v2.4.0.6
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Derivative Instrument Detail [Abstract]  
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

10.    Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

 

The Company trades, makes markets and takes proprietary positions globally in listed futures, OTC swaps, forwards, options and other derivatives referencing, among other things, interest rates, currencies, investment grade and non-investment grade corporate credits, loans, bonds, U.S. and other sovereign securities, emerging market bonds and loans, credit indices, asset-backed security indices, property indices, mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities, and real estate loan products. The Company uses these instruments for trading, foreign currency exposure management and asset and liability management.

 

The Company manages its trading positions by employing a variety of risk mitigation strategies. These strategies include diversification of risk exposures and hedging. Hedging activities consist of the purchase or sale of positions in related securities and financial instruments, including a variety of derivative products (e.g., futures, forwards, swaps and options). The Company manages the market risk associated with its trading activities on a Company-wide basis, on a worldwide trading division level and on an individual product basis.

 

The Company's derivative products consist of the following:

 

   At June 30, 2012 At December 31, 2011
  Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities
          
   (dollars in millions)
Exchange traded derivative products $ 4,589$ 6,117$ 4,103$ 4,969
OTC derivative products  29,754  28,818  43,961  41,484
 Total $ 34,343$ 34,935$ 48,064$ 46,453

The Company incurs credit risk as a dealer in OTC derivatives. Credit risk with respect to derivative instruments arises from the failure of a counterparty to perform according to the terms of the contract. The Company's exposure to credit risk at any point in time is represented by the fair value of the derivative contracts reported as assets. The fair value of a derivative represents the amount at which the derivative could be exchanged in an orderly transaction between market participants and is further described in Notes 2 and 3.

 

In connection with its OTC derivative activities, the Company generally enters into master netting agreements and collateral arrangements with counterparties. These agreements provide the Company with the ability to offset a counterparty's rights and obligations, request additional collateral when necessary or liquidate the collateral in the event of counterparty default.

 

The tables below present a summary by counterparty credit rating and remaining contract maturity of the fair value of OTC derivatives in a gain position at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Fair value is presented in the final column, net of collateral received (principally cash and U.S. government and agency securities):

 

OTC Derivative Products—Financial Instruments Owned at June 30, 2012(1)

 

           Cross-Maturity and Cash  Collateral Netting(3) Net  Exposure Post-Cash Collateral Net  Exposure Post-Collateral
   Years to Maturity   
Credit Rating(2) Less than 1 1 - 3 3 - 5 Over 5   
                
   (dollars in millions)
AAA $ 456$ 752$ 1,813$ 6,458$ (5,752)$ 3,727$ 3,516
AA   1,774  3,903  5,389  9,821  (14,375)  6,512  4,232
A   6,744  9,505  11,425  29,480  (51,597)  5,557  3,706
BBB   3,349  3,717  3,699  18,817  (21,981)  7,601  5,759
Non-investment grade   2,800  2,605  1,715  4,969  (5,732)  6,357  3,287
 Total $ 15,123$ 20,482$ 24,041$ 69,545$ (99,437)$ 29,754$ 20,500

 

(1)       Fair values shown represent the Company's net exposure to counterparties related to the Company's OTC derivative products. Amounts include centrally cleared derivatives. The table does not include listed derivatives and the effect of any related hedges utilized by the Company.

(2)       Obligor credit ratings are determined by the Company's Credit Risk Management Department.

(3)       Amounts represent the netting of receivable balances with payable balances for the same counterparty across maturity categories. Receivable and payable balances with the same counterparty in the same maturity category are netted within such maturity category, where appropriate. Cash collateral received is netted on a counterparty basis, provided legal right of offset exists.

