Synchrony Financial Reports Third Quarter Net Earnings of $548 Million or $0.70 Per Diluted Share

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) today announced third quarter 2014 net earnings of $548 million, or $0.70 per diluted share.

  • Total platform revenue up $202 million, or 9%, from the prior year to $2.5 billion
  • Loan receivables up $3.5 billion, or 7%, from the prior year to $56.8 billion
  • Purchase volume increased 11% from the prior year
  • Extended relationships with two of our largest partners: Lowe’s and QVC--including Lowe's, five largest programs extended to 2019 and beyond
  • Strong deposit growth continued, up $10.5 billion, or 48%, over the prior year

“The business delivered strong growth during the quarter, a testament to our ability to deepen and grow our partnerships,” said Margaret Keane, President and Chief Executive Officer of Synchrony Financial. “Several significant milestones were achieved, including a successful initial public offering of our common stock and inaugural debt offering. We also extended partnerships with two of our largest partners, launched our branding campaign, significantly grew direct deposits through our Optimizer+plus brand, furthered our efforts to leverage new technologies to enhance security with the launch of EMV enabled cards, and advanced our mobile payment capabilities, most notably through our recently announced agreement with Apple to include participating Dual Card programs in Apple Pay.”

“We are excited about the future of Synchrony Financial and our ability to build on an already strong foundation, while continuing to deliver value to our partners and consumers through innovative products and services,” concluded Ms. Keane.

Business and Financial Highlights for the Third Quarter of 2014

All comparisons below are for the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013, unless otherwise noted.

Earnings

  • Net interest income, after retailer share arrangements (RSAs), increased $163 million, or 8%, to $2.2 billion, driven by strong loan receivables growth of 7%.
  • Total platform revenue increased $202 million, or 9%, to $2.5 billion.
  • Provision for loan losses increased $134 million due largely to growth in loan receivables.
  • Other expense increased $153 million to $728 million; consistent with the Company's expectations. The expense increase was mainly attributed to: costs required to support growth and infrastructure build in preparation for separation from General Electric Company (GE).
  • Net earnings totaled $548 million for the quarter compared to $641 million in the prior-year quarter.

Balance Sheet

  • Period-end loan receivables growth remained strong at 7% driven by purchase volume and average active account growth.
  • The composition of loan receivables growth remained broad-based with strength exhibited across each sales platform.
  • Deposits grew to $32.7 billion, up $10.5 billion, or 48%, from one year ago, and now comprise 54% of funding sources compared to 47% one year ago.
  • The Company’s balance sheet was strengthened considerably through capital and debt issuances completed during the quarter, including proceeds of nearly $3.0 billion from the initial public offering of common stock, and nearly $3.6 billion from the inaugural debt offering. These actions contributed to total liquidity (liquidity portfolio plus undrawn securitization capacity) increasing to $19.7 billion, or 27% of total assets, as of September 30, 2014.

Key Financial Metrics

  • Return on assets was 3.2% and return on equity was 26.8%.
  • Net interest margin declined 258 basis points to 17.11% primarily due to the impact from the significant increase in liquidity this quarter driven by the debt and equity issuances.
  • Consistent with the Company's expectations, the efficiency ratio increased to 31.9% mainly due to costs associated with supporting growth and building infrastructure for separation.
  • Tier 1 common equity ratio under Basel I increased to 15.1% this quarter primarily due to proceeds received from the initial public offering of common stock.

Credit Quality

  • Loans 30+ days past due as a percentage of period-end loan receivables improved 6 basis points to 4.26%.
  • Net charge-offs as a percentage of total average loan receivables, including held for sale, decreased 2 basis points to 4.05%.
  • The provision for loan losses totaled $675 million, an increase of $134 million from the prior-year quarter primarily driven by the strong growth in loan receivables.
  • The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total period-end receivables remained relatively stable compared to the past two quarters of this year at 5.46%.

Sales Platforms

  • Retail Card platform revenue increased 10%, driven primarily by period-end loan receivables growth of 6%, with broad-based growth across partner programs.
  • Payment Solutions platform revenue increased 6% driven by period-end loan receivables growth of 7%, with broad-based growth across industry segments led by home furnishings, auto, and power equipment.
  • CareCredit platform revenue increased 8%, driven by higher yields and 6% period-end loan receivables growth, with growth led by dental and veterinary specialties.

Corresponding Financial Tables and Information

No representation is made that the information in this news release is complete. Investors are encouraged to review the foregoing summary and discussion of Synchrony Financial's earnings and financial condition in conjunction with the detailed financial tables and information that follow and the forthcoming Form 10-Q. The detailed financial tables and other information are also available on the Investor Relations page of the Company’s website at www.investors.synchronyfinancial.com. This information is also furnished in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC today.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

On Friday, October 17, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time, Margaret Keane, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Brian Doubles, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call to review the financial results and outlook for certain business drivers. The conference call can be accessed via an audio webcast through the Investor Relations page of our website, www.investors.synchronyfinancial.com, under Events and Presentations. A replay will be available on the website or by dialing (888) 843-7419 (U.S. domestic) or (630) 652-3042 (international), passcode 32014, and can be accessed beginning approximately two hours after the event through October 31, 2014.

