XML 30 R11.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.22.4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Description of the Business Fiserv, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) provide payments and financial services technology solutions to clients worldwide. The Company provides account processing and digital banking solutions; card issuer processing and network services; payments; e-commerce; merchant acquiring and processing; and the Clover® cloud-based point-of-sale (“POS”) and business management platform. The Company serves clients around the globe, including merchants, banks, credit unions, other financial institutions and corporate clients. The Company’s reportable segments are Merchant Acceptance (“Acceptance”), Financial Technology (“Fintech”) and Payments and Network (“Payments”). Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Fiserv, Inc. and its subsidiaries in which the Company holds a majority controlling financial interest. All intercompany transactions and balances between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. Control is typically established when ownership and voting interests in an entity are greater than 50%. Investments in which the Company has significant influence but not control are accounted for using the equity method of accounting, for which the Company’s share of net income or loss is reported within income from investments in unconsolidated affiliates, and the related tax expense or benefit is reported within the income tax provision in the consolidated statements of income. Significant influence over an affiliate’s operations generally coincides with an ownership interest of between 20% and 50%; however, for partnerships and limited liability companies, an ownership interest of between 3% and 50% or board of director representation may also constitute significant influence. The Company maintains a majority controlling financial interest in certain entities, mostly related to consolidated merchant alliances (see Note 19). Noncontrolling interests represent the minority shareholders’ share of the net income or loss and equity in consolidated subsidiaries. The Company’s noncontrolling interests presented in the consolidated statements of income include net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests. Noncontrolling interests are presented as a component of equity in the consolidated balance sheets. Noncontrolling interests that are redeemable upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within the Company’s control are presented outside of equity and are carried at their estimated redemption value if it exceeds the initial carrying value of the redeemable interest (see Note 12). Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S.”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Since the onset of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic in early 2020, global economic and market conditions have been negatively impacted, including levels of consumer and business spending. The Company’s operating performance, primarily within its merchant acquiring and payment-related businesses, which earn transaction-based fees, was adversely affected by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company has determined, however, that there have been no material changes to the estimates and assumptions within its consolidated financial statements to date as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company will continue to monitor any future developments. Revenue Recognition The Company generates revenue from the delivery of processing, service and product solutions. Revenue is measured based on consideration specified in a contract with a customer, and excludes any amounts collected on behalf of third parties. The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control over a product or service to a customer which may be at a point in time or over time. Additional information regarding the Company’s revenue recognition policies is included in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and investments with original maturities of 90 days or less and are stated at cost in the consolidated balance sheets, which approximates market value. Cash and cash equivalents that were restricted from use due to regulatory or other requirements are included in other long-term assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Cash and cash equivalents held on behalf of merchants and other payees are included in settlement assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The changes in settlement cash and cash equivalents are included in settlement activity, net within cash flows from financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The following table provides a reconciliation between cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheets and the consolidated statements of cash flows at December 31:
(In millions) | 2022 |  | 2021 |  | 2020 |
Cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheets | $ | 902 |  |  | $ | 835 |  |  | $ | 906 |  |
Cash and cash equivalents included in settlement assets (see Note 5) | 2,283 |  |  | 2,361 |  |  | 1,650 |  |
Other restricted cash | 7 |  |  | 9 |  |  | 13 |  |
Total cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated statements of cash flows | $ | 3,192 |  |  | $ | 3,205 |  |  | $ | 2,569 |  |
