EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 27673
Filing Year: 2022
Filename: 27673_10-K_2022_0001558370-22-018706.json

---

ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance, and business. You can identify forward-looking statements as they do not relate to historical or current facts and by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “will,” “should,” “plan,” “forecast,” “target,” “guide,” “project,” “intend,” “could,” and similar words or expressions.
All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we expected. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, or cautionary statements, and other important information about forward-looking statements are disclosed under Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Forward-Looking Statements” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company
John Deere Capital Corporation (Capital Corporation) and its subsidiaries are collectively called the Company. John Deere Financial Services, Inc. (JDFS), a wholly-owned finance holding subsidiary of Deere & Company, owns all of the outstanding common stock of Capital Corporation. See “Relationships of the Company with John Deere” for additional information regarding agreements between the Company and Deere & Company. The Company conducts business in Australia, New Zealand, the United States (U.S.), and in several countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, including Argentina and Mexico. Capital Corporation was incorporated under the laws of Delaware and commenced operations in 1958.
The Company provides and administers financing for retail purchases of new equipment manufactured by Deere & Company’s production and precision agriculture operations, small agriculture and turf operations, and construction and forestry operations and used equipment taken in trade for this equipment. References to “agriculture and turf” include both production and precision agriculture and small agriculture and turf. The Company generally purchases retail installment sales and loan contracts (retail notes) from Deere & Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively called John Deere). John Deere generally acquires these retail notes through independent John Deere retail dealers. The Company also purchases and finances a limited amount of non-John Deere retail notes. In addition, the Company finances and services revolving charge accounts, in most cases acquired from and offered through merchants in the agriculture and turf, and construction and forestry markets (revolving charge accounts). The Company also provides wholesale financing to dealers of John Deere agriculture and turf equipment, and construction and forestry equipment, primarily to finance inventories of equipment for those dealers (wholesale receivables). Further, the Company leases John Deere equipment and a limited amount of non-John Deere equipment to retail customers (financing and operating leases). The Company also offers credit enhanced international export financing to select customers and dealers, which primarily involves John Deere products. Retail notes, revolving charge accounts, and financing leases are collectively called “Customer Receivables.” Customer Receivables and wholesale receivables are collectively called “Receivables.” Receivables and equipment on operating leases are collectively called “Receivables and Leases.” The Company generally secures its Receivables, other than certain revolving charge accounts, by retaining as collateral security in the goods associated with those Receivables or with the use of other collateral.
John Deere’s internet address is https://www.deere.com. The information contained on John Deere’s website is not included in, nor incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Business of John Deere
John Deere’s operations are categorized into four business segments:
The production and precision agriculture segment defines, develops, and delivers global equipment and technology solutions to unlock customer value for production-scale growers of large grains, small grains, cotton, and
sugarcane. The segment’s main products include large and certain mid-size tractors, combines, cotton pickers, sugarcane harvesters and loaders, and soil preparation, seeding, application, and crop care equipment.
The small agriculture and turf segment defines, develops, and delivers global equipment and technology solutions to unlock customer value for dairy and livestock producers, high-value crop producers, and turf and utility customers. The segment’s primary products include certain mid-size and small tractors, as well as hay and forage equipment, riding and commercial lawn equipment, golf course equipment, and utility vehicles.
The construction and forestry segment defines, develops, and delivers a broad range of machines and technology solutions to unlock customer value on job sites, including earthmoving, forestry, and roadbuilding production systems. The segment’s primary products include crawler dozers and loaders, four-wheel-drive loaders, excavators, skid-steer loaders, milling machines, and log harvesters.
The products and services produced by the segments above are marketed primarily through independent retail dealer networks and major retail outlets and, as it relates to roadbuilding products in certain markets outside the U.S. and Canada, primarily through John Deere-owned sales and service subsidiaries.
The financial services segment includes the operations of the Company (described herein), and additional operations in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, China, India, Russia, and Thailand. John Deere suspended shipments to Russia on February 24, 2022 and no new financing has been offered. The segment primarily finances sales and leases by John Deere dealers of new and used production and precision agriculture, small agriculture and turf, and construction and forestry equipment. In addition, the financial services segment provides wholesale financing to dealers of the foregoing equipment, finances retail revolving charge accounts, and offers extended equipment warranties.
John Deere’s worldwide production and precision agriculture operations, small agriculture and turf operations, and construction and forestry operations are sometimes collectively referred to as the “equipment operations.” The financial services segment is sometimes referred to as the “financial services operations.” Receivables and Leases managed by the Company are evaluated by market (agriculture and turf or construction and forestry).
For fiscal 2022, worldwide net income attributable to Deere & Company was $7.131 billion, or $23.28 per share, compared with $5.963 billion, or $18.99 per share, in fiscal 2021.
Deere & Company’s consolidated net sales and revenues increased 19 percent to $52.577 billion in 2022, compared with $44.024 billion in 2021. Net sales of the equipment operations increased in fiscal 2022 to $47.917 billion, compared with $39.737 billion last year, due to higher shipment volumes and price realization, partially offset by the negative effects of currency translation.
The financial services operations reported net income of $880 million for fiscal 2022 compared with $881 million in fiscal 2021. Net income in 2022 was roughly the same mainly due to income earned on a higher average portfolio, partially offset by less favorable financing spreads and unfavorable discrete income tax adjustments. In addition, financial services’ provision for credit losses increased in 2022, primarily due to economic uncertainty in Russia. The financial services operations received an intercompany benefit from the equipment operations, as the equipment operations guarantees financial services’ investments in certain international markets, including Russia.
Smart Industrial Operating Model and Leap Ambitions
In fiscal year 2020, John Deere began implementing the Smart Industrial operating model. The Smart Industrial operating model is focused on making significant investments in strengthening John Deere’s capabilities in digital, automation, autonomy, and alternative propulsion technologies. These technologies are intended to increase worksite efficiency, improve yields, lower input costs, and ease labor constraints. Building upon the Smart Industrial operating model, John Deere announced its Leap Ambitions framework in fiscal year 2022. The Leap Ambitions are goals that measure John Deere’s Smart Industrial operating model and are designed to boost economic value and sustainability for John Deere’s customers. As an enabling business, the Company is fully integrated with John Deere’s Smart Industrial operating model and is focused on providing financial solutions to help John Deere achieve its Leap Ambitions. For additional information regarding John Deere’s Smart Industrial operating model and Leap Ambitions, refer to the “Smart
Industrial Operating Model and Leap Ambitions” section in Item 1 of the Deere & Company Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 30, 2022.
Market Conditions
Agriculture and Turf. Industry sales of large agricultural machinery in the U.S. and Canada are forecasted to increase 5 to 10 percent compared to 2022. Industry sales of small agricultural and turf equipment in the U.S. and Canada are expected to be flat to down 5 percent in 2023. Industry sales of agricultural machinery in Europe are forecasted to be flat to up 5 percent, while South American industry sales of tractors and combines are forecasted to be flat to up 5 percent in 2023. Asia industry sales are forecasted to be down moderately in 2023 as the demand in India, the world’s largest tractor market by unit, stabilizes.
Construction and Forestry. On an industry basis, North American construction equipment and compact construction equipment sales are each expected to be flat to up 5 percent in 2023. Global forestry and global roadbuilding industry sales are each expected to be flat.
Financial Services, including the Company. Results for the full-year fiscal 2023 are expected to be slightly higher due to income earned on a higher average portfolio, partially offset by less favorable financing spreads and lower gains on operating lease dispositions. Excluding financial services’ portfolio in Russia, a higher provision for credit losses is forecasted in 2023.
Relationships of the Company with John Deere
The results of operations of the Company are affected by its relationships with John Deere, including, among other items, the terms on which the Company acquires Receivables and borrows funds from John Deere, the reimbursement for interest waiver and low-rate finance programs from John Deere, the compensation paid by John Deere in connection with the Company’s purchase of trade receivables from John Deere, and the payment to John Deere for various expenses applicable to the Company’s operations. In addition, John Deere and the Company have joint access to certain lines of credit.
The Company’s volume of Receivables and Leases is largely dependent upon the level of retail sales and leases of John Deere products. The level of John Deere retail sales and leases is responsive to a variety of economic, financial, geopolitical, climatic, legislative, and other factors that influence supply and demand for its products. The majority of the Company’s businesses are affected by changes in interest rates, demand for credit, and competition.
The Company bears substantially all of the credit risk (net of recovery from withholdings from certain John Deere dealers and merchants) associated with its holding of Receivables and Leases. A small portion of the Receivables and Leases held (less than 5 percent) is guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of Deere & Company. The Company also performs substantially all servicing and collection functions. Servicing and collection functions for a small portion of the Receivables and Leases held (less than 5 percent) are provided by John Deere. John Deere is reimbursed for staff and other administrative services at estimated cost and for credit lines provided to the Company based on utilization of those lines.
The terms and the basis on which the Company acquires retail notes and certain wholesale receivables from John Deere are governed by agreements with John Deere, generally terminable by either John Deere or the Company on 30 days’ notice. As provided in these agreements, the Company agrees to the terms and conditions for purchasing the retail notes and wholesale receivables from John Deere. Under these agreements, John Deere is not obligated to sell notes to the Company, and the Company is obligated to purchase notes from John Deere only if the notes comply with the terms and conditions set by the Company.
The basis on which John Deere acquires retail notes and wholesale receivables from John Deere dealers is governed by agreements with those dealers, which may be terminated in accordance with their terms and applicable law. In acquiring these notes from dealers, the terms and conditions, as set forth in agreements with the dealers, conform with the terms and conditions adopted by the Company in determining the acceptability of retail and certain wholesale notes to be purchased from John Deere. The dealers are not obligated to sell these notes to John Deere and John Deere is not obligated to accept these notes from the dealers. In practice, retail and wholesale notes are acquired from dealers only if the terms of these notes and the creditworthiness of the customers are acceptable to the Company. The Company acts on
behalf of both itself and John Deere in determining the acceptability of the notes and in acquiring acceptable notes from dealers.
The basis on which the Company enters into leases with retail customers through John Deere dealers is governed by agreements between those dealers and the Company. Leases are accepted based on the terms and conditions, the lessees’ creditworthiness, the anticipated residual values of the equipment, and the intended use of the equipment.
Deere & Company has an agreement with Capital Corporation pursuant to which it has agreed to continue to own, directly or through one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries, at least 51 percent of the voting shares of capital stock of Capital Corporation and to maintain the Company’s consolidated tangible net worth at not less than $50.0 million. This agreement also obligates Deere & Company to make payments to Capital Corporation such that its consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges is not less than 1.05 to 1 for each fiscal quarter. Deere & Company’s obligations to make payments to Capital Corporation under the agreement are independent of whether the Company is in default on its indebtedness, obligations, or other liabilities. Further, Deere & Company’s obligations under the agreement are not measured by the amount of the Company’s indebtedness, obligations, or other liabilities. Deere & Company’s obligations to make payments under this agreement are expressly stated not to be a guarantee of any specific indebtedness, obligation, or liability of the Company and are enforceable only by or in the name of Capital Corporation. No payments were required under this agreement during the periods included in the consolidated financial statements. At October 30, 2022, Deere & Company indirectly owned 100 percent of the voting shares of Capital Corporation’s capital stock and Capital Corporation’s consolidated tangible net worth was $4,803.4 million.
The Company purchases certain wholesale trade receivables from John Deere. These trade receivables arise from John Deere’s sales of goods to independent dealers. Under the terms of the sales to dealers, interest is primarily charged to dealers on outstanding balances from the earlier of the date when goods are sold to retail customers by the dealer or the expiration of certain interest-free periods granted at the time of the sale to the dealer, until payment is received by the Company. Dealers cannot cancel purchases after John Deere recognizes a sale and are responsible for payment even if the equipment is not sold to retail customers. The interest-free periods are determined based on the type of equipment sold and the time of year of the sale. These periods range from one to twelve months for most equipment. Interest-free periods may not be extended. Interest charged may not be forgiven and the past due interest rates exceed market rates. The Company receives compensation from John Deere at approximate market interest rates for these interest-free periods. The Company computes the compensation from John Deere for interest-free periods based on the Company’s estimated funding costs, administrative and operating expenses, credit losses, and required return on equity.
A portion of finance income earned by the Company arises from financing of retail sales of John Deere equipment on which finance charges are waived or reduced by John Deere for a period from the date of the retail sale to a specified subsequent date. The Company receives compensation from John Deere equal to competitive market interest rates for periods during which finance charges have been waived or reduced. The Company computes the compensation from John Deere for waived or reduced finance charges based on the Company’s estimated funding costs, administrative and operating expenses, credit losses, and required return on equity. The financing rate following the waiver or interest reduction period is not significantly different from the compensation rate from John Deere.
Description of Receivables and Leases
Receivables and Leases arise mainly from retail and wholesale sales and leases of John Deere products and used equipment accepted in trade for them, and from retail sales of equipment of unrelated manufacturers. Receivables and Leases also include revolving charge accounts receivable. At October 30, 2022 and October 31, 2021, at least 90 percent of the Receivables and Leases administered by the Company were for financing that facilitated the purchase or lease of John Deere products.
John Deere Financial, f.s.b. (Thrift) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capital Corporation. It holds a federal thrift charter and is regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The U.S. Federal Reserve Board has oversight of the Company, as the owner of the Thrift. The Thrift is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin and offers revolving charge products including John Deere Financial Multi-Use Account, PowerPlanâ, and John Deere Financial Revolving Plan throughout the U.S. The John Deere Financial Multi-Use Account is used by farmers and ranchers to finance their purchases of production inputs from agribusiness merchants, including seed, fertilizer, and crop protection.
The John Deere Financial Multi-Use Account is also used by agriculture and turf customers to finance the purchase of parts and service from John Deere dealers. PowerPlanâ is primarily used by construction and forestry customers to finance the purchase of equipment parts, equipment rentals, and service work performed at John Deere construction and forestry dealers. The John Deere Financial Revolving Plan is used primarily by retail customers of John Deere dealers to finance purchases of turf and utility equipment. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements under “Revolving Charge Accounts Receivable.”