About Synchrony Financial

Formerly GE Capital Retail Finance, Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF) is one of the premier consumer financial services companies in the United States. Our roots in consumer finance trace back to 1932, and today we are the largest provider of private label credit cards in the United States based on purchase volume and receivables*. We provide a range of credit products through programs we have established with a diverse group of national and regional retailers, local merchants, manufacturers, buying groups, industry associations and healthcare service providers to help generate growth for our partners and offer financial flexibility to our customers. Through our partners’ more than 300,000 locations across the United States and Canada, and their websites and mobile applications, we offer our customers a variety of credit products to finance the purchase of goods and services. Our offerings include private label credit cards, promotional financing and installment lending, loyalty programs and Optimizer+plus branded FDIC-insured savings products through Synchrony Bank. More information can be found at www.synchronyfinancial.com and twitter.com/SYFNews.

*The Nilson Report (April 2014, Issue # 1039)

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are subject to the "safe harbor" created by those sections. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “outlook,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “targets,” “estimates,” “will,” “should,” “may” or words of similar meaning, but these words are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions, and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, actual results could differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include global political, economic, business, competitive, market, regulatory and other factors and risks, such as: the impact of macroeconomic conditions and whether industry trends we have identified develop as anticipated; retaining existing partners and attracting new partners, concentration of our platform revenue in a small number of Retail Card partners, promotion and support of our products by our partners, and financial performance of our partners; our need for additional financing, higher borrowing costs and adverse financial market conditions impacting our funding and liquidity, and any reduction in our credit ratings; our ability to securitize our loans, occurrence of an early amortization of our securitization facilities, loss of the right to service or subservice our securitized loans, and lower payment rates on our securitized loans; our reliance on dividends, distributions and other payments from Synchrony Bank; our ability to grow our deposits in the future; changes in market interest rates and the impact of any margin compression; effectiveness of our risk management processes and procedures, reliance on models which may be inaccurate or misinterpreted, our ability to manage our credit risk, the sufficiency of our allowance for loan losses and the accuracy of the assumptions or estimates used in preparing our financial statements; our ability to offset increases in our costs in retailer share arrangements; competition in the consumer finance industry; our concentration in the U.S. consumer credit market; our ability to successfully develop and commercialize new or enhanced products and services; our ability to realize the value of strategic investments; reductions in interchange fees; fraudulent activity; cyber-attacks or other security breaches; failure of third parties to provide various services that are important to our operations; disruptions in the operations of our computer systems and data centers; international risks and compliance and regulatory risks and costs associated with international operations; catastrophic events; alleged infringement of intellectual property rights of others and our ability to protect our intellectual property; litigation and regulatory actions; damage to our reputation; our ability to attract, retain and motivate key officers and employees; tax legislation initiatives or challenges to our tax positions and state sales tax rules and regulations; significant and extensive regulation, supervision, examination and enforcement of our business by governmental authorities, the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and the impact of the CFPB’s regulation of our business; changes to our methods of offering our CareCredit products; impact of capital adequacy rules; restrictions that limit our ability to pay dividends and repurchase our capital stock and that limit Synchrony Bank’s ability to pay dividends; regulations relating to privacy, information security and data protection as well as anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing laws; use of third-party vendors and ongoing third-party business relationships; effect of General Electric Capital Corporation (GECC) being subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board both as a savings and loan holding company and as a systemically important financial institution; GE not completing the separation from us as planned or at all, GE’s inability to obtain savings and loan holding company deregistration (GE SLHC Deregistration) and GE continuing to have significant control over us; completion by the Federal Reserve Board of a review (with satisfactory results) of our preparedness to operate on a standalone basis, independently of GE, and Federal Reserve Board approval required for us to continue to be a savings and loan holding company, including the timing of the approval and the imposition of any significant additional capital or liquidity requirements; our need to establish and significantly expand many aspects of our operations and infrastructure; delays in receiving or failure to receive Federal Reserve Board agreement required for us to be treated as a financial holding company after the GE SLHC Deregistration; loss of association with GE’s strong brand and reputation; limited right to use the GE brand name and logo and need to establish a new brand; GE has significant control over us; terms of our arrangements with GE may be more favorable than we will be able to obtain from unaffiliated third parties; obligations associated with being a public company; our incremental cost of operating as a standalone public company could be substantially more than anticipated; GE could engage in businesses that compete with us, and conflicts of interest may arise between us and GE; and failure caused by us of GE’s distribution of our common stock to its stockholders in exchange for its common stock to qualify for tax-free treatment, which may result in significant tax liabilities to GE for which we may be required to indemnify GE.

For the reasons described above, we caution you against relying on any forward-looking statements, which should also be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included elsewhere in this news release and in our public filings, including under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended and filed on July 18, 2014 (File No. 333-194528). You should not consider any list of such factors to be an exhaustive statement of all of the risks, uncertainties, or potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause our current expectations or beliefs to change. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as otherwise may be required by law.

Non-GAAP Measures

The information provided herein includes measures we refer to as “platform revenue”, “platform revenue excluding retailer share arrangements” and “tangible common equity” and certain capital ratios, which are not prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, please see the detailed financial tables and information that follow. For a statement regarding the usefulness of these measures to investors, please see the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC today.

