Synchrony Financial (SYF) 10-Q 25 Oct 19 2019 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Document

Cover Document - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 21, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-36560
Entity Registrant Name	SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	51-0483352
Entity Address, Address Line One	777 Long Ridge Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Stamford,
Entity Address, State or Province	CT
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	06902
City Area Code	203
Local Phone Number	585-2400
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, par value $0.001 per share
Trading Symbol	SYF
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Smaller Reporting Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		646,192,751
Entity Central Index Key	0001601712
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	$ 4,890	$ 4,617	$ 14,213	$ 12,870
Interest on debt securities	91	77	292	242
Total interest income	4,981	4,694	14,505	13,112
Interest expense:
Interest on deposits	411	314	1,183	836
Interest on third-party debt	93	88	274	251
Total interest expense	592	488	1,735	1,327
Net interest income	4,389	4,206	12,770	11,785
Retailer share arrangements	(1,016)	(871)	(2,829)	(2,244)
Provision for loan losses (Note 4)	1,019	1,451	3,076	4,093
Net interest income, after retailer share arrangements and provision for loan losses	2,354	1,884	6,865	5,448
Other income:
Interchange revenue	197	182	556	517
Debt cancellation fees	64	65	201	197
Loyalty programs	(203)	(196)	(562)	(543)
Other	27	12	72	30
Total other income	85	63	267	201
Other expense:
Employee costs	359	365	1,070	1,074
Professional fees	205	232	668	575
Marketing and business development	139	131	397	362
Information processing	127	105	363	308
Other	234	221	668	698
Total other expense	1,064	1,054	3,166	3,017
Earnings before provision for income taxes	1,375	893	3,966	2,632
Provision for income taxes (Note 12)	319	222	950	625
Net earnings	$ 1,056	$ 671	$ 3,016	$ 2,007
Earnings per share
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 1.60	$ 0.91	$ 4.42	$ 2.68
Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 1.60	$ 0.91	$ 4.40	$ 2.66
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	$ 1,400	$ 1,300	$ 3,900	$ 3,700
Interest expense:
Interest on borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	88	86	278	240
Provision for loan losses (Note 4)	$ 184	$ 261	$ 743	$ 1,100

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 1,056	$ 671	$ 3,016	$ 2,007
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Debt securities	3	(5)	35	(29)
Currency translation adjustments	(1)	0	0	(6)
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Tax and Reclassification Adjustment, Attributable to Parent	(3)	(1)	(4)	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1)	(6)	31	(35)
Comprehensive income	$ 1,055	$ 665	$ 3,047	$ 1,972

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Assets
Cash and equivalents	$ 11,461	$ 9,396
Debt securities (Note 3)	4,584	6,062
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	83,207	93,139
Less: Allowance for loan losses	(5,607)	(6,427)
Loan receivables, net	77,600	86,712
Loan receivables held for sale (Note 4)	8,182	0
Goodwill	1,078	1,024
Intangible assets, net (Note 6)	1,177	1,137
Other assets	1,861	2,461
Total assets	105,943	106,792
Deposits: (Note 7)
Interest-bearing deposit accounts	65,677	63,738
Non-interest-bearing deposit accounts	295	281
Total deposits	65,972	64,019
Borrowings: (Notes 5 and 8)
Senior unsecured notes	9,451	9,557
Long-term Debt	20,363	23,996
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	4,488	4,099
Total liabilities	90,823	92,114
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, 2019 and December 31, 2018; 688,837,684 and 718,758,598 shares outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively	1	1
Additional paid-in capital	9,520	9,482
Retained earnings	11,533	8,986
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Debt securities	(2)	(32)
Currency translation adjustments	(28)	(25)
Other	(14)	(5)
Treasury Stock, Value	(5,890)	(3,729)
Total equity	15,120	14,678
Total liabilities and equity	105,943	106,792
Restricted loans of consolidated securitization entities
Assets
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	26,987	28,170
Less: Allowance for loan losses	(1,500)	(1,700)
Loan receivables, net	25,481	26,454
Loan receivables held for sale (Note 4)	1,080	0
Other assets	64	813
Total assets	26,625	27,267
Borrowings: (Notes 5 and 8)
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	10,912	14,439
Total liabilities	10,941	14,475
Unsecuritized Loans Held for Investment [Member]
Assets
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	$ 56,220	$ 64,969

Condensed Consolidated Statem_4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position Statement (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
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	653,656,880	718,758,598
Treasury Stock, Shares	180,327,804	115,226,086

Condensed Consolidated Statem_5

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
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.15
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017		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 ($0.21 per share)	(114)			(114)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018		833,985,000
Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	14,356	$ 1	9,470	7,334	(86)	(2,363)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017		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	2,007
Other comprehensive income	(35)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018		833,985,000
Balance at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 13,996	$ 1	9,470	8,355	(99)	(3,731)
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.15
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018		833,985,000
Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	$ 14,356	$ 1	9,470	7,334	(86)	(2,363)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	696			696
Other comprehensive income	(7)				(7)
Purchases of treasury stock	(491)					(491)
Stock-based compensation (in shares)		0
Stock-based compensation	17		16
Treasury Stock Reissued at Lower than Repurchase Price				(11)
Stock-based compensation, treasury stock issued						12
Dividends - common stock ($0.21 per share)	(113)			(113)
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2018		833,985,000
Balance at Jun. 30, 2018	$ 14,458	$ 1	9,486	7,906	(93)	(2,842)
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.21
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	$ 671			671
Other comprehensive income	(6)				(6)
Purchases of treasury stock	(967)					(967)
Stock-based compensation (in shares)		0
Stock-based compensation	(7)		(16)
Treasury Stock Reissued at Lower than Repurchase Price				(69)
Stock-based compensation, treasury stock issued						78
Dividends - common stock ($0.21 per share)	(156)			(156)
Other	3			3
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018		833,985,000
Balance at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 13,996	$ 1	9,470	8,355	(99)	(3,731)
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.22
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018	833,984,684	833,985,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 14,678	$ 1	9,482	8,986	(62)	(3,729)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	1,107			1,107
Other comprehensive income	19				19
Purchases of treasury stock	(967)					(967)
Stock-based compensation (in shares)		0
Stock-based compensation	22		7
Treasury Stock Reissued at Lower than Repurchase Price				(17)
Stock-based compensation, treasury stock issued						32
Dividends - common stock ($0.21 per share)	(150)			(150)
Other	0			13	(13)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019		833,985,000
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 14,709	$ 1	9,489	9,939	(56)	(4,664)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018	833,984,684	833,985,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 14,678	$ 1	9,482	8,986	(62)	(3,729)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	3,016
Other comprehensive income	$ 31
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019	833,984,684	833,985,000
Balance at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 15,120	$ 1	9,520	11,533	(44)	(5,890)
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.21
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019		833,985,000
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 14,709	$ 1	9,489	9,939	(56)	(4,664)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	853			853
Other comprehensive income	13				13
Purchases of treasury stock	(725)					(725)
Stock-based compensation (in shares)		0
Stock-based compensation	29		11
Treasury Stock Reissued at Lower than Repurchase Price				(20)
Stock-based compensation, treasury stock issued						38
Dividends - common stock ($0.21 per share)	(145)			(145)
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2019		833,985,000
Balance at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 14,734	$ 1	9,500	10,627	(43)	(5,351)
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.22
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	$ 1,056			1,056
Other comprehensive income	(1)				(1)
Purchases of treasury stock	(550)					(550)
Stock-based compensation (in shares)		0
Stock-based compensation	26		20
Treasury Stock Reissued at Lower than Repurchase Price				(5)
Stock-based compensation, treasury stock issued						11
Dividends - common stock ($0.21 per share)	(145)			(145)
Other	$ 0			0
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019	833,984,684	833,985,000
Balance at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 15,120	$ 1	$ 9,520	$ 11,533	$ (44)	$ (5,890)

Condensed Consolidated Statem_6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Cash flows - operating activities
Net earnings	$ 3,016	$ 2,007
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided from operating activities
Provision for loan losses	3,076	4,093
Deferred income taxes	103	(53)
Depreciation and amortization	273	222
(Increase) decrease in interest and fees receivable	(430)	(36)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	46	(39)
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities	125	120
All other operating activities	445	452
Cash provided from (used for) operating activities	6,654	6,766
Cash flows - investing activities
Maturity and sales of debt securities	6,766	3,961
Purchases of debt securities	(5,178)	(6,805)
Payments to Acquire Loans Receivable	72	7,342
Net (increase) decrease in loan receivables, including held for sale	(2,016)	(1,950)
All other investing activities	(442)	(615)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	(942)	(12,751)
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities
Proceeds from issuance of securitized debt	3,345	4,493
Maturities and repayment of securitized debt	(6,877)	(2,807)
Third-party debt
Proceeds from Issuance of Unsecured Debt	1,985	1,244
Repayments of Unsecured Debt	(2,100)	0
Net increase (decrease) in deposits	1,940	5,792
Purchases of treasury stock	(2,242)	(1,868)
Dividends paid on common stock	(440)	(383)
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	22	(32)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	(4,367)	6,439
Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents, including restricted amounts	1,345	454
Cash and equivalents, including restricted amounts, at beginning of period	10,376	11,817
Cash and equivalents	11,461	12,068
Restricted cash and equivalents included in other assets	260	203
Total cash and equivalents, including restricted amounts, at end of period	$ 11,721	$ 12,271