The Company provides wholesale financing to John Deere dealers, primarily to finance agriculture and turf and construction and forestry equipment inventories. A large portion of the wholesale financing is provided by the Company to dealers from whom it also purchases agriculture and turf and construction and forestry retail notes. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements under “Wholesale Receivables.”
The Company generally requires that theft and physical damage insurance be carried on all goods leased or securing retail notes and wholesale receivables. In certain markets, the customer may, at the customer’s own expense, have the Company or the seller of the goods purchase this insurance or obtain it from other sources. Insurance is not required for goods purchased under revolving charge accounts.
Receivables and Leases are eligible for acceptance if they conform to prescribed finance and lease plan terms. Guidelines relating to down payments and contract terms on retail notes and leases are described in Note 3 and Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In limited circumstances, Receivables and Leases may be accepted even though they do not conform in all respects to the established guidelines. The Company determines whether Receivables and Leases should be accepted and how they should be serviced. Acceptance of these Receivables and Leases is dependent on having one or more risk mitigation enhancements that may include larger down payments or advance lease payments, additional co-borrowers or guarantors, the pledge of additional collateral as security, the assignment of specific earnings to the Company, or the acceptance of accelerated payment schedules. Officers of the Company are responsible for establishing policies and reviewing the performance of the Company in accepting and collecting Receivables and Leases. The Company performs substantially all of its own routine collections, settlements, and repossessions on Receivables and Leases.
John Deere retail notes and wholesale receivables are generally supported by perfected security interests in goods financed under laws such as the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), certain federal statutes, and state motor vehicle laws in the U.S. and by security in goods or other security under applicable laws in other countries and jurisdictions. UCC financing statements are also prepared and filed on leases; however, these filings for operating leases are made for informational purposes only.
Finance Rates on Retail Notes
As of October 30, 2022 and October 31, 2021, over 95 percent of the retail notes held by the Company bore a fixed finance rate. A portion of the finance income earned by the Company arises from reimbursements from John Deere in connection with financing the retail sales of John Deere equipment on which finance charges are waived or reduced by John Deere for a period from the date of sale to a specified subsequent date. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Average Original Term and Average Actual Life of Retail Notes and Leases
Due to prepayments (often from trade-ins and refinancing), the average actual life of retail notes and leases is considerably shorter than the average original term. The following table shows the average original term for retail notes
and leases acquired during the year and the average actual life for retail notes and leases liquidated during the year (in months):
Average Original Term
Average Actual Life
Retail notes:
New equipment:
Agriculture and turf
Construction and forestry
Used equipment:
Agriculture and turf
Construction and forestry
Financing leases
Equipment on operating leases
Maturities
The following table presents the contractual maturities of Receivables and Leases owned by the Company at October 30, 2022 (in millions of dollars), and a summary of Receivables and Leases owned by the Company at October 30, 2022 and October 31, 2021 (in millions of dollars):
One year
or less
One to five years
Five to fifteen years
Total
Fixed
Variable
Fixed
Variable
rate
rate
rate
rate
Retail notes:
Agriculture and turf
$
7,052.6
$
15,746.3
$
427.2
$
627.1
$
4.6
$
23,857.8
$
21,518.9
Construction and forestry
1,916.6
3,020.0
5.5
12.0
4,954.1
4,487.0
Total retail notes
8,969.2
18,766.3
432.7
639.1
4.6
28,811.9
26,005.9
Revolving charge accounts
3,968.3
88.7
108.8
4,165.8
3,740.1
Wholesale receivables
8,032.3
109.6
259.9
2.7
8,404.5
5,951.3
Financing leases
613.7
496.5
10.5
1,120.7
972.3
Equipment on operating leases
1,107.7
3,652.8
93.0
4,853.5
4,947.6
Total Receivables and Leases
$
22,691.2
$
23,113.9
$
801.4
$
745.3
$
4.6
$
47,356.4
$
41,617.2
Net Write-offs
Total net (write-offs) recoveries, by product, were as follows (in millions of dollars):
Dollars
Percent
Dollars
Percent
Dollars
Percent
Net write-offs:
Retail notes and financing leases:
Agriculture and turf
$
(11.2)
(.04)
%
$
(9.4)
(.04)
%
$
(10.6)
(.06)
%
Construction and forestry
(15.1)
(.30)
(15.7)
(.36)
(32.1)
(.89)
Total retail notes and financing leases
(26.3)
(.10)
(25.1)
(.10)
(42.7)
(.21)
Revolving charge accounts
2.9
.09
7.7
.23
(22.1)
(.65)
Wholesale receivables
(.2)
(.3)
.4
.01
Total net write-offs
$
(23.6)
(.06)
%
$
(17.7)
(.05)
%
$
(64.4)
(.20)
%
Allowance for Credit Losses
Receivables 30 days or more past due continue to accrue finance income. The Company ceases to accrue finance income once Receivables are considered non-performing. An allowance for credit losses is recorded for the estimated credit losses expected over the life of the Receivable portfolio. The Company measures expected credit losses on a collective basis when similar risk characteristics exist. Risk characteristics considered by the Company include product category, market, geography, credit risk, and remaining duration. Receivables that do not share risk characteristics with other receivables in the portfolio are evaluated on an individual basis. Non-performing Receivables are included in the
estimate of expected credit losses. See Note 4 for additional information related to the allowance for credit losses.
The total allowance for credit losses, by product, at October 30, 2022 and October 31, 2021 (in millions of dollars), and the portfolio, by product, as a percent of total portfolio are presented below:
Dollars
Percent
Dollars
Percent
Retail notes and financing leases:
Agriculture and turf
$
43.1
%
$
49.2
%
Construction and forestry
52.3
47.3
Total retail notes and financing leases
95.4
96.5
Revolving charge accounts
21.9
20.8
Wholesale receivables
11.1
11.7
Total
$
128.4
%
$
129.0
%
Key credit quality metrics and related portfolio balances (in millions of dollars) at October 30, 2022 and October 31, 2021 were as follows:
Dollars
Dollars
Receivables 30 days or more past due
$
404.9
$
340.8
Non-performing Receivables
263.2
280.1
Allowance for credit losses
128.4
129.0
Total Receivables
42,502.9
36,669.6
Percent
Percent
Receivables 30 days or more past due to total Receivables
.95
%
.93
%
Non-performing Receivables to total Receivables
.62
.76
Allowance for credit losses to total Receivables
.30
.35
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing Receivables
48.78
46.05
The Receivables portfolio continued to perform strongly in 2022 as evidenced by the 30 days or more past due and non-performing Receivables as a percentage of the total Receivables portfolio. The allowance for credit losses as a percent of total portfolio was favorable in 2022 compared to 2021, primarily due to continued positive agricultural market conditions. In addition, strong recovery rates, driven by higher prices on used equipment inventory, also benefited the allowance for credit losses.
Competition
The businesses in which the Company is engaged are highly competitive. The Company primarily competes for customers with commercial banks and finance and leasing companies based upon its service, finance rates charged, and other finance terms. In addition, the competitive landscape is evolving as technology is unlocking new capabilities for traditional competitors and enabling new digital entrants that could be either technology partners or potential competitors. The proportion of John Deere equipment retail sales and leases financed by the Company is influenced by conditions prevailing in the agriculture and turf equipment and construction and forestry equipment markets, in the financial markets, and in business generally. The Company financed a significant portion of John Deere equipment retail sales and leases in many of the countries in which the Company operated during 2022 and 2021.
The Company emphasizes convenient service to customers and endeavors to offer terms desired in its specialized markets, such as seasonal schedules of repayment and rentals. The Company’s retail finance rates and lease rates are generally believed to be in the range offered by other sales finance and leasing companies, although not as low as those of some banks and other lenders and lessors.
Regulation
In several U.S. states, state law limits the maximum finance rate on receivables. The present state limitations have not significantly limited variable-rate finance charges or the fixed-rate finance charges established by the Company. However, if interest rate levels should increase significantly, maximum state rates could affect the Company by preventing the variable rates on outstanding variable-rate retail notes from increasing above the maximum state rate and by limiting the fixed rates on new notes. In some states, the Company may be able to qualify new retail notes for a higher maximum rate limit by using retail installment sales contracts (rather than loan contracts) or by using fixed-rate rather than variable-rate contracts.
In addition to rate regulation, various U.S. state and federal laws and regulations apply to some Receivables and Leases, principally retail notes for goods sold for personal, family, or household use and John Deere Financial Revolving Plan, John Deere Financial Multi-Use Account, and PowerPlanâ products and receivables. To date, these laws and regulations have not had a significant adverse effect on the Company.
The Thrift holds a federal thrift charter and is subject to regulation and examination by the OCC. The U.S. Federal Reserve Board has oversight of the Company, as the owner of the Thrift.
The manner in which the Company offers financing outside the U.S. is affected by a variety of country specific laws, regulations, and customs, including those governing property rights and debtor obligations, which are subject to change and that may introduce greater risk to the Company.
In fiscal year 2022, compliance with the regulations applicable to the Company did not have a material effect on capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position. The Company does not expect to incur material capital expenditures related to compliance with regulations during fiscal year 2023. Additional information about the impact of government regulations on the Company’s business is included in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” under the headings “Strategic Risks” and “Legal and Compliance Risks.”
Human Capital
Higher Purpose
The Company’s employees, its human capital, are guided by John Deere’s higher purpose: We run so life can leap forward. Employees are further guided by John Deere’s Code of Business Conduct (Code), which helps them to uphold and strengthen the standards of honor and integrity that have defined John Deere since its founding. Our world and business may change, but our core values-integrity, quality, commitment and innovation-remain constant in everything we do. Our values have shaped and guided John Deere’s vision since 1837.
Employees
At October 30, 2022, the Company had 1,488 full-time and part-time employees. The Company also retains consultants, independent contractors, and temporary workers.
Code of Business Conduct
John Deere and the Company are committed to conducting business in accordance with the highest ethical standards. This means how we conduct ourselves and our global work is more than just a matter of policy and law; it reflects our core values. The Code provides specific guidance to all John Deere employees, outlining how they can and must uphold and strengthen the integrity that has defined John Deere since its founding. The Company’s policy requires all employees to complete Code training and, where permitted by law, also requires the employees to certify each year that they will comply with the Code. The Company maintains a global compliance hotline to allow for concerns to be brought forward.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
The Company believes that a diverse workforce is essential to its long-term success and it strives to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture where all voices are heard, valued, and included. The Company embraces employees’ differences in race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital or partnership status, family status, citizenship, genetic information, national origin, ancestry, geographic background, military or veteran status, disability (mental or physical), and any other characteristics that make our employees unique.
The Company’s global DEI strategy focuses on embedding DEI into world-wide business operations and people processes. The Company believes that sustainable DEI requires rigor and long-term investment to realize lasting benefits to the business. The Company’s DEI strategic framework consists of four DEI pillars that reflect our areas of focus-people, leadership, business strategy, and community.
The Company’s leadership team works to set a consistent and transparent tone on DEI issues and strategy. The Company creates spaces for open conversations and learning through its DEI speaker series, micro-learnings, and online forum panel series, ‘Let’s Talk Series’. Additionally, the Company works to provide immersive learning experiences to improve workplace equity and inclusion. DEI expectations are integrated into the Company’s global performance management program. To help managers with development and team building, the Company measures inclusiveness as part of its periodic internal employee experience survey.
John Deere and the Company proudly partner with several professional organizations to support our diversity recruitment strategy, including Anita B.org. - a global organization for women in technology, Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences, the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc., the National Black MBA Association, Inc., the National Society of Black Engineers, Prospanica - the Association of Hispanic Professionals, the Society of Women Engineers, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute, and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.
John Deere’s 13 Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), in which employees of the Company participate, are Company sponsored organizations run by employees, and are a key driver of inclusion at John Deere and a critical component of our global DEI strategy. ERGs build organization-wide networks that help enable employees with shared interests to come together and are open to all employees. The global chapters work with local teams to support our efforts to attract, retain, and develop the best talent.
Compensation and Benefits
The Company’s total rewards are intended to be competitive, meet the varied needs of our global workforce, and reinforce our values. The Company is committed to providing comprehensive and competitive pay and benefits to its employees. The Company has invested, and continues to invest, in its employees through growth and development and well-being initiatives.
The Company’s work environment is designed to promote innovation and well-being and reward performance. The Company’s total rewards for employees include a variety of components that aim to support sustainable employment and the ability to build a strong financial future, including competitive market-based pay and comprehensive benefits. In addition to earning base pay, eligible employees are compensated for their contributions to the Company’s goals with both short-term and long-term cash incentives and long-term equity-based incentives.
Eligible full-time employees in the U.S. have access to medical, dental, and vision plans; savings and retirement plans; parental leave and paid time off; and other resources, such as the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides mental health and wellness services. The Company also offers a variety of working arrangements to eligible employees, including flexible schedules, telecommuting, and job sharing, to help employees manage home and work-life situations. Programs and benefits differ internationally for a variety of reasons, such as local legal requirements, market practices, and negotiations with works councils, and other employee representative bodies.
Training and Development
The Company provides training and development opportunities for employees at all stages of their careers to empower them to reach their full potential. Employees are critical to the long-term success of the Company’s business. We encourage employees to identify the paths that can build the skills, experience, knowledge, and competencies needed for career advancement. The Company supports employees by creating purpose-driven work opportunities, comprehensive performance reviews and development plans, mentoring opportunities, and professional and personal development opportunities.
The Company encourages employees to provide feedback across the enterprise through our internal voluntary employee experience survey, ad-hoc “pulse” surveys, and new-hire and exit surveys. Reports from these surveys help equip the Company to address needs across the employee lifecycle to improve the overall experience and engagement of our workforce.
In terms of learning and development, the Company continues to invest in technology and content providers that strengthen our commitment to prepare a future-ready workforce. We offer training, upskilling, and development opportunities at all stages of an employee’s career, empowering them to reach their full potential.
The Company’s training programs, which are tailored to different geographic regions and job functions, include among other topics, relationships with customers and dealers, the Company’s culture and values, compliance with the Code, compliance with anti-bribery/corruption laws and policies, compliance with management of private data and cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, conflicts of interest, discrimination and workplace harassment policies, sexual harassment policies, and leadership development.
Human Rights
The Company honors human rights and respects the individual dignity of all persons globally. The Company’s commitment to human rights requires that we understand and carry out our responsibilities consistent with Company values and practices. The Company strives to ensure that human rights are upheld for our employees and employees of John Deere dealers. Our commitment to human rights is defined in the Code, the John Deere dealer Code of Conduct, related policies and procedures, and “Support of Human Rights in our Business Practice,” each of which is available on John Deere’s website under “Governance.” These documents establish clear guidelines for our employees and John Deere dealers while helping to inform our business decisions. We do not tolerate human rights abuses, such as forced labor, unlawful child labor, or human trafficking. We are proud to contribute to the places where we work and support the residents of these places.

