans with:
Fixed rates $ 5,391,113 $ 8,902,568 $ 2,982,493 $ 17,276,174
Variable rates 8,848,396 11,763,140 2,055,147 22,666,683
Total $ 14,239,509 $ 20,665,708 $ 5,037,640 $ 39,942,857
(1) Includes LHFS.
Consumer Loans Secured By Real Estate
Consumer loans secured by real estate decreased $2.9 billion, or 21.4%, from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020. This decrease was comprised of decreases in the residential mortgage portfolio of $2.2 billion, which is partially attributable to the sale of SBC, and decreases in the home equity loans and lines of credit portfolio of $661.8 million.
Consumer Loans Not Secured By Real Estate
RICs and auto loans
RICs and auto loans increased $4.2 billion, or 11.6%, from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020. The increase in the RIC and auto loan portfolio was primarily due to an increase in originations, net of securitizations. RICs are collateralized by vehicle titles, and the lender has the right to repossess the vehicle in the event the consumer defaults on the payment terms of the contract. Most of the Company's RICs HFI are pledged against warehouse lines or securitization bonds. Refer to further discussion of these in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
As of December 31, 2020, 62.5% of the Company's RIC and auto loan portfolio balance was comprised of nonprime loans (defined by the Company as customers with a FICO score of below 640) with customers who did not qualify for conventional consumer finance products as a result of, among other things, a lack of or adverse credit history, low income levels and/or the inability to provide adequate down payments. This also includes 8.5% of loans for which no FICO score was available or legacy portfolios for which FICO is not considered in the ALLL model. While underwriting guidelines are designed to establish that the customer would be a reasonable credit risk, nonprime loans will nonetheless experience higher default rates than a portfolio of obligations of prime customers. Additionally, higher unemployment rates, higher gasoline prices, unstable real estate values, re-sets of adjustable rate mortgages to higher interest rates, the general availability of consumer credit, and other factors that impact consumer confidence or disposable income could lead to an increase in delinquencies, defaults, and repossessions, as well as decreased consumer demand for used automobiles and other consumer products, weaken collateral values and increase losses in the event of default. Because SC's historical focus for such credit has been predominantly on nonprime consumers, the actual rates of delinquencies, defaults, repossessions, and losses on these loans could be more dramatically affected by a general economic downturn.
The Company's automated originations process for these credits reflects a disciplined approach to credit risk management to mitigate the risks of nonprime customers. The Company's robust historical data on both organically originated and acquired loans provides it with the ability to perform advanced loss forecasting. Each applicant is automatically assigned a proprietary custom score using information such as FICO scores, DTI ratios, LTV ratios, and over 30 other predictive factors, placing the applicant in one of 100 pricing tiers. The pricing in each tier is continuously monitored and adjusted to reflect market and risk trends. In addition to the Company's automated process, it maintains a team of underwriters for manual review, consideration of exceptions, and review of deal structures with dealers.
At December 31, 2020, a typical RIC was originated with an average annual percentage rate of 14.1% and was purchased from the dealer at a premium of 1.1%. All of the Company's RICs and auto loans are fixed-rate loans.
Personal unsecured and other consumer loans
Personal unsecured and other consumer loans decreased from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020 by $560.5 million.
As a result of the strategic evaluation of SC's personal lending portfolio, in the third quarter of 2015, SC began reviewing strategic alternatives for exiting its personal loan portfolios. SC's other significant personal lending relationship is with Bluestem. SC continues to perform in accordance with the terms and operative provisions of the agreements under which it is obligated to purchase personal revolving loans originated by Bluestem for an initial term ending in 2020 renewable through April 2022 at Bluestem's option. The Bluestem loan portfolio is carried as held-for-sale in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Accordingly, the Company has recorded lower-of-cost-or-market adjustments on this portfolio, and there may be further such adjustments required in future period financial statements. Management is currently evaluating alternatives for the Bluestem portfolio. As of December 31, 2020, SC's personal unsecured portfolio was held-for-sale and thus does not have a related allowance.
NON-PERFORMING ASSETS
The following table presents the composition of non-performing assets at the dates indicated:
Period Ended Change
(dollars in thousands) December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Dollar Percentage
Non-accrual loans:
Commercial:
CRE $ 106,751 $ 83,117 $ 23,634 28.4 %
C&I 107,053 153,428 (46,375) (30.2) %
Multifamily 72,392 5,112 67,280 1,316.1 %
Other commercial 20,019 31,987 (11,968) (37.4) %
Total commercial loans 306,215 273,644 32,571 11.9 %
Consumer loans secured by real estate:
Residential mortgages 160,172 134,957 25,215 18.7 %
Home equity loans and lines of credit 91,606 107,289 (15,683) (14.6) %
Consumer loans not secured by real estate:
RICs and auto loans 1,174,317 1,643,459 (469,142) (28.5) %
Personal unsecured loans - 2,212 (2,212) (100.0) %
Other consumer 6,325 11,491 (5,166) (45.0) %
Total consumer loans 1,432,420 1,899,408 (466,988) (24.6) %
Total non-accrual loans 1,738,635 2,173,052 (434,417) (20.0) %
Other real estate owned 29,799 66,828 (37,029) (55.4) %
Repossessed vehicles 204,653 212,966 (8,313) (3.9) %
Other repossessed assets 3,247 4,218 (971) (23.0) %
Total OREO and other repossessed assets 237,699 284,012 (46,313) (16.3) %
Total non-performing assets $ 1,976,334 $ 2,457,064 $ (480,730) (19.6) %
Past due 90 days or more as to interest or principal and accruing interest $ 52,863 $ 93,102 $ (40,239) (43.2)%
Annualized net loan charge-offs to average loans (1)
1.7 % 2.8 % n/a n/a
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets 1.3 % 1.6 % n/a n/a
NPLs as a percentage of total loans 1.8 % 2.3 % n/a n/a
ALLL as a percentage of total NPLs 422.1 % 167.8 % n/a n/a
(1) Annualized net loan charge-offs are based on year-to-date charge-offs.
The increase in the ALLL as a percentage of total NPLs is a result of the adoption of the CECL standard effective January 1, 2020.
Potential problem loans are loans not currently classified as NPLs for which management has doubts about the borrowers’ ability to comply with the present repayment terms. These assets are principally loans delinquent for more than 30 days but less than 90 days. Potential problem commercial loans totaled approximately $229.2 million and $179.9 million at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. This increase was primarily due to one large borrower within the multifamily portfolio.
Potential problem consumer loans amounted to $3.2 billion and $4.7 billion at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Management has included these loans in its evaluation of the Company's ACL and reserved for them during the respective periods.
Non-performing assets decreased to $2.0 billion, or 1.3% of total assets, at December 31, 2020, compared to $2.5 billion, or 1.6% of total assets, at December 31, 2019, due to lower NPLs resulting from COVID-19 deferral program.
Commercial
Commercial NPLs increased $32.6 million from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020. Commercial NPLs accounted for 0.8% of commercial LHFI at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The increase in commercial NPLs was primarily comprised of increases of $67.3 million in the multifamily and $23.6 million in the CRE portfolios offset by decreases of $46.4 million in C&I.
Consumer Loans Not Secured by Real Estate
RICs and amortizing personal loans are classified as non-performing when they are more than 60 DPD (i.e., 61 or more DPD) with respect to principal or interest. Except for loans accounted for using the FVO, at the time a loan is placed on non-performing status, previously accrued and uncollected interest is reversed against interest income. When an account is 60 days or less past due, it is returned to performing status and the Company returns to accruing interest on the loan. The accrual of interest on revolving personal loans continues until the loan is charged off.
RIC TDRs are placed on non-accrual status when the account becomes past due more than 60 days. For loans in non-accrual status, interest income is recognized on a cash basis. For loans on non-accrual status, the accrual of interest is resumed if a delinquent account subsequently becomes 60 days or less past due. NPLs in the RIC and auto loan portfolio decreased by $469.1 million from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020. Non-performing RICs and auto loans accounted for 2.9% and 4.5% of total RICs and auto loans at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
Consumer Loans Secured by Real Estate
The following table shows NPLs compared to total loans outstanding for the residential mortgage and home equity portfolios as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
(dollars in thousands) Residential mortgages Home equity loans and lines of credit Residential mortgages Home equity loans and lines of credit
NPLs - HFI $ 74,473 $ 91,606 $ 134,957 $ 107,289
Total LHFI 6,590,168 4,108,505 8,835,702 4,770,344
NPLs as a percentage of total LHFI 1.1 % 2.2 % 1.5 % 2.2 %
The NPL ratio is usually higher for the Company's residential mortgage loan portfolio compared to the home equity loans and lines of credit portfolio due to a number of factors, including the prolonged workout and foreclosure resolution processes for residential mortgage loans, differences in risk profiles, and mortgage loans located outside the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic United States. Foreclosures on consumer loans secured by real estate were $46.2 million or 27.8% of non-performing consumer loans secured by real estate at December 31, 2020, compared to $111.3 million or 45.9% of consumer loans secured by real estate at December 31, 2019.
Delinquencies
The Company generally considers an account delinquent when an obligor fails to pay substantially all (defined as 90%) of the scheduled payment by the due date.
Overall, total delinquencies decreased by $1.5 billion, or 26.7%, from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020, most significantly within the RICs and auto loan portfolio, which decreased $1.5 billion. Delinquent balances and nonaccrual balances overall were lower as of December 31, 2020 primarily due to the large number of deferrals granted to borrowers impacted by COVID-19.
TDRs
TDRs are loans that have been modified as the Company has agreed to make certain concessions to both meet the needs of customers and maximize its ultimate recovery on the loans. TDRs occur when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and the loan is modified with terms that would otherwise not be granted to the borrower. The types of concessions granted are generally interest rate reductions, limitations on accrued interest charged, term extensions, and deferments of principal.
TDRs are generally placed on nonaccrual status upon modification, unless the loan was performing immediately prior to modification. For most portfolios, TDRs may return to accrual status after a sustained period of repayment performance, as long as the Company believes the principal and interest of the restructured loan will be paid in full. RIC TDRs are placed on nonaccrual status when the Company believes repayment under the revised terms is not reasonably assured and, at the latest, when the account becomes more than 60 DPD. RIC TDRs are considered for return to accrual when the account becomes 60 days or less past due. To the extent the TDR is determined to be collateral-dependent and the source of repayment depends on the operation of the collateral, the loan may be returned to accrual status based on the foregoing parameters. To the extent the TDR is determined to be collateral-dependent and the source of repayment depends on disposal of the collateral, the loan may not be returned to accrual status.
The following table summarizes TDRs at the dates indicated:
As of December 31, 2020
(in thousands) Commercial % Consumer Loans Secured by Real Estate % RICs and Auto Loans % Other Consumer % Total TDRs
Performing $ 73,950 43.2 % $ 87,896 66.8 % $ 3,655,681 91.7 % $ 33,095 98.0 % $ 3,850,622
Non-performing 97,054 56.8 % 43,605 33.2 % 332,164 8.3 % 684 2.0 % 473,507
Total $ 171,004 100.0 % $ 131,501 100.0 % $ 3,987,845 100.0 % $ 33,779 100.0 % $ 4,324,129
% of loan portfolio 0.4 % n/a 1.2 % n/a 9.8 % n/a 3.2 % n/a 4.7 %
(1) Excludes LHFS.
As of December 31, 2019
(in thousands) Commercial % Consumer Loans Secured by Real Estate % RICs and Auto Loans % Other Consumer % Total TDRs
Performing $ 64,538 49.5 % $ 182,105 67.8 % $ 3,332,246 86.6 % $ 67,465 91.7 % $ 3,646,354
Non-performing 65,741 50.5 % 86,335 32.2 % 515,573 13.4 % 6,128 8.3 % 673,777
Total $ 130,279 100.0 % $ 268,440 100.0 % $ 3,847,819 100.0 % $ 73,593 100.0 % $ 4,320,131
% of loan portfolio 0.3 % n/a 2.0 % n/a 10.6 % n/a 4.6 % n/a 4.7 %
(1) Excludes LHFS.
The following table provides a summary of TDR activity:
Year Ended December 31, 2020 Year Ended December 31, 2019
(in thousands) RICs and Auto Loans All Other Loans(1)(2)
RICs and Auto Loans All Other Loans(1)
TDRs, beginning of period $ 3,847,819 $ 472,312 $ 5,251,769 $ 726,600
New TDRs(1)
2,085,351 279,628 1,153,160 145,135
Charged-Off TDRs (772,542) (9,091) (1,389,044) (13,706)
Sold TDRs(2)
(27,971) (246,191) (1,139) (83,204)
Payments on TDRs (1,144,812) (160,374) (1,166,927) (302,513)
TDRs, end of period $ 3,987,845 $ 336,284 $ 3,847,819 $ 472,312
(1) New TDRs includes drawdowns on lines of credit that have previously been classified as TDRs.
(2) Includes loans originated for investment and reclassified to held for sale, but not yet sold as of December 31, 2020, of $83.0 million .
The decrease in total delinquent TDRs was primarily due to the significant increase in deferrals provided to borrowers in response to COVID-19 impacts.
In accordance with the Company’s policies and guidelines, the Company may offer extensions (deferrals) to consumers on its RICs, whereby the consumer is allowed to move a maximum of three payments per event to the end of the loan. Prior to March 2020, the Company’s policies and guidelines limited the frequency of each new deferral to one deferral every six months, regardless of the length of any prior deferral. Further, the maximum number of lifetime months extended for all automobile RICs was eight, while some marine and RV contracts had a maximum of twelve months extended to reflect their longer term. Additionally, the Company generally limited the granting of deferrals on new accounts until a requisite number of months have passed since origination. However, many of these practices have been temporarily revised to accommodate borrowers impacted by COVID-19, including increasing the maximum number of extensions, allowing more than one deferral every six months and removing the requirement that a requisite number of months have passed since origination. During the deferral period, the Company continues to accrue and collect interest on the loan in accordance with the terms of the deferral agreement.
However in March 2020, the federal banking agencies issued an “Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus.” This guidance encourages financial institutions to work prudently with borrowers that may be unable to meet their contractual obligations because of the effects of COVID-19 and concludes that short-term modifications (e.g., six months) made on a good faith basis to borrowers who were impacted by COVID-19 and who were less than 30 DPD as of the implementation date of a relief program are not TDRs. Additionally, Section 4013 of the CARES Act grants companies the option of not applying the GAAP TDR guidance to certain loans with COVID-19 modifications.
In March 2020, the Company began actively working with its borrowers impacted by COVID-19 and provided loan modification programs to mitigate the adverse effects of COVID-19. In both its consumer and commercial portfolios, the programs generally include payment deferrals for a period of one to six months. In the Company's RIC and auto loan portfolio, the predominant program offering is a deferral of payments to the end of the loan term and waiver of late charges of up to three months. For credit cards, we offer a temporary payment reduction program for a period of up to three months. Payment deferrals on mortgages can be for up to one year. The Company does not consider payment deferrals of up to six months to customers who were current prior to implementation of the Company's relief programs to be TDRs, in accordance with its accounting policy and interagency regulatory guidelines. Additionally, the Company applies the TDR provisions of the CARES Act to certain consumer loans that received COVID19 modifications, if they were current as of December 31, 2019. Consumer loans that are granted deferrals beyond 180 days are not classified as TDRs if they comply with the requirements of the CARES Act.
Since the implementation of the programs in March 2020, we experienced a sharp increase in requests for extensions related to COVID-19 nationwide and a significant number of such extensions have been granted.
The following table provides a summary of SBNA and SC loan balances with active payment deferrals due to COVID-19 as of the end of each reporting period:
December 31, 2020 September 30, 2020
Loan balance of active extensions (1)
% of Portfolio Loan balance of active extensions (1)
% of Portfolio
Santander Bank
Commercial:
CRE $ 148,049 2.0% $ 297,119 4.0%
C&I 102,818 0.6% 173,766 1.1%
Multifamily 95,456 1.1% 428,183 4.9%
Other commercial 6,260 0.2% 50,551 1.6%
Consumer:
Residential mortgages 147,988 2.2 % 315,637 4.4 %
Home equity loans and lines of credit 63,400 1.5 % 45,322 1.1 %
RICs and auto loans 79,286 0.9 % 68,198 0.9 %
Personal unsecured loans 12,923 1.6 % 10,347 1.2 %
Other consumer 964 0.5 % 1,762 0.8 %
Total SBNA $ 657,144 1.2 % $ 1,390,885 2.5 %
Santander Consumer
RICs $ 1,067,072 3.2 % $ 959,236 2.9 %
(1) Santander Consumer balances exclude deferrals with payments due in the current month.
As of December 31, 2020, over 44,000 SBNA customer accounts have received extensions. Of these accounts, 79% had exited deferral, 10% remain in active deferral and 11% had paid down or charged off. Of the loans that have exited deferral status, 92% of the customer accounts are less than 30 DPD. Past due status is based on the modified payment schedule under the deferral arrangement.
Through December 31, 2020, over 697,000 of SC's unique accounts have received COVID-19 deferrals. Of these accounts, 79% have exited deferral status, 8% remain in active deferral, 8% have paid-off, and 5% have charged off. Of the loans that have exited deferral status, 80% are less than 30 DPD and 98% of these accounts have made at least one payment since their first COVID-19 extension.
The Company evaluates the results of its deferral strategies based upon the amount of cash installments that are collected on accounts after they have been deferred compared to the extent to which the collateral underlying the deferred accounts has depreciated over the same period of time. Based on this evaluation, the Company believes that payment deferrals granted according to its policies and guidelines are an effective portfolio management technique and result in higher ultimate cash collections from the portfolio.
Changes in deferral levels do not have a direct impact on the ultimate amount of consumer finance receivables charged-off. However, the timing of a charge-off may be affected if the previously deferred account ultimately results in a charge-off. To the extent deferrals impact the ultimate timing of when an account is charged-off, historical charge-off ratios, loss confirmation periods, and cash flow forecasts used in the determination of the adequacy of the ALLL for loans classified as TDRs are also impacted. Increased use of deferrals may result in a lengthening of the loss confirmation period, which would increase expectations of credit losses inherent in the portfolio and therefore increase the ALLL and related credit loss expense. Changes in these ratios and periods are considered in determining the appropriate level of the ALLL and related credit loss expense. For loans that are classified as TDRs, the Company generally compares the present value of expected cash flows to the outstanding recorded investment of TDRs to determine the amount of allowance and related credit loss expense that should be recorded. For loans that are considered collateral-dependent, such as certain bankruptcy modifications, impairment is measured based on the fair value of the collateral, less its estimated costs to sell.
CREDIT RISK
The risk inherent in the Company’s loan and lease portfolios is driven by credit and collateral quality, and is affected by borrower-specific and economy-wide facts such as changes in unemployment, GDP, HPI, CRE price index, used vehicle index growth rates, and other factors. In general, there is an inverse relationship between credit quality of transactions and projections of impairment losses so that transactions with better credit quality require a lower expected loss. The Company manages this risk through its underwriting, pricing and credit approval guidelines and servicing policies and practices, as well as geographic and other concentration limits.
The Company's ACL is principally based on various models subject to the Company's Model Risk Management Framework. New models are approved by the Company's Model Risk Management Committee. Models, inputs and documentation are further reviewed and validated at least annually, and the Company completes a detailed variance analysis of historical model projections against actual observed results on a quarterly basis. Required actions resulting from the Company's analysis, if necessary, are governed by its ACL Committee.
Management uses the qualitative framework to exercise judgment about matters that are inherently uncertain and that are not considered by the quantitative framework. These adjustments are documented and reviewed through the Company’s risk management processes. Furthermore, management reviews, updates, and validates its process and loss assumptions on a periodic basis. This process involves an analysis of data integrity, review of loss and credit trends, a retrospective evaluation of actual loss information to loss forecasts, and other analyses.
ACL levels are collectively reviewed for adequacy and approved quarterly. Required actions resulting from the Company's analysis, if necessary, are governed by its ACL Committee. The ACL levels are approved by the Board-level committees quarterly.
ACL
Changes to the ACL are discussed in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Reserve for Unfunded Lending Commitments
The reserve for unfunded lending commitments increased from $91.8 million at December 31, 2019 to $146.5 million at December 31, 2020. The increase of the reserve for unfunded lending commitments included an increase from the adoption of the CECL standard of $10.4 million, while the remainder was primarily related to changes in the business environment resulting from COVID-19. The net impact of business as usual change in the reserve for unfunded lending commitments to the overall ACL was immaterial.
INVESTMENT SECURITIES
Investment securities consist primarily of U.S. Treasuries, MBS, ABS and FHLB and FRB stock. MBS consist of pass-through, CMOs and adjustable rate mortgages issued by federal agencies. The Company’s MBS are either guaranteed as to principal and interest by the issuer or have ratings of “AAA” by S&P and Moody’s at the date of issuance. The Company’s AFS investment strategy is to purchase liquid fixed-rate and floating-rate investments to manage the Company's liquidity position and interest rate risk adequately.
Total investment securities AFS decreased $3.0 billion to $11.3 billion at December 31, 2020, compared to $14.3 billion at December 31, 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the composition of the Company's investment portfolio changed due to a decrease in U.S. Treasury securities, partially offset by an increase in MBS. U.S. Treasuries decreased by $3.9 billion primarily due to investment sales and maturities. MBS increased by $907.1 million primarily due to investment purchases and an increase in unrealized gains, partially offset by investment sales, maturities and principal paydowns. For additional information with respect to the Company’s investment securities, see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Debt securities for which the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold the securities until maturity are classified as HTM securities. HTM securities are reported at cost and adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount. Total investment securities HTM were $5.5 billion at December 31, 2020. The Company had 133 investment securities classified as HTM as of December 31, 2020.
Total gross unrealized gain/(loss) position on investment securities AFS increased by $184.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase was primarily related to an increase in unrealized gains of $186.3 million on MBS, primarily due to a decrease in interest rates.
The average life of the AFS investment portfolio (excluding certain ABS) at December 31, 2020 was approximately 3.29 years. The average effective duration of the investment portfolio (excluding certain ABS) at December 31, 2020 was approximately 2.35 years. The actual maturities of MBS AFS will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to prepay obligations without prepayment penalties.
The following table presents the fair value of investment securities by obligor at the dates indicated:
(in thousands) December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Investment securities AFS:
U.S. Treasury securities and government agencies $ 5,440,139 $ 9,735,337
FNMA and FHLMC securities 5,608,296 4,326,299
State and municipal securities 1 9
Other securities (1)
265,053 278,113
Total investment securities AFS 11,313,489 14,339,758
Investment securities HTM:
U.S. government agencies 5,504,685 3,938,797
Total investment securities HTM(2)
5,504,685 3,938,797
Other investments 1,553,862 995,680
Total investment portfolio $ 18,372,036 $ 19,274,235
(1) Other securities primarily include corporate debt securities and ABS.
(2) HTM securities are measured and presented at amortized cost.
The following table presents the securities of single issuers (other than obligations of the United States and its political subdivisions, agencies, and corporations) having an aggregate book value in excess of 10% of the Company's stockholder's equity that were held by the Company at December 31, 2020:
December 31, 2020
(in thousands) Amortized Cost Fair Value
FNMA $ 3,136,873 $ 3,187,163
FHLMC 2,391,680 2,421,133
GNMA (1)
10,634,103 10,901,810
Total $ 16,162,656 $ 16,510,106
(1) Includes U.S. government agency MBS.
GOODWILL
The Company records the excess of the cost of acquired entities over the fair value of identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired less the fair value of liabilities assumed as goodwill. Consistent with ASC 350, the Company does not amortize goodwill, and reviews the goodwill recorded for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate the potential for goodwill impairment. At December 31, 2020, goodwill totaled $2.6 billion and represented 1.7% of total assets and 12.2% of total stockholder's equity. The following table shows goodwill by reporting units at December 31, 2020:
(in thousands) CBB C&I CRE & VF CIB SC Total
Goodwill at December 31, 2020 $ 297,802 $ 52,198 $ 1,095,071 $ 131,130 $ 1,019,960 $ 2,596,161
The Company continually assesses whether or not there have been events requiring a review of goodwill. During the second quarter of 2020, primarily due to the ongoing economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company determined that a goodwill triggering event occurred for the CBB, C&I, and CRE & VF reporting units. Based on its goodwill impairment analysis performed as of June 30, 2020, the Company concluded that a goodwill impairment charge of $1.6 billion and $0.3 billion was required for the CBB and C&I reporting units, respectively. The CRE & VF reporting unit’s estimated fair value exceeded its carrying value by less than 5%.
In addition, the Company conducted its annual goodwill impairment tests as of October 1, 2020 using generally accepted valuation methods.
For the CBB reporting unit's fair valuation analysis, a 25%/75% weighting of the market approach and income approach, respectively, was applied. For the market approach, the Company selected a 30.0% control premium based on the Company's review of transactions observable in the marketplace that were determined to be comparable. The projected TBV of 1.0x was selected based on publicly traded peers of the reporting unit. For the income approach, the Company selected a discount rate of 11.1%, which was most representative of the reporting unit's cost of equity at the time of the analysis. Long-term growth rates of 2.5% were applied in determining the terminal value. The results of the fair value analyses exceeded the carrying value for the CBB reporting unit by 9.3%, indicating that the reporting unit was not considered to be impaired.
For the C&I reporting unit's fair valuation analysis, a 25%/75% weighting of the market approach and income approach, respectively, was applied. For the market approach, the Company selected a 30.0% control premium based on the Company's review of transactions observable in the marketplace that were determined to be comparable. The projected TBV of 0.9x was selected based on the selected publicly traded peers of the reporting unit. For the income approach, the Company selected a discount rate 11.4%, which was most representative of the business' cost of equity at the time of the analysis. Long-term growth rates of 2.5% were applied in determining the terminal value. The results of the fair value analyses exceeded the carrying value for the Commercial Banking reporting unit by 17.8%, indicating that the C&I reporting unit was not considered to be impaired.
For the CRE&VF reporting unit's fair valuation analysis, a 25%/75% weighting of the market approach and income approach, respectively, was applied. For the market approach, the Company selected a 30.0% control premium based on the Company's review of transactions observable in the marketplace that were determined to be comparable. The projected TBV of 1.2x was selected based on the selected publicly traded peers of the reporting unit. For the income approach, the Company selected a discount rate 11.7%, which was most representative of the business' cost of equity at the time of the analysis. Long-term growth rates of 2.5% were applied in determining the terminal value. The results of the fair value analyses exceeded the carrying value for the Commercial Banking reporting unit by 6.1%, indicating that the CRE&VF reporting unit was not considered to be impaired or at risk for impairment.
For the CIB reporting unit's fair valuation analysis, a 25%/75% weighting of the market approach and income approach, respectively, was applied. For the market approach, the Company selected a 30.0% control premium based on the Company's review of transactions observable in the marketplace that were determined to be comparable. The projected TBV of 0.9x was selected based on the selected publicly traded peers of the reporting unit. For the income approach, the Company selected a discount rate of 10.6%, which is most representative of the reporting unit's cost of equity at the time of the analysis. Long-term growth rates of 2.5% were applied in determining the terminal value. The results of the fair value analyses exceeded the carrying value for the CIB reporting unit by 13.2%, indicating that the CIB reporting unit was not considered to be impaired or at risk for impairment.
For the SC reporting unit's fair valuation analysis, the Company used only the market capitalization approach. For the market capitalization approach, SC's stock price from October 1, 2020 was $18.59 and a 30.0% control premium was used based on the Company's review of transactions observable in the market-place that were determined to be comparable. The results of the fair value analyses exceeded the carrying value of the SC reporting unit by 8.8%, indicating that the SC reporting unit was not considered to be impaired. Management continues to monitor SC's stock price, along with changes in the financial position and results of operations that would impact the reporting unit's carrying value on a regular basis. Through the date of this filing, there have been no indicators which would change management's assessment as of October 1, 2020.
During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company implemented organizational changes which resulted in the transfer of Upper Business Banking customers into the C&I segment from the CBB segment. Refer to Note 22 to these Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details on the Company's reportable segments. As a result of the re-organization, the Company re-allocated approximately $25.1 million of goodwill from the CBB reporting unit to the C&I reporting unit. Upon re-allocation, the Company performed a post evaluation for impairment on the CBB and C&I reporting units utilizing assumptions consistent with our October 1, 2020 impairment test and noted no impairment.
Management continues to monitor changes in financial position and results of operations that would impact each of the reporting units estimated fair value or carrying value on a regular basis. Through the date of this filing, there have been no indicators which would change management's assessment as of October 1, 2020.
DEFERRED TAXES AND OTHER TAX ACTIVITY
The Company had a net deferred tax liability balance of $171.2 million at December 31, 2020 (consisting of a deferred tax asset balance of $11.1 million and a deferred tax liability balance of $182.4 million), compared to a net deferred tax liability balance of $1.0 billion at December 31, 2019 (consisting of a deferred tax asset balance of $503.7 million and a deferred tax liability balance of $1.5 billion). During the third quarter, the Company’s ownership of SC reached the 80% threshold which requires SC to file a consolidated federal tax return with the Company. As a result, SHUSA reversed its deferred tax liability of $306.6 million for the book over tax basis difference in its investment in SC. The $846.1 million decrease in net deferred liability for the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily due to the adoption of the CECL standard during the first quarter of 2020 and the reversal of the deferred tax liability for the book over tax basis difference associated with the Company’s investment in SC during the third quarter of 2020.
BANK REGULATORY CAPITAL
The Company's capital priorities are to support client growth and business investment while maintaining appropriate capital in light of economic uncertainty and the Basel III framework.
The Company is subject to the regulations of certain federal, state, and foreign agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities. At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, based on the Bank’s capital calculations, the Bank was considered well-capitalized under the applicable capital framework. In addition, the Company's capital levels as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, based on the Company’s capital calculations, exceeded the required capital ratios for BHCs.
For a discussion of Basel III, including the standardized approach and related future changes to the minimum U.S. regulatory capital ratios, see the section captioned "Regulatory Matters" in this MD&A.
Federal banking laws, regulations and policies also limit the Bank's ability to pay dividends and make other distributions to the Company. The Bank must obtain prior OCC approval to declare a dividend or make any other capital distribution if, after such dividend or distribution: (1) the Bank's total distributions to SHUSA within that calendar year would exceed 100% of its net income during the year plus retained net income for the prior two years, (2) the Bank would not meet capital levels imposed by the OCC in connection with any order, or (3) the Bank is not adequately capitalized at the time. The OCC's prior approval would also be required if the Bank were notified by the OCC that it is a problem institution or in troubled condition.
Any dividend declared and paid or return of capital has the effect of reducing capital ratios. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 the Company paid cash dividends of $125.0 million, $400.0 million, and $410.0 million respectively, to its common stock shareholder.
The following schedule summarizes the actual capital balances of SHUSA and the Bank at December 31, 2020:
SHUSA
December 31, 2020 Well-capitalized Requirement(1)
Minimum Requirement(1)
CET1 capital ratio 15.94 % 6.50 % 4.50 %
Tier 1 capital ratio 17.40 % 8.00 % 6.00 %
Total capital ratio 18.80 % 10.00 % 8.00 %
Leverage ratio 13.77 % 5.00 % 4.00 %
Bank
December 31, 2020 Well-capitalized Requirement(1)
Minimum Requirement(1)
CET1 capital ratio 15.67 % 6.50 % 4.50 %
Tier 1 capital ratio 15.67 % 8.00 % 6.00 %
Total capital ratio 16.92 % 10.00 % 8.00 %
Leverage ratio 12.13 % 5.00 % 4.00 %
(1) Capital ratios through March 31, 2020 calculated under the U.S. Basel III framework on a transitional basis. Capital ratios starting in the first quarter of 2020 calculated under CECL transition provisions permitted by the CARES Act
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overall
The Company continues to maintain strong liquidity. Liquidity represents the ability of the Company to obtain cost-effective funding to meet the needs of customers as well as the Company's financial obligations. Factors that impact the liquidity position of the Company include loan origination volumes, loan prepayment rates, the maturity structure of existing loans, core deposit growth levels, CD maturity structure and retention, the Company's credit ratings, investment portfolio cash flows, the maturity structure of the Company's wholesale funding, and other factors. These risks are monitored and managed centrally. The Company's Asset/Liability Committee reviews and approves the Company's liquidity policy and guidelines on a regular basis. This process includes reviewing all available wholesale liquidity sources. The Company also forecasts future liquidity needs and develops strategies to ensure adequate liquidity is available at all times. SHUSA conducts monthly liquidity stress test analyses to manage its liquidity under a variety of scenarios, all of which demonstrate that the Company has ample liquidity to meet its short-term and long-term cash requirements.
Further changes to the credit ratings of SHUSA, Santander and its affiliates or the Kingdom of Spain could have a material adverse effect on SHUSA's business, including its liquidity and capital resources. The credit ratings of SHUSA have changed in the past and may change in the future, which could impact its cost of and access to sources of financing and liquidity. Any reductions in the long-term or short-term credit ratings of SHUSA would increase its borrowing costs and require it to replace funding lost due to the downgrade, which may include the loss of customer deposits, limit its access to capital and money markets and trigger additional collateral requirements in derivatives contracts and other secured funding arrangements. See further discussion on the impacts of credit ratings actions in the "Economic and Business Environment" section of this MD&A.
Sources of Liquidity
Company and Bank
The Company and the Bank have several sources of funding to meet liquidity requirements, including the Bank's core deposit base, liquid investment securities portfolio, ability to acquire large deposits, FHLB borrowings, wholesale deposit purchases, and federal funds purchased, as well as through securitizations in the ABS market and committed credit lines from third-party banks and Santander. In addition, the Company has other sources of funding to meet its liquidity requirements such as dividends and returns of investments from its subsidiaries, short-term investments held by non-bank affiliates, and access to the capital markets.
SC
SC requires a significant amount of liquidity to originate and acquire loans and leases and to service debt. SC funds its operations through its lending relationships with 13 third-party banks, Santander and SHUSA, and through securitizations in the ABS market and flow agreements. SC seeks to issue debt that appropriately matches the cash flows of the assets that it originates. SC has more than $5.6 billion of stockholders’ equity that supports its access to the securitization markets, credit facilities, and flow agreements.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, SC completed on-balance sheet funding transactions totaling approximately $14.1 billion, including:
•private amortizing lease facilities for approximately $4.0 billion;
•securitizations on its SDART platform for approximately $5.7 billion;
•securitizations on its DRIVE, deeper subprime platform, for approximately $2.0 billion;
•lease securitizations on its SRT platform for approximately $2.3 billion; and
•issuance of a retained bond on its SRT platform for approximately $54.1 million.
SC also completed approximately $1.1 billion in asset sales to third parties.
For information regarding SC's debt, see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
IHC
In 2017, SIS entered into a revolving subordinated loan agreement with SHUSA, not to exceed $290.0 million. This was subsequently increased to $895.0 million in 2018, and will mature in October 2021.
As needed, SIS will draw down from another subordinated loan with Santander in order to enable SIS to underwrite certain large transactions in excess of the subordinated loan described above. At December 31, 2020, there was no outstanding balance on the subordinated loan.
BSI's primary sources of liquidity are from customer deposits and deposits from affiliated banks.
Institutional borrowings
The Company regularly projects its funding needs under various stress scenarios, and maintains contingency plans consistent with the Company’s access to diversified sources of contingent funding. The Company maintains a substantial level of total available liquidity in the form of on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet funding sources. These include cash, unencumbered liquid assets, and capacity to borrow at the FHLB and the FRB’s discount window.
Available Liquidity
As of December 31, 2020, the Bank had approximately $18.6 billion in committed liquidity from the FHLB and the FRB. Of this amount, $17.1 billion was unused and therefore provides additional borrowing capacity and liquidity for the Company. At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, liquid assets (cash and cash equivalents and LHFS) and securities AFS exclusive of securities pledged as collateral) totaled approximately $23.5 billion and $15.0 billion, respectively. These amounts represented 31.8% and 24.3% of total deposits at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, the Bank and BSI had $1.1 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively, in cash held at the FRB. Management believes that the Company has ample liquidity to fund its operations.
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands) 2020 2019 2018
Net cash flows from operating activities $ 5,268,999 $ 6,849,157 $ 7,015,061
Net cash flows from investing activities (1,549,253) (17,242,333) (12,460,839)
Net cash flows from financing activities 2,678,743 11,197,124 5,829,308
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash flow from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily comprised of $1.8 billion in proceeds from sales of LHFS, $2.8 billion in depreciation, amortization and accretion, $2.9 billion of credit loss expense, and $1.8 billion from impairment of goodwill, partially offset by a net loss of $656.3 million and $3.4 billion of originations of LHFS, net of repayments.
Net cash flow from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily comprised of net income of $1.0 billion, $1.6 billion in proceeds from sales of LHFS, $2.4 billion in depreciation, amortization and accretion, and $2.3 billion of credit loss expense, partially offset by $1.5 billion of originations of LHFS, net of repayments.
Net cash flow from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was primarily comprised of net income of $991.0 million, $4.3 billion in proceeds from sales of LHFS, $1.9 billion in depreciation, amortization and accretion, and $2.3 billion of credit loss expense, partially offset by $3.0 billion of originations of LHFS, net of repayments.
Cash flows from investing activities
For the year ended December 31, 2020, net cash flow from investing activities was primarily due to $3.8 billion in normal loan activity, $7.6 billion of purchases of investment securities AFS, $6.9 billion in operating lease purchases and originations, and $2.7 billion of purchases of HTM investment securities, partially offset by $10.8 billion of AFS investment securities sales, maturities and prepayments, $1.2 billion of HTM investment securities maturities and prepayments, $4.3 billion in proceeds from sales and terminations of operating leases, and $3.5 billion in proceeds from sales of LHFI.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, net cash flow from investing activities was primarily due to $10.2 billion in normal loan activity, $10.5 billion of purchases of investment securities AFS, $8.6 billion in operating lease purchases and originations and $1.6 billion of purchases of HTM investment securities, partially offset by $8.1 billion of AFS investment securities sales, maturities and prepayments, $2.6 billion in proceeds from sales of LHFI, and $3.5 billion in proceeds from sales and terminations of operating leases.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, net cash flow from investing activities was primarily due to $8.5 billion in normal loan activity, $2.4 billion of purchases of investment securities AFS, and $9.9 billion in operating lease purchases and originations, partially offset by $3.9 billion of AFS investment securities sales, maturities and prepayments, $1.0 billion in proceeds from sales of LHFI, and $3.6 billion in proceeds from sales and terminations of operating leases.
Cash flows from financing activities
For the year ended December 31, 2020, net cash flow from financing activities was primarily due to an $8.0 billion increase in deposits, partially offset by a decrease in net borrowing activity of $4.3 billion, $125.0 million in dividends paid on common stock, $771.5 million in stock repurchases attributable to NCI, and $50.5 million in dividends paid to NCI.
Net cash flow from financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily due to an increase in net borrowing activity of $5.6 billion and a $6.3 billion increase in deposits, partially offset by $400.0 million in dividends paid on common stock and $338.0 million in stock repurchases attributable to NCI.
Net cash flow from financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was primarily due to an increase in net borrowing activity of $5.9 billion, partially offset by $410.0 million in dividends paid on common stock and $200.0 million in redemption of preferred stock.
See the SCF for further details on the Company's sources and uses of cash.
Credit Facilities
Third-Party Revolving Credit Facilities
Warehouse Lines
SC uses warehouse facilities to fund its originations. Each facility specifies the required collateral characteristics, collateral concentrations, credit enhancement, and advance rates. SC's warehouse facilities generally are backed by auto RICs or auto leases. These facilities generally have one- or two-year commitments, staggered maturities and floating interest rates. SC maintains daily and long-term funding forecasts for originations, acquisitions, and other large outflows such as tax payments to balance the desire to minimize funding costs with its liquidity needs.
SC's warehouse facilities generally have net spread, delinquency, and net loss ratio limits. Generally, these limits are calculated based on the portfolio collateralizing the respective line; however, for certain of SC's warehouse facilities, delinquency and net loss ratios are calculated with respect to its serviced portfolio as a whole. Failure to meet any of these covenants could trigger increased overcollateralization requirements or, in the case of limits calculated with respect to the specific portfolio underlying certain credit lines, result in an event of default under these agreements. If an event of default occurred under one of these agreements, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under the impacted agreement to be immediately due and payable, enforce their interests against collateral pledged under the agreement, restrict SC's ability to obtain additional borrowings under the agreement, and/or remove SC as servicer. SC has never had a warehouse facility terminated due to failure to comply with any ratio or a failure to meet any covenant. A default under one of these agreements can be enforced only with respect to the impacted warehouse facility.
SC has one credit facility with eight banks providing an aggregate commitment of $3.5 billion for the exclusive use of providing short-term liquidity needs to support Chrysler Capital lease financing. As of December 31, 2020, there was an outstanding balance of approximately $0.4 billion on this facility in the aggregate. The facility requires reduced advance rates in the event of delinquency, credit loss, or residual loss ratios, as well as other metrics exceeding specified thresholds.
SC has eight credit facilities with eleven banks providing an aggregate commitment of $8.3 billion for the exclusive use of providing short-term liquidity needs to support core and Chrysler Capital loan financing. As of December 31, 2020, there was an outstanding balance of approximately $3.6 billion on these facilities in the aggregate. These facilities reduced advance rates in the event of delinquency, credit loss, as well as various other metrics exceeding specific thresholds.
Repurchase Agreements
SC also obtains financing through investment management or repurchase agreements under which it pledges retained subordinate bonds on its own securitizations as collateral for repurchase agreements with various borrowers and at renewable terms ranging up to 365 days. As of December 31, 2020, there was an outstanding balance of $168.0 million under these repurchase agreements.
Related Party Credit Facilities
The Company provides SC with $0.5 billion of committed revolving credit and $2.5 billion of contingent liquidity that can be drawn on an unsecured basis. The Company also provides SC with $6.8 billion of term financing with maturities ranging from March 2021 to May 2025. These loans eliminate in the consolidation of SHUSA. Santander provides SC with $4.0 billion of unsecured financing with maturities ranging from June 2022 and September 2022.
Secured Structured Financings
SC's secured structured financings primarily consist of both public, SEC-registered securitizations, as well as private securitizations under Rule 144A of the Securities Act, and privately issues amortizing notes. SC has on-balance sheet securitizations outstanding in the market with a cumulative ABS balance of approximately $26.0 billion.
Deficiency and Debt Forward Flow Agreement
In addition to SC's credit facilities and secured structured financings, SC has a flow agreement in place with a third party for charged-off assets. Loans and leases sold under these flow agreements are not on SC's balance sheet, but provide a stable stream of servicing fee income and may also provide a gain or loss on sale.
Off-Balance Sheet Financing
Beginning in 2017, SC had the option to sell a contractually determined amount of eligible prime loans to Santander through securitization platforms. As all of the notes and residual interests in the securitizations are acquired by Santander, SC recorded these transactions as true sales of the RICs securitized, and removed the sold assets from its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Beginning in 2018, this program was replaced with a new program with SBNA, whereby SC has agreed to provide SBNA with origination support services in connection with the processing, underwriting, and purchasing of retail loans, primarily from FCA dealers, all of which are serviced by SC.
SC also continues to periodically execute securitizations under Rule 144A of the Securities Act. After retaining the required credit risk retention via a 5% vertical interest, SC transfers all remaining notes and residual interests in these securitizations to third parties. SC subsequently records these transactions as true sales of the RICs securitized, and removes the sold assets from its Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Uses of Liquidity
The Company uses liquidity for debt service and repayment of borrowings, as well as for funding loan commitments and satisfying deposit withdrawal requests. SIS uses liquidity primarily to support underwriting transactions. The primary use of liquidity for BSI is to meet customer liquidity requirements, such as maturing deposits, investment activities, funds transfers, and payment of operating expenses.
At December 31, 2020, the Company's liquidity to meet debt payments, debt service and debt maturities was in excess of 12 months.
Dividends, Contributions and Stock Issuances
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had 530,391,043 shares of common stock outstanding. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company paid dividends of $125.0 million to its sole shareholder, Santander.