 

OTC Derivative Products—Financial Instruments Owned at December 31, 2011(1)

  Years to Maturity Cross-Maturity and Cash Collateral Netting(3) Net Exposure Post-Cash Collateral Net Exposure Post-Collateral
Credit Rating(2) Less  than 1 1 - 3 3 - 5 Over 5   
    
                
   (dollars in millions)
AAA $ 621$ 1,615$ 1,586$ 10,375$ (7,513)$ 6,684$ 6,389
AA   5,578  7,547  5,972  21,068  (31,074)  9,091  7,048
A   7,576  5,538  10,224  27,417  (41,608)  9,147  7,117
BBB   4,437  4,448  3,231  17,758  (17,932)  11,942  10,337
Non-investment grade   2,819  2,949  2,703  5,084  (6,458)  7,097  4,158
 Total $ 21,031$ 22,097$ 23,716$ 81,702$ (104,585)$ 43,961$ 35,049

_____________

(1)       Fair values shown represent the Company's net exposure to counterparties related to the Company's OTC derivative products. Amounts include centrally cleared derivatives. The table does not include listed derivatives and the effect of any related hedges utilized by the Company.

(2)       Obligor credit ratings are determined by the Company's Credit Risk Management Department.

(3)       Amounts represent the netting of receivable balances with payable balances for the same counterparty across maturity categories. Receivable and payable balances with the same counterparty in the same maturity category are netted within such maturity category, where appropriate. Cash collateral received is netted on a counterparty basis, provided legal right of offset exists.

 

Hedge Accounting.

 

The Company applies hedge accounting using various derivative financial instruments to hedge interest rate and foreign exchange risk arising from assets and liabilities not held at fair value as part of asset and liability management and foreign currency exposure management.

 

The Company's hedges are designated and qualify for accounting purposes as one of the following types of hedges: hedges of exposure to changes in fair value of assets and liabilities being hedged (fair value hedges) and hedges of net investments in foreign operations whose functional currency is different from the reporting currency of the parent company (net investment hedges).

 

For all hedges where hedge accounting is being applied, effectiveness testing and other procedures to ensure the ongoing validity of the hedges are performed at least monthly.

 

Fair Value Hedges—Interest Rate Risk.     The Company's designated fair value hedges consisted primarily of interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges of changes in the benchmark interest rate of fixed rate senior long-term borrowings. The Company uses regression analysis to perform an ongoing prospective and retrospective assessment of the effectiveness of these hedging relationships (i.e., the Company applies the “long-haul” method of hedge accounting). A hedging relationship is deemed effective if the fair values of the hedging instrument (derivative) and the hedged item (debt liability) change inversely within a range of 80% to 125%. The Company considers the impact of valuation adjustments related to the Company's own credit spreads and counterparty credit spreads to determine whether they would cause the hedging relationship to be ineffective.

 

For qualifying fair value hedges of benchmark interest rates, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and the changes in the fair value of the hedged liability provide offset of one another and, together with any resulting ineffectiveness, are recorded in Interest expense. When a derivative is de-designated as a hedge, any basis adjustment remaining on the hedged liability is amortized to Interest expense over the remaining life of the liability using the effective interest method.

 

Net Investment Hedges.     The Company may utilize forward foreign exchange contracts to manage the currency exposure relating to its net investments in non-U.S. dollar functional currency operations. No hedge ineffectiveness is recognized in earnings since the notional amounts of the hedging instruments equal the portion of the investments being hedged and the currencies being exchanged are the functional currencies of the parent and investee. The gain or loss from revaluing hedges of net investments in foreign operations at the spot rate is deferred and reported within Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in Total Equity, net of tax effects. The forward points on the hedging instruments are recorded in Interest income.

 

The Company recognized an out of period pre-tax gain of approximately $300 million in the Institutional Securities business segment's Other sales and trading net revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, related to the reversal of amounts recorded in cumulative other comprehensive income due to the incorrect application of hedge accounting on certain derivative contracts previously designated as net investment hedges of certain foreign, non-US dollar denominated subsidiaries. This amount included a pre-tax gain of approximately $191 million related to the quarter ended March 31, 2012, with the remainder impacting prior periods. The Company has evaluated the effects of the incorrect application of hedge accounting, both qualitatively and quantitatively, and concluded that it did not have a material impact on any prior annual or quarterly consolidated results. In addition, the Company has recognized a partially offsetting pre-tax loss of approximately $224 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 resulting from fair value changes within the quarter of the related derivative positions not qualifying for net investment hedge accounting. Subsequent to the identification of the incorrect application of net investment hedge accounting, and during the quarter ended June 30, 2012, the Company has appropriately redesignated the forward foreign exchange contracts and reapplied hedge accounting.

