Synchrony Financial (SYF) 10-Q 26 Apr 18 2018 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Document - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 23, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Synchrony Financial
Entity Central Index Key	1,601,712
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2018
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		754,756,608

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	$ 4,172	$ 3,877
Interest on debt securities	72	36
Total interest income	4,244	3,913
Interest expense:
Interest on deposits	249	194
Interest on third-party debt	79	67
Total interest expense	402	326
Net interest income	3,842	3,587
Retailer share arrangements	(720)	(684)
Net interest income, after retailer share arrangements	3,122	2,903
Provision for loan losses (Note 4)	1,362	1,306
Net interest income, after retailer share arrangements and provision for loan losses	1,760	1,597
Other income:
Interchange revenue	158	145
Debt cancellation fees	66	68
Loyalty programs	(155)	(137)
Other	6	17
Total other income	75	93
Other expense:
Employee costs	358	323
Professional fees	166	151
Marketing and business development	121	94
Information processing	104	90
Other	239	250
Total other expense	988	908
Earnings before provision for income taxes	847	782
Provision for income taxes (Note 12)	207	283
Net earnings	$ 640	$ 499
Earnings per share
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 0.84	$ 0.61
Diluted (in usd per share)	0.83	0.61
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.15	$ 0.13
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	$ 1,200	$ 1,000
Interest expense:
Interest on borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	74	65
Provision for loan losses (Note 4)	$ 316	$ 298

Condensed Consolidated Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 640	$ 499
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Debt securities	(20)	(1)
Currency translation adjustments	(3)	(1)
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Tax and Reclassification Adjustment, Attributable to Parent	1	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(22)	(2)
Comprehensive income	$ 618	$ 497

Condensed Consolidated Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets
Cash and equivalents		$ 13,044	$ 11,602
Debt securities (Note 3)		6,259	4,473
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	[1],[2]	77,853	81,947
Less: Allowance for loan losses		(5,738)	(5,574)
Loan receivables, net		72,115	76,373
Goodwill		991	991
Intangible assets, net (Note 6)		780	749
Other assets		2,370	1,620
Total assets		95,559	95,808
Deposits: (Note 7)
Interest-bearing deposit accounts		56,285	56,276
Non-interest-bearing deposit accounts		285	212
Total deposits		56,570	56,488
Borrowings: (Notes 5 and 8)
Senior unsecured notes		8,801	8,302
Long-term Debt	[3]	21,015	20,799
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		3,618	4,287
Total liabilities		81,203	81,574
Equity:
Common Stock, par share value $0.001 per share; 4,000,000,000 shares authorized; 833,984,684 shares issued at both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017; 760,278,930 and 770,531,433 shares outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively		1	1
Additional paid-in capital		9,470	9,445
Retained earnings		7,334	6,809
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Debt securities		(39)	(19)
Currency translation adjustments		(20)	(17)
Other		(27)	(28)
Treasury Stock, Value		(2,363)	(1,957)
Total equity		14,356	14,234
Total liabilities and equity		95,559	95,808
Restricted loans of consolidated securitization entities
Assets
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)		25,384	26,421
Less: Allowance for loan losses		(1,500)	(1,400)
Loan receivables, net	[4]	23,911	24,990
Other assets	[5]	1,056	62
Total assets		24,967	25,052
Borrowings: (Notes 5 and 8)
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	[3]	12,214	12,497
Total liabilities		12,244	12,527
Unsecuritized Loans Held for Investment [Member]
Assets
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)		$ 52,469	$ 55,526
[1]	At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, loan receivables included deferred expense, net of deferred income, of $107 million and $97 million, respectively.
[2]	Total loan receivables include $25.4 billion and $26.4 billion of restricted loans of consolidated securitization entities at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. See Note 5. Variable Interest Entities for further information on these restricted loans.
[3]	The amounts presented above for outstanding borrowings include unamortized debt premiums, discounts and issuance cost.
[4]	Includes $1.5 billion and $1.4 billion of related allowance for loan losses resulting in gross restricted loans of $25.4 billion and $26.4 billion at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
[5]	Includes $1.0 billion and $55 million of segregated funds held by the VIEs at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, which are classified as restricted cash and equivalents and included as a component of other assets in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position Statement (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock par value (in usd per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common Stock Shares Authorized	4,000,000,000	4,000,000,000
Common Stock Shares Issued	833,984,684	833,984,684
Common Stock Shares Outstanding	760,278,930	770,531,433
Treasury Stock, Shares	73,705,754	63,453,251

Condensed Consolidated Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		833,985,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 14,196	$ 1	$ 9,393	$ 5,330	$ (53)	$ (475)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	499			499
Other comprehensive income	(2)				(2)
Purchases of treasury stock	(238)					238
Stock-based compensation (in shares)		0
Stock-based compensation	13		12
Stock-based compensation, treasury stock issued						1
Dividends - common stock	(105)			(105)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2017		833,985,000
Balance at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 14,363	$ 1	9,405	5,724	(55)	(712)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	833,984,684	833,985,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 14,234	$ 1	9,445	6,809	(64)	(1,957)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	640			640
Other comprehensive income	(22)				(22)
Purchases of treasury stock	(410)					(410)
Stock-based compensation (in shares)		0
Stock-based compensation	28		25
Treasury Stock Reissued at Lower than Repurchase Price				(1)
Stock-based compensation, treasury stock issued						4
Dividends - common stock	$ (114)			(114)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018	833,984,684	833,985,000
Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	$ 14,356	$ 1	$ 9,470	$ 7,334	$ (86)	$ (2,363)

Condensed Consolidated Stateme7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Cash flows - operating activities
Net earnings	$ 640	$ 499
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided from operating activities
Provision for loan losses	1,362	1,306
Deferred income taxes	19	19
Depreciation and amortization	71	59
(Increase) decrease in interest and fees receivable	16	40
(Increase) decrease in other assets	148	231
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities	(511)	(846)
All other operating activities	170	172
Cash provided from (used for) operating activities	1,915	1,480
Cash flows - investing activities
Maturity and sales of debt securities	718	399
Purchases of debt securities	(2,546)	(622)
Acquisition of loan receivables	0	(73)
Net (increase) decrease in loan receivables	2,659	1,918
All other investing activities	(76)	(242)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	755	1,380
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities
Proceeds from issuance of securitized debt	1,417	750
Maturities and repayment of securitized debt	(1,701)	(708)
Third-party debt
Proceeds from Issuance of Unsecured Debt	497	0
Net increase (decrease) in deposits	(3)	(528)
Purchases of treasury stock	(410)	(238)
Dividends paid on common stock	(114)	(105)
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	1	0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	(313)	(829)
Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents, including restricted amounts	2,357	2,031
Cash and equivalents, including restricted amounts, at beginning of period	11,817	9,668
Cash and equivalents	13,044	11,392
Restricted cash and equivalents included in other assets	1,130	307
Total cash, equivalents, including restricted amounts, at end of period	$ 14,174	$ 11,699

Business Description

Business Description	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Business Description	BUSINESS DESCRIPTION Synchrony Financial (the “Company”) provides a range of credit products through programs it has established with a diverse group of national and regional retailers, local merchants, manufacturers, buying groups, industry associations and healthcare service providers. We primarily offer private label, Dual Card and general purpose co-branded credit cards, promotional financing and installment lending, loyalty programs and FDIC-insured savings products through Synchrony Bank (the “Bank”). References to the “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” are to Synchrony Financial and its consolidated subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires.

Basis of Presentation and Summa

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates based on assumptions about current, and for some estimates, future, economic and market conditions (for example, unemployment, housing, interest rates and market liquidity) which affect reported amounts and related disclosures in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Although our current estimates contemplate current conditions and how we expect them to change in the future, as appropriate, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could be different than anticipated in those estimates, which could materially affect our results of operations and financial position. Among other effects, such changes could result in incremental losses on loan receivables, future impairments of debt securities, goodwill and intangible assets, increases in reserves for contingencies, establishment of valuation allowances on deferred tax assets and increases in our tax liabilities. We primarily conduct our operations within the United States and Canada. Substantially all of our revenues are from U.S. customers. The operating activities conducted by our non-U.S. affiliates use the local currency as their functional currency. The effects of translating the financial statements of these non-U.S. affiliates to U.S. dollars are included in equity. Asset and liability accounts are translated at period-end exchange rates, while revenues and expenses are translated at average rates for the respective periods. Consolidated Basis of Presentation The Company’s financial statements have been prepared on a consolidated basis. Under this basis of presentation, our financial statements consolidate all of our subsidiaries – i.e., entities in which we have a controlling financial interest, most often because we hold a majority voting interest. To determine if we hold a controlling financial interest in an entity, we first evaluate if we are required to apply the variable interest entity (“VIE”) model to the entity, otherwise the entity is evaluated under the voting interest model. Where we hold current or potential rights that give us the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance (“power”) combined with a variable interest that gives us the right to receive potentially significant benefits or the obligation to absorb potentially significant losses (“significant economics”), we have a controlling financial interest in that VIE. Rights held by others to remove the party with power over the VIE are not considered unless one party can exercise those rights unilaterally. We consolidate certain securitization entities under the VIE model because we have both power and significant economics. See Note 5. Variable Interest Entities . We have reclassified certain prior-period amounts to conform to current-period presentation. Interim Period Presentation The condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto are unaudited. These statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) that we considered necessary to present a fair statement of our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The results reported in these condensed consolidated financial statements should not be considered as necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our 2017 annual consolidated financial statements and the related notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (our "2017 Form 10-K"). New Accounting Standards Newly Adopted Accounting Standards In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The new revenue recognition guidance became effective January 1, 2018 for the Company. The scope of ASU 2014-09 excludes interest and fee income on loans and as a result, the majority of the Company's revenue is not in the scope of the standard. The new guidance did not impact the timing or measurement of the Company's revenues, and as a result, the Company did not present any restated prior period results as a result of the standard becoming effective. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, which requires restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included within beginning and ending total cash amounts reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Disclosure of the nature of the restrictions on cash balances is required under the guidance. This standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted the guidance retrospectively effective as of January 1, 2018. Upon adoption, changes in restricted cash, which had previously been presented as investing activities, are now included within beginning and ending cash and equivalents, including restricted amounts, balances in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Additionally, in August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which provided guidance on certain cash flow issues. This standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted the guidance retrospectively effective as of January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Effective January 1, 2018, we have adopted the provisions of ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which require equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. However, in accordance with the new guidance, the company has elected to measure certain equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes for similar investments of the issuer. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. Recently Issued But Not Yet Adopted Accounting Standards In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The ASU requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheet. Leases which are identified as capital leases currently, will generally be identified as financing leases under the new guidance but otherwise their accounting treatment will remain relatively unchanged. Leases identified as operating leases currently, will generally remain in that category under the new standard, but both a right-of-use asset and a liability for remaining lease payments will now be required to be recognized on the balance sheet. This guidance will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. Management does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU replaces the existing incurred loss impairment guidance with a new impairment model known as the Current Expected Credit Loss ("CECL") model, which is based on expected credit losses. The CECL model requires, upon origination of a loan, the recognition of all expected credit losses over the life of the loan based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The amendments in this standard will be recognized through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. While we are evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-13 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, this standard is expected to result in an increase to the Company's allowance for loan losses given the change to expected losses for the estimated life of the financial asset. The extent of the increase will depend on the asset quality of the portfolio, and economic conditions and forecasts at adoption. See Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our 2017 annual consolidated financial statements in our 2017 Form 10-K, for additional information on our significant accounting policies, including discussion of the nature of the restrictions on our cash balances.

