AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL INC
Item 1. Business.
Overview
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. is a holding company incorporated in Delaware primarily engaged in business through its subsidiaries. Accordingly, references below to "Ameriprise," "Ameriprise Financial," the "Company," "we," "us," and "our" may refer to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. exclusively, to our entire family of companies, or to one or more of our subsidiaries. Our headquarters is located at 55 Ameriprise Financial Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55474. We also maintain executive offices in New York City.
We are a diversified financial services company with $631 billion in assets under management and administration as of December 31, 2011. We serve individual investors' and institutions' financial needs, hold leadership positions in financial planning, wealth management, retirement, asset management, annuities and insurance, and we maintain a strong operating and financial foundation.
Ameriprise is in a strong position to capitalize on significant demographic and market trends, which we believe will continue to drive increased demand for our services. Our emphasis on deep client-advisor relationships has been central to the success of our business model, including through the extreme market conditions of the past few years, and we believe it will help us navigate future market and economic cycles. We continue to strengthen our position as a retail financial services leader as we focus on meeting the financial needs of the mass affluent and affluent, as evidenced by our leadership in financial planning, a client retention percentage rate of 92%, and our status as a top ten ranked firm within core portions of our four main business segments, including the size of our U.S. advisor force, and assets in long-term U.S. mutual funds, variable annuities and variable universal life insurance.
We go to market in two primary ways:
•Wealth Management and Retirement; and
•Asset Management. With respect to our wealth management and retirement capabilities, we offer financial planning, products and services designed to be used as solutions for our clients' cash and liquidity, asset accumulation, income, protection, and estate and wealth transfer needs. Our model for delivering product solutions is built on long-term, personal relationships between our clients and our financial advisors and registered representatives ("affiliated advisors"). Our focus on personal relationships, together with our discipline in financial planning and strengths in product development and advice, allow us to address the evolving financial and retirement-related needs of our clients, including our primary target market segment, the mass affluent and affluent, which we define as households with investable assets of more than $100,000. The financial product solutions we offer through our affiliated advisors include both our own products and services and the products of other companies. Our affiliated advisor network is the primary channel through which we offer our life insurance and annuity products and services, as well as a range of banking and protection products.
Our affiliated advisors are focused on using a financial planning and advisory process designed to provide comprehensive advice that focuses on all aspects of our clients' finances. This approach allows us to recommend actions and a broad range of product solutions, including investment, annuity, insurance, banking and other financial products that can help clients attain a return or form of protection over time while accepting what they determine to be an appropriate range and level of risk. We believe our focus on meeting clients' needs through personal financial planning results in more satisfied clients with deeper, longer lasting relationships with our company and higher retention of our affiliated advisors.
As of December 31, 2011, we had a network of more than 9,700 affiliated advisors. We offer our affiliated advisors training, tools, leadership, marketing programs and other field and centralized support to assist them in delivering advice and product solutions to clients. We believe our comprehensive and client-focused approach not only improves the products and services we provide to their clients, but also allows us to reinvest in enhanced services for clients and increase support for financial advisors.
With respect to asset management, we have an increasingly global presence. We have two asset management platforms: Columbia Management in the U.S. and Threadneedle overseas. We serve individual, institutional and high-net worth investors. We offer a broad spectrum of equity, fixed income and alternative products that we primarily distribute through third-parties as well as through our own affiliated advisor channel. We are expanding beyond our traditional strengths in the U.S. and U.K. to gather assets in Continental Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. We believe we are well positioned to continue to strengthen our offerings to existing and new clients and deliver profitable long-term growth to our shareholders.
The financial results from the businesses underlying our go to market approach are reflected in our five operating segments:
•Advice & Wealth Management;
•Asset Management;
•Annuities;
•Protection; and
•Corporate & Other. Financial markets and macroeconomic conditions have had and will continue to have a significant impact on the operating results of each of our segments. In 2011, persistent economic headwinds and geo-political crises increased volatility and weighed on the performance of financial markets. The S&P 500 Index ended the year virtually unchanged, while many international equity markets experienced sharp declines and interest rates remained exceptionally low. In addition to struggles in the economy and financial markets, the business and regulatory environment in which we operate remains subject to uncertainty and change, and we expect this challenging climate to continue. To succeed, we expect to continue focusing on each of our key strategic objectives. The success of these and other strategies may be affected by the factors discussed below in
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Our operations and financial results are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those described below, that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations and could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline. We believe that the following information identifies the material factors affecting our company based on the information we currently know. However, the risks and uncertainties our company faces are not limited to those described below. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business.
Risks Relating to Our Business
Our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by market fluctuations and by economic and other factors.
Our financial condition and results of operations may be materially affected by market fluctuations and by economic and other factors. Many such factors of a global or localized nature include: political, social, economic and market conditions; the availability and cost of capital; the level and volatility of equity prices, commodity prices and interest rates, currency values and other market indices; technological changes and events; the availability and cost of credit; inflation; investor sentiment and confidence in the financial markets; terrorism and armed conflicts; and natural disasters such as weather catastrophes and widespread health emergencies. Furthermore, changes in consumer economic variables, such as the number and size of personal bankruptcy filings, the rate of unemployment, decreases in property values, and the level of consumer confidence and consumer debt, may substantially affect consumer loan levels and credit quality, which, in turn, could impact the results of our banking business and savings levels in all of our businesses. These factors also may have an impact on our ability to achieve our strategic objectives.
Declines and volatility in U.S. and global market conditions have impacted our businesses in the past and may continue to do so. Our businesses have been and in the future may be adversely affected by U.S. and global capital market and credit crises, the repricing of credit risk, equity market volatility and decline and stress or recession in the U.S. and global economies generally. Each of our segments operates in these markets with exposure for us and our clients in securities, loans, derivatives, alternative investments, seed capital and other commitments. It is difficult to predict how long and to what extent the aforementioned conditions may exist, which of our markets, products and businesses will be directly affected in terms of revenues, management fees and investment valuations and earnings, and to what extent our clients may seek to bring claims arising out of investment performance that is affected by these conditions. As a result, these factors could materially adversely impact our results of operations. Certain of our insurance and annuity products and certain of our investment and banking products are sensitive to interest rate fluctuations, and future impacts associated with such variations may differ from our historical costs. In addition, interest rate fluctuations could result in fluctuations in the valuation of certain minimum guaranteed benefits contained in some of our variable annuity products. Although we typically hedge to mitigate some of the effect of such fluctuations, significant changes in interest rates could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.
During periods of increasing market interest rates, we offer higher crediting rates on interest-sensitive products, such as fixed universal life insurance, fixed annuities, face-amount certificates and certificates of deposit, and we increase crediting rates on in force products to keep these products competitive. Because returns on invested assets may not increase as quickly as current interest rates, we may have to accept a lower spread and thus lower profitability or face a decline in sales and greater loss of existing contracts and related assets. In addition, increases in market interest rates may cause increased policy surrenders, withdrawals from life insurance policies, annuity contracts and certificates of deposit and requests for policy loans, as policyholders, contractholders and depositors seek to shift assets to products with perceived higher returns. This process may lead to an earlier than expected outflow of cash from our business. Also, increases in market interest rates may result in extension of certain cash flows from structured mortgage assets. These withdrawals and surrenders may require investment assets to be sold at a time when the prices of those assets are lower because of the increase in market interest rates, which may result in realized investment losses. Increases in crediting rates, as well as surrenders and withdrawals, could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. An increase in surrenders and withdrawals also may require us to accelerate amortization of deferred acquisition costs ("DAC") or other intangibles or cause an impairment of goodwill, which would increase our expenses and reduce our net earnings.
During periods of falling interest rates or stagnancy of low interest rates, our spread may be reduced or could become negative, primarily because some of our products have guaranteed minimum crediting rates. Due to the long-term nature of the liabilities associated with certain of our businesses, such as long-term care and fixed universal life with secondary guarantees as well as fixed annuities and guaranteed benefits on variable annuities, sustained declines in or stagnancy of low long-term interest rates may subject us to reinvestment risks and increased hedging costs. In addition, reduced or negative spreads may require us to accelerate amortization of DAC, which would increase our expenses and reduce our net earnings.
Interest rate fluctuations also could have an adverse effect on the results of our investment portfolio. During periods of declining market interest rates or stagnancy of low interest rates, the interest we receive on variable interest rate investments decreases. In addition, during those periods, we are forced to reinvest the cash we receive as interest or return of principal on our investments in lower-yielding high-grade instruments or in lower-credit instruments to maintain comparable returns. Issuers of certain callable fixed income securities also may decide to prepay their obligations in order to borrow at lower market rates, which increases the risk that we may have to invest the cash proceeds of these securities in lower-yielding or lower-credit instruments.
Significant downturns and volatility in equity markets may have, and have in the past had, an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Market downturns and volatility may cause, and have caused, potential new purchasers of our products to refrain from purchasing products, such as mutual funds, OEICs, variable annuities and variable universal life insurance, which have returns linked to the performance of the equity markets. If we are unable to offer appropriate product alternatives which encourage customers to continue purchasing in the face of actual or perceived market volatility, our sales and management fee revenues could decline. Downturns may also cause current shareholders in our mutual funds and OEICs, contractholders in our annuity products and policyholders in our protection products to withdraw cash values from those products.
Additionally, downturns and volatility in equity markets can have, and have had, an adverse effect on the revenues and returns from our asset management services, wrap accounts and variable annuity contracts. Because the profitability of these products and services depends on fees related primarily to the value of assets under management, declines in the equity markets will reduce our revenues because the value of the investment assets we manage will be reduced. In addition, some of our variable annuity products contain guaranteed minimum death benefits and guaranteed minimum withdrawal and accumulation benefits. A significant equity market decline or volatility in equity markets could result in guaranteed minimum benefits being higher than what current account values would support, which would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Although we have hedged a portion of the guarantees for the variable annuity contracts to mitigate the financial loss of equity market declines or volatility, there can be no assurance that such a decline or volatility would not materially impact the profitability of certain products or product lines or our financial condition or results of operations. Further, the cost of hedging our liability for these guarantees has increased as a result of low interest rates and volatility in the equity markets. In addition, heightened volatility creates greater uncertainty for future hedging effectiveness.
We believe that investment performance is an important factor in the success of many of our businesses. Poor investment performance could impair our revenues and earnings, as well as our prospects for growth. A significant portion of our revenue is derived from investment management agreements with the Columbia Management family of mutual funds that are terminable on 60 days' notice. In addition, although some contracts governing investment management services are subject to termination for failure to meet performance benchmarks, institutional and individual clients can terminate their relationships with us or our financial advisors at will or on relatively short notice. Our clients can also reduce the aggregate amount of managed assets or shift their funds to other types of accounts with different rate structures, for any number of reasons, including investment performance, changes in prevailing interest rates, changes in investment preferences, changes in our (or our financial advisors') reputation in the marketplace, changes in client management or ownership, loss of key investment management personnel and financial market performance. A reduction in managed assets, and the associated decrease in revenues and earnings, could have a material adverse effect on our business. Moreover, if our money market funds experience a decline in market value, we may choose to contribute capital to those funds without consideration, which would result in a loss.
In addition, during periods of unfavorable or stagnating market or economic conditions, the level of individual investor participation in the global markets may also decrease, which would negatively impact the results of our retail businesses. Concerns about current market and economic conditions, declining real estate values and decreased consumer confidence have caused, and in the future may cause, some of our clients to reduce the amount of business they do with us. Fluctuations in global market activity could impact the flow of investment capital into or from assets under management and the way customers allocate capital among money market, equity, fixed maturity or other investment alternatives, which could negatively impact our Asset Management, Advice & Wealth Management and Annuities businesses. Also, during periods of unfavorable economic conditions, unemployment rates can increase, and have increased, which can result in higher loan delinquency and default rates, and this can have a negative impact on our banking business. Uncertain economic conditions and heightened market volatility may also increase the likelihood that clients or regulators present or threaten legal claims, that regulators may increase the frequency and scope of their examinations of us or the financial services industry generally, and that lawmakers may enact new requirements or taxation which can have a material impact on our revenues, expenses or statutory capital requirements.
Adverse capital and credit market conditions may significantly affect our ability to meet liquidity needs, our access to capital and our cost of capital.
The capital and credit markets may experience, and have experienced, varying degrees of volatility and disruption. In some cases, the markets have exerted downward pressure on availability of liquidity and credit capacity for certain issuers. We need liquidity to pay our operating expenses, interest expenses and dividends on our capital stock. Without sufficient liquidity, we could be required to curtail our operations and our business would suffer.
We believe the level of cash and securities we maintain when combined with expected cash inflows from investments and operations, is adequate to meet anticipated short-term and long-term benefit and expense payment obligations. In the event current resources are insufficient to satisfy our needs, we may access financing sources such as bank debt. The availability of additional financing would depend on a variety of factors such as market conditions, the general availability of
credit, the volume of trading activities, the overall availability of credit to the financial services industry, our credit ratings and credit capacity, as well as the possibility that our shareholders, customers or lenders could develop a negative perception of our long- or short-term financial prospects if we incur large investment losses or if the level of our business activity decreases due to a market downturn. Similarly, our access to funds may be impaired if regulatory authorities or rating organizations take actions against us.
Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the capital and credit markets may also limit our access to capital required to operate our business. Such market conditions may limit our ability to satisfy statutory capital requirements, generate fee income and market-related revenue to meet liquidity needs and access the capital necessary to grow our business. As such, we may be forced to delay raising capital, issue different types of capital than we would otherwise, less effectively deploy such capital, or bear an unattractive cost of capital which could decrease our profitability and significantly reduce our financial flexibility.
The impairment of other financial institutions could adversely affect us.
We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including broker-dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, hedge funds, insurers, reinsurers and other investment funds and other institutions. The operations of U.S. and global financial services institutions are highly interconnected and a decline in the financial condition of one or more financial services institutions may expose us to credit losses or defaults, limit our access to liquidity or otherwise disrupt the operations of our businesses.
Many transactions with and investments in the products and securities of other financial institutions expose us to credit risk in the event of default of our counterparty. With respect to secured transactions, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral we hold cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices insufficient to recover the full amount of the loan or derivative exposure due to it. We also have exposure to financial institutions in the form of unsecured debt instruments, derivative transactions (including with respect to derivatives hedging our exposure on variable annuity contracts with guaranteed benefits), reinsurance and underwriting arrangements and equity investments. There can be no assurance that any such losses or impairments to the carrying value of these assets would not materially and adversely impact our business and results of operations.
Downgrades in the credit or financial strength ratings assigned to the counterparties with whom we transact could create the perception that our financial condition will be adversely impacted as a result of potential future defaults by such counterparties. Additionally, we could be adversely affected by a general, negative perception of financial institutions caused by the downgrade of other financial institutions. Accordingly, ratings downgrades for other financial institutions could affect our market capitalization and could limit access to or increase our cost of capital.
The failure of other insurers could require us to pay higher assessments to state insurance guaranty funds.
Our insurance companies are required by law to be members of the guaranty fund association in every state where they are licensed to do business. In the event of insolvency of one or more unaffiliated insurance companies, our insurance companies could be adversely affected by the requirement to pay assessments to the guaranty fund associations. The financial crisis of 2008 and 2009 and subsequent uncertainty and volatility in the U.S. economy and financial markets have weakened the financial condition of numerous insurers, including insurers currently in receiverships, increasing the risk of triggering guaranty fund assessments.
Third party defaults, bankruptcy filings, legal actions and other events may limit the value of or restrict our access and our clients' access to cash and investments.
Capital and credit market volatility can exacerbate, and has exacerbated, the risk of third party defaults, bankruptcy filings, foreclosures, legal actions and other events that may limit the value of or restrict our access and our clients' access to cash and investments. Although we are not required to do so, we have elected in the past, and we may elect in the future, to compensate clients for losses incurred in response to such events, provide clients with temporary credit or liquidity or other support related to products that we manage, or provide credit liquidity or other support to the financial products we manage. Any such election to provide support may arise from factors specific to our clients, our products or industry-wide factors. If we elect to provide additional support, we could incur losses from the support we provide and incur additional costs, including financing costs, in connection with the support. These losses and additional costs could be material and could adversely impact our results of operations. If we were to take such actions we may also restrict or otherwise utilize our corporate assets, limiting our flexibility to use these assets for other purposes, and may be required to raise additional capital.
Changes in the supervision and regulation of the financial industry, both domestically and internationally, could materially impact our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
In July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act was enacted into law. The Dodd-Frank Act calls for sweeping changes in the supervision and regulation of the financial services industry designed to provide for greater oversight of financial industry participants,
reduce risk in banking practices and in securities and derivatives trading, enhance public company corporate governance practices and executive compensation disclosures, and provide greater protections to individual consumers and investors. Certain elements of the Dodd-Frank Act became effective immediately, though the details of many provisions are subject to additional studies and will not be known until regulatory agencies adopt final rules. The impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on our company, the financial industry and the economy cannot be known until the rules and regulations called for under the Act have been finalized, and, in some cases, implemented over time.
Accordingly, while certain elements of these reforms have yet to be finalized and implemented, the Act has impacted and is expected to further impact the manner in which we market our products and services, manage our company and its operations and interact with regulators, all of which could materially impact our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. Certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act that may impact our business include but are not limited to restrictions on proprietary trading and investing in or sponsoring certain types of funds, the establishment of a fiduciary standard for broker-dealers, the imposition of capital requirements on financial holding companies, the resolution authority granted to the FDIC, changes in regulatory oversight and greater oversight over derivatives instruments and trading. We will need to respond to changes to the framework for the supervision of U.S. financial institutions, including the creation of the Financial Stability Oversight Council ("FSOC") and the transition to the FRB as our consolidated regulator and the OCC as the primary regulator of Ameriprise Bank. For example, if we were to be designated by the FSOC as a systemically important financial institution, we may become subject to additional regulatory oversight and enhanced prudential standards, including those related to capital requirements and risk management standards at the parent company level. To the extent the Dodd-Frank Act impacts the operations, financial condition, liquidity and capital requirements of unaffiliated financial institutions with whom we transact business, those institutions may seek to pass on increased costs, reduce their capacity to transact, or otherwise present inefficiencies in their interactions with us.
It is uncertain whether the Dodd-Frank Act, the rules and regulations developed thereunder, or any future legislation designed to stabilize the financial markets, the economy generally, or provide better protections to consumers, will have the desired effect. Any new domestic or international legislation or regulatory changes could require us to change certain business practices, impose additional costs, or otherwise adversely affect our business operations, regulatory reporting relationships, results of operations or financial condition. Consequences may include substantially higher compliance costs as well as material effects on interest rates and foreign exchange rates, which could materially impact our investments, results of operations and liquidity in ways that we cannot predict. In addition, prolonged government support for, and intervention in the management of, private institutions could distort customary and expected commercial behavior on the part of those institutions, adversely impacting us.
Our businesses are regulated heavily, and changes to the laws and regulations applicable to our businesses may have an adverse effect on our operations, reputation and financial condition.
Virtually all aspects of our business, including the activities of our parent company and our various subsidiaries, are subject to various federal, state and international laws and regulations. For a discussion of the regulatory framework in which we operate, see Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K - "Business - Regulation." Compliance with these applicable laws and regulations is time-consuming and personnel-intensive, and we have invested and will continue to invest substantial resources to ensure compliance by our parent company and our subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, registered representatives and agents. Any changes to the laws and regulations applicable to our businesses, as well as changes to the interpretation and enforcement of such laws and regulations, may affect our operations and financial condition. Such changes may impact our operations and profitability and the practices of our financial advisors, including with respect to the scope of products and services provided, the manner in which products and services are marketed and sold and the incurrence of additional costs of doing business. The recent economic crisis has resulted in numerous changes to regulation and oversight of the financial industry, the full impact of which has yet to be realized. Any incremental requirements, costs and risks imposed on us in connection with such current or future legislative or regulatory changes, may constrain our ability to market our products and services to potential customers, and could negatively impact our profitability and make it more difficult for us to pursue our growth strategy.
Certain examples of legislative and regulatory changes that may impact our businesses are described below.
The Dodd-Frank Act mandates numerous changes to both the regulatory framework in which financial services companies operate and the specific regulations with which such companies must comply. Amongst the changes to the regulatory framework are the abolishment of the OTS and the transition of its responsibilities to other federal agencies. As a result, the OCC became the primary regulator of Ameriprise Bank and the FRB became the primary regulator of our parent company. We cannot predict how the transition to these new regulatory agencies, or the environment for supervisory expectations or enforcement actions, will impact us.
Some of the changes resulting from rules and regulations called for under the Dodd-Frank Act could present operational challenges and increase costs. For example, in the area of derivatives, higher margin and capital requirements, coupled with more restrictive collateral rules, could impact our ability to effectively manage and hedge risk. Ultimately these
complexities and increased costs could have an impact on our ability to offer cost-effective and innovative insurance products to our clients. Similarly, the rules governing the capital requirements of financial institutions, both domestic and international, could have an adverse impact on our ability to allocate capital for strategic business purposes, while increasing costs for consumers of financial services.
Any mandated reductions or restructuring of the fees we charge for our products and services resulting from regulatory initiatives or proceedings could reduce our revenues and earnings. In the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, we earned $1.6 billion, $1.4 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, in distribution fees. Our own Columbia Management family of mutual funds paid a significant portion of these revenues to us in accordance with plans and agreements of distribution adopted under Rule 12b-1 promulgated under the Investment Company Act. We believe that these fees are a critical element in the distribution of our own mutual funds. In July 2010, the SEC proposed certain measures that would establish a new framework to repeal Rule 12b-1. The proposed changes have been subject to a public comment period and, following any enactment, would be phased in over a number of years. Any industry-wide reduction or restructuring of Rule 12b-1 fees could have a material adverse effect on our ability to distribute our own mutual funds and the fees we receive for distributing other companies' mutual funds, which could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on our revenues and earnings.
We expect that the Department of Labor will reissue proposed regulations in 2012 seeking to change the definition of who is an investment advice fiduciary under ERISA and how such advice can be provided, which applies to both 401(k) plans and IRAs. These proposed regulations will again be subject to a public comment period upon their release. We cannot predict whether or when the regulations may be finalized, or how any final regulations may differ from the previously proposed regulations. If the regulations were to be issued substantially similar to previous drafts, they could impact how we receive fees, as well as how we compensate our advisors and design our investments and services for qualified accounts, which could negatively impact our results of operations.
In October 2011, the FRB, OCC, FDIC and SEC jointly issued a proposed rule that would implement Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act (the "Volcker Rule") which contains certain prohibitions and restrictions on the ability of banking entities and their affiliates to engage in proprietary trading and to have certain interests in, or relationships with, a wide variety of investment funds, including but not limited to hedge funds, foreign funds and private equity funds. This proposed rule would significantly impede our ability to launch investment products, including our ability to provide seed capital to US-based and foreign investment funds. We and our subsidiaries would also be prohibited from trading for our own accounts unless such trading qualifies for one of a limited number of exceptions. Additionally, the proposed rule to implement the Volcker Rule has created considerable debate regarding the potential adverse liquidity impact within the financial markets, especially with respect to the trading of non-government fixed income securities. To the extent that liquidity in the financial markets is adversely impacted, we and our clients may experience increased costs and volatility with respect to our business operations and earnings. Significant time and expense will be required to ensure that necessary compliance policies and procedures are implemented and to establish appropriate oversight. The proposed rule could also place U.S. asset managers at a competitive disadvantage in foreign markets. Depending on final parameters of the Volcker Rule, including the breadth of the permitted activities under the Volcker Rule and the nature of the investment funds covered by the prohibitions and limitations under the Volcker Rule, the full impact of the rule on our operations, results and growth strategies cannot be known.
Our insurance companies are subject to state regulation and must comply with statutory reserve and capital requirements. State regulators continually review and update these requirements and other requirements relating to the business operations of insurance companies, including their underwriting and sales practices. The NAIC adopted a change to require principles-based reserves for variable annuities at the end of 2009, and continues to discuss moving to a principles-based reserving system for other insurance and annuity products. The requirement for principles-based variable annuity reserves, along with a similar risk-based capital requirement adopted previously, may result in statutory reserves and risk-based capital for variable annuities being more sensitive to changes in equity prices and other market factors. It is not possible at this time to estimate the potential impact of future changes in statutory reserve and capital requirements on our insurance businesses. Further, we cannot predict the effect that proposed federal legislation, such as the option of federally chartered insurers or a mandated federal systemic risk regulator, may have on our insurance businesses or competitors.
The majority of our affiliated advisors are independent contractors. Legislative or regulatory action that redefines the criteria for determining whether a person is an employee or an independent contractor could materially impact our relationships with our advisors and our business, resulting in an adverse effect on our results of operations.
Changes in and the adoption of accounting standards could have a material impact on our financial statements.
We prepare our financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. From time to time, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), the SEC and other regulators change the financial accounting and reporting standards governing the preparation of our financial statements. In some cases, we could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in our restating prior period financial statements. These changes are difficult
to predict, and it is possible that such changes could have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Defaults in our fixed maturity securities portfolio or consumer credit products could adversely affect our earnings.
Issuers of the fixed maturity securities that we own may default on principal and interest payments. As of December 31, 2011, 5% of our invested assets had ratings below investment-grade. Moreover, economic downturns and corporate malfeasance can increase the number of companies, including those with investment-grade ratings that default on their debt obligations. Default-related declines in the value of our fixed maturity securities portfolio or consumer credit products could cause our net earnings to decline and could also cause us to contribute capital to some of our regulated subsidiaries, which may require us to obtain funding during periods of unfavorable market conditions. Higher delinquency and default rates in our bank's customer loan portfolio could require us to contribute capital to Ameriprise Bank and may result in additional restrictions from our regulators that impact the use and access to that capital.
If the counterparties to our reinsurance arrangements or to the derivative instruments we use to hedge our business risks default, we may be exposed to risks we had sought to mitigate, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We use reinsurance to mitigate our risks in various circumstances as described in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K - "Business - Our Segments - Protection - Reinsurance." Reinsurance does not relieve us of our direct liability to our policyholders, even when the reinsurer is liable to us. Accordingly, we bear credit and performance risk with respect to our reinsurers. A reinsurer's insolvency or its inability or unwillingness to make payments under the terms of our reinsurance agreement could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. See Notes 2 and 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In addition, we use a variety of derivative instruments (including options, forwards, and interest rate and currency swaps) with a number of counterparties to hedge business risks. The amount and breadth of exposure to derivative counterparties, as well as the cost of derivative instruments, have increased significantly in connection with our strategies to hedge guaranteed benefit obligations under our variable annuity products. If our counterparties fail to honor their obligations under the derivative instruments in a timely manner, our hedges of the related risk will be ineffective. That failure could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. This risk of failure of our hedge transactions from counterparty default may be increased by capital market volatility.