---

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
The results of operations of the Company are affected by its relationships with John Deere. See “Relationships of the Company with John Deere” for additional information regarding the relationship between the Company and John Deere.
The following risks are considered material to the Company’s business based upon current knowledge, information, and assumptions. This discussion of risk factors should be considered closely in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” including the risks and uncertainties described in the “Forward-Looking Statements,” the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and the risk factors of Deere & Company included in Exhibit 99 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and incorporated herein by reference. These risk factors and other forward-looking statements relate to future events, expectations, trends, and operating periods, and involve certain factors that are subject to change and important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Some of these risks and uncertainties could affect particular portions of the business, while others could affect all the Company’s business. Although the risks are organized by headings, and each risk is discussed separately, many are interrelated. The risks described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the “Forward-Looking Statements” in this report are not the only risks faced by the Company.
STRATEGIC RISKS
The profitability and financial condition of the Company’s operations are dependent upon the operations of John Deere.
The Company’s volume of Receivables and Leases is largely dependent upon the level of retail sales and leases of John Deere products. The results of operations of the Company are affected by its relationships with John Deere, including, among other items, the terms on which the Company acquires Receivables and borrows funds from John Deere, the reimbursement for interest waiver and low-rate finance programs from John Deere, the compensation paid by John Deere in connection with the Company’s purchase of trade receivables from John Deere, and the payment to John Deere for various expenses applicable to the Company’s operations. In addition, John Deere and the Company have joint access to certain lines of credit.
If there were significant changes in the production or sales of John Deere products; the quality or resale value of John Deere equipment; John Deere’s liquidity, capital position, debt ratings, and access to capital markets; the reputation of John Deere; or inflationary pressures, supply chain constraints, or other factors impacting John Deere or its products, such changes could significantly affect the Company’s profitability, financial condition, and access to capital markets. In addition, if there were changes to sales incentive programs offered by John Deere to retail customers, in which the Company receives reimbursement for interest waiver and low-rate finance programs, this could decrease the Company’s market share of John Deere financed equipment, volumes, and profitability.
International, national, and regional trade laws, regulations, and policies (particularly those related to or restricting global trade) and government farm programs and policies could significantly impair John Deere’s profitability and growth prospects. As the Company’s volume of Receivables and Leases is largely dependent upon the level of retail sales and leases of John Deere products, these macroeconomic drivers could also negatively impact the Company's profitability and growth prospects.
International, national, and regional laws, regulations, and policies directly or indirectly related to or restricting the import and export of John Deere’s products, services, and technology, or those of its customers, including protectionist policies in particular jurisdictions or for the benefit of favored industries or sectors, could harm John Deere’s global business. John Deere’s profitability and growth prospects are tied directly to the global marketplace. Restricted access to global markets impairs John Deere’s ability to export goods and services from its various manufacturing locations around the world and limits the ability to access raw materials and high-quality parts and components at competitive prices on a timely basis. Trade restrictions, including withdrawal from or modification of existing trade agreements, negotiation of new trade agreements, non-tariff trade barriers, local content requirements, and imposition of new or retaliatory tariffs against certain countries or covering certain products, including developments in U.S.-China trade relations and sanctions against Russia, have limited, and could continue to limit, John Deere’s ability to capitalize on current and future growth opportunities in international markets and impair John Deere’s ability to expand the business. These trade restrictions, and changes in, or uncertainty surrounding, global trade policies, may affect John Deere’s competitive position. Policies impacting exchange rates and commodity prices or those limiting the export or import of commodities could have a material adverse effect on the international flow of agricultural and other commodities that may result in a corresponding negative effect on the demand for agricultural and forestry equipment in many areas of the world. John Deere’s agricultural equipment sales could be especially harmed by such policies because farm income strongly influences sales of agricultural equipment around the world. Furthermore, trade restrictions could impede those in developing countries from achieving a higher standard of living, which could negatively impact John Deere’s future growth opportunities arising from increasing global demand for food, fuel, and infrastructure. Additionally, changes in government farm programs and policies, including direct payment and other subsidies, can significantly influence demand for agricultural equipment as well as create unequal competition for multinational companies relative to domestic companies.
Greater political, economic, and social uncertainty and the evolving globalization of businesses could significantly change the dynamics of John Deere’s and the Company’s competition, customer base, and product offerings and impact John Deere’s and the Company’s growth opportunities globally.
John Deere’s efforts to grow its businesses depend in part upon access to additional geographic markets, including, but not limited to, Argentina, Brazil, China, India, and South Africa, and its success in developing market share
and operating profitably in such markets. In some cases, these countries have greater political and economic volatility, greater vulnerability to infrastructure and labor disruptions, and differing local customer product preferences and requirements than John Deere’s other markets. Having business operations in various regions and countries exposes John Deere and the Company to multiple and potentially conflicting business practices, and legal and regulatory requirements that are subject to change and are often complex and difficult to navigate, including those related to tariffs and trade regulations, investments, property ownership rights, taxation, repatriation of earnings, and advanced technologies. Expanding business operations globally also increases exposure to currency fluctuations, which can materially affect the Company’s financial results. While John Deere maintains a positive corporate image and its brands are widely recognized and valued in its traditional markets, the brands are less known in some emerging markets, which could impede John Deere’s efforts to successfully compete in these markets.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine could adversely impact John Deere’s business and financial results.
On February 24, 2022, John Deere suspended shipments of machines and service parts to Russia and Belarus. As a result, the Company has not offered any new financings in Russia. After assessing the impact of the Russia and Ukraine conflict on John Deere’s operations within Russia, John Deere’s senior management in the U.S. decided to initiate a voluntary employee-separation program, which reduced overall headcount in Russia. John Deere may further reduce or discontinue operations in Russia depending on the continued evolution of the conflict, monetary, currency or payment controls, restrictions on access to financial institutions, supply and transportation challenges, sanctions and export controls and counter-sanctions, or other circumstances and considerations. John Deere’s U.S. senior management continues to closely monitor all risks to John Deere’s and the Company’s operations in the region. The broader consequences of the Russia and Ukraine conflict such as, embargoes, regional instability, geopolitical shift, access to natural gas, higher energy prices, potential retaliatory action by the Russian government, including nationalization of foreign businesses, increased tensions between the U.S. and countries in which John Deere and the Company operate, and the extent of the conflict’s effect on the global economy, cannot be predicted, including the extent to which the conflict may heighten other risks disclosed herein. Ultimately, these or other factors could result in further loss or write-downs of other operating assets and working capital for John Deere. For further description of the Company’s outstanding exposure related to Russia, refer to Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Negative economic conditions and outlook can materially weaken demand for John Deere’s equipment and services, limit access to funding, and result in higher funding costs for John Deere and the Company.
The demand for John Deere’s and the Company’s products and services can be significantly reduced in an economic environment characterized by high unemployment, rising interest rates, cautious consumer spending, changes in consumer practices due to a possible recession, lower corporate earnings, and lower business investment. Negative or uncertain economic conditions that cause John Deere’s customers to lack confidence in the general economic outlook can significantly reduce their likelihood of purchasing John Deere’s equipment. The COVID-19 pandemic (COVID), geopolitical instability, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and other global events have significantly increased economic and demand uncertainty. Some of the results of these events include supply chain challenges, inflation, high interest rates, foreign currency exchange volatility, and volatility in global capital markets. These adverse economic events have and may continue to adversely affect John Deere’s and the Company’s operations.
Sustained negative economic conditions and outlook also affect housing starts, energy prices and demand, and other construction, which dampens demand for certain construction equipment. John Deere’s turf operations and its construction and forestry segments are dependent on construction activity and have also been affected by recent adverse economic conditions. In fiscal 2022, supply constraints, shortage of turf inventory, and softening customer demand have affected John Deere’s production and sales of consumer products within these segments. Decreases in construction activity and housing starts could have a material adverse effect on John Deere’s and the Company’s results of operations.
If negative economic conditions affect the overall farm economy, there could be a similar effect on John Deere’s agricultural equipment sales. In addition, uncertain or negative outlook with respect to pervasive U.S. fiscal issues as well as general economic conditions and outlook, such as market volatility and continued interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve, have caused and could continue to cause significant changes in market liquidity conditions. Such changes could impact access to funding and associated funding costs, which could reduce the Company’s earnings and cash flows. Additionally, John Deere’s and the Company’s investment management activities could be adversely affected by changes
in the equity and bond markets, including the recent volatility of the United Kingdom’s bond market, which would negatively affect earnings.
Changing worldwide demand for food and different forms of bio-energy could affect the price of farm commodities and consequently the demand for certain John Deere equipment and could also result in higher research and development costs related to changing machine fuel requirements.
Changing worldwide demand for farm outputs to meet the world’s growing food and bio-energy demands, driven in part by government policies, including those related to climate change, and a growing world population, are likely to result in fluctuating agricultural commodity prices, which directly affect sales of agricultural equipment. Lower agricultural commodity prices directly affect farm incomes, which could negatively affect sales of agricultural equipment and result in higher credit losses. While higher commodity prices benefit John Deere’s crop-producing agricultural equipment customers, higher commodity prices also could result in greater feed costs for livestock and poultry producers, which in turn may result in lower levels of equipment purchased by these customers. Furthermore, changing bio-energy demands may cause farmers to change the types or quantities of the crops they raise, with corresponding changes in equipment demands. Finally, changes in governmental policies regulating bio-fuel utilization could affect commodity demand and commodity prices, demand for John Deere’s diesel-fueled equipment, and result in higher research and development costs for John Deere related to equipment fuel standards. These changes could have a negative effect on the Company’s results.
John Deere and the Company may not realize the anticipated benefits of its Smart Industrial operating model and Leap Ambitions.
John Deere’s failure to realize the anticipated benefits of its Smart Industrial operating model and related business strategies in production systems, precision technologies, and aftermarket support could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. Several factors could impact John Deere’s ability to successfully execute the Smart Industrial operating model, including, among other things, failure to accurately assess market opportunity and the technology required to address such opportunity; failure to develop and introduce new technologies or lack of adoption of such technologies by John Deere’s customers; and failure to holistically execute lifecycle solutions. In addition, if John Deere is unable to optimize its capital allocation in connection with the operating model, including capital allocation for the development and delivery of financial solutions provided by the Company, it may not be able to realize the full benefits of John Deere’s Smart Industrial operating model, which could have an adverse effect on John Deere’s and the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
Similarly, John Deere may not realize the anticipated benefits of its Leap Ambitions and related goals in the expected timeline, or at all. As part of its Leap Ambitions framework, John Deere adopted various goals that it expects to achieve by 2026 or 2030, as applicable. John Deere may not be able to achieve these goals for a number of reasons, some of which may be out of its control. For example, John Deere’s estimates and assumptions related to efficiency of its products and the adoption of precision technology may not be accurate; certain materials, such as quality battery cells, may become unavailable or too costly; or infrastructure required to achieve its goals, such as sufficient charging stations, may become too costly or may not occur on the expected timeline. The actual or perceived failure of John Deere to achieve its Leap Ambitions could negatively impact its ability to execute the Smart Industrial operating model, and could harm John Deere’s and the Company’s reputation and business.
John Deere’s ability to understand its customers’ specific preferences and requirements, and to develop, manufacture, and market products that meet customer demand, could significantly affect its business results.