                       
SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
(unaudited, in millions, except per share statistics)
Quarter Ended Nine months ended
Sep 30, Jun 30, Mar 31, Dec 31, Sep 30, Sep 30, Sep 30,
2014   2014   2014   2013   2013   3Q'14 vs. 3Q'13 2014   2013   YTD'14 vs. YTD'13

EARNINGS

Net interest income $2,879 $2,720 $2,743 $2,849 $2,703 $176 6.5 % $8,342 $7,722 $620 8.0 %
Retailer share arrangements (693 ) (590 ) (594 ) (662 ) (680 ) (13 ) 1.9 % (1,877 ) (1,711 ) (166 ) 9.7 %
Net interest income, after retailer share arrangements 2,186 2,130 2,149 2,187 2,023 163 8.1 % 6,465 6,011 454 7.6 %
Provision for loan losses 675   681   764   818   541   134   24.8 % 2,120   2,254   (134 ) (5.9 )%
Net interest income, after retailer share arrangements and provision for loan losses 1,511 1,449 1,385 1,369 1,482 29 2.0 % 4,345 3,757 588 15.7 %
Other income 96 112 115 130 114 (18 ) (15.8 )% 323 370 (47 ) (12.7 )%
Other expense 728   797   610   807   575   153   26.6 % 2,135   1,677   458   27.3 %
Earnings before provision for income taxes 879 764 890 692 1,021 (142 ) (13.9 )% 2,533 2,450 83 3.4 %
Provision for income taxes 331   292   332   249   380   (49 ) (12.9 )% 955   914   41   4.5 %
Net earnings $548   $472   $558   $443   $641   $(93 ) (14.5 )% $1,578   $1,536   $42   2.7 %
Net earnings attributable to common stockholders $548   $472   $558   $443   $641   $(93 ) (14.5 )% $1,578   $1,536   $42   2.7 %
 

COMMON SHARE STATISTICS

Basic EPS $0.70 $0.67 $0.79 $0.63 $0.91 $(0.21 ) (23.1 )% $2.16 $2.18 $(0.02 ) (0.9 )%
Diluted EPS $0.70 $0.67 $0.79 $0.63 $0.91 $(0.21 ) (23.1 )% $2.16 $2.18 $(0.02 ) (0.9 )%
Common stock price $24.55 n/a n/a n/a n/a $24.55 n/a $24.55 n/a $24.55 n/a
Book value per share $11.92 $9.07 $8.57 $8.45 $7.92 $4.00 50.5 % $11.92 $7.92 $4.00 50.5 %
Tangible common equity per share(1) $10.24 $7.07 $6.57 $6.68 $6.15 $4.09 66.5 % $10.24 $6.15 $4.09 66.5 %
 
Beginning common shares outstanding 705 705 705 705 705 - - % 705 705 - - %
Issuance of common shares through initial public offering 129 - - - - 129 NM 129 - 129 NM
Shares repurchased -   -   -   -   -   -   NM   -   -   -   NM  
Ending common shares outstanding 834 705 705 705 705 129 18.3 % 834 705 129 18.3 %
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding 782 705 705 705 705 77 10.9 % 731 705 26 3.7 %
Weighted average common shares outstanding (fully diluted) 782 705 705 705 705 77 10.9 % 731 705 26 3.7 %
                       

 

(1) Tangible Common Equity ("TCE") is a non-GAAP measure. For corresponding reconciliation of TCE to a GAAP financial measure, see Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures and Calculations of Regulatory Measures.

                     
SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
SELECTED METRICS
(unaudited, $ in millions, except account data)
Quarter Ended Nine months ended
Sep 30, Jun 30, Mar 31, Dec 31, Sep 30, Sep 30, Sep 30,
2014 2014 2014 2013 2013 3Q'14 vs. 3Q'13 2014 2013 YTD'14 vs. YTD'13

PERFORMANCE METRICS

Return on assets(1) 3.2% 3.1% 3.9% 3.0% 4.7% (1.5)% 3.4% 3.7% (0.3)%
Return on equity(2) 26.8% 29.9% 35.3% 31.1% 48.8% (22.0)% 29.7% 39.7% (10.0)%
Return on tangible common equity(3) 32.4% 38.5% 44.2% 40.0% 63.8% (31.4)% 36.7% 52.1% (15.4)%
Net interest margin(4) 17.11% 17.84% 18.83% 19.30% 19.69% (2.58)% 17.80% 18.74% (0.94)%
Efficiency ratio(5) 31.9% 35.5% 26.9% 34.8% 26.9% 5.0% 31.5% 26.3% 5.2%
Other expense as a % of average loan receivables, including held for sale 5.09% 5.77% 4.51% 5.77% 4.39% 0.70% 5.11% 4.37% 0.74%
Effective income tax rate 37.7% 38.2% 37.3% 36.0% 37.2% 0.5% 37.7% 37.3% 0.4%
 

CREDIT QUALITY METRICS

Net charge-offs as a % of average loan receivables, including held for sale 4.05% 4.88% 4.86% 5.13% 4.07% (0.02)% 4.57% 4.52% 0.05%
30+ days past due as a % of period-end loan receivables 4.26% 3.82% 4.09% 4.35% 4.32% (0.06)% 4.26% 4.32% (0.06)%
90+ days past due as a % of period-end loan receivables 1.85% 1.65% 1.93% 1.96% 1.83% 0.02% 1.85% 1.83% 0.02%
Net charge-offs $579 $673 $658 $718 $533 $46 8.6% $1,910 $1,736 $174 10.0%
Loan receivables delinquent over 30 days $2,416 $2,097 $2,220 $2,488 $2,299 $117 5.1% $2,416 $2,299 $117 5.1%
Loan receivables delinquent over 90 days $1,051 $908 $1,046 $1,121 $974 $77 7.9% $1,051 $974 $77 7.9%
 
Allowance for loan losses (period-end) $3,102 $3,006 $2,998 $2,892 $2,792 $310 11.1% $3,102 $2,792 $310 11.1%
Allowance coverage ratio(6) 5.46% 5.48% 5.52% 5.05% 5.24% 0.22% 5.46% 5.24% 0.22%
 