The determination of the amount of allowances and impairments taken on certain investments is subject to management's evaluation and judgment and could materially impact our results of operations or financial position.
The determination of the amount of allowances and impairments vary by investment type and is based upon our periodic evaluation and assessment of inherent and known risks associated with the respective asset class. Such evaluations and assessments are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available. Management updates its evaluations regularly and reflects changes in allowances and impairments in operations as such evaluations are revised. Historical trends may not be indicative of future impairments or allowances.
The assessment of whether impairments have occurred is based on management's case-by-case evaluation of the underlying reasons for the decline in fair value that considers a wide range of factors about the security issuer, and management uses its best judgment in evaluating the cause of the decline in the estimated fair value of the security and in assessing the prospects for recovery. Inherent in management's evaluation of the security are assumptions and estimates about the operations of the issuer and its future earnings potential, which assumptions and estimates are more difficult to make with certainty under current market conditions.
Our valuation of fixed maturity and equity securities may include methodologies, estimations and assumptions which are subject to differing interpretations and could result in changes to investment valuations that may materially adversely impact our results of operations or financial condition.
Fixed maturity, equity, trading securities and short-term investments, which are reported at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets, represent the majority of our total cash and invested assets. The determination of fair values by management in the absence of quoted market prices is based on: (i) valuation methodologies; (ii) securities we deem to be comparable; and (iii) assumptions deemed appropriate given the circumstances. The fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on available market information and judgments about financial instruments, including estimates of the timing and amounts of expected future cash flows and the credit standing of the issuer or counterparty. Factors considered in estimating fair value include: coupon rate, maturity, estimated duration, call provisions, sinking fund requirements, credit rating, industry sector of the issuer, and quoted market prices of comparable securities. The use of different methodologies and assumptions may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.
During periods of market disruption, including periods of significantly rising or high interest rates, rapidly widening credit spreads or illiquidity, it may be difficult to value certain of our securities. There may be certain asset classes that were in active markets with significant observable data that become illiquid due to the financial environment. In such cases, the valuation of certain securities may require additional subjectivity and management judgment. As such, valuations may include inputs and assumptions that are less observable or require greater estimation as well as valuation methods that are more sophisticated or require greater estimation, thereby resulting in values which may be less than the value at which the investments may be ultimately sold. Further, rapidly changing and unprecedented credit and equity market conditions could materially impact the valuation of securities as reported within our consolidated financial statements and the period-to-period changes in value could vary significantly. Decreases in value may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
Some of our investments are relatively illiquid.
We invest a portion of our owned assets in certain privately placed fixed income securities, mortgage loans, policy loans, limited partnership interests, collateralized debt obligations and restricted investments held by securitization trusts, among others, all of which are relatively illiquid. These asset classes represented 13% of the carrying value of our investment portfolio as of December 31, 2011. If we require significant amounts of cash on short notice in excess of our normal cash requirements, we may have difficulty selling these investments in a timely manner or be forced to sell them for an amount less than we would otherwise have been able to realize, or both, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Intense competition and the economics of changes in our product revenue mix and distribution channels could negatively impact our ability to maintain or increase our market share and profitability.
Our businesses operate in intensely competitive industry segments. We compete based on a number of factors, including name recognition, service, the quality of investment advice, investment performance, product features, price, perceived financial strength, claims-paying ability and credit ratings. Our competitors include broker-dealers, banks, asset managers, insurers and other financial institutions. Many of our businesses face competitors that have greater market share, offer a broader range of products, have greater financial resources, or have higher claims-paying ability or credit ratings than we do. Some of our competitors may possess or acquire intellectual property rights that could provide a competitive advantage to them in certain markets or for certain products, which could make it difficult for us to introduce new products and services. Some of our competitors' proprietary products or technology could be similar to our own, and this could result in disputes that could impact our financial condition or results of operations. In addition, over time certain sectors of the financial services industry have become considerably more concentrated, as financial institutions involved in a broad range of financial services have been acquired by or merged into other firms. This convergence could result in our competitors gaining greater resources, and we may experience pressures on our pricing and market share as a result of these factors and as some of our competitors seek to increase market share by reducing prices.
Historically, our affiliated advisor network (both franchise advisors and those employed by AFSI) provided annuity and insurance products issued almost exclusively (in the case of annuities) or predominantly (in the case of protection products) by our RiverSource Life companies. In 2010, we expanded the offerings available to all of our affiliated advisors to include variable annuities issued by a limited number of unaffiliated insurance companies. As a result of this and further openings of our affiliated advisor network to the products of other companies, we could experience lower sales of our companies' products, higher surrenders, or other developments which might not be fully offset by higher distribution revenues or other benefits, possibly resulting in an adverse effect on our results of operations.
In late 2010, we discontinued the distribution of RiverSource variable annuities through third-party channels. This could impact the persistency of business sold previously through these channels, possibly resulting in the acceleration of DAC amortization or other adverse effects on our results of operations.
A drop in investment performance as compared to our competitors could negatively impact our revenues and profitability.
Investment performance is a key competitive factor for our retail and institutional asset management products and services. Strong investment performance helps to ensure the retention of our products and services by our clients and creates new sales of products and services. It may also result in higher ratings by ratings services such as Morningstar or Lipper, which may further exacerbate the foregoing effects. Strong investment performance and its effects are important elements to our stated goals of growing assets under management and achieving economies of scale.
There can be no assurance as to how future investment performance will compare to our competitors or that historical performance will be indicative of future returns. Any drop or perceived drop in investment performance as compared to our competitors could cause a decline in sales of our mutual funds and other investment products, an increase in redemptions and the termination of institutional asset management relationships. These impacts may reduce our aggregate amount of assets under management and reduce management fees. Poor investment performance could also adversely affect our
ability to expand the distribution of our products through unaffiliated third parties. Further, any drop in market share of mutual funds sales by our affiliated advisors may further reduce profits as sales of other companies' mutual funds are less profitable than sales of our proprietary funds.
We may not be able to maintain our unaffiliated third-party distribution channels or the terms by which unaffiliated third parties sell our products.
We distribute certain of our investment products and fixed annuities through unaffiliated third-party advisors and financial institutions. Maintaining and deepening relationships with these unaffiliated distributors is an important part of our growth strategy, as strong third-party distribution arrangements enhance our ability to market our products and to increase our assets under management, revenues and profitability. There can be no assurance that the distribution relationships we have established will continue, as our distribution partners may cease to operate or otherwise terminate their relationship with us. Any such reduction in access to third-party distributors may have a material adverse effect on our ability to market our products and to generate revenue in our Asset Management and Annuities segments.
Access to distribution channels is subject to intense competition due to the large number of competitors and products in the investment advisory and annuities industries. Relationships with distributors are subject to periodic negotiation that may result in increased distribution costs and/or reductions in the number of our products marketed. Any increase in the costs to distribute our products or reduction in the type or number of products made available for sale may have a material effect on our revenues and profitability.
We face intense competition in attracting and retaining key talent.
Our continued success depends to a substantial degree on our ability to attract and retain qualified people. We are dependent on our network of affiliated advisors for a significant portion of the sales of our mutual funds, annuities, face-amount certificates, banking and insurance products. The market for these financial advisors is extremely competitive, as are the markets for qualified and skilled portfolio managers, investment managers, executives and marketing, finance, legal, compliance and other professionals. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified individuals or our recruiting and retention costs increase significantly, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely impacted.
We face risks arising from acquisitions and divestitures.
We have made acquisitions and divestitures in the past and may pursue similar strategic transactions in the future. Risks in acquisition transactions include difficulties in the integration of acquired businesses into our operations, difficulties in assimilating and retaining employees and intermediaries, difficulties in retaining the existing customers of the acquired entities, unforeseen liabilities that arise in connection with the acquired businesses, the failure of counterparties to satisfy any obligations to indemnify us against liabilities arising from the acquired businesses, and unfavorable market conditions that could negatively impact our growth expectations for the acquired businesses. Risks in divestiture transactions include difficulties in the separation of the disposed business, the failure of counterparties to satisfy payment obligations, unfavorable market conditions that may impact any earnout or contingency payment due to us and unexpected difficulties in losing employees of the disposed business. These risks may prevent us from realizing the expected benefits from acquisitions or divestitures and could result in the failure to realize the full economic value of a strategic transaction or the impairment of goodwill and/or intangible assets recognized at the time of an acquisition.
A failure to protect our reputation could adversely affect our businesses.
Our reputation is one of our most important assets. Our ability to attract and retain customers, investors, employees and affiliated advisors is highly dependent upon external perceptions of our company. Damage to our reputation could cause significant harm to our business and prospects and may arise from numerous sources, including litigation or regulatory actions, failing to deliver minimum standards of service and quality, compliance failures, unethical behavior and the misconduct of employees, affiliated advisors and counterparties. Negative perceptions or publicity regarding these matters could damage our reputation among existing and potential customers, investors, employees and affiliated advisors. Adverse developments with respect to our industry may also, by association, negatively impact our reputation or result in greater regulatory or legislative scrutiny or litigation against us.
Our reputation is also dependent on our continued identification of and mitigation against conflicts of interest. As we have expanded the scope of our businesses and our client base, we increasingly have to identify and address potential conflicts of interest, including those relating to our proprietary activities and those relating to our sales of non-proprietary products from manufacturers that have agreed to provide us marketing, sales and account maintenance support. For example, conflicts may arise between our position as a provider of financial planning services and as a manufacturer and/or distributor or broker of asset accumulation, income or insurance products that one of our affiliated advisors may recommend to a financial planning client. We have procedures and controls that are designed to identify, address and appropriately disclose perceived conflicts of interest. However, identifying and appropriately addressing conflicts of interest is complex, and our reputation could be damaged if we fail, or appear to fail, to address conflicts of interest appropriately.
In addition, the SEC and other federal and state regulators have increased their scrutiny of potential conflicts of interest. It is possible that potential or perceived conflicts could give rise to litigation or enforcement actions. It is possible also that the regulatory scrutiny of, and litigation in connection with, conflicts of interest will make our clients less willing to enter into transactions in which such a conflict may occur, and will adversely affect our businesses.
Misconduct by our employees and affiliated advisors is difficult to detect and deter and could harm our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Misconduct by our employees and affiliated advisors could result in violations of law, regulatory sanctions and/or serious reputational or financial harm. Misconduct can occur in each of our businesses and could include: binding us to transactions that exceed authorized limits; hiding unauthorized or unsuccessful activities resulting in unknown and unmanaged risks or losses; improperly using, disclosing or otherwise compromising confidential information; recommending transactions that are not suitable; engaging in fraudulent or otherwise improper activity; engaging in unauthorized or excessive trading to the detriment of customers; or otherwise not complying with laws, regulations or our control procedures.
We cannot always deter misconduct by our employees and affiliated advisors, and the precautions we take to prevent and detect this activity may not be effective in all cases. Preventing and detecting misconduct among our franchisee advisors who are not employees of our company present additional challenges. We cannot also assure that misconduct by our employees and affiliated advisors will not lead to a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Legal and regulatory actions are inherent in our businesses and could result in financial losses or harm our businesses.
We are, and in the future may be, subject to legal and regulatory actions in the ordinary course of our operations, both domestically and internationally. Various regulatory and governmental bodies have the authority to review our products and business practices and those of our employees and independent financial advisors and to bring regulatory or other legal actions against us if, in their view, our practices, or those of our employees or affiliated advisors, are improper. Pending legal and regulatory actions include proceedings relating to aspects of our businesses and operations that are specific to us and proceedings that are typical of the industries and businesses in which we operate. Some of these proceedings have been brought on behalf of various alleged classes of complainants. In certain of these matters, the plaintiffs are seeking large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive or exemplary damages. See Item 3 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K - "Legal Proceedings." In or as a result of turbulent times such as those we have experienced, the volume of claims and amount of damages sought in litigation and regulatory proceedings generally increase. Substantial legal liability in current or future legal or regulatory actions could have a material adverse financial effect or cause significant reputational harm, which in turn could seriously harm our business prospects.
A downgrade or a potential downgrade in our financial strength or credit ratings could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Financial strength ratings, which various ratings organizations publish as a measure of an insurance company's ability to meet contractholder and policyholder obligations, are important to maintain public confidence in our products, the ability to market our products and our competitive position. A downgrade in our financial strength ratings, or the announced potential for a downgrade, could have a significant adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations in many ways, including: reducing new sales of insurance products, annuities and investment products; adversely affecting our relationships with our affiliated advisors and third-party distributors of our products; materially increasing the number or amount of policy surrenders and withdrawals by contractholders and policyholders; requiring us to reduce prices for many of our products and services to remain competitive; and adversely affecting our ability to obtain reinsurance or obtain reasonable pricing on reinsurance.
A downgrade in our credit ratings could also adversely impact our future cost and speed of borrowing and have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.
In view of the difficulties experienced recently by many financial institutions, including our competitors in the insurance industry, the ratings organizations have heightened the level of scrutiny that they apply to such institutions and have requested additional information from the companies that they rate. They may increase the frequency and scope of their credit reviews, adjust upward the capital and other requirements employed in the ratings organizations' models for maintenance of ratings levels, or downgrade ratings applied to particular classes of securities or types of institutions. Ratings organizations may also become subject to tighter laws and regulations governing ratings, which may in turn impact ratings assigned to financial institutions.
We cannot predict what actions rating organizations may take, or what actions we may take in response to the actions of rating organizations, which could adversely affect our business. As with other companies in the financial services industry, our ratings could be changed at any time and without any notice by the ratings organizations.
If our reserves for future policy benefits and claims or for our bank lending portfolio or for future certificate redemptions and maturities are inadequate, we may be required to increase our reserve liabilities, which would adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We establish reserves as estimates of our liabilities to provide for future obligations under our insurance policies, annuities and investment certificate contracts. We also establish reserves as estimates of the potential for loan losses in our consumer lending portfolios. Reserves do not represent an exact calculation but, rather, are estimates of contract benefits or loan losses and related expenses we expect to incur over time. The assumptions and estimates we make in establishing reserves require certain judgments about future experience and, therefore, are inherently uncertain. We cannot determine with precision the actual amounts that we will pay for contract benefits, the timing of payments, or whether the assets supporting our stated reserves will increase to the levels we estimate before payment of benefits or claims. We monitor our reserve levels continually. If we were to conclude that our reserves are insufficient to cover actual or expected contract benefits or loan collections, we would be required to increase our reserves and incur income statement charges for the period in which we make the determination, which would adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. For more information on how we set our reserves, see Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Morbidity rates or mortality rates that differ significantly from our pricing expectations could negatively affect profitability.
We set prices for RiverSource life insurance and some annuity products based upon expected claim payment patterns, derived from assumptions we make about our policyholders and contractholders, the morbidity rates, or likelihood of sickness, and mortality rates, or likelihood of death. The long-term profitability of these products depends upon how our actual experience compares with our pricing assumptions. For example, if morbidity rates are higher, or mortality rates are lower, than our pricing assumptions, we could be required to make greater payments under disability income insurance policies, chronic care riders and immediate annuity contracts than we had projected. The same holds true for long term care policies we previously underwrote to the extent of the risks that we retained. If mortality rates are higher than our pricing assumptions, we could be required to make greater payments under our life insurance policies and annuity contracts with guaranteed minimum death benefits than we have projected.
The risk that our claims experience may differ significantly from our pricing assumptions is particularly significant for our long term care insurance products notwithstanding our ability to implement future price increases with regulatory approvals. As with life insurance, long term care insurance policies provide for long-duration coverage and, therefore, our actual claims experience will emerge over many years. However, as a relatively new product in the market, long term care insurance does not have the extensive claims experience history of life insurance and, as a result, our ability to forecast future claim rates for long term care insurance is more limited than for life insurance. We have sought to moderate these uncertainties to some extent by partially reinsuring long term care policies we previously underwrote and by limiting our present long term care insurance offerings to policies underwritten fully by unaffiliated third-party insurers, and we have also implemented rate increases on certain in force policies as described in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K - "Business - Our Segments - Protection - RiverSource Insurance Products - Long Term Care Insurance." We may be required to implement additional rate increases in the future and may or may not receive regulatory approval for the full extent and timing of any rate increases that we may seek.
We may face losses if there are significant deviations from our assumptions regarding the future persistency of our insurance policies and annuity contracts.
The prices and expected future profitability of our life insurance and deferred annuity products are based in part upon assumptions related to persistency, which is the probability that a policy or contract will remain in force from one period to the next. Given the ongoing economic and market dislocations, future consumer persistency behaviors could vary materially from the past. The effect of persistency on profitability varies for different products. For most of our life insurance and deferred annuity products, actual persistency that is lower than our persistency assumptions could have an adverse impact on profitability, especially in the early years of a policy or contract, primarily because we would be required to accelerate the amortization of expenses we deferred in connection with the acquisition of the policy or contract.
For our long term care insurance and universal life insurance policies with secondary guarantees, as well as variable annuities with guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits, actual persistency that is higher than our persistency assumptions could have a negative impact on profitability. If these policies remain in force longer than we assumed, we could be required to make greater benefit payments than we had anticipated when we priced or partially reinsured these products. Some of our long term care insurance policies have experienced higher persistency and poorer loss experience than we had assumed, which led us to increase premium rates on certain policies.
Because our assumptions regarding persistency experience are inherently uncertain, reserves for future policy benefits and claims may prove to be inadequate if actual persistency experience is different from those assumptions. Although some of our products permit us to increase premiums during the life of the policy or contract, we cannot guarantee that these increases would be sufficient to maintain profitability. Additionally, some of these pricing changes require regulatory
approval, which may not be forthcoming. Moreover, many of our products do not permit us to increase premiums or limit those increases during the life of the policy or contract, while premiums on certain other products (primarily long term care insurance) may not be increased without prior regulatory approval. Significant deviations in experience from pricing expectations regarding persistency could have an adverse effect on the profitability of our products.
We may be required to accelerate the amortization of DAC, which would increase our expenses and reduce profitability.
DAC represent the costs of acquiring new business, principally direct sales commissions and other distribution and underwriting costs that have been deferred on the sale of annuity, life and disability income insurance and, to a lesser extent, marketing and promotional expenses for personal auto and home insurance, and distribution expense for certain mutual fund products. For annuity and universal life products, DAC are amortized based on projections of estimated gross profits over amortization periods equal to the approximate life of the business. For other insurance products, DAC are generally amortized as a percentage of premiums over amortization periods equal to the premium-paying period. For certain mutual fund products, we generally amortize DAC over fixed periods on a straight-line basis, adjusted for redemptions.
Our projections underlying the amortization of DAC require the use of certain assumptions, including interest margins, mortality rates, persistency rates, maintenance expense levels and customer asset value growth rates for variable products. We periodically review and, where appropriate, adjust our assumptions. When we change our assumptions, we may be required to accelerate the amortization of DAC or to record a charge to increase benefit reserves.
For more information regarding DAC, see Part II, Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies - Deferred Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducement Costs" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Recent Accounting Pronouncements."
The occurrence of natural or man-made disasters and catastrophes could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
The occurrence of natural disasters and catastrophes, including earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, fires, severe winter weather, explosions, pandemic disease and man-made disasters, including acts of terrorism, insurrections and military actions, could adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition. Such disasters and catastrophes may damage our facilities, preventing our employees and financial advisors from performing their roles or otherwise disturbing our ordinary business operations and by impacting insurance claims, as described below. Such disasters and catastrophes may also impact us indirectly by changing the condition and behaviors of our customers, business counterparties and regulators, as well as by causing declines or volatility in the economic and financial markets.
The effects of natural and man-made disasters and catastrophes on certain of our businesses include but are not limited to the following: a catastrophic loss of life may materially increase the amount of or accelerate the timing in which benefits are paid under our insurance policies; significant property damage may materially increase the amount of claims submitted under our property casualty insurance policies; an increase in claims and any resulting increase in claims reserves caused by a disaster may harm the financial condition of our reinsurers, thereby impacting the cost and availability of reinsurance and the probability of default on reinsurance recoveries; and declines and volatility in the financial markets may decrease the value of our assets under management and administration, which would harm our financial condition and reduce our management fees.
We cannot predict the timing and frequency with which natural and man-made disasters and catastrophes may occur, nor can we predict the impact that changing climate conditions may have on the frequency and severity of natural disasters. As such, we cannot be sure that our actions to identify and mitigate the risks associated with such disasters and catastrophes, including predictive modeling, establishing liabilities for expected claims, acquiring insurance and reinsurance and developing business continuity plans, will be effective.
We may not be able to protect our intellectual property and may be subject to infringement claims.
We rely on a combination of contractual rights and copyright, trademark, patent and trade secret laws to establish and protect our intellectual property. Although we use a broad range of measures to protect our intellectual property rights, third parties may infringe or misappropriate our intellectual property. We may have to litigate to enforce and protect our copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets and know-how or to determine their scope, validity or enforceability, which represents a diversion of resources that may be significant in amount and may not prove successful. The loss of intellectual property protection or the inability to secure or enforce the protection of our intellectual property assets could have a material adverse effect on our business and our ability to compete.
We also may be subject to costly litigation in the event that another party alleges our operations or activities infringe upon such other party's intellectual property rights. Third parties may have, or may eventually be issued, patents or other protections that could be infringed by our products, methods, processes or services or could otherwise limit our ability to
offer certain product features. Any party that holds such a patent could make a claim of infringement against us. We may also be subject to claims by third parties for breach of copyright, trademark, license usage rights, or misappropriation of trade secret rights. Any such claims and any resulting litigation could result in significant liability for damages. If we were found to have infringed or misappropriated a third party patent or other intellectual property rights, we could incur substantial liability, and in some circumstances could be enjoined from providing certain products or services to our customers or utilizing and benefiting from certain methods, processes, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets or licenses, or alternatively could be required to enter into costly licensing arrangements with third parties, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Breaches of security or interference with our technology infrastructure could harm our business.
Our business is reliant upon technology systems and networks, including systems and networks managed by third parties, to process, transmit and store information and to conduct many of our business activities and transactions with clients, affiliated advisors, vendors and other third parties. We are also subject to certain federal and state regulations that require us to establish and maintain policies and procedures designed to protect sensitive client information. Maintaining the integrity of our systems and networks is critical to the success of our business operations, including the retention of affiliated advisors and clients, and to the protection of our proprietary information and our clients' personal information. Accordingly, any breaches or interference with such systems and networks by third parties or by our advisors or employees may have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We have implemented security measures designed to protect against breaches of security and other interference with our systems and networks resulting from attacks by third parties, including hackers, and from employee or advisor error or malfeasance. We also require third party vendors, who in the provision of services to us are provided with or process information pertaining to our business or our clients, to meet certain information security standards. Despite these measures, we cannot assure that our systems and networks will not be subject to breaches or interference. Any such event may result in operational disruptions as well as unauthorized access to or the disclosure or loss of our proprietary information or our clients' personal information, which in turn may result in legal claims, regulatory scrutiny and liability, reputational damage, the incurrence of costs to eliminate or mitigate further exposure, the loss of clients or affiliated advisors or other damage to our business. In addition, the trend toward broad consumer and general public notification of such incidents could exacerbate the harm to our business, financial condition or results of operations. Even if we successfully protect our technology infrastructure and the confidentiality of sensitive data, we could suffer harm to our business and reputation if attempted security breaches are publicized. We cannot be certain that advances in criminal capabilities, discovery of new vulnerabilities, attempts to exploit vulnerabilities in our systems, data thefts, physical system or network break-ins or inappropriate access, or other developments will not compromise or breach the technology or other security measures protecting the networks and systems used in connection with our business.
Protection from system interruptions and operating errors is important to our business. If we experience a sustained interruption to our telecommunications or data processing systems, or other failure in operational execution, it could harm our business.
System or network interruptions could delay and disrupt our ability to develop, deliver or maintain our products and services, causing harm to our business and reputation and resulting in loss of affiliated advisors, clients or revenue. Interruptions could be caused by operational failures arising from employee or advisor error or malfeasance, interference by third parties, including hackers, our implementation of new technology, as well from our maintenance of existing technology. Our financial, accounting, data processing or other operating systems and facilities may fail to operate properly or become disabled as a result of events that are wholly or partially beyond our control, adversely affecting our ability to process transactions or provide products and services to our clients. These interruptions can include fires, floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters, power losses, equipment failures, failures of internal or vendor software or systems and other events beyond our control. Further, we face the risk of operational failure, termination or capacity constraints of any of the clearing agents, exchanges, clearing houses or other financial intermediaries that we use to facilitate or are component providers to our securities transactions and other product manufacturing and distribution activities. These risks are heightened by our deployment in response to both investor interest and evolution in the financial markets of increasingly sophisticated products, such as those which incorporate automatic asset re-allocation, long/short trading strategies or multiple portfolios or funds, and business-driven hedging, compliance and other risk management strategies. Any such failure, termination or constraint could adversely impact our ability to effect transactions, service our clients and manage our exposure to risk.
Risk management policies and procedures may not be fully effective in identifying or mitigating risk exposure in all market environments or against all types of risk, including employee and financial advisor misconduct.
We have devoted significant resources to develop our risk management policies and procedures and will continue to do so. Nonetheless, our policies and procedures to identify, monitor and manage risks may not be fully effective in mitigating our risk exposure in all market environments or against all types of risk. Many of our methods of managing risk and exposures are based upon our use of observed historical market behavior or statistics based on historical models. During periods of
market volatility or due to unforeseen events, the historically derived correlations upon which these methods are based may not be valid. As a result, these methods may not predict future exposures accurately, which could be significantly greater than what our models indicate. This could cause us to incur investment losses or cause our hedging and other risk management strategies to be ineffective. Other risk management methods depend upon the evaluation of information regarding markets, clients, catastrophe occurrence or other matters that are publicly available or otherwise accessible to us, which may not always be accurate, complete, up-to-date or properly evaluated.