John Deere’s ability to match new product offerings to diverse global customers’ anticipated preferences for different types and sizes of equipment and various equipment features and functionality, at affordable prices, is critical to its success. In addition, the Company’s ability to anticipate and deliver on customers’ changing preferences for financial solutions, is critical to its success. This requires a thorough understanding of John Deere’s and the Company’s existing and potential customers on a global basis. Failure to deliver quality products that meet customer needs at competitive prices ahead of competitors could have a significant adverse effect on John Deere’s and the Company’s business.
Customer preferences in the markets served by John Deere could change as these markets transition to less carbon-intensive business models. Ongoing social and regulatory focus on sustainability and the impact of policies and
consumer preferences on the construction, forestry, and agriculture industries mean that change is imminent. As regulations and social pressure drive change, John Deere must be proactive in monitoring trends and developing alternatives and enhancements that complement its product offerings. For example, John Deere may be unable to keep up with the rising demand for electric agriculture, turf, and construction equipment.
The development of alternative farming techniques, carbon sequestration technologies, and new low-carbon biofuels could change farmers’ business models and equipment needs. If John Deere fails to properly develop or invest in new technologies to meet changing customer demands, John Deere will be at risk of losing potential sources of revenue, which could affect John Deere’s and the Company’s future financial results.
John Deere’s and the Company’s ability to adapt in highly competitive markets could affect its business, results of operations, and financial condition.
John Deere operates in a variety of highly competitive global and regional markets. John Deere competes worldwide with a number of other manufacturers and distributors that produce and sell similar products. In addition, John Deere’s industry is attracting non-traditional competitors, including technology-focused companies and start-up ventures. John Deere competes on the basis of product performance, innovation and quality, distribution, customer service, and price. Aggressive pricing or other strategies pursued by competitors, unanticipated product or manufacturing delays, or John Deere’s failure to price its products competitively could adversely affect John Deere’s business, results of operations, and financial condition, which could have a negative effect on the Company’s results.
The equipment finance industry in which the Company competes is highly competitive. We compete for customers with commercial banks and finance and leasing companies based upon service, finance rates charged, and other finance terms. In addition, the competitive landscape is evolving as technology is unlocking new capabilities for traditional competitors and enabling new digital entrants. The Company’s ability to maintain and expand our market share is contingent upon us offering competitive pricing, developing and maintaining strong relationships with dealers and customers, making substantial investments in our technological infrastructure, and effectively responding to changes in the agriculture and turf equipment and construction and forestry equipment markets. In addition, any expansion into new markets may require us to compete with more experienced and established market participants. Failure to effectively manage these challenges could adversely affect our market share, and pressure to provide competitive pricing could have a negative effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
John Deere relies on a network of independent dealers to manage the distribution of its products. If dealers are unsuccessful with their sales and business operations, it could have an adverse effect on overall John Deere sales and revenue.
John Deere relies on the capability of John Deere dealers to develop and implement effective sales plans to create demand among purchasers for the equipment and related products and services that the dealers purchase from John Deere. If John Deere’s dealers are not successful in these endeavors, then John Deere will be unable to grow its sales and revenue, which would have an adverse effect on John Deere’s and the Company’s financial condition. In addition, the dealer channel’s ability to support and service precision technology solutions and emerging power solutions may affect customers’ acceptance and adoption rates of these products.
Dealers may have trouble funding their day-to-day cash flow needs and paying their obligations due to adverse business conditions resulting from negative economic effects or other factors. Dealers may exit or John Deere may seek to terminate relationships with certain dealers if they are unable to meet customer needs. The unplanned loss of any John Deere dealers could lead to inadequate market coverage, negative customer impressions of John Deere, and may adversely impact John Deere’s and the Company’s ability to collect receivables that are associated with that dealer.
ENVIRONMENTAL, CLIMATE, AND WEATHER RISKS
Unfavorable weather conditions or natural calamities that reduce agricultural production and demand for agriculture and turf equipment could directly and indirectly affect John Deere’s and the Company’s business.
Poor or unusual weather conditions, particularly during the planting and early growing season, can significantly affect the purchasing decisions of John Deere’s customers, particularly the purchasers of agriculture and turf equipment.
The timing and quantity of rainfall are two of the most important factors in agricultural production. Insufficient levels of rain prevent farmers from planting new crops and may cause growing crops to die or result in lower yields. Excessive rain or flooding can prevent planting from occurring at optimal times and may cause crop loss through increased disease or mold growth. Temperature affects the rate of growth, maturity, and quality of crops. Temperatures outside normal ranges can also cause crop failure or decreased yields, and may also affect disease incidence. Natural calamities such as regional floods, hurricanes or other storms, droughts, diseases, and pests, either as a physical effect of climate change or otherwise, have had and could in the future have significant negative effects on agricultural and livestock production. The resulting negative impact on farm income can strongly affect demand for agricultural equipment and the financial condition and credit risk of our customers and John Deere’s dealers. Adverse weather conditions in a particular geographic region, particularly during the important spring selling season, may adversely affect sales of some turf equipment. Drought conditions can adversely affect sales of certain mowing equipment and unusually rainy weather can similarly cause lower sales volumes.
Governmental actions designed to address climate change and the emergence of new technologies and business models in connection with the transition to a lower-carbon economy could adversely affect John Deere and its customers.
There is global scientific consensus that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continue to alter the composition of Earth’s atmosphere in ways that are affecting and are expected to continue to affect the global climate. These considerations have led to new international, national, regional, and local legislative and regulatory responses. Various stakeholders, including legislators and regulators, shareholders, and non-governmental organizations, as well as companies in many business sectors, including John Deere and the Company, are continuing to look for ways to reduce GHG emissions. The regulation of GHG emissions from certain stationary or mobile sources or the imposition of carbon pricing mechanisms could result in additional costs to John Deere and the Company in the form of taxes or emission allowances, required facilities improvements, and increased energy costs, which would increase John Deere’s and the Company’s operating costs through higher utility, transportation, and materials costs. Increased input costs, such as fuel and fertilizer, and compliance-related costs could also affect customer operations and demand for John Deere equipment. Additional international and national European regulations relating to climate and environmental risk, which are continually evolving, could affect the lending operations and climate-risk processes developed by the Company. Regulators in Europe and the U.S. have also focused efforts on increased disclosure related to climate change and mitigation efforts. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has included in its regulatory agenda potential rulemaking on climate change disclosures that, if adopted, could significantly increase compliance burdens and associated regulatory costs and complexity.
FINANCIAL RISKS
Changes in government banking, monetary, and fiscal policies could have a negative effect on the Company.
Policies of the U.S. and other governments regarding banking, monetary, and fiscal policies intended to promote or maintain liquidity, stabilize financial markets, and/or address local deficit or structural economic issues may not be effective and could have a material impact on the Company’s customers and markets. The Company’s operations and results could also be affected by financial regulatory reform that could, among other things, have an adverse effect on the Company and its customers by limiting their ability to enter into hedging transactions or to finance purchases of John Deere products. Government policies on spending can also affect John Deere, especially the construction and forestry segment, due to the impact of government spending on infrastructure development. The Company’s and John Deere’s operations, including those outside of the United States, may also be affected by non-U.S. regulatory reforms being implemented to further regulate non-U.S. financial institutions and markets.
Changes in tax rates, tax legislation, or exposure to additional tax liabilities could have a negative effect on John Deere and the Company.
John Deere and the Company are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. John Deere’s and the Company’s domestic and international tax liabilities are dependent upon the location of earnings among these different jurisdictions. Tax rates in various jurisdictions may be subject to significant change. John Deere’s and the Company’s effective tax rates could be affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, or changes in tax laws or their interpretations. If John Deere’s and the Company’s effective tax rates were to increase, or if the ultimate determination of taxes owed is for an
amount more than amounts previously accrued, John Deere’s and the Company’s operating results, cash flows, and financial condition could be adversely affected.
The Company’s consolidated financial results are reported in U.S. dollars while certain assets and other reported items are denominated in the currencies of other countries, creating currency exchange and translation risk.
The Company operates in many areas of the world, involving transactions denominated in a variety of currencies. The Company is subject to currency exchange risk to the extent that its costs are denominated in currencies other than those in which it earns revenues. Additionally, the reporting currency for the Company’s consolidated financial statements is the U.S. dollar. Certain of the Company’s assets, liabilities, expenses, and revenues are denominated in other countries’ currencies, which are then translated into U.S. dollars at the applicable exchange rates in the Company’s reported consolidated financial statements. Therefore, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates affect the value of those items as reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, even if their value remains unchanged in their original currencies. While the use of currency hedging instruments may provide the Company with protection from adverse fluctuations in currency exchange rates, by utilizing these instruments we potentially forego any benefits that may result from favorable fluctuations in such rates.
Because the Company is subject to interest rate risks, changes in interest rates can reduce demand for equipment, adversely affect interest margins, and limit access to capital markets while increasing borrowing costs.
Rising interest rates could have a dampening effect on overall economic activity and/or the financial condition of the Company’s customers, either or both of which could negatively affect customer demand for John Deere equipment and customers’ ability to repay obligations to the Company. In response to increasing inflation, the U.S. Federal Reserve began to raise interest rates in March 2022 for the first time in over three years, and has signaled it expects to make additional rate increases. Rising interest rates could cause credit market dislocations, which could have an impact on funding costs, which are important to the Company because such costs affect the Company’s ability to offer customers competitive financing rates. While the Company strives to match the interest rate characteristics of its financial assets and liabilities, changing interest rates could have an adverse effect on the Company’s net interest rate margin-the difference between the yield the Company earns on its assets and the interest rates the Company pays for funding, which could in turn affect the Company’s net interest income and earnings.
In addition, actions by credit rating agencies, such as downgrades or negative changes to ratings outlooks, can affect the availability and cost of funding for the Company and can increase the Company’s cost of capital and hurt its competitive position.
Further, due to the cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), the Company has entered into financial transactions such as credit agreements, receivables, derivatives, and notes that use the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) or the Sterling Overnight Index Average (“SONIA”) as interest rate benchmarks. SOFR and SONIA are calculated differently from LIBOR and have inherent differences, which could give rise to uncertainties, including the limited historical data and volatility in the benchmark rates. The full effects of the transition to SOFR, SONIA, or other rates remain uncertain.
Because the Company is a financing company, negative economic conditions in the financial industry could materially impact the Company’s operations and financial results.
Negative economic conditions could have an adverse effect on the financial industry in which the Company operates. The Company provides financing for a significant portion of John Deere’s sales in many of the countries in which the Company operates. The Company is exposed to the risk that customers and others will default on contractual obligations and may experience credit losses that exceed its expectations and adversely affect its financial condition and results of operations. The Company’s inability to access funds at cost-effective rates to support its financing activities could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. The Company’s liquidity and ongoing profitability depend largely on timely access to capital to meet future cash flow requirements and to fund operations and costs associated with engaging in diversified funding activities. Additionally, negative market conditions could reduce customer confidence levels, resulting in declines in credit applications and increases in delinquencies and default rates, which could materially impact the Company’s write-offs and provision for credit losses.
The Company’s results could be adversely affected by a decrease in the value of used equipment or higher than estimated returns of equipment on operating lease.
The Company sells repossessed equipment and equipment returned to us at the end of lease terms, primarily through the John Deere dealer network. The Company estimates the end-of-lease term residual value at the inception of the operating leases based on a number of factors, including lease term, expected hours of usage, historical wholesale sale prices, return experience, intended use of the equipment, market dynamics and trends, and third-party residual guarantees. Used equipment values may decrease as a result of any one or a combination of factors including market conditions, supply of and demand for used equipment, and technological advancements in new equipment. Depressed prices for used equipment may result in, or increase, a loss upon our disposition of off-lease or repossessed equipment, and in the case of repossessed equipment, we may be unable to collect the resulting deficiency. In addition, lower residual value estimates could result in increasing operating lease depreciation, impairment losses, and losses on the sale of matured operating lease inventory, which would decrease the Company’s earnings.