Investment Securities

Investment Securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investment Securities	DEBT SECURITIES All of our debt securities are classified as available-for-sale and are held to meet our liquidity objectives or to comply with the Community Reinvestment Act. Our debt securities consist of the following: March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Gross Gross Gross Gross Amortized unrealized unrealized Estimated Amortized unrealized unrealized Estimated ($ in millions) cost gains losses fair value cost gains losses fair value U.S. government and federal agency $ 3,361 $ — $ (9 ) $ 3,352 $ 2,419 $ — $ (3 ) $ 2,416 State and municipal 42 — — 42 44 — — 44 Residential mortgage-backed (a) 1,239 1 (46 ) 1,194 1,258 1 (28 ) 1,231 Asset-backed (b) 1,672 — (3 ) 1,669 781 — (1 ) 780 U.S. corporate debt 2 — — 2 2 — — 2 Total $ 6,316 $ 1 $ (58 ) $ 6,259 $ 4,504 $ 1 $ (32 ) $ 4,473 _______________________ (a) All of our residential mortgage-backed securities have been issued by government-sponsored entities and are collateralized by U.S. mortgages. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , $342 million and $344 million, respectively, are pledged by the Bank as collateral to the Federal Reserve to secure Federal Reserve Discount Window advances. (b) All of our asset-backed securities are collateralized by credit card loans. The following table presents the estimated fair values and gross unrealized losses of our available-for-sale debt securities: In loss position for Less than 12 months 12 months or more Gross Gross Estimated unrealized Estimated unrealized ($ in millions) fair value losses fair value losses At March 31, 2018 U.S. government and federal agency $ 2,904 $ (9 ) $ 150 $ — State and municipal 10 — 28 — Residential mortgage-backed 275 (4 ) 895 (42 ) Asset-backed 1,463 (3 ) — — Total $ 4,652 $ (16 ) $ 1,073 $ (42 ) At December 31, 2017 U.S. government and federal agency $ 2,416 $ (3 ) $ — $ — State and municipal — — 29 — Residential mortgage-backed 142 (1 ) 1,026 (27 ) Asset-backed 626 (1 ) — — Total $ 3,184 $ (5 ) $ 1,055 $ (27 ) We regularly review debt securities for impairment using both qualitative and quantitative criteria. We presently do not intend to sell our debt securities that are in an unrealized loss position and believe that it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell these securities before recovery of our amortized cost. There were no other-than-temporary impairments recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 . Contractual Maturities of Investments in Available-for-Sale Debt Securities Amortized Estimated At March 31, 2018 ($ in millions) cost fair value Due Within one year $ 3,975 $ 3,970 After one year through five years $ 1,061 $ 1,053 After five years through ten years $ 58 $ 58 After ten years $ 1,222 $ 1,178 We expect actual maturities to differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to prepay certain obligations. There were no material realized gains or losses recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 . Although we generally do not have the intent to sell any specific securities held at March 31, 2018 , in the ordinary course of managing our debt securities portfolio, we may sell securities prior to their maturities for a variety of reasons, including diversification, credit quality, yield, liquidity requirements and funding obligations.

Loan Receivables and Allowance

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Receivables [Abstract]
Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses	LOAN RECEIVABLES AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES ($ in millions) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Credit cards $ 74,952 $ 79,026 Consumer installment loans 1,590 1,578 Commercial credit products 1,275 1,303 Other 36 40 Total loan receivables, before allowance for losses (a)(b) $ 77,853 $ 81,947 _______________________ (a) Total loan receivables include $25.4 billion and $26.4 billion of restricted loans of consolidated securitization entities at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. See Note 5. Variable Interest Entities for further information on these restricted loans. (b) At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , loan receivables included deferred expense, net of deferred income, of $107 million and $97 million , respectively. Allowance for Loan Losses ($ in millions) Balance at January 1, 2018 Provision charged to operations Gross charge-offs Recoveries Balance at Credit cards $ 5,483 $ 1,334 $ (1,372 ) $ 195 $ 5,640 Consumer installment loans 40 16 (15 ) 4 45 Commercial credit products 50 12 (12 ) 2 52 Other 1 — — — $ 1 Total $ 5,574 $ 1,362 $ (1,399 ) $ 201 $ 5,738 ($ in millions) Balance at January 1, 2017 Provision charged to operations Gross charge-offs Recoveries Balance at Credit cards $ 4,254 $ 1,278 $ (1,184 ) $ 237 $ 4,585 Consumer installment loans 37 13 (14 ) 4 40 Commercial credit products 52 15 (18 ) 1 50 Other 1 — — — $ 1 Total $ 4,344 $ 1,306 $ (1,216 ) $ 242 $ 4,676 Delinquent and Non-accrual Loans At March 31, 2018 ($ in millions) 30-89 days delinquent 90 or more days delinquent Total past due 90 or more days delinquent and accruing Total non-accruing Credit cards $ 1,692 $ 1,754 $ 3,446 $ 1,754 $ — Consumer installment loans 18 4 22 — 4 Commercial credit products 35 18 53 18 — Total delinquent loans $ 1,745 $ 1,776 $ 3,521 $ 1,772 $ 4 Percentage of total loan receivables 2.2 % 2.3 % 4.5 % 2.3 % — % At December 31, 2017 ($ in millions) 30-89 days delinquent 90 or more days delinquent Total past due 90 or more days delinquent and accruing Total non-accruing Credit cards $ 1,906 $ 1,849 $ 3,755 $ 1,849 $ — Consumer installment loans 25 5 30 — 5 Commercial credit products 31 15 46 15 — Total delinquent loans $ 1,962 $ 1,869 $ 3,831 $ 1,864 $ 5 Percentage of total loan receivables 2.4 % 2.3 % 4.7 % 2.3 % — % Impaired Loans and Troubled Debt Restructurings Most of our non-accrual loan receivables are smaller balance loans evaluated collectively, by portfolio, for impairment and therefore are outside the scope of the disclosure requirements for impaired loans. Accordingly, impaired loans represent restructured smaller balance homogeneous loans meeting the definition of a Troubled Debt Restructuring (“TDR”). We use certain loan modification programs for borrowers experiencing financial difficulties. These loan modification programs include interest rate reductions and payment deferrals in excess of three months, which were not part of the terms of the original contract. We have both internal and external loan modification programs. We use long-term modification programs for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty as a loss mitigation strategy to improve long-term collectability of the loans that are classified as TDRs. The long-term program involves changing the structure of the loan to a fixed payment loan with a maturity no longer than 60 months and reducing the interest rate on the loan. The long-term program does not normally provide for the forgiveness of unpaid principal but may allow for the reversal of certain unpaid interest or fee assessments. We also make loan modifications for customers who request financial assistance through external sources, such as consumer credit counseling agency programs. These loans typically receive a reduced interest rate but continue to be subject to the original minimum payment terms and do not normally include waiver of unpaid principal, interest or fees. The following table provides information on loans that entered a loan modification program during the periods presented: Three months ended March 31, ($ in millions) 2018 2017 Credit cards $ 221 $ 172 Consumer installment loans — — Commercial credit products 1 1 Total $ 222 $ 173 Our allowance for loan losses on TDRs is generally measured based on the difference between the recorded loan receivable and the present value of the expected future cash flows, discounted at the original effective interest rate of the loan. Interest income from loans accounted for as TDRs is accounted for in the same manner as other accruing loans. The following table provides information about loans classified as TDRs and specific reserves. We do not evaluate credit card loans for impairment on an individual basis but instead estimate an allowance for loan losses on a collective basis. As a result, there are no impaired loans for which there is no allowance. At March 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Total recorded investment Related allowance Net recorded investment Unpaid principal balance Credit cards $ 1,074 $ (466 ) $ 608 $ 960 Consumer installment loans — — — — Commercial credit products 5 (3 ) 2 5 Total $ 1,079 $ (469 ) $ 610 $ 965 At December 31, 2017 ($ in millions) Total recorded investment Related allowance Net recorded investment Unpaid principal balance Credit cards $ 1,038 $ (444 ) $ 594 $ 925 Consumer installment loans — — — — Commercial credit products 5 (2 ) 3 5 Total $ 1,043 $ (446 ) $ 597 $ 930 Financial Effects of TDRs As part of our loan modifications for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, we may provide multiple concessions to minimize our economic loss and improve long-term loan performance and collectability. The following table presents the types and financial effects of loans modified and accounted for as TDRs during the periods presented: Three months ended March 31, 2018 2017 ($ in millions) Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms Average recorded investment Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms Average recorded investment Credit cards $ 12 $ 62 $ 1,056 $ 12 $ 51 $ 878 Consumer installment loans — — — — — — Commercial credit products — — 5 — — 6 Total $ 12 $ 62 $ 1,061 $ 12 $ 51 $ 884 Payment Defaults The following table presents the type, number and amount of loans accounted for as TDRs that enrolled in a modification plan within the previous 12 months from the applicable balance sheet date and experienced a payment default during the periods presented. A customer defaults from a modification program after two consecutive missed payments. Three months ended March 31, 2018 2017 ($ in millions) Accounts defaulted Loans defaulted Accounts defaulted Loans defaulted Credit cards 23,701 $ 53 19,755 $ 40 Consumer installment loans — — — — Commercial credit products 68 1 32 — Total 23,769 $ 54 19,787 $ 40 Credit Quality Indicators Our loan receivables portfolio includes both secured and unsecured loans. Secured loan receivables are largely comprised of consumer installment loans secured by equipment. Unsecured loan receivables are largely comprised of our open-ended consumer and commercial revolving credit card loans. As part of our credit risk management activities, on an ongoing basis, we assess overall credit quality by reviewing information related to the performance of a customer’s account with us, as well as information from credit bureaus, such as a Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”) or other credit scores, relating to the customer’s broader credit performance. FICO scores are generally obtained at origination of the account and are refreshed, at a minimum quarterly, but could be as often as weekly, to assist in predicting customer behavior. We categorize these credit scores into the following three credit score categories: (i) 661 or higher, which are considered the strongest credits; (ii) 601 to 660, considered moderate credit risk; and (iii) 600 or less, which are considered weaker credits. There are certain customer accounts for which a FICO score is not available where we use alternative sources to assess their credit and predict behavior. The following table provides the most recent FICO scores available for our customers at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, as a percentage of each class of loan receivable. The table below excludes 0.8% , 0.6% and 0.6% of our total loan receivables balance at March 31, 2018 , December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017 , respectively, which represents those customer accounts for which a FICO score is not available. March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2017 661 or 601 to 600 or 661 or 601 to 600 or 661 or 601 to 600 or higher 660 less higher 660 less higher 660 less Credit cards 73 % 19 % 8 % 73 % 19 % 8 % 71 % 21 % 8 % Consumer installment loans 79 % 15 % 6 % 79 % 15 % 6 % 78 % 16 % 6 % Commercial credit products 88 % 7 % 5 % 88 % 7 % 5 % 86 % 9 % 5 % Unfunded Lending Commitments We manage the potential risk in credit commitments by limiting the total amount of credit, both by individual customer and in total, by monitoring the size and maturity of our portfolios and by applying the same credit standards for all of our credit products. Unused credit card lines available to our customers totaled approximately $373 billion and $370 billion at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. While these amounts represented the total available unused credit card lines, we have not experienced and do not anticipate that all of our customers will access their entire available line at any given point in time. Interest Income by Product The following table provides additional information about our interest and fees on loans, including merchant discounts, from our loan receivables, including held for sale: Three months ended March 31, ($ in millions) 2018 2017 Credit cards $ 4,099 $ 3,811 Consumer installment loans 36 32 Commercial credit products 36 34 Other 1 — Total $ 4,172 $ 3,877