Business Description

Business Description	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Business Description	BUSINESS DESCRIPTION Synchrony Financial (the “Company”) provides a range of credit products through financing 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, 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 . 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 2018 annual consolidated financial statements and the related notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (our "2018 Form 10-K"). New Accounting Standards Newly 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, are now generally identified as financing leases under the new guidance but otherwise their accounting treatment remains relatively unchanged. Leases identified as operating leases generally remain in that category under the new standard, but both a right-of-use asset and a liability for the remaining lease payments are required to be recognized on our statement of financial position. We adopted this guidance retrospectively in the current year as of January 1, 2019, which did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Recently Issued But Not Yet Adopted Accounting Standards 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 permits the use of judgment in determining an approach which is most appropriate for the Company, based on their facts and circumstances. 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. Upon origination of a loan, the estimate of expected credit losses, and any subsequent changes to such estimate, will be recorded through provision for loan losses in our Consolidated Statement of Earnings. 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. We plan to adopt the standard on its effective date, which for us is January 1, 2020. Upon adoption, the amendments in this standard will be recognized through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. We have created a company-wide approach to evaluating the effects of implementing this standard. We continue to test and refine the related estimation models to meet the requirements of the standard and have commenced parallel testing on our core model. We are finalizing the evaluation of key accounting interpretations and methodologies. As we finalize the estimation models and technical decisions, as well as ongoing discussions with our banking regulators, we expect to perform additional parallel tests, including running the full estimation framework prior to adoption. We continue to assess and develop our internal processes and systems, in addition to evaluating the impact on our financial statement disclosures. We expect that the impact of adopting this new standard at the effective date will result in a material increase to the Company’s allowance for loan losses and result in a decrease in regulatory capital. The extent of the impact of the adoption of CECL at the effective date will depend on the size and asset quality of the portfolio, and economic conditions and forecasts at adoption, as well as any refinements to our models, methodology and other assumptions. See Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our 2018 annual consolidated financial statements in our 2018 Form 10-K, for additional information on our significant accounting policies.

Debt Securities

Debt Securities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 (“CRA”). Our debt securities consist of the following: September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 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 $ 1,196 $ — $ — $ 1,196 $ 2,889 $ — $ (1 ) $ 2,888 State and municipal 47 1 (2 ) 46 50 — (2 ) 48 Residential mortgage-backed (a) 1,107 6 (11 ) 1,102 1,180 1 (42 ) 1,139 Asset-backed (b) 2,236 4 — 2,240 1,988 — (3 ) 1,985 U.S. corporate debt — — — — 2 — — 2 Total $ 4,586 $ 11 $ (13 ) $ 4,584 $ 6,109 $ 1 $ (48 ) $ 6,062 _______________________ (a) All of our residential mortgage-backed securities have been issued by government-sponsored entities and are collateralized by U.S. mortgages. At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , $343 million and $313 million of residential mortgage-backed securities, respectively, are pledged by the Bank as collateral to the Federal Reserve to secure Federal Reserve Discount Window advances. (b) All of our asset-backed securities are collateralized by credit card loans. The following table presents the estimated fair values and gross unrealized losses of our available-for-sale debt securities: In loss position for Less than 12 months 12 months or more Gross Gross Estimated unrealized Estimated unrealized ($ in millions) fair value losses fair value losses At September 30, 2019 U.S. government and federal agency $ — $ — $ — $ — State and municipal — — 25 (2 ) Residential mortgage-backed 86 — 662 (11 ) Asset-backed 396 — 10 — Total $ 482 $ — $ 697 $ (13 ) At December 31, 2018 U.S. government and federal agency $ 2,838 $ (1 ) $ — $ — State and municipal 23 (1 ) 8 (1 ) Residential mortgage-backed 102 — 933 (42 ) Asset-backed 1,665 (2 ) 114 (1 ) Total $ 4,628 $ (4 ) $ 1,055 $ (44 ) 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 nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 . Contractual Maturities of Investments in Available-for-Sale Debt Securities Amortized Estimated At September 30, 2019 ($ in millions) cost fair value Due Within one year $ 2,938 $ 2,941 After one year through five years $ 495 $ 496 After five years through ten years $ 133 $ 135 After ten years $ 1,020 $ 1,012 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 nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 . Although we generally do not have the intent to sell any specific securities held at September 30, 2019

Loan Receivables and Allowance

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Receivables [Abstract]
Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses	LOAN RECEIVABLES AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES ($ in millions) September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Credit cards $ 79,788 $ 89,994 Consumer installment loans 2,050 1,845 Commercial credit products 1,317 1,260 Other 52 40 Total loan receivables, before allowance for losses (a)(b) $ 83,207 $ 93,139 _______________________ (a) Total loan receivables include $27.0 billion and $28.2 billion of restricted loans of consolidated securitization entities at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. See Note 5. Variable Interest Entities for further information on these restricted loans. (b) At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , loan receivables included deferred costs, net of deferred income, of $110 million and $105 million , respectively. Loan Receivables Held for Sale During the first quarter of 2019, we entered into an agreement to sell loan receivables associated with our Retail Card program agreement with Walmart. As a result, at September 30, 2019 , $8.2 billion of loan receivables are classified as loan receivables held for sale on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position and we recorded a $522 million reserve release in our provision for loan losses in the first quarter of 2019 following the reclassification of the Walmart portfolio to loan receivables held for sale. At September 30, 2019 , approximately $1.1 billion of the loan receivables held for sale are restricted loans of our consolidated securitization entities. See Note 5. Variable Interest Entities for further information. On October 11, 2019, we completed our sale of $8.2 billion of loan receivables associated with our Retail Card program agreement with Walmart. Allowance for Loan Losses ($ in millions) Balance at July 1, 2019 Provision charged to operations Gross charge-offs Recoveries Balance at Credit cards $ 5,702 $ 993 $ (1,422 ) $ 225 $ 5,498 Consumer installment loans 50 18 (16 ) 4 56 Commercial credit products 55 9 (14 ) 2 52 Other 2 (1 ) — — 1 Total $ 5,809 $ 1,019 $ (1,452 ) $ 231 $ 5,607 ($ in millions) Balance at July 1, 2018 Provision charged to operations Gross charge-offs Recoveries Balance at Credit cards $ 5,757 $ 1,427 $ (1,269 ) $ 202 $ 6,117 Consumer installment loans 51 9 (13 ) 4 51 Commercial credit products 50 15 (13 ) 2 54 Other 1 — — — 1 Total $ 5,859 $ 1,451 $ (1,295 ) $ 208 $ 6,223 ($ in millions) Balance at January 1, 2019 Provision charged to operations Gross charge-offs Recoveries Balance at Credit cards $ 6,327 $ 2,994 $ (4,584 ) $ 761 $ 5,498 Consumer installment loans 44 46 (47 ) 13 56 Commercial credit products 55 35 (43 ) 5 52 Other 1 1 (1 ) — 1 Total $ 6,427 $ 3,076 $ (4,675 ) $ 779 $ 5,607 ($ in millions) Balance at January 1, 2018 Provision charged to operations Gross charge-offs Recoveries Balance at Credit cards $ 5,483 $ 4,016 $ (4,016 ) $ 634 $ 6,117 Consumer installment loans 40 39 (40 ) 12 51 Commercial credit products 50 38 (39 ) 5 54 Other 1 — — — 1 Total $ 5,574 $ 4,093 $ (4,095 ) $ 651 $ 6,223 Delinquent and Non-accrual Loans At September 30, 2019 ($ in millions) 30-89 days delinquent 90 or more days delinquent Total past due 90 or more days delinquent and accruing Total non-accruing (a) Credit cards $ 1,935 $ 1,703 $ 3,638 $ 1,700 $ — Consumer installment loans 29 5 34 — 5 Commercial credit products 36 15 51 15 — Total delinquent loans $ 2,000 $ 1,723 $ 3,723 $ 1,715 $ 5 Percentage of total loan receivables 2.4 % 2.1 % 4.5 % 2.1 % — % At December 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 (a) Credit cards $ 2,229 $ 2,113 $ 4,342 $ 2,099 $ — Consumer installment loans 28 5 33 — 5 Commercial credit products 38 17 55 17 — Total delinquent loans $ 2,295 $ 2,135 $ 4,430 $ 2,116 $ 5 Percentage of total loan receivables 2.5 % 2.3 % 4.8 % 2.3 % 0.1 % _______________________ (a) Excludes purchase credit impaired loan receivables. 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. Our TDR loans do not include loans that are classified as loan receivables held for sale. 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 September 30, Nine months ended September 30, ($ in millions) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Credit cards $ 226 $ 227 $ 633 $ 644 Consumer installment loans — — — — Commercial credit products 1 1 3 3 Total $ 227 $ 228 $ 636 $ 647 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 September 30, 2019 ($ in millions) Total recorded investment Related allowance Net recorded investment Unpaid principal balance Credit cards $ 1,088 $ (513 ) $ 575 $ 985 Consumer installment loans — — — — Commercial credit products 4 (2 ) 2 4 Total $ 1,092 $ (515 ) $ 577 $ 989 At December 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Total recorded investment Related allowance Net recorded investment Unpaid principal balance Credit cards $ 1,203 $ (546 ) $ 657 $ 1,086 Consumer installment loans — — — — Commercial credit products 4 (2 ) 2 4 Total $ 1,207 $ (548 ) $ 659 $ 1,090 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 September 30, 2019 2018 ($ 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 $ 11 $ 67 $ 1,074 $ 13 $ 67 $ 1,122 Consumer installment loans — — — — — — Commercial credit products — 1 4 — 1 5 Total $ 11 $ 68 $ 1,078 $ 13 $ 68 $ 1,127 Nine months ended September 30, 2019 2018 ($ 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 $ 33 $ 197 $ 1,103 $ 37 $ 194 $ 1,089 Consumer installment loans — — — — — — Commercial credit products — 1 4 — 1 5 Total $ 33 $ 198 $ 1,107 $ 37 $ 195 $ 1,094 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 September 30, 2019 2018 ($ in millions) Accounts defaulted Loans defaulted Accounts defaulted Loans defaulted Credit cards 15,059 $ 37 18,719 $ 43 Consumer installment loans — — — — Commercial credit products 40 — 74 — Total 15,099 $ 37 18,793 $ 43 Nine months ended September 30, 2019 2018 ($ in millions) Accounts defaulted Loans defaulted Accounts defaulted Loans defaulted Credit cards 36,529 $ 88 43,361 $ 101 Consumer installment loans — — — — Commercial credit products 80 1 340 1 Total 36,609 $ 89 43,701 $ 102 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 September 30, 2019 , December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018 , respectively, as a percentage of each class of loan receivable. The table below excludes 0.9% , 0.5% and 0.5% of our total loan receivables balance at each of September 30, 2019 , December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018 , respectively, which represents those customer accounts for which a FICO score is not available. September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 September 30, 2018 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 75 % 19 % 6 % 74 % 18 % 8 % 74 % 18 % 8 % Consumer installment loans 80 % 14 % 6 % 80 % 14 % 6 % 81 % 14 % 5 % Commercial credit products 91 % 5 % 4 % 90 % 5 % 5 % 91 % 5 % 4 % 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 $435 billion and $418 billion at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. While these amounts represented the total available unused credit card lines, we have not experienced and do not anticipate that all of our customers will access their entire available line at any given point in time. Interest Income by Product The following table provides additional information about our interest and fees on loans, including merchant discounts, from our loan receivables, including held for sale: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, ($ in millions) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Credit cards $ 4,807 $ 4,538 $ 13,975 $ 12,647 Consumer installment loans 48 41 134 114 Commercial credit products 35 37 103 107 Other — 1 1 2 Total $ 4,890 $ 4,617 $ 14,213 $ 12,870

