American Express (AXP) 8-KResults of Operations and Financial Condition
Filed: 21 Oct 10, 12:00am
This presentation contains certain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties and speak only as of the date on which they are made. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements, including the Company’s financial and other goals, are set forth on page 24 of this Supplement, in the Company’s 2009 Annual Report to Shareholders, in its 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
Ÿ | Third quarter diluted EPS from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders of $0.90 increased 67% from $0.54 last year. Total revenues net of interest expense increased 17%. The revenue increase partially reflects the impact of the consolidation of off-balance sheet cardmember loans and related debt as discussed below. Return on average common equity (“ROCE”) was 25.6% and return on average tangible common equity (“ROTCE”), which excludes goodwill and intangibles, was 33.1%.* |
- | Q3’09 income from continuing operations included a $180MM ($113MM after-tax) benefit related to the accounting for a net investment in the Company’s consolidated foreign subsidiaries, as discussed further on page 5. Excluding that benefit, adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for Q3’09 was $0.44. |
- | The discontinued operations line in the Consolidated Financial Statements contains the results of operations, assets and liabilities related to various business sales. During Q3’09, this primarily included the results from American Express International Deposit Company (“AEIDC”), which was sold to Standard Chartered PLC (“Standard Chartered”) during Q3’09. |
-- | Q3’09 results included $2MM of losses from discontinued operations versus nil in Q3’10. |
- | Including discontinued operations, diluted EPS on net income attributable to common shareholders of $0.90 increased 70% from $0.53 earned last year. |
Ÿ | On January 1, 2010, the Company consolidated its off balance sheet cardmember loans and related debt onto its balance sheet in compliance with GAAP governing transfers of financial assets and consolidation of variable interest entities (referred to herein as “new GAAP effective January 1, 2010”, and formerly known as “SFAS 166/167”). The adoption of this guidance eliminates the securitization income, net line from the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income starting in Q1’10, as income and expense related to securitized loans and related debt are now reported on the natural income statement lines. The Company did not restate prior period results. |
Ÿ | Compared with the third quarter of 2009: |
- | Worldwide billed business of $179.3B increased 14% reflecting strong card spending across all segments and the relatively weak spending volumes in Q3’09 amidst the global economic slowdown. Adjusted for the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates, worldwide billings also grew 14%. |
- | Worldwide total cards-in-force of 89.0MM increased 1% or 600K cards from last year, and increased 100K from last quarter. During Q3’10 the definition of cards-in-force was changed for certain retail co-brand cards in Global Network Services (“GNS”) as further discussed on page 9. The change caused a reduction to reported cards-in-force of 1.6MM. Adjusted for this change, cards-in-force would have increased by 2%, or 2.2MM cards, versus last year and 1.7MM cards versus last quarter. |
- | Worldwide average spending per proprietary basic cards-in-force of $3,330 increased 15% during the quarter reflecting improvement in cardmember spending levels. Adjusted for the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates, worldwide average spending per proprietary basic card also grew 15%. |
- | Worldwide cardmember loan balances of $57.2B increased 82% on a GAAP basis. On a comparable managed basis, including securitized loans in both periods, cardmember loan balances of $57.2B declined 6% from $60.7B last year, reflecting higher cardmember payment rates and lower revolving levels, partially offset by the higher cardmember spending volumes. |
* | Please refer to Appendix I of the Third Quarter 2010 Earnings Release for the components of return on average equity (“ROE”), ROCE and ROTCE on a consolidated basis and Appendix II for return on average segment capital (“ROSC”) and return on average tangible segment capital (“ROTSC”) on a segment basis. |
Ÿ | Discount Revenue: Increased 13% reflecting 14% growth in billed business volumes and a slight increase in the discount rate, partially offset by relatively faster growth in billed business related to GNS, where the Company shares the discount revenue with card issuing partners, and higher contra-revenues, including cash-back rewards costs and corporate incentive payments. |
Ÿ | Securitization Income, Net: In accordance with the new GAAP effective January 1, 2010, the Company no longer reports securitization income, net in its income statement. Securitization income, net in Q3’09 was $71MM. |
Ÿ | Net Interest Income: Increased 57%, primarily reflecting higher loan balances and related debt due to the new GAAP effective January 1, 2010 as interest income and interest expense from loans and debt previously held off balance sheet are now reported in the net interest income line, where in previous periods they are components of securitization income, net. Interest income and expense from the higher loan and debt balances were partially offset by a lower net yield, reflecting higher payment rates and lower revolving levels, and the implementation of elements of the recently passed H.R. 627: Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (the “CARD Act”), which were partially offset by the benefit of certain repricing initiatives effective during 2009 and 2010. |
Ÿ | Total Provisions for Losses: Decreased 68%, primarily driven by lower reserve requirements due to improving credit performance within both the charge card and cardmember loan portfolios, partially offset by write-offs related to securitized loans, which are reported in securitization income, net in periods prior to 2010 and are now reported in provisions for cardmember loan losses. |
Ÿ | Marketing and Promotion Expenses: Increased 68% versus last year as lower credit provision expenses and better business trends enabled higher investment levels. Marketing and promotion expense increased 6% or $45MM versus Q2’10, reflecting higher investments related to the previously discussed credit and billings improvement. |
Ÿ | Cardmember Rewards Expense: Increased 29%, primarily due to greater rewards-related spending volumes, higher co-brand expense, and the benefit in Q3’09 of a revised, more restrictive, redemption policy for accounts 30 days past due. |
Ÿ | Salaries and Employee Benefits Expense: Increased 7%, reflecting merit increases, higher benefit related costs and higher incentive compensation expense. |
- | Compared with last year, the total employee count from continuing operations of 59,200 was flat. Compared with last quarter, the total employee count increased by 200. |
Ÿ | Segment Allocation Changes: Beginning Q1’10, the Company changed the manner in which it allocates capital and related interest expense to its reportable operating segments. The changes reflect modifications in allocation methodology that the Company believes more accurately reflect the funding and capital characteristics of its segments. The change to interest allocation also impacted the consolidated and segment reported net interest yield on cardmember loans. The segment results and net interest yield on cardmember loans for quarters prior to Q1’10 have been restated for this change. |
Ÿ | Charge Card Write-off Period Changes: In Q1’10, the Company modified its reporting in the International Card Services (“ICS”) and Global Commercial Services (“GCS”) segments to write-off past due cardmember receivables when 180 days past due or earlier, versus its prior methodology of writing them off when 360 days past billing or earlier. This change is consistent with bank regulatory guidance and the write-off methodology adopted for the cardmember receivables portfolio in the U.S. Card Services (“USCS”) segment in Q4’08. This change resulted in approximately $60MM and $48MM of net write-offs for ICS and GCS, respectively, being included in Q1’10, which increased the net loss ratios and decreased the 90 days past billing metrics for these segments, but d id not have a substantial impact on provisions for losses. Additionally, beginning in Q1’10, the Company revised the net loss ratio in the ICS and GCS segments to exclude net write-offs related to unauthorized transactions, consistent with the methodology employed in calculating the net write-off rate for USCS. Lastly, in Q1’10, the Company also enhanced the methodology for assessing the adequacy of its reserves. These modifications do not result in a change in management’s view of the Company’s underlying credit quality or risk profile for its charge card portfolio. |