BUSINESS METRICS

Purchase volume(7) $26,004 $25,978 $21,086 $27,002 $23,499 $2,505 10.7% $73,068 $66,856 $6,212 9.3%
Period-end loan receivables $56,767 $54,873 $54,285 $57,254 $53,265 $3,502 6.6% $56,767 $53,265 $3,502 6.6%
Average loan receivables, including held for sale $57,391 $55,363 $55,495 $54,895 $52,580 $4,811 9.1% $56,238 $51,488 $4,750 9.2%
Period-end active accounts (in thousands)(8) 60,489 59,248 57,349 61,957 56,703 3,786 6.7% 60,489 56,703 3,786 6.7%
Average active accounts (in thousands)(8) 59,907 58,386 59,342 58,402 56,171 3,736 6.7% 59,394 55,523 3,871 7.0%
 

LIQUIDITY

Liquidity portfolio
Cash and equivalents $14,808 $6,782 $5,331 $2,319 $2,670 $12,138 NM $14,808 $2,670 $12,138 NM
Total liquidity portfolio $14,077 $6,119 $4,806 $2,058 $2,099 $11,978 NM $14,077 $2,099 $11,978 NM
Undrawn credit facilities
Undrawn committed securitization financings $5,650 $5,650 $450 - - $5,650 NM $5,650 - $5,650 NM
Total liquidity portfolio and undrawn credit facilities $19,727 $11,769 $5,256 $2,058 $2,099 $17,628 NM $19,727 $2,099 $17,628 NM
Liquidity portfolio as a % of total assets 19.16% 9.69% 8.11% 3.48% 3.78% 15.38% 19.16% 3.78% 15.38%
Liquidity portfolio including undrawn committed securitization financings as a % of total assets 26.85% 18.63% 8.87% 3.48% 3.78% 23.07% 26.85% 3.78% 23.07%
 

(1)

 

Return on assets represents net earnings as a percentage of average total assets.

(2)

Return on equity represents net earnings as a percentage of average total equity.

(3)

Return on tangible common equity represents net earnings as a percentage of average tangible common equity. Tangible Common Equity ("TCE") is a non-GAAP measure. For corresponding reconciliation of TCE to a GAAP financial measure, see Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures and Calculations of Regulatory Measures.

 

(4)

Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average interest earning assets.

(5)

Efficiency ratio represents (i) other expense, divided by (ii) net interest income, after retailer share arrangements, plus other income.

(6)

Allowance coverage ratio represents allowance for loan losses divided by total period-end loan receivables.

(7)

Purchase volume, or net credit sales, represents the aggregate amount of charges incurred on credit cards or other credit product accounts less returns during the period.

(8)

Active accounts represent credit card or installment loan accounts on which there has been a purchase, payment or outstanding balance in the current month.

 
 
SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(unaudited, $ in millions)
  Quarter Ended       Nine months ended    
Sep 30,   Jun 30,   Mar 31,   Dec 31,   Sep 30, Sep 30,   Sep 30, YTD'14 vs.
2014   2014   2014   2013   2013   3Q'14 vs. 3Q'13 2014   2013   YTD'13
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans $3,116 $2,920 $2,928 $3,032 $2,883 $233 8.1 % $8,964 $8,263 $701 8.5 %
Interest on investment securities 7   6   5   5   3   4   133.3 % 18   13   5   38.5 %
Total interest income 3,123 2,926 2,933 3,037 2,886 237 8.2 % 8,982 8,276 706 8.5 %
 
Interest expense:
Interest on deposits 126 109 96 93 94 32 34.0 % 331 281 50 17.8 %
Interest on borrowings of consolidated securitization entities 57 54 47 49 51 6 11.8 % 158 162 (4 ) (2.5 )%
Interest on related party debt 15 43 47 46 38 (23 ) (60.5 )% 105 111 (6 ) (5.4 )%
Interest on third party debt 46   -   -   -   -   46   NM   46   -   46   NM  
Total interest expense 244 206 190 188 183 61 33.3 % 640 554 86 15.5 %
                     
Net interest income 2,879 2,720 2,743 2,849 2,703 176 6.5 % 8,342 7,722 620 8.0 %
 
Retailer share arrangements (693 ) (590 ) (594 ) (662 ) (680 ) (13 ) 1.9 % (1,877 ) (1,711 ) (166 ) 9.7 %
Net interest income, after retailer share arrangements 2,186 2,130 2,149 2,187 2,023 163 8.1 % 6,465 6,011 454 7.6 %
 
Provision for loan losses 675   681   764   818   541   134   24.8 % 2,120   2,254   (134 ) (5.9 )%
Net interest income, after retailer share arrangements and provision for loan losses 1,511 1,449 1,385 1,369 1,482 29 2.0 % 4,345 3,757 588 15.7 %
 
Other income:
Interchange revenue 101 92 76 89 82 19 23.2 % 269 235 34 14.5 %
Debt cancellation fees 68 70 70 88 74 (6 ) (8.1 )% 208 236 (28 ) (11.9 )%
Loyalty programs (84 ) (63 ) (43 ) (57 ) (58 ) (26 ) 44.8 % (190 ) (156 ) (34 ) 21.8 %
Other 11   13   12   10   16   (5 ) (31.3 )% 36   55   (19 ) (34.5 )%
Total other income 96   112   115   130   114   (18 ) (15.8 )% 323   370   (47 ) (12.7 )%
 