Variable Interest Entities

Variable Interest Entities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entities	VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES We use VIEs to securitize loan receivables and arrange asset-backed financing in the ordinary course of business. Investors in these entities only have recourse to the assets owned by the entity and not to our general credit. We do not have implicit support arrangements with any VIE and we did not provide non-contractual support for previously transferred loan receivables to any VIE in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 . Our VIEs are able to accept new loan receivables and arrange new asset-backed financings, consistent with the requirements and limitations on such activities placed on the VIE by existing investors. Once an account has been designated to a VIE, the contractual arrangements we have require all existing and future loan receivables originated under such account to be transferred to the VIE. The amount of loan receivables held by our VIEs in excess of the minimum amount required under the asset-backed financing arrangements with investors may be removed by us under random removal of accounts provisions. All loan receivables held by a VIE are subject to claims of third-party investors. In evaluating whether we have the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, we consider the purpose for which the VIE was created, the importance of each of the activities in which it is engaged and our decision-making role, if any, in those activities that significantly determine the entity’s economic performance as compared to other economic interest holders. This evaluation requires consideration of all facts and circumstances relevant to decision-making that affects the entity’s future performance and the exercise of professional judgment in deciding which decision-making rights are most important. In determining whether we have the right to receive benefits or the obligation to absorb losses that could potentially be significant to a VIE, we evaluate all of our economic interests in the entity, regardless of form (debt, equity, management and servicing fees, and other contractual arrangements). This evaluation considers all relevant factors of the entity’s design, including: the entity’s capital structure, contractual rights to earnings or losses, subordination of our interests relative to those of other investors, as well as any other contractual arrangements that might exist that could have the potential to be economically significant. The evaluation of each of these factors in reaching a conclusion about the potential significance of our economic interests is a matter that requires the exercise of professional judgment. We consolidate VIEs where we have the power to direct the activities that significantly affect the VIEs' economic performance, typically because of our role as either servicer or administrator for the VIEs. The power to direct exists because of our role in the design and conduct of the servicing of the VIEs’ assets as well as directing certain affairs of the VIEs, including determining whether and on what terms debt of the VIEs will be issued. The loan receivables in these entities have risks and characteristics similar to our other financing receivables and were underwritten to the same standard. Accordingly, the performance of these assets has been similar to our other comparable loan receivables, and the blended performance of the pools of receivables in these entities reflects the eligibility criteria that we apply to determine which receivables are selected for transfer. Contractually, the cash flows from these financing receivables must first be used to pay third-party debt holders, as well as other expenses of the entity. Excess cash flows, if any, are available to us. The creditors of these entities have no claim on our other assets. The table below summarizes the assets and liabilities of our consolidated securitization VIEs described above. ($ in millions) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Assets Loan receivables, net (a) $ 23,911 $ 24,990 Other assets (b) 1,056 62 Total $ 24,967 $ 25,052 Liabilities Borrowings $ 12,214 $ 12,497 Other liabilities 30 30 Total $ 12,244 $ 12,527 _______________________ (a) Includes $1.5 billion and $1.4 billion of related allowance for loan losses resulting in gross restricted loans of $25.4 billion and $26.4 billion at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. (b) Includes $1.0 billion and $55 million of segregated funds held by the VIEs at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, which are classified as restricted cash and equivalents and included as a component of other assets in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The balances presented above are net of intercompany balances and transactions that are eliminated in our condensed consolidated financial statements. We provide servicing for all of our consolidated VIEs. Collections are required to be placed into segregated accounts owned by each VIE in amounts that meet contractually specified minimum levels. These segregated funds are invested in cash and cash equivalents and are restricted as to their use, principally to pay maturing principal and interest on debt and the related servicing fees. Collections above these minimum levels are remitted to us on a daily basis. Income (principally, interest and fees on loans) earned by our consolidated VIEs was $1.2 billion and $1.0 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Related expenses consisted primarily of provision for loan losses of $316 million and $298 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, and interest expense of $74 million and $65 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	INTANGIBLE ASSETS March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 ($ in millions) Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net Customer-related $ 1,237 $ (696 ) $ 541 $ 1,242 $ (679 ) $ 563 Capitalized software 444 (205 ) 239 368 (182 ) 186 Total $ 1,681 $ (901 ) $ 780 $ 1,610 $ (861 ) $ 749 During the three months ended March 31, 2018 , we recorded additions to intangible assets subject to amortization of $89 million , primarily related to capitalized software expenditures, as well as customer-related intangible assets. Customer-related intangible assets primarily relate to retail partner contract acquisitions and extensions, as well as purchased credit card relationships. During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , we recorded additions to customer-related intangible assets subject to amortization of $12 million and $147 million , respectively, primarily related to payments made to acquire and extend certain retail partner relationships. These additions had a weighted average amortizable life of 5 years and 11 years for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Amortization expense related to retail partner contracts was $29 million and $27 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, and is included as a component of marketing and business development expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. All other amortization expense was $27 million and $18 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and is included as a component of other expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Deposits

Deposits	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Deposits	DEPOSITS March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 ($ in millions) Amount Average rate (a) Amount Average rate (a) Interest-bearing deposits $ 56,285 1.8 % $ 56,276 1.6 % Non-interest-bearing deposits 285 — 212 — Total deposits $ 56,570 $ 56,488 ____________________ (a) Based on interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017 and average deposits balances. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , interest-bearing deposits included $17.4 billion and $16.2 billion of certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more, respectively. Of the total certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more, $5.8 billion and $5.3 billion were certificates of deposit of $250,000 or more at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. At March 31, 2018 , our interest-bearing time deposits maturing for the remainder of 2018 and over the next four years and thereafter were as follows: ($ in millions) 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter Deposits $ 12,239 $ 12,209 $ 3,554 $ 2,334 $ 2,442 $ 1,995 The above maturity table excludes $18.4 billion of demand deposits with no defined maturity, of which $16.9 billion are savings accounts. In addition, at March 31, 2018 , we had $3.1 billion of broker network deposit sweeps procured through a program arranger who channels brokerage account deposits to us that are also excluded from the above maturity table. Unless extended, the contracts associated with these broker network deposit sweeps will terminate between 2019 and 2021 .

Borrowings

Borrowings	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Borrowings	BORROWINGS March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 ($ in millions) Maturity date Interest Rate Weighted average interest rate Outstanding Amount (a) Outstanding Amount (a) Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities: Fixed securitized borrowings 2018 - 2022 1.58% - 3.36% 2.16 % $ 8,064 $ 8,347 Floating securitized borrowings 2019 - 2020 1.97% - 2.82% 2.33 % 4,150 4,150 Total borrowings of consolidated securitization entities 2.22 % 12,214 12,497 Synchrony Financial senior unsecured notes: Fixed senior unsecured notes 2019 - 2027 2.60% - 4.50% 3.59 % 7,311 7,310 Floating senior unsecured notes 2020 3.02 % 3.02 % 249 250 Synchrony Bank senior unsecured notes: Fixed senior unsecured notes 2022 3.00 % 3.00 % 743 742 Floating senior unsecured notes 2020 2.93 % 2.93 % 498 — Total senior unsecured notes 3.48 % 8,801 8,302 Total borrowings $ 21,015 $ 20,799 ___________________ (a) The amounts presented above for outstanding borrowings include unamortized debt premiums, discounts and issuance cost. Debt Maturities The following table summarizes the maturities of the principal amount of our borrowings of consolidated securitization entities and senior unsecured notes for the remainder of 2018 and over the next four years and thereafter: ($ in millions) 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter Borrowings $ 1,106 $ 6,027 $ 6,483 $ 2,075 $ 1,634 $ 3,750 Third-Party Debt On January 2, 2018, the Bank issued a total of $500 million principal amount of three-month LIBOR plus 0.625% senior unsecured notes due 2020. Credit Facilities As additional sources of liquidity, we have undrawn committed capacity under credit facilities, primarily related to our securitization programs. At March 31, 2018 , we had an aggregate of $5.5 billion of undrawn committed capacity under our securitization financings, subject to customary borrowing conditions, from private lenders under our securitization programs, and an aggregate of $0.5 billion of undrawn committed capacity under our unsecured revolving credit facility with private lenders.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS For a description of how we estimate fair value, see Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in our 2017 annual consolidated financial statements in our 2017 Form 10-K. The following tables present our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Recurring Fair Value Measurements The following tables present our assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis. At March 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Debt securities U.S. Government and Federal Agency $ — $ 3,352 $ — $ 3,352 State and municipal — — 42 42 Residential mortgage-backed — 1,194 — 1,194 Asset-backed — 1,669 — 1,669 U.S. corporate debt — — 2 2 Other assets (a) 15 — 7 22 Total $ 15 $ 6,215 $ 51 $ 6,281 At December 31, 2017 ($ in millions) Assets Debt securities U.S. Government and Federal Agency $ — $ 2,416 $ — $ 2,416 State and municipal — — 44 44 Residential mortgage-backed — 1,231 — 1,231 Asset-backed — 780 — 780 U.S. corporate debt — — 2 2 Other assets (a) 15 — — 15 Total $ 15 $ 4,427 $ 46 $ 4,488 _______________________ (a) Other assets primarily relate to equity investments measured at fair value. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 , there were no securities transferred between Level 1 and Level 2 or between Level 2 and Level 3. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , we did not have any significant liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Our Level 3 recurring fair value measurements primarily relate to state and municipal debt instruments which are valued using non-binding broker quotes or other third-party sources. For a description of our process to evaluate third-party pricing servicers, see Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in our 2017 annual consolidated financial statements in our 2017 Form 10-K. Our state and municipal debt securities are classified as available-for-sale with changes in fair value included in accumulated other comprehensive income. The changes in our Level 3 assets that are measured on a recurring basis for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were not material. Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Other than Fair Value Carrying Corresponding fair value amount At March 31, 2018 ($ in millions) value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Financial Assets Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value: Cash and equivalents (a) $ 13,044 $ 13,044 $ 13,044 $ — $ — Other assets (a)(b) $ 1,130 $ 1,130 $ 1,130 $ — $ — Financial assets carried at other than fair value: Loan receivables, net (c) $ 72,115 $ 81,169 $ — $ — $ 81,169 Financial Liabilities Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value: Deposits $ 56,570 $ 56,662 $ — $ 56,662 $ — Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities $ 12,214 $ 12,137 $ — $ 7,986 $ 4,151 Senior unsecured notes $ 8,801 $ 8,745 $ — $ 8,745 $ — Carrying Corresponding fair value amount At December 31, 2017 ($ in millions) value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Financial Assets Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value: Cash and equivalents (a) $ 11,602 $ 11,602 $ 11,602 $ — $ — Other assets (a)(b) $ 215 $ 215 $ 215 $ — $ — Financial assets carried at other than fair value: Loan receivables, net (c) $ 76,373 $ 85,871 $ — $ — $ 85,871 Financial Liabilities Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value: Deposits $ 56,488 $ 56,754 $ — $ 56,754 $ — Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities $ 12,497 $ 12,475 $ — $ 8,323 $ 4,152 Senior unsecured notes $ 8,302 $ 8,471 $ — $ 8,471 $ — _______________________ (a) For cash and equivalents and restricted cash and equivalents, carrying value approximates fair value due to the liquid nature and short maturity of these instruments. (b) This balance relates to restricted cash and equivalents, which is included in other assets. (c) Under certain retail partner program agreements, the expected sales proceeds related to the sale of their credit card portfolio may be limited to the amounts owed by our customers, which may be less than the fair value indicated above.

