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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2014
Accounts Receivable And Loans and Reserves For Card Member Losses [Abstract] |
Card Member and Other Receivables and Loans | T he Company’s charge and lending payment card products result in the generation of Card Member receivables and Card Member loans, respectively. For information on the Company’s accounts receivable and loans and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 4 on pages 7 2 – 76 of the Annual Report. Impaired Card Member Loans and R eceivables Impaired loans and receivables are individual larger balance or homogeneous pools of smaller balance loans and r eceivables for which it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the Card Member agreement. For information on impaired Ca rd Member loans and receivables and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 4 on pages 7 4 – 76 of the Annual Report.
Reserves For Losses Policy [Abstract] |
Reserves for losses | Reserves for losses relating to Card Member loans and receivables represent management’s best estimate of the probable losses inherent in the Company’s outstanding portfolio of loans and receivables, as of the balance sheet date. Management’s evaluation process requires certain estimates and judgments. For information on the Company’s reserves for losses and the related accountin g policies, refer to Note 5 on pages 77 – 78 of the Annual Report.
Investments [Abstract] |
Investments | Investment securities include debt and equity securities that the Company classifies as available for sale. The Company’s investment securities, principally debt securities, are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balanc e Sheets with unrealized gains (losses) recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI), net of income taxes. Realized gains and losses are recognized in results of operations upon disposition of the securities using the specific identification method on a trade date basis. F or information on the Company’s methodology for de termining the fair value of investment securities and related accounting policies, r efer to Note 3 on pages 68 – 71 of the Annual Report. Overall, for the investment securities in gross unrealized loss positions (i) the Company does not currently intend to sell the investment securities, (ii) it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the investment securities before recovery of the unrealized losses, and (iii) the Company expects that the contractual principal and interest will be received on the investment securities. As a result, the Company reco gnized no other-than-temporary impairment during the periods presented.
Asset Securitization [Abstract] |
Asset Securitizations | The Company periodically securitizes Card Member receivables and loans arising from its card business through the transfer of those assets to securitization trusts. The trusts then issue securities to third-party investors, collaterali zed by the transferred assets. For information on the Company’s asset securitizations and related account ing policies, refer to Note 7 on page 80 of the Annual Report.
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Abstract] |
Derivatives | The Company uses derivative financial instruments (derivatives) to manage exposures to various market risks. Derivatives derive their value from an underlying variable or multiple variables, including interest rate, foreign exchange, and equity index or price. These instruments enable end users to increase, reduce or alter exposure to various market risks and, for that reason, are an integral component of the Com pany’s market risk management. The Compan y does not engage in derivatives for trading purposes. For information on the Company’s derivative instruments and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 12 on pages 87 – 90 of the Annual Report. Der ivative Financial Instruments that Qualify for Hedge Accounting Refer to Note 12 on pages 89 – 90 of the Annual Report for information on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting. Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges For information on derivatives not designated as hedges, refer to Note 12 on page 90 of the Annual Report.
Fair Value [Abstract] |
Fair Values | For information about the Company’s valuation techniques for financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value and the fair value hierarchy, refer to Note 3 on pages 68 – 70 of the Annual Report. Refer to Note 12 on pages 87 – 90 of the Annual Report for additional information about the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments.
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] |
Commitments and contingencies | The Company has recorded liabilities for certain of its outstanding legal proceedings and governmental examinations. A liability is accrued when it is both (a) proba ble that a loss has occurred and (b) the amount of lo ss can be reasonably estimated. T here may be instances in which an exposure to loss exceeds the accrued liability. The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal proceedings and gover nmental examinations that could cause an increase or decrease in the amount of the liability that has been previously accrued or a revision to the disclosed estimated range of possible losses, as applicable.

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- Definition Disclosure of accounting policy for commitments and contingencies, which may include policies for recognizing and measuring loss and gain contingencies. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 954 -SubTopic 450 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6491354&loc=d3e6052-115624 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2155897 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6398077&loc=d3e12565-110249 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 954 -SubTopic 450 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6491354&loc=d3e6049-115624 + Details
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- Definition Disclosure of accounting policy for finance, loan and lease receivables, including those held for investment and those held for sale. This disclosure may include (1) the basis at which such receivables are carried in the entity's statements of financial position (2) how the level of the allowance for loan and lease losses is determined (3) when impairments, charge-offs or recoveries are recognized for such receivables (4) the treatment of origination fees and costs, including the amortization method for net deferred fees or costs (5) the treatment of any premiums or discounts or unearned income (6) the entity's income recognition (revenues, expenses and gains and losses arising from committing to issue, issuing, granting, collecting, terminating, modifying and holding loans) policies for such receivables, including those that are impaired, past due or placed on nonaccrual status and (7) the treatment of foreclosures or repossessions. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28368275&loc=d3e5144-111524 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6378556&loc=d3e10133-111534 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28368275&loc=d3e5093-111524 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (b,d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28368275&loc=d3e5212-111524 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 3-5 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Disclosure of accounting policy for investments in financial assets, including marketable securities (debt and equity securities with readily determinable fair values), investments accounted for under the equity method and cost method, securities borrowed and loaned, and repurchase and resale agreements. For marketable securities, the disclosure may include the entity's accounting treatment for transfers between investment categories and how the fair values for such securities are determined. Also, for all investments, an entity may describe its policy for assessing, recognizing and measuring impairment of the investment. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 325 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872867&loc=d3e40691-111596 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28364263&loc=d3e13433-108611 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27290-111563 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section M Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.2,12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 2, 12 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Disclosure of accounting policy for transfers and servicing financial assets, including securitization transactions as well as repurchase and resale agreements. This disclosure may include how the entity (1) determines whether a transaction is accounted for as a sale; (2) accounts for a sale transaction, including the initial and subsequent accounting for any interests that the entity obtains or continues to hold in the transaction, how such interests are valued, and the significant assumptions used in the valuation; (3) accounts for a transaction that does not qualify for sale treatment (that is, a financing); and (4) accounts for its servicing assets and liabilities ("servicing"), including how such servicing is measured initially and subsequently, and the methodology and significant assumptions used to value such servicing. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 50 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a),(b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7882072&loc=d3e122625-111746 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 50 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7882072&loc=d3e122739-111746 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6379141&loc=d3e15029-111544 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 50 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7882072&loc=d3e122596-111746 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=13989330&loc=d3e107314-111719 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 30 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2197663 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 20 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2197627 Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2197591 Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=13989330&loc=d3e107207-111719 Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 50 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2197735 + Details
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