Variable Interest Entities

Variable Interest Entities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 . 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 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) September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Assets Loan receivables, net (a) $ 25,481 $ 26,454 Loan receivables held for sale 1,080 — Other assets (b) 64 813 Total $ 26,625 $ 27,267 Liabilities Borrowings $ 10,912 $ 14,439 Other liabilities 29 36 Total $ 10,941 $ 14,475 _______________________ (a) Includes $1.5 billion and $1.7 billion of related allowance for loan losses resulting in gross restricted loans of $27.0 billion and $28.2 billion at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. (b) Includes $58 million and $803 million of segregated funds held by the VIEs at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , 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 $1.4 billion and $1.3 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Related expenses consisted primarily of provision for loan losses of $184 million and $261 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, and interest expense of $88 million and $86 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Income (principally, interest and fees on loans) earned by our consolidated VIEs was $3.9 billion and $3.7 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Related expenses consisted primarily of provision for loan losses of $743 million and $1.1 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, and interest expense of $278 million and $240 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	INTANGIBLE ASSETS September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net Customer-related $ 1,752 $ (918 ) $ 834 $ 1,630 $ (803 ) $ 827 Capitalized software and other 699 (356 ) 343 562 (252 ) 310 Total $ 2,451 $ (1,274 ) $ 1,177 $ 2,192 $ (1,055 ) $ 1,137 During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 , we recorded additions to intangible assets subject to amortization of $264 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 nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 , we recorded additions to customer-related intangible assets subject to amortization of $123 million and $342 million , respectively, primarily related to payments made to extend certain retail partner relationships. These additions had a weighted average amortizable life of 7 years and 9 years for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 . Amortization expense related to retail partner contracts was $34 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, and $100 million and $92 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 , 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 $44 million and $29 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, and $123 million and $84 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, and is included as a component of other expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Deposits

Deposits	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Deposits	DEPOSITS September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Amount Average rate (a) Amount Average rate (a) Interest-bearing deposits $ 65,677 2.5 % $ 63,738 2.0 % Non-interest-bearing deposits 295 — 281 — Total deposits $ 65,972 $ 64,019 ____________________ (a) Based on interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018 and average deposits balances. At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , interest-bearing deposits included $22.1 billion and $20.2 billion of certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more, respectively. Of the total certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more, $7.7 billion and $6.9 billion were certificates of deposit of $250,000 or more at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. At September 30, 2019 , our interest-bearing time deposits maturing for the remainder of 2019 and over the next four years and thereafter were as follows: ($ in millions) 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Thereafter Deposits $ 5,426 $ 25,927 $ 4,976 $ 2,977 $ 1,310 $ 2,426 The above maturity table excludes $19.0 billion of demand deposits with no defined maturity, of which $17.9 billion are savings accounts. In addition, at September 30, 2019 , we had $3.7 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 2020 and 2025 .

Borrowings

Borrowings	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Borrowings	BORROWINGS September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Maturity date Interest Rate Weighted average interest rate Outstanding Amount (a) Outstanding Amount (a) Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities: Fixed securitized borrowings 2020 - 2023 1.93% - 3.87% 2.71 % $ 7,512 $ 8,664 Floating securitized borrowings 2020 - 2022 2.62% - 3.33% 2.80 % 3,400 5,775 Total borrowings of consolidated securitization entities 2.74 % 10,912 14,439 Senior unsecured notes: Synchrony Financial senior unsecured notes: Fixed senior unsecured notes 2020 - 2029 2.70% - 5.15% 3.94 % 7,210 7,318 Floating senior unsecured notes 2020 3.52 % 3.52 % 250 250 Synchrony Bank senior unsecured notes: Fixed senior unsecured notes 2021 - 2022 3.00% - 3.65% 3.33 % 1,491 1,490 Floating senior unsecured notes 2020 2.73 % 2.73 % 500 499 Total senior unsecured notes 3.77 % 9,451 9,557 Total borrowings $ 20,363 $ 23,996 ___________________ (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 2019 and over the next four years and thereafter: ($ in millions) 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Thereafter Borrowings $ — $ 4,708 $ 5,659 $ 4,350 $ 707 $ 5,000 Senior Unsecured Notes 2019 Issuances ($ in millions): Synchrony Financial Issuance Date Principal Amount Maturity Interest Rate March 2019 $ 600 2024 4.375 % March 2019 $ 650 2029 5.150 % July 2019 $ 750 2022 2.850 % Credit Facilities As additional sources of liquidity, we have undrawn committed capacity under credit facilities, primarily related to our securitization programs. At September 30, 2019 , we had an aggregate of $6.0 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