Regulatory and Capital Adequacy

Regulatory and Capital Adequacy	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Regulatory and Capital Adequacy	REGULATORY AND CAPITAL ADEQUACY As a savings and loan holding company and a financial holding company, we are subject to regulation, supervision and examination by the Federal Reserve Board and subject to the capital requirements as prescribed by Basel III capital rules and the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Bank is a federally chartered savings association. As such, the Bank is subject to regulation, supervision and examination by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency of the U.S. Treasury (the “OCC”), which is its primary regulator, and by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”). In addition, the Bank, as an insured depository institution, is supervised by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and, possibly, additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could limit our business activities and have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines, we must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of our assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require us and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of Total, Tier 1 and common equity Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier 1 capital to average assets (as defined). For Synchrony Financial to be a well-capitalized savings and loan holding company, the Bank must be well-capitalized and Synchrony Financial must not be subject to any written agreement, order, capital directive, or prompt corrective action directive issued by the Federal Reserve Board to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , Synchrony Financial met all applicable requirements to be deemed well-capitalized pursuant to Federal Reserve Board regulations. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the Bank also met all applicable requirements to be deemed well-capitalized pursuant to OCC regulations and for purposes of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. There are no conditions or events subsequent to March 31, 2018 that management believes have changed the Company's or the Bank’s capital category. The actual capital amounts, ratios and the applicable required minimums of the Company and the Bank are as follows: Synchrony Financial At March 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Actual Minimum for capital adequacy purposes Amount Ratio (a) Amount Ratio (b) Total risk-based capital $ 13,878 18.1 % $ 6,121 8.0 % Tier 1 risk-based capital $ 12,863 16.8 % $ 4,591 6.0 % Tier 1 leverage $ 12,863 13.7 % $ 3,766 4.0 % Common equity Tier 1 Capital $ 12,863 16.8 % $ 3,443 4.5 % At December 31, 2017 ($ in millions) Actual Minimum for capital adequacy purposes Amount Ratio (a) Amount Ratio (b) Total risk-based capital $ 13,954 17.3 % $ 6,454 8.0 % Tier 1 risk-based capital $ 12,890 16.0 % $ 4,840 6.0 % Tier 1 leverage $ 12,890 13.8 % $ 3,724 4.0 % Common equity Tier 1 Capital $ 12,890 16.0 % $ 3,630 4.5 % Synchrony Bank At March 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Actual Minimum for capital adequacy purposes Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions Amount Ratio (a) Amount Ratio (b) Amount Ratio Total risk-based capital $ 11,054 17.4 % $ 5,091 8.0 % $ 6,364 10.0 % Tier 1 risk-based capital $ 10,205 16.0 % $ 3,818 6.0 % $ 5,091 8.0 % Tier 1 leverage $ 10,205 13.1 % $ 3,127 4.0 % $ 3,909 5.0 % Common equity Tier I capital $ 10,205 16.0 % $ 2,864 4.5 % $ 4,136 6.5 % At December 31, 2017 ($ in millions) Actual Minimum for capital adequacy purposes Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions Amount Ratio (a) Amount Ratio (b) Amount Ratio Total risk-based capital $ 10,842 16.2 % $ 5,340 8.0 % $ 6,675 10.0 % Tier 1 risk-based capital $ 9,958 14.9 % $ 4,005 6.0 % $ 5,340 8.0 % Tier 1 leverage $ 9,958 12.9 % $ 3,083 4.0 % $ 3,854 5.0 % Common equity Tier I capital $ 9,958 14.9 % $ 3,004 4.5 % $ 4,339 6.5 % _______________________ (a) Capital ratios are calculated based on the Basel III Standardized Approach rules which, at December 31, 2017 , also included applicable transition provisions. (b) At March 31, 2018 and at December 31, 2017 , Synchrony Financial and the Bank also must maintain a capital conservation buffer of common equity Tier 1 capital in excess of minimum risk-based capital ratios by at least 1.875 percent age points and 1.25 percent percentage points, respectively, to avoid limits on capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers and similar employees. The Bank may pay dividends on its stock, with consent or non-objection from the OCC and the Federal Reserve Board, among other things, if its regulatory capital would not thereby be reduced below the applicable regulatory capital requirements.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the assumed conversion of all dilutive securities. The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share: Three months ended March 31, (in millions, except per share data) 2018 2017 Net earnings $ 640 $ 499 Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic 763.7 813.1 Effect of dilutive securities 6.6 4.0 Weighted average common shares outstanding, dilutive 770.3 817.1 Earnings per basic common share $ 0.84 $ 0.61 Earnings per diluted common share $ 0.83 $ 0.61 We have issued certain stock based awards under the Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan. A total of 1 million shares related to these awards, were considered anti-dilutive and therefore were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for both the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	INCOME TAXES We file consolidated U.S. federal and state income tax returns separate and apart from GE. For periods up to and including the date of Separation, we were included in the consolidated U.S. federal and state income tax returns of GE, where applicable, but also filed certain separate state and foreign income tax returns. The tax provision is presented on a separate company basis as if we were a separate filer for tax purposes for all periods. The effects of tax adjustments and settlements from taxing authorities are presented in our condensed consolidated financial statements in the period in which they occur. Our current obligations for taxes are settled with the relevant tax authority, or GE, as applicable, on an estimated basis and adjusted in later periods as appropriate and are reflected in our consolidated financial statements in the periods in which those settlements occur. We recognize the current and deferred tax consequences of all transactions that have been recognized in the financial statements using the provisions of the enacted tax laws. In calculating the provision for interim period income taxes, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 740, Income Taxes, we estimate the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year and apply that estimated annual effective tax rate to year-to-date ordinary income. Adjustments to tax expense are made for year-to-date discrete items. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2018 decreased to 24.4% , compared to 36.2% in the same period in the prior year, primarily due to the reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% included in the Tax Act. See “ Management's Discussion and Analysis—Critical Accounting Estimates ” in our 2017 Form 10-K, for a discussion of the significant judgments and estimates related to income taxes. For periods prior to Separation, we are under continuous examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and the tax authorities of various states as part of their audit of GE’s tax returns. The IRS is currently auditing GE's consolidated U.S. income tax returns for 2012 to 2015. We are under examination in various states going back to 2008 as part of their audit of GE’s tax returns. We are not currently under audit with respect to any post-Separation periods. We believe that there are no issues or claims that are likely to significantly impact our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. We further believe that we have made adequate provision for all income tax uncertainties that could result from such examinations. Unrecognized Tax Benefits ($ in millions) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Unrecognized tax benefits, excluding related interest expense and penalties (a) $ 218 $ 255 Portion that, if recognized, would reduce tax expense and effective tax rate (b) 179 173 ____________________ (a) Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits were not material for all periods presented. (b) Includes gross state and local unrecognized tax benefits net of the effects of associated U.S. federal income taxes. Excludes amounts attributable to any related valuation allowances resulting from associated increases in deferred tax assets. We compute our unrecognized tax benefits on a separate return basis. For unrecognized tax benefits associated with periods prior to 2014, we will settle our liabilities, as required, in accordance with the Tax Sharing and Separation Agreement with GE, which we entered into in connection with our initial public offering in 2014. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits that is reasonably possible to be resolved in the next twelve months is expected to be $51 million , of which $40 million , if recognized, would reduce the Company's tax expense and effective tax rate.

Legal Proceedings and Regulator

Legal Proceedings and Regulatory Matters	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Legal Proceedings and Regulatory Matters	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY MATTERS In the normal course of business, from time to time, we have been named as a defendant in various legal proceedings, including arbitrations, class actions and other litigation, arising in connection with our business activities. Certain of the legal actions include claims for substantial compensatory and/or punitive damages, or claims for indeterminate amounts of damages. We are also involved, from time to time, in reviews, investigations and proceedings (both formal and informal) by governmental agencies regarding our business (collectively, “regulatory matters”), which could subject us to significant fines, penalties, obligations to change our business practices or other requirements resulting in increased expenses, diminished income and damage to our reputation. We contest liability and/or the amount of damages as appropriate in each pending matter. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, we establish an accrued liability for legal and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies which are both probable and reasonably estimable. Legal proceedings and regulatory matters are subject to many uncertain factors that generally cannot be predicted with assurance, and we may be exposed to losses in excess of any amounts accrued. For some matters, we are able to determine that an estimated loss, while not probable, is reasonably possible. For other matters, including those that have not yet progressed through discovery and/or where important factual information and legal issues are unresolved, we are unable to make such an estimate. We currently estimate that the reasonably possible losses for legal proceedings and regulatory matters, whether in excess of a related accrued liability or where there is no accrued liability, and for which we are able to estimate a possible loss, are immaterial. This represents management’s estimate of possible loss with respect to these matters and is based on currently available information. This estimate of possible loss does not represent our maximum loss exposure. The legal proceedings and regulatory matters underlying the estimate will change from time to time and actual results may vary significantly from current estimates. Our estimate of reasonably possible losses involves significant judgment, given the varying stages of the proceedings, the existence of numerous yet to be resolved issues, the breadth of the claims (often spanning multiple years), unspecified damages and/or the novelty of the legal issues presented. Based on our current knowledge, we do not believe that we are a party to any pending legal proceeding or regulatory matters that would have a material adverse effect on our condensed consolidated financial condition or liquidity. However, in light of the uncertainties involved in such matters, the ultimate outcome of a particular matter could be material to our operating results for a particular period depending on, among other factors, the size of the loss or liability imposed and the level of our earnings for that period, and could adversely affect our business and reputation. Below is a description of certain of our regulatory matters and legal proceedings. Regulatory Matters On October 30, 2014, the United States Trustee, which is part of the Department of Justice, filed an application in In re Nyree Belton , a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case pending in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York for orders authorizing discovery of the Bank pursuant to Rule 2004 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, related to an investigation of the Bank’s credit reporting. The discovery, which is ongoing, concerns allegations made in Belton et al. v. GE Capital Consumer Lending , a putative class action adversary proceeding pending in the same Bankruptcy Court. In the Belton adversary proceeding, which was filed on April 30, 2014, plaintiff alleges that the Bank violates the discharge injunction under Section 524(a)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code by attempting to collect discharged debts and by failing to update and correct credit information to credit reporting agencies to show that such debts are no longer due and owing because they have been discharged in bankruptcy. Plaintiff seeks declaratory judgment, injunctive relief and an unspecified amount of damages. On December 15, 2014, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order staying the adversary proceeding pending an appeal to the District Court of the Bankruptcy Court’s order denying the Bank’s motion to compel arbitration. On October 14, 2015, the District Court reversed the Bankruptcy Court and on November 4, 2015, the Bankruptcy Court granted the Bank's motion to compel arbitration. On October 15, 2015, the Bank received a Civil Investigative Demand from the CFPB seeking information related to the Bank’s credit bureau reporting with respect to sold accounts. The information sought by the CFPB generally relates to the allegations made in Belton et al. v. GE Capital Consumer Lending. On May 9, 2016, the Bank received a NORA (Notice of Opportunity to Respond and Advise) letter from the CFPB indicating that the CFPB Office of Enforcement is considering whether to recommend that the CFPB take legal action relating to this matter. On May 9, 2017, the Bank received a Civil Investigative Demand from the CFPB seeking information related to the marketing and servicing of deferred interest promotions. Other Matters The Bank or the Company is, or has been, defending a number of putative class actions alleging claims under the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) as a result of phone calls made by the Bank. The complaints generally have alleged that the Bank or the Company placed calls to consumers by an automated telephone dialing system or using a pre-recorded message or automated voice without their consent and seek up to $1,500 for each violation, without specifying an aggregate amount. Campbell et al. v. Synchrony Bank was filed on January 25, 2017 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. The original complaint named only J.C. Penney Company, Inc. and J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc. as the defendants but was amended on April 7, 2017 to replace those defendants with the Bank. Neal et al. v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Synchrony Bank , for which the Bank is indemnifying Wal-Mart, was filed on January 17, 2017 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. The original complaint named only Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. as a defendant but was amended on March 30, 2017 to add Synchrony Bank as an additional defendant. Mott et al. v. Synchrony Bank was filed on February 2, 2018 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. In addition to the TCPA class action lawsuits related to phone calls, the Company is a defendant in a putative class action lawsuit alleging claims under the TCPA relating to facsimiles. In Michael W. Kincaid, DDS et al. v. Synchrony Financial , plaintiff alleges that the Company violated the TCPA by sending fax advertisements without consent and without required notices, and seeks up to $1,500 for each violation. The amount of damages sought in the aggregate is unspecified. The original complaint was filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on January 20, 2016. On August 11, 2016, the Court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss based on the lack of personal jurisdiction. On August 15, 2016, the plaintiff re-filed the case in the Southern District of Ohio.