Moreover, we are subject to the risks of errors and misconduct by our employees and affiliated advisors, such as fraud, non-compliance with policies, recommending transactions that are not suitable, and improperly using or disclosing confidential information. These risks are difficult to detect in advance and deter, and could harm our business, results of operations or financial condition. We are further subject to the risk of nonperformance or inadequate performance of contractual obligations by third-party vendors of products and services that are used in our businesses. Management of operational, legal and regulatory risks requires, among other things, policies and procedures to record properly and verify a large number of transactions and events, and these policies and procedures may not be fully effective in mitigating our risk exposure in all market environments or against all types of risk. Insurance and other traditional risk-shifting tools may be held by or available to us in order to manage certain exposures, but they are subject to terms such as deductibles, coinsurance, limits and policy exclusions, as well as risk of counterparty denial of coverage, default or insolvency.
As a holding company, we depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us to pay dividends and to meet our obligations.
We act as a holding company for our subsidiaries, through which substantially all of our operations are conducted. Dividends from our subsidiaries and permitted payments to us under our intercompany arrangements with our subsidiaries are our principal sources of cash to pay shareholder dividends and to meet our other financial obligations. These obligations include our operating expenses and interest and principal on our borrowings. If the cash we receive from our subsidiaries pursuant to dividend payment and intercompany arrangements is insufficient for us to fund any of these obligations, we may be required to raise cash through the incurrence of additional debt, the issuance of additional equity or the sale of assets. If any of this happens, it could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.
Insurance, banking and securities laws and regulations regulate the ability of many of our subsidiaries (such as our insurance, banking and brokerage subsidiaries and our face-amount certificate company) to pay dividends or make other permitted payments. See Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K - "Regulation" as well as the information contained in Part II, Item 7 under the heading "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources." In addition to the various regulatory restrictions that constrain our subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends or make other permitted payments to our company, the rating organizations impose various capital requirements on our company and our insurance company subsidiaries in order for us to maintain our ratings and the ratings of our insurance subsidiaries. The value of assets on the company-level balance sheets of our subsidiaries is a significant factor in determining these restrictions and capital requirements. As asset values decline, our and our subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends or make other permitted payments can be reduced. Additionally, the various asset classes held by our subsidiaries, and used in determining required capital levels, are weighted differently or are restricted as to the proportion in which they may be held depending upon their liquidity, credit risk and other factors. Volatility in relative asset values among different asset classes can alter the proportion of our subsidiaries' holdings in those classes, which could increase required capital and constrain our and our subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends or make other permitted payments. The regulatory capital requirements and dividend-paying ability of our subsidiaries may also be affected by a change in the mix of products sold by such subsidiaries. For example, fixed annuities typically require more capital than variable annuities, and an increase in the proportion of fixed annuities sold in relation to variable annuities could increase the regulatory capital requirements of our life insurance subsidiaries. This may reduce the dividends or other permitted payments which could be made from those subsidiaries in the near term without the rating organizations viewing this negatively. Further, the capital requirements imposed upon our subsidiaries may be impacted by heightened regulatory scrutiny and intervention, which could negatively affect our and our subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends or make other permitted payments. Additionally, in the past we have found it necessary to provide support to certain of our subsidiaries in order to maintain adequate capital for regulatory or other purposes and we may provide such support in the future. The provision of such support could adversely affect our excess capital, liquidity, and the dividends or other permitted payments received from our subsidiaries.
The operation of our business in foreign markets and our investments in non-U.S. denominated securities and investment products subjects us to exchange rate and other risks in connection with earnings and income generated overseas.
While we are a U.S.-based company, a portion of our business operations occur outside of the U.S. and some of our investments are not denominated in U.S. dollars. As a result, we are exposed to certain foreign currency exchange risks that could reduce U.S. dollar equivalent earnings as well as negatively impact our general account and other proprietary investment portfolios. Appreciation of the U.S. dollar could unfavorably affect net income from foreign operations, the value of non-U.S. dollar denominated investments and investments in foreign subsidiaries. In comparison, depreciation of the
U.S. dollar could positively affect our net income from foreign operations and the value of non-U.S. dollar denominated investments, though such depreciation could also diminish investor, creditor and rating organizations perceptions of our company compared to peer companies that have a relatively greater proportion of foreign operations or investments.
We may seek to mitigate these risks by employing various hedging strategies including entering into derivative contracts. Currency fluctuations, including the effect of changes in the value of U.S. dollar denominated investments that vary from the amounts ultimately needed to hedge our exposure to changes in the U.S. dollar equivalent of earnings and equity of these operations, may adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
Changes in U.S. federal income or estate tax law could make some of our products less attractive to clients.
Many of the products we issue or on which our businesses are based (including both insurance products and non-insurance products) enjoy favorable treatment under current U.S. federal income or estate tax law. Changes in U.S. federal income or estate tax law could thus make some of our products less attractive to clients.
We are subject to tax contingencies that could adversely affect our provision for income taxes.
We are subject to the income tax laws of the U.S., its states and municipalities and those of the foreign jurisdictions in which we have significant business operations. These tax laws are complex and may be subject to different interpretations. We must make judgments and interpretations about the application of these inherently complex tax laws when determining the provision for income taxes and must also make estimates about when in the future certain items affect taxable income in the various tax jurisdictions. Disputes over interpretations of the tax laws may be settled with the taxing authority upon examination or audit. In addition, changes to the Internal Revenue Code, administrative rulings or court decisions could increase our provision for income taxes.
Risks Relating to Our Common Stock
The market price of our shares may fluctuate.
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate widely, depending upon many factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including: changes in expectations concerning our future financial performance and the future performance of the financial services industry in general, including financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts; differences between our actual financial and operating results and those expected by investors and analysts; our strategic moves and those of our competitors, such as acquisitions, divestitures or restructurings; changes in the regulatory framework of the financial services industry and regulatory action; changes in and the adoption of accounting standards applicable to our businesses and the financial services industry; and changes in general economic or market conditions.
Stock markets in general have experienced volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of a particular company. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.
Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and of Delaware law may prevent or delay an acquisition of our company, which could decrease the market value of our common stock.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law contain provisions intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids by making them unacceptably expensive to the raider and to encourage prospective acquirors to negotiate with our board of directors rather than to attempt a hostile takeover. These provisions include, among others: a board of directors that is divided into three classes with staggered terms, however, in 2010, our shareholders approved an amendment to our certificate of incorporation that provides for the annual election of all directors beginning at our 2013 annual meeting of shareholders; elimination of the right of our shareholders to act by written consent; rules regarding how shareholders may present proposals or nominate directors for election at shareholder meetings; the right of our board of directors to issue preferred stock without shareholder approval; and limitations on the right of shareholders to remove directors.
Delaware law also imposes some restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between us and any holder of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock.
We believe these provisions protect our shareholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirors to negotiate with our board of directors and by providing our board of directors time to assess any acquisition proposal. They are not intended to make our company immune from takeovers. However, these provisions apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some shareholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that our board of directors determines is not in the best interests of our company and our shareholders.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 2. Properties.
We operate our business from two principal locations, both of which are located in Minneapolis, Minnesota: the Ameriprise Financial Center, an 848,000 square foot building that we lease, and our 885,000 square foot Client Service Center, which we own. Each of these principal locations meets high environmental standards: The Client Service Center has achieved the U.S. Green Building Council ("USGBC") LEED Gold Certification, and the Ameriprise Financial Center has achieved USGBC LEED Silver Certification. Our lease term for the Ameriprise Financial Center began in November 2000 and is for 20 years, with several options to extend the term. Our aggregate annual rent for the Ameriprise Financial Center is $15 million. Ameriprise Financial, Inc. owns the 171,000 square foot Oak Ridge Conference Center, a training facility and conference center in Chaska, Minnesota, which can also serve as a disaster recovery site, if necessary. We also lease space in an operations center located in Minneapolis, and we occupy space in a second operations center located in Phoenix, Arizona.
Our property and casualty subsidiary, Ameriprise Auto and Home Insurance, leases approximately 142,000 square feet at its corporate headquarters in DePere, Wisconsin, a suburb of Green Bay. The lease has a ten-year term expiring in 2014 with an option to renew the lease for up to six renewal terms of five years each. They also lease a 34,000 square foot office space in Phoenix, Arizona with a lease term expiring in 2014.
Threadneedle leases one office facility in London, England and one in Swindon, England. It is the sole tenant of its London office, a 60,410 square foot building, under a lease expiring in June 2018. Threadneedle also leases property in Frankfurt, Germany, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Singapore and Australia and rents offices in a number of other European cities, and Dubai to support its global operations.
Columbia Management leases offices in Boston containing approximately 156,000 square feet under a lease that expires in 2021 and facilities in New York City containing approximately 90,000 square feet under a lease expiring in 2019. In addition, Seligman occupies a space of 11,425 square feet in Menlo Park, California under a lease that expires in 2023, and Columbia Wanger leases 48,000 square feet in Chicago, Illinois under a lease that expires in 2019.
AFSI leases offices containing approximately 84,000 square feet in Detroit, Michigan, under a lease expiring in 2016.
Generally, we lease the premises we occupy in other locations, including the executive and bank offices that we maintain in New York City and branch offices for our employee advisors throughout the United States. We believe that the facilities owned or occupied by our company suit our needs and are well maintained.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in the normal course of business in legal, regulatory and arbitration proceedings, including class actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of its activities as a diversified financial services firm. These include proceedings specific to the Company as well as proceedings generally applicable to business practices in the industries in which it operates. The Company can also be subject to litigation arising out of its general business activities, such as its investments, contracts, leases and employment relationships. Uncertain economic conditions, heightened and sustained volatility in the financial markets and significant financial reform legislation may increase the likelihood that clients and other persons or regulators may present or threaten legal claims or that regulators increase the scope or frequency of examinations of the Company or the financial services industry generally.
As with other financial services firms, the level of regulatory activity and inquiry concerning the Company's businesses remains elevated. From time to time, the Company receives requests for information from, and/or has been subject to examination or claims by, the SEC, FINRA, the Federal Reserve Bank, the OCC, the FSA, state insurance and securities regulators, state attorneys general and various other domestic or foreign governmental and quasi-governmental authorities on behalf of themselves or clients concerning the Company's business activities and practices, and the practices of the Company's financial advisors. During recent periods, the Company has received information requests, exams or inquiries regarding certain matters, including: sales of, or disclosures pertaining to, mutual funds, annuities, equity and fixed income securities, low priced securities, insurance products, brokerage services, financial advice offerings; trading practices within the Company's asset management business; supervision of the Company's financial advisors; company procedures and information security. The Company is also responding to regulatory audits, market conduct examinations and other inquiries (including inquiries from the states of Minnesota and New York) relating to an industry-wide investigation of unclaimed property and escheatment practices and procedures. The number of reviews and investigations has increased in recent years with regard to many firms in the financial services industry, including Ameriprise Financial. The Company has cooperated and will continue to cooperate with the applicable regulators regarding their inquiries.
These legal and regulatory proceedings and disputes are subject to uncertainties and, as such, the Company is unable to predict the ultimate resolution or range of loss that may result. An adverse outcome in one or more of these proceedings could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties or other relief, in addition to further claims, examinations
or adverse publicity that could have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
Certain legal and regulatory proceedings are described below.
In June 2004, an action captioned John E. Gallus et al. v. American Express Financial Corp. and American Express Financial Advisors Inc., was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, and was later transferred to the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. The plaintiffs alleged that they were investors in several of the Company's mutual funds and they purported to bring the action derivatively on behalf of those funds under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the '40 Act). The plaintiffs alleged that fees allegedly paid to the defendants by the funds for investment advisory and administrative services were excessive. Plaintiffs seek an order declaring that defendants have violated the '40 Act and awarding unspecified damages including excessive fees allegedly paid plus interest and other costs. On July 6, 2007, the district court granted the Company's motion for summary judgment, dismissing all claims with prejudice. Plaintiffs appealed the district court's decision, and on April 8, 2009, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reversed the district court's decision, and remanded the case for further proceedings. The Company filed with the United States Supreme Court a Petition for Writ of Certiorari to review the judgment of the Court of Appeals in this case in light of the Supreme Court's anticipated review of a similar excessive fee case captioned Jones v. Harris Associates. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Jones v. Harris Associates, and on April 5, 2010, the Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit's decision in this case and remanded it to the Eighth Circuit for further consideration in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Jones v. Harris Associates. Without any further briefing or argument, on June 4, 2010, the Eighth Circuit remanded the case to the district court for further consideration in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Jones v. Harris Associates. On December 8, 2010, the district court re-entered its July 2007 order granting summary judgment in favor of the Company. Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal with the Eighth Circuit on January 10, 2011. The Eighth Circuit Court heard oral arguments of the parties on November 17, 2011. The Company is awaiting the Court's ruling.
In November 2010, the Company's J. & W. Seligman & Co. Incorporated subsidiary ("Seligman") received a governmental inquiry regarding an industry insider trading investigation, as previously stated by the Company in general media reporting. The Company continues to cooperate fully with that inquiry. Neither the Company nor Seligman has been accused of any wrongdoing, and the government has confirmed that neither the Company nor any of its affiliated entities is a target of its investigation into potential insider trading.
In October 2011, a putative class action lawsuit entitled Roger Krueger, et al. vs. Ameriprise Financial, et al. was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota against the Company, certain of its present or former employees and directors, as well as certain fiduciary committees on behalf of participants and beneficiaries of the Ameriprise Financial 401(k) Plan. The alleged class period is from October 1, 2005, to the present. The action alleges that Ameriprise breached fiduciary duties under ERISA by selecting and retaining primarily proprietary mutual funds with allegedly poor performance histories, higher expenses relative to other investment options, and improper fees paid to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. or its subsidiaries. The action also alleges that the Company breached fiduciary duties under ERISA because it used its affiliate Ameriprise Trust Company as the Plan trustee and record-keeper and improperly reaped profits from the sale of the record-keeping business to Wachovia Bank, N.A. Plaintiffs allege over $20 million in damages. On January 17, 2012, all defendants filed a brief and other documents in support of their motion to dismiss the complaint. Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on February 7, 2012. An amended briefing and hearing schedule for the motion to dismiss this amended complaint will be set by the court.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
PART II.
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Our common stock trades principally on The New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol AMP. As of February 10, 2012, we had approximately 20,549 common shareholders of record. Price and dividend information concerning our common shares may be found in Note 26 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Information regarding our equity compensation plans can be found in Part II, Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Information comparing the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock to the cumulative total return for certain indices is set forth under the heading "Performance Graph" provided in our 2011 Annual Report to Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
We are primarily a holding company and, as a result, our ability to pay dividends in the future will depend on receiving dividends from our subsidiaries. For information regarding our ability to pay dividends, see the information set forth under the heading "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources" contained in Part II, Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Share Repurchases
The following table presents the information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. or any "affiliated purchaser" (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of our common stock during the fourth quarter of 2011:
N/A Not applicable.
(1)On June 15, 2011, we announced that our board of directors authorized us to repurchase up to $2.0 billion worth of our common stock through June 28, 2013. The share repurchase program does not require the purchase of any minimum number of shares, and depending on market conditions and other factors, these purchases may be commenced or suspended at any time without prior notice. Acquisitions under the share repurchase program may be made in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions or block trades or other means.
(2)Restricted shares withheld pursuant to the terms of awards under the amended and revised Ameriprise Financial 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan (the "Plan") to offset tax withholding obligations that occur upon vesting and release of restricted shares. The Plan provides that the value of the shares withheld shall be the closing price of common stock of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. on the date the relevant transaction occurs.
(3)Shares reacquired for the partial settlement of a total return swap to economically hedge our exposure to equity price risk of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. common stock granted as part of our Ameriprise Financial Franchise Advisor Deferred Compensation Plan.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial information from our audited Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and for the five-year period ended December 31, 2011. On April 30, 2010, we acquired the long-term asset management business of Columbia Management Group. Results presented below include the results of this business after the date of acquisition. The selected financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes included elsewhere in this report and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
(1)During 2007, we recorded non-recurring separation costs as a result of our separation from American Express. During the year ended December 31, 2007, $236 million ($154 million after-tax) of such costs were incurred. These costs were primarily associated with establishing the Ameriprise Financial brand, separating and reestablishing our technology platforms and advisor and employee retention programs.
(2)Diluted shares used in this calculation represent basic shares due to the net loss. Using actual diluted shares would result in anti-dilution.
(3)Balance Sheet data represents assets and liabilities before consolidated investment entities, as reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the "Forward-Looking Statements," our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes that follow and the "Consolidated Five-Year Summary of Selected Financial Data" and the "Risk Factors" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain reclassifications of prior year amounts have been made to conform to the current presentation. References below to "Ameriprise Financial," the "Company," "we," "us," and "our" refer to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. exclusively, to our entire family of companies, or to one or more of our subsidiaries.
Overview
We are a diversified financial services company with $631 billion in assets under management and administration as of December 31, 2011. We serve individual investors' and institutions' financial needs, hold leadership positions in financial planning, wealth management, retirement, asset management, annuities and insurance, and we maintain a strong operating and financial foundation.
Ameriprise is in a strong position to capitalize on significant demographic and market trends, which we believe will continue to drive increased demand for our services. Our emphasis on deep client-advisor relationships has been central to the success of our business model, including through the extreme market conditions of the past few years, and we believe it will help us navigate future market and economic cycles. We continue to strengthen our position as a retail financial services leader as we focus on meeting the financial needs of the mass affluent and affluent, as evidenced by our leadership in financial planning, a client retention percentage rate of 92%, and our status as a top ten ranked firm within core portions of our four main business segments, including the size of our U.S. advisor force, and assets in long-term U.S. mutual funds, variable annuities and variable universal life ("VUL") insurance.
We offer financial planning, products and services designed to be used as solutions for our clients' cash and liquidity, asset accumulation, income, protection, and estate and wealth transfer needs. Our model for delivering product solutions is built on long-term, personal relationships between our clients and our financial advisors and registered representatives ("affiliated advisors"). Our focus on personal relationships, together with our discipline in financial planning and strengths in product development and advice, allow us to address the evolving financial and retirement-related needs of our clients, including our primary target market segment, the mass affluent and affluent, which we define as households with investable assets of more than $100,000. The financial product solutions we offer through our affiliated advisors include both our own products and services and the products of other companies. Our affiliated advisor network is the primary channel through which we offer our life insurance and annuity products and services, as well as a range of banking and protection products.
Our affiliated advisors are focused on using a financial planning and advisory process designed to provide comprehensive advice that focuses on all aspects of our clients' finances. This approach allows us to recommend actions and a broad range of product solutions, including investment, annuity, insurance, banking and other financial products that can help clients attain a return or form of protection over time while accepting what they determine to be an appropriate range and level of risk. We believe our focus on meeting clients' needs through personal financial planning results in more satisfied clients with deeper, longer lasting relationships with our company and higher retention of our affiliated advisors.
As of December 31, 2011, we had a network of more than 9,700 affiliated advisors. The financial product solutions we offer through our affiliated advisors include both our own products and services and the products of other companies. Our affiliated advisor network is the primary channel through which we offer our life insurance and annuity products and services, as well as a range of banking and protection products. We offer our affiliated advisors training, tools, leadership, marketing programs and other field and centralized support to assist them in delivering advice and product solutions to clients. We believe our comprehensive and client-focused approach not only improves the products and services we provide to their clients, but also allows us to reinvest in enhanced services for clients and increase support for financial advisors.
We have four main operating segments: Advice & Wealth Management, Asset Management, Annuities and Protection, as well as our Corporate & Other segment. Our four main operating segments are aligned with the financial solutions we offer to address our clients' needs. The products and services we provide retail clients and, to a lesser extent, institutional clients, are the primary source of our revenues and net income. Revenues and net income are significantly affected by investment performance and the total value and composition of assets we manage and administer for our retail and institutional clients as well as the distribution fees we receive from other companies. These factors, in turn, are largely determined by overall investment market performance and the depth and breadth of our individual client relationships.
Equity price, credit market and interest rate fluctuations can have a significant impact on our results of operations, primarily due to the effects they have on the asset management and other asset-based fees we earn, the "spread" income generated on our annuities, banking and deposit products and universal life ("UL") insurance products, the value of deferred acquisition costs ("DAC") and deferred sales inducement costs ("DSIC") assets, the values of liabilities for guaranteed benefits associated with our variable annuities and the values of derivatives held to hedge these benefits.
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board updated the accounting standards related to the required consolidation of certain variable interest entities ("VIEs"). We adopted the accounting standard effective January 1, 2010 and recorded as a cumulative change in accounting principle an increase to appropriated retained earnings of consolidated investment entities of $473 million and consolidated approximately $5.5 billion of client assets and $5.1 billion of liabilities in VIEs onto our Consolidated Balance Sheets that were not previously consolidated. Management views the VIE assets as client assets and the liabilities have recourse only to those assets. While the economics of our business have not changed, the financial statements were impacted. Prior to adoption, we consolidated certain property funds and hedge funds. These entities and the VIEs consolidated as of January 1, 2010, are defined as consolidated investment entities ("CIEs"). Changes in the valuation of the CIE assets and liabilities impact pretax income. The net income (loss) of the CIEs is reflected in net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests. The results of operations of the CIEs are reflected in the Corporate & Other segment. On a consolidated basis, the management fees we earn for the services we provide to the CIEs and the related general and administrative expenses are eliminated and the changes in the assets and liabilities related to the CIEs, primarily debt and underlying syndicated loans, are reflected in net investment income. We continue to include the fees in the management and financial advice fees line within our Asset Management segment.
Management believes that operating measures, which exclude net realized gains or losses; the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization; integration and restructuring charges; income (loss) from discontinued operations; and the impact of consolidating CIEs, best reflect the underlying performance of our core operations and facilitate a more meaningful trend analysis. Management uses certain of these non-GAAP measures to evaluate our financial performance on a basis comparable to that used by some securities analysts and investors. Also, certain of these non-GAAP measures are taken into consideration, to varying degrees, for purposes of business planning and analysis and for certain compensation-related matters. Throughout our Management's Discussion and Analysis, these non-GAAP measures are referred to as operating measures. While the consolidation of the CIEs impacts our balance sheet and income statement, our exposure to these entities is unchanged and there is no impact to the underlying business results. The CIEs we manage have the following characteristics:
•They were formed on behalf of institutional investors to obtain a diversified investment portfolio and were not formed in order to obtain financing for Ameriprise Financial.
•Ameriprise Financial receives customary, industry standard management fees for the services it provides to these CIEs and has a fiduciary responsibility to maximize the investors' returns.
•Ameriprise Financial does not have any obligation to provide financial support to the CIEs, does not provide any performance guarantees of the CIEs and has no obligation to absorb the investors' losses.
•Management excludes the impact of consolidating the CIEs on assets, liabilities, pretax income and equity for setting our financial performance targets and annual incentive award compensation targets. It is management's priority to increase shareholder value over a multi-year horizon by achieving our on-average, over-time financial targets.
Our financial targets are:
•Operating total net revenue growth of 6% to 8%,
•Operating earnings per diluted share growth of 12% to 15%, and
•Operating return on equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income of 12% to 15%. Net revenues increased $680 million, or 7%, to $10.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $9.5 billion for the prior year. Operating net revenues exclude net realized gains or losses and revenues or losses of the CIEs and include the fees we earn from services provided to the CIEs. Operating net revenues increased $933 million, or 10%, to $10.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $9.1 billion for the prior year.
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Ameriprise Financial per diluted share increased $0.34, or 8%, to $4.61 for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $4.27 for the prior year. Operating earnings exclude net realized gains or losses; the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization; integration and restructuring charges; income (loss) from discontinued operations; and the impact of consolidating CIEs. Operating earnings per diluted share increased $0.47, or 10%, to $5.00 for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $4.53 for the prior year.
Return on equity from continuing operations excluding accumulated other comprehensive income was 11.5% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 compared to 11.6% for the prior year. Operating return on equity is calculated using operating earnings for the last twelve months in the numerator and the average Ameriprise Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity from continuing operations excluding the impact of consolidating CIEs and accumulated other comprehensive income as of the last day of the trailing four quarters and the current quarter in the denominator. Operating return on equity excluding CIEs and accumulated other comprehensive income was 13.2% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 compared to 12.9% for the prior year.
On April 30, 2010, we acquired the long-term asset management business of Columbia Management Group from Bank of America (the "Columbia Management Acquisition"). The acquisition, the integration of which is expected to be completed in 2012, has enhanced the scale and performance of our retail mutual fund and institutional asset management businesses. We incurred pretax non-recurring integration costs related to the Columbia Management Acquisition of $95 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. In total, we have incurred $202 million of pretax non-recurring integration costs through December 31, 2011. These costs include system integration costs, proxy and other regulatory filing costs, employee reduction and retention costs, and investment banking, legal and other acquisition costs.
During the fourth quarter of 2011, we sold Securities America Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, "Securities America") to Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services, Inc. for $150 million in cash and potential future payments if Securities America reaches certain financial criteria. The results of Securities America have been presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented and the related assets and liabilities have been classified as held for sale.
Critical Accounting Policies
The accounting and reporting policies that we use affect our Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain of our accounting and reporting policies are critical to an understanding of our consolidated results of operations and financial condition and, in some cases, the application of these policies can be significantly affected by the estimates, judgments and assumptions made by management during the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements. The accounting and reporting policies we have identified as fundamental to a full understanding of our consolidated results of operations and financial condition are described below. See Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about our accounting policies.
Valuation of Investments
The most significant component of our investments is our Available-for-Sale securities, which we carry at fair value within our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of our Available-for-Sale securities at December 31, 2011 was primarily obtained from third-party pricing sources. We record unrealized securities gains (losses) in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of impacts to DAC, DSIC, certain benefit reserves and income taxes. We recognize gains and losses in results of operations upon disposition of the securities.
Effective January 1, 2009, we early adopted an accounting standard that significantly changed our accounting policy regarding the timing and amount of other-than-temporary impairments for Available-for-Sale securities. When the fair value of an investment is less than its amortized cost, we assess whether or not: (i) we have the intent to sell the security (made a decision to sell) or (ii) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, an other-than-temporary impairment is considered to have occurred and we must recognize an other-than-temporary impairment for the difference between the investment's amortized cost basis and its fair value through earnings. For securities that do not meet the above criteria, and we do not expect to recover a security's amortized cost basis, the security is also considered other-than-temporarily impaired. For these securities, we separate the total impairment into the credit loss component and the amount of the loss related to other factors. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to credit loss is recognized in earnings. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of impacts to DAC, DSIC, certain benefit reserves and income taxes. For Available-for-Sale securities that have recognized an other-than-temporary impairment through earnings, if through subsequent evaluation there is a sustained increase in the cash flow expected, the difference between the amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected is accreted as interest income. Subsequent increases and decreases in the fair value of Available-for-Sale securities are included in other comprehensive income.