Ÿ | Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”): On June 9, 2009, the Company announced that it had received notification from the Treasury that it had met all of the requirements to repurchase the CPP preferred shares. This included the pre-condition that the Company raise capital in the public markets, which it successfully did with its issuance of $3.0B of non-guaranteed senior debt on May 18, 2009 and the completion of a $500MM common equity offering on June 5, 2009. As such, the Company completed the repurchase of the CPP shares on June 17, 2009. Upon repurchase, the accretion of the preferred shares to face value was accelerated, amounting to a one-time negative EPS impact during Q2’09 of $212MM, or $0.18 per basic and diluted common share. |
Ÿ | Capital Distribution to Shareholders: During Q3’10, approximately 17% of capital generated was distributed to shareholders through the Company’s quarterly common share dividend. |
- | Shares Outstanding: |
Millions of Shares | ||||||||||||
Q3’10 | Q2’10 | Q3’09 | ||||||||||
Shares outstanding – beginning of period | 1,202 | 1,198 | 1,189 | |||||||||
Issuance of common shares | - | - | - | |||||||||
Repurchase of common shares | - | - | - | |||||||||
Employee benefit plans, compensation and other | 2 | 4 | - | |||||||||
Shares outstanding – end of period | 1,204 | 1,202 | 1,189 |
Ÿ | Capital Ratios: As of September 30, 2010, the Company’s key consolidated capital ratios* were as follows: |
($ in billions) | September 30, 2010 | |||
Risk-Based Capital | ||||
Tier 1 | 11.7 | % | ||
Total | 13.9 | % | ||
Tier 1 Leverage | 9.2 | % | ||
Tier 1 Common Equity/Risk Weighted Assets (RWA) | 11.7 | % | ||
Tangible Common Equity (TCE)/RWA | 11.5 | % | ||
Tier 1 Capital | $ | 12.8 | ||
Tier 1 Common Equity | $ | 12.8 | ||
Tier 2 Capital | $ | 2.3 | ||
Total Average Assets** | $ | 139.0 | ||
RWA | $ | 109.1 | ||
TCE*** | $ | 12.6 |
* | These ratios represent a preliminary estimate as of the date of this Earnings Supplement and may be revised in the Company’s Third Quarter 2010 Form 10-Q. |
** | For the purpose of calculating the Tier 1 Leverage Ratio. |
*** | Based upon shareholders’ equity of $15.9B less goodwill and intangible assets of $3.3B. |
Ÿ | Funding Activities: During Q3’10, the Company primarily funded its business through deposit-taking and issuing unsecured debt. |
- | Deposits: The Company held the following deposits at the end of Q3’10 and Q2’10: |
($ in billions) | September 30, 2010 | June 30, 2010 | Change | |||||||||
U.S. Retail Deposits* | $ | 27.7 | $ | 27.7 | - | |||||||
Other Deposits | 0.7 | 0.7 | - | |||||||||
Total | $ | 28.4 | $ | 28.4 | - |
- | Unsecured debt: During the quarter, the Company completed a 5-year senior unsecured debt transaction through its subsidiary, American Express Credit Corporation, with the issuance of $2B of notes on September 8, 2010 with a coupon of 2.75%. |
Ÿ | Funding Sources: The Company’s primary funding sources consist of retail deposits, unsecured debt and asset-backed securities. |
- | Additional Funding Sources: The Company can also draw upon the following additional funding sources: |
-- | Commercial Paper: At September 30, 2010, the Company had $0.9B of commercial paper outstanding. |
-- | Discount Window: The Banks are insured depository institutions that have the capability of borrowing from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (i.e., access to the Federal Reserve Bank discount window), subject to the amount of qualifying collateral that they pledge. The Federal Reserve has indicated that both credit and charge card receivables are a form of qualifying collateral for secured borrowings made through the discount window. |
-- | Bank Lines: At September 30, 2010, the Company maintained committed bank lines of credit totaling $10.3B, of which $3.9B was drawn as part of the Company’s normal non-U.S. funding activities. The committed facilities have $3.3B of expirations in 2011, with the remainder expiring in 2012. In July 2010, the Company allowed credit facilities totaling approximately $2B to expire. |
* | Includes all deposits outstanding through the Company’s retail CD and sweep programs distributed through third-party distribution channels, in addition to its Personal Savings® direct deposit program. |
** | Excess cash includes $1.2B classified as other assets on the balance sheet, which is held against certain forthcoming asset-backed securitization maturities. |
Ÿ | Maturity Obligations: The maturities of the Company’s long-term unsecured debt, debt issued in connection with asset-backed securitizations and long-term CDs for the next four quarters are as follows: |
($ in billions) | Funding Maturities | |||||||||||||||
Quarter Ending: | Unsecured Debt | Asset-Backed Securitizations | Certificates of Deposit | Total | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2010 | $ | 3.4 | $ | 1.5 | $ | 1.6 | $ | 6.5 | ||||||||
March 31, 2011 | - | 3.2 | 2.0 | 5.2 | ||||||||||||
June 30, 2011 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 4.4 | ||||||||||||
September 30, 2011 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 2.0 | ||||||||||||
$ | 5.4 | $ | 6.8 | $ | 5.9 | $ | 18.1 |
Ÿ | Department of Justice Complaint against American Express: On October 4, 2010, the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and certain state attorneys general filed an anti-trust lawsuit against American Express Company, claiming that certain “non-discrimination” provisions in its merchant contracts violate antitrust laws. While announcing this lawsuit, the Justice Department also said that it reached agreements with Visa and MasterCard to settle similar claims against them. The Company has indicated that it will defend in court the rights of its cardmembers at the point of sale and its own ability to negotiate freely with merchants. The Company believes the case is wrong on the law; that it is a significant retreat from previous DOJ efforts to promote competition in paym ents; that it will ultimately limit customer choice and reduce competition; and that the DOJ’s remedy would strengthen Visa and MasterCard while harming smaller networks. |
Ÿ | Enterprise Growth Group President: During the quarter, the Company announced the hiring of Dan Schulman as Group President – Enterprise Growth. Mr. Schulman will be responsible for the Company’s global strategy to expand alternative mobile and online payment services, form new partnerships and build revenue streams beyond the traditional card and travel businesses. He will also be responsible for the Company’s Business Development, Mergers and Acquisitions team, as well as Revolution Money and the Global Prepaid group. Mr. Schulman joins American Express from Sprint/Nextel where he was President of Sprint’s Prepaid group and prior to that he was the founding CEO of Virgin Mobile, later acquired by Sprint in 2009. |
Ÿ | Benefit Recorded Related to a Net Investment in Consolidated Foreign Subsidiaries: In Q3‘09, the Company recorded a $180MM ($113MM after-tax) benefit, reflected in the “other, net” expense line in the Corporate & Other segment, associated with the Company’s accounting for a net investment in consolidated foreign subsidiaries. $135MM ($85MM after-tax) of this benefit represents a correction of an error related to the accounting for cumulative translation adjustments in prior periods. The impact of the incorrect accounting was not material to any of the quarterly or annual periods in which it occurred. A non-recurring $45MM ($28MM after-tax) related benefit was also recorded in Q3‘09 as a result of changes in th e fair value of certain foreign exchange forward contracts that are economic hedges to foreign currency exposures of net investment in consolidated foreign subsidiaries. |
Ÿ | Visa and MasterCard Litigation Settlements: In November of 2004, the Company filed suit against Visa Inc., Visa USA and Visa International (collectively “Visa”), MasterCard Inc. (“MasterCard”) and certain of their member banks to seek monetary damages for the lost business opportunity that resulted from the illegal conspiracy to boycott American Express from partnering with U.S. credit card issuing banks. The Company reached agreements with Visa on November 7, 2007 and with MasterCard on June 25, 2008. All defendants were removed and the case was dismissed. |
Ÿ | During the quarter, American Express continued to invest in growth opportunities through expanded products and services. |
- | Launched a new benefit that allows Membership Rewards points to be used for purchases at Amazon.com. Cardmembers enrolled in the Membership Rewards program can use points to pay for all or part of their Amazon.com purchases at the point-of-sale. |