Other expense:
Employee costs 239 207 193 190 173 66 38.2 % 639 508 131 25.8 %
Professional fees 159 155 141 157 120 39 32.5 % 455 329 126 38.3 %
Marketing and business development 115 97 83 117 54 61 113.0 % 295 152 143 94.1 %
Information processing 47 53 52 52 47 - - % 152 141 11 7.8 %
Other 168   285   141   291   181   (13 ) (7.2 )% 594   547   47   8.6 %
Total other expense 728 797 610 807 575 153 26.6 % 2,135 1,677 458 27.3 %
                     
Earnings before provision for income taxes 879 764 890 692 1,021 (142 ) (13.9 )% 2,533 2,450 83 3.4 %
Provision for income taxes 331   292   332   249   380   (49 ) (12.9 )% 955   914   41   4.5 %
Net earnings attributable to common shareholders $548   $472   $558   $443   $641   $(93 ) (14.5 )% $1,578   $1,536   $42   2.7 %
 
 
SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(unaudited, $ in millions)
             
Quarter Ended
Sep 30, Jun 30, Mar 31, Dec 31, Sep 30, Sep 30, 2014 vs.
2014   2014   2014   2013   2013   Sep 30, 2013
Assets
Cash and equivalents $14,808 $6,782 $5,331 $2,319 $2,670 $12,138 NM
Investment securities 325 298 265 236 233 92 39.5 %
Loan receivables:
Unsecuritized loans held for investment 30,474 28,280 29,101 31,183 28,102 2,372 8.4 %
Restricted loans of consolidated securitization entities 26,293   26,593   25,184   26,071   25,163   1,130   4.5 %
Total loan receivables 56,767 54,873 54,285 57,254 53,265 3,502 6.6 %
Less: Allowance for loan losses (3,102 ) (3,006 ) (2,998 ) (2,892 ) (2,792 ) (310 ) 11.1 %
Loan receivables, net 53,665 51,867 51,287 54,362 50,473 3,192 6.3 %
Loan receivables held for sale 1,493 1,458 - - - 1,493 NM
Goodwill 949 949 949 949 957 (8 ) (0.8 )%
Intangible assets, net 449 463 464 300 290 159 54.8 %
Other assets 1,780   1,358   949   919   882   898   101.8 %
Total assets $73,469   $63,175   $59,245   $59,085   $55,505   $17,964   32.4 %
 
Liabilities and Equity
Deposits:
Interest bearing deposit accounts $32,480 $30,258 $27,123 $25,360 $21,712 $10,768 49.6 %
Non-interest bearing deposit accounts 209   204   235   359   450   (241 ) (53.6 )%
Total deposits 32,689 30,462 27,358 25,719 22,162 10,527 47.5 %
Borrowings:
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities 15,091 15,114 14,642 15,362 15,395 (304 ) (2.0 )%
Related party debt 1,405 7,859 8,062 8,959 9,270 (7,865 ) (84.8 )%
Third party debt 11,088   -   -   -   -   11,088   NM  
Total borrowings 27,584 22,973 22,704 24,321 24,665 2,919 11.8 %
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 3,255   3,347   3,141   3,085   3,095   160   5.2 %
Total liabilities 63,528 56,782 53,203 53,125 49,922 13,606 27.3 %
Equity:
Parent’s net investment - - 6,052 5,973 5,592 (5,592 ) NM
Common stock 1 1 - - - 1 NM
Additional paid-in capital 9,401 6,399 - - - 9,401 NM
Retained earnings 548 - - - - 548 NM
Accumulated other comprehensive income: (9 ) (7 ) (10 ) (13 ) (9 ) -   - %
Total equity 9,941   6,393   6,042   5,960   5,583   4,358   78.1 %
Total liabilities and equity $73,469   $63,175   $59,245   $59,085   $55,505   $17,964   32.4 %
 
 
SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
AVERAGE BALANCES, NET INTEREST INCOME AND NET INTEREST MARGIN
(unaudited, $ in millions)
                             
Quarter Ended  
Sep 30, 2014 Jun 30, 2014 Mar 31, 2014 Dec 31, 2013 Sep 30, 2013
Interest Average Interest Average Interest Average Interest Average Interest Average
Average Income/ Yield/ Average Income/ Yield/ Average Income/ Yield/ Average Income/ Yield/ Average Income/ Yield/
Balance Expense Rate Balance Expense Rate Balance Expense Rate Balance Expense Rate Balance Expense Rate
Assets
Interest earning assets:
Interest earning cash and equivalents $9,793 $4 0.16% $5,489 $3 0.22% $4,001 $2 0.21% $2,792 $2 0.28% $2,266 $1 0.18%
Securities available for sale 309 3 3.89% 285 3 4.22% 250 3 4.92% 237 3 4.97% 227 2 3.53%
 
Loan receivables:
Credit cards, including held for sale 54,891 3,054 22.32% 52,957 2,860 21.66% 53,211 2,867 22.10% 52,271 2,963 22.25% 49,790 2,812 22.65%
Consumer installment loans 1,070 25 9.37% 1,004 24 9.59% 959 23 9.84% 1,249 29 9.11% 1,374 33 9.63%
Commercial credit products 1,412 37 10.51% 1,387 36 10.41% 1,311 38 11.89% 1,362 39 11.24% 1,404 38 10.86%
Other 18 - - % 15 - - % 14 - - % 13 1 NM 12 - - %
Total loan receivables, including held for sale 57,391 3,116 21.78% 55,363 2,920 21.16% 55,495 2,928 21.64% 54,895 3,032 21.68% 52,580 2,883 21.99%
Total interest earning assets 67,493 3,123 18.56% 61,137 2,926 19.20% 59,746 2,933 20.13% 57,924 3,037 20.58% 55,073 2,886 21.02%
 