For all securities that are considered temporarily impaired, we do not intend to sell these securities (have not made a decision to sell) and it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. We believe that we will collect all principal and interest due on all investments that have amortized cost in excess of fair value that are considered only temporarily impaired.
Factors we consider in determining whether declines in the fair value of fixed maturity securities are other-than-temporary include: (i) the extent to which the market value is below amortized cost; (ii) the duration of time in which there has been
a significant decline in value; (iii) fundamental analysis of the liquidity, business prospects and overall financial condition of the issuer; and (iv) market events that could impact credit ratings, economic and business climate, litigation and government actions, and similar external business factors. In order to determine the amount of the credit loss component for corporate debt securities considered other-than-temporarily impaired, a best estimate of the present value of cash flows expected to be collected discounted at the security's effective interest rate is compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. The significant inputs to cash flow projections consider potential debt restructuring terms, projected cash flows available to pay creditors and our position in the debtor's overall capital structure.
For structured investments (e.g., residential mortgage backed securities, commercial mortgage backed securities, asset backed securities and other structured investments), we also consider factors such as overall deal structure and our position within the structure, quality of underlying collateral, delinquencies and defaults, loss severities, recoveries, prepayments and cumulative loss projections in assessing potential other-than-temporary impairments of these investments. Based upon these factors, securities that have indicators of potential other-than-temporary impairment are subject to detailed review by management. Securities for which declines are considered temporary continue to be carefully monitored by management.
Deferred Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducement Costs
For our annuity and life, disability income and long term care insurance products, our DAC and DSIC balances at any reporting date are supported by projections that show management expects there to be adequate premiums or estimated gross profits after that date to amortize the remaining DAC and DSIC balances. These projections are inherently uncertain because they require management to make assumptions about financial markets, anticipated mortality and morbidity levels and policyholder behavior over periods extending well into the future. Projection periods used for our annuity products are typically 30 to 50 years. Projection periods for our life insurance and long term care insurance products are often 50 years or longer and projection periods for our disability income products can be up to 45 years. Management regularly monitors financial market conditions and actual policyholder behavior experience and compares them to its assumptions.
For annuity and UL insurance products, the assumptions made in projecting future results and calculating the DAC balance and DAC amortization expense are management's best estimates. Management is required to update these assumptions whenever it appears that, based on actual experience or other evidence, earlier estimates should be revised. When assumptions are changed, the percentage of estimated gross profits used to amortize DAC might also change. A change in the required amortization percentage is applied retrospectively; an increase in amortization percentage will result in a decrease in the DAC balance and an increase in DAC amortization expense, while a decrease in amortization percentage will result in an increase in the DAC balance and a decrease in DAC amortization expense. The impact on results of operations of changing assumptions can be either positive or negative in any particular period and is reflected in the period in which such changes are made. For products with associated DSIC, the same policy applies in calculating the DSIC balance and periodic DSIC amortization.
For other life, disability income and long term care insurance products, the assumptions made in calculating our DAC balance and DAC amortization expense are consistent with those used in determining the liabilities and, therefore, are intended to provide for adverse deviations in experience and are revised only if management concludes experience will be so adverse that DAC are not recoverable. If management concludes that DAC are not recoverable, DAC are reduced to the amount that is recoverable based on best estimate assumptions and there is a corresponding expense recorded in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
For annuity and life, disability income and long term care insurance products, key assumptions underlying these long-term projections include interest rates (both earning rates on invested assets and rates credited to contractholder and policyholder accounts), equity market performance, mortality and morbidity rates and the rates at which policyholders are expected to surrender their contracts, make withdrawals from their contracts and make additional deposits to their contracts. Assumptions about earned and credited interest rates are the primary factors used to project interest margins, while assumptions about equity and bond market performance are the primary factors used to project client asset value growth rates, and assumptions about surrenders, withdrawals and deposits comprise projected persistency rates. Management must also make assumptions to project maintenance expenses associated with servicing our annuity and insurance businesses during the DAC amortization period.
The client asset value growth rates are the rates at which variable annuity and VUL insurance contract values invested in separate accounts are assumed to appreciate in the future. The rates used vary by equity and fixed income investments. Management reviews and, where appropriate, adjusts its assumptions with respect to client asset value growth rates on a regular basis. The long-term client asset value growth rates are based on assumed gross annual returns of 9% for equity funds and 6% for fixed income funds. We typically use a five-year mean reversion process as a guideline in setting near-term equity fund growth rates based on a long-term view of financial market performance as well as recent actual performance. The suggested near-term equity fund growth rate is reviewed quarterly to ensure consistency with management's assessment of anticipated equity market performance.
A decrease of 100 basis points in various rate assumptions is likely to result in an increase in DAC and DSIC amortization and an increase in benefits and claims expense from variable annuity guarantees. The following table presents the estimated impact to current period pretax income:
(1)An increase in the above assumptions by 100 basis points would result in an increase to pretax income for approximately the same amount. We monitor other principal DAC and DSIC amortization assumptions, such as persistency, mortality, morbidity, interest margin and maintenance expense levels each quarter and, when assessed independently, each could impact our DAC and DSIC balances.
The analysis of DAC and DSIC balances and the corresponding amortization is a dynamic process that considers all relevant factors and assumptions described previously. Unless management identifies a significant deviation over the course of the quarterly monitoring, management reviews and updates these DAC and DSIC amortization assumptions annually in the third quarter of each year. An assessment of sensitivity associated with changes in any single assumption would not necessarily be an indicator of future results.
Future Policy Benefits and Claims
Fixed Annuities and Variable Annuity Guarantees
Future policy benefits and claims related to fixed annuities and variable annuity guarantees include liabilities for fixed account values on fixed and variable deferred annuities, guaranteed benefits associated with variable annuities, equity indexed annuities and fixed annuities in a payout status.
Liabilities for fixed account values on fixed and variable deferred annuities are equal to accumulation values, which are the cumulative gross deposits and credited interest less withdrawals and various charges.
The majority of the variable annuity contracts offered by us contain guaranteed minimum death benefit ("GMDB") provisions. When market values of the customer's accounts decline, the death benefit payable on a contract with a GMDB may exceed the contract accumulation value. We also offer variable annuities with death benefit provisions that gross up the amount payable by a certain percentage of contract earnings which are referred to as gain gross-up benefits. In addition, we offer contracts with guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit ("GMWB") and guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit ("GMAB") provisions and, until May 2007, we offered contracts containing guaranteed minimum income benefit ("GMIB") provisions.
In determining the liabilities for GMDB, GMIB and the life contingent benefits associated with GMWB, we project these benefits and contract assessments using actuarial models to simulate various equity market scenarios. Significant assumptions made in projecting future benefits and assessments relate to customer asset value growth rates, mortality, persistency and investment margins and are consistent with those used for DAC asset valuation for the same contracts. As with DAC, management reviews, and where appropriate, adjusts its assumptions each quarter. Unless management identifies a material deviation over the course of quarterly monitoring, management reviews and updates these assumptions annually in the third quarter of each year. The amounts in the table above in "Deferred Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducement Costs" include the estimated impact to benefits and claims expense related to variable annuity guarantees resulting from a decrease of 100 basis points in various rate assumptions.
The GMDB liability is determined by estimating the expected value of death benefits in excess of the projected contract accumulation value and recognizing the excess over the estimated meaningful life based on expected assessments (e.g., mortality and expense fees, contractual administrative charges and similar fees).
If elected by the contract owner and after a stipulated waiting period from contract issuance, a GMIB guarantees a minimum lifetime annuity based on a specified rate of contract accumulation value growth and predetermined annuity purchase rates. The GMIB liability is determined each period by estimating the expected value of annuitization benefits in excess of the projected contract accumulation value at the date of annuitization and recognizing the excess over the estimated meaningful life based on expected assessments.
The embedded derivatives related to GMAB and the non-life contingent benefits associated with GMWB provisions are recorded at fair value. See Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the fair value measurement of embedded derivatives. The liability for the life contingent benefits associated with GMWB provisions is
determined in the same way as the GMDB liability. Significant assumptions made in projecting future benefits and fees relate to persistency and benefit utilization. As with DAC, management reviews, and where appropriate, adjusts its assumptions each quarter. Unless management identifies a material deviation over the course of quarterly monitoring, management reviews and updates these assumptions annually in the third quarter of each year. The changes in both the fair values of the GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives and the liability for life contingent benefits are reflected in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses.
Liabilities for equity indexed annuities are equal to the accumulation of host contract values covering guaranteed benefits and the fair value of embedded equity options.
Liabilities for fixed annuities in a benefit or payout status are based on future estimated payments using established industry mortality tables and interest rates, ranging from 4.25% to 9.5% at December 31, 2011, depending on year of issue, with an average rate of approximately 5.47%.
Life, Disability Income and Long Term Care Insurance
Future policy benefits and claims related to life, disability income and long term care insurance include liabilities for fixed account values on fixed and variable universal life policies, liabilities for indexed accounts of indexed universal life ("IUL") products, liabilities for unpaid amounts on reported claims, estimates of benefits payable on claims incurred but not yet reported and estimates of benefits that will become payable on term life, whole life, disability income and long term care policies as claims are incurred in the future.
Liabilities for fixed account values on fixed and variable universal life insurance are equal to accumulation values. Accumulation values are the cumulative gross deposits and credited interest less various contractual expense and mortality charges and less amounts withdrawn by policyholders.
Liabilities for indexed accounts of IUL products are equal to the accumulation of host contract values covering guaranteed benefits and the fair value of embedded equity options.
A portion of our fixed and variable universal life contracts have product features that result in profits followed by losses from the insurance component of the contract. These profits followed by losses can be generated by the cost structure of the product or secondary guarantees in the contract. The secondary guarantee ensures that, subject to specified conditions, the policy will not terminate and will continue to provide a death benefit even if there is insufficient policy value to cover the monthly deductions and charges.
In determining the liability for contracts with profits followed by losses, we project benefits and contract assessments using actuarial models. Significant assumptions made in projecting future benefits and assessments relate to customer asset value growth rates, mortality, persistency and investment margins and are consistent with those used for DAC asset valuation for the same contracts. As with DAC, management reviews, and where appropriate, adjusts its assumptions each quarter. Unless management identifies a material deviation over the course of quarterly monitoring, management reviews and updates these assumptions annually in the third quarter of each year.
The liability for these future losses is determined by estimating the death benefits in excess of account value and recognizing the excess over the estimated meaningful life based on expected assessments (e.g. cost of insurance charges, contractual administrative charges, similar fees and investment margin). See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the liability for contracts with secondary guarantees.
Liabilities for unpaid amounts on reported life insurance claims are equal to the death benefits payable under the policies. Liabilities for unpaid amounts on reported disability income and long term care claims include any periodic or other benefit amounts due and accrued, along with estimates of the present value of obligations for continuing benefit payments. These amounts are calculated based on claim continuance tables which estimate the likelihood an individual will continue to be eligible for benefits. Present values are calculated at interest rates established when claims are incurred. Anticipated claim continuance rates are based on established industry tables, adjusted as appropriate for our experience. Interest rates used with disability income claims ranged from 3.0% to 8.0% at December 31, 2011, with an average rate of 4.5%. Interest rates used with long term care claims ranged from 4.0% to 7.0% at December 31, 2011, with an average rate of 4.2%.
Liabilities for estimated benefits payable on claims that have been incurred but not yet reported are based on periodic analysis of the actual time lag between when a claim occurs and when it is reported.
Liabilities for estimates of benefits that will become payable on future claims on term life, whole life, disability income and long term care policies are based on the net level premium method, using anticipated premium payments, mortality and morbidity rates, policy persistency and interest rates earned on assets supporting the liability. Anticipated mortality and morbidity rates are based on established industry mortality and morbidity tables, with modifications based on our experience. Anticipated premium payments and persistency rates vary by policy form, issue age, policy duration and certain other pricing factors. Anticipated interest rates for term and whole life ranged from 4.0% to 10.0% at December 31, 2011, depending on policy form, issue year and policy duration. Anticipated interest rates for disability income policies
ranged from 4.0% to 7.5% at December 31, 2011, depending on policy form, issue year and policy duration. Anticipated interest rates for long term care policy reserves can vary by plan and year and ranged from 5.8% to 9.4% at December 31, 2011.
Where applicable, benefit amounts expected to be recoverable from reinsurance companies who share in the risk are separately recorded as reinsurance recoverable within receivables.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
We use derivative instruments to manage our exposure to various market risks. Examples include index options, interest rate swaps and swaptions, total return swaps, and futures that economically hedge the equity and interest rate exposure of derivatives embedded in certain annuity, life and certificate liabilities, as well as exposure to price risk arising from affiliated mutual fund seed money investments. All derivatives are recorded at fair value. The fair value of our derivative instruments is determined using either market quotes or valuation models that are based upon the net present value of estimated future cash flows and incorporate current market observable inputs to the extent available.
The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on its intended use and the resulting hedge designation, if any. We primarily use derivatives as economic hedges that are not designated as accounting hedges or do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. We occasionally designate derivatives as (i) hedges of changes in the fair value of assets, liabilities or firm commitments ("fair value hedges"), (ii) hedges of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability ("cash flow hedges") or (iii) hedges of foreign currency exposures of net investments in foreign operations ("net investment hedges in foreign operations").
Our policy is to not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivatives and collateral arrangements executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting arrangement. For derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting or are not designated as accounting hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in current period earnings. The changes in fair value of derivatives hedging variable annuity living benefits and certain variable annuity death benefits, when applicable, are included within benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses. The changes in fair value of derivatives hedging equity indexed annuities and IUL products are included within interest credited to fixed accounts and the changes in fair value of derivatives hedging stock market certificates are included within banking and deposit interest expense. The changes in fair value of derivatives hedging equity price risk of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. common stock granted as part of the Ameriprise Financial Franchise Advisor Deferred Equity Plan are included in distribution expenses. The changes in fair value of all other derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting or are not designated as hedges are a component of net investment income.
For derivative instruments that qualify as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivatives, as well as changes in the fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments, are recognized on a net basis in current period earnings. The carrying value of the hedged item is adjusted for the change in fair value from the designated hedged risk. If a fair value hedge designation is removed or the hedge is terminated prior to maturity, previous adjustments to the carrying value of the hedged item are recognized into earnings over the remaining life of the hedged item.
For derivative instruments that qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instruments is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings when the hedged item or transaction impacts earnings. The amount that is reclassified into earnings is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations with the hedged instrument or transaction impact. Any ineffective portion of the gain or loss is reported in current period earnings as a component of net investment income. If a hedge designation is removed or a hedge is terminated prior to maturity, the amount previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is reclassified to earnings over the period that the hedged item impacts earnings. For any hedge relationships that are discontinued because the forecasted transaction is not expected to occur according to the original strategy, any related amounts previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are recognized in earnings immediately.
For derivative instruments that qualify as net investment hedges in foreign operations, the effective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as part of the foreign currency translation adjustment. Any ineffective portion of net investment hedges in foreign operations is recognized in net investment income during the period of change.
For further details on the types of derivatives we use and how we account for them, see Note 2 and Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Income Tax Accounting
Income taxes, as reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements, represent the net amount of income taxes that we expect to pay to or receive from various taxing jurisdictions in connection with our operations. We provide for income taxes based on amounts that we believe we will ultimately owe taking into account the recognition and measurement for uncertain tax positions. Inherent in the provision for income taxes are estimates and judgments regarding the tax treatment
of certain items. In the event that the ultimate tax treatment of items differs from our estimates, we may be required to significantly change the provision for income taxes recorded in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In connection with the provision for income taxes, our Consolidated Financial Statements reflect certain amounts related to deferred tax assets and liabilities, which result from temporary differences between the assets and liabilities measured for financial statement purposes versus the assets and liabilities measured for tax return purposes. Included in deferred tax assets are significant capital losses that have been recognized for financial statement purposes but not yet for tax return purposes as well as future deductible capital losses realized for tax return purposes. Under current U.S. federal income tax law, capital losses generally must be used against capital gain income within five years of the year in which the capital losses are recognized for tax purposes.
We are required to establish a valuation allowance for any portion of our deferred tax assets that management believes will not be realized. Significant judgment is required in determining if a valuation allowance should be established, and the amount of such allowance if required. Factors used in making this determination include estimates relating to the performance of the business including the ability to generate capital gains. Consideration is given to, among other things in making this determination, (i) future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards, (ii) future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, (iii) taxable income in prior carryback years, and (iv) tax planning strategies. Management may need to identify and implement appropriate planning strategies to ensure our ability to realize our deferred tax assets and avoid the establishment of a valuation allowance with respect to such assets. Management believes it is more likely than not that we will not realize the full benefit of certain state net operating losses, and therefore a valuation allowance of $5 million has been established as of December 31, 2011.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For information regarding recent accounting pronouncements and their expected impact on our future consolidated results of operations and financial condition, see Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
We adopted new accounting rules for the deferral of insurance and annuity acquisition costs on January 1, 2012 on a retrospective basis. The change reduced our DAC asset by $2.0 billion, which decreased retained earnings by $1.4 billion after-tax. The retrospective adoption increased our return on equity from continuing operations excluding accumulated other comprehensive income by 2.4% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011. The adoption will not impact our strong excess capital position or cash flow. We estimate that the adoption will have a marginal impact to operating earnings in 2012.
Sources of Revenues and Expenses
Management and Financial Advice Fees
Management and financial advice fees relate primarily to fees earned from managing mutual funds, separate account and wrap account assets and institutional investments, as well as fees earned from providing financial advice and administrative services (including transfer agent, administration and custodial fees earned from providing services to retail mutual funds). Management and financial advice fees also include mortality and expense risk fees earned on separate account assets.
Our management fees are generally accrued daily and collected monthly. A significant portion of our management fees are calculated as a percentage of the fair value of our managed assets. The substantial majority of our managed assets are valued by third party pricing services vendors based upon observable market data. The selection of our third party pricing services vendors and the reliability of their prices are subject to certain governance procedures, such as exception reporting, subsequent transaction testing, and annual due diligence of our vendors, which includes assessing the vendor's valuation qualifications, control environment, analysis of asset-class specific valuation methodologies and understanding of sources of market observable assumptions.
Several of our mutual funds had a performance incentive adjustment ("PIA"). The PIA increased or decreased the level of management fees received based on the specific fund's relative performance as measured against a designated external index. We discontinued the PIA earned by our domestic mutual funds during 2011. We recognized PIA revenue monthly on a 12 month rolling performance basis. We may also receive performance-based incentive fees from hedge funds, Threadneedle Open Ended Investment Companies ("OEICs"), or other structured investments that we manage. The annual performance fees for structured investments are recognized as revenue at the time the performance fee is finalized or no longer subject to adjustment. All other performance fees are based on a full contract year and are final at the end of the contract year. Any performance fees received are not subject to repayment or any other clawback provisions and approximately 1% of managed assets as of December 31, 2011 are subject to "high water marks" whereby we will not earn incentive fees even if the fund has positive returns until it surpasses the previous high water mark. Employee benefit plan and institutional investment management and administration services fees are negotiated and are also generally
based on underlying asset values. Fees from financial planning and advice services are recognized when the financial plan is delivered.
Distribution Fees
Distribution fees primarily include point-of-sale fees (such as mutual fund front-end sales loads) and asset-based fees (such as 12b-1 distribution and shareholder service fees) that are generally based on a contractual percentage of assets and recognized when earned. Distribution fees also include amounts received under marketing support arrangements for sales of mutual funds and other companies' products, such as through our wrap accounts, as well as surrender charges on fixed and variable universal life insurance and annuities.
Net Investment Income
Net investment income primarily includes interest income on fixed maturity securities classified as Available-for-Sale, commercial mortgage loans, policy loans, consumer loans, other investments and cash and cash equivalents; the changes in fair value of trading securities, certain derivatives and certain assets and liabilities of consolidated investment entities; the pro rata share of net income or loss on equity method investments; and realized gains and losses on the sale of securities and charges for other-than-temporary impairments of investments related to credit losses. Interest income is accrued as earned using the effective interest method, which makes an adjustment of the yield for security premiums and discounts on all performing fixed maturity securities classified as Available-for-Sale and commercial mortgage loans so that the related security or loan recognizes a constant rate of return on the outstanding balance throughout its term. Realized gains and losses on securities, other than trading securities and equity method investments, are recognized using the specific identification method on a trade date basis.
Premiums
Premiums include premiums on property-casualty insurance, traditional life and health (disability income and long term care) insurance and immediate annuities with a life contingent feature. Premiums on auto and home insurance are net of reinsurance premiums and are recognized ratably over the coverage period. Premiums on traditional life and health insurance are net of reinsurance ceded and are recognized as revenue when due.
Other Revenues
Other revenues include certain charges assessed on fixed and variable universal life insurance and annuities, which consist of cost of insurance charges, net of reinsurance premiums and cost of reinsurance for UL insurance products, variable annuity guaranteed benefit rider charges and administration charges against contractholder accounts or balances. Premiums paid by fixed and variable universal life policyholders and annuity contractholders are considered deposits and are not included in revenue. Other revenues also include revenues related to certain consolidated limited partnerships.
Banking and Deposit Interest Expense
Banking and deposit interest expense primarily includes interest expense related to banking deposits and investment certificates. Additionally, banking and deposit interest expense includes interest related to non-recourse debt of certain consolidated limited partnerships. The changes in fair value of stock market certificate embedded derivatives and the derivatives hedging stock market certificates are included within banking and deposit interest expense.
Distribution Expenses
Distribution expenses primarily include compensation paid to our financial advisors, registered representatives, third-party distributors and wholesalers, net of amounts capitalized and amortized as part of DAC. The amounts capitalized and amortized are based on actual distribution costs. The majority of these costs, such as advisor and wholesaler compensation, vary directly with the level of sales. Distribution expenses also include marketing support and other distribution and administration related payments made to affiliated and unaffiliated distributors of products provided by our affiliates. The majority of these expenses vary with the level of sales, or assets held, by these distributors, and the remainder is fixed. Distribution expenses also include wholesaling costs.
Interest Credited to Fixed Accounts
Interest credited to fixed accounts represents amounts earned by contractholders and policyholders on fixed account values associated with fixed and variable universal life and annuity contracts. The changes in fair value of equity indexed annuity and IUL embedded derivatives and the derivatives hedging these products are included within interest credited to fixed accounts.
Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expenses
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses consist of amounts paid and changes in liabilities held for anticipated future benefit payments under insurance policies and annuity contracts, along with costs to process and pay such
amounts. Amounts are net of benefit payments recovered or expected to be recovered under reinsurance contracts. Benefits under variable annuity guarantees include the changes in fair value of GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives and the derivatives hedging these benefits, as well as the changes in fair value of derivatives hedging GMDB provisions. Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses also include amortization of DSIC.
Amortization of DAC
Direct sales commissions and other costs capitalized as DAC are amortized over time. For annuity and UL contracts, DAC are amortized based on projections of estimated gross profits over amortization periods equal to the approximate life of the business. For other insurance products, DAC are generally amortized as a percentage of premiums over amortization periods equal to the premium-paying period. For certain mutual fund products, DAC are generally amortized over fixed periods on a straight-line basis adjusted for redemptions. See "Deferred Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducement Costs" under "Critical Accounting Policies" for further information on DAC.
Interest and Debt Expense
Interest and debt expense primarily includes interest on corporate debt and debt of consolidated investment entities, the impact of interest rate hedging activities and amortization of debt issuance costs.
General and Administrative Expense
General and administrative expense includes compensation, share-based awards and other benefits for employees (other than employees directly related to distribution, including financial advisors), integration costs, professional and consultant fees, information technology, facilities and equipment, advertising and promotion, legal and regulatory and corporate related expenses.
Assets Under Management and Administration
Assets under management ("AUM") include assets for which we provide investment management services, such as the assets of the Columbia funds and Threadneedle funds, assets of institutional clients and assets of clients in our affiliated advisor platform held in wrap accounts as well as assets managed by sub-advisers selected by us. AUM also includes certain assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets for which we provide investment management services and recognize management fees in our Asset Management segment, such as the assets of the general account, RiverSource Variable Product funds held in separate accounts of our life insurance subsidiaries and client assets of CIEs. These assets do not include assets under advisement, for which we provide model portfolios but do not have full discretionary investment authority.
Assets under administration ("AUA") include assets for which we provide administrative services such as client assets invested in other companies' products that we offer outside of our wrap accounts. These assets include those held in clients' brokerage accounts. We generally record fees received from administered assets as distribution fees. We do not exercise management discretion over these assets and do not earn a management fee. These assets are not reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. AUA also includes certain assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets for which we do not provide investment management services and do not recognize management fees, such as investments in non-affiliated funds held in the separate accounts of our life insurance subsidiaries. These assets do not include assets under advisement, for which we provide model portfolios but do not have full discretionary investment authority.
The following table presents detail regarding our AUM and AUA:
Total AUM decreased $14.3 billion, or 3%, to $527.6 billion as of December 31, 2011 compared to the prior year primarily due to Asset Management AUM net outflows, partially offset by wrap account net inflows.
Consolidated Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2010
Management believes that operating measures, which exclude net realized gains or losses; the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization; integration and restructuring charges; income (loss) from discontinued operations; and the impact of consolidating CIEs, best reflect the underlying performance of our core operations and facilitate a more meaningful trend analysis. See our discussion on the use of these non-GAAP measures in the Overview section above.
The following table presents our consolidated results of operations:
NMNot Meaningful.
(1)Includes the elimination of management fees we earn for services provided to the CIEs and the related expense; revenues and expenses of the CIEs; net realized gains or losses; the market impact on variable annuity living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization; integration and restructuring charges; and income (loss) from discontinued operations. Income tax provision is calculated using the statutory tax rate of 35% on applicable adjustments.