- | Ranked highest in a study by J.D. Power and Associates in overall customer satisfaction among 10 of the largest card issuers in the U.S. This marks the fourth consecutive year that American Express’ Cardmembers have recognized it for customer satisfaction. |
- | With our partner US Airways, announced a new benefit for consumer, small business and corporate Platinum and Centurion cardmembers which will allow these cardmembers to have access to US Airways' 17 US Airways Clubs in 13 cities. This agreement is unique in that cardmembers can access US Airways Club locations regardless of which airline they are flying that day. |
- | Introduced new travel benefits for Platinum and Centurion cardmembers, including a $200 airline credit fee to cover incidental airline fees incurred on a selected airline, a 20% travel bonus, which enhances the Membership Rewards Pay with Points feature, and an American Express mobile app to keep travelers informed with flight alerts, an airport lounge locator and more. |
- | Launched Currency (getcurrency.com), an innovative, new online service where young adults can get fun, fresh advice on managing their personal finances. Created in partnership with Federated Media, Currency offers tips and suggestions on saving and spending, and allows visitors to the site to share their new knowledge on social networks and through a newly launched iPhone app: "Social Currency". |
- | Through our partnership with Macy’s, announced the launch of the new Macy's American Express® Card, issued by Citi, which will provide Macy's American Express Cardholders attractive, in-store benefits when shopping at Macy's, as well as special out-of-store dining, travel and retail offers and will include other benefits, including participation in American Express’ Daily Wish program and various savings through Macy’s Star Rewards program. |
- | Also launched a new co-branded Bloomingdale’s American Express® Card, issued by Citi, which will provide Bloomingdale’s American Express Cardholders the same great Insider rewards and services when shopping at Bloomingdale’s, as well as brand new dining, travel and retail offers when shopping outside of Bloomingdale’s. Cardholders will be able to participate in the Daily Wish program from American Express, access new emergency assistance referral services and enjoy a special suite of premium benefits with the new Bloomingdale’s Premium Travel Services. |
- | Supported existing GNS partners in launching a wide range of new products and services. These include: Blue from American Express with Bank of Georgia (Georgia), Saison Platinum American Express Card with Credit Saison (Japan); and Pantai American Express Card with Maybank (Malaysia). |
Ÿ | On October 18, 2010, announced a joint effort with SAP AG to develop an integrated solution enabling SAP customers in the U.S. to process electronic payments more seamlessly with American Express. Through this collaboration, the companies aim to clear roadblocks that can delay or deter corporate adoption of electronic payments. The companies plan to make the solution available in the first quarter of 2011. |
(Preliminary) | Quarters Ended | Percentage | ||||||||||
(Millions, except per share amounts) | September 30, | Inc/(Dec) | ||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||
Non-interest revenues | ||||||||||||
Discount revenue | $ | 3,818 | $ | 3,373 | 13 | % | ||||||
Net card fees | 527 | 538 | (2 | ) | ||||||||
Travel commissions and fees | 487 | 383 | 27 | |||||||||
Other commissions and fees | 515 | 448 | 15 | |||||||||
Securitization income, net* | NA | 71 | - | |||||||||
Other | 502 | 449 | 12 | |||||||||
Total non-interest revenues | 5,849 | 5,262 | 11 | |||||||||
Interest income | ||||||||||||
Interest and fees on loans | 1,675 | 1,059 | 58 | |||||||||
Interest and dividends on investment securities | 103 | 229 | (55 | ) | ||||||||
Deposits with banks and other | 16 | 9 | 78 | |||||||||
Total interest income | 1,794 | 1,297 | 38 | |||||||||
Interest expense | ||||||||||||
Deposits | 141 | 109 | 29 | |||||||||
Short-term borrowings | - | 2 | - | |||||||||
Long-term debt and other | 469 | 432 | 9 | |||||||||
Total interest expense | 610 | 543 | 12 | |||||||||
Net interest income | 1,184 | 754 | 57 | |||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | 7,033 | 6,016 | 17 | |||||||||
Provisions for losses | ||||||||||||
Charge card | 89 | 143 | (38 | ) | ||||||||
Cardmember loans | 262 | 989 | (74 | ) | ||||||||
Other | 22 | 46 | (52 | ) | ||||||||
Total provisions for losses | 373 | 1,178 | (68 | ) | ||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses | 6,660 | 4,838 | 38 | |||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||
Marketing and promotion | 847 | 504 | 68 | |||||||||
Cardmember rewards | 1,269 | 983 | 29 | |||||||||
Cardmember services | 135 | 132 | 2 | |||||||||
Salaries and employee benefits | 1,354 | 1,261 | 7 | |||||||||
Professional services | 701 | 575 | 22 | |||||||||
Occupancy and equipment | 371 | 374 | (1 | ) | ||||||||
Communications | 92 | 105 | (12 | ) | ||||||||
Other, net | 251 | (14 | ) | # | ||||||||
Total | 5,020 | 3,920 | 28 | |||||||||
Pretax income from continuing operations | 1,640 | 918 | 79 | |||||||||
Income tax provision | 547 | 276 | 98 | |||||||||
Income from continuing operations | 1,093 | 642 | 70 | |||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | - | (2 | ) | - | ||||||||
Net income | $ | 1,093 | $ | 640 | 71 | |||||||
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders** | $ | 1,080 | $ | 634 | 70 | |||||||
Net income attributable to common shareholders** | $ | 1,080 | $ | 632 | 71 | |||||||
Earnings Per Common Share-Basic | ||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders | $ | 0.91 | $ | 0.54 | 69 | |||||||
Loss from discontinued operations | - | - | - | |||||||||
Net Income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 0.91 | $ | 0.54 | 69 | |||||||
Earnings Per Common Share-Diluted | ||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders | $ | 0.90 | $ | 0.54 | 67 | |||||||
Loss from discontinued operations | - | (0.01 | ) | - | ||||||||
Net Income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 0.90 | $ | 0.53 | 70 | |||||||
Average Shares Outstanding | ||||||||||||
Basic | 1,193 | 1,178 | 1 | |||||||||
Diluted | 1,199 | 1,181 | 2 |
# | Denotes a variance of more than 100%. |
* | In accordance with the new GAAP effective January 1, 2010, the Company no longer reports securitization income, net in its income statement. |
** | Represents income from continuing operations or net income, as applicable, less earnings allocated to participating share awards and other items of $13MM and $8MM for Q3’10 and Q3’09, respectively. |
Ÿ | Consolidated Total Revenues Net of Interest Expense: Consolidated total revenues net of interest expense increased 17% versus last year, reflecting increases of 23% in USCS, 1% in ICS, 17% in GCS, and 15% in Global Network and Merchant Services (“GNMS”). The increase in total revenues net of interest expense partially reflects the new GAAP effective January 1, 2010, which caused the reporting of write-offs related to securitized loans to move from securitization income, net in Q3’09 to provisions for cardmember loan losses in Q3’10. In addition, total revenues net of interest expense reflects higher discount revenues, greater travel commissions and fees, increased other commissions and fees and higher other revenues, partially offset by lower net interest income on the combined securit ized and non-securitized loan portfolio, and lower net card fees. On an F/X adjusted basis, consolidated total revenues net of interest expense also increased 17%*. |
Ÿ | Consolidated Provisions for Losses: Consolidated provisions for losses decreased 68% versus last year, reflecting decreases of 68% in USCS, 74% in ICS, 45% in GCS and 61% in GNMS. Provisions for losses declined despite the new GAAP effective January 1, 2010, which caused write-offs related to securitized loans to be reported in the provisions for losses line in Q3’10 as opposed to securitization income, net in Q3’09. The provision decrease reflects the benefit of improving year-over-year credit metrics in both the cardmember loan and charge card portfolios. On an F/X adjusted basis, consolidated provisions for losses also decreased 68%*. |
Ÿ | Consolidated Expenses: Consolidated expenses increased 28%, reflecting increases of 26% in USCS, 25% in ICS, 12% in GCS and 19% in GNMS. The total expense increase reflected greater marketing and promotion expenses, increased cardmember rewards expenses, higher other, net expenses, greater professional services expenses, higher salaries and employee benefits expenses and increased cardmember services expenses, partially offset by lower occupancy and equipment expense and lower communications expenses. Q3’09 includes the $180MM net benefit from investments in consolidated foreign subsidiaries reported in other, net expenses. Adjusting for this benefit, total expenses would have increased 22%. On an F/X adjusted basis, consolidated expenses also increased 28%*. |