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The Company analyzes the collectability of trade accounts receivable by considering historical bad debts, client creditworthiness, current economic trends, changes in client payment terms and collection trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Any change in the assumptions used in analyzing a specific account receivable may result in an additional allowance for doubtful accounts being recognized in the period in which the change occurs. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $52 million and $55 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Leases The Company maintains certain leasing receivables associated with its POS terminal leasing businesses. Leasing receivables are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other long-term assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Interest income on the Company’s leasing receivables is recognized using the effective interest method, and is included within product revenue in the consolidated statements of income. Initial direct costs incurred to obtain operating leases and other sales-type leases, in which the fair value of the underlying asset is equal to its carrying amount at the lease commencement date, are deferred and recognized over the lease term. Initial direct costs to obtain a sales-type lease are expensed as incurred if the fair value of the underlying asset is different from its carrying amount at the lease commencement date. Additional information regarding the Company’s lease policies is included in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements. Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets Prepaid expenses represent advance payments for goods and services to be consumed in the future, such as maintenance, postage and insurance, and totaled $431 million and $410 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company offers merchants advance access to capital through its Clover Capital cash advance program. Under this program, merchants sell fixed amounts of their future credit card receivables to the Company in exchange for an up-front purchase price payment. Future credit card receivables purchased by the Company under the Clover Capital program were $164 million and $77 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company maintained a reserve of $7 million at both December 31, 2022 and 2021, based on an estimate of uncollectible amounts. Settlement Assets and Obligations Settlement assets and obligations result from timing differences between collection and fulfillment of payment transactions and collateral amounts held to manage merchant credit risk, primarily associated with the Company’s merchant acquiring services. Settlement assets represent cash received or amounts receivable from agents, payment networks, bank partners, merchants or direct consumers. Settlement obligations represent amounts payable to merchants and payees. Certain merchant settlement assets (included within settlement receivables) that relate to settlement obligations are held by partner banks to which the Company does not have legal ownership, but which the Company has the right to use, to satisfy the related settlement obligations. The Company records settlement obligations for amounts payable to merchants and for outstanding payment instruments issued to payees that have not yet been presented for settlement. Additional information regarding the Company’s settlement assets and obligations is included in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements. Allowance for Merchant Credit Losses With respect to the Company’s merchant acquiring business, the Company’s merchant customers have the legal obligation to refund any charges properly reversed by the cardholder. However, in the event the Company is not able to collect the refunded amounts from the merchants, the Company may be liable for the reversed charges. The Company’s risk in this area primarily relates to situations where a cardholder has purchased goods or services to be delivered in the future. The Company requires cash deposits, guarantees, letters of credit or other types of collateral from certain merchants to mitigate this risk. Collateral held by the Company, or held by partner banks for the Company’s benefit, is classified within settlement assets and the obligation to repay the collateral is classified within settlement obligations in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company also utilizes a number of systems and procedures to manage merchant credit risk. Despite these efforts, the Company experiences losses due to merchant defaults. The aggregate merchant credit loss expense, recognized by the Company within cost of processing and services in the consolidated statements of income, was $62 million, $41 million and $113 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The amount of collateral available to the Company was $1.5 billion and $2.2 billion at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company maintains an allowance for merchant credit losses that are expected to exceed the amount of merchant collateral. The allowance includes estimated losses from anticipated chargebacks and fraud events that have been incurred on merchants’ payment transactions that have been processed but not yet reported to the Company, which is recorded within accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheets, as well as estimated losses on refunded amounts to cardholders that have not yet been collected from the merchants, which is recorded within prepaid expenses and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The allowance is based primarily on the Company’s historical experience of credit losses and other factors such as changes in economic conditions or increases in merchant fraud. The aggregate merchant credit loss allowance was $29 million and $42 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Property and Equipment Property and equipment is reported at cost. Depreciation of property and equipment is computed primarily using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the leasehold period, if applicable. Property and equipment consisted of the following at December 31:
(In millions) | Estimated Useful Lives |  | 2022 |  | 2021
Land | — |  | $ | 47 |  |  | $ | 48 |
Data processing equipment | 3 to 5 years |  | 3,025 |  |  | 2,302 |