SC paid a dividend of $0.22 per share in February 2020, May 2020, and August 2020. On September 30, 2020, the Federal Reserve extended the Interim Policy prohibiting share repurchases and limiting dividends to all CCAR banks to the average trailing net income. Based on the Company's expected average trailing four quarters of net income, SC is prohibited from paying a dividend in the fourth quarter of 2020. Although SC’s standalone income is sufficient to declare and pay a dividend, SC is consolidated into the Company’s capital plan and, therefore, is subject to the Federal Reserve Board's Interim Policy that utilizes the Company’s average trailing income to determine the cap on common stock dividends. SC did not declare or pay a dividend in the fourth quarter of 2020.
SC has paid a total of $212.6 million in dividends through December 31, 2020, of which $50.5 million has been paid to NCI and $162.1 million has been paid to the Company, which eliminates in the consolidated results of the Company.
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, SC purchased shares of SC Common Stock through a modified Dutch auction tender offer.
In June 2019, SC announced that the SC Board of Directors had authorized purchases by SC of up to $1.1 billion, excluding commissions, of its outstanding common stock effective from the third quarter of 2019 through the end of the second quarter of 2020. SC extended the share repurchase program through the end of the third quarter of 2020. On July 31, 2020, SC announced that the Company’s request for certain exceptions to the Interim Policy, prohibiting share repurchases and limiting dividends to all CCAR institutions to the average trailing net income, had been approved. Such approval permitted the SC Board of Directors to authorize SC to continue its share repurchase program through the end of the third quarter of 2020.
On August 10, 2020, SC announced that it had substantially exhausted the amount of shares SC was permitted to repurchase under the previously disclosed exception to the Interim Policy, and that SC has acquired an aggregate of 9.58 million of its shares in a combination of open market and privately negotiated repurchases since July 31, 2020. As a result of these repurchases, SHUSA now owns approximately 80.2% of SC.
Subsequently, the Federal Reserve Board extended the Interim Policy through the first quarter of 2021. As a result of the extension of the Interim Policy, SC may continue, consistent with the Interim Policy, to repurchase a number of shares of SC Common Stock equal to the amount of share issuances related to SC’s expensed employee compensation through the first quarter of 2021.
Please find below the details of SC's tender offer and other share repurchase programs for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
For the Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Tender offer:(1)
Number of shares purchased 17,514,707 -
Average price per share $ 26.00 $ -
Cost of shares purchased(2)
$ 455,382 $ -
Other share repurchases:
Number of shares purchased 15,956,561 13,870,410
Average price per share $ 20.00 $ 24.35
Cost of shares purchased(2)
$ 319,075 $ 337,754
Total number of shares purchased 33,471,268 13,870,410
Average price per share $ 23.14 $ 24.35
Total cost of shares purchased(2)
$ 774,457 $ 337,754
(1) During the three months ended March 31, 2020, SC purchased shares of SC Common Stock through a modified Dutch Auction Tender Offer.
(2) Cost of shares exclude commissions
During the year ended December 31, 2020, SHUSA's subsidiaries had the following capital activity which eliminated in consolidation:
•BSI declared and paid $35.0 million in dividends to SHUSA.
•SIS declared and paid $16.0 million in dividends to SHUSA.
•SHUSA contributed $25.0 million to SFS.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
See further discussion of the Company's off-balance sheet arrangements in Note 8 and Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section of this MD&A.
For a discussion of the status of litigation with which the Company is involved with the IRS, please refer to Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER COMMITMENTS
The Company enters into contractual obligations in the normal course of business as a source of funds for its asset growth and asset/liability management and to meet required capital needs. These obligations require the Company to make cash payments over time as detailed in the table below.
Payments Due by Period
(in thousands) Total Less than
1 year Over 1 year
to 3 years Over 3 years
to 5 years Over
5 years
Payments due for contractual obligations:
FHLB advances (1)
$ 1,156,377 $ 905,468 $ 250,909 $ - $ -
Notes payable - revolving facilities 4,159,955 345,567 3,814,388 - -
Notes payable - secured structured financings 26,253,417 225,410 9,066,879 11,284,738 5,676,390
Other debt obligations (1) (2)
18,605,401 2,296,550 9,737,824 4,394,636 2,176,391
CDs (1)
3,926,986 3,119,192 761,435 43,074 3,285
Non-qualified pension and post-retirement benefits 68,988 7,235 14,336 13,958 33,459
Operating leases(3)
665,436 132,331 230,588 164,706 137,811
Total contractual cash obligations $ 54,836,560 $ 7,031,753 $ 23,876,359 $ 15,901,112 $ 8,027,336
Other commitments:
Commitments to extend credit $ 30,883,502 $ 6,840,790 $ 7,606,387 $ 5,220,823 $ 11,215,502
Letters of credit 1,432,764 1,116,237 238,100 47,526 30,901
Total Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments $ 87,152,826 $ 14,988,780 $ 31,720,846 $ 21,169,461 $ 19,273,739
(1)Includes interest on both fixed and variable rate obligations. The interest associated with variable rate obligations is based on interest rates in effect at December 31, 2020. The contractual amounts to be paid on variable rate obligations are affected by changes in market interest rates. Future changes in market interest rates could materially affect the contractual amounts to be paid.
(2)Includes all carrying value adjustments, such as unamortized premiums and discounts and hedge basis adjustments.
(3)Does not include future expected sublease income or interest of $59.4 million.
Excluded from the above table are deposits of $71.4 billion that are due on demand by customers.
The Company is a party to financial instruments and other arrangements with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers and manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. See further discussion on these risks in Note 13 and Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
ASSET AND LIABILITY MANAGEMENT
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk arises primarily through the Company’s traditional business activities of extending loans and accepting deposits. Many factors, including economic and financial conditions, movements in market interest rates, and consumer preferences, affect the spread between interest earned on assets and interest paid on liabilities. Interest rate risk is managed by the Company's Treasury group and measured by its Market Risk Department, with oversight by the Asset/Liability Committee. In managing interest rate risk, the Company seeks to minimize the variability of net interest income across various likely scenarios, while at the same time maximizing net interest income and the net interest margin. To achieve these objectives, the Treasury group works closely with each business line in the Company. The Treasury group also uses various other tools to manage interest rate risk, including wholesale funding maturity targeting, investment portfolio purchase strategies, asset securitizations/sales, and financial derivatives.
Interest rate risk focuses on managing four elements of risk associated with interest rates: basis risk, repricing risk, yield curve risk and option risk. Basis risk stems from rate index timing differences with rate changes, such as differences in the extent of changes in Federal funds rates compared with the three-month LIBOR. Repricing risk stems from the different timing of contractual repricing, such as one-month versus three-month reset dates, as well as the related maturities. Yield curve risk stems from the impact on earnings and market value resulting from different shapes and levels of yield curves. Option risk stems from prepayment or early withdrawal risk embedded in various products. These four elements of risk are analyzed through a combination of net interest income and balance sheet valuation simulations, shocks to those simulations, and scenario and market value analyses, and the subsequent results are reviewed by management. Numerous assumptions are made to produce these analyses, including assumptions about new business volumes, loan and investment prepayment rates, deposit flows, interest rate curves, economic conditions and competitor pricing.
Net Interest Income Simulation Analysis
The Company utilizes a variety of measurement techniques to evaluate the impact of interest rate risk, including simulating the impact of changing interest rates on expected future interest income and interest expense, to estimate the Company's net interest income sensitivity. This simulation is run monthly and includes various scenarios that help management understand the potential risks in the Company's net interest income sensitivity. These scenarios include both parallel and non-parallel rate shocks as well as other scenarios that are consistent with quantifying the four elements of risk described above. This information is used to develop proactive strategies to ensure that the Company’s risk position remains within SHUSA Board of Directors-approved limits so that future earnings are not significantly adversely affected by future interest rates.
The table below reflects the estimated sensitivity to the Company’s net interest income based on interest rate changes at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
The following estimated percentage increase/(decrease) to
net interest income would result
If interest rates changed in parallel by the amounts below December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Down 100 basis points (1.12) % (1.12) %
Up 100 basis points 3.18 % 1.31 %
Up 200 basis points 6.25 % 2.56 %
MVE Analysis
The Company also evaluates the impact of interest rate risk by utilizing MVE modeling. This analysis measures the present value of all estimated future cash flows of the Company over the estimated remaining life of the balance sheet. MVE is calculated as the difference between the market value of assets and liabilities. The MVE calculation utilizes only the current balance sheet, and therefore does not factor in any future changes in balance sheet size, balance sheet mix, yield curve relationships or product spreads, which may mitigate the impact of any interest rate changes.
Management examines the effect of interest rate changes on MVE. The sensitivity of MVE to changes in interest rates is a measure of longer-term interest rate risk, and highlights the potential capital at risk due to adverse changes in market interest rates. The following table discloses the estimated sensitivity to the Company’s MVE at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
The following estimated percentage
increase/(decrease) to MVE would result
If interest rates changed in parallel by the amounts below December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Down 100 basis points (6.18) % (3.01) %
Up 100 basis points 1.62 % (0.49) %
Up 200 basis points 0.51 % (3.17) %
As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s profile reflected a decrease of MVE of 6.18% for downward parallel interest rate shocks of 100 basis points and an increase of 1.62 % for upward parallel interest rate shocks of 100 basis points. The asymmetrical sensitivity between up 100 and down 100 shock is due to the negative convexity as a result of the prepayment option embedded in mortgage-related products, the impact of which is not fully offset by the behavior of the funding base (largely NMDs).
In downward parallel interest rate shocks, mortgage-related products’ prepayments increase, their duration decreases and their market value appreciation is therefore limited. At the same time, with deposit rates remaining at comparatively low levels, the Company cannot effectively transfer interest rate declines to its NMD customers. For upward parallel interest rate shocks, extension risk weighs on a sizable portion of the Company’s mortgage-related products, which are predominantly long-term and fixed-rate; and for larger shocks, the loss in market value is not offset by the change in NMDs.
Limitations of Interest Rate Risk Analyses
Since the assumptions used are inherently uncertain, the Company cannot predict precisely the effect of higher or lower interest rates on net interest income or MVE. Actual results will differ from simulated results due to the timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes, the difference between actual experience and the assumed volume, characteristics of new business, behavior of existing positions, and changes in market conditions and management strategies, among other factors.
Uses of Derivatives to Manage Interest Rate and Other Risks
To mitigate interest rate risk and, to a lesser extent, foreign exchange, equity and credit risks, the Company uses derivative financial instruments to reduce the effects that changes in interest rates may have on net income, the fair value of assets and liabilities, and cash flows.
Through the Company’s capital markets and mortgage banking activities, it is subject to price risk. The Company employs various tools to measure and manage price risk in its portfolios. In addition, SHUSA's Board of Directors has established certain limits relative to positions and activities. The level of price risk exposure at any point in time depends on the market environment and expectations of future price and market movements, and will vary from period to period.
Management uses derivative instruments to mitigate the impact of interest rate movements on the fair value of certain liabilities, assets and highly probable forecasted cash flows. These instruments primarily include interest rate swaps that have underlying interest rates based on key benchmark indices and forward sale or purchase commitments. The nature and volume of the derivative instruments used to manage interest rate risk depend on the level and type of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet and the risk management strategies for the current and anticipated interest rate environments.
The Company's derivatives portfolio includes mortgage banking interest rate lock commitments, forward sale commitments and interest rate swaps. As part of its overall business strategy, the Bank originates residential mortgages. It sells a portion of this production to the FHLMC, the FNMA, and private investors. The Company uses forward sales as a means of hedging against the economic impact of changes in interest rates on the mortgages that are originated for sale and on interest rate lock commitments.
The Company typically retains the servicing rights related to residential mortgage loans that are sold. The majority of the Company's residential MSRs are accounted for at fair value. As deemed appropriate, the Company economically hedges MSRs, using interest rate swaps and forward contracts to purchase MBS. For additional information on MSRs, see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company uses foreign exchange contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with certain foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities. Foreign exchange contracts, which include spot and forward contracts, represent agreements to exchange the currency of one country for the currency of another country at an agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon settlement date. Exposure to gains and losses on these contracts increase or decrease over their respective lives as currency exchange and interest rates fluctuate.
The Company also utilizes forward contracts to manage market risk associated with certain expected investment securities sales and equity options, which manage its market risk associated with certain customer deposit products.
For additional information on foreign exchange contracts, derivatives and hedging activities, see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
BORROWINGS AND OTHER DEBT OBLIGATIONS
The Company has term loans and lines of credit with Santander and other lenders. The Bank utilizes borrowings and other debt obligations as a source of funds for its asset growth and asset/liability management. The Bank also utilizes repurchase agreements, which are short-term obligations collateralized by securities. In addition, SC has warehouse lines of credit and securitizes some of its RICs and operating leases, which are structured secured financings. Total borrowings and other debt obligations at December 31, 2020 were $46.4 billion, compared to $50.7 billion at December 31, 2019. Total borrowings decreased $4.3 billion, primarily due to a decrease in FHLB advances at the Bank of $5.9 billion and $1.4 billion of debt maturities and calls, partially offset by new debt issuances of $2.1 billion and an overall increase in SC debt of $0.8 billion. See further detail on borrowings activity in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands) 2020 2019
Parent Company & other subsidiary borrowings and other debt obligations
Parent Company senior notes:
Balance $10,656,350 $9,949,214
Weighted average interest rate at year-end 3.65 % 3.68 %
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year $11,132,959 $9,949,214
Average amount outstanding during the year $10,528,483 $8,961,588
Weighted average interest rate during the year 3.62 % 3.81 %
Subsidiary subordinated notes:
Balance $11 $602
Weighted average interest rate at year-end 2.00 % 2.00 %
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year $284 $41,026
Average amount outstanding during the year $148 $30,791
Weighted average interest rate during the year 2.71 % 2.12 %
Subsidiary short-term and overnight borrowings:
Balance $215,750 $1,831
Weighted average interest rate at year-end 0.10 % 0.38 %
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year $215,750 $34,323
Average amount outstanding during the year $57,938 $19,162
Weighted average interest rate during the year 0.03 % 3.42 %
(1) Includes related common securities.
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands) 2020 2019
Bank borrowings and other debt obligations
REIT preferred:
Balance $0 $125,943
Weighted average interest rate at year-end - % 13.17 %
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year $126,388 $146,066
Average amount outstanding during the year $46,873 $133,068
Weighted average interest rate during the year 13.08 % 13.04 %
Term loans:
Balance $0 $0
Weighted average interest rate at year-end - % - %
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year $0 $126,257
Average amount outstanding during the year $0 $21,023
Weighted average interest rate during the year - % 5.86 %
FHLB advances:
Balance $1,150,000 $7,035,000
Weighted average interest rate at year-end 0.64 % 2.30 %
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year $8,435,000 $7,035,000
Average amount outstanding during the year $4,836,639 $5,465,329
Weighted average interest rate during the year 1.39 % 2.63 %
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands) 2020 2019
SC borrowings and other debt obligations
Revolving credit facilities:
Balance $4,159,955 $5,399,931
Weighted average interest rate at year-end 2.21 % 3.44 %
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year $6,521,679 $6,753,790
Average amount outstanding during the year $4,634,770 $5,532,273
Weighted average interest rate during the year 6.82 % 6.58 %
Revolving credit facilities with Santander:
Balance $4,000,000 $0
Weighted average interest rate at year-end 1.22 % - %
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year $4,000,000 $0
Average amount outstanding during the year $1,833,333 $0
Weighted average interest rate during the year 1.13 % - %
Public securitizations:
Balance $18,942,160 $18,807,773
Weighted average interest rate range at year-end 0.60% - 3.42% 1.35% - 3.42%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year $19,736,036 $19,656,531
Average amount outstanding during the year $18,584,787 $19,000,303
Weighted average interest rate during the year 2.30 % 2.54 %
Privately issued amortizing notes:
Balance $7,235,241 $9,334,112
Weighted average interest rate range at year-end 1.28% - 3.90% 1.05% - 3.90%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year $10,074,482 $9,334,112
Average amount outstanding during the year $8,998,150 $7,983,672
Weighted average interest rate during the year 1.61 % 3.48 %
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
The Company's non-GAAP information has limitations as an analytical tool and, therefore, should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results or any performance measures under GAAP as set forth in the Company's financial statements. These limitations should be compensated for by relying primarily on the Company's GAAP results and using this non-GAAP information only as a supplement to evaluate the Company's performance.
The Company considers various measures when evaluating capital utilization and adequacy. These calculations are intended to complement the capital ratios defined by banking regulators for both absolute and comparative purposes. Because GAAP does not include capital ratio measures, the Company believes that there are no comparable GAAP financial measures to these ratios. These ratios are not formally defined by GAAP and are considered to be non-GAAP financial measures. Since analysts and banking regulators may assess the Company's capital adequacy using these ratios, the Company believes they are useful to provide investors the ability to assess its capital adequacy on the same basis. The Company believes these non-GAAP measures are important because they reflect the level of capital available to withstand unexpected market conditions. Additionally, presentation of these measures may allow readers to compare certain aspects of the Company's capitalization to other organizations. However, because there are no standardized definitions for these ratios, the Company's calculations may not be directly comparable with those of other organizations, and the usefulness of these measures to investors may be limited. As a result, the Company encourages readers to consider its Consolidated Financial Statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.
The following table includes the related GAAP measures included in our non-GAAP financial measures.
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands) 2020(1)
2019 2018 2017 2016
Return on Average Assets:
Net income/(loss) $ (656,303) $ 1,041,817 $ 991,035 $ 957,975 $ 640,763
Average assets 149,645,866 142,308,583 131,232,021 134,522,957 141,921,781
Return on average assets (0.44)% 0.73% 0.76% 0.71% 0.45%
Return on Average Equity:
Net income/(loss) $ (656,303) $ 1,041,817 $ 991,035 $ 957,975 $ 640,763
Average equity 21,719,676 24,639,561 24,103,584 23,388,410 22,232,729
Return on average equity (3.02)% 4.23% 4.11% 4.10% 2.88%
Average Equity to Average Assets:
Average equity $ 21,719,676 $ 24,639,561 $ 24,103,584 $ 23,388,410 $ 22,232,729
Average assets 149,645,866 142,308,583 131,232,021 134,522,957 141,921,781
Average equity to average assets 14.51% 17.31% 18.37% 17.39% 15.67%
Efficiency Ratio:
General, administrative, and other expenses
(numerator) $ 8,208,234 $ 6,365,852 $ 5,832,325 $ 5,764,324 $ 5,386,194
Net interest income $ 6,359,481 $ 6,442,768 $ 6,344,850 $ 6,423,950 $ 6,564,692
Non-interest income 3,949,988 3,729,117 3,244,308 2,901,253 2,755,705
Total net interest income and non-interest income (denominator) 10,309,469 10,171,885 9,589,158 9,325,203 9,320,397
Efficiency ratio 79.62% 62.58% 60.82% 61.81% 57.79%
(1) General, administrative, and other expenses includes $1.8 billion goodwill impairment charge on SBNA.
Transitional Fully Phased In(4)
SBNA SHUSA SBNA SHUSA
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2020 December 31, 2020
CET 1(1)
CET 1(1)
CET 1(1)
CET 1(1)
CET 1(1)
CET 1(1)
Total stockholder's equity (GAAP) $ 11,922,375 $ 13,680,941 $ 19,886,878 $ 22,021,460 $ 11,922,375 $ 19,886,878
Goodwill (1,554,410) (3,402,637) (2,596,161) (4,444,389) (1,554,410) (2,596,161)
Intangible assets (1,488) (1,802) (357,547) (416,204) (1,488) (357,547)
Deferred taxes on goodwill and intangible assets 111,231 242,333 123,945 397,485 111,231 123,945
Other adjustments to CET1(3)
126,282 (238,923) 1,481,707 (39,362) (231,273) (125,585)
Disallowed deferred tax assets (131,589) (129,885) (4,325) (215,330) (131,589) (4,325)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (205,613) 69,792 (166,295) 88,207 (205,613) (166,295)
CET1 capital (numerator) $ 10,266,788 $ 10,219,819 $ 18,368,202 $ 17,391,867 $ 9,909,233 $ 16,760,910
RWAs (denominator)(2)
65,519,986 64,677,883 115,205,746 118,898,213 65,313,771 112,521,016
Ratio 15.67 % 15.80 % 15.94 % 14.63 % 15.17 % 14.90 %
(1) CET1 is calculated under Basel III regulations.
(2) Under the banking agencies' risk-based capital guidelines, assets and credit equivalent amounts of derivatives and off-balance sheet exposures are assigned to broad risk categories. The aggregate dollar amount in each risk category is multiplied by the associated risk weight of the category. The resulting weighted values are added together with the measure for market risk, resulting in the Company's and the Bank's total RWAs.
(3) Represent the impact of NCI, and CECL transition adjustments for regulatory capital.
(4) Represents non-GAAP measures.
2020 FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS
SHUSA reported net income for the fourth quarter of 2020 of $487.9 million compared to net income of $874.5 million for the third quarter of 2020. The most significant period-over-period variances were:
•a decrease in total fees and other income of $212.9 million, comprised of the mark to market on the personal unsecured portfolio HFS included in miscellaneous income, net, and lower fourth quarter gains on the sale of residual leases. Third quarter other income also included the gain on sale of SBC.
•an increase in the income tax provision of $215.5 million primarily due to the third quarter recorded tax benefit resulting from The Company reaching 80% ownership of SC.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Incorporated by reference from Part II, Item 7, MD&A - "Asset and Liability Management" above.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8 - CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Page
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of
Santander Holdings USA, Inc.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Santander Holdings USA, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income (loss), of stockholder's equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020 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, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for credit losses on financial instruments in 2020.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated 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 Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. 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.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
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.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses on Loans Held for Investment - Significant adjustments to macroeconomic inputs and qualitative adjustments
As described in Notes 1 and 3 to the consolidated financial statements, management’s estimate of expected credit losses is based on an evaluation of relevant information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the future collectability of the reported amounts. As of December 31, 2020, the allowance for loan and lease losses was $7.3 billion on total loans held for investment of $92.1 billion. Management estimates current expected credit losses based on prospective information as well as account-level models based on historical data. Unemployment, Housing Price Index (HPI), gross domestic product (GDP), commercial real estate (CRE) price index and used vehicle index growth rates, along with loan level characteristics, are the key inputs used in the models for estimation of the likelihood that the borrower will default in the forecasted period. To estimate the loss in the event of default, the models use unemployment, HPI, CRE and used vehicle indices, along with loan level characteristics as key inputs. Management utilizes qualitative factors to capture any additional risks that may not be captured in either the economic forecasts or in the historical data, including consideration of the portfolio metrics and collateral value. Management generally uses a third-party vendor's consensus baseline macroeconomic scenario for the quantitative estimate and additional positive and negative macroeconomic scenarios to make qualitative adjustments for macroeconomic uncertainty and considers adjustments to macroeconomic inputs and outputs based on market volatility. The scenarios used are periodically updated over a reasonable and supportable time horizon with weightings assigned by management.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to significant adjustments to macroeconomic inputs and qualitative adjustments to the allowance for loan and lease losses on loans held for investment is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management in determining the allowance for loan and lease losses, which in turn led to a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort in performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence relating to the significant adjustments to macroeconomic inputs and qualitative adjustments related to macroeconomic scenario weighting, portfolio metrics, and collateral value; and (ii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the Company’s allowance for loan and lease losses on loans held for investment estimation process, which included controls over the significant adjustments to macroeconomic inputs and qualitative adjustments. These procedures also included, among others, the involvement of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in testing management’s process for determining the estimate of expected credit losses, which included evaluating the appropriateness of the methodology and models, testing the data used in the estimate and evaluating the reasonableness of the significant adjustments to macroeconomic inputs and qualitative adjustments related to macroeconomic scenario weighting, portfolio metrics, and collateral value.
Goodwill Impairment Assessment - Consumer Business Banking (CBB), Commercial & Industrial (C&I) and Commercial Real Estate & Vehicle Financing (CRE & VF) Reporting Units
As described in Notes 1 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s goodwill balance was $2.6 billion as of December 31, 2020, and the goodwill associated with the CBB, C&I and CRE & VF reporting units was $297.8 million, $52.2 million and $1.1 billion, respectively. Management conducts its evaluation of goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis at October 1, and more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. Management determines the fair value of reporting units using a combination of the guideline public company market approach (earnings and price-to-tangible book value multiples of comparable public companies) and the income approach (the discounted cash flows method). For the income approach, management determines a discount rate and a long-term growth rate. If the carrying value of the reporting unit is higher than the fair value, impairment is measured as the excess of carrying value over fair value. During the second quarter of 2020, management concluded that, primarily due to the ongoing economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, a goodwill triggering event occurred for the CBB, C&I and CRE & VF reporting units. Based on the goodwill impairment analysis performed as of June 30, 2020, management concluded that a goodwill impairment charge of $1.6 billion and $0.3 billion was required for the CBB and C&I reporting units, respectively. The CRE & VF reporting unit’s estimated fair value exceeded its carrying value by less than 5%.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the goodwill impairment assessment of the CBB, C&I and CRE & VF reporting units is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management when determining the fair value of the CBB, C&I and CRE & VF reporting units, which in turn led to a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort in performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence relating to the long-term growth rates and discount rates used by management in determining the fair value of the reporting units; and (ii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s goodwill impairment assessments, including controls over the fair value of the Company’s reporting units. These procedures also included, among others, the involvement of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in testing management’s process for determining the fair value of the CBB, C&I and CRE & VF reporting units, which included evaluating the appropriateness of the methodology including the discounted cash flows method, testing the data used in the estimate and evaluating the reasonableness of the long-term growth rates and discount rates used by management in determining the fair value of the reporting units. Evaluating the reasonableness of management’s assumptions related to the long-term growth rates involved consideration of (i) the current and past performance of the reporting units; (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data; and (iii) whether these assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
March 3, 2021
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2016.
SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Audited (In thousands)
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 12,621,281 $ 7,644,372
Investment securities:
AFS at fair value 11,313,489 14,339,758
HTM (fair value of $5,677,929 and $3,957,227 as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)
5,504,685 3,938,797
Other investments (includes trading securities of $40,435 and $1,097 as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)
1,553,862 995,680
LHFI(1) (5)
92,133,182 92,705,440
ALLL (5)
(7,338,493) (3,646,189)
Net LHFI 84,794,689 89,059,251
LHFS (2)
2,226,196 1,420,223
Premises and equipment, net (3)
787,341 798,122
Operating lease assets, net (5)(6)
16,412,929 16,495,739
Goodwill 2,596,161 4,444,389
Intangible assets, net 357,547 416,204
BOLI 1,908,806 1,860,846
Restricted cash (5)
5,303,460 3,881,880
Other assets (4) (5)
4,052,230 4,204,216
TOTAL ASSETS $ 149,432,676 $ 149,499,477
LIABILITIES
Accounts payables and Accrued expenses $ 4,700,349 $ 4,476,072
Deposits and other customer accounts 75,303,707 67,326,706
Borrowings and other debt obligations (5)
46,359,467 50,654,406
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance 144,214 153,420
Deferred tax liabilities, net 182,353 1,521,034
Other liabilities (5)
1,479,874 969,009
TOTAL LIABILITIES 128,169,964 125,100,647
Commitments and contingencies (Note 19)
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Common stock and paid-in capital (no par value; 800,000,000 shares authorized; 530,391,043 shares outstanding at both December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019)
17,876,818 17,954,441
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), net of taxes 166,295 (88,207)
Retained earnings 1,843,765 4,155,226
TOTAL SHUSA STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY 19,886,878 22,021,460
NCI 1,375,834 2,377,370
TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY 21,262,712 24,398,830
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY $ 149,432,676 $ 149,499,477
(1) LHFI includes $50.4 million and $102.0 million of loans recorded at fair value at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
(2) Includes $265.4 million and $289.0 million of loans recorded at the FVO at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
(3) Net of accumulated depreciation of $1.6 billion and $1.5 billion at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
(4) Includes MSRs of $77.5 million and $130.9 million at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, for which the Company has elected the FVO. See Note 14 to these Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(5) The Company has interests in certain Trusts that are considered VIEs for accounting purposes. At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, LHFI included $22.6 billion and $26.5 billion, Operating leases assets, net included $16.4 billion and $16.5 billion, restricted cash included $1.7 billion and $1.6 billion, other assets included $791.3 million and $625.4 million, Borrowings and other debt obligations included $31.7 billion and $34.2 billion, and Other liabilities included $84.9 million and $188.1 million of assets or liabilities that were included within VIEs, respectively. See Note 8 to these Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(6) Net of accumulated depreciation of $4.8 billion and $4.2 billion at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
See accompanying unaudited notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Audited (In thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
INTEREST INCOME:
Loans $ 7,657,090 $ 8,098,482 $ 7,546,376
Interest-earning deposits 53,406 174,189 137,753
Investment securities:
AFS 191,451 280,927 297,557
HTM 96,763 70,815 68,525
Other investments 21,574 25,782 18,842
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME 8,020,284 8,650,195 8,069,053
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Deposits and other customer accounts 290,405 574,471 389,128
Borrowings and other debt obligations 1,370,398 1,632,956 1,335,075
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE 1,660,803 2,207,427 1,724,203
NET INTEREST INCOME 6,359,481 6,442,768 6,344,850
Credit loss expense 2,868,183 2,292,017 2,339,898
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER CREDIT LOSS EXPENSE 3,491,298 4,150,751 4,004,952
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
Consumer and commercial fees 471,901 548,846 568,147
Lease income 3,037,284 2,872,857 2,375,596
Miscellaneous income, net(1) (2)
409,506 301,598 307,282
TOTAL FEES AND OTHER INCOME 3,918,691 3,723,301 3,251,025
Net gain(loss) on sale of investment securities 31,297 5,816 (6,717)
TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME 3,949,988 3,729,117 3,244,308
GENERAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER EXPENSES:
Compensation and benefits 1,896,480 1,945,047 1,799,369
Occupancy and equipment expenses 632,424 603,716 659,789
Technology, outside service, and marketing expense 548,662 656,681 590,249
Loan expense 328,549 405,367 384,899
Lease expense 2,393,339 2,067,611 1,789,030
Impairment of goodwill 1,848,228 - -
Other expenses 560,552 687,430 608,989
TOTAL GENERAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER EXPENSES 8,208,234 6,365,852 5,832,325
INCOME / (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX (BENEFIT)/PROVISION (766,948) 1,514,016 1,416,935
Income tax (benefit)/provision (110,645) 472,199 425,900
NET INCOME / (LOSS) INCLUDING NCI (656,303) 1,041,817 991,035
LESS: NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NCI 184,061 288,648 283,631
NET INCOME / (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHUSA $ (840,364) $ 753,169 $ 707,404
(1) Netted down by impact of lower of cost or market adjustments on a portion of the Company's LHFS portfolio of $509.2 million, $404.6 million, and $382.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
(2) Includes equity investment income/(expense), net.
See accompanying unaudited notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
Audited (In thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
NET INCOME / (LOSS) INCLUDING NCI $ (656,303) $ 1,041,817 $ 991,035
OCI, NET OF TAX
Net unrealized changes in cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments, net of tax (1) (2)
98,281 (301) (3,796)
Net unrealized (losses) / gains on AFS investment securities, net of tax (2)
140,143 222,887 (80,891)
Pension and post-retirement actuarial gains, net of tax (2)
16,078 10,859 560
TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE GAIN / (LOSS), NET OF TAX 254,502 233,445 (84,127)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS) (401,801) 1,275,262 906,908
NET INCOME / (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO NCI 184,061 288,648 283,631
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHUSA $ (585,862) $ 986,614 $ 623,277
(1) Excludes $(7.4) million, $(18.3) million and $(3.1) million of Other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to NCI for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
(2) Excludes $39.1 million impact of OCI reclassified to Retained earnings as a result of the adoption of ASU 2018-02 for the year ended December 31, 2018.
See accompanying unaudited notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
Audited (In thousands)
Common Shares Outstanding Preferred Stock Common Stock and Paid-in Capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)/Income Retained Earnings Noncontrolling Interest Total Stockholder's Equity
Balance, January 1, 2018 530,391 $ 195,445 $ 17,723,010 $ (198,431) $ 3,453,957 $ 2,516,851 $ 23,690,832
Cumulative effect adjustment upon adoption of new ASU and other - - - (39,094) 47,549 - 8,455
Comprehensive (loss) / income Attributable to SHUSA - - - (84,127) 707,404 - 623,277
Other comprehensive loss attributable to NCI - - - - - (3,130) (3,130)
Net Income Attributable to NCI - - - - - 283,631 283,631
Impact of SC Stock Option Activity - - - - - 12,411 12,411
Contribution from shareholder and related tax impact - 88,468 - - - 88,468
Contribution of SAM from shareholder - - 4,396 - - - 4,396
Redemption of Preferred Stock - (195,445) - - (4,555) - (200,000)
Dividends declared and paid to common stock - - - - (410,000) - (410,000)
Dividends paid to NCI - - - - - (57,511) (57,511)
Stock repurchase attributable to NCI - - 43,430 - - (226,077) (182,647)
Dividends paid on preferred stock - - - - (10,950) - (10,950)
Balance, December 31, 2018 530,391 $ - $ 17,859,304 $ (321,652) $ 3,783,405 $ 2,526,175 $ 23,847,232
Cumulative-effect adjustment upon adoption of ASU 2016-02 - - - - 18,652 - 18,652
Comprehensive income attributable to SHUSA - - - 233,445 753,169 - 986,614
Other comprehensive loss attributable to NCI - - - - - (18,265) (18,265)
Net income attributable to NCI - - - - - 288,648 288,648
Impact of SC stock option activity - - - - - 10,176 10,176
Contribution from shareholder and related tax impact (Note 12) - - 88,927 - - - 88,927
Dividends declared and paid on common stock - - - - (400,000) - (400,000)
Dividends paid to NCI - - - - - (85,160) (85,160)
Stock repurchase attributable to NCI - - 6,210 - - (344,204) (337,994)
Balance, December 31, 2019 530,391 $ - $ 17,954,441 $ (88,207) $ 4,155,226 $ 2,377,370 $ 24,398,830
Cumulative-effect adjustment upon adoption of CECL Standard (Note 1)
- - - - (1,346,097) (439,367) (1,785,464)
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to SHUSA - - - 254,502 (840,364) - (585,862)
Other comprehensive loss attributable to NCI - - - - - (7,372) (7,372)
Net income attributable to NCI - - - - - 184,061 184,061
Impact of SC stock option activity - - - - - 5,536 5,536
Dividends declared and paid on common stock - - - - (125,000) - (125,000)
Dividends paid to NCI - - - - - (50,546) (50,546)
Stock repurchase attributable to NCI - - (77,623) - - (693,848) (771,471)
Balance, December 31, 2020 530,391 $ - $ 17,876,818 $ 166,295 $ 1,843,765 $ 1,375,834 $ 21,262,712
See accompanying unaudited notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited) (in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net (loss)/income including NCI $ (656,303) $ 1,041,817 $ 991,035
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Impairment of goodwill 1,848,228 - -
Credit loss expense 2,868,183 2,292,017 2,339,898
Deferred tax (benefit)/expense (276,155) 339,152 416,875
Depreciation, amortization and accretion 2,766,050 2,402,611 1,913,225
Net loss on sale of loans 374,734 397,037 379,181
Net (gain)/loss on sale of investment securities (31,297) (5,816) 6,717
Loss on debt extinguishment 10,887 2,735 3,470
Net (gain)/loss on real estate owned, premises and equipment, and other (66,150) (19,637) 10,610
Stock-based compensation 33 317 913
Equity loss/(income) on equity method investments 11,538 (1,584) (4,324)
Originations of LHFS, net of repayments (3,413,366) (1,462,963) (2,982,366)
Purchases of LHFS - (387) (1,381)
Proceeds from sales of LHFS 1,770,402 1,563,206 4,264,959
Net change in:
Revolving personal loans (282,371) (360,922) (371,716)
Other assets, BOLI and trading securities 621,985 (152,520) (200,380)
Other liabilities (277,399) 814,094 248,345
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 5,268,999 6,849,157 7,015,061
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sales of AFS investment securities 2,665,593 1,423,579 1,262,409
Proceeds from prepayments and maturities of AFS investment securities 8,125,673 6,688,603 2,616,417
Purchases of AFS investment securities (7,632,295) (10,534,918) (2,421,286)
Proceeds from prepayments and maturities of HTM investment securities 1,225,093 392,971 338,932
Purchases of HTM investment securities (2,707,302) (1,595,777) (135,898)
Proceeds from sales of other investments 431,819 264,364 153,294
Proceeds from maturities of other investments 85 13,673 45
Purchases of other investments (902,090) (369,361) (214,427)
Proceeds from sales of LHFI 3,489,035 2,583,563 1,016,652
Distributions from equity method investments 8,053 4,539 9,889
Contributions to equity method and other investments (135,298) (228,275) (122,816)
Proceeds from settlements of BOLI policies 11,023 34,941 20,931
Purchases of LHFI (77,136) (897,907) (1,243,574)
Net change in loans other than purchases and sales (3,751,019) (10,184,035) (8,462,103)
Purchases and originations of operating leases (6,860,838) (8,597,560) (9,859,861)
Proceeds from the sale and termination of operating leases 4,273,115 3,502,677 3,588,820
Manufacturer incentives 433,062 794,237 1,098,055
Proceeds from sales of real estate owned and premises and equipment 49,981 68,491 53,569
Purchases of premises and equipment (195,807) (216,810) (159,887)
Net cash paid for branch disposition - (329,328) -
Upfront fee paid to FCA - (60,000) -
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (1,549,253) (17,242,333) (12,460,839)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net change in deposits and other customer accounts (1)
7,977,001 6,286,153 680,277
Net change in short-term borrowings (36,672) 191,931 (168,769)
Net proceeds from long-term borrowings 42,867,377 48,043,664 46,461,404
Repayments of long-term borrowings (41,537,581) (44,522,618) (43,277,142)
Proceeds from FHLB advances (with terms greater than 3 months) 2,500,000 4,435,000 4,900,000
Repayments of FHLB advances (with terms greater than 3 months) (8,135,882) (2,500,000) (2,000,000)
Net change in advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance (9,206) (7,308) 1,407
Cash dividends paid to preferred stockholders - - (10,950)
Dividends paid on common stock (125,000) (400,000) (410,000)
Dividends paid to NCI (50,546) (85,160) (57,511)
Stock repurchase attributable to NCI (771,471) (337,994) (182,647)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock 723 4,529 8,204
Capital contribution from shareholder - 88,927 85,035
Redemption of preferred stock - - (200,000)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES 2,678,743 11,197,124 5,829,308
NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH 6,398,489 803,948 383,530
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD 11,526,252 10,722,304 10,338,774
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF PERIOD (2)
$ 17,924,741 $ 11,526,252 $ 10,722,304
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES
Income taxes (received)/paid, net $ (60,703) $ 35,355 $ 26,261
Interest paid 1,689,643 2,210,838 1,694,850
NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS
Loans transferred to/(from) other real estate owned (41,398) (1,423) 86,467
Loans transferred from/(to) LHFI (from)/to LHFS, net 3,009,343 2,727,067 731,944
Unsettled purchases of investment securities 113,537 3,108 2,298
Contribution of SAM from shareholder (3)
- - 4,396
AFS investment securities transferred to HTM investment securities - - 1,167,189
Adoption of lease accounting standard:
ROU assets - 664,057 -
Accrued expenses and payables - 705,650 -
(1) The net change in deposits for the year ended December 31, 2020 includes the sale of $4.2 billion of SBC deposits. Refer to Note 1 for further information on the sale of SBC.
(2) The years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 include cash and cash equivalents balances of $12.6 billion, $7.6 billion, and $7.8 billion, respectively, and restricted cash balances of $5.3 billion, $3.9 billion, and $2.9 billion, respectively.
(3) The contribution of SAM was accounted for as a non-cash transaction.
See accompanying unaudited notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
SHUSA is the parent holding company of SBNA, a national banking association; SC, a consumer finance company headquartered in Dallas, Texas; SSLLC, a broker-dealer headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts; BSI, a financial services company headquartered in Miami, Florida that offers a full range of banking services to foreign individuals and corporations based primarily in Latin America; SIS, a registered broker-dealer headquartered in New York providing services in investment banking, institutional sales, and trading and offering research reports of Latin American and European equity and fixed income securities; SFS, a consumer credit institution headquartered in Puerto Rico; and several other subsidiaries. SHUSA is headquartered in Boston and the Bank's home office is in Wilmington, Delaware. SSLLC, SIS, and another SHUSA subsidiary, SAM, are registered investment advisers with the SEC. SHUSA's two largest subsidiaries by asset size and revenue are the Bank and SC. SHUSA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Santander.
As of December 31, 2020, SC was owned approximately 80.2% by SHUSA and 19.8% by other shareholders. SC Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol "SC."
On September 1, 2020 the Company sold its investment in Santander BanCorp ("SBC"), a financial holding company headquartered in Puerto Rico that offered a full range of financial services through its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, BSPR. Refer to the caption "Divestitures" below for more information.
The Bank’s primary business consists of attracting deposits and providing other retail banking services through its network of retail branches, and originating small business loans, middle market, large and global commercial loans, multifamily loans, residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, and auto and other consumer loans throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern areas of the United States, principally located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The Bank uses its deposits, as well as other financing sources, to fund its loan and investment portfolios.
SC is a specialized consumer finance company focused on vehicle finance and third-party servicing and delivering service to dealers and customers across the full credit spectrum. SC's primary business is the indirect origination and servicing of RICs and leases, principally through manufacturer-franchised dealers in connection with their sale of new and used vehicles to retail consumers. Additionally, SC sells consumer RICs through flow agreements and, when market conditions are favorable, it accesses the ABS market through securitizations of consumer RICs. SAF is SC’s primary vehicle financing brand, and is available as a finance option for automotive dealers across the United States.
Since May 2013, under its agreement with FCA, SC has operated as FCA's preferred provider for consumer loans, leases, and dealer loans and provides services to FCA customers and dealers under the Chrysler Capital brand. These products and services include consumer RICs and leases, as well as dealer loans for inventory, construction, real estate, working capital and revolving lines of credit. Refer to Note 20 for additional details. In 2019, SC entered into an amendment to the Chrysler Agreement which modified that agreement to, among other things, adjust certain performance metrics, exclusivity commitments and payment provisions.
SC also originates vehicle loans through a web-based direct lending program, purchases vehicle RICs from other lenders, and services automobile and recreational and marine vehicle portfolios for other lenders. Additionally, SC has other relationships through which it provides other consumer finance products.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Divestitures
In 2019 the Company entered into an agreement to sell the stock of SBC. On September 1, 2020, the Company completed the sale of SBC to FirstBank Puerto Rico for approximately $1.28 billion. The sale of SBC resulted in the recognition of a gain in the third quarter of 2020 totaling $62 million, reported in Miscellaneous income, net and a tax impact of $12 million, for a total net gain of $50 million. In addition, the Company reclassified to income approximately $23.6 million ($14.8 million after tax) of OCI related to its investment in SBC which is also recorded in Miscellaneous income, net. The final sales price and gain on sale are subject to adjustments based on the buyer’s review of the transferred assets and liabilities, in accordance with the agreement. In the second quarter of 2020, the Company recorded a $39 million tax expense to establish a deferred tax liability for the book over tax basis in its investment in SBC. Transaction expenses related to the sale of SBC totaled approximately $10.0 million through September 30, 2020.
At August 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Consolidated Balance Sheets of the Company included total assets of $5.5 billion and $6.0 billion, respectively, total liabilities of $4.3 billion and $4.8 billion, respectively, and total equity of $1.2 billion at both dates attributable to SBC.
The Consolidated Statements of Operations of the Company for the nine-months ended September 30, 2020 included $33.1 million of net income attributable to SBC and $66.6 million of net income attributable to SBC for the comparative period in 2019.