Ÿ | Pretax Margin: Was 23.3% of total revenues net of interest expense in Q3’10 compared with 15.3% in Q3’09. |
Ÿ | Effective Tax Rate: Was 33% in Q3’10 versus 30% in Q3’09. The tax rates in both quarters reflect the level of pre-tax income in relation to recurring permanent tax benefits. |
Ÿ | Discount Revenue: Increased 13% on a 14% increase in billed business. The lesser revenue versus billed business growth reflects the relatively faster growth in billed business related to GNS, where discount revenue is shared with card issuing partners, and higher contra-revenues, including cash-back rewards costs and corporate incentive payments. |
- | The average discount rate** was 2.56% in Q3’10 and Q2’10 versus 2.54% in Q3’09. As indicated in prior quarters, certain pricing initiatives, changes in the mix of business and volume-related pricing discounts and investments will likely result in some erosion of the average discount rate over time. |
Quarters Ended September 30, | Percentage Inc/(Dec) | |||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||
Card billed business** (billions): | ||||||||||||
United States | $ | 120.5 | $ | 106.5 | 13 | % | ||||||
Outside the United States | 58.8 | 50.1 | 17 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 179.3 | $ | 156.6 | 14 | |||||||
Total cards-in-force (millions): | ||||||||||||
United States | 48.1 | 49.4 | (3 | ) | ||||||||
Outside the United States | 40.9 | 39.0 | 5 | |||||||||
Total | 89.0 | 88.4 | 1 | |||||||||
Basic cards-in-force (millions): | ||||||||||||
United States | 37.2 | 38.6 | (4 | ) | ||||||||
Outside the United States | 36.2 | 34.3 | 6 | |||||||||
Total | 73.4 | 72.9 | 1 | |||||||||
Average basic cardmember spending*** | ||||||||||||
United States | $ | 3,485 | $ | 3,050 | 14 | |||||||
Outside the United States | $ | 2,946 | $ | 2,524 | 17 | |||||||
Total | $ | 3,330 | $ | 2,898 | 15 |
* | As reported in this Earnings Supplement, F/X adjusted information assumes a constant exchange rate between the periods being compared for purposes of currency translation into U.S. dollars (i.e., assumes the foreign exchange rates used to determine results for the three months ended September 30, 2010 apply to the period(s) against which such results are being compared). Management believes the presentation of information on an F/X adjusted basis is helpful to investors by making it easier to compare the Company's performance in one period to that of another period without the variability caused by fluctuations in currency exchange rates. |
** | For additional information about discount rate calculations and billed business, please refer to the Third Quarter 2010 Earnings release, American Express Company Selected Statistical Information pages. |
*** | Proprietary card activity only. |
- | Worldwide Billed Business: The 14% increase in worldwide billed business reflected growth of 12% in USCS, 12% in ICS, 19% in GCS and 24% in GNS. The table below summarizes selected billed business related statistics for Q3’10: |
Percentage Increase/(Decrease) | Percentage Increase/(Decrease) Assuming No Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates | |||||||
Worldwide* | ||||||||
Total billed business | 14 | % | 14 | % | ||||
Proprietary billed business | 13 | 13 | ||||||
GNS billed business | 24 | 22 | ||||||
Average spending per proprietary basic card | 15 | 15 | ||||||
Basic cards-in-force | 1 | |||||||
U.S.* | ||||||||
Billed business | 13 | |||||||
Average spending per proprietary basic card | 14 | |||||||
Basic cards-in-force | (4 | ) | ||||||
Proprietary consumer card billed business** | 12 | |||||||
Proprietary small business billed business** | 12 | |||||||
Proprietary Corporate Services billed business*** | 18 | |||||||
Outside the U.S.* | ||||||||
Billed business | 17 | 16 | ||||||
Average spending per proprietary basic card | 17 | 16 | ||||||
Basic cards-in-force | 6 | |||||||
Proprietary consumer and small business billed business† | 12 | 10 | ||||||
Proprietary Corporate Services billed business*** | 19 | 20 |
-- | U.S. non-T&E-related volume categories, which represented approximately 72% of total U.S. billed business, increased 14% and T&E volumes increased 13%. |
-- | U.S. airline-related volume, which represented approximately 9% of total U.S. volumes during the quarter, increased 19% due to a 13% increase in airline transactions and a 6% increase in the average airline charge. |
-- | Worldwide airline volumes, which represented approximately 10% of total volumes during the quarter, increased 20% due to a 12% increase in airline transactions and a 7% increase in the average airline charge. |
-- | Assuming no changes in foreign exchange rates: billed business outside the U.S. grew 23% in Asia Pacific, 17% in Latin America, 12% in Canada, and 11% in Europe. |
- | Total cards-in-force: Increased 1% worldwide, as a 3% increase in GNS was partially offset by decreases of 1% in ICS and GCS, while cards-in-force was flat in USCS. During Q3’10, the definition of non-proprietary cards-in-force was changed to exclude retail co-brand cardmember accounts in GNS which have no out-of-store spend activity during the prior 12 month period. This change caused a reduction to reported cards-in-force of 1.6MM. |
-- | During the quarter, total cards-in-force decreased by 900K in the U.S. due to the change described above and increased by 1MM outside the U.S. |
Ÿ | Net Card Fees: Decreased 2% due to slightly lower total proprietary cards-in-force and flat average fees per card. |
Ÿ | Travel Commissions and Fees: Increased 27%, primarily reflecting a 21% increase in worldwide travel sales, as well as a higher sales revenue rate. |
Ÿ | Other Commissions and Fees: Increased 15%, driven primarily by the new GAAP effective January 1, 2010 where fees related to securitized receivables are now recognized as other commissions and fees starting in Q1’10. These fees were previously reported in securitization income, net. The increase also reflects greater foreign currency conversion revenues related to higher spending, partially offset by lower delinquency fees in the non-securitized cardmember loan portfolio. |
* | Captions not designated as “proprietary” or “GNS” include both proprietary and GNS data. |
** | Included in USCS. |
*** | Included in GCS. |
† | Included in ICS. |
Ÿ | Securitization Income, Net: In accordance with the new GAAP effective January 1, 2010, the Company no longer reports securitization income, net in its income statement. The components of securitization income, net now appear on the relevant natural income statement lines. For the period ended Q3’09, securitization income, net represented the non-credit provision components of the gains/(losses) from securitization activities within USCS, excess spread, net* related to securitized loans and servicing income, net of related discounts or fees. |
- | Components of Securitization Income, Net: |
(millions) | Quarter Ended September 30, 2009 | |||
Excess spread, net* | $ | (67 | ) | |
Servicing fees | 142 | |||
Loss on securitizations** | (4 | ) | ||
Total securitization income, net | $ | 71 |
Ÿ | Other Revenues: Increased 12%, primarily reflecting higher GNS partner-related revenue and higher publishing revenue, partially offset by lower insurance premium revenue. |
Ÿ | Total Interest Income: Increased 38%. |
- | Interest and Fees on Loans: Increased 58%, driven by an increase in the average loan balance resulting from the consolidation of securitized receivables in accordance with the new GAAP effective January 1, 2010. Interest income related to securitized receivables is reported in securitization income, net in prior periods, but is now reported in interest and fees on loans. The increase related to this consolidation was partially offset by a lower yield on cardmember loans, reflecting higher payment rates and lower revolving levels, and the implementation of elements of the CARD Act, which were partially offset by the benefit of certain repricing initiatives effective during 2009 and 2010. |
- | Interest and Dividends on Investment Securities: Decreased 55%, primarily reflecting the elimination of interest on retained securities driven by the new GAAP effective January 1, 2010 and decreased short-term investment levels. |
- | Deposits with Banks and Other: Was $16MM versus $9MM in Q3‘09, primarily due to higher average deposit balances versus the prior year, partially offset by lower interest yields. |
Ÿ | Total Interest Expense: Increased 12%. |
- | Deposits: Increased 29% versus last year, as a significant increase in balances was partially offset by a lower cost of funds. |
- | Short-term Borrowings: Decreased to nil, reflecting low short-term debt levels similar to the prior year and a lower cost of funds. |