MANUFACTURING AND OPERATIONAL RISKS
Changes in the availability and price of certain raw materials, components, and whole goods have resulted and could continue to result in significant disruptions to the supply chain causing production disruptions, increased costs and lower profits on sales of John Deere products. As the Company’s volume of Receivables and Leases is largely dependent upon the level of retail sales and leases of John Deere products, supply chain disruptions and impacts of price increases could negatively impact the Company’s future volumes.
John Deere requires access to various raw materials, components, and whole goods at competitive prices to manufacture and distribute its products. The price and availability of these materials have varied significantly in the last 24 months and are expected to continue to fluctuate due to inflation, geopolitical and economic uncertainty, and regulatory and policy instability, including import tariffs and trade agreements. The latter have the potential to significantly increase production and logistics costs and have a material negative effect on the profitability of John Deere’s business, particularly if John Deere is unable to recover the increased costs due to market considerations or other factors. John Deere relies on suppliers to acquire raw materials, components, and whole goods required to manufacture its products. Significant disruptions to the supply chain resulting from shortages of raw materials, components, and whole goods has and could continue to adversely affect John Deere’s ability to meet commitments to customers. During fiscal 2022, the supply chain challenges in combination with demand for John Deere’s products resulted in a heavier back-end loaded year for industry retail orders. As the result of the COVID pandemic, geopolitical instability, and other global events, John Deere has experienced changes in the availability and prices of these raw materials, components, whole goods, and freight. Global logistics network challenges include shortages of shipping containers, ocean freight capacity constraints, international port delays, trucking and chassis shortages, and railway and airfreight capacity, which have resulted in delays, shortages of key manufacturing components, increased order backlogs, increased transportation costs, and production inefficiencies from a higher number of partially completed machines in inventory, which increased John Deere’s overall production and overhead costs.
In an effort to mitigate raw material shortages and supply chain constraints, John Deere has increased the list price of its products and worked with suppliers to ensure optimum inventory levels. However, if customers are unwilling to accept price increases in John Deere products or John Deere is unable to offset the increase in costs, raw material shortages could have an adverse effect on John Deere’s operations. Continued or increased fluctuations in costs of materials or inflation generally and continued supply chain challenges could have a material adverse effect on John Deere’s business, which could negatively impact the Company.
RESOURCES RISKS
The Company’s ability to attract, develop, engage, and retain qualified employees could affect its ability to execute its strategy.
The Company’s continued success depends, in part, on its ability to identify and attract qualified candidates with the requisite education, background, and experience as well as its ability to develop, engage, and retain qualified employees. Failure to attract, develop, engage, and retain qualified employees, whether as a result of an insufficient number of qualified applicants, difficulty in recruiting new employees, or inadequate resources to train, integrate, and retain
qualified employees, could impair the Company’s ability to execute its business strategy and could adversely affect the Company’s business. In addition, while the Company strives to reduce the impact of the departure of employees, the Company’s operations or ability to execute its business strategy and meet its business objectives may be affected by the loss of employees, particularly when departures involve larger numbers of employees, such as those the Company could experience if a surge occurs in the number of employees voluntarily leaving their jobs. Higher rates of employee separations may adversely affect the Company through decreased employee morale, the loss of knowledge of departing employees, and the devotion of resources to recruiting and onboarding new employees.
Security breaches and other disruptions to the Company’s information technology infrastructure could interfere with the Company’s operations and could compromise the information of the Company as well as its customers and/or John Deere dealers, exposing the Company to liability that could cause the Company’s business and reputation to suffer.
In the ordinary course of business, the Company relies upon information technology networks and systems, some of which are managed by third parties, to process, transmit, and store electronic information and to manage or support a variety of business processes and activities, including loan application and collection of payments from dealers and other purchasers of John Deere equipment. The Company uses information technology systems to record, process, and summarize financial information and results of operations for internal reporting purposes and to comply with regulatory financial reporting, legal, and tax requirements. Additionally, the Company collects and stores sensitive data, including intellectual property, proprietary business information, and the proprietary business information of the Company’s customers and John Deere dealers, as well as personally identifiable information of the Company’s customers and employees, in data centers, which are often owned by third parties, and on information technology networks. The secure operation of these information technology networks and the processing and maintenance of this information is critical to the Company’s business operations and strategy. Despite security measures, including a vulnerability disclosure program, and business continuity plans, the Company’s information technology networks and infrastructure have been and may be vulnerable to intrusion, damage, disruptions, or shutdowns due to attacks by cyber criminals, employee, supplier, or dealer error or malfeasance, supply chain compromise, disruptions during the process of upgrading or replacing computer software or hardware, power outages, computer viruses, ransomware or other malware, telecommunication or utility failures, terrorist acts, natural disasters, or other events. Although the Company has not suffered any significant cyber incidents that resulted in a material business impact, it has from time to time been the target of malicious cyber threat actors. The occurrence of any significant event could compromise the Company’s networks, and the information stored there could be accessed, obtained, publicly disclosed, lost, altered, misused, or stolen. Any such access, disclosure, alteration, misuse or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, government investigations, liability or regulatory penalties, disruption to the Company’s operations, and damage to the Company’s reputation, which could adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition. In addition, as security threats continue to evolve and increase in frequency and sophistication, the Company may need to invest additional resources to protect information security.
LEGAL AND COMPLIANCE RISKS
The Company’s global operations are subject to complex and changing laws and regulations, the violation of which could expose the Company to potential liabilities, increased costs, and other adverse effects.
The Company’s global operations are subject to numerous international, federal, state, and local laws and regulations, many of which are complex, frequently changing, and subject to varying interpretations. These laws and regulations cover a broad spectrum of subject areas, including advertising; anti-money laundering; antitrust; consumer finance; environmental, climate-related, health, and safety; foreign exchange controls and cash repatriation restrictions; foreign ownership and investment; human rights, labor, and employment; and data privacy. These laws may vary substantially within the different markets in which the Company operates. Compliance with these laws and regulations is costly and may further increase the cost of conducting the Company’s global operations. In addition, the Company must comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and all applicable foreign anti-corruption laws, including the U.K. Bribery Act, which generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments or providing anything of value to improperly influence government officials or private individuals for the purpose of obtaining or retaining a business advantage, regardless of whether those practices are culturally expected in a particular jurisdiction. Although the Company has a compliance program in place designed to reduce the likelihood of potential violations of such laws and regulations, there can be no assurance that the Company’s employees, contractors, or agents will not violate
such laws and regulations or the Company’s policies and procedures. Violations of these laws and regulations could result in criminal or civil sanctions and have a material adverse effect on the Company’s reputation, business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Changes to existing laws and regulations or changes to how they are interpreted or the implementation of new, more stringent laws or regulations could adversely affect the Company’s business by increasing compliance costs, limiting the Company’s ability to offer a product or service, requiring changes to the Company’s business practices, or otherwise making the Company’s products and services less attractive to customers. Legislative and regulatory changes and other actions that could potentially affect the Company’s business may be announced with little or no advance notice and the Company may not be able to effectively mitigate all adverse effects from such measures.
The Company is subject to governmental laws, regulations, and other legal obligations related to privacy and data protection and any inability or perceived inability of the Company to address these requirements could adversely affect our business.
The legislative and regulatory framework for privacy and data protection issues worldwide is rapidly evolving and is likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. The Company collects personal information and other data as integral parts of its business processes and activities. This data is subject to a variety of U.S. and foreign laws and regulations, including oversight by various regulatory and other governmental bodies. Many foreign countries and governmental bodies, including the European Union and other relevant jurisdictions where the Company conducts business, have laws and regulations concerning the collection and use of personal information and other data obtained from their residents or by businesses operating within their jurisdictions. The European Union General Data Protection Regulation and the California Consumer Privacy Act, among others, impose stringent data protection requirements and provide significant penalties for noncompliance. New privacy laws will continue to come into effect around the world in the future. Any inability or perceived inability to adequately address privacy and data protection concerns, even if unfounded, or comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, industry standards, contractual obligations, or other legal obligations could result in additional cost and liability to the Company or Company officials, damage our reputation, inhibit sales, and otherwise adversely affect our business.
Legal proceedings and disputes in which, the Company is, and may in the future, be involved could harm the Company’s business, financial condition, reputation, and brand.
The Company is subject to a variety of legal proceedings and legal compliance risks around the world. The Company faces risks of exposure to various types of claims, lawsuits, and government inquiries or investigations in the ordinary course of business, the most prevalent of which relate to retail credit matters. The uncertainty associated with substantial unresolved claims and lawsuits may harm the Company’s business, financial condition, reputation, and brand. The defense of lawsuits and government inquiries or investigations has resulted and may result in the expenditures of significant financial resources and the diversion of management’s time and attention away from business operations. Such legal proceedings may also affect the Company’s assessment and estimates of loss contingencies recorded as a reserve and require us to make payments exceeding our reserves.
GENERAL RISKS
John Deere’s and the Company’s reputation and brand could be damaged by negative publicity.
John Deere’s brand has worldwide recognition and significantly contributes to the success of its and the Company’s business. John Deere’s reputation is critical to growing its customer base. John Deere’s brand depends on the ability to maintain a positive customer perception of the business, including the core values of integrity, quality, innovation, and commitment. Negative claims or publicity involving John Deere, its products or services, its culture and values, customer data, or any of its key employees or suppliers, could damage John Deere’s reputation and brand image, regardless of whether such claims are accurate. Damage to John Deere’s reputation could adversely impact its and the Company’s ability to attract new and maintain existing customers, employees, dealers, and business relationships.
Additionally, negative or inaccurate postings, articles, or comments on social media and the internet about John Deere could generate negative publicity that could damage the reputation of John Deere, the Company, or the John Deere brand.
Further, adverse publicity about regulatory or legal action against John Deere or the Company, or by John Deere or the Company, could also damage John Deere’s and the Company’s reputation and brand image, undermine customer confidence, and reduce long-term demand for John Deere equipment, even if the regulatory or legal action is unfounded or not material to John Deere’s or the Company’s operations. If the reputation, culture or image of John Deere’s brands are damaged, or John Deere or the Company receive negative publicity, then the Company’s revenue, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Unexpected events have and may in the future increase the Company’s cost of doing business or disrupt its operations.
The occurrence of one or more unexpected events, including war, acts of terrorism, epidemics and pandemics (such as the COVID pandemic), civil unrest, fires, tornadoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and other forms of severe weather in the United States or in other countries in which the Company operates, or in which John Deere suppliers are located, have and could in the future adversely affect the Company’s operations and financial performance. Such events have and could cause complete or partial closure of one or more of John Deere’s manufacturing facilities or distribution centers, temporary or long-term disruption in the supply of component products from some local and international suppliers, and disruption and delay in the transport of John Deere products to dealers, end-users, and distribution centers. Existing insurance coverage may not provide protection from all the costs that may arise from such events.
The potential physical impacts of climate change on John Deere’s facilities, suppliers, and customers, and therefore on John Deere’s operations, are highly uncertain and will be particular to the circumstances developing in various geographic regions. These potential physical effects may adversely affect the demand for John Deere’s products and the financial performance of John Deere’s and the Company’s operations.