Basis of Presentation and Sum21

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates based on assumptions about current, and for some estimates, future, economic and market conditions (for example, unemployment, housing, interest rates and market liquidity) which affect reported amounts and related disclosures in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Although our current estimates contemplate current conditions and how we expect them to change in the future, as appropriate, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could be different than anticipated in those estimates, which could materially affect our results of operations and financial position. Among other effects, such changes could result in incremental losses on loan receivables, future impairments of debt securities, goodwill and intangible assets, increases in reserves for contingencies, establishment of valuation allowances on deferred tax assets and increases in our tax liabilities. We primarily conduct our operations within the United States and Canada. Substantially all of our revenues are from U.S. customers. The operating activities conducted by our non-U.S. affiliates use the local currency as their functional currency. The effects of translating the financial statements of these non-U.S. affiliates to U.S. dollars are included in equity. Asset and liability accounts are translated at period-end exchange rates, while revenues and expenses are translated at average rates for the respective periods. Consolidated Basis of Presentation The Company’s financial statements have been prepared on a consolidated basis. Under this basis of presentation, our financial statements consolidate all of our subsidiaries – i.e., entities in which we have a controlling financial interest, most often because we hold a majority voting interest. To determine if we hold a controlling financial interest in an entity, we first evaluate if we are required to apply the variable interest entity (“VIE”) model to the entity, otherwise the entity is evaluated under the voting interest model. Where we hold current or potential rights that give us the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance (“power”) combined with a variable interest that gives us the right to receive potentially significant benefits or the obligation to absorb potentially significant losses (“significant economics”), we have a controlling financial interest in that VIE. Rights held by others to remove the party with power over the VIE are not considered unless one party can exercise those rights unilaterally. We consolidate certain securitization entities under the VIE model because we have both power and significant economics. See Note 5. Variable Interest Entities . We have reclassified certain prior-period amounts to conform to current-period presentation.
Interim Period Presentation	Interim Period Presentation The condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto are unaudited. These statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) that we considered necessary to present a fair statement of our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The results reported in these condensed consolidated financial statements should not be considered as necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our 2017 annual consolidated financial statements and the related notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (our "2017 Form 10-K").
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	New Accounting Standards Newly Adopted Accounting Standards In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The new revenue recognition guidance became effective January 1, 2018 for the Company. The scope of ASU 2014-09 excludes interest and fee income on loans and as a result, the majority of the Company's revenue is not in the scope of the standard. The new guidance did not impact the timing or measurement of the Company's revenues, and as a result, the Company did not present any restated prior period results as a result of the standard becoming effective. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, which requires restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included within beginning and ending total cash amounts reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Disclosure of the nature of the restrictions on cash balances is required under the guidance. This standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted the guidance retrospectively effective as of January 1, 2018. Upon adoption, changes in restricted cash, which had previously been presented as investing activities, are now included within beginning and ending cash and equivalents, including restricted amounts, balances in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Additionally, in August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which provided guidance on certain cash flow issues. This standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted the guidance retrospectively effective as of January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Effective January 1, 2018, we have adopted the provisions of ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which require equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. However, in accordance with the new guidance, the company has elected to measure certain equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes for similar investments of the issuer. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. Recently Issued But Not Yet Adopted Accounting Standards In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The ASU requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheet. Leases which are identified as capital leases currently, will generally be identified as financing leases under the new guidance but otherwise their accounting treatment will remain relatively unchanged. Leases identified as operating leases currently, will generally remain in that category under the new standard, but both a right-of-use asset and a liability for remaining lease payments will now be required to be recognized on the balance sheet. This guidance will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. Management does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU replaces the existing incurred loss impairment guidance with a new impairment model known as the Current Expected Credit Loss ("CECL") model, which is based on expected credit losses. The CECL model requires, upon origination of a loan, the recognition of all expected credit losses over the life of the loan based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The amendments in this standard will be recognized through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. While we are evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-13 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, this standard is expected to result in an increase to the Company's allowance for loan losses given the change to expected losses for the estimated life of the financial asset. The extent of the increase will depend on the asset quality of the portfolio, and economic conditions and forecasts at adoption. See Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our 2017 annual consolidated financial statements in our 2017 Form 10-K, for additional information on our significant accounting policies, including discussion of the nature of the restrictions on our cash balances.

Investment Securities (Tables)

Investment Securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation	Our debt securities consist of the following: March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Gross Gross Gross Gross Amortized unrealized unrealized Estimated Amortized unrealized unrealized Estimated ($ in millions) cost gains losses fair value cost gains losses fair value U.S. government and federal agency $ 3,361 $ — $ (9 ) $ 3,352 $ 2,419 $ — $ (3 ) $ 2,416 State and municipal 42 — — 42 44 — — 44 Residential mortgage-backed (a) 1,239 1 (46 ) 1,194 1,258 1 (28 ) 1,231 Asset-backed (b) 1,672 — (3 ) 1,669 781 — (1 ) 780 U.S. corporate debt 2 — — 2 2 — — 2 Total $ 6,316 $ 1 $ (58 ) $ 6,259 $ 4,504 $ 1 $ (32 ) $ 4,473 _______________________ (a) All of our residential mortgage-backed securities have been issued by government-sponsored entities and are collateralized by U.S. mortgages. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , $342 million and $344 million, respectively, are pledged by the Bank as collateral to the Federal Reserve to secure Federal Reserve Discount Window advances. (b) All of our asset-backed securities are collateralized by credit card loans.
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Loss Position, Fair Value	The following table presents the estimated fair values and gross unrealized losses of our available-for-sale debt securities: In loss position for Less than 12 months 12 months or more Gross Gross Estimated unrealized Estimated unrealized ($ in millions) fair value losses fair value losses At March 31, 2018 U.S. government and federal agency $ 2,904 $ (9 ) $ 150 $ — State and municipal 10 — 28 — Residential mortgage-backed 275 (4 ) 895 (42 ) Asset-backed 1,463 (3 ) — — Total $ 4,652 $ (16 ) $ 1,073 $ (42 ) At December 31, 2017 U.S. government and federal agency $ 2,416 $ (3 ) $ — $ — State and municipal — — 29 — Residential mortgage-backed 142 (1 ) 1,026 (27 ) Asset-backed 626 (1 ) — — Total $ 3,184 $ (5 ) $ 1,055 $ (27 )
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	Contractual Maturities of Investments in Available-for-Sale Debt Securities Amortized Estimated At March 31, 2018 ($ in millions) cost fair value Due Within one year $ 3,975 $ 3,970 After one year through five years $ 1,061 $ 1,053 After five years through ten years $ 58 $ 58 After ten years $ 1,222 $ 1,178

Loan Receivables and Allowanc23

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	($ in millions) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Credit cards $ 74,952 $ 79,026 Consumer installment loans 1,590 1,578 Commercial credit products 1,275 1,303 Other 36 40 Total loan receivables, before allowance for losses (a)(b) $ 77,853 $ 81,947 _______________________ (a) Total loan receivables include $25.4 billion and $26.4 billion of restricted loans of consolidated securitization entities at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. See Note 5. Variable Interest Entities for further information on these restricted loans. (b) At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , loan receivables included deferred expense, net of deferred income, of $107 million and $97 million , respectively.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables	Allowance for Loan Losses ($ in millions) Balance at January 1, 2018 Provision charged to operations Gross charge-offs Recoveries Balance at Credit cards $ 5,483 $ 1,334 $ (1,372 ) $ 195 $ 5,640 Consumer installment loans 40 16 (15 ) 4 45 Commercial credit products 50 12 (12 ) 2 52 Other 1 — — — $ 1 Total $ 5,574 $ 1,362 $ (1,399 ) $ 201 $ 5,738 ($ in millions) Balance at January 1, 2017 Provision charged to operations Gross charge-offs Recoveries Balance at Credit cards $ 4,254 $ 1,278 $ (1,184 ) $ 237 $ 4,585 Consumer installment loans 37 13 (14 ) 4 40 Commercial credit products 52 15 (18 ) 1 50 Other 1 — — — $ 1 Total $ 4,344 $ 1,306 $ (1,216 ) $ 242 $ 4,676
Past Due Financing Receivables	Delinquent and Non-accrual Loans At March 31, 2018 ($ in millions) 30-89 days delinquent 90 or more days delinquent Total past due 90 or more days delinquent and accruing Total non-accruing Credit cards $ 1,692 $ 1,754 $ 3,446 $ 1,754 $ — Consumer installment loans 18 4 22 — 4 Commercial credit products 35 18 53 18 — Total delinquent loans $ 1,745 $ 1,776 $ 3,521 $ 1,772 $ 4 Percentage of total loan receivables 2.2 % 2.3 % 4.5 % 2.3 % — % At December 31, 2017 ($ in millions) 30-89 days delinquent 90 or more days delinquent Total past due 90 or more days delinquent and accruing Total non-accruing Credit cards $ 1,906 $ 1,849 $ 3,755 $ 1,849 $ — Consumer installment loans 25 5 30 — 5 Commercial credit products 31 15 46 15 — Total delinquent loans $ 1,962 $ 1,869 $ 3,831 $ 1,864 $ 5 Percentage of total loan receivables 2.4 % 2.3 % 4.7 % 2.3 % — %
Troubled Debt Restructurings on Financing Receivables	The following table provides information on loans that entered a loan modification program during the periods presented: Three months ended March 31, ($ in millions) 2018 2017 Credit cards $ 221 $ 172 Consumer installment loans — — Commercial credit products 1 1 Total $ 222 $ 173
Impaired Financing Receivables	The following table provides information about loans classified as TDRs and specific reserves. We do not evaluate credit card loans for impairment on an individual basis but instead estimate an allowance for loan losses on a collective basis. As a result, there are no impaired loans for which there is no allowance. At March 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Total recorded investment Related allowance Net recorded investment Unpaid principal balance Credit cards $ 1,074 $ (466 ) $ 608 $ 960 Consumer installment loans — — — — Commercial credit products 5 (3 ) 2 5 Total $ 1,079 $ (469 ) $ 610 $ 965 At December 31, 2017 ($ in millions) Total recorded investment Related allowance Net recorded investment Unpaid principal balance Credit cards $ 1,038 $ (444 ) $ 594 $ 925 Consumer installment loans — — — — Commercial credit products 5 (2 ) 3 5 Total $ 1,043 $ (446 ) $ 597 $ 930 The following table presents the types and financial effects of loans modified and accounted for as TDRs during the periods presented: Three months ended March 31, 2018 2017 ($ in millions) Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms Average recorded investment Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms Average recorded investment Credit cards $ 12 $ 62 $ 1,056 $ 12 $ 51 $ 878 Consumer installment loans — — — — — — Commercial credit products — — 5 — — 6 Total $ 12 $ 62 $ 1,061 $ 12 $ 51 $ 884
Troubled Debt Restructurings on Financing Receivables, Subsequent Default	The following table presents the type, number and amount of loans accounted for as TDRs that enrolled in a modification plan within the previous 12 months from the applicable balance sheet date and experienced a payment default during the periods presented. A customer defaults from a modification program after two consecutive missed payments. Three months ended March 31, 2018 2017 ($ in millions) Accounts defaulted Loans defaulted Accounts defaulted Loans defaulted Credit cards 23,701 $ 53 19,755 $ 40 Consumer installment loans — — — — Commercial credit products 68 1 32 — Total 23,769 $ 54 19,787 $ 40
Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators	The following table provides the most recent FICO scores available for our customers at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, as a percentage of each class of loan receivable. The table below excludes 0.8% , 0.6% and 0.6% of our total loan receivables balance at March 31, 2018 , December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017 , respectively, which represents those customer accounts for which a FICO score is not available. March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2017 661 or 601 to 600 or 661 or 601 to 600 or 661 or 601 to 600 or higher 660 less higher 660 less higher 660 less Credit cards 73 % 19 % 8 % 73 % 19 % 8 % 71 % 21 % 8 % Consumer installment loans 79 % 15 % 6 % 79 % 15 % 6 % 78 % 16 % 6 % Commercial credit products 88 % 7 % 5 % 88 % 7 % 5 % 86 % 9 % 5 %
Interest Income and Interest Expense Disclosure	The following table provides additional information about our interest and fees on loans, including merchant discounts, from our loan receivables, including held for sale: Three months ended March 31, ($ in millions) 2018 2017 Credit cards $ 4,099 $ 3,811 Consumer installment loans 36 32 Commercial credit products 36 34 Other 1 — Total $ 4,172 $ 3,877