- | Long-term Debt and Other: Increased 9%, reflecting the consolidation of long-term debt associated with securitized loans previously held off balance sheet in accordance with the new GAAP effective January 1, 2010. Interest expense related to this debt is reported in securitization income, net in prior periods, but is now reported in long-term debt and other interest expense. Excluding this impact, long-term debt and other interest expense would have declined due to lower average debt outstanding unrelated to securitized loans. |
* | Excess spread, net is the net cash flow from interest and fee collections allocated to the investors’ interests after deducting the interest paid on investor certificates, credit losses, contractual servicing fees, other expenses and changes in the fair value of the interest-only strip (“I/O Strip”). |
** | Excludes $119MM and ($252MM) of impact from cardmember loan sales and maturities, which is reflected in provisions for cardmember loan losses. |
Ÿ | Charge Card Provision for Losses: Decreased 38%, driven by improving credit performance. |
- | Worldwide Charge Card: |
-- | The write-off rates declined versus last year and were flat to last quarter in USCS. The net loss ratio as a percentage of charge volume declined versus last year and last quarter in ICS/GCS. Delinquency rates in USCS improved versus last year, while increasing versus last quarter. The ICS/GCS past billings rate improved versus last year and last quarter. |
9/10 | 6/10 | 9/09 | ||||||||||
USCS Net write-off rate | 1.6 | % | 1.6 | % | 3.2 | % | ||||||
ICS/GCS Net loss ratio (as a % of charge volume)* † | 0.09 | % | 0.10 | % | 0.28 | % | ||||||
USCS 30 days past due as a % of total | 1.7 | % | 1.5 | % | 2.2 | % | ||||||
ICS/GCS 90 days past billings as a % of total* | 0.8 | % | 1.0 | % | 1.9 | % | ||||||
Worldwide Receivables (billions) | $ | 35.1 | $ | 34.6 | $ | 32.1 | ||||||
Reserves (millions) | $ | 364 | $ | 440 | $ | 599 | ||||||
% of receivables | 1.0 | % | 1.3 | % | 1.9 | % |
* | Effective January 1, 2010, the Company revised the time period in which past due cardmember receivables in ICS and GCS are written off to when they are 180 days past due or earlier, consistent with applicable bank regulatory guidance and the write-off methodology adopted for USCS in Q4’08. Previously, receivables were written off when they were 360 days past billing or earlier. |
† | Beginning with Q1’10, the Company has revised the net loss ratio to exclude net write-offs related to unauthorized transactions, consistent with the methodology for calculation of the net write-off rate for USCS. The metrics for prior periods have not been restated for this change, as it was deemed immaterial. |
Ÿ | Cardmember Loan Provision for Losses: Decreased 74%, primarily reflecting a lower USCS cardmember reserve requirement during the last quarter, due to improving credit performance, partially offset by an increase related to the inclusion of the Q3’10 expense for written-off securitized loans, which last year was reported in securitization income, net. Please see the “Cardmember Loan Portfolio Presentation” discussion on page 16. |
- | Worldwide Loans:* |
-- | The net write-off and past due rates decreased versus last year and last quarter. |
9/10 | 6/10 | 9/09 | ||||||||||
Net write-off rate | 5.1 | % | 6.0 | % | 9.1 | % | ||||||
30 days past due loans as a % of total | 2.5 | % | 2.8 | % | 4.0 | % | ||||||
Total Loans (billions) | $ | 57.2 | $ | 57.3 | $ | 31.5 | ||||||
Reserves (millions) | $ | 4,318 | $ | 4,866 | $ | 3,359 | ||||||
% of total loans | 7.5 | % | 8.5 | % | 10.7 | % | ||||||
% of past due | 302 | % | 307 | % | 264 | % |
Ÿ | Other Provision for Losses: Decreased $24MM to $22MM, primarily reflecting lower merchant-related reserves. |
Ÿ | Marketing and Promotion Expenses: Increased 68%, reflecting the increased investment spending resulting from better credit and business trends in Q3’10. |
Ÿ | Cardmember Rewards Expense: Increased 29%, primarily due to greater rewards-related spending volumes, higher co-brand expense, and the benefit in Q3’09 of a revised, more restrictive, redemption policy for accounts 30 days past due. |
Ÿ | Cardmember Services Expense: Increased 2%. |
Ÿ | Salaries and Employee Benefits Expense: Increased 7%, reflecting merit increases, higher benefit-related costs and higher incentive compensation expenses coupled with a flat employee base. |
Ÿ | Professional Services Expense: Increased 22%, in part reflecting higher technology-related expenses. |
Ÿ | Occupancy and Equipment Expense: Decreased 1%, primarily reflecting lower rent expense partially offset by higher software-related expenses. |
Ÿ | Communications Expense: Decreased 12%, driven by lower postage and telephone-related expenses. |
Ÿ | Other, Net Expense: Increased significantly, primarily reflecting the $180MM benefit recorded in Q3’09 related to a net investment in consolidated foreign subsidiaries as discussed on page 5. Excluding that benefit, other, net expense increased 51% reflecting higher travel and entertainment costs, investments in new business initiatives, higher printing and stationary costs, and a contribution to the American Express Foundation. |
* | All loan statistics are presented here on a GAAP basis. “Managed” basis credit quality statistics for Q2’10 and Q3’10 are the same as GAAP basis. For prior periods, “managed” basis credit quality statistics are available in the Third Quarter 2010 Earnings Release, American Express Company Consolidated Selected Statistical Information pages. |
Ÿ | Net expense was $73MM in Q3’10 compared with a net expense of $51MM in Q2’10 and net income of $1MM in Q3‘09. |
- | Q3’10 included: |
-- | $93MM and $43MM of after-tax income related to the MasterCard and Visa litigation settlements, respectively; |
-- | Higher investments in the Global Prepaid business and Enterprise Growth initiatives; and |
-- | $5MM of after-tax expense related to the Company’s reengineering efforts. |
- | Q2’10 included: |
-- | $93MM and $43MM of after-tax income related to the MasterCard and Visa litigation settlements, respectively; |
-- | $2MM of after-tax net benefit reflecting revisions of certain estimates impacting reserve balances tied to the Company’s reengineering efforts; and |
-- | Higher incentive compensation and benefits expense versus last year. |
- | Q3’09 included: |
-- | $113MM of after-tax benefits related to the accounting for a net investment in consolidated foreign subsidiaries as further discussed on page 5; |
-- | $93MM and $43MM of after-tax income related to the MasterCard and Visa litigation settlements, respectively; |
-- | $41MM of tax expense primarily due to an increase in the Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate; |
-- | Costs related to employee compensation program-related changes; and |
-- | $10MM of after-tax expense related to the Company’s reengineering initiatives. |
(Preliminary) | Quarters Ended September 30, | Percentage Inc/(Dec) | ||||||||||
(millions) | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||
Discount revenue, net card fees and other | $ | 2,540 | $ | 2,262 | 12 | % | ||||||
Securitization income, net* | NA | 71 | - | |||||||||
Interest income | 1,334 | 776 | 72 | |||||||||
Interest expense | 210 | 127 | 65 | |||||||||
Net interest income | 1,124 | 649 | 73 | |||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | 3,664 | 2,982 | 23 | |||||||||
Provisions for losses | 274 | 850 | (68 | ) | ||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses | 3,390 | 2,132 | 59 | |||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||
Marketing, promotion, rewards and cardmember services | 1,455 | 1,050 | 39 | |||||||||
Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses | 964 | 864 | 12 | |||||||||
Total | 2,419 | 1,914 | 26 | |||||||||
Pretax segment income | 971 | 218 | # | |||||||||
Income tax provision | 376 | 60 | # | |||||||||
Segment income | $ | 595 | $ | 158 | # |
Statistical Information | Quarters Ended September 30, | Percentage Inc/(Dec) | ||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||
Card billed business (billions) | $ | 95.2 | $ | 85.2 | 12 | % | ||||||
Total cards-in-force (millions) | 39.9 | 39.8 | - | |||||||||
Basic cards-in-force (millions) | 29.7 | 29.7 | - | |||||||||
Average basic cardmember spending** | $ | 3,219 | $ | 2,851 | 13 | |||||||
Segment capital (millions)*** | $ | 7,011 | $ | 5,493 | 28 | |||||||
Return on average segment capital*** | 32.8 | % | 2.6 | % | ||||||||
Return on average tangible segment capital*** | 35.5 | % | 2.8 | % |
- | Billed Business: The 12% increase in billed business reflects the 13% increase in average spending per proprietary basic cards-in-force. |
-- | U.S. consumer billed business and small business volumes both increased by 12%. |