As part of the stipulations of the transaction, SBC transferred all of its non-performing assets to the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, SFS. This resulted in three separate transactions executed in December 2019, August 2020, and October 2020 for a total of $160.0 million in loans and $30.0 million of real estate owned.
Other transactions
During 2019, SBNA completed the sale of 14 bank branches and four ATMs located in central Pennsylvania, together with approximately $471 million of deposits and $102 million of retail and business loans, to First Commonwealth Bank for a gain of $30.9 million.
Basis of Presentation
These Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, including certain Trusts that are considered VIEs. The Company generally consolidates VIEs for which it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and VOEs in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
These Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and pursuant to SEC regulations. Additionally, where applicable, the Company's accounting policies conform to the accounting and reporting guidelines prescribed by bank regulatory authorities. In the opinion of management, the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature necessary for a fair statement of the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Statements of Operations, Statements of Comprehensive Income, Statements of Stockholder's Equity and SCF for the periods indicated, and contain adequate disclosure to make the information presented not misleading.
Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and those differences may be material. The most significant estimates include the ACL, accretion of discounts and subvention on RICs, fair value measurements, expected end-of-term lease residual values, values of repossessed assets, goodwill, and income taxes. These estimates, although based on actual historical trends and modeling, may potentially show significant variances over time.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
Since January 1, 2020, the Company adopted the following FASB ASUs:
•Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This guidance significantly changed how entities measure credit losses for most financial assets. The amendment introduced a new credit reserving framework known as CECL, which replaced the incurred loss impairment framework with one that reflects expected credit losses over the expected lives of financial assets and commitments, and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information, including estimation of future expected changes in macroeconomic conditions. Additionally, the standard changes the accounting framework for purchased credit-deteriorated HTM debt securities and loans, and dictates measurement of AFS debt securities using an allowance instead of reducing the carrying amount as it was under the OTTI framework. The Company adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2020 on a modified retrospective basis which resulted in an increase in the ACL of approximately $2.5 billion, a decrease in stockholder's equity of approximately $1.8 billion and a decrease in deferred tax liabilities, net of approximately $0.7 billion at January 1, 2020. The increase was based on forecasts of expected future economic conditions and was primarily driven by the fact that the allowance covers expected credit losses over the full expected life of the loan portfolios.
•In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This guidance provides temporary optional expedients to reduce the costs and complexity associated with the high volume of contractual modifications expected in the transition away from LIBOR as the benchmark rate in contracts and hedges. These optional expedients allow entities to negate many of the accounting impacts of modifying contracts and hedging relationships necessitated by reference rate reform, allowing them to generally maintain the accounting as if a change had not occurred. The Company adopted this standard during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, electing the practical expedients relative to the Company’s contracts and hedging relationships modified as a result of reference rate reform through December 31, 2022. Topic 848 was amended by ASU 2021-01 in January 2021. These practical expedients did not have a material impact on the Company’s business, financial position, results of operations, or disclosures.
•In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The amendments in this ASU simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general tax accounting principles and simplifying other specific tax scenarios. The Company adopted this standard as of January 1, 2020 reflecting the change prospectively. It did not have a material impact to the Company’s business, financial position, results of operations, or disclosures.
The adoption of the following ASUs did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations:
•ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement
•ASU 2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
There are no recently issued GAAP accounting developments that we expect will have a material impact on the Company's business, financial position, results of operations, or disclosures upon adoption.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Significant Accounting Policies
Consolidation
In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance for consolidations, the Consolidated Financial Statements include any VOEs in which the Company has a controlling financial interest and any VIEs for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. The Company consolidates its VIEs if the Company has (i) a variable interest in the entity; (ii) the power to direct activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance; and (iii) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE (i.e., the Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary). The Company generally consolidates its VOEs if the Company, directly or indirectly, owns more than 50% of the outstanding voting shares of the entity and the noncontrolling shareholders do not hold any substantive participating or controlling rights. Interests in VIEs and VOEs can include equity interests in corporations, partnerships and similar legal entities, subordinated debt, securitizations, derivatives contracts, leases, service agreements, guarantees, standby letters of credit, loan commitments, and other contracts, agreements and financial instruments.
Upon the occurrence of certain significant events, as required by the VIE model, the Company reassesses whether a legal entity in which the Company is involved is a VIE. The reassessment process considers whether the Company has acquired or divested the power to direct the activities of the VIE through changes in governing documents or other circumstances. The reassessment also considers whether the Company has acquired or disposed of a financial interest that could be significant to the VIE, or whether an interest in the VIE has become significant or is no longer significant. The consolidation status of the entities with which the Company is involved may change as a result of such reassessments. Changes in consolidation status are applied prospectively, with assets and liabilities of a newly consolidated VIE initially recorded at fair value. A gain or loss may be recognized upon deconsolidation of a VIE, depending on the carrying amounts of deconsolidated assets and liabilities compared to the fair value of retained interests and ongoing contractual arrangements.
The Company uses the equity method to account for unconsolidated investments in VOEs if the Company has significant influence over the entity's operating and financing decisions but does not maintain a controlling financial interest. Unconsolidated investments in VOEs or VIEs in which the Company has a voting or economic interest of less than 20% generally are carried at cost less any impairment. These investments are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the Company's proportionate share of income or loss is included in Miscellaneous income, net within the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Sales of RICs and Leases
The Company, through SC, transfers RICs into newly formed Trusts which then issue one or more classes of notes payable backed by the RICs. The Company’s continuing involvement with the credit facilities and Trusts are in the form of servicing loans held by the SPEs and, generally, through holding a residual interest in the SPE. These transactions are structured without recourse. The Trusts are considered VIEs under GAAP and are consolidated when the Company has: (a) power over the significant activities of the entity and (b) an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE which are potentially significant to the VIE. The Company has power over the significant activities of those Trusts as servicer of the financial assets held in the Trust. Servicing fees are not considered significant variable interests in the Trusts; however, when the Company also retains a residual interest in the Trust, either in the form of a debt security or equity interest, the Company has an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that are potentially significant to the SPE. For all VIEs in which the Company is involved, the Company assesses whether it is the primary beneficiary of the VIE on an ongoing basis. In circumstances where the Company have both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIEs performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could be significant, the Company would conclude that it is the primary beneficiary of the VIE, and accordingly, these Trusts are consolidated within the Consolidated Financial Statements, and the associated RICs, borrowings under credit facilities and securitization notes payable remain on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In situations where the Company is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE, the Company does not consolidate the VIE and only recognizes its interests in the VIE. These securitizations involving Trusts are treated as sales of the associated retail installment contracts. While these Trusts are included in our Consolidated Financial Statements, they are separate legal entities; thus, the finance receivables and other assets sold to these Trusts are legally owned by the Trusts, are available only to satisfy the notes payable related to the securitized RICs, and are not available to the Company's creditors or other subsidiaries.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
The Company also sells RICs and leases to VIEs or directly to third parties. The Company may determine that these transactions meet sale accounting treatment in accordance with applicable guidance. Due to the nature, purpose, and activity of these transactions, the Company either does not hold potentially significant variable interests or is not the primary beneficiary as a result of the Company's limited further involvement with the financial assets. The transferred financial assets are removed from the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets at the time the sale is completed. The Company generally remains the servicer of the financial assets and receives servicing fees. The Company also recognizes a gain or loss for the difference between the fair value, as measured based on sales proceeds plus (or minus) the value of any servicing asset (or liability) retained and the carrying value of the assets sold.
See further discussion on the Company's securitizations in Note 8 to these Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and amounts due from depository institutions, interest-bearing deposits in other banks, federal funds sold, and securities purchased under agreements to resell. Cash and cash equivalents have original maturities of three months or less and, accordingly, the carrying amount of these instruments is deemed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value. The Company has maintained balances in various operating and money market accounts in excess of federally insured limits.
Cash deposited to support securitization transactions, lockbox collections, and the related required reserve accounts is recorded in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets as restricted cash. Excess cash flows generated by Trusts are added to the restricted cash reserve account, creating additional over-collateralization until the contractual securitization requirement has been reached. Once the targeted reserve requirement is satisfied, additional excess cash flows generated by the Trusts are released to the Company as distributions from the Trusts. Lockbox collections are added to restricted cash and released when transferred to the appropriate warehouse facility or Trust. The Company also maintains restricted cash primarily related to cash posted as collateral related to derivative agreements and cash restricted for investment purposes.
Investment Securities and Other Investments
Investments in debt securities are classified as either AFS, HTM, trading, or other investments. Investments in equity securities are generally recorded at fair value with changes recorded in earnings. Management determines the appropriate classification at the time of purchase.
Debt securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity are classified as HTM securities. HTM securities are reported at cost and adjusted for payments, charge offs, amortization of premium and accretion of discount. Impairment of HTM securities is recorded using a valuation reserve which represents management’s best estimate of expected credit losses during the lives of the securities. Securities for which management has an expectation that nonpayment of the amortized costs basis is zero, do not have a reserve. The Company has a zero loss expectation when the securities are issued or guaranteed by certain US government entities, and those entities have a long history of no defaults and the highest credit ratings issued by rating agencies. Transfers of debt securities into the HTM category from the AFS category are made at fair value at the date of transfer. The unrealized holding gain or loss at the date of transfer is retained in AOCI and in the carrying value of the HTM securities. Such amounts are amortized over the remaining lives of the securities. Any reserve for credit losses on investments recorded while the security was classified as AFS will be reversed through provision expense in non-interest income. Thereafter, the allowance will be recorded through provision expense using the HTM valuation reserve.
Debt securities expected to be held for an indefinite period of time are classified as AFS and recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. If the fair value of an AFS debt security declines below its amortized cost basis and the Company does not have the intention or requirement to sell the security before it recovers its amortized cost basis, declines due to credit factors will be recorded in earnings through an a reserve for credit losses on investments, and declines due to non-credit factors will be recorded in AOCI, net of taxes. Subsequent to recognition of a credit loss, improvements to the expectation of collectability will be reversed through the allowance. If the Company has the intention or requirement to sell the security, the Company will record its fair value changes in earnings as a direct write down to the security. Increases in fair value above amortized cost basis are recorded in AOCI, net of taxes.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
The Company conducts a comprehensive security-level impairment assessment quarterly on all AFS securities with a fair value that is less than their amortized cost basis to determine whether the loss is due to credit factors. The quarterly assessment takes into consideration whether (i) the Company has the intent to sell or (ii) it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before the expected recovery of its amortized cost. The Company also considers whether or not it would expect to receive all of the contractual cash flows from the investment based on its assessment of the security structure, recent security collateral performance metrics, external credit ratings, failure of the issuer to make scheduled interest or principal payments, judgment and expectations of future performance, and relevant independent industry research, analysis and forecasts. The Company also considers the severity of the impairment in its assessment. Similar to HTM securities, securities for which management expects risk of nonpayment of the amortized costs basis is zero do not have a reserve. The Company has a zero loss expectation when the securities are issued or guaranteed by certain US government entities, and those entities have a long history of no defaults and the highest credit ratings issued by rating agencies. In the event of a credit loss, the credit component of the impairment is recognized within non-interest income as a separate line item, and by the recording of a valuation reserve. The non-credit component is recorded within AOCI.
Prior to the adoption of CECL, credit losses on HTM and AFS securities were recorded as direct write downs of the investment in the asset and in noninterest income.
The Company does not measure an ACL for accrued interest, and instead writes off uncollectible accrued interest balances in a timely manner. The Company places securities on nonaccrual and reverses any uncollectible accrued interest when the full and timely collection of interest or principal becomes uncertain, but no later than at 90 days past due.
Realized gains and losses on sales of investment securities are recognized on the trade date and included in earnings within Net (losses)/gains on sale of investment securities, which is a component of non-interest income. Unamortized premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income over the estimated life of the security using the interest method.
Debt securities held for trading purposes and equity securities are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in non-interest income. Investments that are purchased principally for the purpose of economically hedging MSR in the near term are classified as trading securities and carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded as a component of the Miscellaneous income, net line of the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Other investments primarily include the Company's investment in the stock of the FHLB of Pittsburgh and the FRB. Although FHLB and FRB stock are equity interests in the FHLB and FRB, respectively, neither has a readily determinable fair value, because ownership is restricted and they are not readily marketable. FHLB stock can be sold back only at its par value of $100 per share and only to FHLBs or to another member institution. Accordingly, FHLB stock and FRB stock are carried at cost. The Company evaluates this investment for impairment on the ultimate recoverability of the par value.
See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details on the Company's investments.
LHFI
LHFI include commercial and consumer loans (including RICs) originated by the Company as well as loans acquired by the Company, which the Company intends to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity. RICs consist largely of nonprime automobile finance receivables that are acquired individually from dealers at a nonrefundable discount from the contractual principal amount. RICs also include receivables originated through a direct lending program and loan portfolios purchased from other lenders.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Originated LHFI
Originated LHFI are reported net of cumulative charge offs, unamortized loan origination fees and costs, and unamortized discounts and premiums. Interest on loans is credited to income as it is earned. For most of the Company's originated LHFI, loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs and premiums and discounts are deferred and recognized as adjustments to interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations over the contractual life of the loan utilizing the effective interest method. For RICs, loan origination fees and costs, premiums and discounts are deferred and amortized over their estimated lives as adjustments to interest income utilizing the effective interest method using estimated prepayment speeds, which are updated on a monthly basis. The Company estimates future principal prepayments specific to pools of homogeneous loans, which are based on the vintage, credit quality at origination and term of the loan. Prepayments in our portfolio are sensitive to credit quality, with higher credit quality loans experiencing higher voluntary prepayment rates than lower credit quality loans. The resulting prepayment rate specific to each pool is based on historical experience and is used as an input in the calculation of the constant effective yield. The impact of defaults is not considered in the prepayment rate; the prepayment rate only considers voluntary prepayments. Our estimated weighted average prepayment rates ranged from 9.8% to 16.2% at December 31, 2020 and 5.1% to 11.0% at December 31, 2019.
The Company’s LHFI are carried at amortized cost, net of the ALLL. When a RIC is originated, certain cost basis adjustments (the net discounts) to the principal balance of the loan are recognized in accordance with the accounting guidance for loan origination fees and costs in ASC 310-20. These cost basis adjustments generally include the following:
•Origination costs.
•Dealer discounts - dealer discounts to the principal balance of the loan generally occur in circumstances in which the contractual interest rate on the loan is not sufficient to compensate for the credit risk of the borrower.
•Participation - participation fees, or premiums, paid to the dealer as a form of profit-sharing, rewarding the dealer for originating loans that perform.
•Subvention - payments received from the vehicle manufacturer as compensation (yield enhancement) for the cost of below-market interest rates offered to consumers.
Originated loans are initially recorded at the proceeds paid to fund the loan. Loan origination fees and costs and any discount at origination for loans is considered by the Company to reflect yield enhancements and is accreted to income using the effective interest method.
Collateral is generally required for originated loans. For commercial loans, the Company focuses on assessing the borrower’s capacity and willingness to repay and obtaining sufficient collateral. C&I loans are generally secured by the borrower’s assets and by guarantees. CRE loans are secured by real estate at specified LTV ratios and often by a guarantee. SHUSA originates and purchases residential mortgage loans and home equity loans and lines that are secured by the underlying 1-4 family residential properties. RICs and auto loans are secured by the underlying vehicles.
See LHFS subsection below for accounting treatment when an HFI loan is re-designated as LHFS.
Purchased LHFI
Purchased loans are generally loans acquired in a bulk purchase or business combination. RICs acquired directly from a dealer are considered to be originated loans, not purchased loans.
Loans that at acquisition the Company deems to have more than insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination (i.e., PCI loans) require the recognition of an ACL at purchase. The allowance for credit losses is added to the purchase price at the date of acquisition to determine the initial amortized cost basis of the PCI loan. The ACL is calculated using the same methodology as originated loans, as described below. Alternatively, the Company can elect the fair value option at the time of purchase for any financial asset. Under the FVO, loans are recorded at fair value with changes in value recognized immediately in income. There is no ACL for loans under the FVO.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Purchase discounts and premiums on purchased loans that are deemed performing are accreted over the remaining expected lives of the loans to their par values, generally using the retrospective effective interest method, which considers the impact of estimated prepayments that is updated on a quarterly basis. The purchase discount on personal unsecured loans (given their revolving nature) are amortized on a straight-line basis in accordance with ASC 310-20.
For loans under the FVO, the Company recognizes the fair value adjustments as part of other non-interest income in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Generally, the Company does not recognize interest income on non-accrual loans under the FVO. For certain loans which the Company has elected to account for at fair value that are not considered non-accrual, the Company separately recognizes interest income from the total fair value adjustment.
Allowance for Credit Losses
General
The ALLL and reserve for off-balance sheet commitments (together, the ACL) are maintained at levels that represent management’s best estimate of expected credit losses in the Company’s HFI loan portfolios, excluding those loans accounted for under the FVO. Credit loss expenses are charged in amounts sufficient to maintain the ACL at levels considered adequate to cover expected credit losses in the Company’s HFI loan portfolios. The allowance for expected credit losses is measured based on a current expected loss model, which means that it is not necessary for a loss event to occur before a credit loss is recognized. Management’s estimate of expected credit losses is based on an evaluation of relevant information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the future collectability of the reported amounts. Management's evaluation takes into consideration the risks in the portfolio, past loss experience, specific loans with loss potential, geographic and industry concentrations, delinquency trends, economic forecasts and other relevant factors. While management uses the best information available to make such evaluations, future adjustments to the ACL may be necessary if conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the evaluations.
The ALLL is a valuation account that is deducted from, or added to, the amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the Company’s HFI loan portfolios. The reserve for off-balance sheet commitments represents the expected credit losses for unfunded lending commitments and financial guarantees, and is presented within Other liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. The reserve for off-balance sheet commitments, together with the ALLL, is generally referred to collectively throughout this Form 10-K as the ACL, despite the presentation differences.
The Company measures expected losses of all components of the amortized cost basis of its loans. For all loans except TDRs and credit cards, the Company has elected to exclude accrued interest receivable balances from the measurement of expected credit losses because it applies a nonaccrual policy that results in the timely write off of uncollectible interest.
Off-balance sheet commitments which are not unconditionally cancellable by the Company are subject to credit risk. Additions to the reserve for off-balance sheet commitments are made by charges to the credit loss expense. The Company does not calculate a liability for expected credit losses for off-balance sheet credit exposures which are unconditionally cancellable by the lender, because these instruments do not expose the Company to credit risk. At SHUSA, this generally applies to credit cards and commercial demand lines of credit.
Methodology
The Company uses several methodologies for the measurement of ACL. The ACL is made up of a quantitative and a qualitative component. To determine the quantitative component, the Company generally uses a DCF approach for determining ALLL for TDRs and other individually assessed loans, and loss rate statistical methodology for other loans. The methodologies utilized by the Company to estimate expected credit losses vary by product type.
Expected credit losses are estimated on a collective basis when similar risk characteristics exist. Expected credit losses are estimated on an individual basis only if the individual asset or exposure does not share similar risk attributes with other financial assets or exposures, including when an asset is treated as a collateral dependent asset. The estimate of expected credit losses reflects information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the future collectability of reported amounts. This information includes internal information, external information, or a combination of both. The Company uses historical loss experience as a starting point for estimating expected credit losses.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
The ACL estimate includes significant assumptions including the reasonable and supportable economic forecast period, which considers the availability of forward-looking scenarios and their respective time horizons, as well as the reversion method to historical losses. The economic scenarios used by the Company are available up to the contractual maturities of the assets, and therefore the Company can project losses through the respective contractual maturities, using an input reversion approach. This method results in a single, quantitatively consistent credit model across the entire projection period as the macroeconomic effects in the historical data are controlled for the estimate of the long-run loss level.
The Company uses multiple scenarios in its CECL estimation process. The selection of scenarios is reviewed quarterly and governed by the ACL Committee. Additionally, the results from the CECL models are reviewed and adjusted, if necessary, based on management’s judgment, as discussed in the section captioned "Qualitative Reserves" below.
CECL Models
The Company uses a statistical methodology based on an expected credit loss approach that focuses on forecasting the expected credit loss components (i.e., PD, payoff, LGD and EAD) on a loan level basis to estimate the expected future lifetime losses.
•In calculating the PD and payoff, the Company developed model forecasts which consider variables such as delinquency status, loan tenor and credit quality as measured by internal risk ratings assigned to individual loans and credit facilities.
•The LGD component forecasts the extent of losses given that a default has occurred and considers variables such as collateral, LTV and credit quality.
•The EAD component captures the effects of expected partial prepayments and underpayments that are expected to occur during the forecast period and considers variables such as LTV, collateral and credit quality indicators.
The above expected credit loss components are used to compute an ACL based on the weighted average of the results of four macroeconomic scenarios. The weighting of these scenarios is governed and approved quarterly by management through established committee governance. These ECL components are inputs to both the Company’s DCF approach for TDRs and individually assessed loans, and the non-DCF approach for other loans.
When using a non-DCF method to measure the ACL, the Company measures expected credit losses over the asset’s contractual term, adjusted for (a) expected prepayments, (b) expected extensions associated with assets for which management has a reasonable expectation at the reporting date that it will execute a TDR with the borrower, and (c) expected extensions or renewal options (excluding those that are accounted for as derivatives) included in the original or modified contract at the reporting date that are not unconditionally cancellable by the Company.
In addition to the ALLL, management estimates expected losses related to off-balance sheet commitments using the same models and procedures used to estimate expected loan losses. Off-balance sheet commitments for commercial customers are analyzed and segregated by risk according to the Company's internal risk rating scale. These risk classifications, in conjunction with a forecast of expected usage of committed amounts and an analysis of historical loss experience, reasonable and supportable forecasts of economic conditions, performance trends within specific portfolio segments, and any other pertinent information result in the estimation of the reserve for off-balance sheet commitments.
DCF Approaches
A DCF method measures expected credit losses by forecasting expected future principal and interest cash flows and discounting them using the financial asset’s EIR. The ACL reflects the difference between the amortized cost basis and the present value of the expected cash flows. When using a DCF method to measure the ACL, the period of exposure is determined as a function of the Company’s expectations of the timing of principal and interest payments. The Company considers estimated prepayments in the future principal and interest cash flows when utilizing a DCF method. The Company generally uses a DCF approach for TDRs and impaired commercial loans. The Company reports the entire change in present value in credit loss expense.
Collateral-Dependent Assets
A loan is considered a collateral-dependent financial asset when:
•The Company determines foreclosure is probable, or
•The borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the Company expects repayment to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
For all collateral-dependent loans, the Company measures the ACL as the difference between the asset’s amortized cost basis and the fair value of the underlying collateral as of the reporting date, adjusted for expected costs to sell. If repayment or satisfaction of the loan is dependent only on the operation, rather than the sale of the collateral, the measure of credit losses does not incorporate estimated costs to sell.
A collateral dependent loan is written down (i.e., charged-off) to the fair value of the collateral adjusted for costs to sell (if repayment from sale is expected.) Any subsequent increase or decrease in the collateral’s fair value less cost to sell is recognized as an adjustment to the related loan’s ACL. Negative ACLs are limited to the amount previously charged-off.
Collateral Maintenance Provisions
For certain loans with collateral maintenance provisions which are secured by highly liquid collateral, the Company expects nonpayment of the amortized cost basis to be zero when such provisions require the borrower to continually replenish collateral in the event the fair value of the collateral changes. For these loans, the Company records no ACL.
Negative Allowance
Negative allowance is defined as the amount of future recovery expected for accounts that have already been charged-off. The Company performs an analysis of the actual historical recovery values to determine the pattern of recovery and expected rate of recovery over a given historic period, and uses the results of this analysis to determine a negative allowance. Negative allowance reduces the ACL.
Qualitative Reserves
Regardless of the extent of the Company's analysis of customer performance, portfolio evaluations, trends or risk management processes established, a level of imprecision will always exist due to the judgmental nature of loan portfolio and/or individual loan evaluations. The Company maintains a qualitative reserve as a component of the ACL to recognize the existence of these exposures. Imprecisions include loss factors inherent in the loan portfolio that may not have been discreetly contemplated in deriving the quantitative component of the allowance, as well as potential variability in estimates.
Quantitative models have certain limitations regarding estimating expected losses in times of rapidly changing macro-economic forecasts. The ACL estimate includes qualitative adjustments to adjust for limitations in modeled results with respect to forecasted economic conditions that are well outside of historic economic conditions used to develop the models and to give consideration to significant government relief programs, stimulus, and internal credit accommodations. Management believes the qualitative component of the ACL, which incorporates management’s expert judgment related to expected future credit losses, will continue to represent a significant portion of the ACL for the foreseeable future.
The qualitative adjustment is also established in consideration of several factors such as the interpretation of economic trends, changes in the nature and volume of our loan portfolios, trends in delinquency and collateral values, and concentration risk. This analysis is conducted at least quarterly, and the Company revises the qualitative component of the allowance when necessary in order to address improving or deteriorating credit quality trends or specific risks associated with a loan pool classification.
Governance
A comprehensive analysis of the ACL is performed by the Company on a quarterly basis. Management regularly monitors the condition of borrowers and assesses both internal and external factors in determining whether any relationships have deteriorated considering factors such as historical loss experience, trends in delinquency and NPLs, changes in risk composition and underwriting standards, experience and ability of staff and regional and national economic conditions, trends and forecasts. Risk factors are continuously reviewed and revised by management when conditions warrant.
The Company's reserves are principally based on various models subject to the Company's model risk management framework. New models are approved by the Company's Model Risk Management Committee, and inputs are reviewed periodically by the Company's Internal Audit function. Models, inputs and documentation are further reviewed and validated at least annually, and the Company completes a detailed variance analysis of historical model projections against actual observed results on a quarterly basis. Required actions resulting from the Company's analysis, if necessary, are governed by its ACL Committee.
In addition, a review of allowance levels based on nationally published statistics is conducted on at least an annual basis. Reserve levels are collectively reviewed for adequacy and approved quarterly by Board-level committees.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
The ACL is subject to review by banking regulators. The Company's primary bank regulators conduct examinations of the ACL and make assessments regarding the methodology employed in its determination.
Changes in the assumptions used in these estimates could have a direct material impact on credit loss expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and in the allowance for loan losses. The Company’s models incorporate a variety of assumptions based on historical experience, current conditions and forecasts. Management also applies its judgement in evaluating the appropriateness of the allowance. Material changes to the ACL might be necessary if prevailing conditions differ materially from the assumptions and estimates utilized in calculating the ACL.
In 2019 (prior to the adoption of CECL), the Company used the incurred loss approach in providing an ACL on the recorded investment of its loans. This approach requires that loan loss provisions are recognized and the corresponding allowance recorded when, based on all available information, it is probable that a credit loss has been incurred. The estimate for credit losses for loans that are individually evaluated for impairment is generally determined through an analysis of the present value of the loan’s expected future cash flows, except for those that are deemed to be collateral dependent. For those loans that are collectively assessed for impairment, the Company utilizes historical loan loss experience information as part of its evaluation. Similar to the CECL methodology, the Company considers whether to adjust the quantitative reserves for certain external and internal qualitative factors, which may increase or decrease the reserves for credit losses.
Interest Recognition and Non-accrual loans
Interest from loans is accrued when earned in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement. The accrual of interest is discontinued and uncollected interest is reversed once a loan is placed in non-accrual status. A loan is determined to be non-accrual when it is probable that scheduled payments of principal and interest will not be received when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.
The Company generally places commercial loans on non-accrual status when they become 90 days or more past due. When the collectability of the recorded loan balance of a nonaccrual loan is in doubt, cash payments received from the borrower are generally applied first to reduce the carrying value of the loan. Otherwise, interest income may be recognized to the extent cash is received. Generally, a nonaccrual loan is returned to accrual status when, based on the Company’s judgment, the borrower’s ability to make the required principal and interest payments has resumed and collectability of remaining principal and interest is no longer doubtful. Interest income recognition resumes for nonaccrual loans that were accounted for on a cash basis method when they return to accrual status, while interest income that was previously recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the loan would be recognized as interest income based on the effective yield to maturity on the loan. Collateral dependent loans are generally not returned to accrual status. Refer to the TDRs section below for discussion related to TDR loans placed on non-accrual status.
Consumer loans (excluding RICs and auto loans) are placed on nonaccrual status when they meet certain delinquency thresholds, or sooner if collectability of the amortized cost basis is in doubt. Residential mortgages, home equity loans and lines and unsecured loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status at 90 days past due, and returned to accrual status when they become current.
Credit cards continue to accrue interest until they become 180 days past due, at which point they are charged-off.
For RICs and auto loans, the accrual of interest is discontinued and accrued but uncollected interest is reversed once a RIC becomes more than 60 days past due, (i.e. 61 or more DPD) and is resumed and reinstated if a delinquent account subsequently becomes 60 days or less past due. The Company considers a RICs and auto loans delinquent when an obligor fails to pay substantially all (defined as 90%) of the scheduled payment by the due date. The payment following the partial payment must be a full payment, or the account will move into delinquency status at that time. RICs and auto loans accounted for using the FVO are not placed on nonaccrual.
Charge-off of Uncollectible Loans
Any loan may be charged-off if a loss confirming event has occurred. Loss confirming events usually involve the receipt of specific adverse information about the borrower and may include bankruptcy, foreclosure, or receipt of an asset valuation indicating a shortfall between the value of the collateral and the book value of the loan when that collateral asset is the sole source of repayment.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
The Company generally charges off commercial loans when it is determined that the specific loan or a portion thereof is uncollectible. This determination is based on facts and circumstances of the individual loans and normally includes considering the viability of the related business, the value of any collateral, the ability and willingness of any guarantors to perform and the overall financial condition of the borrower. Partially charged-off loans continue to be evaluated on not less than a quarterly basis, with additional charge-offs or loan and lease loss provisions taken on the remaining loan balance, if warranted, utilizing the same criteria. Although the ACL is established on a collective basis, actual charge-offs are recorded on a loan-by-loan basis when losses are confirmed or when established delinquency thresholds have been met.
The Company generally charges off consumer loans, or a portion thereof, as follows: residential mortgage loans and home equity loans are charged-off to the estimated fair value of their collateral (net of selling costs) when they become 180 days past due, and other loans (closed-end) are charged-off when they become 120 days past due. RICs and auto loans are charged-off to the estimated net recovery value in the month an account becomes greater than 120 days delinquent if the Company has not repossessed the related vehicle. The Company charges off accounts in repossession to estimated net recovery value when the automobile is repossessed and legally available for disposition. For RICs and auto loans, a net charge off represents the difference between the estimated net sales proceeds and the Company's amortized cost basis of the related contract. Revolving personal unsecured loans are charged off when they become 180 days past due. Credit cards are charged off when they are 180 days delinquent or within 60 days after the receipt of notification of the cardholder’s death or bankruptcy.
Accounts in repossession that have been charged off and are pending liquidation are removed from loans and the related repossessed assets are included in Other assets in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. For residential mortgages, foreclosed real estate is moved to Other assets when the Company has obtained legal title to the property.
Loans receiving a bankruptcy notice or for which fraud has been discovered are written down to the collateral value less costs to sell within 60 days of such notice or discovery. Charge-offs are not required when it can be clearly demonstrated that repayment will occur regardless of delinquency status. Factors that would demonstrate repayment include a loan that is secured by collateral and is in the process of collection, a loan supported by a valid guarantee or insurance, or a loan supported by a valid claim against a solvent estate.
Expected recoveries of amounts previously written off and expected to be written off are included in the Allowance for Credit Losses up to the aggregate of amounts previously written off and expected to be written off by the Company.
TDRs
TDRs are loans that have been modified for which the Company has agreed to make certain concessions to customers to both meet the needs of the customers and maximize the ultimate recovery of the loan. TDRs occur when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and the loan is modified involving a concession that would otherwise not be granted to the borrower. The types of concessions granted are generally payment deferrals, interest rate reductions, limitations on accrued interest charged, term extensions and deferments of principal. TDRs are generally placed on non-accrual status at the time of modification, (unless the loan was performing immediately prior to modification) and returned to accrual after a sustained period of repayment performance. Collateral dependent TDRS are generally not returned to accrual status. All costs incurred by the Company in connection with a TDR are expensed as incurred. The TDR classification remains on the loan until it is paid in full or liquidated.
Short-term modifications are generally not classified as TDRs. In response to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the Company implemented loan modification programs to assist borrowers impacted by the pandemic. Under these programs, payment deferrals of up to six months to borrowers who were performing prior to the modification are considered short term modifications and are not classified as TDRs. Additionally, certain consumer loans that are granted deferrals beyond 180 days are not classified as TDRs if they comply with the requirements of the CARES Act.
Commercial Loan TDRs
All of the Company’s commercial loan modifications are based on the circumstances of the individual customer, including specific customers' complete relationship with the Company. Loan terms are modified to meet each borrower’s specific circumstances at a point in time and may allow for modifications such as term extensions and interest rate reductions. Commercial loan TDRs are generally restructured to allow for an upgraded risk rating and return to accrual status after a sustained period of payment performance has been achieved (typically 12 months for monthly payment schedules). As TDRs, they will be subject to analysis for specific reserves by either calculating the present value of expected future cash flows or, if collateral-dependent, calculating the fair value of the collateral less its estimated cost to sell.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Consumer Loan TDRs
The majority of the Company's TDR balance is comprised of RICs and auto loans. The terms of the modifications for the RIC and auto loan portfolio generally include one or a combination of a reduction of the stated interest rate of the loan or an extension of the maturity date.
In accordance with our policies and guidelines, the Company at times offers extensions (deferrals) to consumers on our RIC and auto loan consumers under which the consumer is allowed to defer a maximum of three payments per event to the end of the loan. More than 90% of deferrals granted are for two payments. Our policies and guidelines limit the frequency of each new deferral that may be granted to one deferral every six months, regardless of the length of any prior deferral. The maximum number of months extended for the life of the loan for all automobile RICs is 8, while some marine and RV contracts have a maximum of twelve months extended to reflect their longer term. Additionally, we generally limit the granting of deferrals on new accounts until a requisite number of payments has been received. During the deferral period, we continue to accrue and collect interest on the loan in accordance with the terms of the deferral agreement. The Company considers all RICs and auto loans that have been modified at least once, deferred for a period of 90 days or more, or deferred at least twice, as TDRs. Additionally, restructurings through bankruptcy proceedings are deemed to be TDRs.
RIC and auto loan TDRs are placed on non-accrual status when the Company believes repayment under the revised terms is not reasonably assured and, at the latest, when the account becomes past due more than 60 days. For RICs and auto loans on nonaccrual status, interest income is recognized on a cash basis. The accrual of interest is resumed if a delinquent account subsequently becomes 60 days or less past due.
At the time a deferral is granted on a RIC or auto loan, all delinquent amounts may be deferred or paid, resulting in the classification of the loan as current and therefore not considered a delinquent account. Thereafter, the account is aged based on the timely payment of future installments in the same manner as any other account.
The primary modification program for the Company’s residential mortgage and home equity portfolios is a proprietary program designed to keep customers in their homes and, when appropriate, prevent them from entering into foreclosure. The program is available to all customers facing a financial hardship regardless of their delinquency status. The main goal of the modification program is to review the customer’s entire financial condition to ensure that the proposed modified payment solution is affordable according to a specific DTI ratio range. The main modification benefits of the program allow for term extensions, interest rate reductions, and/or deferment of principal. The Company reviews each customer on a case-by-case basis to determine which benefit or combination of benefits will be offered to achieve the target DTI range.
Consumer TDRs in the residential mortgage and home equity portfolios are generally placed on non-accrual status until the Company believes repayment under the revised terms is reasonably assured and a sustained period of repayment performance has been achieved. In addition to those identified as TDRs above, loans discharged under Chapter 7 bankruptcy are considered TDRs and collateral-dependent, regardless of delinquency status. These loans are written down to the fair market value of collateral and classified as non-accrual/non-performing for the remaining life of the loan.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Impact to ACL
The Company’s policies for estimating the ACL also apply to TDRs as follows:
•The Company reflects the impact of the concession in the ACL for TDRs. Interest rate concessions and significant term deferrals can only be captured within the ACL by using a DCF method. Therefore, in circumstances in which the Company offers such extensions in its TDR modification, it uses a DCF Method to calculate the ACL.
•The Company recognizes the impact of a TDR modification to the ACL when the Company has a reasonable expectation that the TDR modification will be executed.
Typically, commercial loans whose terms are modified in a TDR will have been identified as impaired prior to modification and accounted for generally using a present value of expected future cash flows methodology, unless the loan is considered collateral-dependent. Loans considered collateral-dependent are measured for impairment based on the fair values of their collateral less its estimated cost to sell. Accordingly, upon TDR modification or if a TDR modification subsequently defaults, the allowance methodology generally remains unchanged.
For consumer loans, prior to loans being placed in TDR status, the Company generally measures its allowance under a loss contingency methodology in which loans with similar risk characteristics are pooled and loss experience information is monitored for credit risk and deterioration with statistical tools considering factors such as delinquency, LTV and credit scores. Upon TDR modification, the Company generally measures consumer loan impairment based on a present value of expected future cash flows methodology considering all available evidence using the effective interest rate or fair value of collateral. The amount of the required valuation allowance is equal to the difference between the loan’s impaired value and the amortized cost basis.
RIC and auto loan TDRs that subsequently default continue to have impairment measured based on the difference between the amortized cost basis of the RIC or auto loan and the present value of expected cash flows. For the Company's other consumer TDR portfolios, impairment on subsequently defaulted loans is generally measured based on the fair value of the collateral, if applicable, less its estimated cost to sell.
When a DCF methodology is used, cash flows are generally discounted at the individual asset’s EIR, or an individual asset’s prepay-adjusted EIR. The Company has made the following elections:
•RICs and auto loans: When a DCF methodology is used, the Company discounts cash flows using the prepay-adjusted EIR.
•All Other Assets: When a DCF methodology is used, the Company discounts cash flows using the EIR.
LHFS
LHFS are recorded at either estimated fair value (if the FVO is elected) or the lower of cost or fair value. The Company has elected to account for most of its residential real estate mortgages originated with the intent to sell at fair value. Applying fair value accounting to the residential mortgage LHFS better aligns the reported results of the economic changes in the value of these loans and their related economic hedge instruments. Generally, residential loans are valued on an aggregate portfolio basis, and commercial loans are valued on an individual loan basis. Gains and losses on LHFS which are accounted for at fair value are recorded in Miscellaneous income, net. For residential mortgages for which the FVO is selected, direct loan origination fees are
recorded in Miscellaneous income, net at origination.
All other LHFS which the Company does not have the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. When loans are transferred from HFI, the Company will recognize a charge-off to the ALLL, if warranted under the Company’s charge off policies. Any excess ALLL for the transferred loans is reversed through provision expense. Subsequent to the initial measurement of LHFS, market declines in the recorded investment, whether due to credit or market risk, are recorded through Miscellaneous income, net as lower of cost or market adjustments.
Interest income on the Company’s LHFS is recognized when earned based on their respective contractual rates in Interest income on loans in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The accrual of interest is discontinued and reversed once the loans become more than 90 days past due.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Leases (as Lessor)
The Company provides financing for various types of equipment, aircraft, energy and power systems, and automobiles through a variety of lease arrangements.
The Company’s investments in leases that are accounted for as direct financing leases are carried at the aggregate of lease payments plus estimated residual value of the leased property less unearned income, and are reported as part of LHFI in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Leveraged leases, a form of financing lease, are carried net of non-recourse debt. The Company recognizes income over the term of the lease using the effective interest method, which provides a constant periodic rate of return on the outstanding investment on the lease.
Leased vehicles under operating leases are carried at amortized cost net of accumulated depreciation and any impairment charges and presented as Operating lease assets, net in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Leased assets acquired in a business combination are initially recorded at their estimated fair value. Leased vehicles purchased in connection with newly originated operating leases are recorded at amortized cost. The depreciation expense of the vehicles is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contractual term of the leases to the expected residual value. The expected residual value and, accordingly, the monthly depreciation expense may change throughout the term of the lease. The Company estimates expected residual values using independent data sources and internal statistical models that take into consideration economic conditions, current auction results, the Company’s remarketing abilities, and manufacturer vehicle and marketing programs.
Lease payments due from customers are recorded as income within Lease income in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations, unless and until a customer becomes more than 60 days delinquent, at which time the accrual of revenue is discontinued. The accrual is resumed if a delinquent account subsequently becomes 60 days or less past due. Payments from the vehicle’s manufacturer under its subvention programs are recorded as reductions to the cost of the vehicle and are recognized as an adjustment to depreciation expense on a straight-line basis over the contractual term of the lease.
The Company periodically evaluates its investment in operating leases for impairment if circumstances such as a systemic and material decline in used vehicle values occurs. This would include, for example, a decline in the residual value of our lease portfolio due to an event caused by shocks to oil and gas prices that have a pronounced impact on certain models of vehicles, pervasive manufacturer defects, or other events that could systemically affect the value of a particular brand or model of leased asset, which indicates that impairment may exist.
Under the accounting for impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, residual values of leased assets under operating leases are evaluated individually for impairment. When aggregate future cash flows from the operating lease, including the expected realizable fair value of the leased asset at the end of the lease, are less than the book value of the lease, an immediate impairment write-down is recognized if the difference is deemed not recoverable. Otherwise, reductions in the expected residual value result in additional depreciation of the leased asset over the remaining term of the lease. Upon disposition, a gain or loss is recorded for any difference between the net book value of the leased asset and the proceeds from the disposition of the asset, including any insurance proceeds. Gains or losses on the sale of leased assets are included in Miscellaneous income, net, while valuation adjustments on operating lease residuals are included in Other administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. No impairment for leased assets was recognized during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, or 2018.
Leases (as Lessee)
Operating lease ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized upon lease commencement based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term, discounted at the Company's estimated rate of interest for a collateralized borrowing for a similar term. The lease term includes options to extend or terminate a lease when the Company considers it reasonably certain that such options will be exercised. Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated utilizing the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives are as follows:
Office buildings 10 to 50 years
Leasehold improvements(1)
10 to 30 years
Software(2)
3 to 7 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment 3 to 10 years
Automobiles 5 years
(1) Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the useful lives of the assets or the remaining term of the leases.
(2) The standard depreciable period for software is three years. However, for certain software implementation projects, a seven-year period is utilized.
Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to Occupancy and equipment expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as incurred.
Equity Method Investments
The Company uses the equity method for general and limited partnership interests, limited liability companies and other unconsolidated equity investments in which the Company is considered to have significant influence over the operations of the investee. Under the equity method, the Company records its equity ownership share of net income or loss of the investee in "Other miscellaneous expenses." Investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting above are included in the caption "Other Assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities of companies acquired through business combinations accounted for under the acquisition method. Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized on a recurring basis, but rather are subject to periodic impairment testing. The Company conducts its evaluation of goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis at October 1, and more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below.
An entity's goodwill impairment quantitative analysis is required to be completed unless the entity determines, based on certain qualitative factors, that it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, including goodwill, in which case no further analysis is required. An entity has an unconditional option to bypass the preceding qualitative assessment (often referred to as step 0) for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to the quantitative goodwill impairment test.
The quantitative test includes a comparison of the fair value of each reporting unit to its respective carrying amount, including its allocated goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is in excess of the carrying value, the related goodwill is considered not to be impaired and no further analysis is necessary. If the carrying value of the reporting unit is higher than the fair value, the impairment is measured as the excess of carrying value over fair value. A recognized impairment charge cannot exceed the amount of goodwill allocated to a reporting unit and cannot subsequently be reversed even if the fair value of the reporting unit recovers.
The Company's intangible assets consist of assets purchased or acquired through business combinations, including trade names and dealer networks. Certain intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives. The Company evaluates identifiable intangibles for impairment when an indicator of impairment exists, but not less than annually. Separable intangible assets that are not deemed to have an indefinite life continue to be amortized over their useful lives.
MSRs
The Company has elected to measure most of its residential MSRs at fair value to be consistent with the risk management strategy to hedge changes in the fair value of these assets.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
See Note 12 to these Consolidated Financial Statements for detail on MSRs.