 

The following tables summarize the fair value of derivative instruments designated as accounting hedges and the fair value of derivative instruments not designated as accounting hedges by type of derivative contract on a gross basis. Fair values of derivative contracts in an asset position are included in Financial instruments owned—Derivative and other contracts. Fair values of derivative contracts in a liability position are reflected in Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased—Derivative and other contracts.

 

    Assets at  Liabilities at
    June 30, 2012 June 30, 2012
    Fair Value Notional Fair Value Notional
           
    (dollars in millions)
Derivatives designated as accounting hedges:        
 Interest rate contracts $ 8,518$ 72,810$$
 Foreign exchange contracts   317  9,344  147  12,581
  Total derivatives designated as accounting hedges   8,835  82,154  147  12,581
           
Derivatives not designated as accounting hedges(1):        
 Interest rate contracts   867,321  19,052,076  845,668  19,100,997
 Credit contracts   101,464  2,175,722  96,216  2,126,827
 Foreign exchange contracts   49,907  1,814,083  53,477  1,892,732
 Equity contracts   44,905  671,162  49,038  654,605
 Commodity contracts   33,517  410,648  33,536  384,360
 Other   126  2,139  70  4,402
  Total derivatives not designated as accounting hedges   1,097,240  24,125,830  1,078,005  24,163,923
Total derivatives $ 1,106,075$ 24,207,984$ 1,078,152$ 24,176,504
Cash collateral netting   (75,370)   (46,855) 
Counterparty netting   (996,362)   (996,362) 
 Total derivatives $ 34,343$ 24,207,984$ 34,935$ 24,176,504

_____________

(1)       Notional amounts include gross notionals related to open long and short futures contracts of $77 billion and $67 billion, respectively. The unsettled fair value on these futures contracts (excluded from the table above) of $445 million and $150 million is included in Receivables—Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and Payables—Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations, respectively, on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

 

 

    Assets at  Liabilities at
    December 31, 2011 December 31, 2011
    Fair Value Notional Fair Value Notional
           
    (dollars in millions)
Derivatives designated as accounting hedges:        
 Interest rate contracts $ 8,151$ 71,706$$
 Foreign exchange contracts   348  12,222  57  7,111
  Total derivatives designated as accounting hedges   8,499  83,928  57  7,111
           
Derivatives not designated as accounting hedges(1):        
 Interest rate contracts   904,725  21,099,876  880,027  21,005,733
 Credit contracts   138,791  2,466,623  130,726  2,428,042
 Foreign exchange contracts   61,995  1,582,364  64,691  1,604,493
 Equity contracts   46,287  603,290  48,286  595,146
 Commodity contracts   39,778  411,661  39,998  374,594
 Other   598  11,662  2,275  24,905
  Total derivatives not designated as accounting hedges   1,192,174  26,175,476  1,166,003  26,032,913
Total derivatives $ 1,200,673$ 26,259,404$ 1,166,060$ 26,040,024
Cash collateral netting   (77,938)   (44,936) 
Counterparty netting   (1,074,671)   (1,074,671) 
 Total derivatives $ 48,064$ 26,259,404$ 46,453$ 26,040,024

_____________

(1)       Notional amounts include gross notionals related to open long and short futures contracts of $77 billion and $66 billion, respectively. The unsettled fair value on these futures contracts (excluded from the table above) of $605 million and $37 million is included in Receivables—Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and Payables—Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations, respectively, on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

 

The following tables summarize the gains or losses reported on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as accounting hedges for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedges.

 

The following table presents gains (losses) reported on derivative instruments and the related hedge item as well as the hedge ineffectiveness included in Interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income from interest rate contracts:

 

  Gains (Losses) Recognized
  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  June 30,June 30,
Product Type 2012 2011 2012 2011
  (dollars in millions)
Derivatives$ 979$ 1,165$ 432$ 70
Borrowings  (753)  (1,013)  (54)  245
Total $ 226$ 152$ 378$ 315

Derivatives Designated as Net Investment Hedges.