Non-interest earning assets:
Cash and due from banks 1,260 637 561 533 535
Allowance for loan losses (3,058) (3,005) (2,931) (2,823) (2,799)
Other assets 2,605 2,446 2,045 2,072 2,097
Total non-interest earning assets 807 78 (325) (218) (167)
         
Total assets $68,300 $61,215 $59,421 $57,706 $54,906
 
Liabilities
Interest bearing liabilities:
Interest bearing deposit accounts $31,459 $126 1.61% $28,568 $109 1.53% $26,317 $96 1.50% $23,857 $93 1.53% $21,012 $94 1.79%
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities 15,102 57 1.51% 14,727 54 1.47% 14,830 47 1.30% 15,378 49 1.25% 16,058 51 1.27%
Related party debt 4,582 15 1.31% 7,959 43 2.17% 8,286 47 2.33% 9,037 46 2.00% 9,213 38 1.65%
Third party debt(1) 5,544 46 3.33% - - - % - - - % - - - % - - - %
Total interest bearing liabilities 56,687 244 1.73% 51,254 206 1.61% 49,433 190 1.58% 48,272 188 1.53% 46,283 183 1.59%
 
Non-interest bearing liabilities
Non-interest bearing deposit accounts 206 221 331 450 477
Other liabilities 3,208 3,412 3,182 3,391 2,880
Total non-interest bearing liabilities 3,414 3,633 3,513 3,841 3,357
         
Total liabilities 60,101 54,887 52,946 52,113 49,640
 
Equity
Total equity 8,199 6,328 6,475 5,593 5,266
         
Total liabilities and equity $68,300 $61,215 $59,421 $57,706 $54,906
Net interest income $2,879 $2,720 $2,743 $2,849 $2,703
 
Interest rate spread(2) 16.83% 17.59% 18.55% 19.05% 19.43%
Net interest margin(3) 17.11% 17.84% 18.83% 19.30% 19.69%
 
(1)   Interest on third party debt calculated above utilizes monthly average balances. The average third party debt balance outstanding, from the date of issuance through September 30, 2014, was $10.8 billion and accrued interest at an effective rate of 2.63%, excluding the impact of a one time charge incurred in connection with the prepayment of the Bank term loan facility.
(2) Interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on total interest earning assets and the rate on total interest bearing liabilities.
(3) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average interest earning assets.
 
 
SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
AVERAGE BALANCES, NET INTEREST INCOME AND NET INTEREST MARGIN
(unaudited, $ in millions)
           
Nine months ended Nine months ended
Sep 30, 2014 Sep 30, 2013
Interest Average Interest Average
Average Income/ Yield/ Average Income/ Yield/
Balance Expense Rate Balance Expense Rate
Assets
Interest earning assets:
Interest earning cash and equivalents $6,587 $9 0.18 % $3,589 $7 0.26 %
Securities available for sale 281 9 4.31 % 209 6 3.85 %
 
Loan receivables:
Credit cards, including held for sale 53,836 8,781 21.97 % 48,745 8,053 22.17 %
Consumer installment loans 1,012 72 9.58 % 1,382 99 9.61 %
Commercial credit products 1,374 111 10.88 % 1,350 111 11.03 %
Other 16   - - % 11   - - %
Total loan receivables, including held for sale 56,238   8,964 21.47 % 51,488   8,263 21.54 %
Total interest earning assets 63,106   8,982 19.17 % 55,286   8,276 20.09 %
 
Non-interest earning assets:
Cash and due from banks 863 545
Allowance for loan losses (2,997 ) (2,609 )
Other assets 2,360   2,013  
Total non-interest earning assets 226   (51 )
   
Total assets $63,332   $55,235  
 
Liabilities
Interest bearing liabilities:
Interest bearing deposit accounts $28,799 $331 1.55 % $21,355 $281 1.77 %
Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities 14,888 158 1.43 % 16,560 162 1.31 %
Related party debt 6,739 105 2.10 % 8,902 111 1.67 %
Third party debt(1) 2,218   46 2.79 % -   - - %
Total interest bearing liabilities 52,644   640 1.64 % 46,817   554 1.59 %
 
Non-interest bearing liabilities
Non-interest bearing deposit accounts 259 488
Other liabilities 3,272   2,737  
Total non-interest bearing liabilities 3,531   3,225  
   
Total liabilities 56,175   50,042  
 
Equity
Total equity 7,157 5,193
   
Total liabilities and equity $63,332   $55,235  
Net interest income $8,342 $7,722
 
Interest rate spread(2) 17.53 % 18.50 %
Net interest margin(3)           17.80 %           18.74 %

(1)

 

Interest on third party debt calculated above utilizes monthly average balances. The average third party debt balance outstanding, from the date of issuance through September 30, 2014,

was $10.8 billion and accrued interest at an effective rate of 2.63%, excluding the impact of a one time charge incurred in connection with the prepayment of the Bank term loan facility.

(2)

Interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on total interest earning assets and the rate on total interest bearing liabilities.

(3)

Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average interest earning assets.