The following table presents the components of the adjustments in the table above:
(1)Other adjustments include net realized gains or losses; the market impact on variable annuity living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization; integration and restructuring charges; and income (loss) from discontinued operations. The following table presents a reconciliation of operating earnings per diluted share:
The following table presents a reconciliation of operating return on equity excluding CIEs and accumulated other comprehensive income:
(1)Adjustments reflect the trailing twelve months' sum of after-tax net realized gains or losses; the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, net of hedges, DAC and DSIC amortization; and integration and restructuring charges.
(2)Operating return on equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income is calculated using the trailing twelve months of earnings excluding the after-tax net realized gains or losses; the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, net of hedges, DAC and DSIC amortization; integration and restructuring charges; and discontinued operations in the numerator, and Ameriprise Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income; the impact of CIEs; and the assets and liabilities held for sale using a five point average of quarter-end equity in the denominator. Overall
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial decreased $21 million, or 2%, to $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.1 billion for the prior year. Net income from continuing operations attributable to Ameriprise Financial increased $15 million, or 1%, to $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.1 billion for the prior year. Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, of $60 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 included a $77 million after-tax charge related to previously disclosed legal expenses and a $14 million after-tax gain on the sale of Securities America. Operating earnings exclude net realized gains or losses; the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization; integration and restructuring charges; income (loss) of discontinued operations; and the impact of consolidating CIEs. Operating earnings increased $44 million, or 4%, to $1.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.2 billion for the prior year reflecting higher revenues from business growth and an additional four months of Columbia Management results, partially offset by the impact of updating valuation assumptions and models, the market impacts on DAC and DSIC amortization and the negative impact of the low interest rate environment. The market impact on DAC and DSIC amortization was a $17 million pretax charge for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to a $34 million pretax benefit for the prior year.
Operating earnings will continue to be negatively impacted by the ongoing low interest rate environment in 2012. In addition to continuing spread compression in our interest sensitive product lines throughout the year, there is also the potential for interest rate related impacts to DAC and DSIC amortization and the level of reserves as a result of our ongoing review of various actuarial related assumptions, which could be material.
The total pretax impacts on our revenues and expenses for 2011 attributable to the review of valuation assumptions and models on an operating basis were as follows:
The total pretax impacts on our revenues and expenses for 2010 attributable to the review of valuation assumptions and models on an operating basis were as follows:
Net Revenues
Net revenues increased $680 million, or 7%, to $10.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $9.5 billion for the prior year. Operating net revenues exclude net realized gains or losses and revenues or losses of the CIEs and include the fees we earn from services provided to the CIEs. Operating net revenues increased $933 million, or 10%, to $10.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $9.1 billion for the prior year driven by growth in asset-based fees from net inflows in wrap account assets, the Columbia Management Acquisition and increased client activity.
Management and financial advice fees increased $753 million, or 20%, to $4.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $3.8 billion for the prior year. Operating management and financial advice fees include the fees we earn from services provided to the CIEs. Operating management and financial advice fees increased $764 million, or 20%, to $4.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $3.8 billion for the prior year primarily due to an additional four months of business resulting from the Columbia Management Acquisition, as well as higher wrap account fees and variable annuity fees. Wrap account assets increased $5.9 billion, or 6%, to $103.4 billion at December 31, 2011 compared to the prior year due to net inflows. Average variable annuities contract accumulation values increased $6.4 billion, or 12%, from the prior year due to higher average equity market levels, as well as net inflows.
Distribution fees increased $126 million, or 9%, to $1.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.4 billion for the prior year primarily due to higher asset-based fees driven by the Columbia Management Acquisition and net inflows in wrap account assets, as well as increased client activity.
Net investment income decreased $263 million, or 11%, to $2.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $2.3 billion for the prior year. Net investment income for the year ended December 31, 2011 included a $91 million gain for changes in the assets and liabilities of CIEs, primarily debt and underlying syndicated loans, compared to a $275 million gain in the prior year. Operating net investment income excludes net realized gains or losses and changes in the assets and liabilities of CIEs. Operating net investment income decreased $52 million, or 3%, to $1.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $2.0 billion for the prior year primarily due to a decrease in investment income on fixed maturity securities driven by lower invested assets and lower interest rates. The decrease in invested assets compared to the prior year resulted from net outflows in certificates driven by the low interest rate environment and lower investments in annuity general account assets due to the implementation of changes to the Portfolio Navigator program in the second quarter of 2010 and lower interest sensitive fixed annuity account balances. These negative impacts were partially offset by $43 million of additional bond discount accretion investment income related to prior periods resulting from revisions to the accounting classification of certain structured securities in the third quarter of 2011.
Premiums increased $41 million, or 3%, to $1.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.2 billion for the prior year primarily due to growth in Auto and Home premiums driven by higher volumes, as well as higher sales of immediate annuities with life contingencies. Auto and Home policy counts increased 7% period-over-period.
Other revenues remained flat at $863 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the prior year. Operating other revenues exclude revenues of the CIEs. Operating other revenues increased $31 million, or 4%, to $769 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $738 million for the prior year due to higher fees from variable annuity guarantees driven by higher in force amounts. During the second quarter of 2011, we reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings a $27 million gain on an interest rate hedge put in place in anticipation of issuing debt between December 2010 and June 2011. Operating other revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010 included a $25 million benefit from payments related to the Reserve Funds matter in the first quarter of 2010.
Banking and deposit interest expense decreased $23 million, or 33%, to $47 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $70 million for the prior year primarily due to lower certificate balances, as well as a decrease in crediting rates on certificate products.
Expenses
Total expenses increased $929 million, or 12%, to $8.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $7.9 billion for the prior year. Operating expenses exclude the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization; integration and restructuring charges; and expenses of the CIEs. Operating expenses increased $868 million, or 12%, to $8.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $7.5 billion for the prior year primarily due to the impact of updating valuation assumptions and models, the market impact on DAC and DSIC amortization, and increases in distribution expenses and general and administrative expense.
Distribution expenses increased $432 million, or 21%, to $2.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $2.1 billion for the prior year as a result of the Columbia Management Acquisition, as well as higher advisor compensation from business growth.
Interest credited to fixed accounts decreased $56 million, or 6%, to $853 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $909 million for the prior year driven by lower average variable annuities fixed sub-account balances and a lower average crediting rate on interest sensitive fixed annuities, as well as lower average fixed annuity account balances. Average variable annuities fixed sub-account balances decreased $580 million, or 11%, to $4.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the prior year primarily due to the implementation of changes to the Portfolio Navigator program in the second quarter of 2010. The average fixed annuity crediting rate excluding capitalized interest decreased to 3.7% for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 3.8% for the prior year. Average fixed annuities contract accumulation values decreased $265 million, or 2%, to $14.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the prior year due to outflows.
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses decreased $193 million, or 11%, to $1.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.8 billion for the prior year. Operating benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses, which exclude the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, net of hedges and DSIC amortization, decreased $251 million, or 14%, to $1.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.7 billion for the prior year. Operating benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses for the year ended December 31, 2011 included a benefit of $44 million from updating valuation assumptions and models compared to an expense of $300 million in the prior year. Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses related to our Auto and Home business increased from the prior year primarily due to $45 million of catastrophe losses in 2011 compared to $29 million in 2010, as well as higher auto liability reserves. Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses related to our immediate annuities with life contingencies increased from the prior year due to an unfavorable change in reserves primarily driven by higher premiums. In addition, benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses increased as a result of higher UL claims and an increase in ongoing reserve levels for UL products with secondary guarantees compared to the prior year. The market impact to DSIC was an expense of $2 million in 2011 compared to a benefit of $3 million in the prior year. Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses for the prior year included a $21 million expense, net of DSIC, as a result of the implementation of changes to the Portfolio Navigator program.
Amortization of DAC increased $491 million to $618 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $127 million for the prior year. Operating amortization of DAC, which excludes the DAC offset to the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, increased $515 million to $626 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $111 million for the prior year primarily due to the impact of updating valuation assumptions and models, as well as the market impact on amortization of DAC. Operating amortization of DAC in 2011 included an expense of $63 million from updating valuation assumptions and models compared to a benefit of $375 million in the prior year. The market impact on amortization of DAC was an expense of $15 million in 2011 compared to a benefit of $31 million in the prior year. Amortization of DAC for the year ended December 31, 2010 included a benefit of $19 million as a result of the implementation of changes to the Portfolio Navigator program.
Interest and debt expense increased $27 million, or 9%, to $317 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $290 million for the prior year. Operating interest and debt expense, which excludes interest expense on CIE debt, decreased $13 million, or 12%, to $96 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $109 million in the prior year primarily due to lower average debt balances.
General and administrative expense increased $228 million, or 8%, to $3.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $2.7 billion for the prior year. Operating general and administrative expense excludes integration and restructuring charges and expenses of the CIEs. Integration and restructuring charges decreased $16 million to $95 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $111 million for the prior year. Operating general and administrative expense increased $241 million, or 9%, to $2.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $2.6 billion for the prior year primarily reflecting an additional four months of ongoing expenses from the Columbia Management Acquisition, as well as higher compensation expense and an increase in advertising and investment spending compared to the prior year.
Income Taxes
Our effective tax rate on income from continuing operations including income attributable to noncontrolling interests was 25.6% for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to 21.5% for the prior year. Our effective tax rate on income from continuing operations excluding income attributable to noncontrolling interests was 23.8% for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. Our operating effective tax rate was 24.8% for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to 24.5% for the prior year.
It is possible there will be corporate tax reform in the next few years. While impossible to predict, corporate tax reform is likely to include a reduction in the corporate tax rate coupled with reductions in tax preferred items. Potential tax reform may also affect the U.S. tax rules regarding international operations. Any changes could have a material impact on our income tax expense and deferred tax balances.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our operating effective tax rate:
Results of Operations by Segment
Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2010
The following table presents summary financial information by segment:
(1)Includes the elimination of management fees we earn for services provided to the CIEs and the related expense; revenues and expenses of the CIEs; net realized gains or losses; the market impact on variable annuity living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization; and integration and restructuring charges. Advice & Wealth Management
Our Advice & Wealth Management segment provides financial planning and advice, as well as brokerage and banking services, primarily to retail clients through our affiliated advisors. Our affiliated advisors have access to a diversified selection of both affiliated and non-affiliated products to help clients meet their financial needs. A significant portion of revenues in this segment is fee-based, driven by the level of client assets, which is impacted by both market movements and net asset flows. We also earn net investment income on invested assets primarily from certificate and banking products. This segment earns revenues (distribution fees) for distributing non-affiliated products and earns intersegment revenues (distribution fees) for distributing our affiliated products and services to our retail clients. Intersegment expenses for this segment include expenses for investment management services provided by the Asset Management segment.
In addition to purchases of affiliated and non-affiliated mutual funds and other securities on a stand-alone basis, clients may purchase mutual funds, among other securities, in connection with investment advisory fee-based "wrap account" programs or services, and pay fees based on a percentage of their assets.
The following table presents the changes in wrap account assets for the years ended December 31:
Wrap account assets increased $5.9 billion, or 6%, to $103.4 billion compared to the prior year due to net inflows.
Management believes that operating measures, which exclude net realized gains or losses and integration and restructuring charges for our Advice & Wealth Management segment, best reflect the underlying performance of our core operations and facilitate a more meaningful trend analysis. See our discussion on the use of these non-GAAP measures in the Overview section above.
The following table presents the results of operations of our Advice & Wealth Management segment:
(1)Adjustments include net realized gains or losses and integration and restructuring charges. Our Advice & Wealth Management segment pretax income increased $85 million, or 27%, to $401 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $316 million for the prior year. Our Advice & Wealth Management segment pretax operating income, which excludes net realized gains or losses and integration and restructuring charges, increased $84 million, or 26%, to $406 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $322 million for the prior year due to improved advisor productivity and new client flows. Pretax margin was 10.8% for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 9.5% for the prior year. Pretax operating margin was 10.9% for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 9.6% for the prior year.
Net Revenues
Net revenues increased $365 million, or 11%, to $3.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $3.3 billion for the prior year. Operating net revenues exclude net realized gains or losses. Operating net revenues increased $371 million, or 11%, to $3.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $3.3 billion for the prior year driven by higher management and distribution fees from growth in assets under management and increased client activity.
Management and financial advice fees increased $220 million, or 16%, to $1.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.4 billion for the prior year driven by growth in assets under management. Wrap account assets increased $5.9 billion, or 6%, to $103.4 billion compared to the prior year due to net inflows.
Distribution fees increased $153 million, or 9%, to $1.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.7 billion for the prior year primarily driven by growth in assets under management and increased client activity.
Net investment income decreased $17 million, or 6%, to $256 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $273 million for the prior year. Operating net investment income, which excludes net realized gains or losses, decreased $11 million, or 4%, to $261 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $272 million for the prior year due to a decrease in investment income on fixed maturity securities driven by lower invested assets resulting from net outflows in certificates driven by the low interest rate environment, partially offset by higher banking invested asset balances and $6 million of additional bond discount accretion investment income related to prior periods resulting from revisions to the accounting classification of certain structured securities in the third quarter of 2011.
Banking and deposit interest expense decreased $19 million, or 28%, to $48 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $67 million for the prior year primarily due to lower certificate balances, as well as a decrease in crediting rates on certificate products.
Expenses
Total expenses increased $280 million, or 9%, to $3.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $3.0 billion for the prior year. Operating expenses, which exclude integration and restructuring charges, increased $287 million, or 10%, to $3.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $3.0 billion for the prior year primarily due to an increase in distribution expenses.
Distribution expenses increased $249 million, or 13%, to $2.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $2.0 billion for the prior year primarily due to higher advisor compensation from business growth.
General and administrative expense increased $31 million, or 3%, to $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.1 billion for the prior year. Operating general and administrative expense, which excludes integration and restructuring charges, increased $38 million, or 4%, to $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.1 billion for the prior year primarily due to an increase in investment spending, including costs associated with our new brokerage platform.
Asset Management
Our Asset Management segment provides investment advice and investment products to retail and institutional clients. We provide our products and services on a global scale through two complementary asset management businesses: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC ("Columbia" or "Columbia Management") and Threadneedle Asset Management Holdings Sàrl ("Threadneedle"). Columbia Management predominantly provides U.S. domestic products and services and Threadneedle predominantly provides international investment products and services. We provide clients with Columbia retail products through unaffiliated third party financial institutions and through our Advice & Wealth Management segment. We provide institutional products and services through our institutional sales force. We provide Threadneedle retail products primarily through third parties. Retail products include mutual funds and variable product funds underlying insurance and annuity separate accounts. Institutional asset management services are designed to meet specific client objectives and may involve a range of products including those that focus on traditional asset classes, separately managed accounts, individually managed accounts, collateralized loan obligations, hedge funds, collective funds and property funds. Revenues in this segment are primarily earned as fees based on managed asset balances, which are impacted by both market movements and net asset flows. In addition to the products and services provided to third party clients, management teams serving our Asset Management segment provide all intercompany asset management services. The fees for such services are reflected within the Asset Management segment results through intersegment transfer pricing. Intersegment expenses for this segment include distribution expenses for services provided by our Advice & Wealth Management, Annuities and Protection segments.
On April 30, 2010, we completed the acquisition of the long-term asset management business of the Columbia Management Group from Bank of America. The acquisition significantly enhanced the capabilities of the Asset Management segment by increasing its scale, broadening its retail and institutional distribution capabilities and strengthening and diversifying its lineup of retail and institutional products. The integration of the Columbia Management business, which is expected to be completed in 2012, has involved organizational changes to our portfolio management and analytical teams and to our operational, compliance, sales and marketing support staffs. This integration has also involved the streamlining of our U.S. domestic product offerings. As a result of the integration, we combined RiverSource Investments, our legacy U.S. asset management business, with Columbia Management, under the Columbia brand. Total U.S. retail assets and number of funds under the Columbia brand as of December 31, 2011 were $204.8 billion and 205 funds, respectively.
Threadneedle remains our primary international investment management platform. Threadneedle manages seven OEICs and one Societe d'Investissement A Capital Variable ("SICAV") offering. The seven OEICs are Threadneedle Investment Funds ICVC ("TIF"), Threadneedle Specialist Investment Funds ICVC ("TSIF"), Threadneedle Focus Investment Funds ("TFIF"), Threadneedle Advantage Portfolio Funds ("TPAF"), Threadneedle Investment Funds ICVC II ("TIF II"), Threadneedle Investment Funds ICVC III ("TIF III") and Threadneedle Investment Funds ICVC IV ("TIF IV"). TIF, TSIF, TFIF, TPAF, TIF II, TIF
III and TIF IV are structured as umbrella companies with a total of 72 (33, 14, 2, 2, 6, 9, and 6, respectively) sub funds covering the world's bond and equity markets. The SICAV is the Threadneedle (Lux) SICAV ("T(Lux)"). T(Lux) is structured as an umbrella company with a total of 30 sub funds covering the world's bond, commodities and equity markets. In addition, Threadneedle manages 13 unit trusts, 10 of which invest into the OEICs, 7 property unit trusts and 1 property fund of funds.
The following tables present the mutual fund performance of our retail Columbia and Threadneedle funds as of December 31, 2011:
Columbia
Mutual Fund Rankings in top 2 Lipper Quartiles
Mutual fund performance rankings are based on the performance of Class Z fund shares for Columbia branded mutual funds. In instances where a fund's Class Z shares do not have a full one, three or five year track record, performance for an older share class of the same fund, typically Class A shares, is utilized for the period before Class Z shares were launched. No adjustments to the historical track records are made to account for differences in fund expenses between share classes of a fund.
Equal Weighted Rankings in Top 2 Quartiles: Counts the number of funds with above median ranking divided by the total number of funds. Asset size is not a factor.
Asset Weighted Rankings in Top 2 Quartiles: Sums the total assets of the funds with above median ranking (using Class Z and appended Class Z) divided by total assets of all funds. Funds with more assets will receive a greater share of the total percentage above or below median.
Aggregated data includes all Columbia branded mutual funds.
Threadneedle
Retail Fund Rankings in Top 2 Morningstar Quartiles or Above Index Benchmark
The performance of each fund is measured on a consistent basis against the most appropriate benchmark - a peer group of similar funds or an index.
Equal weighted: Counts the number of funds with above median ranking (if measured against peer group) or above index performance (if measured against an index) divided by the total number of funds. Asset size is not a factor.
Asset weighted: Sums the assets of the funds with above median ranking (if measured against peer group) or above index performance (if measured against an index) divided by the total sum of assets in the funds. Funds with more assets will receive a greater share of the total percentage above or below median or index.
Aggregated Allocation (Managed) Funds include funds that invest in other funds of the Threadneedle range including those funds that invest in both equity and fixed income.
Aggregated Threadneedle data includes funds on the Threadneedle platform sub-advised by Columbia as well as advisors not affiliated with Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
The following tables present the changes in Columbia and Threadneedle managed assets:
(1)Distributions of Retail Funds are included in market appreciation/(depreciation) and other.
(2)Included in Market appreciation/(depreciation) and other is ($4.7) billion due to the transfer of assets from Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs) to United Management Accounts (UMAs).
(3)Prior to the Columbia Management Acquisition, the domestic managed assets of our Asset Management segment, which are now included in Columbia Managed Assets, were managed by RiverSource Investments.
(4)Included in Market appreciation/(depreciation) and other is $118.1 billion due to the Columbia Management Acquisition, including $3 billion of assets that were transferred to RiverSource Sub-advised through the implementation of the Portfolio Navigator program, and an additional $13.1 billion of Portfolio Navigator related assets sub-advised by others.
(5)Included in Market appreciation/(depreciation) and other is $68.4 billion due to the Columbia Management Acquisition.
Total segment assets under management declined $21.3 billion, or 5%, from a year ago to $435.5 billion as of December 31, 2011, driven by a decrease in Columbia managed assets, partially offset by an increase in Threadneedle managed assets. Columbia managed assets declined $29.4 billion, or 8%, from a year ago to $326.1 billion as of December 31, 2011, primarily due to net outflows, as well as market depreciation and other, including a $4.7 billion decrease due to a former parent related program sponsor that shifted assets from a traditional separately managed account platform to a model-delivery only unified managed account platform that utilizes Columbia models. While the assets are excluded from managed assets, the movement in assets was neutral to earnings. Columbia net outflows of $14.7 billion in 2011 included $9.0 billion of outflows of low basis point, former parent company assets. Threadneedle managed assets increased $8.0 billion, or 8%, from a year ago to $113.6 billion as of December 31, 2011 due to net inflows. Threadneedle net inflows of $10.6 billion in 2011 reflected approximately $14 billion from a strategic relationship with Liverpool Victoria to manage its insurance and pension fund portfolio.
Management believes that operating measures, which exclude net realized gains or losses and integration charges for our Asset Management segment, best reflect the underlying performance of our core operations and facilitate a more meaningful trend analysis. See our discussion on the use of these non-GAAP measures in the Overview section above.
The following table presents the results of operations of our Asset Management segment:
NM Not Meaningful.
(1)Adjustments include net realized gains or losses and integration charges.
Our Asset Management segment pretax income increased $118 million, or 37%, to $436 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $318 million for the prior year. Our Asset Management segment pretax operating income, which excludes net realized gains or losses and integration charges, increased $118 million, or 29%, to $528 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $410 million for the prior year. Earnings in 2011 reflected twelve months of Columbia Management earnings compared to eight months in the prior year, which impacted revenues and expenses. Pretax margin was 15.0% for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 13.4% for the prior year. Pretax operating margin was 18.2% for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 17.3% for the prior year.
Net Revenues
Net revenues increased $532 million, or 22%, to $2.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $2.4 billion for the prior year. Operating net revenues, which exclude net realized gains or losses, increased $532 million, or 22%, to $2.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $2.4 billion for the prior year driven by an increase in management and distribution fees.
Management and financial advice fees increased $455 million, or 23%, to $2.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $2.0 billion for the prior year due to an additional four months of business resulting from the Columbia Management Acquisition, as well the impact of higher average equity market levels on assets, partially offset by net outflows and lower hedge fund performance fees.
Distribution fees increased $92 million, or 26%, to $450 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $358 million for the prior year driven by an additional four months of business resulting from the Columbia Management Acquisition, as well the impact of higher average equity market levels on assets, partially offset by net outflows.
Expenses
Total expenses increased $414 million, or 20%, to $2.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $2.1 billion for the prior year. Operating expenses, which exclude integration charges, increased $414 million, or 21%, to $2.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $2.0 billion for the prior year due to an increase in distribution expenses and general and administrative expense.
Distribution expenses increased $292 million, or 40%, to $1.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $734 million for the prior year due to an additional four months of business resulting from the Columbia Management Acquisition, as well the impact of higher average equity market levels on assets, partially offset by net outflows.
General and administrative expense increased $123 million, or 9%, to $1.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.3 billion for the prior year. Integration charges remained flat at $95 million for both 2011 and 2010.
Operating general and administrative expense, which excludes integration charges, increased $123 million, or 10%, to $1.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.2 billion for the prior year reflecting an additional four months of ongoing expenses of Columbia Management, as well as higher investment spending compared to the prior year, partially offset by lower hedge fund performance compensation.
Annuities
Our Annuities segment provides variable and fixed annuity products of RiverSource Life companies to retail clients. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2010, we provided our variable annuity products through our affiliated advisors as well as unaffiliated advisors through third-party distribution. During the fourth quarter of 2010, we discontinued new sales of our variable annuities in non-Ameriprise channels to further strengthen the risk and return characteristics of the business. We provide our fixed annuity products through affiliated advisors as well as unaffiliated advisors through third-party distribution. Revenues for our variable annuity products are primarily earned as fees based on underlying account balances, which are impacted by both market movements and net asset flows. Revenues for our fixed annuity products are primarily earned as net investment income on invested assets supporting fixed account balances, with profitability significantly impacted by the spread between net investment income earned and interest credited on the fixed account balances. We also earn net investment income on invested assets supporting reserves for immediate annuities and for certain guaranteed benefits offered with variable annuities and on capital supporting the business. Intersegment revenues for this segment reflect fees paid by the Asset Management segment for marketing support and other services provided in connection with the availability of RiverSource Variable Series Trust, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I and Wanger Advisors Trust funds under the variable annuity contracts. Intersegment expenses for this segment include distribution expenses for services provided by the Advice & Wealth Management segment, as well as expenses for investment management services provided by the Asset Management segment.
Management believes that operating measures, which exclude net realized gains or losses and the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization, for our Annuities segment, best reflect the underlying performance of our core operations and facilitate a more meaningful trend analysis. See our discussion on the use of these non-GAAP measures in the Overview section above.
The following table presents the results of operations of our Annuities segment:
NM Not Meaningful.
(1)Adjustments include net realized gains or losses and the market impact on variable annuity living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization.
Our Annuities segment pretax income decreased $127 million, or 20%, to $521 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $648 million for the prior year. Our Annuities segment pretax operating income, which excludes net realized gains or losses and the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization, decreased $85 million, or 13%, to $579 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to
$664 million for the prior year primarily due to the impact of updating valuation assumptions and models and the market impact on DAC and DSIC amortization.
Net Revenues
Net revenues increased $131 million, or 5%, to $2.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $2.5 billion for the prior year. Operating net revenues, which exclude net realized gains or losses, increased $139 million, or 6%, to $2.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $2.5 billion for the prior year reflecting higher fee revenue from increased variable annuity separate account balances and higher fees from variable annuity guarantees.
Management and financial advice fees increased $76 million, or 14%, to $622 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $546 million for the prior year due to higher fees on variable annuities driven by higher separate account balances. Average variable annuities contract accumulation values increased $6.4 billion, or 12%, from the prior year due to higher average equity market levels, as well as net inflows. Variable annuity net inflows for the year ended December 31, 2011 included $1.6 billion of net inflows in the Ameriprise channel, partially offset by net outflows from the closed book of variable annuities sold through third-party channels.
Distribution fees increased $28 million, or 10%, to $312 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $284 million for the prior year primarily due to higher fees on variable annuities driven by higher average separate account balances.
Net investment income decreased $38 million, or 3%, to $1.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.3 billion for the prior year. Operating net investment income, which excludes net realized gains or losses, decreased $30 million, or 2%, to $1.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.3 billion for the prior year due to a decrease in investment income on fixed maturity securities reflecting lower invested assets and lower interest rates, partially offset by $37 million of additional bond discount accretion investment income related to prior periods resulting from revisions to the accounting classification of certain structured securities in the third quarter of 2011. The decrease in invested assets was driven by lower general account assets due to the implementation of changes to the Portfolio Navigator program in the second quarter of 2010 and lower interest sensitive fixed annuity account balances.