   Gains (Losses) Recognized in OCI (effective portion)
   Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  June 30,  June 30,
Product Type 2012(2) 2011 2012(2) 2011
   (dollars in millions)
         
Foreign exchange contracts(1) $ 130$ (157)$ 150$ (283)
 Total $ 130$ (157)$ 150$ (283)

_____________

(1)       Losses of $63 million and $128 million were recognized in income related to amounts excluded from hedge effectiveness testing during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. Losses of $62 million and $109 million were recognized in income related to amounts excluded from hedge effectiveness testing during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

(2) A gain of $193 million, net of tax, related to net investment hedges was reclassified from other comprehensive income into income during both the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2012. The amount primarily related to an out of period gain, net of tax, related to the reversal of amounts recorded in cumulative other comprehensive income due to the incorrect application of hedge accounting on certain derivative contracts (see above for further information).

 

The table below summarizes gains (losses) on derivative instruments not designated as accounting hedges for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively:

 

   Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income(1)(2)
  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  June 30,  June 30,
Product Type 2012 2011 2012 2011
          
   (dollars in millions)
Interest rate contracts$ (594)$ 4,410$ 961$ 5,281
Credit contracts  1,293  1,551  621  753
Foreign exchange contracts  (208)  (3,329)  427  (3,584)
Equity contracts  188  38  (628)  (942)
Commodity contracts  908  721  302  449
Other contracts  (32)  (14)  24  222
 Total derivative instruments$ 1,555$ 3,377$ 1,707$ 2,179

____________

(1)       Gains (losses) on derivative contracts not designated as hedges are primarily included in Principal transactions—Trading.

(2)       Gains (losses) associated with certain derivative contracts that have physically settled are excluded from the table above. Gains (losses) on these contracts are reflected with the associated cash instruments, which are also included in Principal transactions—Trading.

 

The Company also has certain embedded derivatives that have been bifurcated from the related structured borrowings. Such derivatives are classified in Long-term borrowings and had a net fair value of $25 million and $53 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, and a notional value of $2,334 million and $3,312 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The Company recognized losses of $13 million and $6 million related to changes in the fair value of its bifurcated embedded derivatives for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. The Company recognized gains of $21 million and $2 million related to changes in the fair value of its bifurcated embedded derivatives for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

 

At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the amount of payables associated with cash collateral received that was netted against derivative assets was $75.4 billion and $77.9 billion, respectively, and the amount of receivables in respect of cash collateral paid that was netted against derivative liabilities was $46.9 billion and $44.9 billion, respectively. Cash collateral receivables and payables of $110 million and $47 million, respectively, at June 30, 2012 and $268 million and $9 million, respectively, at December 31, 2011, were not offset against certain contracts that did not meet the definition of a derivative.

 

Credit-Risk-Related Contingencies.

 

In connection with certain OTC trading agreements, the Company may be required to provide additional collateral or immediately settle any outstanding liability balances with certain counterparties in the event of a credit ratings downgrade. At June 30, 2012, the aggregate fair value of OTC derivative contracts that contain credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a net liability position totaled $38,619 million, for which the Company has posted collateral of $34,602 million, in the normal course of business. The long-term credit ratings on the Company by Moody's Investors Service (“Moody's”) and Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (“S&P”) are currently at different levels (commonly referred to as “split ratings”). At June 30, 2012, the future potential collateral amounts, termination payments or other contractual amounts that could be called by counterparties in the event of a downgrade of the Company's long-term credit rating under various scenarios are: $374 million (Baa1 Moody's/BBB+ S&P) and $2,161 million (Baa2 Moody's/BBB S&P). Of these amounts, $1,947 million at June 30, 2012 related to bilateral arrangements between the Company and other parties where upon the downgrade of one party, the downgraded party must deliver collateral to the other party. These bilateral downgrade arrangements are a risk management tool used extensively by the Company as credit exposures are reduced if counterparties are downgraded.

 

Credit Derivatives and Other Credit Contracts.

 

The Company enters into credit derivatives, principally through credit default swaps, under which it receives or provides protection against the risk of default on a set of debt obligations issued by a specified reference entity or entities. A majority of the Company's counterparties are banks, broker-dealers, insurance and other financial institutions, and monoline insurers.