BOLI
BOLI represents the cash surrender value of life insurance policies for certain current and former employees who have provided positive consent to allow the Bank to be the beneficiary of such policies. Increases in the net cash surrender value of the policies, as well as insurance proceeds received, are recorded in non-interest income, and are not subject to income taxes.
OREO and Other Repossessed Assets
OREO and other repossessed assets consist of properties, vehicles, and other assets acquired by, or in lieu of, foreclosure or repossession in partial or total satisfaction of NPLs, including RICs and leases. Assets obtained in satisfaction of a loan are recorded at the estimated fair value minus estimated costs to sell based upon the asset's appraisal value at the date of transfer. The excess of the carrying value of the loan over the fair value of the asset minus estimated costs to sell are charged to the ALLL at the initial measurement date. Subsequent to the acquisition date, OREO and repossessed assets are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, net of estimated cost to sell. Any declines in the fair value of OREO and repossessed assets below the initial cost basis are recorded through a valuation allowance with a charge to non-interest income. Increases in the fair value of OREO and repossessed assets net of estimated selling costs will reverse the valuation allowance, but only up to the cost basis which was established at the initial measurement date. Costs of holding the assets are recorded as operating expenses, except for significant property improvements, which are capitalized to the extent that the carrying value does not exceed the estimated fair value. The Company generally begins vehicle repossession activity once a customer's account becomes 60 days past due. The customer has an opportunity to redeem the repossessed vehicle by paying all outstanding balances, including finance changes and fees. Any vehicles not redeemed are sold at auction. OREO and other repossessed assets are recorded within Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Company uses derivative financial instruments primarily to help manage exposure to interest rate, foreign exchange, equity, and credit risk. Derivative financial instruments are also used to reduce the effects that changes in interest rates may have on net income, the fair value of assets and liabilities, and cash flows. The Company also enters into derivatives with customers to facilitate their risk management activities, and often sells derivative products to commercial loan customers to hedge interest rate risk associated with loans made by the Company. The Company uses derivative financial instruments as risk management tools and not for speculative trading purposes for its own account. Derivative financial instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of each derivative financial instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as a hedge for accounting purposes, as well as the type of hedging relationship identified.
Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk such as interest rate risk are considered fair value hedges. Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to variability in expected future cash flows or other types of forecasted transactions are considered cash flow hedges. The Company formally documents the relationships of qualifying hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking each hedge transaction.
Fair value hedges that are highly effective are accounted for by recording the change in the fair value of the derivative instrument and the related hedged asset, liability or firm commitment on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the corresponding income or expense recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The adjustment to the hedged asset or liability is included in the basis of the hedged item, while the fair value of the derivative is recorded as an other asset or other liability. Actual cash receipts or payments and related amounts accrued during the period on derivatives included in a fair value hedge relationship are recorded as adjustments to the income or expense associated with the hedged asset or liability.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Cash flow hedges that are highly effective are accounted for by recording the fair value of the derivative instrument on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as an asset or liability, with a corresponding charge or credit for the change in the fair value of the derivative, net of tax, recorded in AOCI within stockholder's equity in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amounts are reclassified from AOCI to the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period or periods the hedged transaction affects earnings. In the case in which certain cash flow hedging relationships have been terminated, the Company continues to defer the net gain or loss in AOCI and reclassifies it into interest expense as the future cash flows occur, unless it becomes probable that the future cash flows will not occur.
We discontinue hedge accounting when it is determined that the derivative no longer qualifies as an effective hedge; the derivative expires or is sold, terminated or exercised; the derivative is de-designated as a fair value or cash flow hedge; or, for a cash flow hedge, it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur by the end of the originally specified time period. If we determine that the derivative no longer qualifies as a fair value or cash flow hedge and hedge accounting is discontinued, the derivative will continue to be recorded on the balance sheet at its fair value, with changes in fair value included in current earnings. For a discontinued fair value hedge, the previously hedged item is no longer adjusted for changes in fair value.
Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are recognized immediately in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Derivatives are classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as "Other assets" or "Other liabilities," as applicable. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred taxes are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates that will apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse or be realized. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date.
A valuation allowance will be established if the Company determines that it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. This requires periodic analysis of the carrying amount of deferred tax assets and when the deferred tax assets will be realized in future periods. Consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of deferred tax assets.
In establishing a provision for income tax expense, the Company must make judgments and interpretations about the application of inherently complex tax laws of the U.S., its states and municipalities, and abroad. Actual income taxes paid may vary from estimates depending upon changes in income tax laws, actual results of operations, and the final audit of tax returns by taxing authorities. Tax assessments may arise several years after tax returns have been filed. The Company reviews its tax balances quarterly and as new information becomes available. Interest and penalties on income tax payments are included within Income tax provision on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Company recognizes tax benefits in its financial statements when it is more likely than not the related tax position will be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. Such tax positions are initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the taxing authority, assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details on the Company's income taxes.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company, through Santander, sponsors stock plans under which incentive and non-qualified stock options and non-vested stock may be granted periodically to certain employees. The Company recognizes compensation expense related to stock options and non-vested stock awards based upon the fair value of the awards on the date of the grant, which is charged to earnings over the requisite service period (i.e., the vesting period). The impact of the forfeiture of awards is recognized as forfeitures occur. Amounts in the Consolidated Statements of Operations associated with the Company's stock compensation plan were negligible in all years presented.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Guarantees
Certain off-balance sheet financial instruments of the Company meet the definition of a guarantee that require the Company to perform and make future payments in the event specified triggering events or conditions were to occur over the term of the guarantee. In accordance with the applicable accounting rules, it is the Company’s accounting policy to recognize a liability at inception associated with such a guarantee at the greater of the fair value of the guarantee or the Company's estimate of the contingent liability arising from the guarantee. Subsequent to initial recognition, the liability is adjusted based on the passage of time to perform under the guarantee and the changes to the probabilities of occurrence related to the specified triggering events or conditions that would require the Company to perform on the guarantee.
Business Combinations
The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting, and records the identifiable assets, liabilities and any NCI of the acquired business at their acquisition date fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Any changes in the estimated acquisition date fair values of the net assets recorded prior to the finalization of a more detailed analysis, but not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition, will change the amount of the purchase price allocable to goodwill. Any subsequent changes to any purchase price allocations that are material to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements will be adjusted retrospectively. All acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred.
The results of operations of the acquired companies are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations from the date of acquisition. The application of business combination principles, including the determination of the fair value of the net assets acquired, requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Revenue Recognition
The Company primarily earns interest and non-interest income from various sources, including:
•Lending (interest income and loan fees)
•Investment securities
•Loan sales and servicing
•Finance leases
•BOLI
•Depository services
•Commissions and trailer fees
•Interchange income, net.
•Underwriting service Fees
•Asset and wealth management fees
Lending and Investment Securities
The principal source of revenue is interest income from loans and investment securities. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis primarily according to non-discretionary formulas in written contracts, such as loan agreements or securities contracts. Revenue earned on interest-earning assets, including amortization of deferred loan fees and origination costs and the accretion of discounts recognized on acquired or purchased loans, is recognized based on the constant effective yield of such interest-earning assets.
Gains or losses on sales of investment securities are recognized on the trade date.
Loan Sales and Servicing
The Company recognizes revenue from servicing commercial mortgages and consumer loans as earned. Mortgage banking income, net includes fees associated with servicing loans for third parties based on the specific contractual terms and changes in the fair value of MSRs. Gains or losses on sales of residential mortgage, multifamily and home equity loans are included within mortgage banking revenues and are recognized when the sale is complete.
Finance Leases
Income from finance leases is recognized as part of interest income over the term of the lease using the constant effective yield method, while income arising from operating leases is recognized as part of other non-interest income over the term of the lease on a straight-line basis.
BOLI
Income from BOLI represents increases in the cash surrender value of the policies, as well as insurance proceeds and interest.
Depository services
Depository services are performed under an agreement with a customer, and those services include personal deposit account opening and maintenance, checking services, online banking services, debit card services, etc. Depository service fees related to customer deposits can generally be distinguished between monthly service fees and transactional fees within the single performance obligation of providing depository account services. Monthly account service and maintenance fees are provided over a period of time (usually a month), and revenue is recognized as the Company performs the service (usually at the end of the month). The services for transactional fees are performed at a point in time and revenue is recognized when the transaction occurs.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Commissions and trailer fees
Commission fees are earned from the selling of annuity contracts to customers on behalf of insurance companies, acting as the broker for certain equity trading, and sales of interests in mutual funds. The Company elected the expected value method for estimating commission fees due to the large number of customer contracts with similar characteristics. However, commissions and trailer fees are fully constrained as the Company cannot sufficiently estimate the consideration which it could be entitled to earn. Commissions are generally associated with point-in-time transactions or agreements that are one year or less. The performance obligation is satisfied immediately and revenue is recognized as the Company performs the service.
Interchange income, net
The Company has entered into agreements with payment networks under which the Company will issue the payment network's credit card as part of the Company's credit card portfolio. Each time a cardholder makes a purchase at a merchant and the transaction is processed, the Company receives an interchange fee in exchange for the authorization and settlement services provided to the payment networks.
The performance obligation for the Company is to provide authorization and settlement services to the payment network when the payment network submits a transaction for authorization. The Company considers the payment network to be the customer, and the Company is acting as a principal when performing the transaction authorization and settlement services. The performance obligation for authorization and settlement services is satisfied at a point in time, and revenue is recognized on the date when the Company authorizes and routes the payment to the merchant. The expenses paid to payment networks are accounted for as consideration payable to the customer and therefore reduce the transaction price. Therefore, interchange income is recorded net against the expenses paid to the payment network and the cost of rewards programs.
The agreements also contain immaterial fixed consideration related to upfront sign-on bonuses and program development bonuses, which are amortized over the remainder of the agreements' life on a straight-line basis.
Underwriting service fees
SIS, as a registered broker-dealer, performs underwriting services by raising investment capital from investors on behalf of corporations that are issuing securities. Underwriting services have one performance obligation, which is satisfied on the day SIS purchases the securities.
Underwriting services include multiple parties in delivering the performance obligation. The Company has evaluated whether it is the principal or agent when we provide underwriting services. The Company acts as the principal when performing underwriting services, and recognizes fees on a gross basis. Revenue is recorded as the difference between the price the Company pays the issuer of the securities and the public offering price, and expenses are recorded as the proportionate share of the underwriting costs incurred by SIS. The Company is the principal because we obtain control of the services provided by third-party vendors and combine them with other services as part of delivering on the underwriting service.
Asset and wealth management fees
Asset and wealth management fees includes fee income generated from discretionary investment management and non-discretionary investment advisory contracts with customers. Discretionary investment management fees are earned for the management of the assets in the customer's account and are recognized as earned and charged to the customer on a quarterly basis. Non-discretionary investment advisory fees are earned for providing investment advisory services to customers, such as recommending the re-balancing or restructuring of the assets in the customer’s account. The investment advisory fee is recognized as earned and charged to the customer on a quarterly basis. The fee for the discretionary and nondiscretionary contracts is based on a percentage of the average assets included in the customer’s account.
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Fair Value Measurements
The Company uses fair value measurements to estimate the fair value of certain assets and liabilities for both measurement and disclosure purposes. The Company values assets and liabilities based on the principal market in which each would be sold (in the case of assets) or transferred (in the case of liabilities). The principal market is the forum with the greatest volume and level of activity. In the absence of a principal market, valuation is based on the most advantageous market. In the absence of observable market transactions, the Company considers liquidity valuation adjustments to reflect the uncertainty in pricing the instruments. The fair value of a financial asset is measured on a stand-alone basis and cannot be measured as a group, with the exception of certain financial instruments held and managed on a net portfolio basis. In measuring the fair value of a nonfinancial asset, the Company assumes the highest and best use of the asset by a market participant, not just the intended use, to maximize the value of the asset. The Company also considers whether any credit valuation adjustments are necessary based on the counterparty's credit quality.
When measuring the fair value of a liability, the Company assumes that the transfer will not affect the nonperformance risk associated with the liability. The Company considers the effect of the credit risk on the fair value for any period in which fair value is measured.
There are three valuation approaches for measuring fair value: the market approach, the income approach and the cost approach. Selecting the appropriate technique for valuing a particular asset or liability should consider the exit market for the asset or liability, the nature of the asset or liability being measured, and how a market participant would value the same asset or liability. Ultimately, selecting the appropriate valuation method requires significant judgment.
The fair value hierarchy categorizes the underlying assumptions and inputs to valuation techniques that are used to measure fair value into three levels. The three fair value hierarchy classification levels are defined as follows:
•Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that can be accessed as of the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
•Level 2 inputs are those other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
•Level 3 inputs are those that are unobservable or not readily observable for the asset or liability and are used to measure fair value to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available.
The fair value hierarchy is used for disclosure purposes, with assets and liabilities classified into one of the three levels defined above, based upon the level of the most significant assumptions used in the valuation.
Valuation inputs refer to the assumptions market participants would use in pricing a given asset or liability. Inputs can be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are assumptions based on market data obtained from an independent source. Unobservable inputs are assumptions based on the Company's own information or assessment of assumptions used by other market participants in pricing the asset or liability. The unobservable inputs are based on the best and most current information available on the measurement date. The Company uses valuation techniques that maximize the use of relevant observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in its fair value measurements.
Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated events from the date of these Consolidated Financial Statements on December 31, 2020 through the issuance of these Consolidated Financial Statements, and has determined that there have been no material events that would require recognition in its Consolidated Financial Statements or disclosure in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 except as noted in Notes 3 and 19.
NOTE 2. INVESTMENT SECURITIES
Summary of Investments in Debt Securities - AFS and HTM
The following table presents the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and approximate fair values of investments in debt securities AFS at the dates indicated:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
(in thousands) Amortized
Cost Gross
Unrealized
Gains Gross
Unrealized
Loss Fair
Value Amortized
Cost Gross
Unrealized
Gains Gross
Unrealized
Loss Fair
Value
U.S. Treasury securities $ 168,074 $ 2,578 $ - $ 170,652 $ 4,086,733 $ 4,497 $ (292) $ 4,090,938
Corporate debt securities 155,610 114 (9) 155,715 139,696 39 (22) 139,713
ABS 109,888 686 (1,236) 109,338 138,839 1,034 (1,473) 138,400
State and municipal securities 1 - - 1 9 - - 9
MBS:
GNMA - Residential 3,467,611 69,864 (1,350) 3,536,125 4,868,512 12,895 (16,066) 4,865,341
GNMA - Commercial 1,706,648 26,949 (235) 1,733,362 773,889 6,954 (1,785) 779,058
FHLMC and FNMA - Residential 5,464,821 77,813 (4,351) 5,538,283 4,270,426 14,296 (30,325) 4,254,397
FHLMC and FNMA - Commercial 63,732 6,283 (2) 70,013 69,242 2,665 (5) 71,902
Total investments in debt securities AFS $ 11,136,385 $ 184,287 $ (7,183) $ 11,313,489 $ 14,347,346 $ 42,380 $ (49,968) $ 14,339,758
The following table presents the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and approximate fair values of investments in debt securities HTM at the dates indicated:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
(in thousands) Amortized
Cost Gross
Unrealized
Gains Gross
Unrealized
Loss Fair
Value Amortized
Cost Gross
Unrealized
Gains Gross
Unrealized
Loss Fair
Value
ABS $ 44,841 $ 765 $ - $ 45,606 $ - $ - $ - $ -
MBS:
GNMA - Residential 1,966,247 51,417 (1,819) 2,015,845 1,948,025 11,354 (7,670) 1,951,709
GNMA - Commercial 3,493,597 124,429 (1,548) 3,616,478 1,990,772 20,115 (5,369) 2,005,518
Total investments in debt securities HTM $ 5,504,685 $ 176,611 $ (3,367) $ 5,677,929 $ 3,938,797 $ 31,469 $ (13,039) $ 3,957,227
As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had investment securities with an estimated carrying value of $3.5 billion and $7.5 billion, respectively, pledged as collateral, which were comprised of the following: $754.1 million and $2.7 billion, respectively, were pledged as collateral for the Company's borrowing capacity with the FRB; $2.2 billion and $3.5 billion, respectively, were pledged to secure public fund deposits; $103.4 million and $148.5 million, respectively, were pledged to various independent parties to secure repurchase agreements, support hedging relationships, and for recourse on loan sales; zero and $699.1 million, respectively, were pledged to deposits with clearing organizations; and $388.0 million and $461.9 million, respectively, were pledged to secure the Company's customer overnight sweep product.
At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had $34.6 million and $46.0 million, respectively, of accrued interest related to investment securities which is included in the Other assets line of the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. No accrued interest related to investment securities was written off during the periods ended December 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019.
There were no transfers of securities between AFS and HTM during the years ended December 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019.
NOTE 2. INVESTMENT SECURITIES (continued)
Contractual Maturity of Investments in Debt Securities
Contractual maturities of the Company’s investments in debt securities AFS at December 31, 2020 were as follows:
(in thousands) Due Within One Year Due After 1 Within 5 Years Due After 5 Within 10 Years Due After 10 Years/No Maturity Total(1)
Weighted Average Yield(2)
U.S Treasuries $ 97,028 $ 73,624 $ - $ - $ 170,652 1.21 %
Corporate debt securities 155,702 - 13 - 155,715 1.24 %
ABS 50,393 9,913 - 49,032 109,338 1.71 %
State and municipal securities 1 - - - 1 14.39 %
MBS:
GNMA - Residential - 29 26,827 3,509,269 3,536,125 1.21 %
GNMA - Commercial - - - 1,733,362 1,733,362 1.99 %
FHLMC and FNMA - Residential 7 31,527 264,395 5,242,354 5,538,283 1.29 %
FHLMC and FNMA - Commercial - 10,167 42,754 17,092 70,013 2.87 %
Total fair value $ 303,131 $ 125,260 $ 333,989 $ 10,551,109 $ 11,313,489 1.38 %
Weighted Average Yield 1.12 % 2.15 % 1.95 % 1.36 % 1.38 %
Total amortized cost $ 302,306 $ 121,075 $ 318,886 $ 10,394,118 $ 11,136,385
Contractual maturities of the Company’s investments in debt securities HTM at December 31, 2020 were as follows:
(in thousands) Due Within One Year Due After 1 Within 5 Years Due After 5 Within 10 Years Due After 10 Years/No Maturity Total(1)
Weighted Average Yield(2)
ABS $ 174 $ 32,020 $ 13,412 $ - $ 45,606 1.00 %
MBS:
GNMA - Residential - - - 2,015,845 2,015,845 1.37 %
GNMA - Commercial - - - 3,616,478 3,616,478 2.18 %
Total fair value $ 174 $ 32,020 $ 13,412 $ 5,632,323 $ 5,677,929 1.88 %
Weighted average yield 0.01 % 0.18 % 2.98 % 1.89 % 1.88 %
Total amortized cost $ 174 $ 31,880 $ 12,787 $ 5,459,844 $ 5,504,685
Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities when there is a right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
Gross Unrealized Loss and Fair Value of Investments in Debt Securities AFS and HTM
The following table presents the aggregate amount of unrealized losses as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 on debt securities in the Company’s AFS investment portfolios classified according to the amount of time those securities have been in a continuous loss position:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Less than 12 months 12 months or longer Less than 12 months 12 months or longer
(in thousands) Fair Value Unrealized
Losses Fair Value Unrealized
Losses Fair Value Unrealized
Losses Fair Value Unrealized
Losses
U.S. Treasury securities $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 200,096 $ (167) $ 499,883 $ (125)
Corporate debt securities 98,800 (9) - - 110,802 (22) - -
ABS - - 49,033 (1,236) 27,662 (44) 47,616 (1,429)
MBS:
GNMA - Residential 347,821 (1,334) 8,875 (16) 2,053,763 (6,895) 997,024 (9,171)
GNMA - Commercial 103,891 (235) - - 217,291 (1,756) 14,300 (29)
FHLMC and FNMA - Residential 1,040,474 (4,165) 22,749 (186) 660,078 (4,110) 1,344,057 (26,215)
FHLMC and FNMA - Commercial - - 420 (2) - - 430 (5)
Total investments in debt securities AFS $ 1,590,986 $ (5,743) $ 81,077 $ (1,440) $ 3,269,692 $ (12,994) $ 2,903,310 $ (36,974)
NOTE 2. INVESTMENT SECURITIES (continued)
The following table presents the aggregate amount of unrealized losses as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 on debt securities in the Company’s HTM investment portfolios classified according to the amount of time those securities have been in a continuous loss position:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Less than 12 months 12 months or longer Less than 12 months 12 months or longer
(in thousands) Fair Value Unrealized
Losses Fair Value Unrealized
Losses Fair Value Unrealized
Losses Fair Value Unrealized
Losses
MBS:
GNMA - Residential $ 212,471 $ (1,819) $ - $ - $ 559,058 $ (2,004) $ 657,733 $ (5,666)
GNMA - Commercial 155,263 (1,548) - - 731,445 (5,369) - -
Total investments in debt securities HTM $ 367,734 $ (3,367) $ - $ - $ 1,290,503 $ (7,373) $ 657,733 $ (5,666)
Allowance for credit-related losses on AFS securities
The Company did not record an allowance for credit-related losses on AFS and HTM securities at December 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019. As discussed in Note 1, securities for which management has an expectation that nonpayment of the amortized cost basis is zero do not have a reserve.
For securities that do not qualify for the zero credit loss expectation exception, management has concluded that the unrealized losses are not credit-related since (1) they are not related to the underlying credit quality of the issuers, (2) the entire contractual principal and interest due on these securities is currently expected to be recoverable, (3) the Company does not intend to sell these investments at a loss and (4) it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the investments before recovery of the amortized cost basis, which for the Company's debt securities may be at maturity.
Gains (Losses) and Proceeds on Sales of Investments in Debt Securities
Proceeds from sales of investments in debt securities and the realized gross gains and losses from those sales were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands) 2020 2019 2018
Proceeds from the sales of AFS securities $ 2,665,593 $ 1,423,579 $ 1,262,409
Gross realized gains $ 32,915 $ 9,496 $ 5,517
Gross realized losses (1,618) (3,680) (12,234)
Net realized gains/(losses) (1)
$ 31,297 $ 5,816 $ (6,717)
(1) Includes net realized gain/(losses) on trading securities of $(1.4) million, $(0.8) million and $(1.4) million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 respectively.
The Company uses the specific identification method to determine the cost of the securities sold and the gain or loss recognized.
Other Investments
Other investments consisted of the following as of:
(in thousands) December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
FHLB of Pittsburgh and FRB stock $ 435,330 $ 716,615
LIHTC investments 313,603 265,271
Equity securities not held for trading (1)
14,494 12,697
Interest-bearing deposits with an affiliate bank 750,000 -
Trading securities 40,435 1,097
Total $ 1,553,862 $ 995,680
(1) Includes $1.4 million and zero of equity certificates related to an off-balance sheet securitization as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
NOTE 2. INVESTMENT SECURITIES (continued)
Other investments primarily include the Company's investment in the stock of the FHLB of Pittsburgh and the FRB. These stocks do not have readily determinable fair values because their ownership is restricted and there is no market for their sale. The stocks can be sold back only at their par value of $100 per share, and FHLB stock can be sold back only to the FHLB or to another member institution. Accordingly, these stocks are carried at cost. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company purchased $150.4 million of FHLB stock at par, and redeemed $389.8 million of FHLB stock at par. The Company redeemed $38.8 million of FRB stock at par during the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company did not purchase any FRB stock during the year ended December 31, 2020. There was no gain or loss associated with these redemptions.
The Company's LIHTC investments are accounted for using the proportional amortization method. Equity securities are measured at fair value as of December 31, 2020, with changes in fair value recognized in net income, and consist primarily of CRA mutual fund investments.
Interest-bearing deposits include deposits maturing in more than 90 days with Santander.
With the exception of equity and trading securities, which are measured at fair value, the Company evaluates these other investments for impairment based on the ultimate recoverability of the carrying value, rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value. The Company held an immaterial amount of equity securities without readily determinable fair values at the reporting date.
NOTE 3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
Overall
The Company's LHFI are generally reported at their outstanding principal balances net of any cumulative charge-offs, unamortized deferred fees and costs and unamortized premiums or discounts. Certain LHFI are accounted for at fair value under the FVO. Certain loans are pledged as collateral for borrowings, securitizations, or SPEs. These loans totaled $52.0 billion at December 31, 2020 and $53.9 billion at December 31, 2019.
Loans that the Company intends to sell are classified as LHFS. The LHFS portfolio balance at December 31, 2020 was $2.2 billion, compared to $1.4 billion at December 31, 2019. During the third quarter of 2020, the Company returned $1.6 billion of RICs classified as LHFS to LHFI. During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company transferred the entire commercial and consumer portfolio of SFS loans with a fair value of approximately $168 million, to held for sale. For a discussion on the valuation of LHFS at fair value, see Note 14 to these Consolidated Financial Statements. Loans under SC’s personal lending platform have been classified as LHFS and adjustments to lower of cost or market are recorded through Miscellaneous income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2020, the carrying value of the personal unsecured held for sale portfolio was $893.5 million. LHFS in the residential mortgage portfolio that were originated with the intent to sell were $265.4 million as of December 31, 2020 and are reported at either estimated fair value (if the FVO is elected) or the lower of cost or fair value.
Interest on loans is credited to income as it is earned. Loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and recognized as adjustments to interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations over the contractual life of the loan utilizing the interest method. Loan origination costs and fees and premiums and discounts on RICs are deferred and recognized in interest income over their estimated lives using estimated prepayment speeds, which are updated on a monthly basis. At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, accrued interest receivable on the Company's loans was $589.2 million and $497.7 million, respectively.
Subsequent to December 31, 2020, the Company approved and executed purchases of personal unsecured loans with a UPB of $100.1 million.
NOTE 3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)
Loan and Lease Portfolio Composition
The following presents the composition of gross loans and leases HFI by portfolio and by rate type:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
(dollars in thousands) Amount Percent Amount Percent
Commercial LHFI:
CRE loans $ 7,327,853 8.0 % $ 8,468,023 9.1 %
C&I loans 16,537,899 17.9 % 16,534,694 17.8 %
Multifamily loans 8,367,147 9.1 % 8,641,204 9.3 %
Other commercial(2)
7,455,504 8.1 % 7,390,795 8.2 %
Total commercial LHFI 39,688,403 43.1 % 41,034,716 44.4 %
Consumer loans secured by real estate:
Residential mortgages 6,590,168 7.2 % 8,835,702 9.5 %
Home equity loans and lines of credit 4,108,505 4.5 % 4,770,344 5.1 %
Total consumer loans secured by real estate 10,698,673 11.7 % 13,606,046 14.6 %
Consumer loans not secured by real estate:
RICs and auto loans 40,698,642 44.1 % 36,456,747 39.3 %
Personal unsecured loans 824,430 0.9 % 1,291,547 1.4 %
Other consumer(3)
223,034 0.2 % 316,384 0.3 %
Total consumer loans 52,444,779 56.9 % 51,670,724 55.6 %
Total LHFI(1)
$ 92,133,182 100.0 % $ 92,705,440 100.0 %
Total LHFI:
Fixed rate $ 64,036,154 69.5 % $ 61,775,942 66.6 %
Variable rate 28,097,028 30.5 % 30,929,498 33.4 %
Total LHFI(1)
$ 92,133,182 100.0 % $ 92,705,440 100.0 %
(1)Total LHFI includes deferred loan fees, net of deferred origination costs and unamortized purchase premiums, net of discounts as well as purchase accounting adjustments. These items resulted in a net increase in the loan balances of $3.1 billion and $3.2 billion as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
(2)Other commercial includes CEVF leveraged leases and loans.
(3)Other consumer primarily includes RV and marine loans.
Portfolio segments and classes
GAAP requires that entities disclose information about the credit quality of their financing receivables at disaggregated levels, specifically defined as “portfolio segments” and “classes,” based on management’s systematic methodology for determining the ACL. The Company utilizes similar categorization compared to the financial statement categorization of loans to model and calculate the ACL and track the credit quality, delinquency and impairment status of the underlying loan populations. In disaggregating its financing receivables portfolio, the Company’s methodology begins with the commercial and consumer segments.
The commercial segmentation reflects line of business distinctions. The CRE line of business includes C&I owner-occupied real estate and specialized lending for investment real estate. C&I includes non-real estate-related commercial loans. "Multifamily" represents loans for multifamily residential housing units. “Other commercial” includes loans to global customer relationships in Latin America which are not defined as commercial or consumer for regulatory purposes. The remainder of the portfolio primarily represents the CEVF portfolio.
The Company's portfolio classes are substantially the same as its financial statement categorization of loans for consumer loan populations. “Residential mortgages” includes mortgages on residential property, including single family and 1-4 family units. "Home equity loans and lines of credit" include all organic home equity contracts and purchased home equity portfolios. "RICs and auto loans" includes the Company's direct automobile loan portfolios, but excludes RV and marine RICs. "Personal unsecured loans" includes personal revolving loans and credit cards. “Other consumer” includes an acquired portfolio of marine RICs and RV contracts as well as indirect auto loans.
During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, SC originated $14.2 billion and $12.8 billion, respectively, in Chrysler Capital loans (including through the SBNA originations program), which represented 60% and 56%, respectively, of the UPB of SC's total RIC originations (including the SBNA originations program).
NOTE 3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)
ACL Rollforward by Portfolio Segment
The ACL is comprised of the ALLL and the reserve for unfunded lending commitments. The activity in the ACL by portfolio segment for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
Year Ended December 31, 2020
(in thousands) Commercial Consumer Unallocated Total
ALLL, beginning of period $ 399,829 $ 3,199,612 $ 46,748 $ 3,646,189
Day 1: Adjustment to allowance for adoption of ASU 2016-13 198,919 2,383,711 (46,748) 2,535,882
Credit loss expense on loans 298,780 2,525,185 - 2,823,965
Charge-offs (180,726) (3,589,539) - (3,770,265)
Recoveries 35,394 2,067,328 - 2,102,722
Charge-offs, net of recoveries (145,332) (1,522,211) - (1,667,543)
ALLL, end of period $ 752,196 $ 6,586,297 $ - $ 7,338,493
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments, beginning of period $ 85,934 $ 5,892 $ - $ 91,826
Day 1: Adjustment to allowance for adoption of ASU 2016-13 10,081 330 - 10,411
Credit loss expense on unfunded lending commitments 23,114 21,104 - 44,218
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments, end of period 119,129 27,326 - 146,455
Total ACL, end of period $ 871,325 $ 6,613,623 $ - $ 7,484,948
Year Ended December 31, 2019
(in thousands) Commercial Consumer Unallocated Total
ALLL, beginning of period $ 441,083 $ 3,409,024 $ 47,023 $ 3,897,130
Credit loss expense on loans 89,962 2,200,870 - 2,290,832
Charge-offs (185,035) (5,364,673) (275) (5,549,983)
Recoveries 53,819 2,954,391 - 3,008,210
Charge-offs, net of recoveries (131,216) (2,410,282) (275) (2,541,773)
ALLL, end of period $ 399,829 $ 3,199,612 $ 46,748 $ 3,646,189
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments, beginning of period $ 89,472 $ 6,028 $ - $ 95,500
Release of unfunded lending commitments 1,321 (136) - 1,185
Loss on unfunded lending commitments (4,859) - - (4,859)
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments, end of period 85,934 5,892 - 91,826
Total ACL, end of period $ 485,763 $ 3,205,504 $ 46,748 $ 3,738,015
Year Ended December 31, 2018
(in thousands) Commercial Consumer Unallocated Total
ALLL, beginning of period $ 443,796 $ 3,504,068 $ 47,023 $ 3,994,887
Credit loss expense on loans 45,897 2,306,896 - 2,352,793
Charge-offs (108,750) (4,974,547) - (5,083,297)
Recoveries 60,140 2,572,607 - 2,632,747
Charge-offs, net of recoveries (48,610) (2,401,940) - (2,450,550)
ALLL, end of period $ 441,083 $ 3,409,024 $ 47,023 $ 3,897,130
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments, beginning of period $ 103,835 $ 5,276 $ - $ 109,111
Release of unfunded lending commitments (13,647) 752 - (12,895)
Loss on unfunded lending commitments (716) - - (716)
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments, end of period 89,472 6,028 - 95,500
Total ACL end of period $ 530,555 $ 3,415,052 $ 47,023 $ 3,992,630
The credit risk in the Company’s loan portfolios is driven by credit and collateral quality, and is affected by borrower-specific and economy-wide factors. In general, there is an inverse relationship between the credit quality of loans and projections of impairment losses so that loans with better credit quality require a lower expected loss. The Company manages this risk through its underwriting, pricing strategies, credit policy standards, and servicing guidelines and practices, as well as the application of geographic and other concentration limits.
NOTE 3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)
The Company estimates current expected credit losses based on prospective information as well as account-level models based on historical data. Unemployment, HPI, GDP, CRE price index and used vehicle index growth rates, along with loan level characteristics, are the key inputs used in the models for prediction of the likelihood that the borrower will default in the forecasted period (the PD). To estimate the loss in the event of a default (the LGD), the models use unemployment, HPI, commercial real estate and used vehicle indices, along with loan level characteristics as key inputs. The historic volume of loan deferrals provided to customers impacted by COVID-19 has driven positive trends in delinquencies and severity in previous quarters, however, the inclusion of key loan characteristics as inputs to the models (including number of extensions) and management’s evaluation of qualitative factors ensure the allowance is appropriate.
The Company has determined the reasonable and supportable period to be three years, at which time the economic forecasts generally tend to revert to historical averages. The Company utilizes qualitative factors to capture any additional risks that may not be captured in either the economic forecasts or in the historical data, including consideration of the portfolio metrics and collateral value.
The Company generally uses a third-party vendor's consensus baseline macroeconomic scenario for the quantitative estimate and additional positive and negative macroeconomic scenarios to make qualitative adjustments for macroeconomic uncertainty and considers adjustments to macroeconomic inputs and outputs based on market volatility.
The baseline scenario was based on the latest consensus forecasts available, which show an improvement in key variables in the second half of 2020, including a decrease in unemployment rates (which are a key driver to losses). The scenarios used are periodically updated over a reasonable and supportable time horizon, with weightings assigned by management and approved through established committee governance.
The Company's allowance for loan losses increased $3.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020. The primary drivers were a $2.5 billion increase at CECL adoption on January 1, 2020, driven mainly by the transition from an incurred loss reserve model to CECL, which includes an estimate of credit losses expected over the remaining estimated loan term and additional reserves specific to COVID-19 risk.
Non-accrual loans by Class of Financing Receivable
The amortized cost basis of financial instruments that are either non-accrual with related expected credit loss or nonaccrual without related expected credit loss disaggregated by class of financing receivables and other non-performing assets is as follows:
Non-accrual loans as of (1):
Non-accrual loans with no allowance Interest Income recognized on nonaccrual loans
(in thousands) December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2020 December 31, 2020
Non-accrual loans:
Commercial:
CRE $ 106,751 $ 83,117 $ 84,816 $ -
C&I 107,053 153,428 60,029 779
Multifamily 72,392 5,112 65,936 -
Other commercial 20,019 31,987 3,778 -
Total commercial loans 306,215 273,644 214,559 779
Consumer:
Residential mortgages 160,172 134,957 98,308 -
Home equity loans and lines of credit 91,606 107,289 32,130 -
RICs and auto loans 1,174,317 1,643,459 191,370 107,766
Personal unsecured loans - 2,212 - -
Other consumer 6,325 11,491 34 -
Total consumer loans 1,432,420 1,899,408 321,842 107,766
Total non-accrual loans 1,738,635 2,173,052 536,401 108,545
OREO 29,799 66,828 - -
Repossessed vehicles 204,653 212,966 - -
Foreclosed and other repossessed assets 3,247 4,218 - -
Total OREO and other repossessed assets 237,699 284,012 - -
Total non-performing assets $ 1,976,334 $ 2,457,064 $ 536,401 $ 108,545
(1) The December 31, 2019 table includes balances based on recorded investment. Differences between amortized cost and UPB were not material
NOTE 3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)
Age Analysis of Past Due Loans
The Company generally considers an account delinquent when an obligor fails to pay substantially all (defined as 90%) of the scheduled payment by the due date. When an account is deferred, the loan is returned to accrual status during the deferral period and accrued interest related to the loan is evaluated for collectability.
The age of amortized cost in past due loans and accruing loans 90 days or greater past due disaggregated by class of financing receivables is summarized as follows:
As of:
December 31, 2020
(in thousands) 30-89
Days Past
Due 90
Days or Greater Total
Past Due Current Total
Financing
Receivables Amortized Cost
> 90 Days and
Accruing
Commercial:
CRE(7)
$ 41,320 $ 70,304 $ 111,624 $ 7,244,247 $ 7,355,871 $ -
C&I(1)
59,759 45,883 105,642 16,654,606 16,760,248 -
Multifamily(5)
47,116 66,664 113,780 8,257,122 8,370,902 -
Other commercial(6)
80,993 9,214 90,207 7,365,629 7,455,836 56
Consumer:
Residential mortgages(2)
209,274 111,698 320,972 6,673,411 6,994,383 -
Home equity loans and lines of credit 31,488 72,197 103,685 4,004,820 4,108,505 -
RICs and auto loans(4)
2,944,376 284,985 3,229,361 38,143,329 41,372,690 -
Personal unsecured loans(3)
56,041 56,582 112,623 1,605,286 1,717,909 52,807
Other consumer 5,358 1,688 7,046 215,988 223,034 -
Total $ 3,475,725 $ 719,215 $ 4,194,940 $ 90,164,438 $ 94,359,378 $ 52,863
(1) C&I loans includes $222.3 million of LHFS at December 31, 2020.
(2) Residential mortgages includes $404.2 million of LHFS at December 31, 2020.
(3) Personal unsecured loans includes $893.5 million of LHFS at December 31, 2020.
(4) RICs and auto loans includes $674.0 million of LHFS at December 31, 2020.
(5) Multifamily loans includes $3.8 million of LHFS at December 31, 2020.
(6) Other Commercial loans includes $0.3 million of LHFS at December 31, 2020.
(7) CRE loans include $28.0 million of LHFS at December 31, 2020.
As of
December 31, 2019
(in thousands) 30-89
Days Past
Due 90
Days or Greater Total
Past Due Current Total
Financing
Receivables Recorded
Investment
> 90 Days and Accruing
Commercial:
CRE $ 51,472 $ 65,290 $ 116,762 $ 8,351,261 $ 8,468,023 $ -
C&I (1)
55,957 84,640 140,597 16,510,391 16,650,988 -
Multifamily 10,456 3,704 14,160 8,627,044 8,641,204 -
Other commercial 61,973 6,352 68,325 7,322,469 7,390,794 -
Consumer:
Residential mortgages(2)
154,978 128,578 283,556 8,848,971 9,132,527 -
Home equity loans and lines of credit 45,417 75,972 121,389 4,648,955 4,770,344 -
RICs and auto loans 4,364,110 404,723 4,768,833 31,687,914 36,456,747 -
Personal unsecured loans(3)
85,277 102,572 187,849 2,110,803 2,298,652 93,102
Other consumer 11,375 7,479 18,854 297,530 316,384 -
Total $ 4,841,015 $ 879,310 $ 5,720,325 $ 88,405,338 $ 94,125,663 $ 93,102
(1)C&I loans included $116.3 million of LHFS at December 31, 2019.
(2) Residential mortgages included $296.8 million of LHFS at December 31, 2019.
(3) Personal unsecured loans included $1.0 billion of LHFS at December 31, 2019.
NOTE 3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)
Commercial Lending Asset Quality Indicators
The Company's Risk Department performs a credit analysis and classifies certain loans over an internal threshold based on the commercial lending classifications described below:
PASS. Asset is well-protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or guarantors, if any, or by the fair value less costs to acquire and sell any underlying collateral in a timely manner.
SPECIAL MENTION. Asset has potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention, which, if left uncorrected, may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for an asset at some future date. Special mention assets are not adversely classified.
SUBSTANDARD. Asset is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the collateral pledged, if any. A well-defined weakness or weaknesses exist that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. The loans are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if deficiencies are not corrected.
DOUBTFUL. Exhibits the inherent weaknesses of a substandard credit. Additional characteristics exist that make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable, on the basis of currently known facts, conditions and values. Possibility of loss is extremely high, but because of certain important and reasonable specific pending factors which may work to the advantage and strengthening of the credit, an estimated loss cannot yet be determined.
LOSS. Credit is considered uncollectible and of such little value that it does not warrant consideration as an active asset. There may be some recovery or salvage value, but there is doubt as to whether, how much or when the recovery would occur.
NOTE 3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)
Each commercial loan is evaluated to determine its risk rating at least annually. The indicators represent the rating for loans as of the date presented based on the most recent assessment performed. Amortized cost basis of loans in the commercial portfolio segment by credit quality indicator, class of financing receivable, and year of origination are summarized as follows:
December 31, 2020 Commercial Loan Portfolio (1)
(dollars in thousands) Amortized Cost by Origination Year
Regulatory Rating: 2020(3)
2019 2018 2017 2016 Prior Total
CRE
Pass $ 722,210 $ 1,424,392 $ 1,656,560 $ 816,607 $ 542,979 $ 1,536,812 $ 6,699,560
Special mention 28,876 15,480 81,167 43,368 79,555 83,751 332,197
Substandard 8,259 16,609 29,761 33,833 45,936 189,716 324,114
Doubtful - - - - - - -
N/A - - - - - - -
Total CRE $ 759,345 $ 1,456,481 $ 1,767,488 $ 893,808 $ 668,470 $ 1,810,279 $ 7,355,871
C&I
Pass $ 4,661,409 $ 3,365,828 $ 2,798,209 $ 868,373 $ 585,083 $ 2,305,305 $ 14,584,207
Special mention 11,000 136,413 134,388 49,601 99,042 254,102 684,546
Substandard 60,034 15,309 173,900 59,814 84,642 213,908 607,607
Doubtful 3,153 145 80 1,616 1,282 11,226 17,502
N/A(2)
411,319 294,652 75,091 15,101 15,388 54,835 866,386
Total C&I $ 5,146,915 $ 3,812,347 $ 3,181,668 $ 994,505 $ 785,437 $ 2,839,376 $ 16,760,248
Multifamily
Pass $ 880,199 $ 1,938,271 $ 1,361,178 $ 1,198,819 $ 503,267 $ 1,365,066 $ 7,246,800
Special mention - 39,433 147,872 110,906 31,348 59,072 388,631
Substandard 5,355 104,945 203,437 148,251 49,445 224,038 735,471
Doubtful - - - - - - -
N/A - - - - - - -
Total Multifamily $ 885,554 $ 2,082,649 $ 1,712,487 $ 1,457,976 $ 584,060 $ 1,648,176 $ 8,370,902
Remaining commercial
Pass $ 3,530,625 $ 1,416,704 $ 766,454 $ 443,244 $ 199,297 $ 1,038,584 $ 7,394,908
Special mention 53 11,096 11,271 105 83 8,102 30,710
Substandard 2,115 3,974 4,181 4,246 5,983 9,160 29,659
Doubtful 351 - 99 - 101 8 559
N/A - - - - - - -
Total Remaining commercial $ 3,533,144 $ 1,431,774 $ 782,005 $ 447,595 $ 205,464 $ 1,055,854 $ 7,455,836
Total Commercial loans
Pass $ 9,794,443 $ 8,145,195 $ 6,582,401 $ 3,327,043 $ 1,830,626 $ 6,245,767 $ 35,925,475
Special mention 39,929 202,422 374,698 203,980 210,028 405,027 1,436,084
Substandard 75,763 140,837 411,279 246,144 186,006 636,822 1,696,851
Doubtful 3,504 145 179 1,616 1,383 11,234 18,061
N/A(2)
411,319 294,652 75,091 15,101 15,388 54,835 866,386
Total commercial loans $ 10,324,958 $ 8,783,251 $ 7,443,648 $ 3,793,884 $ 2,243,431 $ 7,353,685 $ 39,942,857
(1)Includes $254.5 million of LHFS at December 31, 2020.