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 2018 annual consolidated financial statements in our 2018 Form 10-K. The following tables present our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Recurring Fair Value Measurements At September 30, 2019 ($ in millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (a) Assets Debt securities U.S. Government and Federal Agency $ — $ 1,196 $ — $ 1,196 State and municipal — — 46 46 Residential mortgage-backed — 1,102 — 1,102 Asset-backed — 2,240 — 2,240 Other assets (b) 15 — 17 32 Total $ 15 $ 4,538 $ 63 $ 4,616 Liabilities Contingent consideration — — 19 19 Total $ — $ — $ 19 $ 19 At December 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Assets Debt securities U.S. Government and Federal Agency $ — $ 2,888 $ — $ 2,888 State and municipal — — 48 48 Residential mortgage-backed — 1,139 — 1,139 Asset-backed — 1,985 — 1,985 U.S. corporate debt — — 2 2 Other assets (b) 15 — 13 28 Total $ 15 $ 6,012 $ 63 $ 6,090 Liabilities Contingent consideration — — 26 26 Total $ — $ — $ 26 $ 26 _______________________ (a) For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 , there were no fair value measurements transferred between levels. (b) Other assets primarily relate to equity investments measured at fair value. Level 3 Fair Value Measurements 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, CRA investments, which are valued using net asset values, as well as contingent consideration obligations. See Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 9. Fair Value Measurements in our 2018 annual consolidated financial statements in our 2018 Form 10-K for a description of our process to evaluate third-party pricing servicers and a description of our contingent consideration and compensation arrangements, respectively. 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 and liabilities that are measured on a recurring basis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 were not material. Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Other Than Fair Value Carrying Corresponding fair value amount At September 30, 2019 ($ 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) $ 11,461 $ 11,461 $ 8,727 $ 2,734 $ — Other assets (a)(b) $ 260 $ 260 $ 260 $ — $ — Financial assets carried at other than fair value: Loan receivables, net (c) $ 77,600 $ 86,753 $ — $ — $ 86,753 Loan receivables held for sale (c) $ 8,182 $ 8,182 $ — $ — $ 8,182 Financial Liabilities Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value: Deposits $ 65,972 $ 66,358 $ — $ 66,358 $ — Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities $ 10,912 $ 11,026 $ — $ 7,627 $ 3,399 Senior unsecured notes $ 9,451 $ 9,835 $ — $ 9,835 $ — Carrying Corresponding fair value amount At December 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) $ 9,396 $ 9,396 $ 9,396 $ — $ — Other assets (a)(b) $ 980 $ 980 $ 980 $ — $ — Financial assets carried at other than fair value: Loan receivables, net (c) $ 86,712 $ 95,305 $ — $ — $ 95,305 Financial Liabilities Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value: Deposits $ 64,019 $ 63,942 $ — $ 63,942 $ — Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities $ 14,439 $ 14,400 $ — $ 8,626 $ 5,774 Senior unsecured notes $ 9,557 $ 9,062 $ — $ 9,062 $ — _______________________ (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. Cash equivalents classified as Level 2 represent U.S. Government and Federal Agency debt securities with original maturities or of three months or less or acquired within 3 months or less of their maturity. (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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 tables 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 September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , Synchrony Financial met all applicable requirements to be deemed well-capitalized pursuant to Federal Reserve Board regulations. At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , 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 September 30, 2019 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 September 30, 2019 ($ in millions) Actual Minimum for capital adequacy purposes Amount Ratio (a) Amount Ratio (b) Total risk-based capital $ 14,345 15.8 % $ 7,262 8.0 % Tier 1 risk-based capital $ 13,155 14.5 % $ 5,446 6.0 % Tier 1 leverage $ 13,155 12.6 % $ 4,178 4.0 % Common equity Tier 1 Capital $ 13,155 14.5 % $ 4,085 4.5 % At December 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Actual Minimum for capital adequacy purposes Amount Ratio (a) Amount Ratio (b) Total risk-based capital $ 14,013 15.3 % $ 7,339 8.0 % Tier 1 risk-based capital $ 12,801 14.0 % $ 5,505 6.0 % Tier 1 leverage $ 12,801 12.3 % $ 4,157 4.0 % Common equity Tier 1 Capital $ 12,801 14.0 % $ 4,128 4.5 % Synchrony Bank At September 30, 2019 ($ 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 $ 12,504 15.9 % $ 6,295 8.0 % $ 7,868 10.0 % Tier 1 risk-based capital $ 11,470 14.6 % $ 4,721 6.0 % $ 6,295 8.0 % Tier 1 leverage $ 11,470 12.7 % $ 3,604 4.0 % $ 4,505 5.0 % Common equity Tier I capital $ 11,470 14.6 % $ 3,541 4.5 % $ 5,114 6.5 % At December 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 $ 12,258 15.4 % $ 6,348 8.0 % $ 7,934 10.0 % Tier 1 risk-based capital $ 11,207 14.1 % $ 4,761 6.0 % $ 6,348 8.0 % Tier 1 leverage $ 11,207 12.4 % $ 3,612 4.0 % $ 4,515 5.0 % Common equity Tier I capital $ 11,207 14.1 % $ 3,570 4.5 % $ 5,157 6.5 % _______________________ (a) Capital ratios are calculated based on the Basel III Standardized Approach rules. (b) At September 30, 2019 and at December 31, 2018 , 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 2.5 percent age points and 1.875 percentage points, respectively, to avoid limits on capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers and similar employees.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 September 30, Nine months ended September 30, (in millions, except per share data) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Net earnings $ 1,056 $ 671 $ 3,016 $ 2,007 Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic 658.3 734.9 682.5 750.2 Effect of dilutive securities 3.4 3.9 3.1 5.5 Weighted average common shares outstanding, dilutive 661.7 738.8 685.6 755.7 Earnings per basic common share $ 1.60 $ 0.91 $ 4.42 $ 2.68 Earnings per diluted common share $ 1.60 $ 0.91 $ 4.40 $ 2.66 We have issued certain stock-based awards under the Synchrony Financial 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan. A total of 3 million and 5 million shares for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, and 4 million and 3 million shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	INCOME TAXES Unrecognized Tax Benefits ($ in millions) September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Unrecognized tax benefits, excluding related interest expense and penalties (a) $ 270 $ 251 Portion that, if recognized, would reduce tax expense and effective tax rate (b) $ 193 $ 164 ____________________ (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 establish a liability that represents the difference between a tax position taken (or expected to be taken) on an income tax return and the amount of taxes recognized in our financial statements. The liability associated with the unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically when new information becomes available. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits that is reasonably possible to be resolved in the next twelve months is expected to be $70 million , of which $27 million , if recognized, would reduce the Company's tax expense and effective tax rate. For periods prior to separation from GE, we filed tax returns on a consolidated basis with GE and 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 2014 to 2015. In addition to the audits of GE's tax returns, we are under examination in various states going back to 2011. 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.

Legal Proceedings and Regulator

Legal Proceedings and Regulatory Matters	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 March 4, 2019, on plaintiff’s motion for reconsideration, the District Court vacated its decision reversing the Bankruptcy Court and affirmed the Bankruptcy Court’s decision denying the Bank’s motion to compel arbitration. 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. On November 2, 2018, a putative class action lawsuit, Retail Wholesale Department Store Union Local 338 Retirement Fund v. Synchrony Financial, et al. , was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, naming as defendants the Company and two of its officers. The lawsuit asserts violations of the Exchange Act for allegedly making materially misleading statements and/or omitting material information concerning the Company’s underwriting practices and private-label card business, and was filed on behalf of a putative class of persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company’s common stock between October 21, 2016 and November 1, 2018. The complaint seeks an award of unspecified compensatory damages, costs and expenses. On February 5, 2019, the court appointed Stichting Depositary APG Developed Markets Equity Pool as lead plaintiff for the putative class. On April 5, 2019, an amended complaint was filed, asserting a new claim for violations of the Securities Act in connection with statements in the offering materials for the Company’s December 1, 2017 note offering. The Securities Act claims are filed on behalf of persons who purchased or otherwise acquired Company bonds in or traceable to the December 1, 2017 note offering between December 1, 2017 and November 1, 2018. The amended complaint names as additional defendants two additional Company officers, the Company’s board of directors, and the underwriters of the December 1, 2017 note offering. The amended complaint is captioned Stichting Depositary APG Developed Markets Equity Pool and Stichting Depositary APG Fixed Income Credit Pool v. Synchrony Financial et al. On January 28, 2019, a purported shareholder derivative action, Gilbert v. Keane, et al. , was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut against the Company as a nominal defendant, and certain of the Company’s officers and directors. The lawsuit alleges breach of fiduciary duty claims based on the allegations raised by the plaintiff in the Stichting Depositar APG class action, unjust enrichment, waste of corporate assets, and that the defendants made materially misleading statements and/or omitted material information in violation of the Exchange Act. The complaint seeks a declaration that the defendants breached and/or aided and abetted the breach of their fiduciary duties to the Company, unspecified monetary damages with interest, restitution, a direction that the defendants take all necessary actions to reform and improve corporate governance and internal procedures, and attorneys’ and experts’ fees. On March 11, 2019, a second purported shareholder derivative action, Aldridge v. Keane, et al. , was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. The allegations in the Aldridge complaint are substantially similar to those in the Gilbert complaint.

Basis of Presentation and Sum_2

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 .
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 2018 annual consolidated financial statements and the related notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (our "2018 Form 10-K").
New Accounting Standards	New Accounting Standards Newly 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, are now generally identified as financing leases under the new guidance but otherwise their accounting treatment remains relatively unchanged. Leases identified as operating leases generally remain in that category under the new standard, but both a right-of-use asset and a liability for the remaining lease payments are required to be recognized on our statement of financial position. We adopted this guidance retrospectively in the current year as of January 1, 2019, which did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Recently Issued But Not Yet Adopted Accounting Standards 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 permits the use of judgment in determining an approach which is most appropriate for the Company, based on their facts and circumstances. 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. Upon origination of a loan, the estimate of expected credit losses, and any subsequent changes to such estimate, will be recorded through provision for loan losses in our Consolidated Statement of Earnings. 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. We plan to adopt the standard on its effective date, which for us is January 1, 2020. Upon adoption, the amendments in this standard will be recognized through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. We have created a company-wide approach to evaluating the effects of implementing this standard. We continue to test and refine the related estimation models to meet the requirements of the standard and have commenced parallel testing on our core model. We are finalizing the evaluation of key accounting interpretations and methodologies. As we finalize the estimation models and technical decisions, as well as ongoing discussions with our banking regulators, we expect to perform additional parallel tests, including running the full estimation framework prior to adoption. We continue to assess and develop our internal processes and systems, in addition to evaluating the impact on our financial statement disclosures. We expect that the impact of adopting this new standard at the effective date will result in a material increase to the Company’s allowance for loan losses and result in a decrease in regulatory capital. The extent of the impact of the adoption of CECL at the effective date will depend on the size and asset quality of the portfolio, and economic conditions and forecasts at adoption, as well as any refinements to our models, methodology and other assumptions. See Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our 2018 annual consolidated financial statements in our 2018 Form 10-K, for additional information on our significant accounting policies.