Buildings and leasehold improvements | 5 to 40 years |  | 724 |  |  | 512 |
Furniture and equipment | 5 to 8 years |  | 370 |  |  | 372 |
|  |  | 4,166 |  |  | 3,234 |
Less: Accumulated depreciation |  |  | (2,208) |  |  | (1,492) |
Total |  |  | $ | 1,958 |  |  | $ | 1,742 |
Depreciation expense for all property and equipment totaled $555 million, $498 million and $523 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively (see Note 16 for a description of accelerated depreciation under certain finance lease agreements). Intangible Assets Customer related intangible assets represent customer contracts and relationships obtained as part of acquired businesses and are amortized using an accelerated amortization method which corresponds with the customer attrition rates used in the initial valuation of the intangibles over their estimated useful lives, generally ten to twenty years. Acquired software and technology represents software and technology intangible assets obtained as part of acquired businesses and is amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, generally four to ten years. Trade names are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, generally eight to twenty years. Non-compete agreements are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, generally four to five years. Purchased software represents software licenses purchased from third parties and is amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, generally five years. The Company continually develops, maintains and enhances its products and systems. Product development expenditures represented approximately 7%, 7% and 6% of the Company’s total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Research and development costs incurred prior to the establishment of technological feasibility are expensed as incurred. Routine maintenance of software products, design costs and other development costs incurred prior to the establishment of a product’s technological feasibility are also expensed as incurred. Costs are capitalized commencing when the technological feasibility of the software has been established. Capitalized software development costs represent the capitalization of certain costs incurred to develop new software or to enhance existing software which is marketed externally or utilized by the Company to process client transactions. Capitalized software development costs are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, generally five years. The Company may, at its discretion, negotiate to pay an independent sales organization (“ISO”) an agreed-upon up-front amount in exchange for the ISO’s surrender of its right to receive commission payments from the Company related to future transactions of merchants referred by the ISO (“residual buyout”). The amount that the Company pays for these residual buyouts is capitalized and subsequently amortized using the straight-line method over the expected life of the merchant portfolios, generally five to nine years. The Company may also obtain residual buyouts as part of acquired businesses. Additional information regarding the Company’s identifiable intangible assets is included in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if circumstances indicate possible impairment. Goodwill is tested for impairment at a reporting unit level, which is one level below the Company’s reportable segments. When assessing goodwill for impairment, the Company considers (i) the prior year’s amount of excess fair value over the carrying value of each reporting unit, (ii) the period of time since a reporting unit’s last quantitative test, (iii) the extent a reorganization or disposition changes the composition of one or more of the reporting units and (iv) other factors to determine whether or not to first perform a qualitative test. When performing a qualitative test, the Company assesses numerous factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting units is less than their respective carrying values. Examples of qualitative factors that the Company assesses include its share price, its financial performance, market and competitive factors in its industry and other events specific to its reporting units. If the Company concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company performs a quantitative impairment test by comparing reporting unit carrying values to estimated fair values. The Company elected to perform a quantitative test for certain reporting units, including those that changed in composition or where the prior year’s amount of excess fair value over carrying value was of a lower magnitude, and tested the remainder of its reporting units using a qualitative approach. The Company’s most recent annual impairment assessment of its reporting units in the fourth quarter of 2022 determined that its goodwill was not impaired as the estimated fair values exceeded the carrying values. However, it is reasonably possible that future developments related to the interest or currency exchange rate environments; a shift in strategic initiatives; a deterioration in financial performance or in the success of merchant alliances and relationships within a particular reporting unit; or significant changes in the composition of, or assumptions used in, the quantitative test on certain of the Company’s reporting units (such as an increase in risk-adjusted discount rates) could have a future material impact on one or more of the estimates and assumptions used to evaluate goodwill impairment. There is no accumulated goodwill impairment for the Company through December 31, 2022. Additional information regarding the Company’s goodwill is included in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements. Asset Impairment The Company reviews property and equipment, lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, intangible assets and its investments