- | Total cards-in-force: Increased by 100K and 300K versus last year and last quarter, respectively, reflecting increased investments in various charge and co-brand product acquisitions. |
Ÿ | Segment Income: Increased to $595MM from $158MM in Q3’09, as total revenues net of interest expense increased 23%, provisions for losses decreased 68% and expenses increased by 26%. |
- | Q3’10 and Q3’09 had net benefits of $1MM ($1MM after-tax) and $2MM ($1MM after-tax), respectively, reflecting revisions of certain estimates impacting reserve balances tied to the Company’s reengineering initiatives in those periods. |
- | Pretax Margin: Was 26.5% in Q3’10 compared with 7.3% in Q3’09. |
* | In accordance with the new GAAP effective January 1, 2010, the Company no longer reports securitization income, net in its income statement. |
** | Proprietary cards only. |
*** | Segment capital represents capital allocated to a segment based upon specific business operational needs, risk measures, and regulatory capital requirements. Please refer to Appendix II of the Third Quarter 2010 Earnings Release for the components of ROSC and ROTSC. |
- | Effective Tax Rate: Was 38.7% in Q3’10 compared with 27.5% in Q3’09. The tax rate in Q3’10 reflects charges resulting from adjustments to certain tax accounts, while the relatively low rate in Q3’09 reflected the benefit from the resolution of certain prior year tax items. |
Ÿ | Discount Revenue, Net Card Fees and Other: Increased 12%, primarily due to billed business growth of 12%. This line also reflects higher other commissions and fees, driven by the new GAAP effective January 1, 2010, which led to the inclusion of fees formerly recorded in securitization income, net. |
Ÿ | Securitization Income, Net: Was not applicable in Q3’10 due to the new GAAP effective January 1, 2010, versus a $71MM of income in Q3’09. |
Ÿ | Interest Income: Increased 72%, due to the Q1’10 consolidation of securitized cardmember loans, partially offset by lower yields on cardmember loans within the managed portfolio. |
Ÿ | Interest Expense: Increased 65%, reflecting higher expense related to the Q1’10 consolidation of off-balance sheet debt and a higher cost of funds. |
Ÿ | Provisions for Losses: Decreased 68%, principally reflecting improving cardmember loan and charge card credit trends, partially offset by the inclusion in Q3’10 of write-offs on the securitized cardmember loans. |
- | Charge Card: |
-- | The net write-off and past due rates decreased versus last year. Sequentially, the net write-off rate was flat while the past due rate increased slightly. |
9/10 | 6/10 | 9/09 | ||||||||||
Total Receivables (billions) | $ | 16.5 | $ | 17.3 | $ | 15.9 | ||||||
Net write-off rate | 1.6 | % | 1.6 | % | 3.2 | % | ||||||
30 days past due as a % of total | 1.7 | % | 1.5 | % | 2.2 | % |
- | Cardmember Loans:* |
-- | The net write-off and past due rates decreased versus last year and last quarter. |
9/10 | 6/10 | 9/09 | ||||||||||
Total Loans (billions) | $ | 48.7 | $ | 49.0 | $ | 22.7 | ||||||
Net write-off rate | 5.2 | % | 6.2 | % | 9.8 | % | ||||||
30 days past due loans as a % of total | 2.5 | % | 2.7 | % | 4.2 | % |
Ÿ | Marketing, Promotion, Rewards and Cardmember Services Expenses: Increased 39%, reflecting increased marketing and promotion expenses due to increased investment spending resulting from better credit and business trends in Q3 2010 and higher rewards costs primarily due to greater rewards-related spending volumes and higher co-brand expense. Rewards expense growth also reflects the benefit in Q3’09 of a revised, more restrictive, redemption policy for accounts 30 days past due. |
Ÿ | Salaries and Employee Benefits and Other Operating Expenses: Increased 12%, primarily reflecting higher technology and partner-related investments. |
* | GAAP basis. See page 16 for Cardmember Loan Portfolio Presentation discussion. |
(millions) | Quarters Ended September 30, | Percentage Inc/(Dec) | ||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||
Discount revenue, net card fees and other: | ||||||||||||
Reported for the period (GAAP) | $ | 2,540 | $ | 2,262 | 12 | % | ||||||
Securitization adjustments | NA | 82 | - | |||||||||
Managed discount revenue, net card fees and other | $ | 2,540 | $ | 2,344 | 8 | |||||||
Interest income: | ||||||||||||
Reported for the period (GAAP) | $ | 1,334 | $ | 776 | 72 | % | ||||||
Securitization adjustments | NA | 714 | - | |||||||||
Managed interest income | $ | 1,334 | $ | 1,490 | (10 | ) | ||||||
Securitization income, net*: | ||||||||||||
Reported for the period (GAAP) | NA | $ | 71 | - | ||||||||
Securitization adjustments | NA | (71 | ) | - | ||||||||
Managed securitization income, net | NA | $ | - | |||||||||
Interest expense: | ||||||||||||
Reported for the period (GAAP) | $ | 210 | $ | 127 | 65 | % | ||||||
Securitization adjustments | NA | 58 | - | |||||||||
Managed interest expense | $ | 210 | $ | 185 | 14 | |||||||
Provisions for losses: | ||||||||||||
Reported for the period (GAAP) | $ | 274 | $ | 850 | (68 | )% | ||||||
Securitization adjustments | NA | 529 | ** | - | ||||||||
Managed provisions for losses | $ | 274 | $ | 1,379 | ** | (80 | ) |
Ÿ | Discount Revenue, Net Card Fees and Other: Increased 8%, reflecting higher billed business volumes. |
Ÿ | Interest Income: Decreased 10%, due to a 7% decline in the average loan balance and a lower portfolio yield. The lower yield was driven by higher payment rates, lower revolving levels and the CARD Act, partially offset by repricing initiatives. |
Ÿ | Interest Expense: Increased 14%, due to a higher cost of funds. |
Ÿ | Provisions for Losses: Decreased 80%, principally due to improving cardmember loan and charge card credit performance and a lower average loan balance. |
- | Cardmember Loans: |
-- | The net write-off and past due rates decreased versus last year and last quarter. |
9/10 | 6/10 | 9/09 | ||||||||||
Total Loans (billions) | $ | 48.7 | $ | 49.0 | $ | 51.9 | ||||||
Net write-off rate | 5.2 | % | 6.2 | % | 8.9 | % | ||||||
30 days past due loans as a % of total | 2.5 | % | 2.7 | % | 4.1 | % |
* | In accordance with the new GAAP effective January 1, 2010, the Company no longer reports securitization income, net in its income statement. |
** | Includes provisions for losses for off-balance sheet cardmember loans based on the same methodology as applied to on-balance sheet cardmember loans, except that any quarterly adjustment to reserve levels for on-balance sheet loans to address external environmental factors was not applied to adjust the provision expense for the securitized portfolio. |
(Preliminary) | Quarters Ended September 30, | Percentage Inc/(Dec) | ||||||||||
(millions) | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||
Discount revenue, net card fees and other | $ | 932 | $ | 878 | 6 | % | ||||||
Interest income | 342 | 384 | (11 | ) | ||||||||
Interest expense | 105 | 105 | - | |||||||||
Net interest income | 237 | 279 | (15 | ) | ||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | 1,169 | 1,157 | 1 | |||||||||
Provisions for losses | 64 | 250 | (74 | ) | ||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses | 1,105 | 907 | 22 | |||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||
Marketing, promotion, rewards and cardmember services | 428 | 302 | 42 | |||||||||
Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses | 532 | 469 | 13 | |||||||||
Total | 960 | 771 | 25 | |||||||||
Pretax segment income | 145 | 136 | 7 | |||||||||
Income tax (benefit) provision | (8 | ) | 3 | # | ||||||||
Segment income | $ | 153 | $ | 133 | 15 |
Statistical Information | Quarters Ended September 30, | Percentage Inc/(Dec) | ||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||
Card billed business (billions) | $ | 27.1 | $ | 24.2 | 12 | % | ||||||
Total cards-in-force (millions) | 15.0 | 15.2 | (1 | ) | ||||||||
Basic cards-in-force (millions) | 10.4 | 10.6 | (2 | ) | ||||||||
Average basic cardmember spending* | $ | 2,609 | $ | 2,273 | 15 | |||||||
Segment capital (millions)** | $ | 2,077 | $ | 2,251 | (8 | ) | ||||||
Return on average segment capital** | 24.8 | % | 13.2 | % | ||||||||
Return on average tangible segment capital** | 33.8 | % | 17.6 | % |
- | Billed Business: The 12% increase in billed business reflects a 15% increase in average spending per proprietary basic cards-in-force partially offset by a 2% decrease in basic cards-in-force. |
-- | Adjusting for the impacts of foreign exchange translation, billed business and average spending per proprietary basic cards-in-force increased 10% and 13%, respectively. Volumes increased across the major geographic regions, including an increase of 12% in both Asia Pacific and Latin America, 10% in Canada, and 9% in Europe. |
- | Total cards-in-force: Decreased by approximately 200K, or 1%, versus last year and were flat versus last quarter. |