 
 
SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
BALANCE SHEET STATISTICS
(unaudited, $ in millions, except per share statistics)
             
Quarter Ended
Sep 30, Jun 30, Mar 31, Dec 31, Sep 30, Sep 30, 2014 vs.
2014 2014 2014 2013 2013 Sep 30, 2013

BALANCE SHEET STATISTICS

Total common equity $9,941 $6,393 $6,042 $5,960 $5,583 $4,358 78.1%
Total common equity as a % of total assets 13.53% 10.12% 10.20% 10.09% 10.06% 3.47%
 
Tangible assets $72,071 $61,763 $57,832 $57,836 $54,258 $17,813 32.8%
Tangible common equity(1) $8,543 $4,981 $4,629 $4,711 $4,336 $4,207 97.0%
Tangible common equity as a % of tangible assets(1) 11.85% 8.06% 8.00% 8.15% 7.99% 3.86%

Tangible common equity per share (1)

$10.24 $7.07 $6.57 $6.68 $6.15 $4.09 66.5%
 

REGULATORY CAPITAL RATIOS(2)

Basel I
Total risk-based capital ratio(3) 16.4%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio(4) 15.1%
Tier 1 common ratio(5) 15.1%
Tier 1 leverage ratio(6) 12.2%
 
Basel III
Tier 1 common ratio(7) 14.6%
                               

(1)

 

Tangible Common Equity ("TCE") is a non-GAAP measure. We believe TCE is a more meaningful measure to investors of the net asset value of the Company. For corresponding reconciliation of TCE to a GAAP financial measure see Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures and Calculations of Regulatory Measures.

(2)

Regulatory capital metrics as of the end of 3Q 2014 are preliminary and therefore subject to change. As a new savings and loan holding company, the Company historically has not been required by regulators to disclose capital ratios, and therefore these ratios are non-GAAP measures. See Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures and Calculation of Regulatory Measures for components of capital ratio calculations.

(3)

Total risk-based capital ratio is the ratio of total risk-based capital divided by risk-weighted assets.

(4)

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio is the ratio of Tier 1 capital divided by risk-weighted assets.

(5)

Tier 1 common ratio is the ratio of common equity Tier 1 capital divided by risk-weighted assets.

(6)

Tier 1 leverage ratio is calculated based on Tier 1 capital divided by total assets, after certain adjustments.

(7)

Our Basel III Tier 1 common ratio is the ratio of common equity Tier 1 capital to total risk-weighted assets, each as calculated in accordance with the U.S. Basel III capital rules (on a fully phased-in basis). Our Basel III Tier 1 common ratio is a preliminary estimate reflecting management’s interpretation of the final Basel III capital rules adopted in July 2013 by the Federal Reserve Board, which have not been fully implemented, and our estimate and interpretations are subject to, among other things, ongoing regulatory review and implementation guidance.

 
                     
SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
PLATFORM RESULTS AND RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
(unaudited, $ in millions)
Quarter Ended Nine months ended
Sep 30, Jun 30, Mar 31, Dec 31, Sep 30, Sep 30, Sep 30,
2014   2014   2014   2013   2013   3Q'14 vs. 3Q'13 2014   2013   YTD'14 vs. YTD'13

RETAIL CARD

Purchase volume(1),(2) $20,991 $21,032 $16,713 $22,199 $18,840 $2,151 11.4 % $58,736 $53,540 $5,196 9.7 %
Period-end loan receivables $38,466 $37,238 $37,175 $39,834 $36,137 $2,329 6.4 % $38,466 $36,137 $2,329 6.4 %
Average loan receivables, including held for sale $39,411 $38,047 $38,223 $37,576 $35,754 $3,657 10.2 % $38,685 $35,037 $3,648 10.4 %
Average active accounts (in thousands)(2),(3) 48,433 47,248 48,168 47,455 45,617 2,816 6.2 % 48,116 45,128 2,988 6.6 %
 
Interest and fees on loans(2) $2,299 $2,158 $2,178 $2,234 $2,119 $180 8.5 % $6,635 $6,083 $552 9.1 %
Other income(2) 78   92   96   113   95   (17 ) (17.9 )% 266   306   (40 ) (13.1 )%
Platform revenue, excluding retailer share arrangements(2) 2,377 2,250 2,274 2,347 2,214 163 7.4 % 6,901 6,389 512 8.0 %
Retailer share arrangements(2) (683 ) (577 ) (584 ) (651 ) (670 ) (13 ) 1.9 % (1,844 ) (1,680 ) (164 ) 9.8 %
Platform revenue(2) $1,694   $1,673   $1,690   $1,696   $1,544   $150   9.7 % $5,057   $4,709   $348   7.4 %
 

PAYMENT SOLUTIONS

Purchase volume(1) $3,226 $3,115 $2,687 $3,111 $2,963 $263 8.9 % $9,028 $8,249 $779 9.4 %
Period-end loan receivables $11,514 $11,014 $10,647 $10,893 $10,731 $783 7.3 % $11,514 $10,731 $783 7.3 %
Average loan receivables $11,267 $10,785 $10,775 $10,844 $10,526 $741 7.0 % $10,965 $10,342 $623 6.0 %
Average active accounts (in thousands)(3) 6,892 6,692 6,737 6,566 6,310 582 9.2 % 6,784 6,234 550 8.8 %
 
Interest and fees on loans $405 $379 $372 $399 $383 $22 5.7 % $1,156 $1,107 $49 4.4 %
Other income 7   8   8   4   9   (2 ) (22.2 )% 23   32   (9 ) (28.1 )%
Platform revenue, excluding retailer share arrangements 412 387 380 403 392 20 5.1 % 1,179 1,139 40 3.5 %
Retailer share arrangements (9 ) (12 ) (9 ) (9 ) (10 ) 1   (10.0 )% (30 ) (27 ) (3 ) 11.1 %
Platform revenue $403   $375   $371   $394   $382   $21   5.5 % $1,149   $1,112   $37   3.3 %
 

