v3.21.2
Reserves for Credit Losses (Tables)
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items]  
Schedule of Key Variables in Macroeconomic Scenarios Utilized for Computation of Reserves for Credit Losses
The following table reflects the range of macroeconomic scenario key variables used, in conjunction with other inputs, to calculate reserves for credit losses:
U.S. Unemployment Rate
U.S. GDP Growth (Contraction) (a)
September 30, 2021December 31, 2020September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Third quarter of 2021
5%
7% - 11%
8%
3% - (3)%
Fourth quarter of 2021
5% - 7%
7% - 11%
6% - (4)%
6% - (2)%
Fourth quarter of 2022
4% - 9%
6% - 12%
2% - 1%
4% - 3%
Fourth quarter of 2023
3% - 7%
4% -10%
4% - 3%
5% - 3%
(a)Real GDP quarter over quarter percentage change seasonally adjusted to annualized rates.
Card Member Loans  
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items]  
Schedule of Changes in Card Member Loans and Receivables
The following table presents changes in the Card Member loans reserve for credit losses for the three and nine months ended September 30:
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(Millions)2021202020212020
Beginning Balance
$3,835 $5,628 $5,344 $4,027 
Provisions (a)
(177)571 (1,146)3,416 
Net write-offs (b)
Principal(118)(432)(544)(1,449)
Interest and fees(43)(91)(164)(301)
Other (c)
(8)12 (1)(5)
Ending Balance$3,489 $5,688 $3,489 $5,688 
(a)Provisions for principal, interest and fee reserve components. Provisions for credit losses includes reserve build (release) and replenishment for net write-offs.
(b)Principal write-offs are presented less recoveries of $167 million and $142 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $507 million and $421 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Recoveries of interest and fees were not significant. Amounts include net (write-offs) recoveries from TDRs of $(36) million and $(35) million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $(124) million and $(98) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(c)Primarily includes foreign currency translation adjustments of $(8) million and $13 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $(2) million and $(4) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Card Member Receivables  
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items]  
Schedule of Changes in Card Member Loans and Receivables
The following table presents changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for credit losses for the three and nine months ended September 30:
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(Millions)2021202020212020
Beginning Balance
$73 $519 $267 $126 
Provisions (a)
(12)117 (147)1,069 
Net write-offs (b)
(32)(219)(89)(776)
Other (c)
1 5 (1)3 
Ending Balance$30 $422 $30 $422 
(a)Provisions for principal and fee reserve components. Provisions for credit losses includes reserve build (release) and replenishment for net write-offs.
(b)Net write-offs are presented less recoveries of $79 million and $103 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $303 million and $283 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Amounts include net (write-offs) recoveries from TDRs of $(15) million and $(15) million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $(51) million and $(31) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(c)Primarily includes foreign currency translation adjustments of nil and $3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $(1) million and $2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.