Premiums increased $11 million, or 7%, to $161 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $150 million for the prior year due to higher sales of immediate annuities with life contingencies.
Other revenues increased $54 million, or 27%, to $256 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $202 million for the prior year due to higher fees from variable annuity guarantees driven by higher in force amounts.
Expenses
Total expenses increased $258 million, or 14%, to $2.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.9 billion for the prior year. Operating expenses, which exclude the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization, increased $224 million, or 12%, to $2.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.8 billion for the prior year primarily due to the impact of updating valuation assumptions and models and the market impact on DAC and DSIC amortization.
Distribution expenses increased $47 million, or 18%, to $315 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $268 million for the prior year primarily due to higher variable annuity compensation due to increased sales.
Interest credited to fixed accounts decreased $51 million, or 7%, to $711 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $762 million for the prior year driven by lower average variable annuities fixed sub-account balances and a lower average crediting rate on interest sensitive fixed annuities, as well as lower average fixed annuity account balances. Average variable annuities fixed sub-account balances decreased $580 million, or 11%, to $4.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the prior year primarily due to the implementation of changes to the Portfolio Navigator program in the second quarter of 2010. The average fixed annuity crediting rate excluding capitalized interest decreased to 3.7% for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 3.8% for the prior year. Average fixed annuities contract accumulation values decreased $265 million, or 2%, to $14.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the prior year due to outflows. Fixed annuities remained in net outflows due to low client demand given current interest rates.
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses decreased $219 million, or 32%, to $472 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $691 million for the prior year. Operating benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses, which exclude the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, net of hedges and DSIC amortization, decreased $277 million, or 41%, to $405 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $682 million for the prior year. Operating benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in 2011 included a benefit of $40 million from updating valuation assumptions and models compared to an expense of $256 million in the prior year. Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses related to our immediate annuities with life contingencies increased from
the prior year due to an unfavorable change in reserves primarily driven by higher premiums. The market impact to DSIC was an expense of $2 million in 2011 compared to a benefit of $3 million in the prior year. Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses for the prior year included a $21 million expense, net of DSIC, as a result of the implementation of changes to the Portfolio Navigator program.
Amortization of DAC increased $474 million to $398 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to a benefit of $76 million for the prior year. Operating amortization of DAC, which excludes the DAC offset to the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, increased $498 million to $406 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to a benefit of $92 million for the prior year primarily due to the impact of updating valuation assumptions and models, as well as the market impact on amortization of DAC. Operating amortization of DAC in 2011 included an expense of $65 million from updating valuation assumptions and models compared to a benefit of $353 million in the prior year. The market impact on amortization of DAC was an expense of $13 million in 2011 compared to a benefit of $21 million in the prior year. Amortization of DAC in 2010 included a benefit of $13 million as a result of the implementation of changes to the Portfolio Navigator program.
Protection
Our Protection segment offers a variety of protection products to address the protection and risk management needs of our retail clients including life, disability income and property-casualty insurance. Life and disability income products are primarily provided through affiliated advisors. Our property-casualty products are provided direct, primarily through affinity relationships. We issue insurance policies through our life insurance subsidiaries and the property casualty companies. The primary sources of revenues for this segment are premiums, fees, and charges we receive to assume insurance-related risk. We earn net investment income on invested assets supporting insurance reserves and capital supporting the business. We also receive fees based on the level of assets supporting VUL separate account balances. This segment earns intersegment revenues from fees paid by the Asset Management segment for marketing support and other services provided in connection with the availability of RiverSource Variable Series Trust, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I and Wanger Advisors Trust funds under the VUL contracts. Intersegment expenses for this segment include distribution expenses for services provided by the Advice & Wealth Management segment, as well as expenses for investment management services provided by the Asset Management segment.
Management believes that operating measures, which exclude net realized gains or losses for our Protection segment, best reflect the underlying performance of our core operations and facilitate a more meaningful trend analysis. See our discussion on the use of these non-GAAP measures in the Overview section above.
The following table presents the results of operations of our Protection segment:
(1)Adjustments include net realized gains or losses.
Our Protection segment pretax income decreased $33 million, or 8%, to $370 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $403 million for the prior year. Our Protection segment pretax operating income, which excludes net realized gains or losses, decreased $35 million, or 9%, to $367 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $402 million for the prior year primarily due to higher claims and general and administrative expenses partially offset by higher premiums.
Net Revenues
Net revenues increased $25 million, or 1%, to $2.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $2.0 billion for the prior year. Operating net revenues, which exclude net realized gains or losses, increased $23 million, or 1%, to $2.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $2.0 billion for the prior year due to Auto and Home premium growth.
Premiums increased $29 million, or 3%, to $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.0 billion for the prior year due to growth in Auto and Home premiums driven by higher volumes. Auto and Home policy counts increased 7% period-over-period.
Expenses
Total expenses increased $58 million, or 4%, to $1.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.6 billion for the prior year due to increases in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses, amortization of DAC and general and administrative expense.
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses increased $26 million, or 2%, to $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.1 billion for the prior year. Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in 2011 included a benefit of $4 million from updating valuation assumptions and models compared to an expense of $44 million in the prior year. Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses related to our Auto and Home business increased from the prior year primarily due to $45 million of catastrophe losses in 2011 compared to $29 million in 2010, as well as higher auto liability reserves. In addition, benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses increased as a result of higher UL claims and an increase in ongoing reserve levels for UL products with secondary guarantees compared to the prior year.
Amortization of DAC increased $18 million, or 10%, to $201 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $183 million for the prior year. Amortization of DAC in 2011 included a benefit of $2 million from updating valuation assumptions and models compared to a benefit of $22 million in the prior year. Amortization of DAC in 2010 included a benefit of $6 million as a result of the implementation of changes to the Portfolio Navigator program. The market impact on amortization of DAC was an expense of $2 million in 2011 compared to a benefit of $10 million in the prior year, which was partially offset by a decrease in DAC amortization as a result of better persistency and lower current period profits due to higher direct claims.
Corporate & Other
Our Corporate & Other segment consists of net investment income or loss on corporate level assets, including excess capital held in our subsidiaries and other unallocated equity and other revenues as well as unallocated corporate expenses. The Corporate & Other segment also includes revenues and expenses of CIEs.
Management believes that operating measures, which exclude net realized gains or losses, integration and restructuring charges and the impact of consolidating CIEs for our Corporate & Other segment, best reflect the underlying performance of our core operations and facilitate a more meaningful trend analysis. See our discussion on the use of these non-GAAP measures in the Overview section above.
The following table presents the results of operations of our Corporate & Other segment:
NM Not Meaningful.
(1)Includes revenues and expenses of the CIEs; net realized gains or losses; and integration and restructuring charges.
The following table presents the components of the adjustments in the table above:
(1)Other adjustments include net realized gains or losses and integration and restructuring charges.
Our Corporate & Other segment pretax loss attributable to Ameriprise Financial was $237 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $214 million for the prior year. Our Corporate & Other segment pretax operating loss excludes net realized gains or losses, integration and restructuring charges and the impact of consolidating CIEs. Our Corporate & Other segment pretax operating loss was $241 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $224 million for the prior year.
Net revenues decreased $231 million, or 55%, to $192 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $423 million for the prior year reflecting the impact of consolidating CIEs. Operating net revenues, which exclude revenues or losses of CIEs and net realized gains or losses, decreased $1 million, or 25%, to $3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $4 million for the prior year.
Net investment income was $68 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $273 million for the prior year. Net investment income for the year ended December 31, 2011 included a $91 million gain for changes in the assets and liabilities of CIEs, primarily debt and underlying syndicated loans, compared to a $275 million gain for the prior year. Operating net investment loss, which excludes net investment income or loss of the CIEs and net realized gains or losses, was $27 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $21 million for the prior year.
Other revenues decreased $29 million, or 19%, to $124 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $153 million for the prior year. Operating other revenues, which exclude revenues or losses of the CIEs, increased $2 million, or 7%, to $30 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $28 million for the prior year. During the second quarter of 2011, we reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings a $27 million gain on an interest rate hedge put in place in anticipation of issuing debt between December 2010 and June 2011. Operating other revenues for 2010 included a $25 million benefit from payments related to the Reserve Funds matter.
Total expenses increased $61 million, or 13%, to $535 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $474 million for the prior year. Operating expenses, which exclude expenses of CIEs and integration and restructuring charges, increased $16 million, or 7%, to $244 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $228 million for the prior year.
Interest and debt expense increased $28 million, or 10%, to $316 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $288 million for the prior year. Operating interest and debt expense, which excludes interest expense on CIE debt, decreased $12 million, or 11%, to $95 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $107 million for the prior year primarily due to lower average debt balances.
General and administrative expense increased $33 million, or 18%, to $218 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $185 million for the prior year. Operating general and administrative expense, which excludes expenses of the CIEs and integration and restructuring charges, increased $28 million, or 23%, to $148 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $120 million for the prior year.
Consolidated Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2009
The following table presents our consolidated results of operations:
(1)Includes the elimination of management fees we earn for services provided to the CIEs and the related expense; revenues and expenses of the CIEs; net realized gains or losses; the market impact on variable annuity living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization; integration and restructuring charges; and income (loss) from discontinued operations. Income tax provision is calculated using the statutory tax rate of 35% on applicable adjustments.
The following table presents the components of the adjustments in the table above:
(1)Other adjustments include net realized gains or losses; the market impact on variable annuity living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization; integration and restructuring charges; and income (loss) from discontinued operations. Overall
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial increased $375 million, or 52%, to $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $722 million for the prior year. Operating earnings exclude net realized gains or losses; the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization; integration and restructuring charges; income (loss) of discontinued operations; and the impact of consolidating CIEs. Operating earnings increased $398 million, or 50%, to $1.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $790 million for the prior year driven by improved client activity, market appreciation and net inflows in wrap account assets and variable annuities, as well as improved scale from the Columbia Management Acquisition.
The total pretax impacts on our revenues and expenses for 2010 attributable to the review of valuation assumptions and models on an operating basis were as follows:
The total pretax impacts on our revenues and expenses for 2009 attributable to the review of valuation assumptions on an operating basis were as follows:
Net Revenues
Net revenues increased $2.1 billion, or 29%, to $9.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $7.4 billion for the prior year. Operating net revenues exclude net realized gains or losses and revenues or losses of the CIEs and include the fees we earn from services provided to the CIEs. Operating net revenues increased $1.8 billion, or 25%, to $9.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $7.3 billion for the prior year primarily due to growth in asset-based management fees and distribution fees driven by higher asset levels reflecting the Columbia Management Acquisition, market appreciation and net inflows in wrap account assets and variable annuities, as well as increased client activity.
Management and financial advice fees increased $1.2 billion, or 48%, to $3.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $2.6 billion for the prior year. Operating management and financial advice fees include the fees we earn from services provided to the CIEs. Operating management and financial advice fees increased $1.3 billion, or 49%, to $3.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $2.6 billion for the prior year primarily due to higher asset levels reflecting the Columbia Management Acquisition, market appreciation and net inflows in wrap account assets and variable annuities. The daily average S&P 500 Index increased 20% compared to the prior year. Wrap account assets increased $16.2 billion, or 20%, to $97.5 billion at December 31, 2010 compared to the prior year due to net inflows and market appreciation. Average variable annuities contract accumulation values increased $10.3 billion, or 25%, from the prior year due to higher equity market levels and net inflows. Total Asset Management AUM increased $213.7 billion, or 88%, to $456.8 billion at December 31, 2010 compared to the prior year primarily due to the Columbia Management Acquisition and market appreciation, partially offset by net outflows.
Distribution fees increased $265 million, or 22%, to $1.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $1.2 billion for the prior year primarily due to higher asset-based fees driven by growth in assets from the Columbia Management Acquisition, market appreciation and net inflows in wrap account assets and variable annuities, as well as increased client activity.
Net investment income increased $311 million, or 16%, to $2.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $2.0 billion for the prior year. Net investment income for 2010 included a $275 million gain for changes in the assets and liabilities of CIEs, primarily debt and underlying syndicated loans, compared to $2 million in the prior year. Operating net investment income excludes net realized gains or losses and changes in the assets and liabilities of CIEs. Operating net investment income increased $58 million, or 3%, to $2.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $1.9 billion for the prior year primarily due to a $42 million increase in investment income on fixed maturity securities driven by higher fixed annuity account balances and higher investment yields, as well as higher investment yields and increased account balances related to assets supporting our Protection business, partially offset by lower investment income related to certificates.
Premiums increased $81 million, or 7%, to $1.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $1.1 billion for the prior year primarily due to growth in Auto and Home premiums driven by higher volumes, as well as higher sales of immediate annuities with life contingencies. Auto and Home policy counts increased 9% period-over-period.
Other revenues increased $161 million, or 23%, to $863 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $702 million for the prior year. Operating other revenues exclude revenues of the CIEs. Operating other revenues increased $64 million, or 9%, to $738 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $674 million for the prior year primarily due to lower charges related to updating valuation assumptions and models, higher fees from variable annuity guarantees, and a $25 million benefit from payments related to the Reserve Funds matter in 2010, partially offset by a $58 million benefit in 2009 from repurchasing our junior notes at a discount. Other revenues in 2010 included a charge of $20 million from updating valuation assumptions and models compared to a charge of $65 million in the prior year.
Banking and deposit interest expense decreased $71 million, or 50%, to $70 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $141 million for the prior year primarily due to lower certificate balances as a result of the run-off of certificate rate promotions and a decrease in crediting rates on certificate products.
Expenses
Total expenses increased $1.4 billion, or 22%, to $7.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $6.5 billion for the prior year. Operating expenses exclude the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization; integration and restructuring charges; and expenses of the CIEs. Operating expenses increased $1.2 billion, or 20%, to $7.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $6.3 billion for the prior year primarily due to increases in distribution expenses, benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses and general and administrative expense, partially offset by a decrease in amortization of DAC.
Distribution expenses increased $603 million, or 41%, to $2.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $1.5 billion for the prior year as a result of market appreciation and the Columbia Management Acquisition, as well as higher advisor compensation from business growth.
Interest credited to fixed accounts increased $6 million, or 1%, to $909 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $903 million for the prior year driven by higher average fixed annuity account balances, partially offset by a lower average crediting rate on interest sensitive fixed annuities. Average fixed annuities contract accumulation values increased $600 million, or 4%, to $14.5 billion for 2010 compared to the prior year. The average fixed annuity crediting rate excluding capitalized interest decreased to 3.8% in 2010 compared to 3.9% in the prior year.
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses increased $416 million, or 31%, to $1.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $1.3 billion for the prior year. Operating benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses, which exclude the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, net of hedges and DSIC amortization, increased $561 million, or 48%, to $1.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $1.2 billion for the prior year driven by the impact of updating valuation assumptions and models. Operating benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in 2010 included an expense of $300 million from updating valuation assumptions and models compared to a benefit of $90 million in the prior year. Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses related to our Auto and Home business increased compared to the prior year primarily due to higher business volumes and higher claims driven by $11 million in catastrophe losses from a hail storm in the Phoenix area and a $16 million reserve increase for higher auto liability claims. Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses related to our immediate annuities with life contingencies increased compared to the prior year primarily due to higher premiums. In addition, benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses increased as a result of the implementation of changes to the Portfolio Navigator program in the second quarter of 2010, higher disability income and long-term care insurance claims and higher reserves for UL products with secondary guarantees compared to the prior year.
Amortization of DAC decreased $90 million, or 41%, to $127 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $217 million for the prior year. Operating amortization of DAC, which excludes the DAC offset to the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, decreased $199 million, or 64%, to $111 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $310 million for the prior year primarily due to the impact of updating valuation assumptions and models, as well as the market impact on amortization of DAC. Operating amortization of DAC in 2010 included a benefit of $375 million from updating valuation assumptions and models compared to a benefit of $116 million in the prior year. The market impact on amortization of DAC was a benefit of $31 million in 2010 compared to a benefit of $26 million in the prior year. An increase in DAC amortization related to higher variable annuity gross profits was partially offset by a decrease as a result of the implementation of changes to the Portfolio Navigator program in the second quarter of 2010.
Interest and debt expense increased $163 million to $290 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $127 million for the prior year. Interest and debt expense in 2010 included $181 million of interest expense on CIE debt compared to nil in the prior year. Operating interest and debt expense excludes interest expense on CIE debt. Operating interest and debt expense decreased $18 million, or 14%, to $109 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $127 million for the prior year primarily due to an expense of $13 million in 2009 related to the early retirement of $450 million of our senior notes due 2010.
General and administrative expense increased $303 million, or 12%, to $2.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $2.4 billion for the prior year. Operating general and administrative expense excludes integration and restructuring charges and expenses of the CIEs. Integration and restructuring charges increased $13 million to $111 million in 2010 compared to $98 million in the prior year. Operating general and administrative expense increased $279 million, or 12%, to $2.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $2.3 billion for the prior year primarily reflecting ongoing expenses from the Columbia Management Acquisition, as well as higher performance based compensation partially offset by lower hedge fund performance compensation.
Income Taxes
Our effective tax rate on income from continuing operations including income attributable to noncontrolling interests was 21.5% for the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to 20.0% for the year ended December 31, 2009. The increase in our effective tax rate primarily reflects an increase in pretax income relative to tax advantaged items, which was partially offset by $53 million in benefits from tax planning and the completion of certain audits. Our effective tax rate on income from continuing operations excluding net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was 23.8% for the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to 20.3% for the year ended December 31, 2009. Our operating effective tax rate was 24.5% for the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to 21.9% for the year ended December 31, 2009.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our operating effective tax rate:
Results of Operations by Segment
Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2009
The following table presents summary financial information by segment:
(1)Includes the elimination of management fees we earn for services provided to the CIEs and the related expense; revenues and expenses of the CIEs; net realized gains or losses; the market impact on variable annuity living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization; and integration and restructuring charges.
Advice & Wealth Management
The following table presents the changes in wrap account assets for the years ended December 31:
Wrap account assets increased $16.2 billion, or 20%, to $97.5 billion compared to the prior year due to market appreciation and net inflows.
The following table presents the results of operations of our Advice & Wealth Management segment:
NM Not Meaningful.
(1)Adjustments include net realized gains or losses and integration and restructuring charges. Our Advice & Wealth Management segment pretax income was $316 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to a loss of $33 million in the prior year. Our Advice & Wealth Management segment pretax operating income, which excludes net realized gains or losses and integration charges, was $322 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $46 million in the prior year driven by higher asset-based fees partially offset by higher distribution expenses. Pretax margin for 2010 was 9.5% and operating pretax margin was 9.6%.
Net Revenues
Net revenues were $3.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $2.8 billion in the prior year, an increase of $539 million, or 19%. Operating net revenues exclude net realized gains or losses. Operating net revenues were $3.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $2.8 billion in the prior year, an increase of $523 million, or 19%, driven by growth in average fee-based assets, as well as increased client activity.
Management and financial advice fees increased $282 million, or 26%, to $1.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $1.1 billion for the prior year driven by growth in average fee-based assets resulting from market appreciation and net inflows in wrap account assets. The daily average S&P 500 Index increased 20% compared to the prior year. Wrap account assets increased $16.2 billion, or 20%, to $97.5 billion at December 31, 2010 compared to the prior year due to market appreciation and net inflows.
Distribution fees increased $205 million, or 14%, to $1.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $1.5 billion for the prior year primarily driven by growth in average fee-based assets resulting from market appreciation and net inflows in wrap account assets, as well as increased client activity.
Net investment income decreased $20 million, or 7%, to $273 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $293 million for the prior year. Operating net investment income, which excludes net realized gains or losses, decreased $36 million, or 12%, to $272 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $308 million for the prior year driven by lower invested assets resulting from net outflows in certificates, as well as lower average yields on invested assets related to certificates.
Banking and deposit interest expense decreased $66 million, or 50%, to $67 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $133 million for the prior year primarily due to lower certificate balances as a result of the run-off of certificate rate promotions, as well as a decrease in crediting rates on certificate products.
Expenses
Total expenses increased $190 million, or 7%, to $3.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $2.8 billion for the prior year. Operating expenses, which exclude integration charges, increased $247 million, or 9%, to $3.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $2.8 billion for the prior year due to an increase in distribution expenses partially offset by a decrease in general and administrative expense.
Distribution expenses increased $310 million, or 19%, to $2.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $1.6 billion for the prior year primarily due to growth in average fee-based assets, as well as higher advisor compensation from business growth.
General and administrative expense decreased $120 million, or 10%, to $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $1.2 billion for the prior year. Integration charges decreased $57 million to $7 million in 2010 compared to $64 million in the prior year. Operating general and administrative expense, which excludes integration charges, decreased $63 million, or 6%, to $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 reflecting cost controls.
Asset Management
The following tables present the changes in Columbia and Threadneedle managed assets:
(1)Distributions of Retail Funds are included in market appreciation/(depreciation) and other.
(2)Prior to the Columbia Management Acquisition, the domestic managed assets of our Asset Management segment, which are now included in Columbia Managed Assets, were managed by RiverSource Investments.
(3)Included in Market appreciation/(depreciation) and other is $118.1 billion due to the Columbia Management Acquisition, including $3 billion of assets that were transferred to RiverSource Sub-advised through the implementation of the Portfolio Navigator program, and an additional $13.1 billion of Portfolio Navigator related assets sub-advised by others.
(4)Included in Market appreciation/(depreciation) and other is $68.4 billion due to the Columbia Management Acquisition.
(1)Distributions of Retail Funds are included in market appreciation/(depreciation) and other.
(2)Prior to the Columbia Management Acquisition, the domestic managed assets of our Asset Management segment, which are now included in Columbia Managed Assets, were managed by RiverSource Investments.
(3)Included in Market appreciation/(depreciation) and other are assets due to the addition of Standard Chartered Bank's World Express Funds investment business. Columbia assets under management were $355.5 billion at December 31, 2010 compared to $149.0 billion a year ago, driven by the Columbia Management Acquisition and market appreciation, partially offset by net outflows. Equity and fixed income investment performance remained strong across one-, three- and five-year periods. Retail net outflows of $5.2 billion in 2010 were primarily in equity and subadvisory portfolios, reflecting industry-wide outflows in equities and lower retail sales as a result of pending fund mergers. Institutional net outflows of $7.1 billion in 2010 were primarily in lower basis point fixed income portfolios.
Threadneedle assets under management were $105.6 billion at December 31, 2010, up 8% from a year ago reflecting year-over-year market appreciation and retail net inflows, partially offset by negative foreign currency translation and institutional net outflows. Total net outflows of $0.5 billion in 2010 reflected net outflows in lower basis point institutional portfolios, partially offset by retail net inflows from higher sales from European investors. Institutional net outflows in 2010 primarily reflected continued outflows in Zurich-related portfolios. Investment track records remained strong across one-, three- and five-year periods.
The following table presents the results of operations of our Asset Management segment:
NM Not Meaningful.
(1)Adjustments include net realized gains or losses and integration charges.
Our Asset Management segment pretax income was $318 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $60 million for the prior year. Our Asset Management segment pretax operating income, which excludes net realized gains or losses and integration charges, was $410 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $93 million for the prior year reflecting eight months of earnings from business acquired in the Columbia Management Acquisition and market appreciation. Pretax margin for 2010 was 13.4% and operating pretax margin was 17.3%.
Net Revenues
Net revenues increased $1.0 billion, or 76%, to $2.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $1.3 billion for the prior year driven by an increase in asset-based management fees and distribution fees due to growth in assets from the Columbia Management Acquisition and market appreciation.
Management and financial advice fees increased $873 million, or 79%, to $2.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $1.1 billion for the prior year primarily due to growth in assets from the Columbia Management Acquisition and market appreciation, partially offset by lower hedge fund performance fees. The daily average S&P 500 Index increased 20% compared to the prior year. Total Asset Management managed assets increased $213.7 billion, or 88%, to $456.8 billion at December 31, 2010 compared to the prior year primarily due to the Columbia Management Acquisition and market appreciation, partially offset by net outflows.
Distribution fees increased $142 million, or 66%, to $358 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $216 million for the prior year primarily driven by growth in assets from the Columbia Management Acquisition and market appreciation.
Expenses
Total expenses increased $764 million, or 59%, to $2.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $1.3 billion for the prior year. Operating expenses, which exclude integration charges, increased $699 million, or 56%, to $2.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $1.3 billion for the prior year due to an increase in distribution expenses and general and administrative expense. We realized integration gross expense synergies related to the Columbia Management Acquisition of approximately $75 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Distribution expenses increased $363 million, or 98%, to $734 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $371 million for the prior year primarily due to growth in assets from the Columbia Management Acquisition and market appreciation.
General and administrative expense increased $402 million, or 45%, to $1.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $894 million for the prior year. Integration charges increased $65 million to $95 million in 2010 compared to $30 million in the prior year. Operating general and administrative expense, which excludes integration charges, increased $337 million, or 39%, to $1.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $864 million for the prior year primarily due to increased operating costs of Columbia Management, as well as higher performance based compensation partially offset by lower legal expenses and lower hedge fund performance compensation.
Annuities
The following table presents the results of operations of our Annuities segment:
NM Not Meaningful.
(1)Adjustments include net realized gains or losses and the market impact on variable annuity living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization. Our Annuities segment pretax income was $648 million for both 2010 and 2009. Our Annuities segment pretax operating income, which excludes net realized gains or losses and the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization, decreased $1 million to $664 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $665 million in the prior year.
Net Revenues
Net revenues increased $235 million, or 10%, to $2.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $2.3 billion for the prior year. Operating net revenues, which exclude net realized gains or losses, increased $270 million, or 12%, to $2.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $2.2 billion for the prior year reflecting increased management fees from higher separate account balances, increased premiums from immediate annuities with life contingencies and higher fees from variable annuity guarantees.
Management and financial advice fees increased $108 million, or 25%, to $546 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $438 million for the prior year due to higher fees on variable annuities driven by higher separate account balances. Average variable annuities contract accumulation values increased $10.3 billion, or 25%, from the prior year due to higher equity market levels and net inflows. Variable annuity net inflows during 2010 were $1.2 billion driven by our introduction in the third quarter of a new variable annuity in the Ameriprise channel, RAVA 5, and an updated guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit rider in the Ameriprise and third-party channels.