 

The tables below summarize the notional and fair value of protection sold and protection purchased through credit default swaps at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

  At June 30, 2012
  Maximum Potential Payout/Notional
  Protection Sold Protection Purchased
  Notional Fair Value (Asset)/Liability Notional Fair Value (Asset)/Liability
         
  (dollars in millions)
Single name credit default swaps$ 1,180,417 $ 26,932 $ 1,149,999 $ (24,814)
Index and basket credit default swaps  648,157  17,996  498,966  (15,738)
Tranched index and basket credit default swaps  328,979  11,736  496,031  (21,360)
Total$ 2,157,553$ 56,664$ 2,144,996$ (61,912)

  At December 31, 2011
  Maximum Potential Payout/Notional
  Protection Sold Protection Purchased
  Notional Fair Value (Asset)/Liability Notional Fair Value (Asset)/Liability
         
  (dollars in millions)
Single name credit default swaps$ 1,325,045 $ 47,045 $ 1,315,333 $ (45,345)
Index and basket credit default swaps  787,228  29,475  601,452  (24,373)
Tranched index and basket credit default swaps  320,131  17,109  545,476  (31,976)
Total$ 2,432,404$ 93,629$ 2,462,261$ (101,694)

The table below summarizes the credit ratings and maturities of protection sold through credit default swaps and other credit contracts at June 30, 2012:

 

    Protection Sold
    Maximum Potential Payout/Notional Fair Value
    Years to Maturity (Asset)/
Credit Ratings of the Reference Obligation Less than 1 1-3 3-5 Over 5 Total Liability(1)(2)
               
    (dollars in millions)
Single name credit default swaps:            
 AAA $ 1,933$ 5,849$ 19,634$ 9,974$ 37,390$ 883
 AA   10,304  14,727  23,726  8,146  56,903  303
 A   75,045  98,321  76,287  32,078  281,731  4,949
 BBB   141,081  187,707  135,210  41,975  505,973  4,003
 Non-investment grade   84,407  105,363  81,343  27,307  298,420  16,794
Total   312,770  411,967  336,200  119,480  1,180,417  26,932
Index and basket credit default swaps(3):            
 AAA   73,314  50,652  49,310  15,326  188,602  (1,063)
 AA   4,525  13,256  7,910  14,185  39,876  740
 A   6,115  6,440  34,045  2,380  48,980  2,585
 BBB   33,683  101,638  171,423  29,284  336,028  4,861
 Non-investment grade   91,508  97,275  138,266  36,601  363,650  22,609
Total   209,145  269,261  400,954  97,776  977,136  29,732
Total credit default swaps sold $ 521,915$ 681,228$ 737,154$ 217,256$ 2,157,553$ 56,664
Other credit contracts(4)(5) $ 704$ 564$ 815$ 2,301$ 4,384$ (1,744)
Total credit derivatives and            
 other credit contracts $ 522,619$ 681,792$ 737,969$ 219,557$ 2,161,937$ 54,920

_____________

(1)       Fair value amounts are shown on a gross basis prior to cash collateral or counterparty netting.

(2)       Fair value amounts of certain credit default swaps where the Company sold protection have an asset carrying value because credit spreads of the underlying reference entity or entities tightened during the terms of the contracts.

(3)       Credit ratings are calculated internally.

(4)       Other credit contracts include CLNs, CDOs and credit default swaps that are considered hybrid instruments.

(5)       Fair value amount shown represents the fair value of the hybrid instruments.

 

The table below summarizes the credit ratings and maturities of protection sold through credit default swaps and other credit contracts at December 31, 2011:

 

 

    Protection Sold
    Maximum Potential Payout/Notional Fair Value
    Years to Maturity (Asset)/
Credit Ratings of the Reference Obligation Less than 1 1-3 3-5 Over 5 Total Liability(1)(2)
               
