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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2025
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”).We report the results of each of our business segments on a continuing operations basis. The results of our individual businesses reflect the manner in which management evaluates performance and makes decisions about funding our operations and allocating resources. The Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) for each of our segments is the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). The CODM uses the segments’ income (loss) from continuing operations after tax to assess segment performance and decide how to allocate resources.
Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and in the related disclosures. These estimates are based on information available as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. While management makes its best judgments, actual amounts or results could differ from these estimates. In the opinion of management, all normal, recurring adjustments have been included for a fair statement of this interim financial information.
These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements, and related notes thereto, included in Capital One Financial Corporation’s 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2024 Form 10-K”). We have described relevant updates to the significant accounting policies presented in 2024 Form 10-K below. Such updates are primarily a result of the Transaction (as defined below).
Discount and Interchange Income
Discount and interchange income represents the amounts we earn and retain from transactions between cardholders and merchants on credit and debit card products. Contractually defined per-transaction fee amounts typically apply to each type of transaction processed. We recognize discount and interchange income upon settlement.
Discount income represents the amount we charge merchants with whom we have entered into card acceptance agreements for processing credit card purchase transactions. We stand ready to process payment transactions as and when a transaction is presented.
Generally, interchange income is earned from two sources. We earn acquirer interchange income primarily from merchant acquirers on Discover Network, Diners Club and PULSE Network transactions made by credit and debit card customers at merchants with whom merchant acquirers have entered into card acceptance agreements for processing payment card transactions. Under these agreements, we stand ready to process payment transactions as and when each is presented. We also earn interchange income as a card issuer in the form of a fee for standing ready to authorize and providing settlement on credit and debit card transactions processed through the Mastercard® (“Mastercard”) and Visa® (“Visa”) interchange networks. The levels and structure of interchange rates we earn as a card issuer are set by Mastercard and Visa and can vary based on cardholder purchase volumes, among other factors.
We pay issuer interchange to card issuing entities that have entered into contractual arrangements to issue cards on the Discover Network and on certain transactions on the Diners Club and PULSE networks. This cost is contractually established and is based on the card issuing organization’s transaction volume. We present this cost as a reduction of discount and interchange income. We accrue for the cost at the time each underlying card transaction is captured for settlement. See “Note 13—Business Segments and Revenue from Contracts with Customers” for additional details.
Balance Sheet Offsetting of Financial Assets and Liabilities
Balance Sheet Offsetting of Financial Assets and Liabilities
Derivative contracts and repurchase agreements that we execute bilaterally in the OTC market are generally governed by enforceable master netting agreements where we generally have the right to offset exposure with the same counterparty. Either counterparty can generally request to net settle all contracts through a single payment upon default on, or termination of, any one contract. We elect to offset the derivative assets and liabilities under master netting agreements for balance sheet presentation where a right of setoff exists. For derivative contracts entered into under master netting agreements for which we have not been able to confirm the enforceability of the setoff rights, or those not subject to master netting agreements, we do not offset our derivative positions for balance sheet presentation.
Fair Value
Fair value, also referred to as an exit price, is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value accounting guidance provides a three-level fair value hierarchy for classifying financial instruments. This hierarchy is based on the markets in which the assets or liabilities trade and whether the inputs to the valuation techniques used to measure fair value are observable or unobservable. The fair value measurement of a financial asset or liability is assigned a level based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
Level 1:Valuation is based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2:Valuation is based on observable market-based inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3:
Valuation is generated from techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. Valuation techniques include pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies or similar techniques.
The accounting guidance for fair value measurements requires that we maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. We consider all available information, including observable market data, indications of market liquidity and orderliness, and our understanding of the valuation techniques and significant inputs. Based upon the specific facts and circumstances of each instrument or instrument category, judgments are made regarding the significance of the observable or unobservable inputs to the instruments’ fair value measurement in its entirety. If unobservable inputs are considered significant, the instrument is classified as Level 3. The process for determining fair value using unobservable inputs is generally more subjective and involves a high degree of management judgment and assumptions. The accounting guidance provides for the irrevocable option to elect, on a contract-by-contract basis, to measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value at inception of the contract and record any subsequent changes in fair value in earnings.
The determination and classification of financial instruments in the fair value hierarchy is performed at the end of each reporting period. For additional information on the valuation techniques used in estimating the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities on a recurring basis, see “Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 17—Fair Value Measurement” in our 2024 Form 10-K.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
We are required to measure and recognize certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis on the consolidated balance sheets. These assets are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, from the application of lower of cost or fair value accounting or when we evaluate for impairment).
Business Segment Reporting Methodology
The results of our business segments are intended to present each segment as if it were a stand-alone business. Our internal management and reporting process used to derive our segment results employs various allocation methodologies, including funds transfer pricing, to assign certain balance sheet assets, deposits and other liabilities and their related revenues and expenses directly or indirectly attributable to each business. Marketing expenses are included within non-interest expense and can be directly incurred by a business segment or indirectly incurred and allocated. Total marketing expense was $1.4 billion and $4.0 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, and $1.1 billion and $3.2 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively. Credit Card marketing expense was $1.2 billion and $3.4 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, and $964 million and $2.8 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively. Our funds transfer pricing process managed by our centralized Corporate Treasury group provides a funds credit for sources of funds, such as deposits generated by our Consumer Banking and
Commercial Banking businesses, and a charge for the use of funds by each business. The allocation is unique to each business and is based on the composition of assets and liabilities. The funds transfer pricing process considers the interest rate and liquidity risk characteristics of assets and liabilities and off-balance sheet products. Periodically the methodology and assumptions utilized in the funds transfer pricing process are adjusted to reflect economic conditions and other factors, which may impact the allocation of net interest income to the businesses. Due to the integrated nature of our business segments, estimates and judgments have been made in allocating certain revenue and expense items. Transactions between segments are based on specific criteria or approximate market rates. We regularly assess the assumptions, methodologies and reporting classifications used for segment reporting, which may result in the implementation of refinements or changes in future periods. We provide additional information on the allocation methodologies used to derive our business segment results in “Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 18—Business Segments and Revenue from Contracts with Customers” in our 2024 Form 10-K.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
The majority of our revenue from contracts with customers consists of discount and interchange fees, service charges and other customer-related fees, and other contract revenue. Discount and interchange fees are primarily from our Credit Card business and are recognized upon settlement with the interchange networks, net of rewards earned by customers. Service charges and other customer-related fees within our Consumer Banking business are primarily related to fees earned on consumer deposit accounts for account maintenance and various transaction-based services such as ATM usage, transaction processing services on the PULSE Network, as well as various participation and membership fees. Service charges and other customer-related fees within our Commercial Banking business are mostly related to fees earned on treasury management and capital markets services. Other contract revenue in our Credit Card business consists primarily of revenue from our merchant relationships. Other contract revenue in our Consumer Banking business consists primarily of revenue earned from services provided to auto industry participants. Revenue from contracts with customers is included in non-interest income in our consolidated statements of income.