Debt Securities (Tables)

Debt Securities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation	Our debt securities consist of the following: September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 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 $ 1,196 $ — $ — $ 1,196 $ 2,889 $ — $ (1 ) $ 2,888 State and municipal 47 1 (2 ) 46 50 — (2 ) 48 Residential mortgage-backed (a) 1,107 6 (11 ) 1,102 1,180 1 (42 ) 1,139 Asset-backed (b) 2,236 4 — 2,240 1,988 — (3 ) 1,985 U.S. corporate debt — — — — 2 — — 2 Total $ 4,586 $ 11 $ (13 ) $ 4,584 $ 6,109 $ 1 $ (48 ) $ 6,062 _______________________ (a) All of our residential mortgage-backed securities have been issued by government-sponsored entities and are collateralized by U.S. mortgages. At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , $343 million and $313 million of residential mortgage-backed securities, respectively, are pledged by the Bank as collateral to the Federal Reserve to secure Federal Reserve Discount Window advances. (b) All of our asset-backed securities are collateralized by credit card loans.
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Loss Position, Fair Value	The following table presents the estimated fair values and gross unrealized losses of our available-for-sale debt securities: In loss position for Less than 12 months 12 months or more Gross Gross Estimated unrealized Estimated unrealized ($ in millions) fair value losses fair value losses At September 30, 2019 U.S. government and federal agency $ — $ — $ — $ — State and municipal — — 25 (2 ) Residential mortgage-backed 86 — 662 (11 ) Asset-backed 396 — 10 — Total $ 482 $ — $ 697 $ (13 ) At December 31, 2018 U.S. government and federal agency $ 2,838 $ (1 ) $ — $ — State and municipal 23 (1 ) 8 (1 ) Residential mortgage-backed 102 — 933 (42 ) Asset-backed 1,665 (2 ) 114 (1 ) Total $ 4,628 $ (4 ) $ 1,055 $ (44 )
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	Contractual Maturities of Investments in Available-for-Sale Debt Securities Amortized Estimated At September 30, 2019 ($ in millions) cost fair value Due Within one year $ 2,938 $ 2,941 After one year through five years $ 495 $ 496 After five years through ten years $ 133 $ 135 After ten years $ 1,020 $ 1,012

Loan Receivables and Allowanc_2

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	($ in millions) September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Credit cards $ 79,788 $ 89,994 Consumer installment loans 2,050 1,845 Commercial credit products 1,317 1,260 Other 52 40 Total loan receivables, before allowance for losses (a)(b) $ 83,207 $ 93,139 _______________________ (a) Total loan receivables include $27.0 billion and $28.2 billion of restricted loans of consolidated securitization entities at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. See Note 5. Variable Interest Entities for further information on these restricted loans. (b) At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , loan receivables included deferred costs, net of deferred income, of $110 million and $105 million , respectively.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables	Allowance for Loan Losses ($ in millions) Balance at July 1, 2019 Provision charged to operations Gross charge-offs Recoveries Balance at Credit cards $ 5,702 $ 993 $ (1,422 ) $ 225 $ 5,498 Consumer installment loans 50 18 (16 ) 4 56 Commercial credit products 55 9 (14 ) 2 52 Other 2 (1 ) — — 1 Total $ 5,809 $ 1,019 $ (1,452 ) $ 231 $ 5,607 ($ in millions) Balance at July 1, 2018 Provision charged to operations Gross charge-offs Recoveries Balance at Credit cards $ 5,757 $ 1,427 $ (1,269 ) $ 202 $ 6,117 Consumer installment loans 51 9 (13 ) 4 51 Commercial credit products 50 15 (13 ) 2 54 Other 1 — — — 1 Total $ 5,859 $ 1,451 $ (1,295 ) $ 208 $ 6,223 ($ in millions) Balance at January 1, 2019 Provision charged to operations Gross charge-offs Recoveries Balance at Credit cards $ 6,327 $ 2,994 $ (4,584 ) $ 761 $ 5,498 Consumer installment loans 44 46 (47 ) 13 56 Commercial credit products 55 35 (43 ) 5 52 Other 1 1 (1 ) — 1 Total $ 6,427 $ 3,076 $ (4,675 ) $ 779 $ 5,607 ($ in millions) Balance at January 1, 2018 Provision charged to operations Gross charge-offs Recoveries Balance at Credit cards $ 5,483 $ 4,016 $ (4,016 ) $ 634 $ 6,117 Consumer installment loans 40 39 (40 ) 12 51 Commercial credit products 50 38 (39 ) 5 54 Other 1 — — — 1 Total $ 5,574 $ 4,093 $ (4,095 ) $ 651 $ 6,223
Past Due Financing Receivables	Delinquent and Non-accrual Loans At September 30, 2019 ($ in millions) 30-89 days delinquent 90 or more days delinquent Total past due 90 or more days delinquent and accruing Total non-accruing (a) Credit cards $ 1,935 $ 1,703 $ 3,638 $ 1,700 $ — Consumer installment loans 29 5 34 — 5 Commercial credit products 36 15 51 15 — Total delinquent loans $ 2,000 $ 1,723 $ 3,723 $ 1,715 $ 5 Percentage of total loan receivables 2.4 % 2.1 % 4.5 % 2.1 % — % At December 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 (a) Credit cards $ 2,229 $ 2,113 $ 4,342 $ 2,099 $ — Consumer installment loans 28 5 33 — 5 Commercial credit products 38 17 55 17 — Total delinquent loans $ 2,295 $ 2,135 $ 4,430 $ 2,116 $ 5 Percentage of total loan receivables 2.5 % 2.3 % 4.8 % 2.3 % 0.1 %
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 September 30, Nine months ended September 30, ($ in millions) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Credit cards $ 226 $ 227 $ 633 $ 644 Consumer installment loans — — — — Commercial credit products 1 1 3 3 Total $ 227 $ 228 $ 636 $ 647
Impaired Financing Receivables	The following table presents the types and financial effects of loans modified and accounted for as TDRs during the periods presented: Three months ended September 30, 2019 2018 ($ 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 $ 11 $ 67 $ 1,074 $ 13 $ 67 $ 1,122 Consumer installment loans — — — — — — Commercial credit products — 1 4 — 1 5 Total $ 11 $ 68 $ 1,078 $ 13 $ 68 $ 1,127 Nine months ended September 30, 2019 2018 ($ 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 $ 33 $ 197 $ 1,103 $ 37 $ 194 $ 1,089 Consumer installment loans — — — — — — Commercial credit products — 1 4 — 1 5 Total $ 33 $ 198 $ 1,107 $ 37 $ 195 $ 1,094 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 September 30, 2019 ($ in millions) Total recorded investment Related allowance Net recorded investment Unpaid principal balance Credit cards $ 1,088 $ (513 ) $ 575 $ 985 Consumer installment loans — — — — Commercial credit products 4 (2 ) 2 4 Total $ 1,092 $ (515 ) $ 577 $ 989 At December 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Total recorded investment Related allowance Net recorded investment Unpaid principal balance Credit cards $ 1,203 $ (546 ) $ 657 $ 1,086 Consumer installment loans — — — — Commercial credit products 4 (2 ) 2 4 Total $ 1,207 $ (548 ) $ 659 $ 1,090
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 September 30, 2019 2018 ($ in millions) Accounts defaulted Loans defaulted Accounts defaulted Loans defaulted Credit cards 15,059 $ 37 18,719 $ 43 Consumer installment loans — — — — Commercial credit products 40 — 74 — Total 15,099 $ 37 18,793 $ 43 Nine months ended September 30, 2019 2018 ($ in millions) Accounts defaulted Loans defaulted Accounts defaulted Loans defaulted Credit cards 36,529 $ 88 43,361 $ 101 Consumer installment loans — — — — Commercial credit products 80 1 340 1 Total 36,609 $ 89 43,701 $ 102
Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators	The following table provides the most recent FICO scores available for our customers at September 30, 2019 , December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018 , respectively, as a percentage of each class of loan receivable. The table below excludes 0.9% , 0.5% and 0.5% of our total loan receivables balance at each of September 30, 2019 , December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018 , respectively, which represents those customer accounts for which a FICO score is not available. September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 September 30, 2018 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 75 % 19 % 6 % 74 % 18 % 8 % 74 % 18 % 8 % Consumer installment loans 80 % 14 % 6 % 80 % 14 % 6 % 81 % 14 % 5 % Commercial credit products 91 % 5 % 4 % 90 % 5 % 5 % 91 % 5 % 4 %
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 September 30, Nine months ended September 30, ($ in millions) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Credit cards $ 4,807 $ 4,538 $ 13,975 $ 12,647 Consumer installment loans 48 41 134 114 Commercial credit products 35 37 103 107 Other — 1 1 2 Total $ 4,890 $ 4,617 $ 14,213 $ 12,870

Variable Interest Entities (Tab

Variable Interest Entities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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) September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Assets Loan receivables, net (a) $ 25,481 $ 26,454 Loan receivables held for sale 1,080 — Other assets (b) 64 813 Total $ 26,625 $ 27,267 Liabilities Borrowings $ 10,912 $ 14,439 Other liabilities 29 36 Total $ 10,941 $ 14,475 _______________________ (a) Includes $1.5 billion and $1.7 billion of related allowance for loan losses resulting in gross restricted loans of $27.0 billion and $28.2 billion at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. (b) Includes $58 million and $803 million of segregated funds held by the VIEs at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net Customer-related $ 1,752 $ (918 ) $ 834 $ 1,630 $ (803 ) $ 827 Capitalized software and other 699 (356 ) 343 562 (252 ) 310 Total $ 2,451 $ (1,274 ) $ 1,177 $ 2,192 $ (1,055 ) $ 1,137

Deposits (Tables)

Deposits (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Schedule of Deposit Liabilities	September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Amount Average rate (a) Amount Average rate (a) Interest-bearing deposits $ 65,677 2.5 % $ 63,738 2.0 % Non-interest-bearing deposits 295 — 281 — Total deposits $ 65,972 $ 64,019 ____________________ (a) Based on interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018 and average deposits balances.
Schedule of Maturities of Deposit Liabilities	At September 30, 2019 , our interest-bearing time deposits maturing for the remainder of 2019 and over the next four years and thereafter were as follows: ($ in millions) 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Thereafter Deposits $ 5,426 $ 25,927 $ 4,976 $ 2,977 $ 1,310 $ 2,426