(2)Consists of loans that have not been assigned a regulatory rating.
(3)Loans originated during the year ended December 31, 2020.
NOTE 3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)
December 31, 2019 CRE C&I Multifamily Remaining
commercial Total(1)
At Recorded Investment (in thousands)
Regulatory Rating:
Pass $ 7,513,567 $ 14,816,669 $ 8,356,377 $ 7,072,083 $ 37,758,696
Special Mention 508,133 743,462 260,764 260,051 1,772,410
Substandard 379,199 321,842 24,063 44,919 770,023
Doubtful 24,378 47,010 - 13,741 85,129
N/A(2)
42,746 722,005 - - 764,751
Total commercial loans $ 8,468,023 $ 16,650,988 $ 8,641,204 $ 7,390,794 $ 41,151,009
(1)Includes $116.3 million of LHFS at December 31, 2019.
(2)Consists of loans that have not been assigned a regulatory rating.
Consumer Lending Asset Quality Indicators-Credit Score
Consumer financing receivables for which either an internal or external credit score is a core component of the allowance model are summarized by credit score determined at origination as follows:
As of December 31, 2020
RICs and auto loans
(dollars in thousands) Amortized Cost by Origination Year(3)
Credit Score Range 2020(2)
2019 2018 2017 2016 Prior Total Percent
No FICO(1)
$ 1,326,026 $ 839,412 $ 450,539 $ 484,975 $ 230,382 $ 142,746 $ 3,474,080 8.5 %
<600 6,056,260 4,373,991 2,648,215 1,126,742 685,830 634,480 15,525,518 38.2 %
600-639 2,782,566 1,912,731 1,001,985 335,111 229,690 173,501 6,435,584 15.8 %
>=640 8,427,478 4,832,173 1,382,133 264,635 200,430 156,611 15,263,460 37.5 %
Total $ 18,592,330 $ 11,958,307 $ 5,482,872 $ 2,211,463 $ 1,346,332 $ 1,107,338 $ 40,698,642 100.0 %
(1) Consists primarily of loans for which credit scores are not available or are not considered in the ALLL model.
(2) Loans originated during the year ended December 31, 2020.
(3) Excludes LHFS.
December 31, 2019 RICs and auto loans
Credit Score Range Recorded Investment
(in thousands)
Percent
No FICO(1)
$ 3,178,459 8.7 %
<600 15,013,670 41.2 %
600-639 5,957,970 16.3 %
>=640 12,306,648 33.8 %
Total $ 36,456,747 100.0 %
(1) Consists primarily of loans for which credit scores are not available or are not considered in the ALLL model.
Consumer Lending Asset Quality Indicators-FICO and LTV Ratio
For both residential and home equity loans, loss severity assumptions are incorporated in the loan and lease loss reserve models to estimate loan balances that will ultimately charge off. These assumptions are based on recent loss experience within various current LTV bands within these portfolios. LTVs are refreshed quarterly by applying Federal Housing Finance Agency Home price index changes at a state-by-state level to the last known appraised value of the property to estimate the current LTV. The Company's CECL loss calculation incorporates the refreshed LTV information to update the distribution of defaulted loans by LTV as well as the associated loss given default for each LTV band. Reappraisals on a recurring basis at the individual property level are not considered cost-effective or necessary; however, reappraisals are performed on certain higher risk accounts to support line management activities, default servicing decisions, or when other situations arise for which the Company believes the additional expense is warranted.
FICO scores are refreshed quarterly, where possible. The indicators disclosed represent the credit scores for loans as of the date presented based on the most recent assessment performed.
NOTE 3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)
Residential mortgage and home equity financing receivables by LTV and FICO range are summarized as follows:
As of December 31, 2020
Residential Mortgages(1)(3)
(dollars in thousands) Amortized Cost by Origination Year
FICO Score 2020(4)
2019 2018 2017 2016 Prior Grand Total
N/A(2)
LTV <= 70% $ 750 $ - $ 521 $ 500 $ - $ 3,148 $ 4,919
70.01-80% - - - - - - -
80.01-90% - - - - - - -
90.01-100% - - - - - - -
100.01-110% - - - - - - -
LTV>110% - - - - - - -
LTV - N/A(2)
109,388 2,170 1,200 1,547 1,485 4,410 120,200
<600
LTV <= 70% $ 876 $ 3,988 $ 6,255 $ 13,646 $ 13,775 $ 109,076 $ 147,616
70.01-80% 1,053 5,235 4,603 7,707 3,406 2,832 24,836
80.01-90% 221 8,801 8,442 1,577 - 1,102 20,143
90.01-100% 292 2,792 - - 219 690 3,993
100.01-110% - - - - - 353 353
LTV>110% - - - - - 1,445 1,445
LTV - N/A(2) - - - - - 92 92
600-639
LTV <= 70% $ 3,058 $ 3,923 $ 4,275 $ 11,593 $ 10,710 $ 81,496 $ 115,055
70.01-80% 1,585 4,839 3,901 5,300 2,040 2,935 20,600
80.01-90% 1,233 6,910 5,693 1,870 249 581 16,536
90.01-100% 2,321 2,364 - - - 193 4,878
100.01-110% - - - - - 707 707
LTV>110% - - - - - 333 333
LTV - N/A(2)
- - - - - - -
640-679
LTV <= 70% $ 11,264 $ 21,946 $ 17,039 $ 24,447 $ 26,992 $ 124,559 $ 226,247
70.01-80% 12,585 18,756 8,079 7,117 1,377 2,426 50,340
80.01-90% 2,385 18,975 12,715 1,265 - 1,108 36,448
90.01-100% 7,256 4,501 - - - 573 12,330
100.01-110% - - - - - 240 240
LTV>110% - - - - - 432 432
LTV - N/A(2)
- - - - - - -
680-719
LTV <= 70% $ 34,802 $ 49,625 $ 41,447 $ 56,362 $ 54,836 $ 196,173 $ 433,245
70.01-80% 38,582 37,546 20,202 18,615 5,047 4,556 124,548
80.01-90% 7,616 39,239 22,510 2,195 - 3,025 74,585
90.01-100% 29,050 8,147 - - - 526 37,723
100.01-110% 101 - - - - 475 576
LTV>110% - - - - - 802 802
LTV - N/A(2) - - - - - 73 73
720-759
LTV <= 70% $ 105,769 $ 89,140 $ 88,485 $ 145,301 $ 132,720 $ 285,308 $ 846,723
70.01-80% 81,595 62,488 29,767 25,421 8,163 5,334 212,768
80.01-90% 16,714 57,807 30,850 2,754 355 1,566 110,046
90.01-100% 37,846 12,066 - - - 563 50,475
100.01-110% - - - - - 68 68
LTV>110% - - - - - 206 206
LTV - N/A(2)
- - - - - 227 227
>=760
LTV <= 70% $ 381,713 $ 335,559 $ 224,505 $ 456,792 $ 527,624 $ 1,066,295 $ 2,992,488
70.01-80% 221,896 227,139 71,681 48,411 17,893 8,473 595,493
80.01-90% 42,464 134,309 50,128 7,977 - 3,886 238,764
90.01-100% 37,279 21,057 - - 74 1,419 59,829
100.01-110% - - - 571 - 1,008 1,579
LTV>110% - - - - 92 1,734 1,826
LTV - N/A(2)
- - - - - 381 381
Total - All FICO Bands
LTV <= 70% $ 538,232 $ 504,181 $ 382,527 $ 708,641 $ 766,657 $ 1,866,055 $ 4,766,293
70.01-80% 357,296 356,003 138,233 112,571 37,926 26,556 1,028,585
80.01-90% 70,633 266,041 130,338 17,638 604 11,268 496,522
90.01-100% 114,044 50,927 - - 293 3,964 169,228
100.01-110% 101 - - 571 - 2,851 3,523
LTV>110% - - - - 92 4,952 5,044
LTV - N/A(2)
109,388 2,170 1,200 1,547 1,485 5,183 120,973
Grand Total $ 1,189,694 $ 1,179,322 $ 652,298 $ 840,968 $ 807,057 $ 1,920,829 $ 6,590,168
(1) Excludes LHFS.
(2) Balances in the "N/A" range for LTV or FICO score primarily represent loans serviced by others, in run-off portfolios or for which a current LTV or FICO score is unavailable.
(3) The ALLL model considers LTV for financing receivables in first lien position and CLTV for financing receivables in second lien position for the Company.
(4) Loans originated during the year ended December 31, 2020.
NOTE 3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)
As of December 31, 2020
Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit(2)
(in thousands) Amortized Cost by Origination Year
FICO Score 2020(4)
2019 2018 2017 2016 Prior Total Revolving
N/A(2)
LTV <= 70% $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 77 $ 531 $ 608 $ 608
70.01-90% 8 - - - - - 8 8
90.01-110% - - - - - - - -
LTV>110% - - - - - - - -
LTV - N/A(2)
2,840 4,407 5,504 5,514 4,083 83,060 105,408 53,654
<600
LTV <= 70% $ 727 $ 3,389 $ 7,255 $ 10,780 $ 15,566 $ 121,240 $ 158,957 $ 137,921
70.01-90% 238 1,901 4,029 2,727 1,698 13,383 23,976 21,484
90.01-110% - - - - - 2,389 2,389 2,017
LTV>110% - - - - - 2,391 2,391 2,369
LTV - N/A(2)
- - - 15 - 562 577 555
600-639
LTV <= 70% $ 1,265 $ 2,589 $ 8,921 $ 13,240 $ 11,873 $ 100,148 $ 138,036 $ 128,515
70.01-90% 728 3,149 5,618 2,491 433 8,812 21,231 19,784
90.01-110% - - - - - 1,803 1,803 1,706
LTV>110% - - - - - 3,235 3,235 2,858
LTV - N/A(2)
- - - - - 51 51 29
640-679
LTV <= 70% $ 4,983 $ 15,432 $ 23,718 $ 26,211 $ 19,167 $ 152,823 $ 242,334 $ 231,152
70.01-90% 2,166 8,599 10,455 5,391 1,377 17,425 45,413 44,187
90.01-110% - 53 - - - 6,279 6,332 5,784
LTV>110% 48 - - - - 723 771 533
LTV - N/A(2)
95 - - 100 - 70 265 265
680-719
LTV <= 70% $ 26,177 $ 31,112 $ 49,618 $ 53,778 $ 49,893 $ 249,565 $ 460,143 $ 444,254
70.01-90% 8,483 17,515 19,442 11,250 2,996 24,541 84,227 82,534
90.01-110% 90 - - - - 7,810 7,900 7,128
LTV>110% - - - - - 5,756 5,756 5,477
LTV - N/A(2)
- 144 - 63 - 149 356 351
720-759
LTV <= 70% $ 39,927 $ 49,716 $ 62,795 $ 79,821 $ 68,503 $ 348,679 $ 649,441 $ 634,206
70.01-90% 14,064 28,552 30,553 15,094 5,386 35,066 128,715 126,755
90.01-110% - 69 - - - 8,270 8,339 7,128
LTV>110% - - - - - 7,611 7,611 7,313
LTV - N/A(2)
35 56 - 253 - 122 466 466
>=760
LTV <= 70% $ 112,532 $ 149,381 $ 178,602 $ 188,693 $ 156,633 $ 896,901 $ 1,682,742 $ 1,646,127
70.01-90% 30,306 61,647 60,023 34,640 11,120 86,265 284,001 280,811
90.01-110% 396 21 - - - 22,839 23,256 22,252
LTV>110% 710 62 - - - 9,700 10,472 9,899
LTV - N/A(2)
185 554 129 68 - 359 1,295 1,284
Total - All FICO Bands
LTV <= 70% $ 185,611 $ 251,619 $ 330,909 $ 372,523 $ 321,712 $ 1,869,887 $ 3,332,261 $ 3,222,783
LTV 70.01 - 90% 55,993 121,363 130,120 71,593 23,010 185,492 587,571 575,563
LTV 90.01 - 110% 486 143 - - - 49,390 50,019 46,015
LTV>110% 758 62 - - - 29,416 30,236 28,449
LTV - N/A(2)
3,155 5,161 5,633 6,013 4,083 84,373 108,418 56,604
Grand Total $ 246,003 $ 378,348 $ 466,662 $ 450,129 $ 348,805 $ 2,218,558 $ 4,108,505 $ 3,929,414
(1) - (4) Refer to corresponding notes above.
NOTE 3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)
Residential Mortgages(1)(3)
December 31, 2019 N/A(2)
LTV<=70% 70.01-80% 80.01-90% 90.01-100% 100.01-110% LTV>110% Grand Total
FICO Score (dollars in thousands)
N/A(2)
$ 92,052 $ 4,654 $ 534 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 97,240
<600 33 180,465 48,344 36,401 27,262 1,518 2,325 296,348
600-639 31 122,675 45,189 34,690 37,358 636 1,108 241,687
640-679 1,176 263,781 89,179 78,215 87,067 946 1,089 521,453
680-719 7,557 511,018 219,766 132,076 155,857 1,583 2,508 1,030,365
720-759 14,427 960,290 413,532 195,335 191,850 1,959 3,334 1,780,727
>=760 36,621 3,324,285 938,368 353,989 203,665 3,673 7,281 4,867,882
Grand Total $ 151,897 $ 5,367,168 $ 1,754,912 $ 830,706 $ 703,059 $ 10,315 $ 17,645 $ 8,835,702
(1) Excludes LHFS.
(2) Residential mortgages in the "N/A" range for LTV or FICO score primarily represent the balance on loans serviced by others, in run-off portfolios or for which a current LTV or FICO score is unavailable.
(3) The ALLL model considers LTV for financing receivables in first lien position for the Company and CLTV for financing receivables in second lien position for the Company.
Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit(2)
December 31, 2019 N/A(1)
LTV<=70% 70.01-90% 90.01-110% LTV>110% Grand Total
FICO Score
N/A(1)
$ 176,138 $ 189 $ 153 $ - $ - $ 176,480
<600 824 215,977 66,675 11,467 4,459 299,402
600-639 1,602 147,089 34,624 4,306 3,926 191,547
640-679 9,964 264,021 78,645 8,079 3,626 364,335
680-719 17,120 478,817 146,529 12,558 9,425 664,449
720-759 25,547 665,647 204,104 12,606 10,857 918,761
>=760 61,411 1,639,702 408,812 30,259 15,186 2,155,370
Grand Total $ 292,606 $ 3,411,442 $ 939,542 $ 79,275 $ 47,479 $ 4,770,344
(1) Excludes LHFS.
(2) Home equity loans and lines of credit in the "N/A" range for LTV or FICO score primarily represent the balance on loans serviced by others, in run-off portfolios or for which a current LTV or FICO score is unavailable.
(3) The ALLL model considers LTV for financing receivables in first lien position for the Company and CLTV for financing receivables in second lien position for the Company.
NOTE 3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)
TDR Loans
The following table summarizes the Company’s performing and non-performing TDRs at the dates indicated:
(in thousands) December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Performing $ 3,850,622 $ 3,646,354
Non-performing 473,507 673,777
Total (1)
$ 4,324,129 $ 4,320,131
(1) Excludes LHFS.
The decrease in total non-performing TDRs is primarily due to the significant increase in deferrals granted to borrowers impacted by COVID-19. The additional risk of these deferrals is captured in the ACL for the year ended December 31, 2020.
TDR Activity by Class of Financing Receivable
The Company's modifications consist primarily of term extensions. The following tables detail the activity of TDRs for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
Year Ended December 31, 2020
Number of
Contracts Pre-TDR Amortized Cost(1)
Post-TDR Amortized Cost(2)
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial:
CRE 42 $ 59,989 $ 59,989
C&I 727 63,250 63,402
Multi-family 7 63,003 63,003
Other commercial 11 1,108 1,108
Consumer:
Residential mortgages(3)
192 16,836 16,975
Home equity loans and lines of credit 80 7,490 7,863
RICs and auto loans 102,486 2,118,125 2,140,179
Personal unsecured loans 5 7 -
Other consumer 15 1,389 1,826
Total 103,565 $ 2,331,197 $ 2,354,345
(1) Pre-TDR modification amount is the month-end balance prior to the month in which the modification occurred.
(2) Post-TDR modification amount is the month-end balance for the month in which the modification occurred.
(3) The post-TDR modification amounts for residential mortgages exclude interest reserves.
Year Ended December 31, 2019
Number of
Contracts Pre-TDR Recorded
Investment(1)
Post-TDR Recorded Investment(2)
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial:
CRE 57 $ 101,885 $ 98,984
C&I 91 2,591 2,601
Consumer:
Residential mortgages(3)
112 15,232 15,498
Home equity loans and lines of credit 148 14,671 15,795
RICs and auto loans 74,528 1,276,639 1,280,312
Personal unsecured loans 211 2,543 2,572
Other consumer 2 - -
Total 75,149 $ 1,413,561 $ 1,415,762
(1) Pre-TDR modification outstanding recorded investment amount is the month-end balance prior to the month in which the modification occurred.
(2)Post-TDR modification outstanding recorded investment amount is the month-end balance for the month in which the modification occurred.
(3)The post-TDR modification outstanding recorded investment amounts for residential mortgages exclude interest reserves.
NOTE 3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)
Year Ended December 31, 2018
Number of
Contracts Pre-TDR Recorded
Investment(1)
Post-TDR Recorded Investment(2)
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial:
CRE 99 $ 145,214 $ 140,153
C&I 247 9,932 9,515
Consumer:
Residential mortgages(3)
189 32,606 31,770
Home equity loans and lines of credit 159 10,629 10,545
RICs and auto loans 132,408 2,204,895 2,216,157
Personal unsecured loans 363 4,650 4,589
Other consumer 11 308 228
Total 133,476 $ 2,408,234 $ 2,412,957
(1) Pre-TDR modification outstanding recorded investment amount is the month-end balance prior to the month in which the modification occurred.
(2)Post-TDR modification outstanding recorded investment amount is the month-end balance for the month in which the modification occurred.
(3)The post-TDR modification outstanding recorded investment amounts for residential mortgages exclude interest reserves.
TDRs Which Have Subsequently Defaulted
A TDR is generally considered to have subsequently defaulted if, after modification, the loan becomes 90 DPD. For RICs, a TDR is considered to have subsequently defaulted after modification at the earlier of the date of repossession or 120 DPD. The following table details period-end amortized cost balances of TDRs that became TDRs during the past twelve-month period and have subsequently defaulted during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Number of
Contracts Recorded Investment(1)
Number of
Contracts Recorded Investment(1)
Number of
Contracts Recorded Investment(1)
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial
CRE 35 $ 17,168 10 $ 6,020 7 $ 21,654
C&I 57 11,043 122 37,433 155 20,920
Multifamily 3 41,629 - - - -
Other commercial 2 625 5 35 - -
Consumer:
Residential mortgages 33 5,278 142 16,368 165 20,783
Home equity loans and lines of credit 24 3,783 25 1,867 43 2,609
RICs and auto loans 16,016 291,050 22,666 375,341 40,007 673,875
Personal unsecured loans - - 215 2,061 194 1,743
Other consumer 1 45 - - - -
Total 16,171 $ 370,621 23,185 $ 439,125 40,571 $ 741,584
(1)Represents the period-end balance. Does not include Chapter 7 bankruptcy TDRs.
NOTE 4. OPERATING LEASE ASSETS, NET
The Company has operating leases, including leased vehicles and commercial equipment vehicles and aircraft which are included in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets as Operating lease assets, net. The leased vehicle portfolio consists primarily of leases originated under the Chrysler Agreement.
Lease extensions granted by the Company to customers impacted by COVID-19 are not treated as modifications. Income continues to accrue during the extension period and remaining lease payments are recorded on a straight-line basis over the modified lease term.
Operating lease assets, net consisted of the following as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
(in thousands) December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Leased vehicles $ 22,056,063 $ 21,722,726
Less: accumulated depreciation (4,796,595) (4,159,944)
Depreciated net capitalized cost 17,259,468 17,562,782
Manufacturer subvention payments, net of accretion (934,381) (1,177,342)
Origination fees and other costs 66,020 76,542
Leased vehicles, net 16,391,107 16,461,982
Commercial equipment vehicles and aircraft, gross 28,661 41,154
Less: accumulated depreciation (6,839) (7,397)
Commercial equipment vehicles and aircraft, net
21,822 33,757
Total operating lease assets, net $ 16,412,929 $ 16,495,739
The following summarizes the future minimum rental payments due to the Company as lessor under operating leases as of December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
2021 $ 2,511,537
2022 1,469,337
2023 644,608
2024 47,744
2025 2,345
Thereafter 5,472
Total $ 4,681,043
During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 the Company recognized $243.2 million, $135.9 million, and $202.8 million, respectively, of net gains on the sale of operating lease assets that had been returned to the Company at the end of the lease term. These amounts are recorded within Miscellaneous income, net in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
NOTE 5. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
A summary of premises and equipment, less accumulated depreciation, follows:
(in thousands) December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Land $ 81,613 $ 84,194
Office buildings 166,586 177,246
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment 519,565 485,851
Leasehold improvement 556,509 543,816
Computer software 1,090,515 990,758
Automobiles and other 1,696 1,532
Total premise and equipment 2,416,484 2,283,397
Less accumulated depreciation (1,629,143) (1,485,275)
Total premises and equipment, net $ 787,341 $ 798,122
NOTE 5. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (continued)
Depreciation expense for premises and equipment, included in Occupancy and equipment expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, was $209.4 million, $226.1 million, and $268.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2020 the Company sold six properties. The Company received net proceeds of $4.3 million from the sales, with a net gain of $2.0 million. The carrying value of these properties was $2.3 million. In addition to the six properties sold in 2020, the Company completed the sale of SBC, including its fixed assets, as discussed further in Note 1.
In 2019 the Company sold eight properties. The Company received net proceeds of $2.0 million from the sales, with a net gain of $0.4 million. The carrying value of these properties was $1.7 million. Gain on sale of premises and equipment are included within Miscellaneous income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
In addition to the eight properties sold in 2019 the Company also completed the sale of 14 bank branches to First Commonwealth Bank. The gain on the sale of these branches was immaterial.
In 2018 the Company sold thirteen properties. The Company received net proceeds of $5.8 million from the sales, with a net gain of $2.1 million. The carrying value of these properties was $3.6 million. Of the 13 properties sold, the Company leased back one property and accounted for the transaction as a sale-leaseback resulting in recognition of a $154.0 thousand gain on the date of the transaction, and deferral of the remaining $1.3 million gain. Gain on sale of premises and equipment are included within Miscellaneous income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 the Company recorded impairment of capitalized assets in the amount of $21.0 million, $23.4 million, and $14.8 million, respectively. These were primarily related to capitalized software assets.
NOTE 6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES
Goodwill
Goodwill is assigned to reporting units, which are operating segments or one level below an operating segment, as of the acquisition date. The following table presents activity in the Company's goodwill by its reporting units for the year ended December 31, 2020:
(in thousands) CBB C&I CRE & VF CIB SC Total
Goodwill at December 31, 2019 $ 1,880,304 $ 317,924 $ 1,095,071 $ 131,130 $ 1,019,960 $ 4,444,389
Impairment of Goodwill(1)
(1,557,384) (290,844) - - - (1,848,228)
Re-allocation of Goodwill(2)
(25,118) 25,118 - - - -
Goodwill at December 31, 2020 $ 297,802
$ 52,198 $ 1,095,071
$ 131,130
$ 1,019,960
$ 2,596,161
(1) Represents impairment of goodwill during the second quarter of 2020.
(2) Represents re-allocation of goodwill during the fourth quarter of 2020.
The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level. The Company completes its annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1 each year. The Company conducted its last annual goodwill impairment tests as of October 1, 2020 using generally accepted valuation methods. As a result of that impairment test, no goodwill impairment was identified.
The Company continually assesses whether or not there have been events requiring a review of goodwill. During the second quarter of 2020, primarily due to the ongoing economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company determined that a goodwill triggering event occurred for the CBB, C&I, and CRE & VF reporting units. These second quarter triggering events are in addition to the CBB triggering event during the first quarter of 2020, whereby the estimated fair value of CBB exceeded its carrying value by less than 5%.
NOTE 6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES (continued)
Based on its goodwill impairment analysis performed as of June 30, 2020, the Company concluded that a goodwill impairment charge of $1.6 billion and $0.3 billion was required for the CBB and C&I reporting units, respectively. The CRE & VF reporting unit’s estimated fair value exceeded its carrying value by less than 5%. The goodwill allocated to these reporting units has become more sensitive to impairment as the valuation is highly correlated with forecasted interest rates, credit costs, and other factors. A risk of further impairment or impairment to additional reporting units exists in subsequent quarters if the reporting unit’s operating environment does not return to a more normalized status in the foreseeable future.
In prior annual goodwill impairment assessments, the Company determined that an equal weighting of the market and income approach valuation methods provided a reliable fair value estimate. In light of the significant market volatility arising from the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the responses to the pandemic from multiple government agencies, the Company determined to give only a 25% weighting to the market approach in estimating the second quarter fair value of CBB, C&I, and CRE & VF, which is consistent with the approach used during the first quarter interim impairment assessment of CBB and the October 1, 2020 annual impairment test. The Company continued to analyze implied market multiples to support the valuation under the market approach.
During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company implemented organizational changes which resulted in the transfer of Upper Business Banking customers into the C&I segment from the CBB segment. Refer to Note 22 to these Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details on the Company's reportable segments. As a result of the re-organization, the Company re-allocated approximately $25.1 million of goodwill from the CBB reporting unit to the C&I reporting unit. Upon re-allocation, the Company performed a post evaluation for impairment on the CBB and C&I reporting units utilizing assumptions consistent with our October 1, 2020 impairment test and noted no impairment.
The Company made a change in its commercial banking reportable segments beginning January 1, 2019 and, accordingly, re-allocated $1.1 billion of goodwill previously attributed to commercial banking to the related C&I and CRE&VF reporting units based on the estimated fair value of each reporting unit at January 1, 2019. Upon re-allocation, management tested the new reporting units for impairment using the same methodology and assumptions used in the October 1, 2018 goodwill impairment test, and noted that there was no impairment. There were no disposals, additions or impairments of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2019 or 2018.
Other Intangible Assets
The following table details amounts related to the Company's intangible assets subject to amortization for the dates indicated.
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
(in thousands) Net Carrying
Amount Accumulated
Amortization Net Carrying
Amount Accumulated
Amortization
Intangibles subject to amortization:
Dealer networks $ 308,768 $ (271,232) $ 347,982 $ (232,018)
Chrysler relationship 35,000 (103,750) 50,000 (88,750)
Trade name 12,300 (5,700) 13,500 (4,500)
Other intangibles 1,479 (55,694) 4,722 (52,450)
Total intangibles subject to amortization $ 357,547 $ (436,376) $ 416,204 $ (377,718)
At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company did not have any intangibles, other than goodwill, that were not subject to amortization.
Amortization expense on intangible assets was $58.7 million, $59.0 million and $60.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
NOTE 6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES (continued)
The estimated aggregate amortization expense related to intangibles, excluding any impairment charges, for each of the five succeeding calendar years ending December 31 is:
Year Calendar Year Amount
(in thousands)
2021 $ 39,904
2022 39,901
2023 28,649
2024 24,792
2025 24,757
Thereafter 199,544
NOTE 7. OTHER ASSETS
The following is a detail of items that comprised Other assets at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
(in thousands) December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Operating lease ROU assets $ 540,222 $ 656,472
Deferred tax assets 11,114 503,681
Accrued interest receivable 634,509 545,148
Derivative assets at fair value 1,219,090 555,880
Other repossessed assets 207,900 217,184
Equity method investments 272,633 271,656
MSRs 77,545 132,683
OREO 29,799 66,828
Income tax receivables 225,736 272,699
Prepaid expense 225,251 352,331
Miscellaneous assets and receivables
608,431 629,654
Total other assets $ 4,052,230 $ 4,204,216
Operating lease ROU assets
We have operating leases for real estate and non-real estate assets. Real estate leases relate to office space and bank/lending retail branches. Non-real estate leases include data centers, ATMs, vehicles and certain equipment leases. Real estate leases may include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term generally from one to five years. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease.
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 operating lease expenses were $152.4 million and $145.5 million, respectively. Sublease income was $4.5 million and $4.1 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2020, and 2019. These are reported within Occupancy and equipment expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:
Maturity of Lease Liabilities at December 31, 2020
Total Operating leases
(in thousands)
2021 $ 132,331
2022 122,046
2023 108,542
2024 94,768
2025 69,938
Thereafter 137,811
Total lease liabilities $ 665,436
Less: Interest (59,436)
Present value of lease liabilities $ 606,000
NOTE 7. OTHER ASSETS (continued)
Supplemental Balance Sheet Information December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Operating lease ROU assets $540,222 $656,472
Other liabilities 606,000 711,666
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) 6.5 7.1
Weighted-average discount rate 2.9% 3.1%
Year Ended December 31,
Other Information 2020 2019
(in thousands)
Operating cash flows from operating leases(1)
$ (140,953) $ (136,510)
Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities $ 33,930 $ 841,718
(1) Activity is included within the net change in other liabilities on the Consolidated SCF.
The Company made approximately $4.5 million and $3.9 million in payments during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, to Santander for rental of certain office space. The related ROU assets and lease liabilities were approximately $9.0 million and $13.3 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The remainder of Other assets is comprised of:
•Deferred tax asset, net - Refer to Note 16 of these Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on tax-related activities.
•Derivative assets at fair value - Refer to the "Offsetting of Financial Assets" table in Note 13 to these Consolidated Financial Statements for the detail of these amounts.
•Equity method investments - The Company makes certain equity investments in various limited partnerships, some of which are considered VIEs, that invest in and lend to qualified community development entities, such as renewable energy investments, through the NMTC and CRA programs. The Company acts only in a limited partner capacity in connection with these partnerships, so the Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the partnerships because it does not have the power to direct the activities of the partnerships that most significantly impact the partnerships' economic performance.
•MSRs - See further discussion on the valuation of the MSRs in Note 14.
•Income tax receivables - Refer to Note 16 of these Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on tax-related activities.
•Prepaid expenses decreased $127 million in 2020 compared to 2019, due to a $133 million decrease in prepaid state income tax, offset by small increases in other prepaids.
•OREO and other repossessed assets includes property and vehicles recovered through foreclosure and repossession.
•Miscellaneous assets and receivables includes subvention receivables in connection with the agreement with Chrysler Capital, investment and capital market receivables, derivatives trading receivables, and unapplied payments.
NOTE 8. VIEs
The Company transfers RICs and vehicle leases into newly formed Trusts that then issue one or more classes of notes payable backed by the collateral. The Company’s continuing involvement with these Trusts is in the form of servicing the assets and, generally, through holding residual interests in the Trusts. The Trusts are considered VIEs under GAAP, and the Company may or may not consolidate these VIEs on its Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The collateral, borrowings under credit facilities and securitization notes payable of the Company’s consolidated VIEs remain on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company recognizes finance charges, fee income, and provision for credit losses on the RICs, and leased vehicles and interest expense on the debt. Revolving credit facilities generally also utilize entities that are considered VIEs which are included on the consolidated balance sheets.
NOTE 8. VIEs (continued)
The Company also uses a titling Trust to originate and hold its leased vehicles and the associated leases, in order to facilitate the pledging of leases to financing facilities or the sale of leases to other parties without incurring the costs and administrative burden of retitling the leased vehicles. This titling Trust is considered a VIE.
On-balance sheet VIEs
The assets of consolidated VIEs presented based upon the legal transfer of the underlying assets in order to reflect legal ownership, that can be used only to settle obligations of the consolidated VIEs and the liabilities of those entities for which creditors (or beneficial interest holders) do not have recourse to the Company's general credit, were as follows:
(in thousands) December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Assets
Restricted cash $ 1,737,021 $ 1,629,870
Loans HFS 581,938 -
Loans HFI 22,572,549 26,532,328
Operating lease assets, net 16,391,107 16,461,982
Various other assets 791,306 625,359
Total Assets $ 42,073,921 $ 45,249,539
Liabilities
Notes payable $ 31,700,709 $ 34,249,851
Various other liabilities 84,922 188,093
Total Liabilities $ 31,785,631 $ 34,437,944
Certain amounts shown above are greater than the amounts shown in the corresponding line items in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets due to intercompany eliminations between the VIEs and other entities consolidated by the Company. For example, for most of its securitizations, the Company retains one or more of the lowest tranches of bonds. Rather than showing investment in bonds as an asset and the associated debt as a liability, these amounts are eliminated in consolidation as required by GAAP.
The Company retains servicing rights for receivables transferred to the Trusts and receives a monthly servicing fee on the outstanding principal balance. Supplemental fees, such as late charges, for servicing the receivables are reflected in Miscellaneous income, net.
As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company was servicing $27.7 billion and $27.3 billion, respectively, of gross RICs that have been transferred to consolidated Trusts. The remainder of the Company’s RICs remains unpledged.
NOTE 8. VIEs (continued)
A summary of the cash flows received from the consolidated Trusts for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands) 2020 2019 2018
Assets securitized $ 18,288,882 $ 22,286,033 $ 26,650,284
Net proceeds from new securitizations (1)
$ 14,319,697 $ 17,199,821 $ 17,338,880
Net proceeds from sale of retained bonds 58,491 251,602 1,059,694
Cash received for servicing fees (2)
976,307 990,612 887,988
Net distributions from Trusts (2)
3,940,774 3,615,461 2,767,509
Total cash received from Trusts $ 19,295,269 $ 22,057,496 $ 22,054,071
(1) Includes additional advances on existing securitizations.
(2) These amounts are not reflected in the accompanying Consolidated SCF because the cash flows are between the VIEs and other entities included in the consolidation.
Off-balance sheet VIEs
During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, SC sold $1.1 billion, zero, and $2.9 billion respectively, of gross RICs to third-party investors in off-balance sheet securitizations for a loss of $40.6 million, zero, and $20.7 million, respectively. The losses were recorded in Investment losses, net, in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.
As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company was servicing $2.2 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively, of gross RICs that have been sold in off-balance sheet securitizations and were subject to an optional clean-up call. The portfolio was comprised as follows:
(in thousands) December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Related party SPAIN securitizations $ 1,214,644 $ 2,149,008
Third party SCART serviced securitizations 929,429 -
Third party Chrysler Capital securitizations 82,713 259,197
Total serviced for other portfolio $ 2,226,786 $ 2,408,205
Other than repurchases of sold assets due to standard representations and warranties, the Company has no exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with these VIEs.
A summary of cash flows received from Trusts for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands) 2020 2019 2018
Receivables securitized (1)
$ 1,148,587 $ - $ 2,905,922
Net proceeds from new securitizations 1,052,541 - 2,909,794
Cash received for servicing fees 24,256 34,068 43,859
Total cash received from Trusts $ 1,076,797 $ 34,068 $ 2,953,653
(1) Represents the unpaid principal balance at the time of original securitization.
NOTE 9. DEPOSITS AND OTHER CUSTOMER ACCOUNTS
Deposits and other customer accounts are summarized as follows:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
(dollars in thousands) Balance Percent of total deposits Balance Percent of total deposits
Interest-bearing demand deposits $ 11,097,595 14.7 % $ 10,301,133 15.3 %
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits 21,800,278 28.9 % 14,922,974 22.2 %
Savings 4,827,065 6.4 % 5,632,164 8.4 %
Customer repurchase accounts 323,398 0.4 % 407,477 0.6 %
Money market 33,358,315 44.4 % 26,687,677 39.6 %
CDs 3,897,056 5.2 % 9,375,281 13.9 %
Total deposits (1)
$ 75,303,707 100.0 % $ 67,326,706 100.0 %
(1) Includes foreign deposits, as defined by the FRB, of $5.8 billion and $8.9 billion at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
Deposits collateralized by investment securities, loans, and other financial instruments totaled $2.2 billion and $3.5 billion at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
Demand deposit overdrafts that have been reclassified as loan balances were $110.5 million and $79.2 million at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
Interest Expense on deposits and other customer accounts is summarized as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands) 2020 2019 2018
Interest-bearing demand deposits $ 22,878 $ 82,152 $ 41,481
Savings 7,806 13,132 12,325
Customer repurchase accounts 647 1,643 1,761
Money market 164,730 317,299 245,794
CDs 94,344 160,245 87,767
Total deposits $ 290,405 $ 574,471 $ 389,128
The following table sets forth the maturity of the Company's CDs of $100,000 or more at December 31, 2020 as scheduled to mature contractually:
(dollars in thousands)
Three months or less $ 831,191
Over three through six months 422,892
Over six through twelve months 357,852
Over twelve months 334,404
Total $ 1,946,339
The following table sets forth the maturity of the Company's CDs at December 31, 2020 as scheduled to mature contractually:
(dollars in thousands)
2021 $ 3,099,126
2022 664,166
2023 88,959
2024 23,278
2025 19,118
Thereafter 2,409
Total $ 3,897,056
At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had $768.2 million and $1.5 billion, respectively, of CDs greater than $250 thousand.
NOTE 10. BORROWINGS
Total borrowings and other debt obligations at December 31, 2020 were $46.4 billion, compared to $50.7 billion at December 31, 2019. The Company's debt agreements impose certain limitations on dividend payments and other transactions. The Company is currently in compliance with these limitations.
Periodically, as part of the Company's wholesale funding management, it opportunistically repurchases outstanding borrowings in the open market and subsequently retires the obligations.
Bank
The Bank had no new securities issuances in the open market during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Bank repurchased the following borrowings and other debt obligations:
•$126.4 million of its REIT preferred debt.
•$1.0 billion prepayment of FHLB advances.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Bank repurchased the following borrowings and other debt obligations:
•$27.9 million of its subordinated notes due August 2022.
•$21.2 million of its REIT preferred debt.
SHUSA
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company issued $2.1 billion of debt, consisting of:
•$500.0 million 5.83% senior fixed-rate notes due March 2023 to Santander, an affiliate.
•$447.1 million of its senior fixed-rate notes due April 2023.
•$1.0 billion 3.45% senior fixed-rate notes due June 2025.
•$125.0 million 2.0% short-term note due February 2021 to an affiliate.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company repurchased the following borrowings and other debt obligations:
•$1.0 billion of its 2.65% senior notes due April 2020.
•$114.5 million of senior floating rate notes due September 2020.
•$113.9 million of its 4.450% senior notes due 2021.
•$141.1 million of its 3.70% senior notes due 2022.
•$0.3 million of its 4.40% senior notes due 2027.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued $3.8 billion of debt, consisting of:
•$1.0 billion of its 3.50% senior notes due 2024.
•$720.9 million of its senior floating rate notes due 2022.
•$750.0 million of its 2.88% senior fixed rate notes due 2024 with BSSA, an affiliate.
•$907.8 million of its 3.244% senior fixed rate notes due 2026.
•$439.0 million of its senior floating rate notes due 2023.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company repurchased the following borrowings and other debt obligations:
•$178.7 million of its 2.70% senior notes due May 2019.
•$388.7 million of its senior floating rate notes due July 2019.
•$371.0 million of its senior floating rate notes due September 2019.
•$592.1 million of its 3.70% senior notes due 2022 through a public debt exchange.
•$394.0 million of its 4.450% senior notes due 2021 through a public debt exchange.
•$302.6 million of its senior floating rate notes due January 2020.
•$40.1 million of 2.00% subordinated debt of a subsidiary of the Company.
NOTE 10. BORROWINGS (continued)
Parent Company and other Subsidiary Borrowings and Debt Obligations
The following table presents information regarding the Parent Company and its subsidiaries' borrowings and other debt obligations at the dates indicated:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
(dollars in thousands) Balance Effective
Rate Balance Effective
Rate
Parent Company
2.65% senior notes due April 2020
$ - - % $ 999,502 2.82 %
4.45% senior notes due December 2021
491,411 4.61 % 604,172 4.61 %
3.70% senior notes due March 2022
707,896 3.67 % 849,465 3.74 %
3.40% senior notes due January 2023
997,298 3.54 % 996,043 3.54 %
3.50% senior notes due June 2024
996,687 3.60 % 995,797 3.60 %
4.50% senior notes due July 2025
1,097,074 4.56 % 1,096,508 4.56 %
4.40% senior notes due July 2027
1,049,531 4.40 % 1,049,813 4.40 %
2.88% senior notes due January 2024 (4)
750,000 2.88 % 750,000 2.88 %
5.83% senior notes due March 2023 (4)
500,000 5.83 % - - %
3.24% senior notes due November 2026
913,239 3.97 % 907,844 3.97 %
3.45% senior notes, due June 2025
994,871 3.58 % - - %
3.50% senior notes, due April 2023
447,039 3.52 % - - %
Senior notes due September 2020 (2)
- - % 112,358 3.36 %
Senior notes due June 2022(1)
427,925 1.84 % 427,889 3.47 %
Senior notes due January 2023 (3)
720,904 2.06 % 720,861 3.29 %
Senior notes due July 2023 (3)
439,022 2.04 % 438,962 2.48 %
Short-term borrowing due within one year, with an affiliate 123,453 2.00 % - - %
Subsidiaries
2.00% subordinated debt maturing through 2021
11 2.00 % 602 2.00 %
Short-term borrowing with an affiliate, maturing January 2021 200,000 0.10 % - - %
Short-term borrowing due within one year, maturing January 2021 15,750 0.05 % 1,831 0.38 %
Total Parent Company and subsidiaries' borrowings and other debt obligations $ 10,872,111 3.57 % $ 9,951,647 3.68 %
(1) These notes bear interest at a rate equal to the three-month LIBOR plus 100 basis points per annum.
(2) This note will bear interest at a rate equal to the three-month GBP LIBOR plus 105 basis points per annum.
(3) This note will bear interest at a rate equal to the three-month LIBOR plus 110 basis points per annum.
(4) These notes are with SHUSA's parent company, Santander.
Bank Borrowings and Debt Obligations
The following table presents information regarding the Bank's borrowings and other debt obligations at the dates indicated:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
(dollars in thousands) Balance Effective
Rate Balance Effective
Rate
FHLB advances, maturing through May 2022 $ 1,150,000 0.64 % $ 7,035,000 2.15 %
REIT preferred, callable May 2020 - - % 125,943 13.17 %
Total Bank borrowings and other debt obligations $ 1,150,000 0.64 % $ 7,160,943 2.34 %
The Bank had outstanding irrevocable letters of credit totaling $280.0 million from the FHLB of Pittsburgh at December 31, 2020 used to secure uninsured deposits placed with the Bank by state and local governments and their political subdivisions.
NOTE 10. BORROWINGS (continued)
Revolving Credit Facilities
The following tables present information regarding SC's credit facilities as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively:
December 31, 2020
(dollars in thousands) Balance Committed Amount Effective
Rate Assets Pledged Restricted Cash Pledged
Warehouse line due August 2022 $ - $ 500,000 1.50 % $ 159,348 $ -
Warehouse line due March 2022 942,845 1,250,000 1.34 % 1,621,206 1
Warehouse line due October 2022(3)
1,000,600 1,500,000 1.85 % 639,875 -
Warehouse line due October 2022(1)
441,143 3,500,000 3.45 % 2,057,758 -
Warehouse line due October 2022 168,300 500,000 3.07 % 243,649 1,201
Warehouse line due October 2022 845,800 2,100,000 3.29 % 1,156,885 -
Warehouse line due January 2022 415,700 1,000,000 1.81 % 595,518 -
Warehouse line due November 2022 177,600 500,000 1.18 % 371,959 -
Warehouse line due July 2022 - 900,000 1.46 % - 1,684
Repurchase facility due January 2021(2)
167,967 167,967 1.64 % 217,200 -
Total facilities with third parties $ 4,159,955 $ 11,917,967 2.21 % $ 7,063,398 $ 2,886
Promissory note with Santander due June 2022 $ 2,000,000 $ 2,000,000 1.40 % $ - $ -
Promissory note with Santander due September 2022 2,000,000 2,000,000 1.04 % - -
Total facilities with related parties $ 4,000,000 $ 4,000,000 1.22 % $ - $ -
Total SC revolving credit facilities $ 8,159,955 $ 15,917,967 1.72 % $ 7,063,398 $ 2,886
(1) This line is held exclusively for financing of Chrysler Capital leases. In April 2020, the commitment amount was reduced by $500 million.