Variable Interest Entities (Tab

Variable Interest Entities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities	The table below summarizes the assets and liabilities of our consolidated securitization VIEs described above. ($ in millions) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Assets Loan receivables, net (a) $ 23,911 $ 24,990 Other assets (b) 1,056 62 Total $ 24,967 $ 25,052 Liabilities Borrowings $ 12,214 $ 12,497 Other liabilities 30 30 Total $ 12,244 $ 12,527 _______________________ (a) Includes $1.5 billion and $1.4 billion of related allowance for loan losses resulting in gross restricted loans of $25.4 billion and $26.4 billion at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. (b) Includes $1.0 billion and $55 million of segregated funds held by the VIEs at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, which are classified as restricted cash and equivalents and included as a component of other assets in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

Intangible Assets (Tables)

Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 ($ in millions) Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net Customer-related $ 1,237 $ (696 ) $ 541 $ 1,242 $ (679 ) $ 563 Capitalized software 444 (205 ) 239 368 (182 ) 186 Total $ 1,681 $ (901 ) $ 780 $ 1,610 $ (861 ) $ 749

Deposits (Tables)

Deposits (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Schedule of Deposit Liabilities	March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 ($ in millions) Amount Average rate (a) Amount Average rate (a) Interest-bearing deposits $ 56,285 1.8 % $ 56,276 1.6 % Non-interest-bearing deposits 285 — 212 — Total deposits $ 56,570 $ 56,488 ____________________ (a) Based on interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017 and average deposits balances.
Schedule of Maturities of Deposit Liabilities	At March 31, 2018 , our interest-bearing time deposits maturing for the remainder of 2018 and over the next four years and thereafter were as follows: ($ in millions) 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter Deposits $ 12,239 $ 12,209 $ 3,554 $ 2,334 $ 2,442 $ 1,995

Borrowings (Tables)

Borrowings (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 ($ in millions) Maturity date Interest Rate Weighted average interest rate Outstanding Amount (a) Outstanding Amount (a) Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities: Fixed securitized borrowings 2018 - 2022 1.58% - 3.36% 2.16 % $ 8,064 $ 8,347 Floating securitized borrowings 2019 - 2020 1.97% - 2.82% 2.33 % 4,150 4,150 Total borrowings of consolidated securitization entities 2.22 % 12,214 12,497 Synchrony Financial senior unsecured notes: Fixed senior unsecured notes 2019 - 2027 2.60% - 4.50% 3.59 % 7,311 7,310 Floating senior unsecured notes 2020 3.02 % 3.02 % 249 250 Synchrony Bank senior unsecured notes: Fixed senior unsecured notes 2022 3.00 % 3.00 % 743 742 Floating senior unsecured notes 2020 2.93 % 2.93 % 498 — Total senior unsecured notes 3.48 % 8,801 8,302 Total borrowings $ 21,015 $ 20,799 ___________________ (a) The amounts presented above for outstanding borrowings include unamortized debt premiums, discounts and issuance cost.
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	the maturities of the principal amount of our borrowings of consolidated securitization entities and senior unsecured notes for the remainder of 2018 and over the next four years and thereafter: ($ in millions) 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter Borrowings $ 1,106 $ 6,027 $ 6,483 $ 2,075 $ 1,634 $ 3,750

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis	The following tables present our assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis. At March 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Debt securities U.S. Government and Federal Agency $ — $ 3,352 $ — $ 3,352 State and municipal — — 42 42 Residential mortgage-backed — 1,194 — 1,194 Asset-backed — 1,669 — 1,669 U.S. corporate debt — — 2 2 Other assets (a) 15 — 7 22 Total $ 15 $ 6,215 $ 51 $ 6,281 At December 31, 2017 ($ in millions) Assets Debt securities U.S. Government and Federal Agency $ — $ 2,416 $ — $ 2,416 State and municipal — — 44 44 Residential mortgage-backed — 1,231 — 1,231 Asset-backed — 780 — 780 U.S. corporate debt — — 2 2 Other assets (a) 15 — — 15 Total $ 15 $ 4,427 $ 46 $ 4,488 _______________________ (a) Other assets primarily relate to equity investments measured at fair value.
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	.
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Other than Fair Value Carrying Corresponding fair value amount At March 31, 2018 ($ in millions) value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Financial Assets Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value: Cash and equivalents (a) $ 13,044 $ 13,044 $ 13,044 $ — $ — Other assets (a)(b) $ 1,130 $ 1,130 $ 1,130 $ — $ — Financial assets carried at other than fair value: Loan receivables, net (c) $ 72,115 $ 81,169 $ — $ — $ 81,169 Financial Liabilities Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value: Deposits $ 56,570 $ 56,662 $ — $ 56,662 $ — Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities $ 12,214 $ 12,137 $ — $ 7,986 $ 4,151 Senior unsecured notes $ 8,801 $ 8,745 $ — $ 8,745 $ — Carrying Corresponding fair value amount At December 31, 2017 ($ in millions) value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Financial Assets Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value: Cash and equivalents (a) $ 11,602 $ 11,602 $ 11,602 $ — $ — Other assets (a)(b) $ 215 $ 215 $ 215 $ — $ — Financial assets carried at other than fair value: Loan receivables, net (c) $ 76,373 $ 85,871 $ — $ — $ 85,871 Financial Liabilities Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value: Deposits $ 56,488 $ 56,754 $ — $ 56,754 $ — Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities $ 12,497 $ 12,475 $ — $ 8,323 $ 4,152 Senior unsecured notes $ 8,302 $ 8,471 $ — $ 8,471 $ — _______________________ (a) For cash and equivalents and restricted cash and equivalents, carrying value approximates fair value due to the liquid nature and short maturity of these instruments. (b) This balance relates to restricted cash and equivalents, which is included in other assets. (c) Under certain retail partner program agreements, the expected sales proceeds related to the sale of their credit card portfolio may be limited to the amounts owed by our customers, which may be less than the fair value indicated above.

Regulatory and Capital Adequa29

Regulatory and Capital Adequacy (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Schedule of Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations	The actual capital amounts, ratios and the applicable required minimums of the Company and the Bank are as follows: Synchrony Financial At March 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Actual Minimum for capital adequacy purposes Amount Ratio (a) Amount Ratio (b) Total risk-based capital $ 13,878 18.1 % $ 6,121 8.0 % Tier 1 risk-based capital $ 12,863 16.8 % $ 4,591 6.0 % Tier 1 leverage $ 12,863 13.7 % $ 3,766 4.0 % Common equity Tier 1 Capital $ 12,863 16.8 % $ 3,443 4.5 % At December 31, 2017 ($ in millions) Actual Minimum for capital adequacy purposes Amount Ratio (a) Amount Ratio (b) Total risk-based capital $ 13,954 17.3 % $ 6,454 8.0 % Tier 1 risk-based capital $ 12,890 16.0 % $ 4,840 6.0 % Tier 1 leverage $ 12,890 13.8 % $ 3,724 4.0 % Common equity Tier 1 Capital $ 12,890 16.0 % $ 3,630 4.5 % Synchrony Bank At March 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Actual Minimum for capital adequacy purposes Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions Amount Ratio (a) Amount Ratio (b) Amount Ratio Total risk-based capital $ 11,054 17.4 % $ 5,091 8.0 % $ 6,364 10.0 % Tier 1 risk-based capital $ 10,205 16.0 % $ 3,818 6.0 % $ 5,091 8.0 % Tier 1 leverage $ 10,205 13.1 % $ 3,127 4.0 % $ 3,909 5.0 % Common equity Tier I capital $ 10,205 16.0 % $ 2,864 4.5 % $ 4,136 6.5 % At December 31, 2017 ($ in millions) Actual Minimum for capital adequacy purposes Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions Amount Ratio (a) Amount Ratio (b) Amount Ratio Total risk-based capital $ 10,842 16.2 % $ 5,340 8.0 % $ 6,675 10.0 % Tier 1 risk-based capital $ 9,958 14.9 % $ 4,005 6.0 % $ 5,340 8.0 % Tier 1 leverage $ 9,958 12.9 % $ 3,083 4.0 % $ 3,854 5.0 % Common equity Tier I capital $ 9,958 14.9 % $ 3,004 4.5 % $ 4,339 6.5 % _______________________ (a) Capital ratios are calculated based on the Basel III Standardized Approach rules which, at December 31, 2017 , also included applicable transition provisions. (b) At March 31, 2018 and at December 31, 2017 , Synchrony Financial and the Bank also must maintain a capital conservation buffer of common equity Tier 1 capital in excess of minimum risk-based capital ratios by at least 1.875 percent age points and 1.25 percent percentage points, respectively, to avoid limits on capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers and similar employees.

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share: Three months ended March 31, (in millions, except per share data) 2018 2017 Net earnings $ 640 $ 499 Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic 763.7 813.1 Effect of dilutive securities 6.6 4.0 Weighted average common shares outstanding, dilutive 770.3 817.1 Earnings per basic common share $ 0.84 $ 0.61 Earnings per diluted common share $ 0.83 $ 0.61

Incomes Taxes (Tables)

Incomes Taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	($ in millions) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Unrecognized tax benefits, excluding related interest expense and penalties (a) $ 218 $ 255 Portion that, if recognized, would reduce tax expense and effective tax rate (b) 179 173 ____________________ (a) Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits were not material for all periods presented. (b) Includes gross state and local unrecognized tax benefits net of the effects of associated U.S. federal income taxes. Excludes amounts attributable to any related valuation allowances resulting from associated increases in deferred tax assets.