---

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.

---

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties.
The Company owns office buildings in Johnston, Iowa; and leases office space in Madison, Wisconsin; Rosario, Argentina; Brisbane, Australia; Gloucester, England; Langar, England; Ormes, France; Walldorf, Germany; Milan, Italy; Luxembourg City, Luxembourg; Monterrey, Mexico; Poznan, Poland; and Parla, Spain. We believe our properties are adequate and suitable for our business as presently conducted and are adequately maintained.

---

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
The Company is subject to various unresolved legal actions that arise in the normal course of its business, the most prevalent of which relate to retail credit matters. The Company believes the reasonably possible range of losses for these unresolved legal actions would not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

---

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
PART II

---

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
(a) All of Capital Corporation’s common stock is owned by JDFS, a finance holding company that is wholly-owned by Deere & Company. In 2022 and 2021, Capital Corporation declared and paid cash dividends of $370.0 million and $485.0 million, respectively, to JDFS. In turn, JDFS declared and paid comparable dividends to Deere & Company.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Not applicable.

---

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. [Reserved]

---

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to promote understanding of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. The MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K).
Results of Operations
Overview
Organization
The Company primarily generates revenues and cash by financing John Deere dealers’ sales and leases of new and used production and precision agriculture, small agriculture and turf, and construction and forestry equipment. In addition, the Company also provides wholesale financing to dealers of the foregoing equipment and finances retail revolving charge accounts.
Smart Industrial Operating Model and Leap Ambitions
John Deere’s Smart Industrial operating model is focused on making significant investments in strengthening its capabilities in digital, automation, autonomy, and alternative propulsion technologies. These technologies are intended to increase worksite efficiency, improve yields, lower input costs, and ease labor constraints. John Deere’s Leap Ambitions are goals designed to boost economic value and sustainability for John Deere’s customers. As an enabling business, the Company is fully integrated with John Deere’s Smart Industrial operating model and is focused on providing financial solutions to help John Deere achieve its Leap Ambitions. John Deere and the Company anticipate opportunities in this area, as John Deere, the Company, and their customers have a vested interest in sustainable practices.
Trends and Economic Conditions
The Company’s volume of Receivables and Leases is largely dependent upon the level of retail sales and leases of John Deere products. The level of John Deere retail sales and leases is responsive to a variety of economic, financial, climatic, legislative, and other factors that influence supply and demand for its products.
Industry Trends for Fiscal Year 2023
Industry sales of large agricultural machinery in the U.S. and Canada for 2023 are forecasted to increase 5 to 10 percent compared to 2022. Industry sales of small agricultural and turf equipment in the U.S. and Canada are expected to be flat to down 5 percent in 2023. Industry sales of agricultural machinery in Europe are forecasted to be flat to up 5 percent, while South American industry sales of tractors and combines are expected to be flat to up 5 percent in 2023. Asia industry sales are forecasted to be down moderately in 2023 as the demand in India, the world’s largest tractor market by unit, stabilizes. On an industry basis, North American construction equipment and compact construction equipment sales are both expected to be flat to up 5 percent in 2023. Global forestry and global roadbuilding industry sales are each expected to be flat.
John Deere and Company Trends
Customers’ demand for integration of technology into equipment is a market trend underlying John Deere’s Smart Industrial operating model and Leap Ambitions framework. Customers have sought to improve profitability, productivity, and sustainability through technology. John Deere’s approach to technology involves hardware and software, guidance, connectivity and digital solutions, automation and machine intelligence, autonomy, and electrification. This technology is incorporated into products within each of John Deere’s operating segments. Customers continue to adopt technology integrated in the John Deere portfolio of “smart” machines, systems, and solutions. The Company expects this trend to persist for the foreseeable future.
Demand for John Deere’s equipment remains strong, as order books are full through a majority of 2023. Agricultural fundamentals are expected to remain solid into 2023, and retail demand will comprise most of 2023 sales. John Deere expects dealer stock inventory replenishment to occur in 2024. The North American retail customer fleet age remains above average, and dealer inventories are historically low due to the manufacturing and supply chain constraints over the past few years. Crop prices remain favorable to John Deere customers in part due to low stock-to-use ratios for key grains and lower exports from the Black Sea region. John Deere expects to sell more large agricultural equipment in 2023 than 2022 in North America, Europe, and South America. Demand for small agricultural equipment remains stable, while turf and utility equipment product sales are expected to be lower due to the overall U.S. economic conditions. Construction equipment markets are forecasted to be steady. Rental fleets replenishment, the energy industry, and U.S. infrastructure spend will offset moderation in residential home construction. Roadbuilding demand remains strongest in the U.S., largely offset by softening demand in Europe and sluggish demand in Asia.
Strong retail demand of John Deere’s products in 2023 is favorably impacting forecasted financing volumes, benefiting net income for the Company. Net income for the Company in fiscal 2023 is expected to be slightly higher than fiscal 2022 due to income earned on a higher average portfolio, partially offset by less favorable financing spreads, lower gains on operating lease dispositions, and a higher provision for credit losses.
Additional Trends
John Deere experienced supply chain disruptions in 2022. Supply chain disruptions impacted many aspects of John Deere’s business, including parts availability, increased production costs, and more partially completed machines in inventory. Additionally, past due deliveries from suppliers were at elevated levels. Late part deliveries required rework of partially built machines, contributing to production inefficiencies and higher overhead costs. John Deere implemented mitigation efforts to minimize the impact of supply chain disruptions on its ability to meet customer demand. While supply chain disruptions are expected to persist into 2023, John Deere is working diligently to secure the parts and components that customers need to deliver essential food and infrastructure more profitably and sustainably. As the Company’s volume of Receivables and Leases is largely dependent upon the level of retail sales and leases of John Deere products, supply chain disruptions could impact the Company’s future volumes. Despite supply chain challenges in 2022, the Company’s volumes were at historic levels, driven by strong John Deere equipment sales volume.
Interest rates rose in 2022 and further central bank policy interest rate increases are projected in 2023. Most of the Company’s Customer Receivables are fixed rate, while its wholesale receivables generally earn a floating rate. The Company has both fixed and floating rate borrowings. The Company manages the risk of interest rate fluctuations by balancing the types and amounts of its funding sources to its Receivable and Lease portfolios. Accordingly, the Company enters into interest rate swap agreements to manage its interest rate exposure. The rising interest rate environment in 2022 increased the Company’s balance sheet derivative positions and generated income statement net gains on its non-designated derivatives (see Note 20). The Company expects to be able to pass the higher interest rates onto its retail and wholesale customers or receive increased compensation from John Deere for reduced or waived interest charges. Historically, rising interest rates impact the Company’s borrowings sooner than the benefit is realized from the Receivable and Lease portfolio. As a result, the Company’s financing spread was unfavorably impacted by $42.7 million (after-tax) in 2022 compared to 2021, which reflects spread compression primarily due to rising interest rates, partially offset by the non-designated derivative gains and lower depreciation rates of equipment on operating lease. If interest rates continue to rise, the Company expects to continue experiencing spread compression in 2023.
Inflation was a pervasive feature throughout 2022, and the Company expects inflation to continue in 2023. The Company’s estimation of credit losses may be negatively impacted in the event customers’ operations are negatively impacted due to inflation or rising interest rates. As part of the process to establish the allowance for credit losses, the Company continues to monitor the economy, including potential impacts of inflation and rising interest rates, among other factors, and qualitative adjustments to the allowance are incorporated, as necessary. As of October 30, 2022, impacts of inflation and interest rates did not have a material impact on the Company’s allowance.
Low dealer inventories, partially due to supply constraints, along with inflation have and may continue to contribute to higher prices on used equipment inventory. Higher used equipment prices have a favorable impact on the Company’s operating lease portfolio at lease maturity through lower return rates and higher disposition values on returned equipment. The Company reported net gains of $66.9 million in other income during 2022 on operating lease dispositions.
Supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures, and rising interest rates are driven by factors outside of the Company’s control, and as a result, the Company cannot reasonably foresee when these conditions will subside.
For additional information regarding the impact of supply chain disruptions, including mitigation efforts to minimize the impact of potential supply chain disruptions on John Deere’s ability to meet customer demand, as well as inflationary pressures, refer to the “Trends and Economic Conditions” section in Item 7 of the Deere & Company Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 30, 2022.
Items of Concern and Uncertainties
Other items of concern include global and regional political conditions, economic and trade policies, imposition of new or retaliatory tariffs against certain countries or covering certain products, the ongoing effects of the pandemic, capital market disruptions, changes in demand and pricing for new and used equipment, significant fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, volatility in the prices of many commodities, and potential recession. These items could impact the Company’s results. John Deere and the Company are making investments in technology and in strengthening capabilities in digital, automation, autonomy, and electrification. As with most technology investments, marketplace adoption and monetization of these features holds an elevated level of uncertainty.
2022 Compared with 2021
The total revenues and net income attributable to the Company were as follows (in millions of dollars):
Total revenues
$
2,759.2
$
2,688.0
Net income attributable to the Company
704.3
710.6
Total revenues increased in 2022 primarily due to an average portfolio that was 7 percent higher, partially offset by lower average financing yields of 6.2 percent in 2022 compared to 6.5 percent in 2021. Net income in 2022 was lower than 2021 due to less favorable financing spreads, a higher provision for credit losses, higher selling, administrative, and general expenses, and unfavorable discrete income-tax adjustments. These factors were partially offset by income earned on a higher average portfolio.
Revenues
Finance income, lease revenues, and other income earned by the Company were as follows (in millions of dollars):
% Change
Finance income earned from:
Retail notes
$
1,023.3
$
946.6
%
Revolving charge accounts
300.2
298.1
Wholesale receivables
342.5
299.8
Lease revenues
957.5
1,022.0
(6)
Other income
135.7
121.5
Finance income on retail notes and revolving charge accounts increased in 2022 due to higher average portfolio balances, partially offset by lower average financing rates. Finance income on wholesale receivables increased in 2022 primarily due to higher average financing rates, partially offset by a lower average portfolio. Lease revenues decreased primarily due to lower average financing rates and lower average portfolio balances.
Other income increased in 2022 primarily due to a gain on sale of property, higher interest income on cash and cash equivalents as a result of rising interest rates, and larger gains on operating lease dispositions. These increases were partially offset by lower freestanding credit enhancement recoveries in 2022.
Revenues earned from John Deere totaled $643.1 million in 2022, compared with $613.7 million in 2021. The increase was primarily the result of higher compensation paid by John Deere on wholesale receivables, driven by a higher interest rate environment. This compensation was partially offset by lower subsidies paid by John Deere related to operating leases. Revenues earned from John Deere are included in each of the revenue amounts discussed above.
Expenses
Expenses incurred by the Company were as follows (in millions of dollars):
% Change
Interest expense
$
497.3
$
472.9
%
Depreciation of equipment on operating leases
667.7
733.4
(9)
Administrative and operating expenses
440.1
406.0
Fees and interest paid to John Deere
222.1
168.3
Provision (credit) for credit losses
23.5
(.9)
Provision for income taxes
209.0
200.5
The increase in interest expense in 2022 was driven by higher average borrowings and higher average borrowing rates, offset in part by gains on non-designated derivatives.
The depreciation of equipment on operating leases decreased during 2022, primarily due to updated depreciation estimates as a result of improving conditions in the agriculture and construction markets, in addition to lower average balances of equipment on operating leases.
Administrative and operating expenses increased during 2022 primarily due to foreign currency exchange net losses and increases in other general operating expenses.
Fees and interest paid to John Deere increased in 2022 primarily due to higher interest on intercompany borrowings from John Deere driven by higher average borrowing rates, in addition to the remittance of gains on non-designated derivatives that were subsequently assumed by Deere & Company (see Note 7).
The provision for credit losses increased in 2022 compared to 2021, driven by favorable adjustments to the allowance for credit losses in 2021, which did not recur in the current year, in addition to lower net recoveries on revolving charge accounts in 2022.
The higher provision for income taxes in 2022 was primarily related to favorable discrete income-tax adjustments in 2021. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Receivables and Leases
For the fiscal years ended October 30, 2022 and October 31, 2021, Receivable and Lease (excluding wholesale) volumes and balances held were as follows (in millions of dollars):
Fiscal Year Volumes
Fiscal Year End Balances
%
%
Change
Change
Retail notes:
Agriculture and turf
$
12,723.9
$
12,085.1
%
$
23,857.8
$
21,518.9
%
Construction and forestry
2,840.1
2,812.2
4,954.1
4,487.0
Total retail notes
15,564.0
14,897.3
28,811.9
26,005.9
Revolving charge accounts
7,561.1
6,886.0
4,165.8
3,740.1
Financing leases
800.8
655.4
1,120.7
972.3
Equipment on operating leases
2,062.3
1,832.5
4,853.5
4,947.6
(2)
Total Receivables and Leases (excluding wholesale)
$
25,988.2
$
24,271.2
$
38,951.9
$
35,665.9
Retail notes bearing fixed finance rates totaled over 95 percent of the total retail note portfolio at October 30, 2022 and October 31, 2021.
Total Receivables 30 days or more past due, non-performing Receivables, and the allowance for credit losses were as follows (in millions of dollars and as a percentage of the Receivables balance):
Dollars
Percent
Dollars
Percent
Receivables 30 days or more past due
$
404.9
.95
%
$
340.8
.93
%
Non-performing Receivables
263.2
.62
280.1
.76
Allowance for credit losses
128.4
.30
129.0
.35
Receivables 30 days or more past due continue to accrue finance income. The Company ceases to accrue finance income once Receivables are considered non-performing. An allowance for credit losses is recorded for the estimated credit losses expected over the life of the Receivable portfolio. The Company measures expected credit losses on a collective basis when similar risk characteristics exist. Risk characteristics considered by the Company include product category, market, geography, credit risk, and remaining duration. Receivables that do not share risk characteristics with other receivables in the portfolio are evaluated on an individual basis. Non-performing Receivables are included in the estimate of expected credit losses. While the Company believes its allowance is sufficient to provide for losses over the life of its existing Receivable portfolio, different assumptions or changes in economic conditions would result in changes to the allowance for credit losses and the provision for credit losses. See Note 4 for additional information related to the allowance for credit losses.
Deposits held from dealers and merchants amounted to $137.3 million at October 30, 2022, compared with $131.8 million at October 31, 2021. These balances primarily represent the aggregate dealer retail note and lease withholding accounts from individual John Deere dealers to which losses from retail notes and leases originating from the respective dealers can be charged. Recoveries from dealer deposits are recognized in other income when the dealer’s withholding account is charged. Recoveries from dealer deposits and other freestanding credit enhancements recorded in other income in 2022 and 2021 were $8.5 million and $14.3 million, respectively.
2021 Compared with 2020
The comparison of the 2021 results with 2020 can be found under the heading “2021 Compared with 2020” in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2021.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
Sources of Liquidity, Key Metrics, and Balance Sheet Data