Borrowings (Tables)

Borrowings (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Maturity date Interest Rate Weighted average interest rate Outstanding Amount (a) Outstanding Amount (a) Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities: Fixed securitized borrowings 2020 - 2023 1.93% - 3.87% 2.71 % $ 7,512 $ 8,664 Floating securitized borrowings 2020 - 2022 2.62% - 3.33% 2.80 % 3,400 5,775 Total borrowings of consolidated securitization entities 2.74 % 10,912 14,439 Senior unsecured notes: Synchrony Financial senior unsecured notes: Fixed senior unsecured notes 2020 - 2029 2.70% - 5.15% 3.94 % 7,210 7,318 Floating senior unsecured notes 2020 3.52 % 3.52 % 250 250 Synchrony Bank senior unsecured notes: Fixed senior unsecured notes 2021 - 2022 3.00% - 3.65% 3.33 % 1,491 1,490 Floating senior unsecured notes 2020 2.73 % 2.73 % 500 499 Total senior unsecured notes 3.77 % 9,451 9,557 Total borrowings $ 20,363 $ 23,996 ___________________ (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 2019 and over the next four years and thereafter: ($ in millions) 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Thereafter Borrowings $ — $ 4,708 $ 5,659 $ 4,350 $ 707 $ 5,000

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis	At September 30, 2019 ($ in millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (a) Assets Debt securities U.S. Government and Federal Agency $ — $ 1,196 $ — $ 1,196 State and municipal — — 46 46 Residential mortgage-backed — 1,102 — 1,102 Asset-backed — 2,240 — 2,240 Other assets (b) 15 — 17 32 Total $ 15 $ 4,538 $ 63 $ 4,616 Liabilities Contingent consideration — — 19 19 Total $ — $ — $ 19 $ 19 At December 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Assets Debt securities U.S. Government and Federal Agency $ — $ 2,888 $ — $ 2,888 State and municipal — — 48 48 Residential mortgage-backed — 1,139 — 1,139 Asset-backed — 1,985 — 1,985 U.S. corporate debt — — 2 2 Other assets (b) 15 — 13 28 Total $ 15 $ 6,012 $ 63 $ 6,090 Liabilities Contingent consideration — — 26 26 Total $ — $ — $ 26 $ 26 _______________________ (a) For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 , there were no fair value measurements transferred between levels. (b) Other assets primarily relate to equity investments measured at fair value.
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Other Than Fair Value Carrying Corresponding fair value amount At September 30, 2019 ($ 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) $ 11,461 $ 11,461 $ 8,727 $ 2,734 $ — Other assets (a)(b) $ 260 $ 260 $ 260 $ — $ — Financial assets carried at other than fair value: Loan receivables, net (c) $ 77,600 $ 86,753 $ — $ — $ 86,753 Loan receivables held for sale (c) $ 8,182 $ 8,182 $ — $ — $ 8,182 Financial Liabilities Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value: Deposits $ 65,972 $ 66,358 $ — $ 66,358 $ — Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities $ 10,912 $ 11,026 $ — $ 7,627 $ 3,399 Senior unsecured notes $ 9,451 $ 9,835 $ — $ 9,835 $ — Carrying Corresponding fair value amount At December 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) $ 9,396 $ 9,396 $ 9,396 $ — $ — Other assets (a)(b) $ 980 $ 980 $ 980 $ — $ — Financial assets carried at other than fair value: Loan receivables, net (c) $ 86,712 $ 95,305 $ — $ — $ 95,305 Financial Liabilities Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value: Deposits $ 64,019 $ 63,942 $ — $ 63,942 $ — Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities $ 14,439 $ 14,400 $ — $ 8,626 $ 5,774 Senior unsecured notes $ 9,557 $ 9,062 $ — $ 9,062 $ — _______________________ (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. Cash equivalents classified as Level 2 represent U.S. Government and Federal Agency debt securities with original maturities or of three months or less or acquired within 3 months or less of their maturity. (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 Adequa_2

Regulatory and Capital Adequacy (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 September 30, 2019 ($ in millions) Actual Minimum for capital adequacy purposes Amount Ratio (a) Amount Ratio (b) Total risk-based capital $ 14,345 15.8 % $ 7,262 8.0 % Tier 1 risk-based capital $ 13,155 14.5 % $ 5,446 6.0 % Tier 1 leverage $ 13,155 12.6 % $ 4,178 4.0 % Common equity Tier 1 Capital $ 13,155 14.5 % $ 4,085 4.5 % At December 31, 2018 ($ in millions) Actual Minimum for capital adequacy purposes Amount Ratio (a) Amount Ratio (b) Total risk-based capital $ 14,013 15.3 % $ 7,339 8.0 % Tier 1 risk-based capital $ 12,801 14.0 % $ 5,505 6.0 % Tier 1 leverage $ 12,801 12.3 % $ 4,157 4.0 % Common equity Tier 1 Capital $ 12,801 14.0 % $ 4,128 4.5 % Synchrony Bank At September 30, 2019 ($ 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 $ 12,504 15.9 % $ 6,295 8.0 % $ 7,868 10.0 % Tier 1 risk-based capital $ 11,470 14.6 % $ 4,721 6.0 % $ 6,295 8.0 % Tier 1 leverage $ 11,470 12.7 % $ 3,604 4.0 % $ 4,505 5.0 % Common equity Tier I capital $ 11,470 14.6 % $ 3,541 4.5 % $ 5,114 6.5 % At December 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 $ 12,258 15.4 % $ 6,348 8.0 % $ 7,934 10.0 % Tier 1 risk-based capital $ 11,207 14.1 % $ 4,761 6.0 % $ 6,348 8.0 % Tier 1 leverage $ 11,207 12.4 % $ 3,612 4.0 % $ 4,515 5.0 % Common equity Tier I capital $ 11,207 14.1 % $ 3,570 4.5 % $ 5,157 6.5 % _______________________ (a) Capital ratios are calculated based on the Basel III Standardized Approach rules. (b) At September 30, 2019 and at December 31, 2018 , 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 2.5 percent age points and 1.875 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 September 30, Nine months ended September 30, (in millions, except per share data) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Net earnings $ 1,056 $ 671 $ 3,016 $ 2,007 Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic 658.3 734.9 682.5 750.2 Effect of dilutive securities 3.4 3.9 3.1 5.5 Weighted average common shares outstanding, dilutive 661.7 738.8 685.6 755.7 Earnings per basic common share $ 1.60 $ 0.91 $ 4.42 $ 2.68 Earnings per diluted common share $ 1.60 $ 0.91 $ 4.40 $ 2.66

Incomes Taxes (Tables)

Incomes Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	($ in millions) September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Unrecognized tax benefits, excluding related interest expense and penalties (a) $ 270 $ 251 Portion that, if recognized, would reduce tax expense and effective tax rate (b) $ 193 $ 164 ____________________ (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.

Debt Securities - Schedule of A

Debt Securities - Schedule of Available for Sale Securities (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Available-for-sale Securities	$ 0	$ 0
Total
Amortized cost	4,586,000,000		$ 6,109,000,000
Gross unrealized gains	11,000,000		1,000,000
Gross unrealized losses	(13,000,000)		(48,000,000)
Estimated fair value	4,584,000,000		6,062,000,000
U.S. Government and Federal Agency
Debt
Amortized cost	1,196,000,000		2,889,000,000
Gross unrealized gains	0		0
Gross unrealized losses	0		(1,000,000)
Estimated fair value	1,196,000,000		2,888,000,000
State and municipal
Debt
Amortized cost	47,000,000		50,000,000
Gross unrealized gains	1,000,000		0
Gross unrealized losses	(2,000,000)		(2,000,000)
Estimated fair value	46,000,000		48,000,000
Residential mortgage-backed
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities pledged as collateral to the Federal Reserve	343,000,000		313,000,000
Debt
Amortized cost	1,107,000,000		1,180,000,000
Gross unrealized gains	6,000,000		1,000,000
Gross unrealized losses	(11,000,000)		(42,000,000)
Estimated fair value	1,102,000,000		1,139,000,000
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Debt
Amortized cost	2,236,000,000		1,988,000,000
Gross unrealized gains	4,000,000		0
Gross unrealized losses	0		(3,000,000)
Estimated fair value	2,240,000,000		1,985,000,000
Debt Security, Corporate, US [Member]
Debt
Amortized cost	0		2,000,000
Gross unrealized gains	0		0
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
Estimated fair value	$ 0		$ 2,000,000

Debt Securities - Continuous Un

Debt Securities - Continuous Unrealized Losses (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Other than temporary impairment	$ 0	$ 0
Estimated fair value
Less than 12 months	482,000,000		$ 4,628,000,000
12 months or more	697,000,000		1,055,000,000
Gross unrealized losses
Less than 12 months	0		(4,000,000)
12 months or more	(13,000,000)		(44,000,000)
U.S. Government and Federal Agency
Estimated fair value
Less than 12 months	0		2,838,000,000
12 months or more	0		0
Gross unrealized losses
Less than 12 months	0		(1,000,000)
12 months or more	0		0
State and municipal
Estimated fair value
Less than 12 months	0		23,000,000
12 months or more	25,000,000		8,000,000
Gross unrealized losses
Less than 12 months	0		(1,000,000)
12 months or more	(2,000,000)		(1,000,000)
Residential mortgage-backed
Estimated fair value
Less than 12 months	86,000,000		102,000,000
12 months or more	662,000,000		933,000,000
Gross unrealized losses
Less than 12 months	0		0
12 months or more	(11,000,000)		(42,000,000)
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Estimated fair value
Less than 12 months	396,000,000		1,665,000,000
12 months or more	10,000,000		114,000,000
Gross unrealized losses
Less than 12 months	0		(2,000,000)
12 months or more	$ 0		$ (1,000,000)