Investment Securities - Schedul

Investment Securities - Schedule of Available for Sale Securities (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Available-for-sale Securities		$ 0	$ 0
Total
Amortized cost		6,316,000,000		$ 4,504,000,000
Gross unrealized gains		1,000,000		1,000,000
Gross unrealized losses		(58,000,000)		(32,000,000)
Estimated fair value		6,259,000,000		4,473,000,000
U.S. Government and Federal Agency
Debt
Amortized cost		3,361,000,000		2,419,000,000
Gross unrealized gains		0		0
Gross unrealized losses		(9,000,000)		(3,000,000)
Estimated fair value		3,352,000,000		2,416,000,000
State and municipal
Debt
Amortized cost		42,000,000		44,000,000
Gross unrealized gains		0		0
Gross unrealized losses		0		0
Estimated fair value		42,000,000		44,000,000
Residential mortgage-backed
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities pledged as collateral to the Federal Reserve		342,000,000		344,000,000
Debt
Amortized cost	[1]	1,239,000,000		1,258,000,000
Gross unrealized gains	[1]	1,000,000		1,000,000
Gross unrealized losses	[1]	(46,000,000)		(28,000,000)
Estimated fair value	[1]	1,194,000,000		1,231,000,000
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Debt
Amortized cost	[2]	1,672,000,000		781,000,000
Gross unrealized gains	[2]	0		0
Gross unrealized losses	[2]	(3,000,000)		(1,000,000)
Estimated fair value	[2]	1,669,000,000		780,000,000
Domestic Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Debt
Amortized cost		2,000,000		2,000,000
Gross unrealized gains		0		0
Gross unrealized losses		0		0
Estimated fair value		$ 2,000,000		$ 2,000,000
[1]	All of our residential mortgage-backed securities have been issued by government-sponsored entities and are collateralized by U.S. mortgages. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $342 million and $344 million, respectively, are pledged by the Bank as collateral to the Federal Reserve to secure Federal Reserve Discount Window advances.
[2]	All of our asset-backed securities are collateralized by credit card loans.

Investment Securities - Continu

Investment Securities - Continuous Unrealized Losses (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Other than temporary impairment	$ 0	$ 0
Estimated fair value
Less than 12 months	4,652,000,000		$ 3,184,000,000
12 months or more	1,073,000,000		1,055,000,000
Gross unrealized losses
Less than 12 months	(16,000,000)		(5,000,000)
12 months or more	(42,000,000)		(27,000,000)
U.S. Government and Federal Agency
Estimated fair value
Less than 12 months	2,904,000,000		2,416,000,000
12 months or more	150,000,000		0
Gross unrealized losses
Less than 12 months	(9,000,000)		(3,000,000)
12 months or more	0		0
State and municipal
Estimated fair value
Less than 12 months	10,000,000		0
12 months or more	28,000,000		29,000,000
Gross unrealized losses
Less than 12 months	0		0
12 months or more	0		0
Residential mortgage-backed
Estimated fair value
Less than 12 months	275,000,000		142,000,000
12 months or more	895,000,000		1,026,000,000
Gross unrealized losses
Less than 12 months	(4,000,000)		(1,000,000)
12 months or more	(42,000,000)		(27,000,000)
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Estimated fair value
Less than 12 months	1,463,000,000		626,000,000
12 months or more	0		0
Gross unrealized losses
Less than 12 months	(3,000,000)		(1,000,000)
12 months or more	$ 0		$ 0

Investment Securities - Contrac

Investment Securities - Contractual Maturities (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	$ 0	$ 0
Amortized Cost
Within one year	3,975,000,000
After one year through five years	1,061,000,000
After five years through ten years	58,000,000
After ten years	1,222,000,000
Estimated Fair Value
Within one year	3,970,000,000
After one year through five years	1,053,000,000
After five years through ten years	58,000,000
After ten years	$ 1,178,000,000

Loan Receivables and Allowanc35

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Loan Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	[1],[2]	$ 77,853	$ 81,947
Loans receivables, deferred income		107	97
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)		74,952	79,026
Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)		1,590	1,578
Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)		1,275	1,303
Other
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)		36	40
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)		$ 25,384	$ 26,421
[1]	At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, loan receivables included deferred expense, net of deferred income, of $107 million and $97 million, respectively.
[2]	Total loan receivables include $25.4 billion and $26.4 billion of restricted loans of consolidated securitization entities at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. See Note 5. Variable Interest Entities for further information on these restricted loans.

Loan Receivables and Allowanc36

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Allowance for Loan Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 5,574	$ 4,344
Provision for loan losses	1,362	1,306
Gross charge-offs	(1,399)	(1,216)
Recoveries	201	242
Ending Balance	5,738	4,676
Credit cards
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	5,483	4,254
Provision for loan losses	1,334	1,278
Gross charge-offs	(1,372)	(1,184)
Recoveries	195	237
Ending Balance	5,640	4,585
Consumer installment loans
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	40	37
Provision for loan losses	16	13
Gross charge-offs	(15)	(14)
Recoveries	4	4
Ending Balance	45	40
Commercial credit products
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	50	52
Provision for loan losses	12	15
Gross charge-offs	(12)	(18)
Recoveries	2	1
Ending Balance	52	50
Other
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1	1
Provision for loan losses	0	0
Gross charge-offs	0	0
Recoveries	0	0
Ending Balance	$ 1	$ 1

Loan Receivables and Allowanc37

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Delinquent and Non Accrual Status (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Maximum Maturity Period for Loans in Permanent Modification Program	60 months
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	$ 3,521	$ 3,831
90 or more days delinquent and accruing	1,772	1,864
Total non-accruing	$ 4	$ 5
Financing Receivable, Percentage of Total Loan Receivables
Percentage of total loan receivables, 30-89 days delinquent	2.20%	2.40%
Percentage of total loan receivables, 90 or more days delinquent	2.30%	2.30%
Percentage of total loan receivables, Past due	4.50%	4.70%
Percentage of total loan receivables, 90 or more days delinquent and accruing	2.30%	2.30%
Percentage of total loan receivables, Total non-accruing	0.00%	0.00%
Credit cards
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	$ 3,446	$ 3,755
90 or more days delinquent and accruing	1,754	1,849
Total non-accruing	0	0
Consumer installment loans
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	22	30
90 or more days delinquent and accruing	0	0
Total non-accruing	4	5
Commercial credit products
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	53	46
90 or more days delinquent and accruing	18	15
Total non-accruing	0	0
Financing Receivables, 30 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	1,745	1,962
Financing Receivables, 30 to 89 Days Past Due [Member] | Credit cards
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	1,692	1,906
Financing Receivables, 30 to 89 Days Past Due [Member] | Consumer installment loans
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	18	25
Financing Receivables, 30 to 89 Days Past Due [Member] | Commercial credit products
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	35	31
Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	1,776	1,869
Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member] | Credit cards
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	1,754	1,849
Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member] | Consumer installment loans
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	4	5
Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member] | Commercial credit products
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	$ 18	$ 15

Loan Receivables and Allowanc38

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Loans Entered into a Loan Modification Program (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total loans entered into a modification program	$ 222	$ 173
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total loans entered into a modification program	221	172
Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total loans entered into a modification program	0	0
Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total loans entered into a modification program	$ 1	$ 1

Loan Receivables and Allowanc39

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Classified as TDRs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total recorded investment	$ 1,079	$ 1,043
Related allowance	(469)	(446)
Net recorded investment	610	597
Unpaid principal balance	965	930
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total recorded investment	1,074	1,038
Related allowance	(466)	(444)
Net recorded investment	608	594
Unpaid principal balance	960	925
Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total recorded investment	0	0
Related allowance	0	0
Net recorded investment	0	0
Unpaid principal balance	0	0
Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total recorded investment	5	5
Related allowance	(3)	(2)
Net recorded investment	2	3
Unpaid principal balance	$ 5	$ 5

Loan Receivables and Allowanc40

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Financial Effects of TDRs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired	$ 12	$ 12
Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms	62	51
Average recorded investment	1,061	884
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired	12	12
Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms	62	51
Average recorded investment	1,056	878
Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired	0	0
Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms	0	0
Average recorded investment	0	0
Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired	0	0
Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms	0	0
Average recorded investment	$ 5	$ 6

Loan Receivables and Allowanc41

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Payment Defaults (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)contract	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)contract
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts defaulted | contract	23,769	19,787
Loans defaulted | $	$ 54	$ 40
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts defaulted | contract	23,701	19,755
Loans defaulted | $	$ 53	$ 40
Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts defaulted | contract	0	0
Loans defaulted | $	$ 0	$ 0
Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts defaulted | contract	68	32
Loans defaulted | $	$ 1	$ 0

Loan Receivables and Allowanc42

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Credit Quality Indicators (Details)	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017
661 or higher | Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	73.00%	73.00%	71.00%
661 or higher | Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	79.00%	79.00%	78.00%
661 or higher | Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	88.00%	88.00%	86.00%
601 to 660 | Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	19.00%	19.00%	21.00%
601 to 660 | Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	15.00%	15.00%	16.00%
601 to 660 | Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	7.00%	7.00%	9.00%
600 or less | Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	8.00%	8.00%	8.00%
600 or less | Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%
600 or less | Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%

Loan Receivables and Allowanc43

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Interest Income by Product (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	$ 4,172	$ 3,877
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	4,099	3,811
Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	36	32
Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	36	34
Other
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	$ 1	$ 0

Loan Receivables and Allowanc44

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Billions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of loan receivable with no FICO score	0.80%	0.60%	0.60%
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unused Commitments to Extend Credit	$ 373	$ 370

Variable Interest Entities - Su

Variable Interest Entities - Summary of Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loan receivables, net		$ 72,115	$ 76,373
Other assets(b)		2,370	1,620
Total assets		95,559	95,808
Total liabilities		81,203	81,574
Allowance for loan losses		(5,738)	(5,574)	$ (4,676)	$ (4,344)
Loan receivable, before allowance for losses	[1],[2]	77,853	81,947
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loan receivables, net	[3]	23,911	24,990
Other assets(b)	[4]	1,056	62
Total assets		24,967	25,052
Borrowings	[5]	12,214	12,497
Other liabilities		30	30
Total liabilities		12,244	12,527
Allowance for loan losses		(1,500)	(1,400)
Loan receivable, before allowance for losses		25,384	26,421
Other Assets [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents		$ 1,048	$ 55
[1]	At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, loan receivables included deferred expense, net of deferred income, of $107 million and $97 million, respectively.
[2]	Total loan receivables include $25.4 billion and $26.4 billion of restricted loans of consolidated securitization entities at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. See Note 5. Variable Interest Entities for further information on these restricted loans.
[3]	Includes $1.5 billion and $1.4 billion of related allowance for loan losses resulting in gross restricted loans of $25.4 billion and $26.4 billion at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
[4]	Includes $1.0 billion and $55 million of segregated funds held by the VIEs at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, which are classified as restricted cash and equivalents and included as a component of other assets in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
[5]	The amounts presented above for outstanding borrowings include unamortized debt premiums, discounts and issuance cost.