Distribution fees increased $37 million, or 15%, to $284 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $247 million for the prior year primarily due to higher fees on variable annuities driven by higher separate account balances.
Net investment income decreased $5 million to $1.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010. Operating net investment income, which excludes net realized gains or losses, increased $30 million, or 2%, to $1.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010, primarily driven by higher fixed annuity account balances and higher investment yields, partially offset by the negative impact of the implementation of changes to the Portfolio Navigator program. With these changes, assets of clients participating in the Portfolio Navigator program were reallocated, pursuant to their consent. This reallocation in part resulted in a shift of assets from interest bearing investments in the general account into separate accounts.
Premiums increased $46 million, or 44%, to $150 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $104 million for the prior year due to higher sales of immediate annuities with life contingencies.
Other revenues increased $49 million, or 32%, to $202 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $153 million for the prior year due to higher fees from variable annuity guarantees.
Expenses
Total expenses increased $235 million, or 15%, to $1.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $1.6 billion for the prior year. Operating expenses, which exclude the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, net of hedges, DSIC and DAC amortization, increased $271 million, or 17%, to $1.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $1.6 billion for the prior year primarily due to increases in distribution expenses and benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses partially offset by a decrease in amortization of DAC.
Distribution expenses increased $57 million, or 27%, to $268 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $211 million for the prior year primarily due to higher variable annuity compensation.
Interest credited to fixed accounts increased $3 million to $762 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $759 million for the prior year due to higher average fixed annuity account balances partially offset by a lower average crediting rate on interest sensitive fixed annuities. Average fixed annuities contract accumulation values increased $600 million, or 4%, to $14.5 billion for 2010 compared to the prior year. The average fixed annuity crediting rate excluding capitalized interest decreased to 3.8% in 2010 compared to 3.9% in the prior year.
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses increased $273 million, or 65%, to $691 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $418 million for the prior year. Operating benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses, which exclude the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, net of hedges and DSIC amortization, increased $418 million to $682 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $264 million for the prior year primarily driven by the impact of updating valuation assumptions and model changes. Operating benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in 2010 included an expense of $256 million from updating valuation assumptions and model changes compared to a benefit of $57 million in the prior year. The market impact to DSIC was a benefit of $3 million in 2010 compared to a benefit of $4 million in the prior year. Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses related to our immediate annuities with life contingencies increased compared to the prior year primarily due to higher premiums. In addition, benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses increased as a result of the implementation of changes to the Portfolio Navigator program in the second quarter of 2010.
Amortization of DAC decreased $113 million to a benefit of $76 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to an expense of $37 million in the prior year. Operating amortization of DAC, which excludes the DAC offset to the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits, decreased $222 million to a benefit of $92 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to an expense of $130 million for the prior year primarily due to the impact of updating valuation assumptions and model changes. Operating amortization of DAC in 2010 included a benefit of $353 million from updating valuation assumptions and model changes compared to a benefit of $61 million in the prior year. The market impact on DAC amortization in 2010 was a benefit of $21 million compared to a benefit of $23 million in the prior year. An increase in DAC amortization related to higher variable annuity gross profits was partially offset by a decrease as a result of the implementation of changes to the Portfolio Navigator program in the second quarter of 2010.
General and administrative expense increased $13 million, or 7%, to $205 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $192 million for the prior year primarily driven by additional expenses related to new product introductions and enhancements.
Protection
The following table presents the results of operations of our Protection segment:
(1)Adjustments include net realized gains or losses. Our Protection segment pretax income was $403 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, a decrease of $94 million, or 19%, from $497 million for the prior year. Our Protection segment pretax operating income, which excludes net realized gains or losses, was $402 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, a decrease of $68 million, or 14%, from $470 million for the prior year.
Net Revenues
Net revenues increased $83 million, or 4%, to $2.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $2.0 billion for the prior year. Operating net revenues, which exclude net realized gains or losses, increased $109 million, or 6%, to $2.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $1.9 billion for the prior year primarily due to the impact of updating valuation assumptions and model changes and an increase in net investment income and premiums.
Management and financial advice fees increased $7 million, or 15%, to $54 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $47 million for the prior year primarily due to higher management fees from VUL separate account growth due to market appreciation.
Net investment income increased $7 million, or 2%, to $429 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $422 million for the prior year. Operating net investment income, which excludes net realized gains or losses, increased $33 million, or 8%, to $428 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $395 million for the prior year primarily due to higher investment yields and increased general account assets.
Premiums increased $34 million, or 3%, to $1.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $1.0 billion for the prior year due to growth in Auto and Home premiums driven by higher volumes. Auto and Home policy counts increased 9% period-over-period.
Other revenues increased $36 million, or 9%, to $422 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $386 million for the prior year primarily due to updating valuation assumptions and model changes. Other revenues in 2010 included a charge of $20 million from updating valuation assumptions and model changes compared to a charge of $65 million in the prior year.
Expenses
Total expenses increased $177 million, or 12%, to $1.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $1.5 billion for the prior year primarily due to updating valuation assumptions and model changes and an increase in insurance claims compared to the prior year.
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses increased $143 million, or 16%, to $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $916 million for the prior year primarily due to updating valuation assumptions and model changes and higher claims in 2010. Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in 2010 included an expense of $44 million from updating valuation assumptions and model changes compared to a benefit of $33 million in the prior year. Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses related to our Auto and Home business increased compared to the prior year primarily due to higher business volumes and higher claims driven by $11 million in catastrophe losses from a hail storm in the Phoenix area and a $16 million reserve increase for higher auto liability claims. In addition, benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in 2010 included higher disability income and long-term care insurance claims and higher reserves for UL products with secondary guarantees compared to the prior year.
Amortization of DAC increased $24 million, or 15%, to $183 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $159 million in the prior year primarily due to updating valuation assumptions and model changes. Amortization of DAC for 2010 included a benefit of $22 million from updating valuation assumptions and model changes compared to a benefit of $55 million in the prior year. The market impact on DAC resulted in a benefit of $10 million in 2010 compared to a benefit of $3 million in the prior year.
Corporate & Other
The following table presents the results of operations of our Corporate & Other segment:
NM Not Meaningful.
(1)Includes revenues and expenses of the CIEs, net realized gains or losses and integration and restructuring charges.
The following table presents the components of the adjustments in the table above:
(1)Other adjustments include net realized gains or losses and integration and restructuring charges. Our Corporate & Other segment pretax loss attributable to Ameriprise Financial was $214 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $267 million in the prior year. Our Corporate & Other segment pretax operating loss attributable to Ameriprise Financial excludes net realized gains or losses, integration and restructuring charges and the impact of consolidating CIEs. Our Corporate & Other segment pretax operating loss attributable to Ameriprise Financial was $224 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $263 million in the prior year.
Net revenues increased $397 million to $423 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $26 million for the prior year primarily reflecting revenues of CIEs. Operating net revenues, which exclude revenues of CIEs and net realized gains or losses, increased $2 million to $4 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Net investment income was $273 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to a loss of $57 million in the prior year. Net investment income in 2010 primarily reflects changes in the assets and liabilities of CIEs, primarily debt and underlying syndicated loans. The decrease in operating net investment loss, which excludes revenues of CIEs and net realized gains or losses, reflects lower transfer priced interest income allocated to the Annuities and Protection segments for maintaining excess liquidity.
Other revenues increased $63 million, or 70%, to $153 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, primarily due to an increase in revenues of CIEs. Operating other revenues, which exclude revenues of CIEs, decreased $34 million, or 55%, to $28 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, due to a $58 million gain on the repurchase of certain of our junior notes in 2009 partially offset by a $25 million benefit from the payments related to the Reserve Funds matter in 2010.
Total expenses increased $196 million, or 71%, to $474 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $278 million for the prior year primarily reflecting expenses of CIEs. Operating expenses, which exclude expenses of CIEs and integration and restructuring charges, decreased $37 million, or 14%, to $228 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $265 million for the prior year.
Interest and debt expense increased $161 million to $288 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $127 million for the prior year primarily reflecting interest expense of the CIE debt. Operating interest and debt expense, which excludes interest expense of the CIE debt, decreased $20 million, or 16%, to $107 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $127 million for the prior year primarily due to an expense of $13 million in 2009 related to the early retirement of $450 million of our senior notes due 2010.
General and administrative expense increased $37 million, or 25%, to $185 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $148 million for the prior year. Operating general and administrative expense, which excludes expenses of the CIEs and integration and restructuring charges, decreased $15 million, or 11%, to $120 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $135 million for the prior year.
Fair Value Measurements
We report certain assets and liabilities at fair value; specifically, separate account assets, derivatives, embedded derivatives, properties held by our consolidated property funds, and most investments and cash equivalents. Fair value assumes the exchange of assets or liabilities occurs in orderly transactions. Companies are not permitted to use market prices that are the result of a forced liquidation or distressed sale. We include actual market prices, or observable inputs, in our fair value measurements to the extent available. Non-binding broker quotes are obtained when quotes from third party pricing services are not available. We validate prices obtained from third parties through a variety of means as described in Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Non-Agency Residential Mortgage Backed Securities Backed by Sub-prime, Alt-A or Prime Collateral
Sub-prime mortgage lending is the origination of residential mortgage loans to customers with weak credit profiles. Alt-A mortgage lending is the origination of residential mortgage loans to customers who have credit ratings above sub-prime but may not conform to government-sponsored standards. Prime mortgage lending is the origination of residential mortgage loans to customers with good credit profiles. We have exposure to each of these types of loans predominantly through mortgage backed and asset backed securities. The slowdown in the U.S. housing market, combined with relaxed underwriting standards by some originators, has led to higher delinquency and loss rates for some of these investments. Persistent market conditions have increased the likelihood of other-than-temporary impairments for certain non-agency residential mortgage backed securities. As a part of our risk management process, an internal rating system is used in conjunction with market data as the basis of analysis to assess the likelihood that we will not receive all contractual principal and interest payments for these investments. For the investments that are more at risk for impairment, we perform our own assessment of projected cash flows incorporating assumptions about default rates, prepayment speeds and loss severity to determine if an other-than-temporary impairment should be recognized.
The following table presents, as of December 31, 2011, our non-agency residential mortgage backed and asset backed securities backed by sub-prime, Alt-A or prime mortgage loans by credit rating and vintage year:
(1)Re-Remics of mortgage backed securities are prior vintages with cash flows structured into senior and subordinated bonds. Credit enhancement has been increased through the Re-Remic process on the securities we own.
European Exposure
The following table presents, as of December 31, 2011, our exposure to European debt by country segregated between sovereign and non-sovereign (financial and non-financial corporate debt) exposure:
(1)Invested assets include cash and cash equivalents and investments. The non-financial corporate debt holdings in Greece, Italy, Ireland, Portugal and Spain are primarily in utilities/telecommunications. The non-financial corporate debt holdings in other European countries are multinational companies concentrated in utilities and non-cyclical industrials. We have no exposure to deeply subordinated instruments. We do not hedge our European exposure and we have no unfunded commitments related to our European debt holdings as of December 31, 2011.
Fair Value of Liabilities and Nonperformance Risk
Companies are required to measure the fair value of liabilities at the price that would be received to transfer the liability to a market participant (an exit price). Since there is not a market for our obligations of our variable annuity riders, we consider the assumptions participants in a hypothetical market would make to reflect an exit price. As a result, we adjust the valuation of variable annuity riders by updating certain contractholder assumptions, adding explicit margins to provide for profit, risk and expenses, and adjusting the rates used to discount expected cash flows to reflect a current market estimate of our nonperformance risk. The nonperformance risk adjustment is based on non-binding broker quotes for credit default swaps that are adjusted to estimate the risk of our life insurance company subsidiaries not fulfilling these liabilities. Consistent with general market conditions, this estimate resulted in a spread over the LIBOR swap curve as of December 31, 2011. As our estimate of this spread widens or tightens, the liability will decrease or increase. If this nonperformance credit spread moves to a zero spread over the LIBOR swap curve, the reduction to net income would be approximately $226 million, net of DAC and DSIC amortization and income taxes, based on December 31, 2011 credit spreads.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
We maintained substantial liquidity during the year ended December 31, 2011. At both December 31, 2011 and 2010, we had $2.8 billion in cash and cash equivalents. We have additional liquidity available through an unsecured revolving credit facility for up to $500 million that expires in November 2015. Under the terms of the underlying credit agreement, we can increase this facility to $750 million upon satisfaction of certain approval requirements. Available borrowings under this facility are reduced by any outstanding letters of credit. We have had no borrowings under this credit facility and had $2 million of outstanding letters of credit at December 31, 2011.
In March 2010, we issued $750 million of 5.30% senior notes due 2020. A portion of the proceeds was used to retire $340 million of debt that matured in November 2010. On April 30, 2010, we closed on the Columbia Management Acquisition and paid $866 million in the second quarter with cash on hand and assumed liabilities of $30 million. Our subsidiaries, Ameriprise Bank, FSB and RiverSource Life Insurance Company ("RiverSource Life"), are members of the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") of Des Moines, which provides these subsidiaries with access to collateralized borrowings. As of December 31, 2011, we had no borrowings from the FHLB. Beginning in 2010, we entered into repurchase agreements to reduce reinvestment risk from higher levels of expected annuity net cash flows. Repurchase agreements allow us to receive cash to reinvest in longer-duration assets, while paying back the short-term debt with cash flows generated by the fixed income portfolio. The balance of repurchase agreements at December 31, 2011 was $504 million, which is collateralized with agency residential mortgage backed securities and commercial mortgage backed securities from our investment portfolio. We believe cash flows from operating activities, available cash balances and our availability of revolver borrowings will be sufficient to fund our operating liquidity needs.
Dividends from Subsidiaries
Ameriprise Financial is primarily a parent holding company for the operations carried out by our wholly owned subsidiaries. Because of our holding company structure, our ability to meet our cash requirements, including the payment of dividends on our common stock, substantially depends upon the receipt of dividends or return of capital from our subsidiaries, particularly our life insurance subsidiary, RiverSource Life; our face-amount certificate subsidiary, Ameriprise Certificate Company ("ACC"); AMPF Holding Corporation, which is the parent company of our retail introducing broker-dealer subsidiary, Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. ("AFSI") and our clearing broker-dealer subsidiary, American Enterprise Investment Services Inc. ("AEIS"); our Auto and Home insurance subsidiary, IDS Property Casualty Insurance Company ("IDS Property Casualty"), doing business as Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance; our transfer agent subsidiary, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.; our investment advisory company, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC; and Threadneedle. The payment of dividends by many of our subsidiaries is restricted and certain of our subsidiaries are subject to regulatory capital requirements.
Actual capital and regulatory capital requirements for our wholly owned subsidiaries subject to regulatory capital requirements were as follows:
#Amounts are less than $1 million.
(1)Actual capital is determined on a statutory basis.
(2)Regulatory capital requirement is based on the statutory risk-based capital filing.
(3)Regulatory capital requirement is based on the applicable regulatory requirement, calculated as of December 31, 2011 and 2010.
(4)Actual capital is determined on an adjusted GAAP basis.
(5)ACC is required to hold capital in compliance with the Minnesota Department of Commerce and SEC capital requirements.
(6)Actual capital and regulatory capital requirements are determined in accordance with U.K. regulatory legislation. The actual capital and the regulatory capital requirements at December 31, 2011 represent management's assessment at September 30, 2011 of the risk based requirements, as specified by FSA regulations and submitted to the FSA in December 2011.
(7)Ameriprise Bank is required to maintain capital in compliance with the Office of the Comptroller of Currency ("OCC") regulations and policies. Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the responsibility for the ongoing examination, supervision, and regulation of federal savings associations, including Ameriprise Bank, transferred from the Office of Thrift Supervision to the OCC effective July 21, 2011.
(8)Securities America was sold in the fourth quarter of 2011. In addition to the particular regulations restricting dividend payments and establishing subsidiary capitalization requirements, we take into account the overall health of the business, capital levels and risk management considerations in determining a dividend strategy for payments to our company from our subsidiaries, and in deciding to use cash to make capital contributions to our subsidiaries.
During the year ended December 31, 2011, the parent holding company received cash dividends or a return of capital from its subsidiaries of $1.2 billion (including $750 million from RiverSource Life) and contributed cash to its subsidiaries of $128 million. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2011, RiverSource Life paid an $850 million dividend to the parent holding company consisting of high-quality, short-duration securities. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the parent holding company received cash dividends or a return of capital from its subsidiaries of $912 million (including $500 million from RiverSource Life) and contributed cash to its subsidiaries of $73 million.
The following table presents the dividends that could have been paid within the limitations of the applicable regulatory authorities as further described below, excluding extraordinary dividends for the years ended December 31:
(1)RiverSource Life dividends in excess of statutory unassigned funds require advance notice to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, RiverSource Life's primary regulator, and are subject to potential disapproval. In addition, dividends whose fair market value, together with that of other dividends or distributions made within the preceding 12 months, exceeds the greater of (1) the previous year's statutory net gain from operations or (2) 10% of the previous year-end statutory capital and surplus are referred to as "extraordinary dividends." Extraordinary dividends also require advance notice to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, and are subject to potential disapproval. For dividends exceeding these thresholds, RiverSource Life provided notice to the Minnesota Department of Commerce and received responses indicating that it did not object to the payment of these dividends.
(2)In 2009, AEIS and AFSI became subsidiaries of AMPF Holding Corporation. For AEIS and AFSI the dividend capacity is based on an internal model used to determine the availability of dividends, while maintaining net capital at a level sufficiently in excess of minimum levels defined by Securities and Exchange Commission rules.
(3)The dividend capacity for ACC is based on capital held in excess of regulatory requirements.
(4)Securities America was sold in the fourth quarter of 2011.
(5)The dividend capacity for IDS Property Casualty is based on the lesser of (1) 10% of the previous year-end capital and surplus or (2) the greater of (a) net income (excluding realized gains) of the previous year or (b) the aggregate net income of the previous three years excluding realized gains less any dividends paid within the first two years of the three-year period. Dividends that, together with the amount of other distributions made within the preceding 12 months, exceed this statutory limitation are referred to as "extraordinary dividends" and require advance notice to the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin, the primary state regulator of IDS Property Casualty, and are subject to potential disapproval. The following table presents the cash dividends paid or return of capital to the parent holding company, net of cash capital contributions made by the parent holding company for the following subsidiaries for the years ended December 31:
(1)In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2011, RiverSource Life paid an $850 million dividend to the parent holding company consisting of high-quality, short-duration securities.
(2)Securities America was sold in the fourth quarter of 2011.
(3)In 2009, AEIS and AFSI became subsidiaries of AMPF Holding Corporation. For AEIS and AFSI the dividend capacity is based on an internal model used to determine the availability of dividends, while maintaining net capital at a level sufficiently in excess of minimum levels defined by Securities and Exchange Commission rules.
Dividends Paid to Shareholders and Share Repurchases
We paid regular quarterly cash dividends to our shareholders totaling $212 million and $183 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. On December 7, 2011, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.28 per common share. The dividend will be paid on February 24, 2012 to our shareholders of record at the close of business on February 10, 2012.
On May 11, 2010, we announced that our board of directors authorized an expenditure of up to $1.5 billion for the repurchase of shares of our common stock through the date of our 2012 annual shareholders meeting. On June 15, 2011, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized an additional expenditure of up to $2.0 billion for the repurchase of shares of our common stock through June 28, 2013. We intend to fund share repurchases through existing working capital, future earnings and other customary financing methods. The share repurchase program does not require the purchase of any minimum number of shares, and depending on market conditions and other factors, these purchases may be commenced or suspended at any time without prior notice. Acquisitions under the share repurchase program may be made in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions or block trades or other means. During the year ended December 31, 2011, we repurchased a total of 27.9 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $52.15 per share. As of December 31, 2011, we had $1.5 billion remaining under our share repurchase authorizations.
In both 2011 and 2010, we extinguished $14 million principal amount of our junior notes due 2066. In the future, we may from time to time seek to retire or purchase additional outstanding debt through cash purchases in the open market, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, without prior notice. Such repurchases, if any, will depend upon market conditions and other factors. The amounts involved could be material.
Cash Flows
Cash flows of CIEs are reflected in our cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities, investing activities and financing activities. Cash held by CIEs is not available for general use by Ameriprise Financial, nor is Ameriprise Financial cash available for general use by its CIEs. As such, the operating, investing and financing cash flows of the CIEs have no impact to the change in cash and cash equivalents.
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased $331 million to $2.2 billion compared to $1.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010. Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2011 included a negative impact of $188 million related to CIEs compared to a positive impact of $148 million in the prior year. In 2011, operating cash increased $738 million due to an increase in net cash collateral held related to derivative instruments compared to an increase of $111 million in the prior year. Income taxes paid increased $309 million in 2011 compared to the prior year. Net cash provided by operating activities in 2011 included an increase in cash generated from higher fee revenue, partially offset by higher payments for distribution expenses.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $1.8 billion compared to net cash used in operating activities of $1.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2009. Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2010 included a positive impact of $148 million related to CIEs compared to a negative impact of $453 million in the prior year. In 2009, operating cash flows were reduced by $1.9 billion due to a decrease in net cash collateral held related to derivative instruments compared to an increase of $111 million in 2010. The increase in operating cash compared to the prior year was also driven by higher fee revenue, partially offset by higher advisor compensation.
Investing Activities
Our investing activities primarily relate to our Available-for-Sale investment portfolio. Further, this activity is significantly affected by the net flows of our investment certificate, fixed annuity and UL products reflected in financing activities.
Net cash used in investing activities was $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $734 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Cash used to purchase Available-for-Sale securities decreased $266 million compared to the prior year and cash proceeds from sales and maturities, sinking fund payments and calls of Available-for-Sale securities decreased $1.8 billion compared to the prior year. We paid cash of $866 million for the Columbia Management Acquisition in 2010 and received cash of $150 million in 2011 for the sale of Securities America.
Net cash used in investing activities decreased $5.6 billion to $734 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $6.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2009, primarily due to a $10.3 billion decrease in cash used for purchases of Available-for-Sale securities, partially offset by a $3.6 billion reduction in proceeds from sales and maturities, sinking fund payments and calls of Available-for-Sale securities. We also paid cash of $866 million for the Columbia Management Acquisition in 2010.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010. Net cash inflows related to policyholder and contractholder account values were $106 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to net cash outflows of $1.1 billion for the prior year. Net cash outflows related to policyholder and contractholder account values in the prior year included net transfers to separate accounts of $1.3 billion primarily due to the implementation of changes to the Portfolio Navigator program. Cash outflows related to investment certificates and banking time deposits decreased $472 million due to lower maturities, withdrawals and cash surrenders compared to the prior year. Cash provided by other banking deposits increased $368 million compared to the prior year. Net cash inflows related to changes in repurchase agreements decreased $290 million compared to the prior year. Cash proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs, was $744 million in 2010 compared to nil in 2011. Cash used for the repurchase of common stock increased $913 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the prior year.
Net cash used in financing activities was $1.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $4.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2009. Net cash outflows related to policyholder and contractholder account values were $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to net cash inflows of $3.1 billion for the prior year primarily due to a decrease in fixed annuity deposits and the transfer of general account assets to separate accounts from the implementation of changes to the Portfolio Navigator program. Proceeds from sales of investment certificates and banking time deposits decreased $1.4 billion compared to the prior year primarily due to the run-off of certificate rate promotions, partially offset by a $1.3 billion decrease in maturities, withdrawals and cash surrenders. Cash provided by other banking deposits decreased $345 million compared to the prior year. Cash received due to issuance of debt, net of repayments, increased $449 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the prior year. In 2010, net cash received related to repurchase agreements was $397 million. In 2009, we received cash of $869 million from the issuance of common stock. Cash used for the repurchase of common stock increased $571 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the prior year.
Contractual Commitments
The contractual obligations identified in the table below include both our on and off-balance sheet transactions that represent material expected or contractually committed future obligations. Payments due by period as of December 31, 2011 were as follows:
(1)See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about our long-term debt. (2)These scheduled payments are represented by reserves of approximately $31.2 billion at December 31, 2011 and are based on interest credited, mortality, morbidity, lapse, surrender and premium payment assumptions. Actual payment obligations may differ if experience varies from these assumptions. Separate account liabilities have been excluded as associated contractual obligations would be met by separate account assets. (3)The payments due by year are based on contractual term maturities. However, contractholders have the right to redeem the investment certificates earlier and at their discretion subject to surrender charges, if any. Redemptions are most likely to occur in periods of substantial increases in interest rates. (4)The fair value of these commitments included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets was $2.4 billion as of December 31, 2011. See Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about our deferred premium options. (5)Affordable housing partnership commitments are related to investments in low income housing tax credit partnerships. Call dates for the obligations presented are either date or event specific. For date specific obligations, the Company is required to fund a specific amount on a stated date provided there are no defaults under the agreement. For event specific obligations, the Company is required to fund a specific amount of its capital commitment when properties in a fund become fully stabilized. For event specific obligations, the estimated call date of these commitments is used in the table above. (6)Purchase obligations include the minimum contractual amounts by period under contracts that were in effect at December 31, 2011. Many of the purchase agreements giving rise to these purchase obligations include termination clauses that may require payment of termination fees if the agreements are terminated by the Company without cause prior to their stated expiration; however, the table reflects the amounts to be paid assuming the contracts are not terminated. (7)Interest on debt was estimated based on rates in effect as of December 31, 2011.
In addition to the contractual commitments outlined in the table above, we periodically fund the employees' defined benefit plans. We contributed $72 million and $64 million in 2011 and 2010, respectively, to our pension plans. In 2012, we expect to contribute $46 million to our pension plans and $2 million to our defined benefit postretirement plans. See Note 21 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Total loan funding commitments, which are not included in the table above due to uncertainty with respect to timing of future cash flows, were $2.4 billion at December 31, 2011.