CARECREDIT

Purchase volume(1) $1,787 $1,831 $1,686 $1,692 $1,696 $91 5.4 % $5,304 $5,067 $237 4.7 %
Period-end loan receivables $6,787 $6,621 $6,463 $6,527 $6,397 $390 6.1 % $6,787 $6,397 $390 6.1 %
Average loan receivables $6,713 $6,531 $6,497 $6,475 $6,300 $413 6.6 % $6,588 $6,109 $479 7.8 %
Average active accounts (in thousands)(3) 4,582 4,446 4,437 4,381 4,244 338 8.0 % 4,494 4,161 333 8.0 %
 
Interest and fees on loans $412 $383 $378 $399 $381 $31 8.1 % $1,173 $1,073 $100 9.3 %
Other income 11   12   11   13   10   1   10.0 % 34   32   2   6.3 %
Platform revenue, excluding retailer share arrangements 423 395 389 412 391 32 8.2 % 1,207 1,105 102 9.2 %
Retailer share arrangements (1 ) (1 ) (1 ) (2 ) -   (1 ) NM   (3 ) (4 ) 1   (25.0 )%
Platform revenue $422   $394   $388   $410   $391   $31   7.9 % $1,204   $1,101   $103   9.4 %
 

TOTAL SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL

Purchase volume(1),(2) $26,004 $25,978 $21,086 $27,002 $23,499 $2,505 10.7 % $73,068 $66,856 $6,212 9.3 %
Period-end loan receivables $56,767 $54,873 $54,285 $57,254 $53,265 $3,502 6.6 % $56,767 $53,265 $3,502 6.6 %
Average loan receivables, including held for sale $57,391 $55,363 $55,495 $54,895 $52,580 $4,811 9.1 % $56,238 $51,488 $4,750 9.2 %
Average active accounts (in thousands)(2),(3) 59,907 58,386 59,342 58,402 56,171 3,736 6.7 % 59,394 55,523 3,871 7.0 %
 
Interest and fees on loans(2) $3,116 $2,920 $2,928 $3,032 $2,883 $233 8.1 % $8,964 $8,263 $701 8.5 %
Other income(2) 96   112   115   130   114   (18 ) (15.8 )% 323   370   (47 ) (12.7 )%
Platform revenue, excluding retailer share arrangements(2) 3,212 3,032 3,043 3,162 2,997 215 7.2 % 9,287 8,633 654 7.6 %
Retailer share arrangements(2) (693 ) (590 ) (594 ) (662 ) (680 ) (13 ) 1.9 % (1,877 ) (1,711 ) (166 ) 9.7 %
Platform revenue(2) $2,519   $2,442   $2,449   $2,500   $2,317   $202   8.7 % $7,410   $6,922   $488   7.0 %
 
(1)   Purchase volume, or net credit sales, represents the aggregate amount of charges incurred on credit cards or other credit product accounts less returns during the period.
(2) Includes activity and balances associated with loan receivables held for sale.
(3) Active accounts represent credit card or installment loan accounts on which there has been a purchase, payment or outstanding balance in the current month.
 
 
SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES AND CALCULATIONS OF REGULATORY MEASURES
(unaudited, $ in millions, except per share statistics)
  Quarter Ended
Sep 30,   Jun 30,   Mar 31,   Dec 31,   Sep 30,
2014   2014   2014   2013   2013  

COMMON EQUITY MEASURES

GAAP Total common equity $9,941 $6,393 $6,042 $5,960 $5,583
Less: Goodwill (949 ) (949 ) (949 ) (949 ) (957 )
Less: Intangible assets, net (449 ) (463 ) (464 ) (300 ) (290 )
Tangible common equity $8,543 $4,981 $4,629 $4,711 $4,336

Adjustments for certain other intangible assets, deferred tax liabilities and certain items in accumulated comprehensive income (loss)

292  
Basel I - Tier 1 capital and Tier 1 common equity $8,835
Adjustments for certain other intangible assets and deferred tax liabilities (24 )
Basel III - Tier I common equity $8,811  
 

RISK-BASED CAPITAL

Basel I - Tier 1 capital and Tier 1 common equity $8,835
Add: Allowance for loan losses includible in risk-based capital 760  
Basel I - Risk-based capital $9,595  
 

ASSET MEASURES

Total assets $73,469

Less: Disallowed goodwill and other disallowed intangible assets, net of related deferred tax liabilities

(1,110 )

Less: Unrealized (gains) / losses on investment securities

4  
Total assets for leverage purposes - Basel I $72,363  
 
Risk-weighted assets - Basel I $58,457
Additional risk weighting adjustments related to:
Deferred taxes 1,319
Loan receivables delinquent over 90 days 682
Other -  
Risk-weighted assets - Basel III (fully phased in) $60,458  
 

TANGIBLE COMMON EQUITY PER SHARE

GAAP book value per share $11.92 $9.07 $8.57 $8.45 $7.92
Less: Goodwill (1.14 ) (1.34 ) (1.34 ) (1.34 ) (1.36 )
Less: Intangible assets, net (0.54 ) (0.66 ) (0.66 ) (0.43 ) (0.41 )
Tangible common equity per share $10.24   $7.07   $6.57   $6.68   $6.15  

Synchrony Financial
Investor Relations
Greg Ketron, 203-585-6291
or
Media Relations
Samuel Wang, 203-585-2933

Source: Synchrony Financial