(2) The repurchase facilities are collateralized by securitization notes payable retained by SC. As the borrower, SC is exposed to liquidity risk due to changes in the market value of retained securities pledged. In some instances, SC places or receives cash collateral with counterparties under collateral arrangements associated with SC's repurchase agreements.
(3) During the three months ended March 31, 2020 the Chrysler Finance loan credit facility was reactivated with a $1 billion commitment. In April 2020, the commitment amount increased by $500 million.
December 31, 2019
(dollars in thousands) Balance Committed Amount Effective
Rate Assets Pledged Restricted Cash Pledged
Warehouse line due March 2021 $ 516,045 $ 1,250,000 3.10 % $ 734,640 $ 1
Warehouse line due November 2020 471,320 500,000 2.69 % 505,502 186
Warehouse line due July 2021 500,000 500,000 3.64 % 761,690 302
Warehouse line due October 2021 896,077 2,100,000 3.44 % 1,748,325 7
Warehouse line due June 2021 471,284 500,000 3.32 % 675,426 -
Warehouse line due November 2020 970,600 1,000,000 2.57 % 1,353,305 -
Warehouse line due June 2021 53,900 600,000 7.02 % 62,601 94
Warehouse line due October 2021(1)
1,098,443 5,000,000 4.43 % 1,898,365 1,756
Repurchase facility due January 2020(2)
273,655 273,655 3.80 % 377,550 -
Repurchase facility due March 2020(2)
100,756 100,756 3.04 % 151,710 -
Repurchase facility due March 2020(2)
47,851 47,851 3.15 % 69,945 -
Total SC revolving credit facilities $ 5,399,931 $ 11,872,262 3.44 % $ 8,339,059 $ 2,346
(1), (2) See corresponding footnotes to the December 31, 2020 credit facilities table above.
The warehouse lines and repurchase facilities are fully collateralized by a designated portion of SC's RICs, leased vehicles, securitization notes payable and residuals retained by SC.
NOTE 10. BORROWINGS (continued)
Secured Structured Financings
The following tables present information regarding SC's secured structured financings as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively:
December 31, 2020
(dollars in thousands) Balance Initial Note Amounts Issued(3)
Initial Weighted Average Interest Rate Range Collateral(2)
Restricted Cash
SC public securitizations maturing on various dates between April 2022 and May 2028(1)
$ 18,942,160 $ 44,775,735 0.60% - 3.42%
$ 25,022,577 $ 1,710,351
SC privately issued amortizing notes maturing on various dates between June 2022 and December 2027 (3)
7,235,241 10,747,563 1.28% - 3.90%
11,232,122 23,784
Total SC secured structured financings $ 26,177,401 $ 55,523,298 0.60% - 3.90%
$ 36,254,699 $ 1,734,135
(1) Securitizations executed under Rule 144A of the Securities Act are included within this balance.
(2) Secured structured financings may be collateralized by SC's collateral overages of other issuances.
(3) Excludes securitizations which no longer have outstanding debt and excludes any incremental borrowings.
December 31, 2019
(dollars in thousands) Balance Initial Note Amounts Issued Initial Weighted Average Interest Rate Range Collateral Restricted Cash
SC public securitizations maturing on various dates between April 2021 and February 2027 $ 18,807,773 $ 43,982,220 1.35% - 3.42%
$ 24,697,158 $ 1,606,646
SC privately issued amortizing notes maturing on various dates between July 2019 and November 2026 9,334,112 10,397,563 1.05% - 3.90%
12,048,217 20,878
Total SC secured structured financings $ 28,141,885 $ 54,379,783 1.05% - 3.90%
$ 36,745,375 $ 1,627,524
Most of SC's secured structured financings are in the form of public, SEC-registered securitizations. SC also executes private securitizations under Rule 144A of the Securities Act, and periodically issues private term amortizing notes, which are structured similarly to securitizations but are acquired by banks and conduits. SC's securitizations and private issuances are collateralized by vehicle RICs and loans or leases. As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, SC had private issuances of notes backed by vehicle leases outstanding totaling $8.7 billion and $10.2 billion, respectively.
The following table sets forth the maturities of the Company's consolidated borrowings and debt obligations at December 31, 2020:
(in thousands)
2021 $ 2,300,775
2022 11,676,226
2023 9,671,196
2024 9,040,016
2025 6,051,769
Thereafter 7,619,485
Total $ 46,359,467
NOTE 11. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS)
The following table presents the components of AOCI, net of related tax, for the years ended December 31, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
Total Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Total Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
Year Ended December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2020
(in thousands) Pretax
Activity Tax
Effect Net Activity Beginning
Balance Net
Activity Ending
Balance
Change in AOCI on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments $ 155,226 $ (57,416) $ 97,810
Reclassification adjustment for net losses on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments(1)
550 (79) 471
Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments 155,776 (57,495) 98,281 $ (20,114) $ 98,281 $ 78,167
Change in unrealized gains on investments in debt securities (4)
244,766 (66,663) 178,103
Reclassification adjustment for net (gains) included in net income/(expense) on debt securities AFS (2)
(54,897) 16,937 (37,960)
Net unrealized gains on investments in debt securities 189,869 (49,726) 140,143 (22,880) 140,143 117,263
Pension and post-retirement actuarial gain(3)
15,450 628 16,078 (45,213) 16,078 (29,135)
As of December 31, 2020 $ 361,095 $ (106,593) $ 254,502 $ (88,207) $ 254,502 $ 166,295
(1) Net gains/(losses) reclassified into Interest on borrowings and other debt obligations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for settlements of interest rate swap contracts designated as cash flow hedges.
(2) Net (gains)/losses reclassified into Net gain on sale of investment securities sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the sale of debt securities AFS.
(3) Included in the computation of net periodic pension costs.
(4) As discussed in Note 1, includes unrealized gains / losses reclassified in connection with the sale of SBC.
Total Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Total Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
Year Ended December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2019
(in thousands) Pretax
Activity Tax
Effect Net Activity Beginning
Balance Net
Activity Ending
Balance
Change in AOCI on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments $ 14,372 $ (14,910) $ (538)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments(1)
344 (107) 237
Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments 14,716 (15,017) (301) $ (19,813) $ (301) $ (20,114)
Change in unrealized gains on investment securities 303,208 (75,962) 227,246
Reclassification adjustment for net (gains) included in net income/(expense) on debt securities AFS (2)
(5,816) 1,457 (4,359)
Net unrealized gains on investment securities 297,392 (74,505) 222,887 (245,767) 222,887 (22,880)
Pension and post-retirement actuarial gain(3)
10,280 579 10,859 (56,072) 10,859 (45,213)
As of December 30, 2019 $ 322,388 $ (88,943) $ 233,445 $ (321,652) $ 233,445 $ (88,207)
NOTE 11. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS) (continued)
Total Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Total Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
Year Ended December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2018
(in thousands) Pretax
Activity Tax
Effect Net Activity Beginning
Balance Net
Activity Ending
Balance
Change in AOCI on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments $ (6,225) $ (848) $ (7,073)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments(1)
4,781 (1,504) 3,277
Net unrealized (losses) on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments (1,444) (2,352) (3,796) $ (6,388) $ (3,796)
Cumulative impact of adoption of new ASUs(4)
(9,629)
Net unrealized (losses) on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments upon adoption (13,425) $ (19,813)
Change in unrealized (losses) on investment securities AFS (84,316) (3,577) (87,893)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in net income/(expense) on debt securities AFS (2)
6,717 285 7,002
Net unrealized (losses) on investment securities AFS (77,599) (3,292) (80,891) (140,498) (80,891)
Cumulative impact of adoption of new ASUs(4)
(24,378)
Net unrealized (losses) on investments in debt securities (105,269) (245,767)
Pension and post-retirement actuarial gain(3)
7,527 (6,967) 560 (51,545) 560
Cumulative impact of adoption of new ASUs(4)
(5,087)
Pension and post-retirement actuarial gain upon adoption (4,527) (56,072)
As of December 31, 2018 $ (71,516) $ (12,611) $ (84,127) $ (198,431) $ (123,221) $ (321,652)
(1) Net gains/(losses) reclassified into Interest on borrowings and other debt obligations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for settlements of interest rate swap contracts designated as cash flow hedges.
(2) Net (gains)/losses reclassified into Net gain on sale of investment securities sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the sale of debt securities AFS.
(3) Included in the computation of net periodic pension costs.
(4) Includes impact of OCI reclassified to Retained earnings as a result of the adoption of ASU 2018-02.
NOTE 12. STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
At December 31, 2020, the Company had 530,391,043 shares of common stock outstanding to its parent, Santander. The Company did not have any contributions to Santander for the year ended December 31, 2020. Additional transactions with Santander during 2019 and 2018 that are disclosed within the Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity are shown net are disclosed within the table below:
Impact to common stock and paid in capital
(in thousands)
March 2019 contribution $ 34,330
May 2019 contribution 41,571
July 2019 contribution 13,026
2019 net contribution from shareholder $ 88,927
Deferred tax asset on purchased assets $ 3,156
Adjustment to book value of assets purchased on January 1 277
February 2018 contribution 5,741
October 2018 contribution 45,846
December 2018 contribution 33,448
2018 net contribution from shareholder $ 88,468
In April 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized 8,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, and granted the Company authority to issue fractional shares of the Series C Preferred Stock. Dividends on each share of Series C Preferred Stock were payable quarterly, on a non-cumulative basis, at an annual rate of 7.30%, when and if declared by the Company's Board of Directors. In May 2006, the Company issued 8,000,000 depository shares of Series C Preferred Stock for net proceeds of $195.4 million. Each depository share represented 1/1000th ownership interest in a share of Series C Preferred Stock. As a holder of depository shares, the depository shareholder was entitled to all proportional rights and preferences of the Series C Preferred Stock. The Company’s Board of Directors declared cash dividends to preferred stockholders of $11.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2018. The shares of Series C Preferred Stock were redeemable in whole or in part for cash, at the Company’s option, at a redemption price of $25,000 per share (equivalent to $25 per depository share), subject to the prior approval of the OCC. On August 15, 2018, the Company redeemed all outstanding shares of its Series C Preferred Stock.
During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, SC repurchased $771.5 million, $338.0 million and $182.6 million of SC Common Stock. These purchases have increased SHUSA's ownership in SC to approximately 80.2%.
NOTE 13. DERIVATIVES
General
Derivatives represent contracts between parties that usually require little or no initial net investment and result in one or both parties delivering cash or another type of asset to the other party based on a notional amount and an underlying asset, index, interest rate or future purchase commitment or option as specified in the contract. Derivative transactions are often measured in terms of notional amount, but this amount is generally not exchanged, is not recorded on the balance sheet, and does not represent the Company`s exposure to credit loss. The notional amount is the basis on which the financial obligation of each party to the derivative contract is calculated to determine required payments under the contract. The Company controls the credit risk of its derivative contracts through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures. The underlying asset is typically a referenced interest rate (commonly the OIS rate or LIBOR), security, credit spread or index.
The Company’s capital markets and mortgage banking activities are subject to price risk. The Company employs various tools to measure and manage price risk in its portfolios. In addition, the Board of Directors has established certain limits relative to positions and activities. The level of price risk exposure at any given time depends on the market environment and expectations of future price and market movements and will vary from period to period.
See Note 14 to these Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of the valuation methodology for derivative instruments.
NOTE 13. DERIVATIVES (continued)
Credit Risk Contingent Features
The Company has entered into certain derivative contracts that require the posting of collateral to counterparties when those contracts are in a net liability position. The amount of collateral to be posted is based on the amount of the net liability and thresholds generally related to the Company's long-term senior unsecured credit ratings. In a limited number of instances, counterparties also have the right to terminate their ISDA Master Agreements if the Company's ratings fall below a specified level, typically investment grade. As of December 31, 2020, derivatives in this category had a fair value of $0.3 million. The credit ratings of the Company and the Bank are currently considered investment grade. During the fourth quarter of 2020, no additional collateral would be required if there were a further 1- or 2- notch downgrade by either S&P or Moody's.
As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the aggregate fair value of all derivative contracts with credit risk contingent features (i.e., those containing collateral posting or termination provisions based on the Company's ratings) that were in a net liability position totaled $9.9 million and $7.8 million, respectively. The Company had $3.9 million and $8.6 million in cash and securities collateral posted to cover those positions as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
Hedge Accounting
Management uses derivative instruments designated as hedges to mitigate the impact of interest rate and foreign exchange rate movements on the fair value of certain assets and liabilities and on highly probable forecasted cash flows. These instruments primarily include interest rate swaps that have underlying interest rates based on key benchmark indices. The nature and volume of the derivative instruments used to manage interest rate risk depend on the level and type of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet and the risk management strategies for the current and anticipated interest rate environment.
Interest rate swaps are generally used to convert fixed-rate assets and liabilities to variable rate assets and liabilities and vice versa. The Company utilizes interest rate swaps that have a high degree of correlation to the related financial instrument.
Cash Flow Hedges
The Company has outstanding interest rate swap agreements designed to hedge a portion of the Company’s floating rate assets and liabilities (including its borrowed funds). All of these swaps have been deemed highly effective cash flow hedges. The gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of AOCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings and is presented in the same Consolidated Statements of Operations line item as the earnings effect of the hedged item.
The last of the hedges is scheduled to expire in March 2026. The Company includes all components of each derivative's gain or loss in the assessment of hedge effectiveness. As of December 31, 2020, the Company estimated that approximately $30.2 million of unrealized gains included in AOCI to be reclassified to earnings during the subsequent twelve months as the future cash flows occur.
NOTE 13. DERIVATIVES (continued)
Derivatives Designated in Hedge Relationships - Notional and Fair Values
Derivatives designated as accounting hedges at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 included:
(dollars in thousands) Notional
Amount Asset Liability Weighted Average Receive Rate Weighted Average Pay
Rate Weighted Average Life
(Years)
December 31, 2020
Cash flow hedges:
Pay fixed - receive variable interest rate swaps $ 2,450,000 $ 124 $ 70,589 0.18 % 1.50 % 1.90
Pay variable - receive fixed interest rate swaps 8,745,000 150,206 182 1.16 % 0.14 % 2.12
Interest rate floor 3,525,000 27,507 - 1.28 % - % 1.10
Total $ 14,720,000 $ 177,837 $ 70,771 1.03 % 0.33 % 1.84
December 31, 2019
Cash flow hedges:
Pay fixed - receive variable interest rate swaps $ 2,650,000 $ 2,807 $ 39,128 1.85 % 1.91 % 1.86
Pay variable - receive fixed interest rate swaps 7,570,000 7,462 29,209 1.43 % 1.73 % 2.39
Interest rate floor 3,800,000 18,762 - 0.19 % - % 1.28
Total $ 14,020,000 $ 29,031 $ 68,337 1.17 % 1.29 % 1.99
Other Derivative Activities
The Company also enters into derivatives that are not designated as accounting hedges under GAAP. The majority of these derivatives are customer-related derivatives relating to foreign exchange and lending arrangements, as well as derivatives to hedge interest rate risk on SC's secured structured financings and the borrowings under its revolving credit facilities. SC uses both interest rate swaps and interest rate caps to satisfy these requirements and to hedge the variability of cash flows on securities issued by Trusts and borrowings under its warehouse facilities. In addition, derivatives are used to manage risks related to residential and commercial mortgage banking and investing activities. Although these derivatives are used to hedge risk and are considered economic hedges, they are not designated as accounting hedges because the contracts they are hedging are carried at fair value on the balance sheet, resulting in generally symmetrical accounting treatment for the hedging instrument and the hedged item.
Mortgage Banking Derivatives
The Company's derivatives portfolio includes mortgage banking interest rate lock commitments, forward sale commitments and interest rate swaps. As part of its overall business strategy, the Company originates fixed-rate and adjustable rate residential mortgages. It sells a portion of this production to the FHLMC, the FNMA, and private investors. The Company uses forward sales as a means of hedging against the economic impact of changes in interest rates on the mortgages that are originated for sale and on interest rate lock commitments.
The Company typically retains the servicing rights related to residential mortgage loans that are sold. Most of the Company`s residential MSRs are accounted for at fair value. As deemed appropriate, the Company economically hedges MSRs using interest rate swaps and forward contracts to purchase MBS.
Customer-related derivatives
The Company offers derivatives to its customers in connection with their risk management needs and requirements. These financial derivative transactions primarily consist of interest rate swaps, caps, floors and foreign exchange contracts. Risk exposure from customer positions is managed through transactions with other dealers, including Santander.
NOTE 13. DERIVATIVES (continued)
Other derivative activities
The Company uses foreign exchange contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with certain foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities. Foreign exchange contracts, which include spot and forward contracts as well as cross-currency swaps, represent agreements to exchange the currency of one country for the currency of another country at an agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon settlement date and may or may not be physically settled depending on the Company’s needs. Exposure to gains and losses on these contracts will increase or decrease over their respective lives as currency exchange and interest rates fluctuate.
Other derivative instruments primarily include forward contracts related to certain investment securities sales, an OIS, a total return swap on Visa, Inc. Class B common shares, and equity options, which manage the Company's market risk associated with certain investments and customer deposit products.
Derivatives Not Designated in Hedge Relationships - Notional and Fair Values
Other derivative activities at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 included:
Notional Asset derivatives
Fair value Liability derivatives
Fair value
(in thousands) December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Mortgage banking derivatives:
Forward commitments to sell loans $ 520,299 $ 452,994 $ - $ 18 $ 3,835 $ 360
Interest rate lock commitments 262,471 167,423 13,202 3,042 - -
Mortgage servicing 495,000 510,000 33,419 15,134 13,402 2,547
Total mortgage banking risk management 1,277,770 1,130,417 46,621 18,194 17,237 2,907
Customer-related derivatives:
Swaps receive fixed 15,350,026 11,225,376 901,509 375,541 8,778 12,330
Swaps pay fixed 15,749,590 11,975,313 14,644 23,271 874,260 336,361
Other 3,781,316 3,532,959 15,446 3,457 13,782 4,848
Total customer-related derivatives 34,880,932 26,733,648 931,599 402,269 896,820 353,539
Other derivative activities:
Foreign exchange contracts 4,258,869 3,724,007 52,530 33,749 62,616 34,428
Interest rate swap agreements 250,000 1,290,560 - - 12,934 11,626
Interest rate cap agreements 10,199,134 9,379,720 4,617 62,552 - -
Options for interest rate cap agreements 10,199,134 9,379,720 - - 4,617 62,552
Other 240,083 1,087,986 5,886 10,536 7,031 13,025
Total $ 61,305,922 $ 52,726,058 $ 1,041,253 $ 527,300 $ 1,001,255 $ 478,077
NOTE 13. DERIVATIVES (continued)
Gains (Losses) on All Derivatives
The following Consolidated Statement of Operations line items were impacted by the Company’s derivative activities for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
(in thousands) Year Ended December 31,
Line Item 2020 2019 2018
Derivative Activity(1)
Cash flow hedges:
Pay fixed-receive variable interest rate swaps Interest expense on borrowings $ (26,103) $ 36,920 $ 33,881
Pay variable receive-fixed interest rate swap Interest income on loans 54,845 (39,086) (23,238)
Interest rate floors Interest income on loans 37,057 (1,741) (1,108)
Other derivative activities:
Forward commitments to sell loans Miscellaneous income, net (3,442) 4,477 (4,362)
Interest rate lock commitments Miscellaneous income, net 10,160 365 572
Mortgage servicing Miscellaneous income, net 31,227 24,244 (7,560)
Customer-related derivatives Miscellaneous income, net 30,552 2,538 34,987
Foreign exchange Miscellaneous income, net 9,237 32,565 2,259
Interest rate swaps, caps, and options Miscellaneous income, net (11,371) (14,092) 11,901
Other Miscellaneous income, net 425 (408) (4,030)
(1) Gains are disclosed as positive numbers while losses are shown as a negative number regardless of the line item being affected.
The net amount of change recognized in OCI for cash flow hedge derivatives was a gain of $97.8 million, net of tax, for the year ended December 31, 2020, and losses of $0.5 million and $7.1 million, net of tax, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
The net amount of changes reclassified from OCI into earnings for cash flow hedge derivatives were losses of $0.5 million, $0.2 million and $3.3 million, net of tax, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
The Company enters into legally enforceable master netting agreements which reduce risk by permitting netting of transactions with the same counterparty on the occurrence of certain events. A master netting agreement allows two counterparties the ability to net-settle amounts under all contracts, including any related collateral posted, through a single payment and in a single currency. The right to offset and certain terms regarding the collateral process, such as valuation, credit events and settlement, are contained in the applicable master agreement. The Company's financial instruments, including resell and repurchase agreements, securities lending arrangements, derivatives and cash collateral, may be eligible for offset on its Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company has elected to present derivative balances on a gross basis even if the derivative is subject to a legally enforceable nettable ISDA Master Agreement for all trades executed after April 1, 2013. Collateral that is received or pledged for these transactions is disclosed within the “Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets” section of the tables below. Prior to April 1, 2013, the Company had elected to net all caps, floors, and interest rate swaps when it had an ISDA Master Agreement with the counterparty. The collateral received or pledged in connection with these transactions is disclosed within the “Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets" section of the tables below.
NOTE 13. DERIVATIVES (continued)
Information about financial assets and liabilities that are eligible for offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, is presented in the following tables:
Offsetting of Financial Assets
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands) Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Collateral Received (3)
Net Amount
December 31, 2020
Cash flow hedges $ 177,837 $ - $ 177,837 $ 85,065 $ 92,772
Other derivative activities(1)
1,028,051 - 1,028,051 7,771 1,020,280
Total derivatives subject to a master netting arrangement or similar arrangement 1,205,888 - 1,205,888 92,836 1,113,052
Total derivatives not subject to a master netting arrangement or similar arrangement(2)
13,202 - 13,202 - 13,202
Total Derivative Assets $ 1,219,090 $ - $ 1,219,090 $ 92,836 $ 1,126,254
December 31, 2019
Cash flow hedges $ 29,031 $ - $ 29,031 $ 17,790 $ 11,241
Other derivative activities(1)
524,258 435 523,823 51,437 472,386
Total derivatives subject to a master netting arrangement or similar arrangement 553,289 435 552,854 69,227 483,627
Total derivatives not subject to a master netting arrangement or similar arrangement(2)
3,042 - 3,042 - 3,042
Total Derivative Assets $ 556,331 $ 435 $ 555,896 $ 69,227 $ 486,669
(1)Includes customer-related and other derivatives.
(2)Includes mortgage banking derivatives.
(3)Collateral received includes cash, cash equivalents, and other financial instruments. Cash collateral received is reported in Other liabilities, as applicable, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Financial instruments that are pledged to the Company are not reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets since the Company does not control or have the ability to re-hypothecate these instruments.
NOTE 13. DERIVATIVES (continued)
Offsetting of Financial Liabilities
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands) Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Collateral Pledged (3)
Net Amount
December 31, 2020
Cash flow hedges $ 70,771 $ - $ 70,771 $ 70,589 $ 182
Other derivative activities(1)
997,420 3,517 993,903 584,971 408,932
Total derivatives subject to a master netting arrangement or similar arrangement 1,068,191 3,517 1,064,674 655,560 409,114
Total derivatives not subject to a master netting arrangement or similar arrangement(2)
3,835 - 3,835 2,382 1,453
Total Derivative Liabilities $ 1,072,026 $ 3,517 $ 1,068,509 $ 657,942 $ 410,567
December 31, 2019
Cash flow hedges $ 68,337 $ - $ 68,337 $ 68,337 $ -
Other derivative activities(1)
477,717 9,406 468,311 436,301 32,010
Total derivatives subject to a master netting arrangement or similar arrangement 546,054 9,406 536,648 504,638 32,010
Total derivatives not subject to a master netting arrangement or similar arrangement(2)
360 - 360 273 87
Total Derivative Liabilities $ 546,414 $ 9,406 $ 537,008 $ 504,911 $ 32,097
(1)Includes customer-related and other derivatives.
(2)Includes mortgage banking derivatives.
(3)Cash collateral pledged and financial instruments pledged is reported in Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In certain instances, the Company is over-collateralized since the actual amount of collateral pledged exceeds the associated financial liability. As a result, the actual amount of collateral pledged that is reported in Other assets may be greater than the amount shown in the table above.
NOTE 14. FAIR VALUE
The fair value hierarchy categorizes the underlying assumptions and inputs to valuation techniques that are used to measure fair value into three levels. The three fair value hierarchy classification levels are defined as follows:
•Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that can be accessed as of the measurement date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
•Level 2 inputs are those other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
•Level 3 inputs are those that are unobservable or not readily observable for the asset or liability and are used to measure fair value to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value, by their nature, result in a higher degree of financial statement volatility. See Note 1 for a broad discussion of fair value measurement techniques. When available, the Company uses quoted market prices or matrix pricing in active markets to determine fair value and classifies such items as Level 1 or Level 2 assets or liabilities. If quoted market prices in active markets are not available, fair value is determined using third-party broker quotes and/or DCF models incorporating various assumptions including interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit losses. Assets and liabilities valued using broker quotes and/or DCF models are classified as either Level 2 or Level 3, depending on the lowest level classification of an input that is considered significant to the overall valuation.
NOTE 14. FAIR VALUE (continued)
The Company values assets and liabilities based on the principal market in which each would be sold (in the case of assets) or transferred (in the case of liabilities). The principal market is the forum with the greatest volume and level of activity. In the absence of a principal market, the valuation is based on the most advantageous market. In the absence of observable market transactions, the Company considers liquidity valuation adjustments to reflect the uncertainty in pricing the instruments. The fair value of a financial asset is measured on a stand-alone basis and cannot be measured as a group, with the exception of certain financial instruments held and managed on a net portfolio basis. In measuring the fair value of a nonfinancial asset, the Company assumes the highest and best use of the asset by a market participant, not just the intended use, to maximize the value of the asset. The Company also considers whether any credit valuation adjustments are necessary based on the counterparty's credit quality.
Any models used to determine fair values or validate dealer quotes based on the descriptions below are subject to review and testing as part of the Company's model validation and internal control testing processes.
The Company's Market Risk Department is responsible for determining and approving the fair values of all assets and liabilities valued at fair value, including the Company's Level 3 assets and liabilities. Price validation procedures are performed and the results are reviewed for Level 3 assets and liabilities by the Market Risk Department. Price validation procedures performed for these assets and liabilities can include comparing current prices to historical pricing trends by collateral type and vintage, comparing prices by product type to indicative pricing grids published by market makers, and obtaining corroborating dealer prices for significant securities.
The Company reviews the assumptions utilized to determine fair value on a quarterly basis. Any changes in methodologies or significant inputs used in determining fair values are further reviewed to determine if a change in fair value level hierarchy has occurred.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following tables present the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis by major product category and fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
(in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Balance at
December 31, 2020 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Balance at
December 31, 2019
Financial assets:
U.S. Treasury securities $ - $ 170,652 $ - $ 170,652 $ - $ 4,090,938 $ - $ 4,090,938
Corporate debt - 155,715 - 155,715 - 139,713 - 139,713
ABS - 58,945 50,393 109,338 - 75,165 63,235 138,400
State and municipal securities - 1 - 1 - 9 - 9
MBS - 10,877,783 - 10,877,783 - 9,970,698 - 9,970,698
Investment in debt securities AFS(2)
- 11,263,096 50,393 11,313,489 - 14,276,523 63,235 14,339,758
Other investments - trading securities - 40,435 - 40,435 379 718 - 1,097
RICs HFI(3)
- - 50,391 50,391 - 17,634 84,334 101,968
LHFS (1)(4)
- 265,428 - 265,428 - 289,009 - 289,009
MSRs - - 77,545 77,545 - - 130,855 130,855
Other assets - derivatives (2)
- 1,205,690 13,400 1,219,090 - 553,222 3,109 556,331
Total financial assets (5)
$ - $ 12,774,649 $ 191,729 $ 12,966,378 $ 379 $ 15,137,106 $ 281,533 $ 15,419,018
Financial liabilities:
Other liabilities - derivatives (2)
- 1,068,074 3,952 1,072,026 - 543,560 2,854 546,414
Total financial liabilities $ - $ 1,068,074 $ 3,952 $ 1,072,026 $ - $ 543,560 $ 2,854 $ 546,414
(1) LHFS disclosed on the Consolidated Balance Sheets also includes LHFS that are held at the lower of cost or fair value and are not presented within this table.
(2) Refer to Note 2 for the fair value of investment securities and to Note 13 for the fair values of derivative assets and liabilities on a further disaggregated basis.
(3) RICs collateralized by vehicle titles at SC and RV/marine loans at SBNA.
(4) Residential mortgage loans.
(5) Approximately $191.7 million of these financial assets were measured using model-based techniques, or Level 3 inputs, and represented approximately 1.5% of total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and approximately 0.1% of total consolidated assets.
NOTE 14. FAIR VALUE (continued)
Valuation Processes and Techniques - Recurring Fair Value Assets and Liabilities
The following is a description of the valuation techniques used for instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Investments in debt securities AFS
Investments in debt securities AFS are accounted for at fair value. The Company utilizes a third-party pricing service to value its investment securities portfolios on a global basis. Its primary pricing service has consistently proved to be a high quality third-party pricing provider. For those investments not valued by pricing vendors, other trusted market sources are utilized. The Company monitors and validates the reliability of vendor pricing on an ongoing basis, which can include pricing methodology reviews, performing detailed reviews of the assumptions and inputs used by the vendor to price individual securities, and price validation testing. Price validation testing is performed independently of the risk-taking function and can include corroborating the prices received from third-party vendors with prices from another third-party source, reviewing valuations of comparable instruments, comparison to internal valuations, or by reference to recent sales of similar securities.
The classification of securities within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the activity level in the market for the security type and the observability of the inputs used to determine their fair values. Actively traded quoted market prices for debt securities AFS, such as U.S. Treasury and government agency securities, corporate debt, state and municipal securities, and MBS, are not readily available. The Company's principal markets for its investment securities are the secondary institutional markets with an exit price that is predominantly reflective of bid-level pricing in these markets. These investment securities are priced by third-party pricing vendors. The third-party vendors use a variety of methods when pricing these securities that incorporate relevant observable market data to arrive at an estimate of what a buyer in the marketplace would pay for a security under current market conditions. These investment securities are, therefore, considered Level 2.
Certain ABS are valued using DCF models. The DCF models are obtained from a third-party pricing vendor which uses observable market data and therefore are classified as Level 2. Other ABS that could not be valued using a third-party pricing service are valued using an internally-developed DCF model and are classified as Level 3.
Realized gains and losses on investments in debt securities are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations through Net gain(loss) on sale of investment securities.
RICs HFI
For certain RICs reported in LHFI, net, the Company has elected the FVO. At December 31, 2019, the Company has used the most recent purchase price as the fair value for certain loans and hence classified those RICs as Level 2. The estimated fair value of the all RICs HFI at December 31, 2020 is estimated using a DCF model and are classified as Level 3.
LHFS
The Company's LHFS portfolios that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis consist primarily of residential mortgage LHFS. The fair values of LHFS are estimated using published forward agency prices to agency buyers such as FNMA and FHLMC. The majority of the residential mortgage LHFS portfolio is sold to these two agencies. The fair value is determined using current secondary market prices for portfolios with similar characteristics, adjusted for servicing values and market conditions.
These loans are regularly traded in active markets, and observable pricing information is available from market participants. The prices are adjusted as necessary to include the embedded servicing value in the loans as well as the specific characteristics of certain loans that are priced based on the pricing of similar loans. These adjustments represent unobservable inputs to the valuation, and are not significant given the relative insensitivity of the value to changes in these inputs to the fair value of the loans. Accordingly, residential mortgage LHFS are classified as Level 2. Gains and losses on residential mortgage LHFS are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations through Miscellaneous income, net. See further discussion below in the section captioned "FVO for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities."
NOTE 14. FAIR VALUE (continued)
MSRs
The Company has elected to measure most of its residential MSRs at fair value to be consistent with the risk management strategy to hedge changes in the fair value of these assets. The fair value of residential MSRs is estimated by using a cash flow valuation model which calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing cash flows, taking into consideration actual and expected mortgage loan prepayment rates, discount rates (reflective of a market participant’s return on an investment for similar assets), servicing costs, and other economic factors which are determined based on current market conditions. Historically, servicing costs and discount rates have been less volatile than prepayment rates, which are directly correlated with changes in market interest rates. Increases in prepayment rates, discount rates and servicing costs result in lower valuations of MSRs. Decreases in the anticipated earnings rate on escrow and similar balances result in lower valuations of MSRs. Assumptions incorporated into the residential MSR valuation model reflect management's best estimate of factors that a market participant would use in valuing the residential MSRs, as well as future expectations. Although sales of residential MSRs do occur, residential MSRs do not trade in an active market with readily observable prices. Those MSRs not accounted for at fair value are accounted for at amortized cost, less impairment.
As a benchmark for the reasonableness of the residential MSRs fair value, opinions of value from Brokers are obtained. Brokers provide a range of values based upon their own DCF calculations of our portfolio that reflect conditions in the secondary market and any recently executed servicing transactions. Management compares the internally-developed residential MSR values to the ranges of values received from Brokers. If the residential MSRs fair value falls outside of the Brokers' ranges, management will assess whether a valuation adjustment is warranted. The residential MSRs value is considered to represent a reasonable estimate of fair value. MSR’s are classified as Level 3.
Gains and losses on MSRs are recognized on the Consolidated Statements of Operations through Miscellaneous income, net.
Significant assumptions used in the valuation of residential MSRs include CPRs and the discount rate. Other important valuation assumptions include market-based servicing costs and the anticipated earnings on escrow and similar balances held by the Company in the normal course of mortgage servicing activities. Below is a sensitivity analysis of the most significant inputs utilized by the Company in the evaluation of residential MSRs:
• A 10% and 20% increase in the CPR speed would decrease the fair value of the residential servicing asset by $4.4 million and $8.4 million, respectively, at December 31, 2020.
•A 10% and 20% increase in the discount rate would decrease the fair value of the residential servicing asset by $2.2 million and $4.2 million, respectively, at December 31, 2020.
Significant increases/(decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in significantly (lower)/higher fair value measurements, respectively. These sensitivity calculations are hypothetical and should not be considered to be predictive of future performance. Changes in fair value based on adverse changes in assumptions generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of the change in assumption to the change in fair value may not be linear. Also, the effect of an adverse variation in a particular assumption on the fair value of the MSRs is calculated without changing any other assumption, while in reality changes in one factor may result in changes in another, which may either magnify or counteract the effect of the change. Prepayment estimates generally increase when market interest rates decline and decrease when market interest rates rise. Discount rates typically increase when market interest rates increase and/or credit and liquidity risks increase, and decrease when market interest rates decline and/or credit and liquidity conditions improve.
Derivatives
The valuation of these instruments is determined using commonly accepted valuation techniques, including DCF analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable and unobservable market-based inputs. The fair value represents the estimated amount the Company would receive or pay to terminate the contract or agreement, taking into account current interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices and, when appropriate, the current creditworthiness of the counterparties.
The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments in the fair value measurement of its derivatives to reflect the counterparty's nonperformance risk in the fair value measurement of its derivatives, except for those derivative contracts with associated credit support annexes which provide credit enhancements, such as collateral postings and guarantees.
NOTE 14. FAIR VALUE (continued)
The Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Certain of the Company's derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, which are primarily related to mortgage banking derivatives-interest rate lock commitments and total return settlement derivative contracts.
The DCF model is utilized to determine the fair value of the mortgage banking derivatives-interest rate lock commitments and the total return settlement derivative contracts. The significant unobservable inputs for mortgage banking derivatives used in the fair value measurement of the Company's loan commitments are "pull through" percentage and the MSR value that is inherent in the underlying loan value. The pull through percentage is an estimate of loan commitments that will result in closed loans. The significant unobservable inputs for total return settlement derivative contracts used in the fair value measurement of the Company's liabilities are discount percentages, which are based on comparable financial instruments. Significant increases (decreases) in any of these inputs in isolation would result in significantly higher (lower) fair value measurements. Significant increases (decreases) in the fair value of a mortgage banking derivative asset (liability) results when the probability of funding increases (decreases). Significant increases (decreases) in the fair value of a mortgage loan commitment result when the embedded servicing value increases (decreases).
See Note 13 to these Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of derivatives activity.
Level 3 Rollforward for Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The tables below present the changes in Level 3 balances for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
Year Ended December 31, 2020 Year Ended December 31, 2019
(in thousands) Investments
AFS RICs HFI MSRs Derivatives, net Total Investments
AFS RICs HFI MSRs Derivatives, net Total
Balances, beginning of period $ 63,235 $ 84,334 $ 130,855 $ 255 $ 278,679 $ 327,199 $ 126,312 $ 149,660 $ 1,866 $ 605,037
Losses in OCI(2)
(588) - - - (588) (2,535) - - - (2,535)
Gains/(losses) in earnings - 14,374 (37,543) 8,878 (14,291) - 11,433 (27,862) (2,610) (19,039)
Additions/Issuances - 2,512 12,377 - 14,889 - 2,079 26,816 - 28,895
Transfer from level 2(3)
- 17,634 - - 17,634 - - - - -
Settlements(1)
(12,254) (68,463) (28,144) 315 (108,546) (261,429) (55,490) (17,759) 999 (333,679)
Balances, end of period $ 50,393 $ 50,391 $ 77,545 $ 9,448 $ 187,777 $ 63,235 $ 84,334 $ 130,855 $ 255 $ 278,679
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings related to balances still held at end of period $ - $ 14,374 $ (37,543) $ (1,282) $ (24,451) $ - $ 11,433 $ (27,862) $ (2,975) $ (19,404)
(1)Settlements include charge-offs, prepayments, paydowns and maturities.
(2)Losses in OCI during the three-month period ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $0.2 million from the prior reporting date of September 30, 2020.
(3)The Company transferred RIC's from Level 2 to Level 3 during 2020 because the fair value for these assets cannot be determined by using readily observable inputs as of December 31, 2020. There were no other transfers into or out of Level 3 during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
NOTE 14. FAIR VALUE (continued)
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
The Company may be required to measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with GAAP from time to time. These adjustments to fair value usually result from application of lower-of-cost-or-fair value accounting or certain impairment measures. Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis that were still held on the balance sheet were as follows:
(in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Balance at
December 31, 2020 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Balance at
December 31, 2019
Impaired commercial LHFI $ - $ 32,609 $ 11,925 $ 44,534 $ - $ 133,640 $ 356,220 $ 489,860
Foreclosed assets - 8,232 23,528 31,760 - 17,168 51,080 68,248
Vehicle inventory - 313,754 - 313,754 - 346,265 - 346,265
LHFS(1)
- - 1,960,768 1,960,768 - - 1,131,214 1,131,214
Auto loans impaired due to bankruptcy - 191,785 - 191,785 - 200,504 503 201,007
Goodwill - - 2,596,161 2,596,161 - - 4,444,389 4,444,389
MSRs - - - - - - 8,197 8,197
(1) These amounts include $893.5 million and $1.0 billion of personal LHFS that were impaired as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
Valuation Processes and Techniques - Nonrecurring Fair Value Assets and Liabilities
Impaired commercial LHFI in the table above represents the recorded investment of impaired commercial loans for which the Company measures impairment during the period based on the fair value of the underlying collateral supporting the loan. Written offers to purchase a specific impaired loan are considered observable market inputs, which are considered Level 1 inputs. Appraisals are obtained to support the fair value of the collateral and incorporate measures such as recent sales prices for comparable properties and are considered Level 2 inputs. Loans for which the value of the underlying collateral is determined using a combination of real estate appraisals, field examinations and internal calculations are classified as Level 3. The inputs in the internal calculations may include the loan balance, estimation of the collectability of the underlying receivables held by the customer used as collateral, sale and liquidation value of the inventory held by the customer used as collateral and historical loss-given-default parameters. In cases in which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the collateral less cost to sell, an impairment charge is recognized. The net carrying value of these loans was $33.2 million and $448.8 million at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Loans previously impaired which were not marked to fair value during the periods presented are excluded from this table.
Foreclosed assets represent the recorded investment in assets taken during the period presented in foreclosure of defaulted loans, and are primarily comprised of commercial and residential real properties and generally measured at fair value less costs to sell. The fair value of the real property is generally determined using appraisals or other indications of market value based on recent comparable sales of similar properties or assumptions generally observable in the marketplace.
The Company estimates the fair value of its vehicles, which are obtained either through repossession or lease termination, using historical auction rates and current market values of used cars.
The Company's LHFS portfolios that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis primarily consist of personal, commercial, and RIC LHFS. The estimated fair value of these LHFS is calculated based on a combination of estimated market rates for similar loans with similar credit risks and a DCF analysis in which the Company uses significant unobservable inputs on key assumptions, including historical default rates and adjustments to reflect voluntary prepayments, prepayment rates, discount rates reflective of the cost of funding, and credit loss expectations. The lower of cost or fair value adjustment for personal LHFS includes customer default activity and adjustments related to the net change in the portfolio balance during the reporting period.
For loans that are considered collateral-dependent, such as certain bankruptcy loans, impairment is measured based on the fair value of the collateral less its estimated cost to sell. For the underlying collateral, the estimated fair value is obtained using historical auction rates and current market levels of the collateral securing the loans.
NOTE 14. FAIR VALUE (continued)
The estimated fair value of goodwill is valued using unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 at October 1 annually or more frequently if impairment indicators are present at an interim date. Fair value is calculated using widely-accepted valuation techniques, such as the guideline public company market approach (earnings and price-to-tangible book value multiples of comparable public companies) and the income approach (the DCF method). The Company uses a combination of these accepted methodologies to determine the fair valuation of reporting units. Several factors are taken into account, including actual operating results, future business plans, economic projections, and market data. On a quarterly basis, the Company assesses whether or not impairment indicators are present. For information on the Company's goodwill impairment test and the results of the most recent goodwill impairment test, see Note 5 for a description of the Company's goodwill valuation methodology.
Fair Value Adjustments
The following table presents the increases and decreases in value of certain assets that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis for which a fair value adjustment has been included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations relating to assets held at period-end:
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands) Statement of Operations Location 2020 2019 2018
Impaired LHFI Credit loss expense $ 1,127 $ (15,495) $ (58,818)
Foreclosed assets Miscellaneous income, net (1)
(4,980) (13,648) (12,137)
LHFS Credit loss expense (1,607) - (387)
LHFS Miscellaneous income, net (1)
(509,223) (404,606) (382,298)
Auto loans impaired due to bankruptcy Credit loss expense - (9,106) (93,277)
Goodwill impairment Impairment of goodwill (1)(2)
(1,848,228) - -
MSRs Miscellaneous income, net (1)
(138) (633) (743)
(1) Gains are disclosed as positive numbers while losses are shown as a negative number regardless of the line item being affected.
(2) In the period ended December 30, 2020, Goodwill totaling $4.4 billion was written down to its implied fair value of $2.6 billion, resulting in a goodwill impairment charge of $1.8 billion.
Level 3 Inputs - Significant Recurring and Nonrecurring Fair Value Assets and Liabilities
The following table presents quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within significant Level 3 recurring and nonrecurring assets and liabilities at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively:
(dollars in thousands) Fair Value at December 31, 2020 Valuation Technique Unobservable Inputs Range
(Weighted Average)
Financial Assets:
ABS
Financing bonds $ 50,393 DCF Discount rate (1)
0.22%
Personal LHFS (4)
893,479 Lower of market or Income approach Market participant view 60.00% - 70.00%
Discount rate 20.00% - 30.00%
Default rate 35.00% - 45.00%
Net principal & interest payment rate 65.00% - 75.00%
Loss severity rate 90.00% - 95.00%
RICs HFS 674,048 DCF Discount rate 1.50% - 2.50% (2.00%)
Default rate 2.00% - 4.00% (3.00%)
Prepayment rate 10.00% - 20.00% (15.00%)
Loss severity rate 50.00% - 60.00% (55.00%)
MSRs 77,545 DCF CPR (2)
[7.66% - 45.35%] (16.11%)
Discount rate (3)
9.37 %
(1) Based on the applicable term and discount index. The Company owns one financing bond security.