    (dollars in millions)
Single name credit default swaps:            
 AAA$ 1,290$ 5,681$ 24,087$ 12,942$ 44,000$ 1,536
 AA  12,416  22,043  23,341  10,986  68,786  1,597
 A  67,344  124,445  85,543  47,640  324,972  8,683
 BBB  131,588  218,262  115,320  64,347  529,517  4,789
 Non-investment grade  94,105  133,867  82,163  47,635  357,770  30,440
Total  306,743  504,298  330,454  183,550  1,325,045  47,045
Index and basket credit default swaps(3):            
 AAA  48,115  49,997  33,584  19,110  150,806  (907)
 AA  6,584  15,349  9,498  15,745  47,176  1,053
 A  5,202  18,996  17,396  12,286  53,880  2,470
 BBB  8,525  99,004  235,888  32,057  375,474  8,365
 Non-investment grade  112,451  141,042  160,537  65,993  480,023  35,603
Total  180,877  324,388  456,903  145,191  1,107,359  46,584
Total credit default swaps sold$ 487,620$ 828,686$ 787,357$ 328,741$ 2,432,404$ 93,629
Other credit contracts(4)(5)$ 65$ 2,356$ 717$ 2,469$ 5,607$ (1,146)
Total credit derivatives and other            
 credit contracts$ 487,685$ 831,042$ 788,074$ 331,210$ 2,438,011$ 92,483

_____________

(1)       Fair value amounts are shown on a gross basis prior to cash collateral or counterparty netting.

(2)       Fair value amounts of certain credit default swaps where the Company sold protection have an asset carrying value because credit spreads of the underlying reference entity or entities tightened during the terms of the contracts.

(3)       Credit ratings are calculated internally.

(4)       Other credit contracts include CLNs, CDOs and credit default swaps that are considered hybrid instruments.

(5)       Fair value amount shown represents the fair value of the hybrid instruments.

 

Single Name Credit Default Swaps.    A credit default swap protects the buyer against the loss of principal on a bond or loan in case of a default by the issuer. The protection buyer pays a periodic premium (generally quarterly) over the life of the contract and is protected for the period. The Company in turn will have to perform under a credit default swap if a credit event as defined under the contract occurs. Typical credit events include bankruptcy, dissolution or insolvency of the referenced entity, failure to pay and restructuring of the obligations of the referenced entity. In order to provide an indication of the current payment status or performance risk of the credit default swaps, the external credit ratings of the underlying reference entity of the credit default swaps are disclosed.

 

Index and Basket Credit Default Swaps.    Index and basket credit default swaps are credit default swaps that reference multiple names through underlying baskets or portfolios of single name credit default swaps. Generally, in the event of a default on one of the underlying names, the Company will have to pay a pro rata portion of the total notional amount of the credit default index or basket contract. In order to provide an indication of the current payment status or performance risk of these credit default swaps, the weighted average external credit ratings of the underlying reference entities comprising the basket or index were calculated and disclosed.

 

The Company also enters into index and basket credit default swaps where the credit protection provided is based upon the application of tranching techniques. In tranched transactions, the credit risk of an index or basket is separated into various portions of the capital structure, with different levels of subordination. The most junior tranches cover initial defaults, and once losses exceed the notional of the tranche, they are passed on to the next most senior tranche in the capital structure.

 

When external credit ratings are not available, credit ratings were determined based upon an internal methodology.

 

Credit Protection Sold through CLNs and CDOs.    The Company has invested in CLNs and CDOs, which are hybrid instruments containing embedded derivatives, in which credit protection has been sold to the issuer of the note. If there is a credit event of a reference entity underlying the instrument, the principal balance of the note may not be repaid in full to the Company.

 

Purchased Credit Protection with Identical Underlying Reference Obligations.    For single name credit default swaps and non-tranched index and basket credit default swaps, the Company has purchased protection with a notional amount of approximately $1.7 trillion and $1.9 trillion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, compared with a notional amount of approximately $1.8 trillion and $2.1 trillion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, of credit protection sold with identical underlying reference obligations. In order to identify purchased protection with the same underlying reference obligations, the notional amount for individual reference obligations within non-tranched indices and baskets was determined on a pro rata basis and matched off against single name and non-tranched index and basket credit default swaps where credit protection was sold with identical underlying reference obligations.

 

The purchase of credit protection does not represent the sole manner in which the Company risk manages its exposure to credit derivatives. The Company manages its exposure to these derivative contracts through a variety of risk mitigation strategies, which include managing the credit and correlation risk across single name, non-tranched indices and baskets, tranched indices and baskets, and cash positions. Aggregate market risk limits have been established for credit derivatives, and market risk measures are routinely monitored against these limits. The Company may also recover amounts on the underlying reference obligation delivered to the Company under credit default swaps where credit protection was sold.