Ÿ | Segment Income: Increased 15% to $153MM, as total revenues net of interest expense increased 1%, provisions for losses decreased 74% and expenses increased by 25%. |
- | Q3’10 and Q3’09 included net benefits reflecting revisions of certain estimates impacting reserve balances tied to the Company’s reengineering initiatives of $1MM ($1MM after-tax) in both years. |
- | Pretax Margin: Was 12.4% in Q3’10 compared with 11.8% in Q3’09. |
* | Proprietary cards only. |
** | Segment capital represents capital allocated to a segment based upon specific business operational needs, risk measures, and regulatory capital requirements. Please refer to Appendix II of the Third Quarter 2010 Earnings Release for the components of ROSC and ROTSC. |
- | Effective Tax Rate: The tax rate was (5.5)% in Q3’10 versus 2.2% in Q3’09. The tax rate in Q3’10 reflects a benefit from the resolution of certain prior year tax items. In addition, the tax rates in both periods reflect the impact of recurring tax benefits on varying levels of pretax income. As indicated in previous quarters, this segment reflects the favorable impact of the consolidated tax benefit related to its ongoing funding activities outside the U.S., which is allocated to ICS under the Company’s internal tax allocation process. The availability of this benefit in future years is largely dependent on a provision of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code that Congress has not yet acted to extend. |
· | Discount Revenue, Net Card Fees and Other: Increased 6%, driven primarily by the higher level of card spending and higher other commissions and fees. |
· | Interest Income: Declined 11%, as a lower yield on cardmember loans and a lower average loan balance were partially offset by higher lending card fees. |
Ÿ | Interest Expense: Was flat as a lower average loan balance was offset by a higher average receivable balance. |
Ÿ | Provisions for Losses: Decreased 74%, primarily reflecting improving cardmember loan and charge card credit trends. |
- | Charge Card: |
-- | The loss ratio and past billing rate decreased versus last year. Sequentially the loss ratio decreased and the past billing rate was flat. |
9/10 | 6/10 | 9/09 | ||||||||||
Total Receivables (billions) | $ | 6.2 | $ | 5.6 | $ | 5.6 | ||||||
Net loss ratio (as a % of charge volume)* † | 0.14 | % | 0.15 | % | 0.37 | % | ||||||
90 days past billing as a % of total* | 1.0 | % | 1.0 | % | 2.5 | % |
- | Cardmember Loans: |
-- | The net write-off and past due rates decreased versus last year and last quarter. |
9/10 | 6/10 | 9/09 | ||||||||||
Cardmember Loans (billions) | $ | 8.5 | $ | 8.3 | $ | 8.8 | ||||||
Net write-off rate | 4.3 | % | 4.9 | % | 7.1 | % | ||||||
30 days past due loans as a % of total | 2.8 | % | 3.0 | % | 3.7 | % |
Ÿ | Marketing, Promotion, Rewards and Cardmember Services Expenses: Increased 42%, primarily due to higher marketing and promotion expenses and greater volume-related rewards costs. |
Ÿ | Salaries and Employee Benefits and Other Operating Expenses: Increased 13%, primarily reflecting higher technology-related investments. |
* | Effective January 1, 2010, the Company revised the time period in which past due cardmember receivables in ICS are written off to when they are 180 days past due or earlier, consistent with applicable bank regulatory guidance and the write-off methodology adopted for USCS in Q4‘08. Previously, receivables were written off when they were 360 days past billing or earlier. |
† | Beginning with Q1‘10, the Company has revised the net loss ratio to exclude net write-offs related to unauthorized transactions, consistent with the methodology for calculation of the net write-off rate for USCS. The metrics for prior periods have not been restated for this change, as it was deemed immaterial. |
(Preliminary) | Quarters Ended September 30, | Percentage Inc/(Dec) | ||||||||||
(millions) | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||
Discount revenue, net card fees and other | $ | 1,200 | $ | 1,017 | 18 | % | ||||||
Interest income | 2 | 1 | 100 | |||||||||
Interest expense | 58 | 43 | 35 | |||||||||
Net interest expense | (56 | ) | (42 | ) | 33 | |||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | 1,144 | 975 | 17 | |||||||||
Provisions for losses | 22 | 40 | (45 | ) | ||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses | 1,122 | 935 | 20 | |||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||
Marketing, promotion, rewards and cardmember services | 110 | 81 | 36 | |||||||||
Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses | 772 | 706 | 9 | |||||||||
Total | 882 | 787 | 12 | |||||||||
Pretax segment income | 240 | 148 | 62 | |||||||||
Income tax provision | 81 | 46 | 76 | |||||||||
Segment income | $ | 159 | $ | 102 | 56 |
Statistical Information | Quarters Ended September 30, | Percentage Inc/(Dec) | ||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||
Card billed business (billions) | $ | 33.2 | $ | 27.9 | 19 | % | ||||||
Total cards-in-force (millions) | 7.0 | 7.1 | (1 | ) | ||||||||
Basic cards-in-force (millions) | 7.0 | 7.1 | (1 | ) | ||||||||
Average basic cardmember spending* | $ | 4,734 | $ | 3,907 | 21 | |||||||
Segment capital (millions)** | $ | 3,633 | $ | 3,679 | (1 | ) | ||||||
Return on average segment capital** | 13 | % | 6.6 | % | ||||||||
Return on average tangible segment capital** | 28.1 | % | 14.2 | % |
- | Billed Business: The 19% increase in billed business was driven by the 21% increase in average spending per proprietary basic cards-in-force partially offset by a 1% decrease in basic cards-in-force. |
-- | Adjusting for the impacts of foreign exchange translation: billed business and average spending per proprietary basic cards-in-force growth rates were 19% and 22%, respectively. Volume increased by 18% within the US, compared to an increase of 20% outside the US. |
- | Total cards-in-force: Decreased by approximately 100K or 1%, versus last year, and were flat versus last quarter, reflecting the lingering impact of the global recession on corporate client employee and card levels. |
Ÿ | Segment Income: Increased 56% to $159MM as total revenues net of interest expense increased 17%, provisions for losses decreased by 45% and expenses increased by 12%. |
- | Q3’10 includes $4MM ($2MM after-tax) of net benefits reflecting revisions of certain estimates impacting reserve balances tied to the Company’s reengineering initiatives; there was no impact from such initiatives in Q3’09. |
* | Proprietary cards only. |
** | Segment capital represents capital allocated to a segment based upon specific business operational needs, risk measures, and regulatory capital requirements. Please refer to Appendix II of the Third Quarter 2010 Earnings Release for the components of ROSC and ROTSC. |
- | Pretax Margin: Was 21.0% in Q3’10 compared with 15.2% in Q3’09. |
Ÿ | Effective Tax Rate: Was 33.8% in Q3’10 compared with 31.1% in Q3’09. |
Ÿ | Discount Revenue, Net Card Fees and Other: Increased 18%, on an increased level of card spending, greater travel commissions and fees, and slightly higher net card fees. |
Ÿ | Interest Income: Increased to $2MM in Q3’10 from $1MM in Q3’09. |
Ÿ | Interest Expense: Increased 35%, primarily driven by increased funding requirements due to a higher average receivable balance and a higher cost of funds, primarily in the U.S. and Asia Pacific. |
Ÿ | Provisions for Losses: Decreased 45%, driven by improved credit performance within the underlying portfolio. |
- | Charge Card: |
-- | The loss ratio and past billing rate decreased versus last year. Sequentially, the loss ratio remained flat and the past billing rate decreased. |
9/10 | 6/10 | 9/09 | ||||||||||
Total Receivables (billions) | $ | 12.2 | $ | 11.5 | $ | 10.4 | ||||||
Net loss ratio (as a % of charge volume)* † | 0.06 | % | 0.06 | % | 0.23 | % | ||||||
90 days past billing as a % of total* | 0.7 | % | 1.0 | % | 1.5 | % |
Ÿ | Marketing, Promotion, Rewards and Cardmember Services Expenses: Increased 36%, reflecting higher rewards costs and greater marketing and promotion expenses. |
Ÿ | Salaries and Employee Benefits and Other Operating Expenses: Increased 9%. |
* | Effective January 1, 2010, the Company revised the time period in which past due cardmember receivables in GCS are written off to when they are 180 days past due or earlier, consistent with applicable bank regulatory guidance and the write-off methodology adopted for USCS in Q4‘08. Previously, receivables were written off when they were 360 days past billing or earlier. |
† | Beginning with Q1‘10, the Company has revised the net loss ratio to exclude write-offs related to unauthorized transactions, consistent with the methodology for calculation of the net write-off rate for USCS. The metrics for prior periods have not been restated for this change, as it was deemed immaterial. |
(Preliminary) | Quarters Ended September 30, | Percentage Inc/(Dec) | ||||||||||