(2) Average CPR projected from collateral stratified by loan type and note rate. Weighted average amount was developed by weighting the associated relative unpaid principal balances.
(3) Average discount rate from collateral stratified by loan type and note rate. Weighted average amount was developed by weighting the associated relative unpaid principal balances.
(4) Excludes non-significant Level 3 LHFS portfolios. The estimated fair value for personal LHFS (Bluestem) is calculated based on the lower of market participant view, a DCF analysis in which the Company uses significant unobservable inputs on key assumptions, and also considers the possible outcomes of the Bluestem bankruptcy process.
NOTE 14. FAIR VALUE (continued)
(dollars in thousands) Fair Value at December 31, 2019 Valuation Technique Unobservable Inputs Range
(Weighted Average)
Financial Assets:
ABS
Financing bonds $ 51,001 DCF Discount rate (1)
1.64%
Sale-leaseback securities 12,234 Consensus pricing (8)
Offered quotes (9)
103.00 %
RICs HFI 84,334 DCF CPR (5)
6.66 %
Discount rate (6)
9.50% - 14.50% (13.16%)
Recovery rate (7)
25% - 43% (41.12%)
Personal LHFS (4)
1,007,105 Lower of market or Income approach Market participant view 70.00% - 80.00%
Discount rate 15.00% - 25.00%
Default rate 30.00% - 40.00%
Net principal & interest payment rate 70.00% - 85.00%
Loss severity rate 90.00% - 95.00%
MSRs (10)
130,855 DCF CPR (2)
7.83% - 100.00% (11.97%)
Discount rate (3)
9.63 %
(1), (2), (3), (4) - See corresponding footnotes to the December 31, 2020 Level 3 significant inputs table above.
(5) Based on the analysis of available data from a comparable market securitization of similar assets.
(6) Based on the cost of funding of debt issuance and recent historical equity yields. Weighted average amount was developed by weighting the associated relative unpaid principal balances.
(7) Based on the average severity utilizing reported severity rates and loss severity utilizing available market data from a comparable securitized pool. Weighted average amount was developed by weighting the associated relative unpaid principal balances.
(8) Consensus pricing refers to fair value estimates that are generally developed using information such as dealer quotes or other third-party valuations or comparable asset prices.
(9) Based on the nature of the input, a range or weighted average does not exist. The Company owns one sale-leaseback security.
(10) Excludes MSR valued on a non-recurring basis for which we do not consider there to be significant unobservable assumptions.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values, as well as the level within the fair value hierarchy, of the Company's financial instruments are as follows:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
(in thousands) Carrying Value Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Carrying Value Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 12,621,281 $ 12,621,281 $ 12,621,281 $ - $ - $ 7,644,372 $ 7,644,372 $ 7,644,372 $ - $ -
Investments in debt securities AFS 11,313,489 11,313,489 - 11,263,096 50,393 14,339,758 14,339,758 - 14,276,523 63,235
Investments in debt securities HTM 5,504,685 5,677,929 - 5,677,929 - 3,938,797 3,957,227 - 3,957,227 -
Other investments (3)
790,435 801,056 - 801,056 - 1,097 1,097 379 718 -
LHFI, net 84,794,689 89,395,086 - 32,609 89,362,477 89,059,251 90,490,760 - 1,142,998 89,347,762
LHFS 2,226,196 2,226,196 - 265,428 1,960,768 1,420,223 1,420,295 - 289,009 1,131,286
Restricted cash 5,303,460 5,303,460 5,303,460 - - 3,881,880 3,881,880 3,881,880 - -
MSRs(1)
77,545 77,545 - - 77,545 132,683 139,052 - - 139,052
Derivatives 1,219,090 1,219,090 - 1,205,690 13,400 556,331 556,331 - 553,222 3,109
Financial liabilities:
Deposits (2)
3,897,056 3,920,096 - 3,920,096 - 9,375,281 9,384,994 - 9,384,994 -
Borrowings and other debt obligations 46,359,467 47,081,852 - 30,538,951 16,542,901 50,654,406 51,232,798 - 36,114,404 15,118,394
Derivatives 1,072,026 1,072,026 - 1,068,074 3,952 546,414 546,414 - 543,560 2,854
(1) The Company has elected to account for the majority of its MSR balance using the FVO, while the remainder of the MSRs are accounted for using the lower of cost or fair value.
(2) This line item excludes deposit liabilities with no defined or contractual maturities in accordance with ASU 2016-01.
(3) This line item includes CDs with a maturity greater than 90 days and investments in trading securities.
NOTE 14. FAIR VALUE (continued)
Valuation Processes and Techniques - Financial Instruments
The preceding tables present disclosures about the fair value of the Company's financial instruments. Those fair values for certain instruments are presented based upon subjective estimates of relevant market conditions at a specific point in time and information about each financial instrument. In cases in which quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. These techniques involve uncertainties resulting in variability in estimates affected by changes in assumptions and risks of the financial instruments at a certain point in time. Therefore, the derived fair value estimates presented above for certain instruments cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets. In addition, the fair values do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time an entity’s entire holding of a particular financial instrument, nor do they reflect potential taxes and the expenses that would be incurred in an actual sale or settlement. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented above do not represent the underlying value of the Company.
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments not measured at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from depository institutions, interest-bearing deposits in other banks, federal funds sold, and securities purchased under agreements to resell. The related fair value measurements have been classified as Level 1, since their carrying value approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the asset.
Restricted cash is related to cash restricted for investment purposes, cash posted for collateral purposes, cash advanced for loan purchases, and lockbox collections. Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, have maturities of three months or less and, accordingly, the carrying amount of these instruments is deemed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value.
Investments in debt securities HTM
Investments in debt securities HTM are recorded at amortized cost and are priced by third-party pricing vendors. The third-party vendors use a variety of methods when pricing these securities that incorporate relevant observable market data to arrive at an estimate of what a buyer in the marketplace would pay for a security under current market conditions. These investment securities are, therefore, considered Level 2.
LHFI, net
The fair values of loans are estimated based on groupings of similar loans, including but not limited to stratifications by type, interest rate, maturity, and borrower creditworthiness. Discounted future cash flow analyses are performed for these loans incorporating assumptions of current and projected voluntary prepayment speeds. Discount rates are determined using the Company's current origination rates on similar loans, adjusted for changes in current liquidity and credit spreads (if necessary). Because the current liquidity spreads are generally not observable in the market and the expected loss assumptions are based on the Company's experience, these are Level 3 valuations. Impaired loans are valued at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. See further discussion under the section captioned "Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis" above.
LHFS
The Company has LHFS portfolios that are accounted for at the lower of cost or market. This primarily consists of RICs HFS for which the estimated fair value is based on prices obtained in recent market transactions or expected to be obtained in the subsequent sales for similar assets.
Deposits
For deposits with no stated maturity, such as non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing demand deposit accounts, savings accounts and certain money market accounts, the carrying value approximates fair values. The fair value of fixed-maturity deposits is estimated by discounting cash flows using currently offered rates for deposits of similar remaining maturities and have been classified as Level 2.
NOTE 14. FAIR VALUE (continued)
Borrowings and other debt obligations
Fair value is estimated by discounting cash flows using rates currently available to the Company for other borrowings with similar terms and remaining maturities. Certain other debt obligation instruments are valued using available market quotes for similar instruments, which contemplates issuer default risk. The related fair value measurements have generally been classified as Level 2. A certain portion of debt relating to revolving credit facilities is classified as Level 3. Management believes that the terms of these credit agreements approximate market terms for similar credit agreements and, therefore, they are considered to be Level 3.
Residential MSRs
The Company maintains an MSR asset for sold residential real estate loans serviced for others. The Company elected to account for the majority of its existing portfolio of MSRs at fair value. This election created greater flexibility with regard to risk management of the asset by aligning the accounting for the MSRs with the accounting for risk management instruments, which are also generally carried at fair value. At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the balance of these loans serviced for others accounted for at fair value was $12.5 billion and $15.0 billion, respectively. Changes in fair value are recorded through Miscellaneous income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As deemed appropriate, the Company economically hedges MSRs using interest rate swaps and forward contracts to purchase MBS. See further discussion on these derivative activities in Note 13 to these Consolidated Financial Statements. The remainder of the MSRs are accounted for using the lower of cost or fair value and are presented above in the section captioned "Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis."
FVO for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
LHFS
The Company's LHFS portfolios that are measured using the FVO consist of residential mortgage LHFS. The adoption of the FVO for residential mortgage loans classified as HFS allows the Company to record the mortgage LHFS portfolio at fair market value compared to the lower of cost, net of deferred fees, deferred origination costs, or market. The Company economically hedges its residential LHFS portfolio, which is reported at fair value. A lower of cost or market accounting treatment would not allow the Company to record the excess of the fair market value over book value, but would require the Company to record the corresponding reduction in value on the hedges. Both the loans and related hedges are carried at fair value, which reduces earnings volatility, as the amounts more closely offset.
RICs HFI
To reduce accounting and operational complexity, the Company elected the FVO for certain of its RICs HFI. These loans consisted primarily of SC’s RICs accounted for by SC under ASC 310-30 and non-performing loans acquired by SC under optional clean up calls from its non-consolidated Trusts.
The following table summarizes the differences between the fair value and the principal balance of LHFS and RICs measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
(in thousands) Fair Value Aggregate UPB Difference Fair Value Aggregate UPB Difference
LHFS(1)
$ 265,428 $ 250,822 $ 14,606 $ 289,009 $ 284,111 $ 4,898
RICs HFI 50,391 50,624 (233) 101,968 113,863 (11,895)
Nonaccrual loans 1,474 2,178 (704) 10,616 12,917 (2,301)
(1) LHFS disclosed on the Consolidated Balance Sheets also includes LHFS that are held at the lower of cost or fair value that are not presented within this table. There were no nonaccrual loans related to the LHFS measured using the FVO.
NOTE 15. NON-INTEREST INCOME AND OTHER EXPENSES
The following table presents the details of the Company's Non-interest income for the following periods:
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands) 2020 2019 2018
Non-interest income:
Consumer and commercial fees $ 471,901 $ 548,846 $ 568,147
Lease income 3,037,284 2,872,857 2,375,596
Miscellaneous income, net
Mortgage banking income, net 49,082 44,315 34,612
BOLI 58,981 62,782 58,939
Capital market revenue 227,421 197,042 165,392
Net gain on sale of operating leases 243,189 135,948 202,793
Asset and wealth management fees 208,732 175,611 165,765
Loss on sale of non-mortgage loans (366,976) (397,965) (351,751)
Other miscellaneous (loss) / income, net (10,923) 83,865 31,532
Net gain on sale of investment securities 31,297 5,816 (6,717)
Total Non-interest income $ 3,949,988 $ 3,729,117 $ 3,244,308
Disaggregation of Revenue from Contracts with Customers
The following table presents the Company's Non-interest income disaggregated by revenue source:
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands) 2020 2019 2018
Non-interest income:
In-scope of revenue from contracts with customers:
Depository services(1)
$ 190,011 $ 241,167 $ 236,381
Commission and trailer fees(2)
192,355 160,665 143,733
Interchange income, net(2)
64,394 67,524 60,258
Underwriting service fees(2)
137,007 97,211 71,536
Asset and wealth management fees(2)
127,612 145,515 138,108
Other revenue from contracts with customers(2)
60,351 39,885 36,692
Total in-scope of revenue from contracts with customers 771,730 751,967 686,708
Out-of-scope of revenue from contracts with customers:
Consumer and commercial fees(3)
233,699 256,412 294,371
Lease income 3,037,284 2,872,857 2,375,596
Miscellaneous loss(3)
(124,022) (157,935) (105,650)
Net gain/(loss) on sale of investment securities 31,297 5,816 (6,717)
Total out-of-scope of revenue from contracts with customers 3,178,258 2,977,150 2,557,600
Total non-interest income $ 3,949,988 $ 3,729,117 $ 3,244,308
(1) Primarily recorded in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations within Consumer and commercial fees.
(2) Primarily recorded in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations within Miscellaneous income, net.
(3) The balance presented excludes certain revenue streams that are considered in-scope and presented above.
NOTE 15. NON-INTEREST INCOME AND OTHER EXPENSES (continued)
Other Expenses
The following table presents the Company's other expenses for the following periods:
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands) 2020 2019(1)
Other expenses:
Amortization of intangibles $ 58,661 $ 58,993 $ 60,650
Deposit insurance premiums and other expenses 50,238 64,734 61,983
Loss on debt extinguishment 10,887 2,735 3,470
Other administrative expenses 390,573 518,138 461,291
Other miscellaneous expenses 50,193 42,830 21,595
Total Other expenses $ 560,552 $ 687,430 $ 608,989
(1) The year ended December 31, 2019 includes $25.3 million of FDIC insurance premiums that relates to periods from the first quarter of 2015 through the fourth quarter of 2018. The Company has concluded that the out-of-period correction is immaterial to all impacted periods.
NOTE 16. INCOME TAXES
The Company is subject to the income tax laws of the U.S., its states and municipalities and certain foreign countries. These tax laws are complex and are potentially subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and the relevant governmental taxing authorities. In establishing a provision for income tax expense, the Company must make judgments and interpretations about the application of these inherently complex tax laws.
Actual income taxes paid may vary from estimates depending upon changes in income tax laws, actual results of operations, and the final audit of tax returns by taxing authorities. Tax assessments may arise several years after tax returns have been filed. The Company reviews its tax balances quarterly and, as new information becomes available, the balances are adjusted as appropriate. The Company is subject to ongoing tax examinations and assessments in various jurisdictions.
Income Taxes from Continuing Operations
The provision for income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Operations is comprised of the following components:
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands) 2020 2019 2018
Current:
Foreign $ (1,096) $ 491 $ 13,183
Federal 103,260 40,964 (68,160)
State 63,346 91,592 64,002
Total current 165,510 133,047 9,025
Deferred:
Foreign 4,797 38,471 16,882
Federal (213,105) 263,970 360,780
State (67,847) 36,711 39,213
Total deferred (276,155) 339,152 416,875
Total income tax provision/(benefit) $ (110,645) $ 472,199 $ 425,900
NOTE 16. INCOME TAXES (continued)
Reconciliation of Statutory and Effective Tax Rate
The following is a reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21.0% for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 to the Company's effective tax rate for each of the years indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Federal income tax at statutory rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 %
Increase/(decrease) in taxes resulting from:
Valuation allowance (1.8) % 2.4 % 4.6 %
Tax-exempt income 1.3 % (0.9) % (0.8) %
Section 162(m) limitation (0.4) % 0.2 % 0.2 %
Non-deductible FDIC insurance premiums (1.2) % 0.8 % 0.8 %
BOLI 1.6 % (0.9) % (0.9) %
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit (2.4) % 6.1 % 5.9 %
General business tax credits 2.7 % (1.6) % (1.7) %
Electric vehicle credits 0.2 % (0.4) % (0.7) %
Basis difference in unconsolidated subsidiaries 34.7 % 3.4 % 3.0 %
Uncertain tax position reserve 0.4 % (0.1) % (0.3) %
Goodwill impairment (37.8) % - % - %
Other (3.9) % 1.2 % (1.0) %
Effective tax rate 14.4 % 31.2 % 30.1 %
NOTE 16. INCOME TAXES (continued)
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented below:
At December 31,
(in thousands) 2020 2019 (1)
Deferred tax assets:
ALLL $ 349,186 $ 176,304
IRC Section 475 mark-to-market adjustment 670,294 169,224
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities - 2,209
Unrealized loss on derivatives - 9,639
Held to maturity 3,417 4,618
Capital loss carryforwards - 22,547
Net operating loss carryforwards 1,883,130 2,098,447
Lease liability 167,165 169,415
Employee benefits 87,471 104,788
General business credit & other tax credit carryforwards 486,937 535,694
Broker commissions paid on originated mortgage loans 7,444 10,520
Minimum tax credit carryforwards 1,337 30,903
Goodwill amortization 38,390 34,504
Accrued expenses 69,401 83,271
Recourse reserves 6,322 6,854
Deferred interest expense 74,324 73,271
Depreciation and amortization 684,382 470,965
Other 139,525 174,537
Total gross deferred tax assets 4,668,725 4,177,710
Valuation allowance (371,559) (371,457)
Total deferred tax assets 4,297,166 3,806,253
Deferred tax liabilities:
Purchase accounting adjustments 72,559 87,444
Deferred income 10,357 42,811
Originated MSRs 23,290 37,164
Unrealized gain on AFS securities 45,070 -
Unrealized gain on derivatives 28,788 -
ROU asset 157,081 168,686
SC basis difference - 413,915
Leasing transactions 3,933,789 3,855,255
Other 197,472 218,330
Total gross deferred tax liabilities 4,468,406 4,823,605
Net deferred tax (liability) $ (171,240) $ (1,017,352)
(1) Includes an immaterial correction to present the deferred tax impacts on ROU asset and liabilities on a gross basis increasing DTAs and DTLs by $156.0 million as of December 31, 2019.
Due to jurisdictional netting, the net deferred tax liability of $171.2 million is classified on the balance sheet as a deferred tax liability of $182.4 million and a deferred tax asset included in Other assets of $11.1 million.
NOTE 16. INCOME TAXES (continued)
The IRC Section 475 mark-to-market adjustment deferred tax asset is primarily related to SC's business as a dealer, which is required to be recognized under IRC Section 475 for net gains that have been recognized for tax purposes on loans that are required to be marked to market for tax purposes but not book purposes. The increased deferred tax asset as of December 31, 2020 as compared to 2019 is largely due to the CECL adoption in 2020 at SC. The leasing transactions deferred tax liability is primarily related to accelerated tax depreciation on leasing transactions. The SC basis difference deferred tax liability is the book over tax basis difference in the Company's investment in SC. During the third quarter, the Company’s ownership of SC reached the 80% threshold which requires SC to be consolidated with the Company for tax filing purposes. Due to the filing of the consolidated federal tax return, SC and SHUSA's deferred tax assets and liabilities are now offset and reported on a net basis. SHUSA reversed its deferred tax liability of $306.6 million for the book over tax basis difference in its investment in SC as SHUSA now has the ability and expects to recover its investment in SC in a tax-free manner.
Periodic reviews of the carrying amount of deferred tax assets are made to determine if the establishment of a valuation allowance is necessary. If, based on the available evidence in future periods, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the Company’s deferred tax assets will not be realized, a deferred tax valuation allowance would be established. Consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax assets.
Items considered in this evaluation include historical financial performance, the expectation of future earnings, the ability to carry back losses to recoup taxes previously paid, the length of statutory carryforward periods, experience with operating loss and tax credit carryforwards not expiring unused, tax planning strategies and timing of reversals of temporary differences. The Company's evaluation is based on current tax laws, as well as its expectations of future performance. As of December 31, 2020, the Company maintained a valuation allowance of $371.6 million, compared to $371.5 million as of December 31, 2019, related to deferred tax assets subject to carryforward periods for which the Company has determined it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will remain unused after the carryforward periods have expired. The $0.1 million increase year-over-year was primarily driven by an increase in the valuation allowance at SC offset by the sale in the third quarter of subsidiaries in Puerto Rico which had valuation allowances.
The deferred tax asset realization analysis is updated at each quarter-end using the most recent forecasts. An assessment is made quarterly as to whether the forecasts and assumptions used in the deferred tax asset realization analysis should be revised in light of any changes that have occurred or are expected to occur that would significantly impact the forecasts or modeling assumptions. At December 31, 2020, the Company has recorded the following:
(in thousands) Gross Deferred Tax Balance Valuation Allowance Final Expiration Year (1)
Net operating loss carryforwards $ 1,809,434 $ 187,551 2037
State net operating loss carryforwards 73,697 6,916 2039
General business credit carryforward 486,937 77,896 2040
Minimum tax credit carryforward 1,337 1,336 N/A
Deferred tax timing differences 2,289,282 97,860 N/A
Total $ 4,660,687 $ 371,559
(1) These will expire in varying amounts through the final expiration year.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s intention to permanently reinvest unremitted earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries (with the exception of one subsidiary) in accordance with ASC 740-30 (formerly Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 23) remains unchanged. This will continue to be evaluated as the Company’s business needs and requirements evolve. While the TCJA included a transition tax, which amounts to a deemed repatriation of foreign earnings and a one-time inclusion of these earnings in U.S. taxable income, there could be additional costs of actual repatriation of the foreign earnings, such as state taxes and foreign withholding taxes, which are inherently difficult to quantify. Additionally, the sale of a foreign subsidiary could result in a gain that is subject to tax.
The Company has not provided deferred income taxes of $29.1 million on approximately $112.1 million of the Bank's existing pre-1988 tax bad debt reserve at December 31, 2020, due to the indefinite nature of the recapture provisions. Certain rules under Section 593 of the IRC govern when the Company may be subject to tax on the recapture of the existing base year tax bad debt reserve, such as distributions by the Bank in excess of certain earnings and profits, the redemption of the Bank’s stock, or a liquidation. The Company does not expect any of those events to occur.
NOTE 16. INCOME TAXES (continued)
Changes in Liability Related to Uncertain Tax Positions
At December 31, 2020, the Company had reserves related to tax benefits from uncertain tax positions of $46.4 million. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
(in thousands) Unrecognized Tax Benefits Accrued Interest and Penalties Total
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at January 1, 2018 $ 48,688 $ 41,798 $ 90,486
Additions based on tax positions related to 2018 1,005 - 1,005
Additions for tax positions of prior years 2,030 1,527 3,557
Reductions for tax positions of prior years (1,545) (65) (1,610)
Reductions to unrecognized tax benefits as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations (4,813) (764) (5,577)
Settlements (62) (29) (91)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2018 45,303 42,467 87,770
Additions based on tax positions related to 2019 270 - 270
Additions for tax positions of prior years 12,716 1,779 14,495
Reductions for tax positions of prior years (4,652) (35,554) (40,206)
Reductions to unrecognized tax benefits as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations (3,900) (2,134) (6,034)
Settlements - - -
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2019 49,737 6,558 56,295
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year - - -
Additions for tax positions of prior years - 1,118 1,118
Reductions for tax positions of prior years (3,096) (1,579) (4,675)
Reductions to unrecognized tax benefits as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations (93) (52) (145)
Settlements (785) (154) (939)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2020 $ 45,763 $ 5,891 $ 51,654
Gross net unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized would impact the effective tax rate at December 31, 2020 $ 45,763 $ 5,891
Less: Federal, state and local income tax benefits (5,239)
Net unrecognized tax benefit reserves $ 46,415
Tax positions will initially be recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. Such tax positions are initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts. The Company is subject to the income tax laws of the U.S., its states and municipalities and certain foreign countries. These tax laws are complex and are potentially subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and relevant governmental taxing authorities. In establishing an income tax provision, the Company must make judgments and interpretations about the application of these inherently complex tax laws. The Company recognizes penalties and interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits within Income tax provision on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
On September 5, 2019, the Federal District Court in Massachusetts entered a stipulated judgment resolving the Company’s litigation relating to the proper tax consequences of two financing transactions with an international bank through which the Company borrowed $1.2 billion that was previously disclosed within its Form 10-K for 2018. That stipulated judgment resolved the Company’s tax liability for the 2003 through 2005 tax years with no material effect on net income. The Company has agreed with the IRS to resolve the treatment of the same financing transactions for the 2006 and 2007 tax years on terms consistent with the September 5, 2019 stipulated judgment. The Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation has completed its review of the proposed resolution of the 2006 and 2007 tax years with no objections. The Company and the IRS are now finalizing that resolution, which will have no impact on net income.
NOTE 16. INCOME TAXES (continued)
With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal and non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2011 and state income tax examinations for years prior to 2006.
The Company applies an aggregate portfolio approach whereby income tax effects from AOCI are released only when an entire portfolio (i.e., all related units of account) of a particular type is liquidated, sold or extinguished.
NOTE 17. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
SC Stock Compensation Plans
SC granted stock options to certain executives, other employees, and independent directors under SC's 2011 MEP, which enabled SC to make stock awards up to a total of approximately 29.4 million common shares (net of shares canceled and forfeited). The MEP expired in January 2015 and SC will not grant any further awards under the MEP. SC has granted stock options, restricted stock awards and RSUs under its Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), which was established in 2013 and enables SC to grant awards of non-qualified and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, RSUs, and other awards that may be settled in or based upon the value of SC Common Stock, up to a total of 5,192,641 shares of SC Common Stock. The Plan was amended and restated as of June 16, 2016.
Stock options granted under the MEP and the Plan have an exercise price based on the estimated fair market value of SC Common Stock on the grant date. The stock options expire ten years after grant date and include both time vesting options and performance vesting options. The fair value of the stock options is amortized into income over the vesting period as time and performance vesting conditions are met.
In 2013, the SC Board approved certain changes to the MEP, including acceleration of vesting for certain employees, removal of transfer restrictions for shares underlying a portion of the options outstanding, and addition of transfer restrictions for shares underlying another portion of the outstanding options. All of the changes were contingent on, and effective upon, SC's execution of an IPO and, as such, became effective upon pricing of SC's IPO on January 22, 2014.
Compensation expense related to 583,890 shares of restricted stock that SC has issued to certain executives is recognized over a five-year vesting period, with zero recorded for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. SC recognized $7.1 million, $8.6 million and $7.7 million related to stock options and RSUs within compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition, SC recognizes forfeitures of awards as they occur.
Also in connection with its IPO, SC granted additional stock options under the MEP to certain executives, other employees, and an independent director with an estimated compensation cost of $10.2 million, which is being recognized over the awards' vesting period of five years for the employees and three years for the director. Additional stock option grants were made to employees under the Plan during the year ended December 31, 2016. The estimated compensation cost associated with these additional grants was $0.7 million and will be recognized over the vesting periods of the awards. The grant date fair values of these stock option awards were determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation model.
NOTE 17. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (continued)
A summary of SC's stock options and related activity as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, is as follows:
Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value
(in whole dollars) (in 000's)
Options outstanding at January 1, 2020 273,737 $ 13.09 3.1 $ 2,867
Granted - -
Exercised (75,468) 9.89 868
Expired (15,440) 25.89
Forfeited (13,460) 17.25
Other - -
Options outstanding at December 31, 2020 169,369 $ 13.01 1.9 $ 1,543
Options exercisable at December 31, 2020 169,369 $ 13.01 1.9 $ 1,543
Options expected to vest after December 31, 2020 - $ - 0.0 $ -
A summary of the status and changes of SC's nonvested stock options as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, is presented below:
Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at January 1, 2020 29,951 $ 5.01
Granted - -
Vested (16,491) 5.00
Forfeited (13,460) 5.01
Non-vested at December 31, 2020 - $ -
At December 31, 2020, total unrecognized compensation expense for nonvested stock options was zero.
There were no stock options granted to employees in 2020 or 2019.
The Company has the same fair value basis with that of SC for any stock option awards after the IPO date.
In connection with compensation restrictions imposed on certain executive officers and other employees by the European Central Bank under the CRD IV prudential rules, which require a portion of such officers' and employees' variable compensation to be paid in the form of equity and deferred, SC periodically grants RSUs. Under the Plan, a portion of these RSUs vested immediately upon grant, and a portion will vest annually over the following three or five years subject to the achievement of certain performance conditions as and where applicable. After the shares subject to the RSUs vest and are settled, they are subject to transfer and sale restrictions for one year. RSUs are valued based upon the fair market value on the date of the grant. The Company also has granted certain directors RSUs that vest upon the earlier of the first anniversary of the grant date or the first stockholder meeting following the grant date. In addition, the Company grants RSUs to certain officers and employees as part of variable compensation and vesting terms can vary depending on grant reason. Any awards granted that are not pursuant to CRD IV compliance are not subject to the one year no sale/transfer restriction. RSUs are valued based upon the fair market value on the date of the grant.
A summary of the Company’s RSUs and performance stock units and related activity as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:
Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value
(in whole dollars) (in 000's)
Outstanding at January 1, 2020 498,299 $ 17.41 0.9 $ 11,645
Granted 268,438 24.02
Vested (386,704) 19.84 9,037
Forfeited/cancelled (13,021) 17.98
Unvested at December 31, 2020 367,012 $ 19.78 0.8 $ 8,082
NOTE 18.OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Defined Contribution Plans
All employees of the Bank are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan, sponsored by the Company, following their completion of one month of service. There is no age requirement to join the 401(k) Plan. Beginning January 2020, the Bank matched 100% of employee contributions up to 6% of their compensation. In 2019, the Bank matched 100% of employee contributions up to 5% of the employee's compensation. The Bank's match is immediately vested and is allocated to the employee’s various 401(k) Plan investment options in the same percentages as the employee’s own contributions. The Bank recognized expense for contributions to the 401(k) Plan of $40.2 million, $33.7 million and $26.8 million during 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, within the Compensation and benefits line on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
SC sponsors a defined contribution plan offered to qualifying employees. Employees participating in the plan may contribute up to 75% of their eligible compensation, subject to federal limitations on absolute amounts contributed. SC will match up to 6% of their eligible compensation, with matching contributions of up to 100% of employee contributions. The total amount contributed by SC under this plan in 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $16.3 million, $14.0 million and $14.0 million, respectively.
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Post Retirement Benefit Plans
The Company sponsors several defined benefit plans and other post-retirement benefit plans that cover certain employees. All of these plans are frozen and therefore closed to new entrants; all benefits are fully vested, and therefore the plans ceased accruing benefits. The Company complies with minimum funding requirements in all countries. The Company also sponsors several supplemental executive retirement plans and other unfunded post-retirement benefit plans that provide health care to certain retired employees.
The Company recognizes the funded status of its defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans, measured as the difference between the fair value of the plan assets and the projected benefit obligation, within Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company has accrued liabilities of $28.4 million and $31.5 million related to its total defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The net unfunded status related to actuarially-valued defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement plans was $12.8 million and $14.5 million at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
BSI and SIS are participating employers in a defined benefit pension plan sponsored by Santander's New York branch, covering certain active and former BSI and SIS employees. Effective December 31, 2012, the defined benefit pension plan was frozen. The amounts representing BSI and SIS's share of the pension liability are recorded within Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. This plan currently has an unfunded liability of $65.1 million, of which $39.8 million is the share of the liability assigned to BSI and SIS combined.
NOTE 19. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES
Off-Balance Sheet Risk - Financial Instruments
In the normal course of business, the Company utilizes a variety of financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers and manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, letters of credit, loans sold with recourse, forward contracts, and interest rate and cross currency swaps, caps and floors. These financial instruments may involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, liquidity, and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The contractual or notional amounts of these financial instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments.
The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit, letters of credit and loans sold with recourse is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. For forward contracts and interest rate swaps, caps and floors, the contract or notional amounts do not represent exposure to credit loss. The Company controls the credit risk of its forward contracts and interest rate swaps, caps and floors through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures. See Note 13 to these Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of all derivative contract commitments.
NOTE 19. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES (continued)
The following table details the amount of commitments at the dates indicated:
Other Commitments December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
(in thousands)
Commitments to extend credit $ 30,883,502 $ 30,685,478
Letters of credit 1,432,764 1,592,726
Commitments to sell loans 49,791 21,341
Unsecured revolving lines of credit - 24,922
Recourse exposure on sold loans 26,362 53,667
Total commitments $ 32,392,419 $ 32,378,134
Commitments to Extend Credit
Commitments to extend credit generally have fixed expiration dates, are variable rate, and contain provisions that permit the Company to terminate or otherwise renegotiate the contracts in the event of a significant deterioration in the customer’s credit quality. These arrangements normally require payment of a fee by the customer, the pricing of which is based on prevailing market conditions, credit quality, probability of funding, and other relevant factors. Since many of these commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the contract amounts are not necessarily indicative of future cash requirements.
Included within the reported balances for Commitments to extend credit at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are $5.4 billion and $5.7 billion, respectively, of commitments that can be canceled by the Company without notice.
Commitments to extend credit also include amounts committed by the Company to fund its investments in CRA, LIHTC, and other equity method investments in which it is a limited partner.
Letters of Credit
The Company’s letters of credit meet the definition of a guarantee. Letters of credit commit the Company to make payments on behalf of its customers if specified future events occur. The guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. The weighted average term of these commitments at December 31, 2020 was 12.8 months. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. In the event of a requested draw by the beneficiary that complies with the terms of the letter of credit, the Company would be required to honor the commitment. The Company has various forms of collateral for these letters of credit, including real estate assets and other customer business assets. The maximum undiscounted exposure related to these commitments at December 31, 2020 was $1.4 billion. The fees related to letters of credit are deferred and amortized over the life of the respective commitments, and were immaterial to the Company’s financial statements at December 31, 2020. Management believes that the utilization rate of these letters of credit will continue to be substantially less than the amount of the commitments, as has been the Company’s experience to date. The credit risk associated with letters of credit is monitored using the same risk rating system utilized within the loan and financing lease portfolio. As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the liability related to unfunded lending commitments was $146.5 million and $89.6 million, respectively.
Unsecured Revolving Lines of Credit
Such commitments arise primarily from agreements with customers for unused lines of credit on unsecured revolving accounts and credit cards, provided there is no violation of conditions in the underlying agreement. These commitments, substantially all of which the Company can terminate at any time and which do not necessarily represent future cash requirements, are reviewed periodically based on account usage, customer creditworthiness and loan qualifications.
Loans Sold with Recourse
The Company has loans sold with recourse that meet the definition of a guarantee. For loans sold with recourse under the terms of its multifamily sales program with the FNMA, the Company retained a portion of the associated credit risk.
NOTE 19. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES (continued)
Commitments to Sell Loans
The Company enters into forward contracts relating to its mortgage banking business to hedge the exposures from commitments to make new residential mortgage loans with existing customers and from mortgage loans classified as LHFS. These contracts mature in less than one year.
SC Commitments
The following table summarizes liabilities recorded for commitments and contingencies as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, all of which are included in Accounts payable and accrued expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Agreement or Legal Matter Commitment or Contingency December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
(in thousands)
Chrysler Agreement Revenue-sharing and gain/(loss), net-sharing payments $ 43,778 $ 12,132
Agreement with Bank of America Servicer performance fee 1,200 2,503
Agreement with CBP Loss-sharing payments 181 1,429
Other contingencies Consumer arrangements 22,155 1,991
Following is a description of the agreements and legal matters pursuant to which the liabilities in the preceding table were recorded.
Chrysler Agreement
Under the terms of the Chrysler Agreement, SC must make revenue sharing payments to FCA and also must share with FCA when residual gains/(losses) on leased vehicles exceed a specified threshold. The agreement also requires that SC maintain at least $5.0 billion in funding available for floor plan loans and $4.5 billion of financing dedicated to FCA retail financing. In turn, FCA must provide designated minimum threshold percentages of its subvention business to SC.
Agreement with Bank of America
Until January 2017, SC had a flow agreement with Bank of America whereby SC was committed to sell up to $300.0 million of eligible loans to the bank each month. SC retains servicing on all sold loans and may receive or pay a servicer performance payment based on an agreed-upon formula if performance on the sold loans is better or worse, respectively, than expected performance at the time of sale. Servicer performance payments are due six years from the cut-off date of each loan sale.
Agreement with CBP
Until May 2017, SC sold loans to CBP under terms of a flow agreement and predecessor sale agreements. SC retained servicing on the sold loans and owes CBP a loss-sharing payment capped at 0.5% of the original pool balance if losses exceed a specified threshold, established on a pool-by-pool basis. Loss-sharing payments are due the month in which net losses exceed the established threshold of each loan sale.
NOTE 19. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES (continued)
Agreements
Bluestem
SC is party to agreements with Bluestem whereby SC is committed to purchase certain new advances on personal revolving financings receivables, along with existing balances on accounts with new advances, originated by Bluestem for an initial term ending in April 2020 and renewable through April 2022 at Bluestem's option. As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the total unused credit available to customers was $2.7 billion and $3.0 billion, respectively. In 2020, SC purchased $1.2 billion of receivables out of the $3.0 billion unused credit available to customers as of December 31, 2019. In 2019, SC purchased $1.2 billion of receivables out of the $3.1 billion unused credit available to customers as of December 31, 2018. In addition, SC purchased $294.3 million and $270.0 million of receivables related to newly-opened customer accounts during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Each customer account generated under the agreements generally is approved with a credit limit higher than the amount of the initial purchase, with each subsequent purchase automatically approved as long as it does not cause the account to exceed its limit and the customer is in good standing. As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, SC was obligated to purchase $14.2 million and $10.6 million, respectively, in receivables that had been originated by Bluestem but not yet purchased by SC. SC also is required to make a profit-sharing payment to Bluestem each month if performance exceeds a specified return threshold. The agreement, among other provisions, gives Bluestem the right to repurchase up to 9.99% of the existing portfolio at any time during the term of the agreement and, provides that, if the repurchase right is exercised, Bluestem has the right to retain up to 20.00% of new accounts subsequently originated.
On March 9, 2020, Bluestem and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. On August 28, 2020, BLST Operating Company LLC. purchased the Bluestem assets from bankruptcy and assumed Bluestem's obligations under the parties' agreement.
Others
Under terms of an application transfer agreement with Nissan, SC has the first opportunity to review for its own portfolio any credit applications turned down by Nissan’s captive finance company. The agreement does not require SC to originate any loans, but for each loan originated SC will pay Nissan a referral fee.
In connection with the sale of RICs through securitizations and other sales, SC has made standard representations and warranties customary to the consumer finance industry. Violations of these representations and warranties may require SC to repurchase loans previously sold to on- or off-balance sheet Trusts or other third parties. As of December 31, 2020, there were no loans that were the subject of a demand to repurchase or replace for breach of representations and warranties for SC's ABS or other sales. In the opinion of management, the potential exposure of other recourse obligations related to SC’s RICs sale agreements is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's or SC’s business, consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Santander has provided guarantees on the covenants, agreements, and obligations of SC under the governing documents of its warehouse facilities and privately issued amortizing notes. These guarantees are limited to the obligations of SC as servicer.
In November 2015, SC executed a forward flow asset sale agreement with a third party under the terms of which SC is committed to sell $350.0 million in charged-off loan receivables in bankruptcy status on a quarterly basis. However, any sale of more than $275.0 million is subject to a market price check. The remaining aggregate commitment as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 not subject to a market price check was $15.3 million and $39.8 million, respectively.
Other Off-Balance Sheet Risk
Other off-balance sheet risk stems from financial instruments that do not meet the definition of guarantees under applicable accounting guidance and from other relationships that include items such as indemnifications provided in the ordinary course of business and intercompany guarantees.
NOTE 19. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES (continued)
Legal and Regulatory Proceedings
The Company, including its subsidiaries, is and in the future periodically expects to be party to, or otherwise involved in, various claims, disputes, lawsuits, investigations, regulatory matters and other legal matters and proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of any such claim, dispute, lawsuit, investigation, regulatory matter and/or legal proceeding, particularly where the claimants seek very large or indeterminate damages or where the matters present novel legal theories or involve a large number of parties, the Company generally cannot predict the eventual outcome of the pending matters, the timing of the ultimate resolution of the matters, or the eventual loss, fines or penalties related to the matters, if any. Accordingly, except as provided below, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate a range of its potential exposure, if any, to these claims, disputes, lawsuits, investigations, regulatory matters and other legal proceedings at this time. It is reasonably possible that actual outcomes or losses may differ materially from the Company's current assessments and estimates, and any adverse resolution of any of these matters against it could materially and adversely affect the Company's business, financial position, liquidity, and results of operations.
In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes an accrued liability for legal and regulatory proceedings when those matters present material loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. In such cases, there may be an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. When a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish an accrued liability. As a legal or regulatory proceeding develops, the Company, in conjunction with any outside counsel handling the matter, evaluates on an ongoing basis whether the matter presents a material loss contingency that is probable and estimable. If a determination is made during a given quarter that a material loss contingency is probable and estimable, an accrued liability is established during such quarter with respect to such loss contingency, and the Company continues to monitor the matter for further developments that could affect the amount of the accrued liability previously established.
As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company accrued aggregate legal and regulatory liabilities of approximately $109.5 million and $294.7 million, respectively. Further, the Company estimates the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses for legal and regulatory proceedings, in excess of reserves established, of up to approximately $32.9 million as of December 31, 2020. Set forth below are descriptions of the material lawsuits, regulatory matters and other legal proceedings to which the Company is subject.
SHUSA Matters
On March 21, 2017, SC and SHUSA entered into a written agreement with the FRB of Boston. Under the terms of that agreement, SC was required to enhance its compliance risk management program, board oversight of risk management and senior management oversight of risk management, and SHUSA was required to enhance its oversight of SC's management and operations. On February 2, 2021, the FRB of Boston closed this matter.
Mortgage Escrow Interest Putative Class Action
The Bank is a defendant in a putative class action lawsuit in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, captioned Daniel and Rebecca Ruf-Tepper v. Santander Bank, N.A., No. 20-cv-00501. The Tepper Lawsuit, filed in January 2020, alleges that the Bank is obligated to pay interest on mortgage escrow accounts pursuant to state law. Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint and the Bank has filed a motion to dismiss.
NOTE 19. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES (continued)
Overtime Putative Class Action
The Bank is a defendant in a putative class action lawsuit in the United States District Court, District of New Jersey, captioned Crystal Sanchez, et. Al. v. Santander Bank, N.A., No. 17-cv-5775. The lawsuit alleges that the Bank failed to pay overtime to current and former branch operations managers. The Court denied the Bank’s motion to dismiss. Plaintiff's motion seeking to amend its complaint to add additional state law claims is fully briefed.
SC Matters
Securities Class Action and Shareholder Derivative Lawsuits
Deka Lawsuit: SC is a defendant in a purported securities class action lawsuit (the "Deka Lawsuit") in the United States District Court, Northern District of Texas, captioned Deka Investment GmbH et al. v. Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc. et al., No. 3:15-cv-2129-K. The Deka Lawsuit, which was filed in August 2014, was brought against SC, certain of its current and former directors and executive officers and certain institutions that served as underwriters in SC's IPO, including SIS, on behalf of a class consisting of those who purchased or otherwise acquired SC securities between January 23, 2014 and June 12, 2014. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the IPO registration statement and prospectus and certain subsequent public disclosures violated federal securities laws by containing misleading statements concerning SC’s ability to pay dividends and the adequacy of SC’s compliance systems and oversight. In December 2015, SC and the individual defendants moved to dismiss the lawsuit, which was denied. In December 2016, the plaintiffs moved to certify the proposed classes. In July 2017, the court entered an order staying the Deka Lawsuit pending the resolution of the appeal of a class certification order in In re Cobalt Int’l Energy, Inc. Sec. Litig., No. H-14-3428, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 91938 (S.D. Tex. June 15, 2017). In October 2018, the court vacated the order staying the Deka Lawsuit and ordered that merits discovery in the Deka Lawsuit be stayed until the court ruled on the issue of class certification. On July 28, 2020, the Company entered into a Stipulation of Settlement with the plaintiffs in the Deka Lawsuit that fully resolves all of the plaintiffs' claims, for a cash payment of $47 million. On August 13, 2020, the Court entered an order preliminarily approving the settlement and providing for notice, setting the final settlement hearing and on January 12, 2021, the Court entered a Final Judgement and Order of Dismissal with Prejudice.