Debt Securities - Contractual M

Debt Securities - Contractual Maturities (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Amortized Cost
Within one year	$ 2,938
After one year through five years	495
After five years through ten years	133
After ten years	1,020
Estimated Fair Value
Within one year	2,941
After one year through five years	496
After five years through ten years	135
After ten years	$ 1,012

Loan Receivables and Allowanc_3

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Loan Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	$ 83,207	$ 93,139
Loan receivable deferred costs, net of deferred income	110	105
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	79,788	89,994
Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	2,050	1,845
Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	1,317	1,260
Other
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	52	40
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables: (Notes 4 and 5)	$ 26,987	$ 28,170

Loan Receivables and Allowanc_4

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Allowance for Loan Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 5,809	$ 5,859	$ 6,427	$ 5,574
Provision for loan losses	1,019	1,451	3,076	4,093
Gross charge-offs	(1,452)	(1,295)	(4,675)	(4,095)
Recoveries	231	208	779	651
Ending Balance	5,607	6,223	5,607	6,223
Credit cards
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	5,702	5,757	6,327	5,483
Provision for loan losses	993	1,427	2,994	4,016
Gross charge-offs	(1,422)	(1,269)	(4,584)	(4,016)
Recoveries	225	202	761	634
Ending Balance	5,498	6,117	5,498	6,117
Consumer installment loans
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	50	51	44	40
Provision for loan losses	18	9	46	39
Gross charge-offs	(16)	(13)	(47)	(40)
Recoveries	4	4	13	12
Ending Balance	56	51	56	51
Commercial credit products
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	55	50	55	50
Provision for loan losses	9	15	35	38
Gross charge-offs	(14)	(13)	(43)	(39)
Recoveries	2	2	5	5
Ending Balance	52	54	52	54
Other
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	2	1	1	1
Provision for loan losses	(1)	0	1	0
Gross charge-offs	0	0	(1)	0
Recoveries	0	0	0	0
Ending Balance	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1

Loan Receivables and Allowanc_5

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Delinquent and Non Accrual Status (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
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	$ 3,723	$ 4,430
90 or more days delinquent and accruing	1,715	2,116
Total non-accruing	$ 5	$ 5
Financing Receivable, Percentage of Total Loan Receivables
Percentage of total loan receivables, 30-89 days delinquent	2.40%	2.50%
Percentage of total loan receivables, 90 or more days delinquent	2.10%	2.30%
Percentage of total loan receivables, Past due	4.50%	4.80%
Percentage of total loan receivables, 90 or more days delinquent and accruing	2.10%	2.30%
Percentage of total loan receivables, Total non-accruing	0.00%	0.10%
Credit cards
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	$ 3,638	$ 4,342
90 or more days delinquent and accruing	1,700	2,099
Total non-accruing	0	0
Consumer installment loans
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	34	33
90 or more days delinquent and accruing	0	0
Total non-accruing	5	5
Commercial credit products
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	51	55
90 or more days delinquent and accruing	15	17
Total non-accruing	0	0
Financing Receivables, 30 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	2,000	2,295
Financing Receivables, 30 to 89 Days Past Due [Member] | Credit cards
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	1,935	2,229
Financing Receivables, 30 to 89 Days Past Due [Member] | Consumer installment loans
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	29	28
Financing Receivables, 30 to 89 Days Past Due [Member] | Commercial credit products
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	36	38
Financial Asset, Equal to or Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	1,723	2,135
Financial Asset, Equal to or Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member] | Credit cards
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	1,703	2,113
Financial Asset, Equal to or Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member] | Consumer installment loans
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	5	5
Financial Asset, Equal to or Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member] | Commercial credit products
Financing Receivable, Past Due Amount
Total past due	$ 15	$ 17

Loan Receivables and Allowanc_6

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Loans Entered into a Loan Modification Program (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total loans entered into a modification program	$ 227	$ 228	$ 636	$ 647
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total loans entered into a modification program	226	227	633	644
Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total loans entered into a modification program	0	0	0	0
Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total loans entered into a modification program	$ 1	$ 1	$ 3	$ 3

Loan Receivables and Allowanc_7

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Classified as TDRs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total recorded investment	$ 1,092	$ 1,207
Related allowance	(515)	(548)
Net recorded investment	577	659
Unpaid principal balance	989	1,090
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total recorded investment	1,088	1,203
Related allowance	(513)	(546)
Net recorded investment	575	657
Unpaid principal balance	985	1,086
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	4	4
Related allowance	(2)	(2)
Net recorded investment	2	2
Unpaid principal balance	$ 4	$ 4

Loan Receivables and Allowanc_8

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Financial Effects of TDRs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired	$ 11	$ 13	$ 33	$ 37
Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms	68	68	198	195
Average recorded investment	1,078	1,127	1,107	1,094
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired	11	13	33	37
Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms	67	67	197	194
Average recorded investment	1,074	1,122	1,103	1,089
Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired	0	0	0	0
Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms	0	0	0	0
Average recorded investment	0	0	0	0
Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest income recognized during period when loans were impaired	0	0	0	0
Interest income that would have been recorded with original terms	1	1	1	1
Average recorded investment	$ 4	$ 5	$ 4	$ 5

Loan Receivables and Allowanc_9

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Payment Defaults (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)contract	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)contract	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)contract	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)contract
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts defaulted | contract	15,099	18,793	36,609	43,701
Loans defaulted | $	$ 37	$ 43	$ 89	$ 102
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts defaulted | contract	15,059	18,719	36,529	43,361
Loans defaulted | $	$ 37	$ 43	$ 88	$ 101
Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts defaulted | contract	0	0	0	0
Loans defaulted | $	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts defaulted | contract	40	74	80	340
Loans defaulted | $	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1	$ 1

Loan Receivables and Allowan_10

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Credit Quality Indicators (Details)	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
661 or higher | Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	75.00%	74.00%	74.00%
661 or higher | Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	80.00%	80.00%	81.00%
661 or higher | Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	91.00%	90.00%	91.00%
601 to 660 | Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	19.00%	18.00%	18.00%
601 to 660 | Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	14.00%	14.00%	14.00%
601 to 660 | Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
600 or less | Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	6.00%	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%	5.00%
600 or less | Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of class of loan receivable	4.00%	5.00%	4.00%

Loan Receivables and Allowan_11

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Interest Income by Product (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	$ 4,890	$ 4,617	$ 14,213	$ 12,870
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	4,807	4,538	13,975	12,647
Consumer installment loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	48	41	134	114
Commercial credit products
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	35	37	103	107
Other
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	$ 0	$ 1	$ 1	$ 2

Loan Receivables and Allowan_12

Loan Receivables and Allowance for Loan Losses - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Oct. 11, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables held for sale (Note 4)			$ 8,182	$ 0
Percentage of loan receivable with no FICO score			0.90%	0.50%	0.50%
Credit cards
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unused Commitments to Extend Credit			$ 435,000	$ 418,000
Walmart reserve release [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Provision for Loan and Lease Losses	$ 522
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables held for sale (Note 4)			$ 1,080	$ 0
Sale of Loan Receivable Held-for-sale, Amount [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan receivables held for sale (Note 4)		$ 8,200

Variable Interest Entities - Su

Variable Interest Entities - Summary of Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loan receivables, net	$ 77,600		$ 86,712
Loan receivables held for sale (Note 4)	8,182		0
Other assets(b)	1,861		2,461
Total assets	105,943		106,792
Total liabilities	90,823		92,114
Allowance for loan losses	(5,607)	$ (5,809)	(6,427)	$ (6,223)	$ (5,859)	$ (5,574)
Loan receivable, before allowance for losses	83,207		93,139
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loan receivables, net	25,481		26,454
Loan receivables held for sale (Note 4)	1,080		0
Other assets(b)	64		813
Total assets	26,625		27,267
Borrowings	10,912		14,439
Other liabilities	29		36
Total liabilities	10,941		14,475
Allowance for loan losses	(1,500)		(1,700)
Loan receivable, before allowance for losses	26,987		28,170
Other Assets [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Restricted Cash Equivalents	$ 58		$ 803

Variable Interest Entities - Na

Variable Interest Entities - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	$ 5,607	$ 6,223	$ 5,607	$ 6,223	$ 5,809	$ 6,427	$ 5,859	$ 5,574
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	4,890	4,617	14,213	12,870
Provision for loan losses	1,019	1,451	3,076	4,093
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	1,500		1,500			1,700
Interest and fees on loans (Note 4)	1,400	1,300	3,900	3,700
Provision for loan losses	184	261	743	1,100
Interest on borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	88	$ 86	278	$ 240
Other Assets [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Restricted Cash Equivalents	$ 58		$ 58			$ 803

Intangible Assets - Schedule of

Intangible Assets - Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 2,451		$ 2,192
Accumulated amortization	(1,274)		(1,055)
Net	$ 1,177		1,137
Customer-related
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	7 years	9 years
Gross carrying amount	$ 1,752		1,630
Accumulated amortization	(918)		(803)
Net	834		827
Capitalized software and other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	699		562
Accumulated amortization	(356)		(252)
Net	$ 343		$ 310