The Company relies on its ability to raise substantial amounts of funds to finance its Receivable and Lease portfolios. The Company has access to most global markets at a reasonable cost. The Company’s ability to meet its debt obligations is supported in several ways. The assets of the Company are self-liquidating in nature. A solid equity position is available to absorb unusual losses on these assets and all commercial paper is backed by unsecured, committed borrowing lines from various banks. Liquidity is also provided by the Company’s ability to securitize these assets and through the issuance of term debt in both public and private markets. Additionally, liquidity may be provided through loans from John Deere. The Company closely monitors its liquidity sources against the cash requirements and expects to have sufficient sources of global funding and liquidity to meet its funding needs in the short-term (next 12 months) and long-term (beyond 12 months).
Key metrics and certain balance sheet data are provided in the following table as of October 30, 2022, October 31, 2021, and November 1, 2020, in millions of dollars:
Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities
$
662.9
$
679.1
$
676.8
Receivables and Leases - net
47,228.0
41,488.2
38,726.0
Interest-bearing debt
41,856.1
37,319.9
35,145.9
Unused credit lines
3,283.9
5,770.3
6,801.2
Ratio of interest-bearing debt to stockholder’s equity
8.7 to 1
8.2 to 1
8.2 to 1
The reduction in unused credit lines at October 30, 2022, compared to both prior periods relates to an increase in commercial paper outstanding, by both the Company and John Deere, to fund growth in the Receivable portfolio.
Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
1,205.9
$
1,365.9
$
1,450.2
Net cash used for investing activities
(7,206.8)
(3,391.7)
(1,335.6)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
6,017.1
2,026.2
(55.7)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
(22.9)
3.0
(.4)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
$
(6.7)
$
3.4
$
58.5
Net cash used by investing activities increased during 2022 primarily due to growth in the Receivable portfolio, which was funded primarily through external borrowings and cash provided by operating activities.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities Held by Foreign Subsidiaries
The amount of cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities held by foreign subsidiaries was $217.2 million and $158.0 million at October 30, 2022 and October 31, 2021, respectively.
Borrowings
Total borrowings increased $4,536.2 million in 2022, corresponding with the level of the Receivable and Lease portfolios. During 2022, the Company issued $9,255.3 million and retired $5,754.4 million of long-term external borrowings, which primarily consisted of medium-term notes. During 2022, the Company also issued $4,084.5 million and retired $2,964.8 million of retail note securitization borrowings and maintained an average commercial paper balance of $2,364.0 million. The Company’s funding profile may be altered to reflect such factors as relative costs of funding sources, assets available for securitizations, and capital market accessibility.
The Company has a revolving warehouse facility to utilize bank conduit facilities to securitize retail notes (see Note 5). At October 30, 2022, the revolving credit agreement had a total capacity, or “financing limit,” of $1,000.0 million of secured financings at any time. $948.2 million of short-term securitization borrowings were outstanding under the agreement at October 30, 2022. At the end of the contractual revolving period, unless the banks and the Company agree to renew, the Company would liquidate the secured borrowings over time as payments on the retail notes are collected. The agreement was renewed in November 2022 with an expiration in November 2023 and a capacity of $1,500.0 million.
Dividends
Capital Corporation declared and paid cash dividends to JDFS of $370.0 million in 2022 and $485.0 million in 2021. In turn, JDFS paid comparable dividends to Deere & Company.
Lines of Credit
The Company has access to bank lines of credit with various banks throughout the world. Some of the lines are available to both the Company and Deere & Company. Worldwide lines of credit totaled $8,089.2 million at October 30, 2022, $3,283.9 million of which were unused. For the purpose of computing the unused credit lines, commercial paper and short-term bank borrowings of the Company and John Deere, excluding secured borrowings and the current portion of long-term external borrowings, were considered to constitute utilization. See Note 8 for more information.
Debt Ratings
The Company’s ability to obtain funding is affected by its debt ratings, which are closely related to the outlook for and the financial condition of John Deere, and the nature and availability of support facilities, such as the Company’s lines of credit and the support agreement from Deere & Company.
To access public debt capital markets, the Company relies on credit rating agencies to assign short-term and long-term credit ratings to the Company’s securities as an indicator of credit quality for fixed income investors. A security rating is not a recommendation by the rating agency to buy, sell, or hold the Company’s securities. A credit rating agency may change or withdraw Company ratings based on its assessment of the Company’s current and future ability to meet interest and principal repayment obligations. Each agency’s rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. Lower credit ratings generally result in higher borrowing costs, including costs of derivative transactions, and reduced access to debt capital markets.
The senior long-term and short-term debt ratings and outlook currently assigned to unsecured Company debt securities by the rating agencies engaged by the Company are the same as those for John Deere and are as follows:
Senior Long-Term
Short-Term
Outlook
Fitch Ratings
A
Stable
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
A2
Prime-1
Positive
Standard & Poor’s
A
A-1
Stable
Contractual Obligations and Cash Requirements
The Company’s material cash requirements from contractual and other cash obligations relate to borrowings, including securitization borrowings. As of October 30, 2022, the Company had $15,814.4 million of principal payments on borrowings and securitization borrowings payable in the next 12 months, along with interest payments of $1,008.4 million. The securitization borrowing payments are based on the expected liquidation of the related retail notes securitized. The Company’s borrowings will likely be replaced with new borrowings to finance the Receivables and Leases portfolio. See Notes 5, 7, and 9 for further detail regarding future contractual payments on securitization borrowings, intercompany borrowings, and long-term external borrowings.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The accounting policies below are those management believes are the most critical to the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and require the most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments. The Company’s other accounting policies are described in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The allowance for credit losses is an estimate of the credit losses expected over the life of the Company’s Receivable portfolio. The allowance is measured on a collective basis when similar risk characteristics exist. Risk characteristics considered by the Company include product category, market, geography, credit risk, and remaining duration. Receivables that do not share risk characteristics with other receivables in the portfolio are evaluated on an individual basis. Non-performing Receivables are included in the estimate of expected credit losses.
The Company utilizes loss forecast models, which are selected based on the size and credit risk of the underlying pool of receivables, to estimate expected credit losses. Transition matrix models are used for large and complex Customer Receivable pools, while weighted-average remaining maturity models are used for smaller and less complex Customer Receivable pools. Expected credit losses on wholesale receivables are based on historical loss rates, with consideration of current economic conditions and dealer financial risk. The modeled expected credit losses are adjusted based on reasonable and supportable forecasts, which may include economic indicators such as commodity prices, industry equipment sales, unemployment rates, and housing starts. Management reviews each model’s output quarterly, and qualitative adjustments are incorporated as necessary. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
In 2021, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13, which revised the measurement of credit losses from an incurred loss to an expected loss methodology. Upon adoption, the Company’s allowance for credit losses increased $19.7 million with an offset to retained earnings. The allowance for credit losses at November 1, 2020 was not restated under the expected loss methodology. The total allowance for credit losses at October 30, 2022, October 31, 2021, and November 1, 2020 was $128.4 million, $129.0 million, and $129.1 million, respectively. The allowance decreased slightly in 2022 compared to 2021, primarily due to continued positive agricultural market conditions, which are having favorable impacts on the allowance and are offsetting increases due to higher portfolio balances. Strong recovery rates, driven by higher prices on used equipment inventory, are also benefiting the allowance for credit losses (see Note 4). The allowance decreased in 2021 compared to 2020, primarily due to lower expected losses in the construction and forestry market, continued improvement in the agriculture and turf market, and better than expected performance of accounts granted payment relief due to the economic effects of COVID. These decreases in 2021 were largely offset by the adoption of ASU No. 2016-13, as previously mentioned.
The assumptions used in evaluating the Company’s exposure to credit losses involve estimates and significant judgment. While the Company believes its allowance is sufficient to provide for losses over the life of its existing Receivables portfolio, different assumptions or changes in economic conditions would result in changes to the allowance for credit losses. Historically, changes in economic conditions have had limited impact on credit losses within the Company’s wholesale receivable portfolio. Within the Customer Receivables portfolio, credit loss estimates are dependent on a number of factors, including historical portfolio performance, current delinquency levels, and estimated recoveries
on defaulted accounts. The Company’s transition matrix models, which are utilized to estimate credit losses for more than 90 percent of Customer Receivables, use historical portfolio performance and current delinquency levels to forecast future defaults. Estimated recovery rates are applied to the estimated default balance to calculate the expected credit losses. Holding all other factors constant, a 10 percent increase in the transition matrix models’ forecasted defaults as a result of elevated levels of delinquencies, deteriorating roll rates, or otherwise, and a simultaneous 10 percent decrease in recovery rates would have resulted in an increase to the allowance for credit losses of approximately $30 million at October 30, 2022.
Operating Lease Residual Values
The carrying value of equipment on operating leases is affected by the estimated fair values of the equipment at the end of the lease (residual values). Upon termination of the lease, the equipment is either purchased by the lessee or sold to a third party, in which case the Company may record a gain or a loss for the difference between the estimated residual value and the sale price. The Company estimates residual values at the inception of the lease based on several factors, including lease term, expected hours of usage, historical wholesale sale prices, return experience, intended use of the equipment, market dynamics and trends, and third-party residual guarantees. The Company reviews residual value estimates during the lease term and tests the carrying value of its operating lease assets for impairment when events or circumstances necessitate. Changes in residual value assumptions would affect the amount of depreciation expense and the amount of investment in equipment on operating leases. Depreciation is adjusted prospectively on a straight-line basis over the remaining lease term if residual value estimates are revised. The total operating lease residual values at October 30, 2022, October 31, 2021, and November 1, 2020 were $3,366.7 million, $3,547.6 million, and $3,826.3 million, respectively. The decreases in 2022 and 2021 were primarily due to a lower operating lease portfolio.
Estimates used in determining end-of-lease market values for equipment on operating leases significantly impact the amount and timing of depreciation expense. Hypothetically, if future market values for this equipment were to decrease 10 percent from the Company’s present estimates and all the equipment on operating leases were returned to the Company for remarketing at the end of the lease term, the total impact would be to increase the Company’s annual depreciation for equipment on operating leases by approximately $40 million, after consideration of dealer residual value guarantees.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained herein, including in the section entitled “Overview” relating to future events, expectations, and trends constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve factors that are subject to change, assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.
Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and current assumptions, expectations, and projections about future events and should not be relied upon. Further information concerning the Company and its business, including factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial results, is included in the Company’s other filings with the SEC (including, but not limited to, the factors discussed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q).
The Company’s business is closely related to John Deere’s business. Further information, including factors that could materially affect the Company’s and John Deere’s financial results, is included in the Deere & Company Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 30, 2022 (including, but not limited to, the factors discussed in Item 1A., “Risk Factors” of the Annual Report on Form 10-K) and other Deere & Company and Capital Corporation filings with the SEC.
In addition, the Company’s business and its results are affected by general global macroeconomic conditions, including but not limited to inflation, slower growth or recession, higher interest rates, and currency fluctuations, which could adversely affect the U.S. dollar and customer confidence, customer access to capital, and overall demand for John Deere products, credit application volumes, financing and repayment practices, and the number of and size of customer delinquencies and defaults, which could materially impact the Company’s write-offs and provision for credit losses; government spending and taxing; actions of banks, financing and leasing companies, and other lenders that compete with the Company for customers; changes in weather and climate patterns; the political and social stability of the markets in
which the Company operates; the effects of, or response to, wars and other conflicts, including the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine; natural disasters; and the spread of major epidemics or pandemics (including the COVID pandemic).
The liquidity and ongoing profitability of the Company depend on timely access to capital to meet future cash flow requirements, and to fund operations, costs, and finance customer purchases of John Deere products. If general economic conditions deteriorate further or capital markets become more volatile, funding could be unavailable or insufficient. Significant changes in market liquidity conditions, changes in the Company’s credit ratings, and any failure to comply with financial covenants in credit agreements could also impact the Company’s access to or terms of future funding, which could reduce the Company’s earnings and cash flows. A debt crisis in Europe (including the recent volatility of the United Kingdom’s bond market), Latin America, or elsewhere could negatively impact currencies, global financial markets, funding sources and costs, asset and obligation values, customers, demand for John Deere equipment, and Company operations and results. The Company’s operations could be impaired by changes in the equity, bond, and other financial markets, which would negatively affect earnings.
Additional factors that could materially affect the Company’s operations, financial condition, and results include changes in governmental trade, banking, monetary, and fiscal policies, including financial regulatory reform and its effects on the consumer finance industry, derivatives, funding costs, governmental programs, and policies and tariffs for the benefit of certain industries or sectors; actions by central banks and by financial and securities regulators, including increases to benchmark interest rates, which may affect the costs and expenses of financing the Company and the financing rates it is able to offer; actions by environmental, health, and safety regulatory agencies, including those related to the effects of climate change; changes to accounting standards; changes to and compliance with privacy, banking, and other regulations; changes to and compliance with economic sanctions and export controls laws and regulations (including those in place for Russia); and compliance with evolving U.S. and foreign laws when expanding to new markets and otherwise.
Other factors that could materially affect the Company’s results and operations include security breaches, cybersecurity attacks, technology failures, and other disruptions to the information technology infrastructure of the Company and John Deere dealers; events that damage the Company’s reputation or brand; significant investigations, claims, lawsuits, or other legal proceedings; the success or failure of new product initiatives or business strategies; changes in product preferences and take rates of products; oil and energy prices, supplies, and volatility; customer profitability; housing starts and supply; the levels of public and non-residential construction; infrastructure investment; real estate values; consumable input costs; demand for agricultural products; world grain stocks; soil conditions; harvest yields; prices for commodities and livestock; availability and cost of fertilizer; availability of transport for crops; the growth and sustainability of non-food uses for some crops (including ethanol and biodiesel production); availability of technological innovations; John Deere dealers’ ability to support and service precision technology solutions; available acreage for farming; changes in government farm programs and policies; changes in and effects of crop insurance programs; changes in environmental regulations and their impact on farming practices; animal diseases and their effects on poultry, beef, and pork consumption and prices on livestock feed demand; crop pests and diseases; actions of competitors; changes in demand and pricing for used equipment and resulting impacts on lease residual values; labor relations and contracts, including work stoppages and other disruptions; and changes in the ability to attract, develop, engage, and retain qualified personnel.