(millions) | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||
Discount revenue, fees and other | $ | 1,066 | $ | 937 | 14 | % | ||||||
Interest income | 1 | - | # | |||||||||
Interest expense | (51 | ) | (39 | ) | 31 | |||||||
Net interest income | 52 | 39 | 33 | |||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | 1,118 | 976 | 15 | |||||||||
Provisions for losses | 13 | 33 | (61 | ) | ||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses | 1,105 | 943 | 17 | |||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||
Marketing and promotion | 208 | 157 | 32 | |||||||||
Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses | 475 | 415 | 14 | |||||||||
Total | 683 | 572 | 19 | |||||||||
Pretax segment income | 422 | 371 | 14 | |||||||||
Income tax provision | 163 | 123 | 33 | |||||||||
Segment income | $ | 259 | $ | 248 | 4 |
Statistical Information | Quarters Ended September 30, | Percentage Inc/(Dec) | ||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||
Global card billed business* (billions) | $ | 179.3 | $ | 156.6 | 14 | % | ||||||
Segment capital (millions)** | $ | 1,831 | $ | 1,493 | 23 | |||||||
Return on average segment capital** | 63.1 | % | 71.0 | % | ||||||||
Return on average tangible segment capital** | 64.6 | % | 72.8 | % | ||||||||
Global Network Services:*** | ||||||||||||
Card billed business (billions) | $ | 23.1 | $ | 18.6 | 24 | |||||||
Total cards-in-force (millions) | 27.1 | 26.3 | 3 |
Ÿ | Segment Income: Increased 4% to $259MM, as total revenues net of interest expense increased 15%, provisions for losses decreased 61% and expenses rose 19%. |
- | Q3’09 included $1MM ($1MM after-tax) of net costs related to the Company’s reengineering initiatives; there was no impact from such initiatives in Q3’10. |
- | Pretax Margin: Was 37.7% in Q3’10 compared with 38.0% in Q3’09. |
- | Effective Tax Rate: 38.6% in Q3’10 compared with 33.2% in Q3’09. The tax rate in Q3’10 reflects charges resulting from adjustments to certain tax accounts. |
Ÿ | Discount Revenue, Fees and Other Revenue: Increased 14%, reflecting an increase in merchant-related revenues, driven by the 14% increase in global card billed business, as well as higher volume driven GNS-related revenues. |
* | Includes activities (including cash advances) related to proprietary cards, cards issued under network partnership agreements (non-proprietary billed business), and certain insurance fees charged on proprietary cards. In-store spend activity within retail co-brand portfolios in GNS, from which the Company earns no revenue, is not included in non-proprietary billed business. |
** | Segment capital represents capital allocated to a segment based upon specific business operational needs, risk measures, and regulatory capital requirements. Please refer to Appendix II of the Third Quarter 2010 Earnings Release for the components of ROSC and ROTSC. |
*** | For non-proprietary retail co-brand partners, GNS metrics exclude cardmember accounts which have no out-of-store spend activity during the prior 12 month period. |
Ÿ | Interest Income: Increased to $1MM in Q3’10 from nil in Q3’09. |
Ÿ | Interest Expense: The expense credit increased 31% due to a higher funding-driven interest credit related to internal transfer pricing which recognizes the merchant services’ accounts payable-related funding benefit. |
Ÿ | Provisions for Losses: Decreased by $20MM, or 61%, primarily due to lower merchant related debit balances. |
Ÿ | Marketing and Promotion Expenses: Increased 32%, reflecting higher network and merchant-related marketing investments. |
Ÿ | Salaries and Employee Benefits and Other Operating Expenses: Increased 14%, reflecting increased technology-related and professional service expenses, as well as incremental hiring to support business growth. |
Ÿ | changes in global economic and business conditions, including consumer and business spending, the availability and cost of credit, unemployment and political conditions, all of which may significantly affect spending on the Card, delinquency rates, loan balances and other aspects of our business and results of operations; |
Ÿ | changes in capital and credit market conditions, which may significantly affect the company’s ability to meet its liquidity needs, access to capital and cost of capital, including changes in interest rates; changes in market conditions affecting the valuation of our assets; or any reduction in our credit ratings or those of our subsidiaries, which could materially increase the cost and other terms of our funding, restrict our access to the capital markets or result in contingent payments under contracts; |
Ÿ | litigation, such as class actions or proceedings brought by governmental and regulatory agencies (including the lawsuit filed against the Company by the U.S. Department of Justice and certain state attorneys general), that could result in (i) the imposition of behavioral remedies against the Company or the Company’s voluntarily making certain changes to its business practices, the effects of which in either case could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial performance; (ii) the imposition of substantial monetary damages in private actions against the Company; and/or (iii) damage to the Company’s global reputation and brand; |
Ÿ | legal and regulatory developments wherever we do business, including legislative and regulatory reforms in the United States, such as the Dodd-Frank Act’s stricter regulation of large, interconnected financial institutions, changes in requirements relating to securitization and the establishment of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, which could make fundamental changes to many of our business practices or materially affect our capital requirements, results of operations, ability to pay dividends or repurchase our stock; or actions and potential future actions by the FDIC and credit rating agencies applicable to securitization trusts, which could impact the company’s ABS program; |
Ÿ | changes in the substantial and increasing worldwide competition in the payments industry, including competitive pressure that may impact the prices we charge merchants that accept our Cards and the success of marketing, promotion or rewards programs; |
Ÿ | changes in technology or in our ability to protect our intellectual property (such as copyrights, trademarks, patents and controls on access and distribution), and invest in and compete at the leading edge of technological developments across our businesses, including technology and intellectual property of third parties whom we rely on, all of which could materially affect our results of operations; |
Ÿ | data breaches and fraudulent activity, which could damage our brand, increase our costs or have regulatory implications, and changes in regulation affecting privacy and data security under federal, state and foreign law, which could result in higher compliance and technology costs to ourselves or our vendors; |
Ÿ | changes in our ability to attract or retain qualified personnel in the management and operation of the company’s business, including any changes that may result from increasing regulatory supervision of compensation practices; |
Ÿ | changes in the financial condition and creditworthiness of our business partners, such as bankruptcies, restructurings or consolidations, involving merchants that represent a significant portion of our business, such as the airline industry, or our partners in Global Network Services or financial institutions that we rely on for routine funding and liquidity, which could materially affect our financial condition or results of operations; |
Ÿ | uncertainties associated with business acquisitions, including the ability to realize anticipated business retention, growth and cost savings or effectively integrate the acquired business into our existing operations; |
Ÿ | changes affecting the success of our reengineering and other cost control initiatives, which may result in the company not realizing all or a significant portion of the benefits that we intend; |
Ÿ | the effectiveness of the company’s risk management policies and procedures, including credit risk relating to consumer debt, liquidity risk in meeting business requirements and operational risks; |
Ÿ | changes affecting our ability to accept or maintain deposits due to market demand or regulatory constraints, such as changes in interest rates and regulatory restrictions on our ability to obtain deposit funding or offer competitive interest rates, which could affect our liquidity position and our ability to fund our business; and |
Ÿ | factors beyond our control such as fire, power loss, disruptions in telecommunications, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorism, “hackers” or fraud, which could affect travel-related spending or disrupt our global network systems and ability to process transactions. |