Intangible Assets Narrative (De

Intangible Assets Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired			$ 264
Customer-Related Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired			$ 123	$ 342
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life			7 years	9 years
Selling and Marketing Expense [Member] | Retail Partner Contracts
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 34	$ 34	$ 100	$ 92
Other Expense | Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Excluding Retail Partner Contracts
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 44	$ 29	$ 123	$ 84

Deposits - Schedule of Deposit

Deposits - Schedule of Deposit Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Interest-bearing deposits, amount	$ 65,677	$ 63,738
Average Rate Domestic Deposits	2.50%	2.00%
Non-interest-bearing deposits, amount	$ 295	$ 281
Total deposits	$ 65,972	$ 64,019

Deposits - Maturity Schedule (D

Deposits - Maturity Schedule (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
2019	$ 5,426
2020	25,927
2021	4,976
2022	2,977
2023	1,310
Thereafter	$ 2,426

Deposits - Narrative (Details)

Deposits - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Billions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Schedule of Deposits [Line Items]
Interest bearing deposits with certificates of $100,000 or more	$ 22.1	$ 20.2
Deposits, Savings Deposits	17.9
Time Deposit, $100,000 or More, Portion That is $250,000 or More	7.7	$ 6.9
Program Arranger
Schedule of Deposits [Line Items]
Broker network deposit sweeps	3.7
Demand deposits
Schedule of Deposits [Line Items]
Demand deposits	$ 19

Borrowings - Borrowings Schedul

Borrowings - Borrowings Schedule (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Amount
Long-term Debt	$ 20,363	$ 23,996
Senior unsecured notes
Amount
Unsecured debt	$ 9,451	9,557
Average rate
Weighted average interest rate	3.77%
Fixed Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Senior unsecured notes
Amount
Unsecured debt	$ 7,210	7,318
Average rate
Weighted average interest rate	3.94%
Floating Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Senior unsecured notes
Amount
Unsecured debt	$ 250	250
Average rate
Weighted average interest rate	3.52%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.52%
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Average rate
Weighted average interest rate	2.74%
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	$ 10,912	14,439
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Fixed Securitized Borrowings [Member]
Average rate
Weighted average interest rate	2.71%
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	$ 7,512	8,664
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Floating Securitized Borrowings [Member]
Average rate
Weighted average interest rate	2.80%
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	$ 3,400	5,775
Subsidiaries [Member] | Fixed Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Senior unsecured notes
Amount
Unsecured debt	$ 1,491	1,490
Average rate
Weighted average interest rate	3.33%
Subsidiaries [Member] | Floating Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Senior unsecured notes
Amount
Unsecured debt	$ 500	$ 499
Average rate
Weighted average interest rate	2.73%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.73%
Minimum [Member] | Fixed Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Senior unsecured notes
Average rate
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.70%
Minimum [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Fixed Securitized Borrowings [Member]
Average rate
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.93%
Minimum [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Floating Securitized Borrowings [Member]
Average rate
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.62%
Minimum [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Fixed Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Senior unsecured notes
Average rate
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.00%
Maximum [Member] | Fixed Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Senior unsecured notes
Average rate
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.15%
Maximum [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Fixed Securitized Borrowings [Member]
Average rate
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.87%
Maximum [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Floating Securitized Borrowings [Member]
Average rate
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.33%
Maximum [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Fixed Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Senior unsecured notes
Average rate
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.65%

Borrowings - Borrowings Maturit

Borrowings - Borrowings Maturity Schedule (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
2019	$ 0
2020	4,708
2021	5,659
2022	4,350
2023	707
Thereafter	$ 5,000

Borrowings - Narrative (Details

Borrowings - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Jul. 25, 2019	Mar. 19, 2019
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remaining undrawn capacity	$ 6,000
Senior Notes | Fixed Rate Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 600
Stated interest rate			4.375%
Senior Notes | Fixed Rate Senior Notes Due 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 650
Stated interest rate			5.15%
Senior Notes | Fixed Rate Senior Notes Due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 750
Stated interest rate		2.85%
Revolving Credit Facility | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Undrawn capacity	$ 500
Maximum [Member] | Senior Notes | Fixed Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	5.15%
Maximum [Member] | Senior Notes | Fixed Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.65%

Fair Value Measurement - Recurr

Fair Value Measurement - Recurring Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other assets	$ 1,861	$ 2,461
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other assets	32	28
Total	4,616	6,090
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	19	26
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	19	26
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other assets	15	15
Total	15	15
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	0	0
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other assets	0	0
Total	4,538	6,012
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	0	0
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other assets	17	13
Total	63	63
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	19	26
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	19	26
U.S. Government and Federal Agency
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	1,196	2,888
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	1,196	2,888
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	1,196	2,888
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	46	48
State and municipal | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	46	48
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	46	48
Residential mortgage-backed
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	1,102	1,139
Residential mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	1,102	1,139
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	1,102	1,139
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	2,240	1,985
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	2,240	1,985
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	2,240	1,985
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
Debt Security, Corporate, US [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	$ 0	2
Debt Security, Corporate, US [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		2
Debt Security, Corporate, US [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		0
Debt Security, Corporate, US [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		0
Debt Security, Corporate, US [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities		$ 2

Fair Value Measurement - Fair V

Fair Value Measurement - Fair Value Asset and Liabilities Carried at Other than Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and equivalents	$ 11,461	$ 9,396
Other assets	260	980
Loan receivables, net	86,753	95,305
Loans Held-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	8,182
Deposits	66,358	63,942
Carrying Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and equivalents	11,461	9,396
Other assets	260	980
Loan receivables, net	77,600	86,712
Loans Held-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	8,182
Deposits	65,972	64,019
Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and equivalents	8,727	9,396
Other assets	260	980
Loan receivables, net	0	0
Loans Held-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	0
Deposits	0	0
Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and equivalents	2,734	0
Other assets	0	0
Loan receivables, net	0	0
Loans Held-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	0
Deposits	66,358	63,942
Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and equivalents	0	0
Other assets	0	0
Loan receivables, net	86,753	95,305
Loans Held-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	8,182
Deposits	0	0
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	11,026	14,400
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	10,912	14,439
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	7,627	8,626
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	3,399	5,774
Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	9,835	9,062
Senior Notes | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	9,451	9,557
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	9,835	9,062
Senior Notes | Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 0	$ 0

Regulatory and Capital Adequa_3

Regulatory and Capital Adequacy (Capital Amounts and Ratios) (Details) - Basel III - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Capital conservation buffer	2.50%	1.875%
Common equity Tier I capital
Common equity, actual	$ 13,155	$ 12,801
Common equity, actual (percent)	14.50%	14.00%
Common equity, minimum for capital adequacy purposes	$ 4,085	$ 4,128
Common Equity Tier One Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets	4.50%	4.50%
Total risk-based capital
Actual	$ 14,345	$ 14,013
Actual (percent)	15.80%	15.30%
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes	$ 7,262	$ 7,339
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)	8.00%	8.00%
Tier 1 risk-based capital
Tier One Risk Based Capital	$ 13,155	$ 12,801
Actual (percent)	14.50%	14.00%
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes	$ 5,446	$ 5,505
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)	6.00%	6.00%
Tier 1 leverage
Tier One Leverage Capital	$ 13,155	$ 12,801
Actual (percent)	12.60%	12.30%
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes	$ 4,178	$ 4,157
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)	4.00%	4.00%
Synchrony Bank
Common equity Tier I capital
Common equity, actual	$ 11,470	$ 11,207
Common equity, actual (percent)	14.60%	14.10%
Common equity, minimum for capital adequacy purposes	$ 3,541	$ 3,570
Common Equity Tier One Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets	4.50%	4.50%
Common equity, minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions	$ 5,114	$ 5,157
Common Equity Tier One Capital Required to be Well Capitalized Risk Weighted Assets	6.50%	6.50%
Total risk-based capital
Actual	$ 12,504	$ 12,258
Actual (percent)	15.90%	15.40%
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes	$ 6,295	$ 6,348
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)	8.00%	8.00%
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions	$ 7,868	$ 7,934
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	$ 11,470	$ 11,207
Actual (percent)	14.60%	14.10%
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes	$ 4,721	$ 4,761
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)	6.00%	6.00%
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions	$ 6,295	$ 6,348
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions (percent)	8.00%	8.00%
Tier 1 leverage
Tier One Leverage Capital	$ 11,470	$ 11,207
Actual (percent)	12.70%	12.40%
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes	$ 3,604	$ 3,612
Minimum for capital adequacy purposes (percent)	4.00%	4.00%
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions	$ 4,505	$ 4,515
Minimum to be well-capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions (percent)	5.00%	5.00%

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						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 1,056	$ 853	$ 1,107	$ 671	$ 696	$ 640	$ 3,016	$ 2,007
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	658.3			734.9			682.5	750.2
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	3.4			3.9			3.1	5.5
Weighted average common shares outstanding, dilutive (in shares)	661.7			738.8			685.6	755.7
Earnings per basic common share (in usd per share)	$ 1.60			$ 0.91			$ 4.42	$ 2.68
Earnings per diluted common share (in usd per share)	$ 1.60			$ 0.91			$ 4.40	$ 2.66

Earnings Per Share - Narrative

Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount less than	3	5	4	3

Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax

Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]
Unrecognized tax benefits, excluding related interest expense and penalties(a)	$ 270	$ 251
Portion that, if recognized, would reduce tax expense and effective tax rate	193	$ 164
Decrease in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible	70
Decrease in Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	$ 27