in unconsolidated affiliates for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. The Company reviews capitalized software development costs for impairment at each reporting date. Recoverability of property and equipment, lease ROU assets, capitalized software development costs and other intangible assets is assessed by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to either the undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or the net realizable value of the asset, depending on the type of asset. The Company assesses lease ROU assets that are exited in advance of the non-cancellable lease terms by comparing the carrying values of the lease ROU assets to the discounted cash flows from estimated sublease payments. The Company’s investments in unconsolidated affiliates are assessed by comparing the carrying amount of the investments to their estimated fair values and are impaired if any decline in fair value is determined to be other than temporary. Measurement of any impairment loss is based on estimated fair value. Fair Value Measurements The Company applies fair value accounting for all assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in its consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis. Fair value represents the amount that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities, the Company uses the hierarchy prescribed in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC Topic 820”), and considers the principal or most advantageous market and the market-based risk measurements or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The three levels in the hierarchy are as follows: •Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that are accessible as of the measurement date. •Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable either directly or indirectly, including but not limited to quoted prices in markets that are not active, quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities and observable inputs other than quoted prices such as interest rates or yield curves. •Level 3 – Unobservable inputs reflecting management’s judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Additional information regarding the Company’s fair value measurements is included in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following at December 31:
(In millions) |  | 2022 |  | 2021
Trade accounts payable |  | $ | 652 |  |  | $ | 593 |
Client deposits |  | 871 |  |  | 783 |
Accrued compensation and benefits |  | 279 |  |  | 392 |
Accrued taxes |  | 432 |  |  | 154 |
Accrued interest |  | 216 |  |  | 216 |
Other accrued expenses |  | 1,433 |  |  | 1,412 |
Total |  | $ | 3,883 |  |  | $ | 3,550 |
Foreign Currency The U.S. dollar is the functional currency of the Company’s U.S.-based businesses and certain foreign-based businesses. Where the functional currency differs from the U.S. dollar, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates during the reporting period. Gains and losses from foreign currency translation are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in determining net income for the reporting period. Financial statements of subsidiaries located in highly inflationary economies outside of the U.S. are remeasured into U.S. dollars, and the foreign currency gains and losses from the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities are reflected in the consolidated statements of income, rather than in shareholders’ equity. The remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities resulted in foreign currency exchange losses of $52 million and $5 million during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, primarily related to Argentina. Foreign currency exchange losses resulting from the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities were nominal during the year ended December 31, 2020. To reduce exposure to changes in the value of the Company’s net investments in certain of its foreign currency-denominated subsidiaries due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, the Company uses fixed-to-fixed cross-currency rate swap contracts and foreign currency-denominated debt as economic hedges of its net investments in such foreign currency-denominated subsidiaries (see Note 13). Accordingly, foreign currency transaction gains or losses on the qualifying net investment hedge instruments are recorded as foreign currency translation, net of tax, within other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income and will remain in accumulated other comprehensive loss within the consolidated balance sheets until the sale or complete liquidation of the underlying foreign subsidiaries. Derivatives Derivatives are entered into for periods consistent with related underlying exposures and are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets as either an asset or liability measured at fair value. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss and recognized in the consolidated statements of income when the hedged item affects earnings. If the derivative is designated as a net investment hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative, net of tax, are recorded in the foreign currency translation component of other comprehensive income (loss) until the sale or complete liquidation of the underlying net investment. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in the same line item as the changes in the fair value of the hedged item and recognized in the consolidated statements of income. To the extent a derivative is not designated as a hedge, changes in fair value are recognized in the consolidated statements of income. The Company’s policy is to enter into derivatives with creditworthy institutions and not to enter into such derivatives for speculative purposes. Employee Benefit Plans The Company maintains frozen defined benefit pension plans covering certain employees in Europe and the U.S. The Company records actuarial gains/losses and prior service cost in the consolidated balance sheets and recognizes changes in these amounts during the year in which changes occur through other comprehensive income (loss). The Company uses various assumptions when computing amounts relating to its defined benefit pension plan obligations and their associated expenses (including the discount rate and the expected rate of return on plan assets). Additional information regarding the Company’s employee benefit plans is included in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements. Cost of Processing, Services and Product Cost of processing and services consists of costs directly associated with providing services to clients and includes the following: personnel; equipment and data communication; infrastructure costs, including costs to maintain software applications; client support; certain depreciation and amortization; and other operating expenses. Cost of product consists of costs directly associated with the products sold and includes the following: costs of materials and postage; software development; hardware costs (primarily POS devices); personnel; infrastructure costs; certain depreciation and amortization; and other costs directly associated with product revenue. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily consist of: salaries, wages, commissions and related expenses paid to sales personnel, administrative employees and management; third-party commissions; advertising and promotional costs; certain depreciation and amortization; and other selling and administrative expenses. Interest Expense, Net Interest expense, net consists of interest expense primarily associated with the Company’s outstanding borrowings and finance lease obligations, as well as interest income primarily associated with the Company’s investment securities. Interest expense, net consisted of the following for the years ended December 31:
(In millions) | 2022 |  | 2021 |  | 2020 |
Interest expense | $ | (746) |  |  | $ | (696) |  |  | $ | (716) |  |
Interest income | 13 |  |  | 3 |  |  | 7 |  |
Interest expense, net | $ | (733) |  |  | $ | (693) |  |  | $ | (709) |  |
Income Taxes Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, and net operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Liabilities are established for unrecognized tax benefits, attributable to differences between a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and the benefit recognized in the financial statements. In establishing a liability for an unrecognized tax benefit, assumptions are made in determining whether, and the extent to which, a tax position will be sustained. A tax position is recognized only when it is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the relevant taxing authority, based on its technical merits. The amount of tax benefit recognized reflects the largest benefit the Company believes is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement. As additional information becomes available, the liability for unrecognized tax benefits is reevaluated and adjusted, as appropriate. Tax benefits ultimately realized can differ from amounts previously recognized due to uncertainties, with any such differences generally impacting the provision for income tax. Net Income Per Share Net income per share attributable to Fiserv, Inc. in each year is calculated using actual, unrounded amounts. Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Fiserv, Inc. by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Fiserv, Inc. by the weighted-average number of common shares and common stock equivalents outstanding during the year. Common stock equivalents consist of outstanding stock options, unvested restricted stock units and unvested restricted stock awards, and are computed using the treasury stock method. The Company excluded 1.7 million, 1.5 million and 1.3 million weighted-average shares from the calculations of common stock equivalents for anti-dilutive stock options in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The computation of shares used in calculating basic and diluted net income per share is as follows at December 31:
(In millions) |  | 2022 |  | 2021 |  | 2020
Weighted-average common shares outstanding used for the calculation of net income attributable to Fiserv, Inc. per share – basic |  | 642.3 |  |  | 662.6 |  |  | 672.1 |
Common stock equivalents |  | 5.6 |  |  | 9.0 |  |  | 11.3 |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding used for the calculation of net income attributable to Fiserv, Inc. per share – diluted |  | 647.9 |  |  | 671.6 |  |  | 683.4 |
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
(In millions) |  |  |  |  |  |
Year Ended December 31, |  | 2022 |  | 2021 |  | 2020
Interest paid |  | $ | 703 |  |  | $ | 648 |  |  | $ | 673 |
Income taxes paid |  | 709 |  |  | 666 |  |  | 156 |
Treasury stock purchases settled after the balance sheet date |  | 6 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Distribution of nonmonetary assets (see Note 4) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 726 |
Software obtained under financing arrangements |  | 104 |  |  | 143 |  |  | 308 |

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccountingPoliciesAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The entire disclosure for the basis of presentation and significant accounting policies concepts. Basis of presentation describes the underlying basis used to prepare the financial statements (for example, US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Other Comprehensive Basis of Accounting, IFRS). Accounting policies describe all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -URI https://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2122369 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration