WELLS FARGO MERCHANT SERVICES, LLC
(A Joint Venture)
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
The Company recognizes card services revenues primarily from its transaction processing and authorization services as such services are performed. The revenues from transaction processing and authorization services are included in card services revenue in the statement of revenue and expenses. The Company recognizes revenue when the price is fixed or determinable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the service is performed and collectability of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Certain revenues are recorded net of certain costs not controlled by the Company, including interchange and assessment fees charged by the Card Networks. These revenues totaled $8.7 billion, $7.1 billion, and $6.0 billion for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 and associated costs totaled $8.2 billion, $6.8 billion, and $5.5 billion, respectively.
Debit revenues are recorded gross and are included within card services revenue in the statement of revenues and expenses. Debit network fees are recorded within cost of card services in the statement of revenues and expenses. Debit revenues are recognized as such services are performed. Debit network fees totaled $127.0 million, $121.9 million, and $110.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 and associated revenues totaled $159.1 million, $153.8 million, and $139.5 million, respectively. The Company recognizes product revenue from merchant referred leases, rentals and sales as such services are performed. These revenues totaled $23.8 million, $29.0 million, and $50.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 and are classified within product revenue. The Company records expense associated with the corresponding charge from affiliates of FDMS. These expenses totaled $10.3 million, $12.0 million, and $15.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 and are classified within Cost of product sold.
In addition to the above, the Company recognizes other fees for services as such services are performed. These revenues totaled $87.8 million, $85.0 million, and $69.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 and are classified within Other revenue. The other revenue caption on the statement of revenues and expenses includes relevant items such as monthly fees, new account fees, income from cash advances, chargeback fees and early termination fees.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 net income equals comprehensive income.
(l) | New Accounting Pronouncements |
Revenue Recognition
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606 and ASC340-40 (collectively, the New Revenue Standard) that requires companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in an exchange for those goods or services. It also requires enhanced disclosures about revenue, provides guidance for transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively, and improves guidance for multiple-element arrangements. The FASB has subsequently issued several amendments to the standard, including clarification on accounting for licenses, identifying performance obligations, and principal versus agent consideration (reporting revenue gross vs. net).
The Company will adopt the New Revenue Standard using a modified retrospective basis on January 1, 2019. The Company does not expect the adoption of the New Revenue Standard to result in a material or significant cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. The Company’s accounting policies did not change materially since the principles of revenue recognition from the New Revenue Standard are largely consistent with the prior guidance and practices applied by our business. Accordingly, the Company does not have material changes to the timing or amount of revenue recognition. Under the modified retrospective basis, the Company will not restate the prior consolidated financial statements presented for these effects.
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