Variable Interest Entities - Na

Variable Interest Entities - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	$ 5,738	$ 4,676	$ 5,574	$ 4,344
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	4,172	3,877
Provision for loan losses	1,362	1,306
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	1,500		1,400
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	1,200	1,000
Provision for loan losses	316	298
Interest on borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	74	$ 65
Other Assets [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash Collateral for Borrowed Securities	$ 1,048		$ 55

Intangible Assets - Schedule of

Intangible Assets - Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 1,681		$ 1,610
Accumulated amortization	(901)		(861)
Net	$ 780		749
Customer-related
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	5 years	11 years
Gross carrying amount	$ 1,237		1,242
Accumulated amortization	(696)		(679)
Net	541		563
Capitalized software
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	444		368
Accumulated amortization	(205)		(182)
Net	$ 239		$ 186

Intangible Assets Narrative (De

Intangible Assets Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 89
Customer-Related Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 12	$ 147
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	5 years	11 years
Selling and Marketing Expense [Member] | Retail Partner Contracts
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 29	$ 27
Other Expense | Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Excluding Retail Partner Contracts
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 27	$ 18

Deposits - Schedule of Deposit

Deposits - Schedule of Deposit Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Interest-bearing deposits, amount		$ 56,285	$ 56,276
Average Rate Domestic Deposits	[1]	1.80%	1.60%
Non-interest-bearing deposits, amount		$ 285	$ 212
Total deposits		$ 56,570	$ 56,488
[1]	Based on interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017 and average deposits balances.

Deposits - Maturity Schedule (D

Deposits - Maturity Schedule (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
2,018	$ 12,239
2,019	12,209
2,020	3,554
2,021	2,334
2,022	2,442
Thereafter	$ 1,995

Deposits - Narrative (Details)

Deposits - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Billions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Schedule of Deposits [Line Items]
Interest bearing deposits with certificates of $100,000 or more	$ 17.4	$ 16.2
Deposits, Savings Deposits	16.9
Time Deposit, $100,000 or More, Portion That is $250,000 or More	5.8	$ 5.3
Program Arranger
Schedule of Deposits [Line Items]
Broker network deposit sweeps	3.1
Demand deposits
Schedule of Deposits [Line Items]
Demand deposits	$ 18.4

Borrowings - Borrowings Schedul

Borrowings - Borrowings Schedule (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017
Amount
Long-term Debt	[1]	$ 21,015		$ 20,799
Senior unsecured notes
Amount
Unsecured debt	[1]	$ 8,801		8,302
Average rate
Weighted average interest rate		3.48%
Fixed Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Senior unsecured notes
Amount
Unsecured debt	[1]	$ 7,311		7,310
Average rate
Weighted average interest rate		3.59%
Floating Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Senior unsecured notes
Amount
Unsecured debt	[1]	$ 249		250
Average rate
Weighted average interest rate		3.02%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.02%
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Average rate
Weighted average interest rate		2.22%
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	[1]	$ 12,214		12,497
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Fixed Securitized Borrowings [Member]
Average rate
Weighted average interest rate		2.16%
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	[1]	$ 8,064		8,347
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Floating Securitized Borrowings [Member]
Average rate
Weighted average interest rate		2.33%
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	[1]	$ 4,150		4,150
Subsidiaries [Member] | Fixed Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Senior unsecured notes
Amount
Unsecured debt		$ 743	[1]	742
Average rate
Weighted average interest rate		3.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.00%
Subsidiaries [Member] | Floating Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Senior unsecured notes
Amount
Unsecured debt		$ 498		$ 0
Average rate
Weighted average interest rate		2.93%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		2.93%
Minimum [Member] | Fixed Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Senior unsecured notes
Average rate
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		2.60%
Minimum [Member] | Floating Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Senior unsecured notes
Average rate
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
Minimum [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Fixed Securitized Borrowings [Member]
Average rate
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		1.58%
Minimum [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Floating Securitized Borrowings [Member]
Average rate
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		1.97%
Maximum [Member] | Fixed Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Senior unsecured notes
Average rate
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.50%
Maximum [Member] | Floating Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Senior unsecured notes
Average rate
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
Maximum [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Fixed Securitized Borrowings [Member]
Average rate
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.36%
Maximum [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Floating Securitized Borrowings [Member]
Average rate
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		2.82%
[1]	The amounts presented above for outstanding borrowings include unamortized debt premiums, discounts and issuance cost.

Borrowings - Borrowings Maturit

Borrowings - Borrowings Maturity Schedule (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
2,018	$ 1,106
2,019	6,027
2,020	6,483
2,021	2,075
2,022	1,634
Thereafter	$ 3,750

Borrowings - Narrative (Details

Borrowings - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jan. 02, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remaining undrawn capacity		$ 5,500
Senior Notes | Floating Rate Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 500
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Senior Notes | Floating Rate Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.625%
Revolving Credit Facility | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Undrawn capacity		$ 500

Fair Value Measurement - Recurr

Fair Value Measurement - Recurring Fair Value Measurements(Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other assets		$ 2,370	$ 1,620
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other assets	[1]	22	15
Total		6,281	4,488
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other assets	[1]	15	15
Total		15	15
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other assets	[1]	0	0
Total		6,215	4,427
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other assets	[1]	7	0
Total		51	46
U.S. Government and Federal Agency
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		3,352	2,416
U.S. Government and Federal Agency | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		3,352	2,416
U.S. Government and Federal Agency | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		0	0
U.S. Government and Federal Agency | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		3,352	2,416
U.S. Government and Federal Agency | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		0	0
State and municipal
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		42	44
State and municipal | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		42	44
State and municipal | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		0	0
State and municipal | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		0	0
State and municipal | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		42	44
Residential mortgage-backed
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	[2]	1,194	1,231
Residential mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		1,194	1,231
Residential mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		0	0
Residential mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		1,194	1,231
Residential mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		0	0
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	[3]	1,669	780
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		1,669	780
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		0	0
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		1,669	780
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		0	0
Domestic Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		2	2
Domestic Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		2	2
Domestic Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		0	0
Domestic Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		0	0
Domestic Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		$ 2	$ 2
[1]	Other assets primarily relate to equity investments measured at fair value.
[2]	All of our residential mortgage-backed securities have been issued by government-sponsored entities and are collateralized by U.S. mortgages. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $342 million and $344 million, respectively, are pledged by the Bank as collateral to the Federal Reserve to secure Federal Reserve Discount Window advances.
[3]	All of our asset-backed securities are collateralized by credit card loans.

Fair Value Measurement - Fair V

Fair Value Measurement - Fair Value Asset and Liabilities Carried at Other than Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and equivalents		$ 13,044	[1]	$ 11,602
Other assets	[1],[2]	1,130		215
Loan receivables, net		81,169	[3]	85,871
Deposits		56,662		56,754
Carrying Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and equivalents	[1]	13,044		11,602
Other assets	[1],[2]	1,130		215
Loan receivables, net	[3]	72,115		76,373
Deposits		56,570		56,488
Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and equivalents	[1]	13,044		11,602
Other assets	[1],[2]	1,130		215
Loan receivables, net	[3]	0		0
Deposits		0		0
Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and equivalents	[1]	0		0
Other assets	[1],[2]	0		0
Loan receivables, net	[3]	0		0
Deposits		56,662		56,754
Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and equivalents	[1]	0		0
Other assets	[1],[2]	0		0
Loan receivables, net	[3]	81,169		85,871
Deposits		0		0
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities		12,137		12,475
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities		12,214		12,497
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities		0		0
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities		7,986		8,323
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities		4,151		4,152
Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure		8,745		8,471
Senior Notes | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure		8,801		8,302
Senior Notes | Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure		0		0
Senior Notes | Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure		8,745		8,471
Senior Notes | Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure		$ 0		$ 0
[1]	For cash and equivalents and restricted cash and equivalents, carrying value approximates fair value due to the liquid nature and short maturity of these instruments.
[2]	This balance relates to restricted cash and equivalents, which is included in other assets.
[3]	Under certain retail partner program agreements, the expected sales proceeds related to the sale of their credit card portfolio may be limited to the amounts owed by our customers, which may be less than the fair value indicated above.

Regulatory and Capital Adequa57

Regulatory and Capital Adequacy (Capital Amounts and Ratios) (Details) - Basel III - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Capital conservation buffer		1.875%	1.25%
Common equity Tier I capital
Common equity, actual		$ 12,863	$ 12,890
Common equity, actual (percent)	[1]	16.80%	16.00%
Common equity, minimum for capital adequacy purposes		$ 3,443	$ 3,630
Common Equity Tier One Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets	[2]	4.50%	4.50%
Total risk-based capital
Actual		$ 13,878	$ 13,954
Actual (percent)	[1]	18.10%	17.30%
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes		$ 6,121	$ 6,454
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)	[2]	8.00%	8.00%
Tier 1 risk-based capital
Tier One Risk Based Capital		$ 12,863	$ 12,890
Actual (percent)	[1]	16.80%	16.00%
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes		$ 4,591	$ 4,840
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)	[2]	6.00%	6.00%
Tier 1 leverage
Tier One Leverage Capital		$ 12,863	$ 12,890
Actual (percent)	[1]	13.70%	13.80%
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes		$ 3,766	$ 3,724
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)	[2]	4.00%	4.00%
Synchrony Bank
Common equity Tier I capital
Common equity, actual		$ 10,205	$ 9,958
Common equity, actual (percent)	[1]	16.00%	14.90%
Common equity, minimum for capital adequacy purposes		$ 2,864	$ 3,004
Common Equity Tier One Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets	[2]	4.50%	4.50%
Common equity, minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions		$ 4,136	$ 4,339
Common Equity Tier One Capital Required to be Well Capitalized Risk Weighted Assets		6.50%	6.50%
Total risk-based capital
Actual		$ 11,054	$ 10,842
Actual (percent)	[1]	17.40%	16.20%
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes		$ 5,091	$ 5,340
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)	[2]	8.00%	8.00%
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions		$ 6,364	$ 6,675
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions (percent)		10.00%	10.00%
Tier 1 risk-based capital
Tier One Risk Based Capital		$ 10,205	$ 9,958
Actual (percent)	[1]	16.00%	14.90%
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes		$ 3,818	$ 4,005
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)	[2]	6.00%	6.00%
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions		$ 5,091	$ 5,340
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions (percent)		8.00%	8.00%
Tier 1 leverage
Tier One Leverage Capital		$ 10,205	$ 9,958
Actual (percent)	[1]	13.10%	12.90%
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes		$ 3,127	$ 3,083
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)	[2]	4.00%	4.00%
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions		$ 3,909	$ 3,854
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions (percent)		5.00%	5.00%
[1]	Capital ratios are calculated based on the Basel III Standardized Approach rules which, at December 31, 2017, also included applicable transition provisions
[2]	At March 31, 2018 and at December 31, 2017, Synchrony Financial and the Bank also must maintain a capital conservation buffer of common equity Tier 1 capital in excess of minimum risk-based capital ratios by at least 1.875 percentage points and 1.25 percent percentage points, respectively, to avoid limits on capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers and similar employees.

Earnings Per Share - Basic and

Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 640	$ 499
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	763.7	813.1
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	6.6	4
Weighted average common shares outstanding, dilutive (in shares)	770.3	817.1
Earnings per basic common share (in usd per share)	$ 0.84	$ 0.61
Earnings per diluted common share (in usd per share)	$ 0.83	$ 0.61

Earnings Per Share - Narrative

Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount less than	1	1

Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax

Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	24.40%	36.20%
Decrease in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible	$ 51
Unrecognized tax benefits, excluding related interest expense and penalties(a)	218		$ 255
Portion that, if recognized, would reduce tax expense and effective tax rate	179		$ 173
Decrease in Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	$ 40
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	21.00%	35.00%