In Re Santander Consumer USA Holdings, Inc. Derivative Litigation: In October 2015, a shareholder derivative complaint was filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, captioned Feldman v. Jason A. Kulas, et al., C.A. No. 11614-VCG (the "Feldman Lawsuit"). The Feldman Lawsuit names as defendants certain current and former members of SC’s Board of Directors, and names SC as a nominal defendant. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the current and former director defendants breached their fiduciary duties in connection with overseeing SC’s nonprime auto lending practices, resulting in harm to SC. The complaint seeks unspecified damages and equitable relief. In December 2015, the Feldman Lawsuit was stayed pending the resolution of the Deka Lawsuit. In September 2016, a shareholder derivative complaint was filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware captioned Jackie888, Inc. v. Jason Kulas, et al., C.A. No. 12775-VCG (the "Jackie888 Lawsuit"). The Jackie888 Lawsuit names as defendants current and former members of SC’s Board of Directors, and names SC as a nominal defendant. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the director defendants breached their fiduciary duties in connection with SC’s accounting practices and controls. The complaint seeks unspecified damages and equitable relief. In April 2017, the Jackie888 Lawsuit was stayed pending the resolution of the Deka Lawsuit. In March 2018, the Feldman Lawsuit and Jackie888 Lawsuit were consolidated under the caption In Re Santander Consumer USA Holdings, Inc. Derivative Litigation, Consol. C.A. No. 11614-VCG. In January 2020, the Company executed a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement, Compromise and Release with the plaintiffs in the consolidated action that, subject to court approval, fully resolves all of the plaintiffs’ claims in the Feldman Lawsuit and the Jackie888 Lawsuit. The Stipulation provides for the settlement of the consolidated action and, in return the Company has enacted or will enact and implement certain corporate governance reforms and enhancements. The settlement hearing at which the Court would consider the settlement was scheduled for May 27, 2020. On May 22, 2020 Seattle City Employees' Retirement System ("Seattle City") filed a notice of intent to object to the settlement and requested a continuance of the settlement hearing. The Court continued the settlement hearing on May 25, 2020. Thereafter, the parties met and conferred with Seattle City and responded to Seattle City's discovery requests and interrogatories. On November 16, 2020, Seattle City informed the Court that it would not be objecting to the settlement. On December 7, 2020, the Court rescheduled the final hearing on the terms of the settlement for January 20, 2021. The Court entered a Final Order and Judgement approving the derivative class action settlement on January 25, 2021.
NOTE 19. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES (continued)
Seattle City Employees Retirement System V. Santander Holdings USA, Inc., et al: In November 2020, a shareholder derivative complaint was filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, captioned Seattle City v. Santander Holdings USA, Inc., C.A. No. 2020-0977-AGB. The plaintiff seeks unspecified monetary damages and other injunctive relief. The complaint alleges, among other things, that SHUSA and the current director breached their fiduciary duties by causing SC to engage in share repurchases for the purpose of increasing SHUSA’s ownership of SC above 80%, which the complaint alleges would allow SHUSA to obtain tax and other benefits not available to the rest of SC’s shareholders.
Consumer Lending Cases
SC is also party to various lawsuits pending in federal and state courts alleging violations of state and federal consumer lending laws, including, without limitation, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Truth in Lending Act, wrongful repossession laws, usury laws and laws related to unfair and deceptive acts or practices. In general, these cases seek damages and equitable and/or other relief.
Regulatory Investigations and Proceedings
SC is party to, or is periodically otherwise involved in, reviews, investigations, examinations and proceedings (both formal and informal), and information-gathering requests, by government and self-regulatory agencies, including the FRB of Boston, the CFPB, the DOJ, the SEC, the Federal Trade Commission and various state regulatory and enforcement agencies.
Currently, such matters include, but are not limited to, the following:
•In October 2014, May 2015, July 2015 and February 2017, SC received subpoenas and/or CIDs from a group of Attorneys General of California, Illinois, Oregon, New Jersey, Maryland and Washington (the "Consortium") under the authority of each state's consumer protection statutes. On May 19, 2020, all of the Consortium members and SC announced a settlement of the investigation requiring SC to: (1) pay a total of $65 million to the states for consumer remediation; (2) pay $5 million to the states for investigation costs; (3) pay up to $2 million in settlement administration costs; (4) provide $45 million in prospective debt forgiveness; (5) provide deficiency waivers for a defined class of SC customers; and (6) implement certain enhancements to its loan underwriting process.
•In August 2017, SC received a CID from the CFPB. The stated purpose of the CID is to determine whether SC has complied with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and related regulations. SC responded to the CFPB's requests within the deadlines specified in the CIDs and otherwise cooperated with the CFPB with respect to this matter. On December 22, 2020, the CFPB entered a Consent Order resolving this matter for a civil money penalty of $4.75 million and other injunctive relief.
•Mississippi Attorney General Lawsuit: In January 2017, Mississippi AG filed a lawsuit against SC in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, State of Mississippi, captioned State of Mississippi ex rel. Jim Hood, Attorney General of the State of Mississippi v. Santander Consumer USA Inc., C.A. # G-2017-28. The complaint alleges that SC engaged in unfair and deceptive business practices to induce Mississippi consumers to apply for loans that they could not afford. The complaint asserts claims under the Mississippi Consumer Protection Act and seeks unspecified civil penalties, equitable relief and other relief. In March 2017, SC filed motions to dismiss the lawsuit and the parties are proceeding with discovery.
IHC Matters
Periodically, SSLLC is party to pending and threatened legal actions and proceedings, including FINRA arbitration actions and class action claims.
Puerto Rico FINRA Arbitrations
As of December 31, 2020, SSLLC had received 770 FINRA arbitration cases related to Puerto Rico bonds and Puerto Rico CEFs, generally, that SSLLC previously recommended and/or sold to clients. Most of these cases are based upon concerns regarding the local Puerto Rico securities market. The statements of claims allege, among other things, fraud, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, unsuitability, over-concentration and failure to supervise. There were 141 arbitration cases pending as of December 31, 2020. The Company has experienced a decrease in the volume of claims since September 30, 2019 and does not expect to see a significant increase in claims in future periods.
NOTE 19. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES (continued)
Puerto Rico Putative Class Action: SSLLC, SBC, BSPR, the Company and Santander are defendants in a putative class action alleging federal securities and common law claims relating to the solicitation and purchase of more than $180.0 million of Puerto Rico bonds and $101.0 million of CEFs during the period from December 2012 to October 2013. The case is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and is captioned Jorge Ponsa-Rabell, et. al. v. SSLLC, Civ. No. 3:17-cv-02243. The amended complaint alleges that defendants acted in concert to defraud purchasers in connection with the underwriting and sale of Puerto Rico municipal bonds, CEFs and open-end funds. In May 2019, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. On July 22, 2020, the District Court dismissed the complaint. Plaintiffs have appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
Puerto Rico Municipal Bond Insurer Litigation: On August 8, 2019, bond insurers National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation and MBIA Insurance Corporation filed suit in Puerto Rico state court against eight Puerto Rico municipal bond underwriters, including SSLLC, alleging that the underwriters made misrepresentations in connection with the issuance of the debt and that the bond insurers relied on such misrepresentations in agreeing to insure certain of the bonds. The complaint alleges damages of not less than $720.0 million. On September 16, 2020, the defendants moved to dismiss the complaint.
On October 28, 2020, bond insurer Ambac Assurance Corporation filed an amended complaint in Puerto Rico state court adding SSLLC and four other Puerto Rico municipal bond underwriters to a pending suit against seven underwriters, alleging that the underwriters made misrepresentations in connection with the issuance of the debt and that Ambac relied on such misrepresentations in agreeing to insure certain of the bonds. The amended complaint alleges damages of not less than $508 million. On December 8, 2020, the defendants moved to dismiss the amended complaint.
On November 27, 2020, bond insurer Financial Guaranty Insurance Company filed suit in Puerto Rico state court against twelve Puerto Rico municipal bond underwriters, including SSLLC, alleging that the underwriters made misrepresentations in connection with the issuance of the debt and that Financial Guaranty Insurance Company relied on such misrepresentations in agreeing to insure certain of the bonds. The complaint alleges damages of not less than $447 million. On February 1, 2021, the defendants moved to dismiss the complaint.
These matters are ongoing and could in the future result in the imposition of damages, fines or other penalties. No assurance can be given that the ultimate outcome of these matters or any resulting proceedings would not materially and adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
NOTE 20. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The parties related to the Company are deemed to include, in addition to its subsidiaries, jointly controlled entities, the Company’s key management personnel (the members of its Board of Directors and certain officers at the level of senior executive vice president or above, together with their close family members) and the entities over which the key management personnel may exercise significant influence or control.
Stockholder's Equity
The Company received cash contribution of $88.9 million in 2019 from Santander. The Company did not receive any capital contributions from Santander in 2020.
Letters of credit
In the normal course of business, SBNA provides letters of credit and standby letters of credit to affiliates. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the average unfunded balance outstanding under these commitments was $109.7 million and $92.5 million, respectively.
Debt and Other Securities
The Company and its subsidiaries have various debt agreements with Santander. For a listing of these debt agreements, see Note 10 to these Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company has $10.8 billion of public securities consisting of various senior note obligations. Santander owned approximately 0.4% of the outstanding principal of these securities as of December 31, 2020.
NOTE 20. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)
Derivatives
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company has entered into derivative agreements with Santander, which consist primarily of swap agreements to hedge interest rate risk and foreign currency exposure with notional values of $28.2 billion and $4.6 billion, respectively.
Loans to Officers and Directors
In the ordinary course of business, we may provide loans to our executive officers and directors, also known as Regulations O insiders. Pursuant to our policy, such loans are generally issued on the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans to unrelated persons and do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability. As permitted by Regulation O, certain mortgage loans to directors and executive officers of the Company, including the Company's executive officers, are priced at up to a 0.25% discount to market, but contain no other terms than terms available in comparable transactions with non-employees. The 0.25% discount is discontinued when an employee terminates his or her employment with the Company. The outstanding balance of these loans was $2.6 million at December 31, 2020 and was immaterial at December 31, 2019.
Service Agreements
The Company and its affiliates entered into or were subject to various service agreements with Santander and its affiliates. Each of the agreements was made in the ordinary course of business and on market terms. Those agreements include the following:
•NW Services Co., a Santander affiliate doing business as Aquanima, is under contract with the Company to provide procurement services, with fees paid in 2020 in the amount of $12.0 million, $10.2 million in 2019 and $5.4 million in 2018. There were no payables in connection with this agreement for the years ended December 31, 2020 or 2019. The fees related to this agreement are recorded in Technology, outside service, and marketing expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
•Santander Global Operations, S.A., a Santander affiliate, is under contract with the Company to provide administrative services, consulting and professional services, application support and back-office services, including debit card disputes and claims support, and consumer and mortgage loan set-up and review, with total fees paid in 2020 in the amount of $3.6 million, $4.1 million in 2019 and $1.8 million in 2018. The Company had no payables in connection with this agreement in 2020 or 2019. The fees related to this agreement are recorded in Technology, outside service, and marketing expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
•Santander Back-Offices Globales Mayoristas S.A., a Santander affiliate, is under contract with the Company to provide administrative services and back-office support for the Bank’s derivative, foreign exchange and hedging transactions and programs. Fees in the amounts of $6.5 million were paid to Santander Back-Offices Globales Mayoristas S.A. with respect to this agreement in 2020, and $1.4 million and $1.9 million in 2019 and 2018, respectively. There were no payables in connection with this agreement in 2020 or 2019. The fees related to this agreement are recorded in Technology, outside service, and marketing expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
•Santander Global Technology S.L. is under contract with the Company to provide professional services, information technology development, support and administration, with fees for these services paid in 2020 in the amount of $127.2 million, $136.9 million in 2019 and $119.1 million in 2018. In addition, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had payables for these services in the amounts of $8.7 million and $21.4 million, respectively. The fees related to this agreement are capitalized in Premises and equipment, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
•During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company paid $17.4 million, $15.4 million, $17.1 million to Santander for the development and implementation of global projects as part of internal expense allocation.
•In 2020, the Company and Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico ("San Mexico"), a Santander affiliate, entered into an agreement for technology services. The Company will provide technology support to San Mexico, which will include staff management services and consulting management services. The Company recognized $1.8 million in fees for the period ended December 31, 2020 which is included within Miscellaneous income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
•The Bank and SIS entered into an agreement with Santander's New York branch under which the three entities have been operating under a 'one CIB' model in the US where certain risk management, project management and reporting functions are performed in centralized teams for the benefit of CIB. Further, CIB leverages cross-function reporting, resulting in certain employees providing services outside their legal entity of employment. The transactions between the Bank and SIS eliminate in consolidation. The transactions involving Santander's New York branch do not eliminate and for the year ended, December 31, 2020, the Company received net fee income of $29.0 million, which the Company recognized within Miscellaneous income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
NOTE 20. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)
SC has entered into or was subject to various agreements with Santander, its affiliates or the Company. Each of the agreements was done in the ordinary course of business and on market terms. Those agreements include the following:
Credit Facilities
SC have a committed revolving credit agreement with Santander that can be drawn on an unsecured basis. During the years ended December 31, 2020, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, SC incurred interest expense, including unused fees of $20.7 million, zero and $11.6 million, respectively.
In 2015, under a new agreement with Santander, SC agreed to begin incurring a fee of 12.5 basis points per annum on certain warehouse facilities, as they renew, for which Santander provides a guarantee of SC's servicing obligations. SC recognized guarantee fee expense of zero, $0.4 million and $5.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, SC had zero fees payable to Santander under this arrangement.
Securitizations
SC entered into an MSPA with Santander, under which it had the option to sell a contractually determined amount of eligible prime loans to Santander under the SPAIN securitization platform, for a term that ended in December 2018. SC provides servicing on all loans originated under this arrangement. Servicing fee income recognized related to this agreement totaled $16.5 million, $29.8 million and $35.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Other information relating to the SPAIN securitization platform for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:
(in thousands) December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Servicing fees receivable 1,070 1,869
Collections due to Santander 6,203 8,180
Origination Support Services
Beginning in 2018, SC agreed to provide SBNA with origination support services in connection with the processing, underwriting and purchase of retail loans, primarily from FCA dealers. In addition, SC has agreed to perform the servicing for any loans originated on SBNA’s behalf. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, SC facilitated the purchase of $5.4 billion and $7.0 billion of RICs, respectively. Under this agreement, SC recognized referral and servicing fees of $38.7 million and $58.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, of which $2.7 million was receivable and $2.1 million was payable to SC as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Other related-party transactions
•As of December 31, 2020, Jason A. Kulas and Thomas Dundon, both former members of SC's Board of Directors and CEOs of SC, each had a minority equity investment in a property in which SC leases approximately 373,000 square feet as its corporate headquarters. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, SC recorded $5.1 million, $5.3 million and $4.8 million, respectively, in lease expenses on this property. Future minimum lease payments over the remainder of the six-year term of the lease, which extends through 2026, total $41.1 million.
NOTE 20. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)
•SC's wholly-owned subsidiary, SCI, opened deposit accounts with BSPR, formerly an affiliated entity. As of December 31, 2019, SCI had cash (including restricted cash) of $8.1 million, on deposit with BSPR. This transaction eliminates in the consolidation of SHUSA. On September 1, 2020, SHUSA completed the sale of SBC (the holding company that owned BSPR) for approximately $1.28 billion to First Bank Puerto Rico.
•The Bank has certain deposit and checking accounts of its affiliates. SC has certain deposit and checking accounts with SBNA. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, SC had a balance of $32.5 million and $33.7 million, respectively, in these accounts. These transactions eliminate in the consolidation of SHUSA. Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A. had deposits with the Bank of $2.0 billion and zero as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Banco Santander-Chile had deposits with the Bank of $845.0 million and zero as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These transactions do not eliminate in the consolidation of SHUSA.
Entities that transferred to the Company as the IHC have entered into or were subject to various agreements with Santander or its affiliates. Each of the agreements was made in the ordinary course of business and on market terms. Those agreements include the following:
•BSI enters into transactions with affiliated entities in the ordinary course of business. As of December 31, 2020, BSI had short-term borrowings from unconsolidated affiliates of $200.0 million, compared to $1.8 million as of December 31, 2019. BSI had cash and cash equivalents deposited with affiliates of $51.8 million and $6.8 million as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. BSI had foreign exchange rate forward contracts with affiliates as counterparties with notional amounts of approximately $1.6 billion and $1.9 billion as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. BSI held deposits from unconsolidated affiliates of $72.9 million and $118.4 million as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, loan participation of $618.2 million and $714.2 million, respectively, were sold to Santander without recourse.
•SIS enters into transactions with affiliated entities in the ordinary course of business. SIS executes, clears and custodies certain of its securities transactions through various affiliates in Latin America and Europe. The balance of payables to customers due to Santander at December 31, 2020 was $2.4 billion, compared to $1.9 billion at December 31, 2019.
NOTE 21. REGULATORY MATTERS
The Company is subject to the regulations of certain federal, state, and foreign agencies, and undergoes periodic examinations by such regulatory authorities.
The minimum U.S. regulatory capital ratios for banks under Basel III are 4.5% for the CET1 capital ratio, 6.0% for the Tier 1 capital ratio, 8.0% for the total capital ratio, and 4.0% for the leverage ratio. To qualify as “well-capitalized,” regulators require banks to maintain capital ratios of at least 6.5% for the CET1 capital ratio, 8.0% for the Tier 1 capital ratio, 10.0% for the total capital ratio, and 5.0% for the leverage ratio. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Bank met the well-capitalized capital ratio requirements.
As a BHC, SHUSA is required to maintain a CET1 capital ratio of at least 4.5%, Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 6.0%, total capital ratio of at least 8.0%, and leverage ratio of at least 4.0%. The Company’s capital levels exceeded the ratios required for BHCs. The Company's ability to make capital distributions will depend on the Federal Reserve's accepting the Company's capital plan, the results of the stress tests described in this Form 10-K, and the Company's capital status, as well as other supervisory factors.
The DFA mandates an enhanced supervisory framework, which, among other things, means that the Company is subject to both internal and Federal Reserve run stress tests. The Federal Reserve also has discretionary authority to establish additional prudential standards, on its own or at the Financial Stability Oversight Council's recommendation, regarding contingent capital, enhanced public disclosures, short-term debt limits, and otherwise as it deems appropriate.
The Company is also required to receive a notice of non-objection to its capital plans from the Federal Reserve and the OCC before taking capital actions, such as paying dividends, implementing common equity repurchase programs, or redeeming or repurchasing capital instruments.
For a discussion of Basel III and the standardized approach and related future changes to the minimum U.S. regulatory capital ratios, see the section of the MD&A captioned "Regulatory Matters."
NOTE 21. REGULATORY MATTERS (continued)
The FDIA established five capital tiers: well-capitalized, adequately-capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. A depository institution’s capital tier depends on its capital levels in relation to various capital measures, which include leverage and risk-based capital measures and certain other factors. Depository institutions that are not classified as well-capitalized or adequately-capitalized are subject to various restrictions regarding capital distributions, payment of management fees, acceptance of brokered deposits and other operating activities.
Federal banking laws, regulations and policies also limit the Bank’s ability to pay dividends and make other distributions to the Company. The Bank must obtain prior OCC approval to declare a dividend or make any other capital distribution if, after such dividend or distribution: (1) the Bank’s total distributions to SHUSA within that calendar year would exceed 100% of its net income during the year plus retained net income for the prior two years; (2) the Bank would not meet capital levels imposed by the OCC in connection with any order, or (3) the Bank is not adequately capitalized at the time. The OCC's prior approval would be required if the Bank is notified by the OCC that it is a problem institution or in troubled condition.
Any dividend declared and paid or return of capital has the effect of reducing capital ratios. During 2020, 2019, and 2018, the Company paid cash dividends of $125.0 million, $400.0 million and $410.0 million, respectively.
In 2018, the Company paid cash dividends to preferred shareholders of $11.0 million before redeeming the balance of its outstanding preferred stock in the third quarter of 2018. The Company did not have any preferred stock outstanding in 2020 or 2019.
The following schedule summarizes the actual capital balances of the Bank and SHUSA at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
REGULATORY CAPITAL
(Dollars in thousands) Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio Tier 1 Capital
Ratio Total Capital
Ratio Leverage
Ratio
SBNA at December 31, 2020(1):
Regulatory capital $ 10,266,788 $ 10,266,788 $ 11,084,978 $ 10,266,788
Capital ratio 15.67 % 15.67 % 16.92 % 12.13 %
SHUSA at December 31, 2020(1):
Regulatory capital $ 18,368,202 $ 20,048,095 $ 21,658,574 $ 20,048,095
Capital ratio 15.94 % 17.40 % 18.80 % 13.77 %
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio Tier 1 Capital
Ratio Total Capital
Ratio Leverage
Ratio
SBNA at December 31, 2019(2):
Regulatory capital $ 10,219,819 $ 10,219,819 $ 10,844,218 $ 10,219,819
Capital ratio 15.80 % 15.80 % 16.77 % 12.77 %
SHUSA at December 31, 2019(2):
Regulatory capital $ 17,391,867 $ 18,780,870 $ 20,480,467 $ 18,780,870
Capital ratio 14.63 % 15.80 % 17.23 % 13.13 %
(1) Capital ratios through March 31, 2020 calculated under the U.S. Basel III framework on a transitional basis. Capital ratios starting in the first quarter of 2020 calculated under CECL transition provisions permitted by the CARES Act
(2) Represents transitional ratios under Basel III.
NOTE 22. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
Business Segment Products and Services
The Company’s reportable segments are focused principally around the customers the Company serves. The Company has identified the following reportable segments: CBB, C&I, CRE & VF, CIB, and SC.
NOTE 22. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)
•The CBB segment includes the products and services provided to Bank consumer and business banking customers, including consumer deposit, business banking, residential mortgage, unsecured lending and investment services. This segment offers a wide range of products and services to consumers and business banking customers, including demand and interest-bearing demand deposit accounts, money market and savings accounts, CDs and retirement savings products. It also offers lending products such as credit cards, mortgages, home equity lines of credit, and business loans such as business lines of credit and commercial cards. The Bank also finances indirect consumer automobile RICs through an intercompany agreement with SC. In addition, the Bank provides investment services to its retail customers, including annuities, mutual funds, and insurance products. Santander Universities, which provides grants and scholarships to universities and colleges as a way to foster education through research, innovation and entrepreneurship, is the last component of this segment.
•The C&I segment currently provides commercial lines, loans, letters of credit, receivables financing and deposits to medium- and large-sized commercial customers, as well as financing and deposits for government entities. This segment also provides niche product financing for specific industries.
•The CRE & VF segment offers CRE loans and multifamily loans to customers. This segment also offers commercial loans to dealers and financing for commercial equipment and vehicles. This category also includes the Bank’s community development finance activities, including originating CRA-eligible loans and making CRA-eligible investments.
•The CIB segment serves the needs of global commercial and institutional customers by leveraging the international footprint of Santander to provide financing and banking services to corporations with over $500 million in annual revenues. CIB also includes SIS, a registered broker-dealer located in New York that provides services in investment banking, institutional sales, and trading and offering research reports of Latin American and European equity and fixed-income securities. CIB's offerings and strategy are based on Santander's local and global capabilities in wholesale banking.
•SC is a specialized consumer finance company focused on vehicle finance and third-party servicing. SC’s primary business is the indirect origination of RICs, principally through manufacturer-franchised dealers in connection with their sale of new and used vehicles to retail consumers. In conjunction with the Chrysler agreement, SC offers a full spectrum of auto financing products and services to FCA customers and dealers under the Chrysler Capital brand. These products and services include consumer RICs and leases, as well as dealer loans for inventory, construction, real estate, working capital and revolving lines of credit. SC also originates vehicle loans through a web-based direct lending program, purchases vehicle RICs from other lenders, and services automobile, recreational and marine vehicle portfolios for other lenders. During 2015, SC announced its intention to exit the personal lending business. SC has entered into a number of intercompany agreements with the Bank as described above as part of the Other segment. All intercompany revenue and fees between the Bank and SC are eliminated in the consolidated results of the Company.
SBNA also offers customer-related derivatives to hedge interest rate risk, and for C&I and CIB offers derivatives relating to foreign exchange and lending arrangements. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details.
The Other category includes certain immaterial subsidiaries such as BSI, SSLLC, and several other subsidiaries, the unallocated interest expense on the Company's borrowings and other debt obligations and certain unallocated corporate income and indirect expenses.
The Company’s segment results, excluding SC and the entities that have been transferred to the Company as the IHC, are derived from the Company’s business unit profitability reporting system by specifically attributing managed balance sheet assets, deposits and other liabilities and their related interest income or expense to each of the segments. Funds transfer pricing methodologies are utilized to allocate a cost for funds used or a credit for funds provided to business line deposits, loans and selected other assets using a matched funding concept. The methodology includes a liquidity premium adjustment, which considers an appropriate market participant spread for commercial loans and deposits by analyzing the mix of borrowings available to the Company with comparable maturity periods.
Other income and expenses are managed directly by each reportable segment, including fees, service charges, salaries and benefits, and other direct expenses, as well as certain allocated corporate expenses, and are accounted for within each segment’s financial results. Accounting policies for the lines of business are the same as those used in preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements with respect to activities specifically attributable to each business line. However, the preparation of business line results requires management to establish methodologies to allocate funding costs and benefits, expenses and other financial elements to each line of business. Where practical, the results are adjusted to present consistent methodologies for the segments.
NOTE 22. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)
The application and development of management reporting methodologies is a dynamic process and is subject to periodic enhancements. The implementation of these enhancements to the internal management reporting methodology may materially affect the results disclosed for each segment with no impact on consolidated results. Whenever significant changes to management reporting methodologies take place, prior period information is reclassified wherever practicable.
During the fourth quarter, the Company implemented organizational changes to meet the evolving needs of its business customers including the re-alignment of Upper Business Banking with the C&I segment from the CBB segment. In addition, the Company moved the assets associated with its Community Development Finance business from its “Other” category to the CRE&VF segment to align its LIHTC assets with similar CRE assets and liabilities. All prior period results have been restated for these segment changes.
The CODM manages SC on a historical basis by reviewing the results of SC on a pre-Change in Control basis. The Results of Segments table below discloses SC's operating information on the same basis that it is reviewed by the CODM. The adjustments column includes adjustments to reconcile SC's GAAP results to SHUSA's consolidated results.
Results of Segments
The following tables present certain information regarding the Company’s segments.
For the Year Ended SHUSA Reportable Segments
December 31, 2020 CBB C&I CRE & VF CIB(5)
Other(2)
SC(3)
SC Purchase Price Adjustments(4)
Eliminations(4)
Total
(in thousands)
Net interest income $ 1,359,280 $ 339,386 $ 379,710 $ 157,855 $ (43,120) $ 4,151,344 $ (711) $ 15,737 $ 6,359,481
Non-interest income 291,116 67,241 13,221 263,966 323,982 3,024,918 10,864 (45,320) 3,949,988
Credit loss expense 370,250 135,400 106,201 28,099 (137,065) 2,364,460 838 - 2,868,183
Total expenses 3,083,520 541,397 117,449 258,793 591,122 3,601,970 39,201 (25,218) 8,208,234
Income/(loss) before income taxes (1,803,374) (270,170) 169,281 134,929 (173,195) 1,209,832 (29,886) (4,365) (766,948)
Intersegment revenue/(expense)(1)
(856) 12,617 4,879 (16,640) - - - - -
Total assets 21,947,514 7,960,282 20,506,030 10,965,616 39,165,741 48,887,493 - - 149,432,676
(1)Intersegment revenue/(expense) represents charges or credits for funds used or provided by each of the segments and is included in net interest income.
(2)Other includes the results of the entities transferred to the IHC, with the exception of SIS, earnings from non-strategic assets, the investment portfolio, interest expense on the Bank’s and the Company's borrowings and other debt obligations, amortization of intangible assets and certain unallocated corporate income and indirect expenses.
(3)Management of SHUSA manages SC by analyzing the pre-Change in Control results of SC, which are presented in this column.
(4)SC Purchase Price Adjustments represents the impact that SC purchase marks had on the results of SC included within the consolidated operations of SHUSA, while eliminations eliminate intercompany transactions.
(5)Includes results and assets of SIS.
NOTE 22. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)
For the Year Ended SHUSA Reportable Segments
December 31, 2019 CBB C&I CRE & VF CIB(5)
Other(2)
SC(3)
SC Purchase Price Adjustments(4)
Eliminations(4)
Total
(in thousands)
Net interest income $ 1,288,540 $ 329,368 $ 400,506 $ 152,041 $ 207,738 $ 3,971,826 $ 38,408 $ 54,341 $ 6,442,768
Non-interest income 342,373 87,467 18,231 208,851 409,948 2,760,370 6,184 (104,307) 3,729,117
Credit loss expense / (Recovery of) credit loss expense 150,329 38,102 13,507 6,045 (7,381) 2,093,749 (2,334) - 2,292,017
Total expenses 1,598,837 298,877 119,686 270,065 782,938 3,284,179 40,107 (28,837) 6,365,852
Income/(loss) before income taxes (118,253) 79,856 285,544 84,782 (157,871) 1,354,268 6,819 (21,129) 1,514,016
Intersegment revenue/(expense)(1)
(933) 9,403 5,950 (14,420) - - - - -
Total assets 23,841,001 8,758,027 21,117,141 10,074,677 36,786,099 48,922,532 - - 149,499,477
(1)- (5) Refer to corresponding notes above.
For the Year Ended SHUSA Reportable Segments
December 31, 2018 Consumer & Business Banking C&I CRE & VF CIB Other(2)
SC(3)
SC Purchase Price Adjustments(4)
Eliminations(4)
Total
(in thousands)
Net interest income $ 1,215,579 $ 319,850 $ 404,535 $ 136,582 $ 240,749 $ 3,958,280 $ 31,083 $ 38,192 $ 6,344,850
Total non-interest income 295,840 96,697 7,176 195,023 402,210 2,297,517 9,678 (59,833) 3,244,308
Provision for credit losses 91,564 (26,340) 15,624 9,335 24,524 2,205,585 19,606 - 2,339,898
Total expenses 1,509,643 285,220 115,108 234,949 793,866 2,857,944 47,173 (11,578) 5,832,325
Income/(loss) before income taxes (89,788) 157,667 280,979 87,321 (175,431) 1,192,268 (26,018) (10,063) 1,416,935
Intersegment revenue/(expense)(1)
(52) 7,249 4,729 (12,362) 436 - - - -
Total assets 20,724,736 8,773,242 20,599,161 8,652,134 32,925,157 43,959,855 - - 135,634,285
(1)- (5) Refer to corresponding notes above.
NOTE 23. PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Condensed financial information of the parent company is as follows:
BALANCE SHEETS
AT DECEMBER 31,
2020 2019
(in thousands)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,081,575 $ 3,125,760
Loans to non-bank subsidiaries 6,800,000 5,650,000
Investment in subsidiaries:
Bank subsidiary 9,244,620 11,617,397
Non-bank subsidiaries
10,381,360 11,606,398
Premises and equipment, net 38,626 49,983
Equity method investments 6,019 5,876
Restricted cash 56,403 58,168
Deferred tax assets, net 207,520 -
Other assets (1)
209,644 395,822
Total assets $ 31,025,767 $ 32,509,404
Liabilities and stockholder's equity
Borrowings and other debt obligations $ 10,656,350 $ 9,949,214
Borrowings from subsidiary banks 121,547 -
Borrowings from non-bank subsidiaries 150,981 148,748
Deferred tax liabilities, net 130,574 297,253
Other liabilities 222,594 234,703
Total liabilities 11,282,046 10,629,918
Stockholder's equity 19,743,721 21,879,486
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity $ 31,025,767 $ 32,509,404
(1) Includes $1.0 million of other investments at both December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
NOTE 23. PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
2020 2019 2018
(in thousands)
Interest income $ 297,621 $ 176,013 $ 123,389
Income from equity method investments 426 2,288 78
Other income (1)
151,514 58,373 67,100
Total income 449,561 236,674 190,567
Interest expense 382,936 345,888 288,006
Other expense 261,821 234,849 301,418
Total expense 644,757 580,737 589,424
Loss before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries (195,196) (344,063) (398,857)
Income tax (benefit)/provision (275,290) (38,732) (51,114)
Loss before equity in earnings of subsidiaries 80,094 (305,331) (347,743)
Equity in undistributed earnings of:
Bank subsidiary (1,282,781) 387,938 489,452
Non-bank subsidiaries 362,323 670,562 565,695
Net income (840,364) 753,169 707,404
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments 98,281 (301) (3,796)
Net unrealized gains/(losses) recognized on investment securities 140,143 222,887 (80,891)
Amortization of defined benefit plans 16,078 10,859 560
Total other comprehensive gain/(loss) 254,502 233,445 (84,127)
Comprehensive income $ (585,862) $ 986,614 $ 623,277
(1) Includes $62.4 million gain on sale of SBC at December 31, 2020.
NOTE 23. PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
2020 2019 2018
(in thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net (loss)/income $ (840,364) $ 753,169 $ 707,404
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred tax (benefit)/expense (261,113) 235,688 24,277
Undistributed earnings of:
Bank subsidiary 1,282,781 (387,938) (489,452)
Non-bank subsidiaries (362,323) (670,562) (565,695)
Net gain on sale of investment in subsidiary and other (65,229) - -
Equity earnings from equity method investments (426) (2,288) (78)
Dividends from investment in subsidiaries 213,092 482,548 592,797
Depreciation, amortization and accretion 37,350 34,403 44,388
Loss on debt extinguishment 10,260 1,627 3,955
Net change in other assets and other liabilities 148,679 (56,938) (60,256)
Net cash provided by operating activities 162,707 389,709 257,340
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from prepayments and maturities of AFS investment securities - 250,000 -
Purchases of other investments - (1,042) -
Net capital (contributed to)/returned from subsidiaries (25,707) (215,657) (208,622)
Originations of loans to subsidiaries (10,245,000) (7,995,000) (4,295,000)
Repayments of loans by subsidiaries 9,095,000 5,845,000 3,795,000
Proceeds from business divestitures 1,277,626 - -
Purchases of premises and equipment (2,538) (9,800) (15,333)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities 99,381 (2,126,499) (723,955)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of parent company debt obligations (1,371,274) (2,225,806) (1,224,474)
Net proceeds received from Parent Company senior notes and senior credit facility 1,941,003 3,811,670 1,423,274
Net change in commercial paper 125,000 - -
Net change in borrowings from subsidiary banks 120,000 - -
Net change in borrowings from non-bank subsidiaries 2,233 3,583 2,611
Dividends to preferred stockholders - - (10,950)
Dividends paid on common stock (125,000) (400,000) (410,000)
Capital contribution from shareholder - 88,927 85,035
Redemption of preferred stock - - (200,000)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 691,962 1,278,374 (334,504)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 954,050 (458,416) (801,119)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period 3,183,928 3,642,344 4,443,463
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period (1)
$ 4,137,978 $ 3,183,928 $ 3,642,344
NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS
Capital expenditures in accounts payable $ 7,852 $ 10,326 $ 8,174
Contribution of SAM from shareholder (2)
- - 4,396
Adoption of lease accounting standard:
ROU assets - 6,779 -
Accrued expenses and payables - 7,622 -
(1) Amounts for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 include cash and cash equivalents balances of $4.1 billion, $3.1 billion, and $3.6 billion, respectively, and restricted cash balances of $56.4 million, $58.2 million, and $79.6 million, respectively.
(2) The contribution of SAM was accounted for as a non-cash transaction.

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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
The Company has had no disagreements with its auditors on accounting principles, practices or financial statement disclosure during and through the date of the financial statements included in this report.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our CEO and CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of December 31, 2020, (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures: (a) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms; and (b) include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the CEO and the CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). The Company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of the Company's CEO and CFO to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company's financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.
Management'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 GAAP 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.
As of December 31, 2020, management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in "Internal Control - Integrated Framework," issued by the COSO of the Treadway Commission (the 2013 framework). Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, as stated in their report, which appears in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rules 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Although a substantial portion of the Company’s workforce continues to work remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this has not materially affected our internal controls over financial reporting. We continue to monitor and assess the COVID-19 pandemic to minimize potential impacts, if any, it may have on the design and operating effectiveness of our internal controls.
Limitations on Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B - OTHER INFORMATION
Disclosure Pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act
Pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, which added Section 13(r) to the Exchange Act of 1934, an issuer is required to disclose in its annual or quarterly reports, as applicable, whether it or any of its affiliates knowingly engaged in certain activities, transactions or dealings relating to Iran or with individuals or entities designated pursuant to certain Executive Orders. Disclosure is generally required even where the activities, transactions or dealings were conducted in compliance with applicable law.
The following activities are disclosed in response to Section 13(r) with respect to Santander and its affiliates. During the period covered by this report:
•Santander UK holds five blocked accounts for three customers, with the first customer holding one GBP savings account and one GBP current account, the second customer holding one GBP savings account, and the third customer holding two GBP current accounts. All three of the customers, who are resident in the UK, are currently designated by the U.S. under the SDGT sanctions program. Revenues and profits generated by Santander UK on these accounts in the year ended December 31, 2020 were negligible relative to the overall profits of Banco Santander S.A.
•Santander UK holds two frozen current accounts for two UK nationals who are designated by the U.S. under the SDGT sanctions program. The accounts held by one customer were fully inaccessible at the time of the US designation and were blocked at the time of the account going into a debit balance. The accounts held by the second customer were blocked immediately following the US designation and have been frozen throughout the year ended December 31, 2020. These accounts are frozen in order to comply with Articles 2, 3 and 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 imposing certain specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities associated with the Al-Qaeda network, by virtue of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1815. The accounts are in arrears (£1,844.73 in debit combined) and are currently being managed by Santander UK's Collections and Recoveries Department. No revenues or profits were generated by Santander UK on these accounts in the year ended December 31, 2020.
•Santander Consumer Bank, S.A. holds seven blocked correspondent accounts for Bank Melli. Three USD accounts and four EUR accounts. The accounts have been blocked since 2008. Bank Melli is currently designated by the US under the SDGT sanctions program. No revenues or profits were generated by Santander Consumer Bank, S.A. on these accounts in the year ended December 31, 2020.
•Santander, also has certain legacy performance guarantees for the benefit of Bank Mellat (standby letters of credit to guarantee the obligations - either under tender documents or under contracting agreements - of contractors who participated in public bids in Iran) that were in place prior to April 27, 2007.
In the aggregate, all of the transactions described above resulted in gross revenues and net profits in the year ended December 31, 2020 which were negligible relative to the overall revenues and profits of Santander. Santander has undertaken significant steps to withdraw from the Iranian market, such as closing its representative office in Iran and ceasing all banking activities therein, including correspondent relationships, deposit-taking from Iranian entities and issuing export letters of credit, except for the legacy transactions described above. Santander is not contractually permitted to cancel these arrangements without either (i) paying the guaranteed amount (in the case of the performance guarantees), or (ii) forfeiting the outstanding amounts due to it (in the case of the export credits). As such, Santander intends to continue to provide the guarantees and hold these assets in accordance with company policy and applicable laws.
PART III

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10 - DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Omitted.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11 - EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Omitted.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12 - SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Omitted.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Omitted.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14 - PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Fees of the Independent Auditor
The following table set forth the aggregate fees for services rendered, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 by our principal accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2020(1)
Parent Company and SBNA SC All Other Entities Total
(in thousands)
Audit Fees (2)
$ 9,280 $ 7,505 $ 4,331 $ 21,116
Audit-Related Fees (3)
270 965 - 1,235
Tax Fees (4)
200 195 - 395
All Other Fees (5)
14 7 - 21
Total Fees $ 9,764 $ 8,672 $ 4,331 $ 22,767
(1) Represents proposed fees approved by the Audit Committee.
(2) Audit fees include fees associated with the annual audit of financial statements and the audit of internal control over financial reporting, reviews of the interim financial statements included in quarterly reports and statutory/subsidiary audits.
(3) Audit-related fees principally include attestation and agreed-upon procedures which address accounting, reporting and control matters, consent to use the Company's report in connection with various documents filed with the SEC, and comfort letters issued to underwriters for securities offerings.
(4) Tax fees include tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
(5) All other fees are fees for any services not included in the first three categories.
The following table set forth the aggregate fees for services rendered for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019(1)
Parent Company and SBNA SC All Other Entities Total
(in thousands)
Audit Fees (2)
$ 10,640 $ 8,150 $ 4,992 $ 23,782
Audit-Related Fees (3)
1,132 900 97 2,129
Tax Fees (4)
425 150 - 575
All Other Fees(5)
13 7 - 20
Total Fees $ 12,210 $ 9,207 $ 5,089 $ 26,506
(1) Audit fees for 2019 have been adjusted reflect amounts billed in 2020 related to 2019 audits.
(2) Audit fees include fees associated with the annual audit of financial statements and the audit of internal control over financial reporting, reviews of the interim financial statements included in quarterly reports and statutory/subsidiary audits.
(3) Audit-related fees principally include attestation and agreed-upon procedures which address accounting, reporting and control matters, consent to use the Company's report in connection with various documents filed with the SEC, and comfort letters issued to underwriters for securities offerings.
(4) Tax fees include tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
(5) All other fees are fees for any services not included in the first three categories.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services by Independent Auditor
During 2020, SHUSA’s Audit Committee pre-approved 100% of audit and non-prohibited, non-audit services provided by the independent auditor. These services may have included audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. Pre-approval was generally provided by the Audit Committee for up to one year and any pre-approval was detailed as to the particular service or category of services and was subject to a specific budget. In addition, the Audit Committee may also have pre-approved particular services on a case-by-case basis. For each proposed service, the Audit Committee received detailed information sufficient to enable it to pre-approve and evaluate such service. The Audit Committee may have delegated pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. Any pre-approval decision made under delegated authority was communicated to the Audit Committee at or before its next scheduled meeting. There were no waivers by the Audit Committee of the pre-approval requirement for permissible non-audit services in 2020.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15 - EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)
1. The following Consolidated Financial Statements as set forth in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are filed herein:
Consolidated Financial Statements.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2. All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are omitted because the required information is either not applicable, not required or is shown in the respective financial statements or in the notes thereto.
(b)
(3.1) Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Santander Holdings USA, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Santander Holdings USA, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 30, 2009) (Commission File Number 001-16581)
(3.2) Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Santander Holdings USA, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Santander Holdings USA, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 27, 2009) (Commission File Number 001-16581)
(3.3) Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Santander Holdings USA, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Santander Holdings USA, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 5, 2010) (Commission File Number 001-16581)
(3.4) Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Santander Holdings USA, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Santander Holdings USA, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 21, 2011) (Commission File Number 001-16581)
(3.5) Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Santander Holdings USA, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Santander Holdings USA, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 3, 2017) (Commission File Number 001-16581)
(3.6) Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Santander Holdings USA, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Santander Holdings USA, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 12, 2019) (Commission File Number 001-16581)
(3.7) Amended and Restated Bylaws of Santander Holdings USA, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Santander Holdings USA, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 30, 2012) (Commission File Number 001-16581)
(3.8) Bylaws of Santander Holdings USA, Inc. as amended on May 23, 2019 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Santander Holdings USA, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 23, 2019 (Commission File Number 001-16581)
(4.1) Santander Holdings USA, Inc. has certain debt obligations outstanding. None of the instruments evidencing such debt authorizes an amount of securities in excess of 10% of the total assets of Santander Holdings USA, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; therefore, copies of such instruments are not included as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Santander Holdings USA, Inc. agrees to furnish copies to the SEC on request.
(10.1) Shareholders Agreement dated January 28, 2014 among the Company, Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc., Sponsor Holdings, DDFS, Thomas G. Dundon and Banco Santander, S.A. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to Santander Holdings USA, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 28, 2014) (Commission File Number 001-16581)
(10.2) Written Agreement, dated as of March 21, 2017, by and among Santander Holdings USA, Inc., Santander Consumer USA Inc., and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Santander Holdings USA, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 23, 2017) (Commission File Number 001-16581)
(23.1) Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (Santander Holdings USA, Inc.) (Filed herewith)
(31.1) Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith)
(31.2) Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith)
(32.1) Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith)
(32.2) Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith)
(101.INS) Inline XBRL Instance Document (Filed herewith)
(101.SCH) Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema (Filed herewith)
(101.CAL) Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase (Filed herewith)
(101.DEF) Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase (Filed herewith)
(101.LAB) Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase (Filed herewith)
(101.PRE) Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase (Filed herewith)