---

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Financial Instrument Market Risk Information
The Company is naturally exposed to various interest rate and foreign currency risks. In an effort to mitigate the effects of such risks, the Company enters into derivative transactions to manage certain of these exposures that arise in the normal course of business and not for the purpose of creating speculative positions or trading. The Company manages the relationships of the types and amounts of its funding sources to its Receivable and Lease portfolios in an effort to diminish risk due to interest rate and foreign currency fluctuations, while responding to favorable financing opportunities. Accordingly, from time to time, the Company enters into interest rate swap agreements to manage its interest rate exposure. The Company also has foreign currency exposures at some of its foreign and domestic operations related to financing in currencies other than the functional currencies. The Company has entered into derivative agreements related to the management of these foreign currency transaction risks.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rates rose in 2022 and further central bank policy rate increases are projected in 2023. Rising interest rates have historically impacted the Company’s borrowings sooner than the benefit is realized from the Receivable and Lease portfolio. As a result, the Company’s financing spread was unfavorably impacted in 2022 compared to 2021. If interest rates continue to rise, the Company expects to continue experiencing spread compression in 2023.
Quarterly, the Company uses a combination of cash flow models to assess the sensitivity of its financial instruments with interest rate exposure to changes in market interest rates. The models calculate the effect of adjusting interest rates as follows. Cash flows for Receivables are discounted at the current prevailing rate for each Receivable portfolio. Cash flows for unsecured borrowings are discounted at the applicable benchmark yield curve plus market credit spreads for similarly rated borrowers. Cash flows for securitized borrowings are discounted at the swap yield curve plus a market credit spread for similarly rated borrowers. Cash flows for interest rate swaps are projected and discounted using forward rates from the swap yield curve at the repricing dates. The net loss in these financial instruments’ fair values, which would be caused by increasing the interest rates by 10 percent from the market rates at October 30, 2022 and October 31, 2021, would have been approximately $115 million and $100 million, respectively.
The Company continues to transition its Receivables, funding, and hedging portfolios from LIBOR to alternative reference rates. These transition activities are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Foreign Currency Risk
The Company’s policy is to manage foreign currency risk through hedging strategies if the currency of the borrowings does not match the currency of the Receivable portfolio. As a result, a hypothetical 10 percent adverse change in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to all other foreign currencies would not have a material effect on the Company’s cash flows.

---

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
See accompanying table of contents of financial statements on page 35.

---

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
Not applicable.

---

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) were effective as of October 30, 2022, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) of the Exchange Act.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of October 30, 2022, using the criteria set forth in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that assessment, management believes that, as of October 30, 2022, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the fourth quarter, there were no changes that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

---

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

---

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance.
Omitted pursuant to Instruction I(2).

---

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Omitted pursuant to Instruction I(2).

---

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Omitted pursuant to Instruction I(2).

---

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Omitted pursuant to Instruction I(2).

---

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
For the years ended October 30, 2022 and October 31, 2021, professional services were performed by Deloitte & Touche LLP (PCAOB ID No. 34), the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and their respective affiliates (collectively called Deloitte & Touche).
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed include amounts for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, the reviews of the financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including services related thereto such as comfort letters, statutory audits, attest services, consents, and assistance with and review of documents filed with the SEC and other regulatory bodies. Audit fees for the fiscal years ended October 30, 2022 and October 31, 2021 were $3.4 million and $3.2 million, respectively.
Audit-Related Fees
During the last two fiscal years, Deloitte & Touche has provided the Company with assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Company’s financial statements. The aggregate fees billed for such audit-related services for the fiscal years ended October 30, 2022 and October 31, 2021 were $.3 million and $.2 million, respectively. These services included various attest services.
Tax Fees
There were no fees billed for professional services provided by Deloitte & Touche in connection with tax advice and tax planning services for the fiscal years ended October 30, 2022 and October 31, 2021.
All Other Fees
There were no fees billed by Deloitte & Touche for services not included above for the fiscal years ended October 30, 2022 and October 31, 2021.
Pre-approval of Services by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deere & Company, audit and non-audit services provided by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm are subject to Deere & Company’s Audit Review Committee pre-approval policies and procedures as described in the Deere & Company 2022 proxy statement. During the fiscal year ended October 30, 2022, all services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm were pre-approved by Deere & Company’s Audit Review Committee in accordance with such policy.
PART IV

---

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(1)    Financial Statements
See the table of contents to financial statements on page 35.
(2)    Financial Statement Schedules
None.
(3)    Exhibits
See the index to exhibits on page 73.