For additional information relating to these contractual commitments, see Note 22 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We provide asset management services to various collateralized debt obligations and other investment products, which are sponsored by us for the investment of client assets in the normal course of business. Certain of these investment entities are considered to be variable interest entities while others are considered to be voting rights entities. We consolidate certain of these investment entities. For entities that we do not consolidate, our maximum exposure to loss is our investment in the entity, which was not material as of December 31, 2011. We have no obligation to provide further financial or other support to these structured investments nor have we provided any support to these structured investments. See Note 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our arrangements with structured investments.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's plans, estimates and beliefs. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements. Examples of such forward-looking statements include:
•statements of the Company's plans, intentions, positioning, expectations, objectives or goals, including those relating to asset flows, mass affluent and affluent client acquisition strategy, client retention and growth of our client base, financial advisor productivity, retention, recruiting and enrollments, acquisition integration, general and administrative costs; consolidated tax rate, return of capital to shareholders, and excess capital position and financial flexibility to capture additional growth opportunities;
•other statements about future economic performance, the performance of equity markets and interest rate variations and the economic performance of the United States and of global markets; and
•statements of assumptions underlying such statements. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "optimistic," "intend," "plan," "aim," "will," "may," "should," "could," "would," "likely," "forecast," "on pace," "project" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements.
Such factors include, but are not limited to:
•changes in the valuations, liquidity and volatility in the interest rate, credit default, equity market, and foreign exchange environments;
•changes in and the adoption of relevant accounting standards, as well as changes in the litigation and regulatory environment, including ongoing legal proceedings and regulatory actions, the frequency and extent of legal claims threatened or initiated by clients, other persons and regulators, and developments in regulation and legislation, including the rules and regulations implemented or to be implemented in connection with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act;
•investment management performance and distribution partner and consumer acceptance of the Company's products;
•effects of competition in the financial services industry and changes in product distribution mix and distribution channels;
•changes to the Company's reputation that may arise from employee or affiliated advisor misconduct, legal or regulatory actions, improper management of conflicts of interest or otherwise;
•the Company's capital structure, including indebtedness, limitations on subsidiaries to pay dividends, and the extent, manner, terms and timing of any share or debt repurchases management may effect as well as the opinions of rating agencies and other analysts and the reactions of market participants or the Company's regulators, advisors, distribution partners or customers in response to any change or prospect of change in any such opinion;
•changes to the availability of liquidity and the Company's credit capacity that may arise due to shifts in market conditions, the Company's credit ratings and the overall availability of credit;
•risks of default, capacity constraint or repricing by issuers or guarantors of investments the Company owns or by counterparties to hedge, derivative, insurance or reinsurance arrangements or by manufacturers of products the Company distributes, experience deviations from the Company's assumptions regarding such risks, the evaluations or the prospect of changes in evaluations of any such third parties published by rating agencies or other analysts, and the reactions of other market participants or the Company's regulators, advisors, distribution partners or customers in response to any such evaluation or prospect of changes in evaluation;
•with respect to VIE pooled investments the Company has determined do not require consolidation under GAAP, the Company's assessment that it does not have the power over the VIE or hold a variable interest in these investments for which the Company has the potential to receive significant benefits or to absorb significant losses;
•experience deviations from the Company's assumptions regarding morbidity, mortality and persistency in certain annuity and insurance products, or from assumptions regarding market returns assumed in valuing or unlocking DAC and DSIC or market volatility underlying the Company's valuation and hedging of guaranteed living benefit annuity riders; or from assumptions regarding anticipated claims and losses relating to the Company's automobile and home insurance products;
•changes in capital requirements that may be indicated, required or advised by regulators or rating agencies;
•the impacts of the Company's efforts to improve distribution economics and to grow third-party distribution of its products;
•the Company's ability to pursue and complete strategic transactions and initiatives, including acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, joint ventures and the development of new products and services;
•the Company's ability to realize the financial, operating and business fundamental benefits or to obtain regulatory approvals regarding integrations we plan for the acquisitions we have completed or may pursue and contract to complete in the future, as well as the amount and timing of integration expenses;
•the ability and timing to realize savings and other benefits from re-engineering and tax planning;
•changes in the capital markets and competitive environments induced or resulting from the partial or total ownership or other support by central governments of certain financial services firms or financial assets; and
•general economic and political factors, including consumer confidence in the economy, the ability and inclination of consumers generally to invest as well as their ability and inclination to invest in financial instruments and products other than cash and cash equivalents, the costs of products and services the Company consumes in the conduct of its business, and applicable legislation and regulation and changes therein, including tax laws, tax treaties, fiscal and central government treasury policy, and policies regarding the financial services industry and publicly-held firms, and regulatory rulings and pronouncements. Management cautions the reader that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. There may also be other risks that management is unable to predict at this time that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Management undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market Risk
Our primary market risk exposures are interest rate, equity price, foreign currency exchange rate and credit risk. Equity price and interest rate fluctuations can have a significant impact on our results of operations, primarily due to the effects they have on the asset management and other asset-based fees we earn, the spread income generated on our annuities, banking, brokerage client cash balances, and face amount certificate products and UL insurance products, the value of DAC and DSIC assets, the values of liabilities for guaranteed benefits associated with our variable annuities and the values of derivatives held to hedge these benefits.
The guaranteed benefits associated with our variable annuities are guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits ("GMWB"), guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits ("GMAB"), guaranteed minimum death benefits ("GMDB") and guaranteed minimum income benefits ("GMIB"). Each of these guaranteed benefits guarantees payouts to the annuity holder under certain specific conditions regardless of the performance of the underlying investment assets.
We continue to utilize a hedging program which attempts to match the sensitivity of the assets with the sensitivity of the liabilities. This approach works with the premise that matched sensitivities will produce a highly effective hedging result. Our comprehensive hedging program focuses mainly on first order sensitivities of assets and liabilities; Equity Market Level (Delta), Interest Rate Level (Rho) and Volatility (Vega). Additionally, various second order sensitivities are managed. We use various index options across the term structure, interest rate swaps and swaptions, total return swaps and futures to
manage the risk exposures. The exposures are measured and monitored daily, and adjustments to the hedge portfolio are made as necessary.
To evaluate interest rate and equity price risk we perform sensitivity testing which measures the impact on pretax income from the sources listed below for a 12 month period following a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates or a hypothetical 10% decline in equity prices. The interest rate risk test assumes a sudden 100 basis point parallel shift in the yield curve, with rates then staying at those levels for the next 12 months. The equity price risk test assumes a sudden 10% drop in equity prices, with equity prices then staying at those levels for the next 12 months. In estimating the values of variable annuity riders, equity indexed annuities, stock market certificates and the associated hedge assets, we assumed no change in implied market volatility despite the 10% drop in equity prices.
The following tables present our estimate of the impact on pretax income from these hypothetical market movements as of December 31, 2011:
N/A Not Applicable.
(1)Excludes incentive income which is impacted by market and fund performance during the period and cannot be readily estimated. (2)Market impact on DAC and DSIC amortization resulting from lower projected profits. (3)In estimating the impact on DAC and DSIC amortization resulting from lower projected profits, we have not changed our assumed equity asset growth rates. This is a significantly more conservative estimate than if we assumed management follows its mean reversion guideline and increased near-term rates to recover the drop in equity values over a five-year period. We make this same conservative assumption in estimating the impact from GMDB and GMIB riders. (4)Market impact on DAC and DSIC amortization related to variable annuity riders is modeled net of hedge impact. The above results compare to an estimated negative net impact to pretax income of $326 million related to a 10% equity price decline and an estimated positive net impact to pretax income of $11 million related to a 100 basis point increase in interest rates as of December 31, 2010. The change in interest rate sensitivity at December 31, 2011 compared to the prior year is primarily due to a decrease in interest rates.
Net impacts shown in the above table from GMWB and GMAB riders result largely from differences between the liability valuation basis and the hedging basis. Liabilities are valued using fair value accounting principles, with key policyholder behavior assumptions loaded to provide risk margins and with discount rates increased to reflect a current market estimate of our risk of nonperformance specific to these liabilities. For variable annuity riders introduced prior to mid-2009, management elected to hedge based on best estimate policyholder behavior assumptions. For riders issued since mid-2009, management has been hedging on a basis that includes risk margins related to policyholder behavior. The nonperformance spread risk is not hedged.
Actual results could differ materially from those illustrated above as they are based on a number of estimates and assumptions. These include assuming that implied market volatility does not change when equity prices fall by 10%, that management does not increase assumed equity asset growth rates to anticipate recovery of the drop in equity values when valuing DAC, DSIC and GMDB and GMIB liability values and that the 100 basis point increase in interest rates is a parallel shift of the yield curve. Furthermore, we have not tried to anticipate changes in client preferences for different types of assets or other changes in client behavior, nor have we tried to anticipate actions management might take to increase revenues or reduce expenses in these scenarios.
The selection of a 100 basis point interest rate increase as well as a 10% equity price decline should not be construed as a prediction of future market events. Impacts of larger or smaller changes in interest rates or equity prices may not be proportional to those shown for a 100 basis point increase in interest rates or a 10% decline in equity prices.
Asset-Based Management and Distribution Fees
We earn asset-based management fees and distribution fees on our assets under management. At December 31, 2011, the value of our assets under management was $527.6 billion. These sources of revenue are subject to both interest rate and equity price risk since the value of these assets and the fees they earn fluctuate inversely with interest rates and directly with equity prices. We do not currently hedge the interest rate or equity price risk of this exposure.
DAC and DSIC Amortization
For annuity and UL products, DAC and DSIC are amortized on the basis of estimated gross profits. Estimated gross profits are a proxy for pretax income prior to the recognition of DAC and DSIC amortization expense. When events occur that reduce or increase current period estimated gross profits, DAC and DSIC amortization expense is typically reduced or increased as well, somewhat mitigating the impact of the event on pretax income.
Variable Annuity Riders
The total contract value of all variable annuities at December 31, 2011 was $62.3 billion compared to $62.6 billion at December 31, 2010. These contract values include GMWB and GMAB contracts which were $27.6 billion and $3.5 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2011, compared to $24.7 billion and $3.5 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2010. At December 31, 2011, reserves for GMWB and GMAB were $1.4 billion and $237 million, respectively, compared to $337 million and $104 million, respectively, at December 31, 2010. The increase in reserves for GMWB and GMAB reflect the changes in economic factors impacting the mark-to-market value of the guarantees and increased volume of business. At December 31, 2011, the reserve for the other variable annuity guaranteed benefits, GMDB and GMIB, was $14 million compared to $13 million at December 31, 2010.
Equity Price Risk - Variable Annuity Riders
The variable annuity guaranteed benefits guarantee payouts to the annuity holder under certain specific conditions regardless of the performance of the investment assets. For this reason, when equity prices decline, the returns from the separate account assets coupled with guaranteed benefit fees from annuity holders may not be sufficient to fund expected payouts. In that case, reserves must be increased with a negative impact to earnings.
The core derivative instruments with which we hedge the equity price risk of our GMWB and GMAB provisions are longer dated put and call derivatives; these core instruments are supplemented with equity futures and total return swaps. See Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our derivative instruments.
Interest Rate Risk - Variable Annuity Riders
The GMAB and the non-life contingent benefits associated with the GMWB provisions create embedded derivatives which are carried at fair value separately from the underlying host variable annuity contract. Changes in the fair value of the GMWB and GMAB liabilities are recorded through earnings with fair value calculated based on projected, discounted cash flows over the life of the contract, including projected, discounted benefits and fees. Increases in interest rates reduce the fair value of the GMWB and GMAB liabilities. The GMWB and GMAB interest rate exposure is hedged with a portfolio of longer dated put and call derivatives, interest rate swaps and swaptions. We have entered into interest rate swaps according to risk exposures along maturities, thus creating both fixed rate payor and variable rate payor terms. If interest rates were to increase, we would have to pay more to the swap counterparty, and the fair value of our equity puts would decrease, resulting in a negative impact to our pretax income.
Fixed Annuities, Fixed Portion of Variable Annuities and Fixed Insurance Products
Interest rate exposures arise primarily with respect to the fixed account portion of annuity and insurance products of RiverSource Life companies and their investment portfolios. We guarantee an interest rate to the holders of these products. Premiums and deposits collected from clients are primarily invested in fixed rate securities to fund the client credited rate with the spread between the rate earned from investments and the rate credited to clients recorded as earned income. Client liabilities and investment assets generally differ as it relates to basis, repricing or maturity characteristics. Rates credited to clients' accounts generally reset at shorter intervals than the yield on the underlying
investments. Therefore, in an increasing interest rate environment, higher interest rates are reflected in crediting rates to clients sooner than in rates earned on invested assets resulting in a reduced spread between the two rates, reduced earned income and a negative impact on pretax income. Of the $31.7 billion in future policy benefits and claims on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011, $29.5 billion related to liabilities created by these products. We do not hedge this exposure.
Brokerage Client Cash Balances
We pay interest on certain brokerage client cash balances and have the ability to reset these rates from time to time based on prevailing economic and business conditions. We earn revenue to fund the interest paid from interest-earning assets or fees from off-balance sheet deposits at FDIC insured institutions, which are indexed to short-term interest rates. In general, the change in interest paid lags the change in revenues earned.
Flexible Savings and Other Fixed Rate Savings Products
We have interest rate risk from our flexible savings and other fixed rate savings products. These products are primarily investment certificates generally ranging in amounts from $1,000 to $1 million with interest crediting rate terms ranging from three to 36 months, as well as other savings products sold through Ameriprise Bank. We guarantee an interest rate to the holders of these products. Payments collected from clients are primarily invested in fixed rate securities to fund the client credited rate with the spread between the rate earned from investments and the rate credited to clients recorded as earned income. Client liabilities and investment assets generally differ as it relates to basis, repricing or maturity characteristics. Rates credited to clients generally reset at shorter intervals than the yield on underlying investments. This exposure is not currently hedged although we monitor our investment strategy and make modifications based on our changing liabilities and the expected interest rate environment. Of the $9.9 billion in customer deposits at December 31, 2011, $2.0 billion related to reserves for our fixed rate certificate products and $4.7 billion related to reserves for our banking products.
Equity Indexed Annuities
Our equity indexed annuity product is a single premium annuity issued with an initial term of seven years. The annuity guarantees the contractholder a minimum return of 3% on 90% of the initial premium or end of prior term accumulation value upon renewal plus a return that is linked to the performance of the S&P 500 Index. The equity-linked return is based on a participation rate initially set at between 50% and 90% of the S&P 500 Index, which is guaranteed for the initial seven-year term when the contract is held to full term. At December 31, 2011, we had $60 million in reserves related to equity indexed annuities. We discontinued new sales of equity indexed annuities in 2007.
Equity Price Risk - Equity Indexed Annuities
The equity-linked return to investors creates equity price risk as the amount credited depends on changes in equity prices. To hedge this exposure, we purchase futures, calls and puts which generate returns to replicate what we must credit to client accounts. In conjunction with purchasing puts we also write puts. Pairing purchased puts with written puts allows us to better match the characteristics of the liability.
Interest Rate Risk - Equity Indexed Annuities
Most of the proceeds received from equity indexed annuities are invested in fixed income securities with the return on those investments intended to fund the 3% guarantee. We earn income from the difference between the return earned on invested assets and the 3% guarantee rate credited to customer accounts. The spread between return earned and amount credited is affected by changes in interest rates.
Indexed Universal Life
In 2011, we began offering IUL insurance. IUL is similar to UL in that it provides life insurance coverage and cash value that increases as a result of credited interest. Also, like UL, there is a minimum guaranteed credited rate of interest. Unlike UL the rate of credited interest above the minimum guarantee is linked to the S&P 500 Index (subject to a cap). At December 31, 2011, we had $7 million in reserves related to the index account of IUL. The equity-linked return to investors creates equity price risk as the amount credited depends on changes in equity prices. To hedge this exposure, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of IUL is used to purchase call spreads which generate returns to replicate what we must credit to client accounts. The estimate of the impact on pretax income for a hypothetical 10% equity market movement as of December 31, 2011 is not material.
Stock Market Certificates
Stock market certificates are purchased for amounts generally from $1,000 to $1 million for terms of 52 weeks which can be extended to a maximum of 20 years. For each term the certificate holder can choose to participate 100% in any percentage increase in the S&P 500 Index up to a maximum return or choose partial participation in any increase in the S&P 500 Index plus a fixed rate of interest guaranteed in advance. If partial participation is selected, the total of equity-linked return and guaranteed rate of interest cannot exceed the maximum return. Reserves for our stock market
certificates are included in customer deposits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2011, we had $737 million in reserves related to stock market certificates.
Equity Price Risk - Stock Market Certificates
As with the equity indexed annuities, the equity-linked return to investors creates equity price risk exposure. We seek to minimize this exposure with purchased futures and call spreads that replicate what we must credit to client accounts. This risk continues to be fully hedged.
Interest Rate Risk - Stock Market Certificates
Stock market certificates have some interest rate risk as changes in interest rates affect the fair value of the payout to be made to the certificate holder. This risk is not currently hedged.
Foreign Currency Risk
We have foreign currency risk through our net investment in foreign subsidiaries and our operations in foreign countries. We are primarily exposed to changes in British Pounds ("GBP") related to our net investment in Threadneedle, which was 450 million GBP at December 31, 2011. Our primary exposure related to operations in foreign countries is to the GBP and the Indian Rupee. We monitor the foreign exchange rates that we have exposure to and enter into foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate risk when economically prudent. At December 31, 2011, the notional value of outstanding contracts and our remaining foreign currency risk related to operations in foreign countries were not material.
Interest Rate Risk on External Debt
The stated interest rate on the $2.0 billion of our senior unsecured notes is fixed and the stated interest rate on the $294 million of junior notes is fixed until June 1, 2016. In 2010, we entered into interest rate swap agreements to effectively convert the fixed interest rate on $1.4 billion of the senior unsecured notes to floating interest rates based on six-month LIBOR. We hedged the debt in part to better align the interest expense on debt with the interest earned on cash equivalents held on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The net interest rate risk of these items is immaterial.
Credit Risk
We are exposed to credit risk within our investment portfolio, including our loan portfolio, and through our derivative and reinsurance activities. Credit risk relates to the uncertainty of an obligor's continued ability to make timely payments in accordance with the contractual terms of the financial instrument or contract. We consider our total potential credit exposure to each counterparty and its affiliates to ensure compliance with pre-established credit guidelines at the time we enter into a transaction which would potentially increase our credit risk. These guidelines and oversight of credit risk are managed through a comprehensive enterprise risk management program that includes members of senior management.
We manage the risk of credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties by applying disciplined fundamental credit analysis and underwriting standards, prudently limiting exposures to lower-quality, higher-yielding investments, and diversifying exposures by issuer, industry, region and underlying investment type. We remain exposed to occasional adverse cyclical economic downturns during which default rates may be significantly higher than the long-term historical average used in pricing.
We manage our credit risk related to over-the-counter derivatives by entering into transactions with creditworthy counterparties, maintaining collateral arrangements and through the use of master netting arrangements that provide for a single net payment to be made by one counterparty to another at each due date and upon termination. Generally, our current credit exposure on over-the-counter derivative contracts is limited to a derivative counterparty's net positive fair value of derivative contracts after taking into consideration the existence of netting arrangements and any collateral received. This exposure is monitored and managed to an acceptable threshold level.
Because exchange-traded futures are effected through regulated exchanges and positions are marked to market and generally cash settled on a daily basis, we have minimal exposure to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to such derivative instruments.
We manage our credit risk related to reinsurance treaties by evaluating the financial condition of reinsurance counterparties prior to entering into new reinsurance treaties. In addition, we regularly evaluate their financial strength during the terms of the treaties. As of December 31, 2011, our largest reinsurance credit risk is related to a long term care coinsurance treaty with life insurance subsidiaries of Genworth Financial, Inc. See Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on reinsurance.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
Consolidated Statements of Operations - Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2011 and 2010
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and
Consolidated Statements of Equity - Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Ameriprise Financial, Inc.:
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and the related consolidated statement of operations, equity, and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company") at December 31, 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2011 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 24, 2012
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. at December 31, 2010, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, in 2010 the Company adopted new accounting guidance related to the consolidation of variable interest entities. Also, in 2009 the Company adopted new accounting guidance related to the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments.
As discussed in Note 24 to the consolidated financial statements, the accompanying 2010 and 2009 financial statements have been retrospectively adjusted to reclassify the assets, liabilities and results of operations of a certain subsidiary as discontinued operations.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 28, 2011, except for Note 24 (Discontinued Operations), as to which the date is February 24, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
(1)Cash and cash equivalents includes cash held for sale. See Note 24 for additional information. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Consolidated Statements of Equity
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Basis of Presentation
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. is a holding company, which primarily conducts business through its subsidiaries to provide financial planning, products and services that are designed to be utilized as solutions for clients' cash and liquidity, asset accumulation, income, protection and estate and wealth transfer needs. The foreign operations of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. are conducted primarily through its subsidiary, Threadneedle Asset Management Holdings Sàrl ("Threadneedle").
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Ameriprise Financial, Inc., companies in which it directly or indirectly has a controlling financial interest and variable interest entities ("VIEs") in which it is the primary beneficiary (collectively, the "Company"). The income or loss generated by consolidated entities which will not be realized by the Company's shareholders is attributed to noncontrolling interests in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Noncontrolling interests are the ownership interests in subsidiaries not attributable, directly or indirectly, to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and are classified as equity within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company excluding noncontrolling interests is defined as "Ameriprise Financial." All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. See Note 2 and Note 4 for additional information related to VIEs.
The results of Securities America Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, "Securities America") have been presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented and the related assets and liabilities have been classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2010. See Note 24 for additional information on discontinued operations, including the sale of Securities America in the fourth quarter of 2011.
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to the current presentation.
The Company evaluated events or transactions that may have occurred after the balance sheet date for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the financial statements were issued.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The Company consolidates entities in which it holds a greater than 50% voting interest, or when certain conditions are met for VIEs and limited partnerships. Entities in which the Company exercises significant influence or holds a greater than 20% but less than 50% voting interest are accounted for under the equity method. All other investments that are not reported at fair value as trading or Available-for-Sale securities are accounted for under the cost method where the Company owns less than a 20% voting interest and does not exercise significant influence.
A VIE is an entity that either has equity investors that lack certain essential characteristics of a controlling financial interest (including substantive voting rights, the obligation to absorb the entity's losses, or the rights to receive the entity's returns) or has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. A VIE is required to be assessed for consolidation under two models:
•If the VIE is a money market fund or is an investment company, or has the financial characteristics of an investment company, and the following is true:
(i)the entity does not have an explicit or implicit obligation to fund the investment company's losses; and
(ii)the investment company is not a securitization entity, asset backed financing entity, or an entity formally considered a qualifying special purpose entity,
then, the VIE will be consolidated by the entity that determines it stands to absorb a majority of the VIE's expected losses or to receive a majority of the VIE's expected residual returns. Examples of entities that are likely to be assessed for consolidation under this framework include hedge funds, property funds, private equity funds and venture capital funds.
•If the VIE does not meet the criteria above, the VIE will be consolidated by the entity that determines it has both:
(i)the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance; and
(ii)the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
When determining whether the Company stands to absorb the majority of a VIE's expected losses or receive a majority of a VIE's expected returns, it analyzes the design of the VIE to identify the variable interests it holds. Then the Company quantitatively determines whether its variable interests will absorb a majority of the VIE's variability. If the Company determines it has control over the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and it will absorb a majority of the VIE's expected variability, the Company consolidates the VIE. The calculation of variability is based on an analysis of projected probability-weighted cash flows based on the design of the particular VIE. When determining whether the Company has the power and the obligation to absorb losses or rights to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant, the Company qualitatively determines if its variable interests meet these criteria. If the Company consolidates a VIE under either scenario, it is referred to as the VIE's primary beneficiary.
The Company consolidates certain limited partnerships that are not VIEs, for which the Company is the general partner and is determined to control the limited partnership. As a general partner, the Company is presumed to control the limited partnership unless the limited partners have the ability to dissolve the partnership or have substantive participating rights.
Foreign Currency Translation
Net assets of foreign subsidiaries, whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar, are translated into U.S. dollars based upon exchange rates prevailing at the end of each year. The resulting translation adjustment, along with any related hedge and tax effects, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the year.
Amounts Based on Estimates and Assumptions
Accounting estimates are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements. In part, they are based upon assumptions concerning future events. Among the more significant are those that relate to investment securities valuation and recognition of other-than-temporary impairments, deferred acquisition costs ("DAC") and the corresponding recognition of DAC amortization, derivative instruments and hedging activities, litigation and claims reserves and income taxes and the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities. These accounting estimates reflect the best judgment of management and actual results could differ.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents include time deposits and other highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less.
Investments
Available-for-Sale Securities
Available-for-Sale securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains (losses) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of impacts to DAC, deferred sales inducement costs ("DSIC"), certain benefit reserves and income taxes. Gains and losses are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations upon disposition of the securities.
Effective January 1, 2009, the Company early adopted an accounting standard that significantly changed the Company's accounting policy regarding the timing and amount of other-than-temporary impairments for Available-for-Sale securities as follows. When the fair value of an investment is less than its amortized cost, the Company assesses whether or not: (i) it has the intent to sell the security (made a decision to sell) or (ii) it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, an other-than-temporary impairment is considered to have occurred and the Company must recognize an other-than-temporary impairment for the difference between the investment's amortized cost basis and its fair value through earnings. For securities that do not meet the above criteria, and the Company does not expect to recover a security's amortized cost basis, the security is also considered other-than-temporarily impaired. For these securities, the Company separates the total impairment into the credit loss component and the amount of the loss related to other factors. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairments related to credit loss is recognized in earnings. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairments related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of impacts to DAC, DSIC, certain benefit reserves and income taxes. For Available-for-Sale securities that have recognized an other-than-temporary impairment through earnings, if through subsequent evaluation there is a sustained increase in the cash flow expected, the difference between the amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected is accreted as interest income. Subsequent increases and decreases in the fair value of Available-for-Sale securities are included in other comprehensive income (loss). The Company's Consolidated Statements of Equity present all changes in other comprehensive income (loss) associated with Available-for-Sale debt securities that have been other-than-temporarily impaired on a separate line from fair value changes recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) from all other securities.
The Company provides a supplemental disclosure on the face of its Consolidated Statements of Operations that presents: (i) total other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized during the period and (ii) the portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). The sum of these amounts represents the credit-related portion of other-than-temporary impairments that were recognized in earnings during the period. The portion of other-than-temporary losses recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) includes: (i) the portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses related to factors other than credit recognized during the period and (ii) reclassifications of other-than-temporary impairment losses previously determined to be related to factors other than credit that are determined to be credit-related in the current period. The amount presented on the Consolidated Statements of Operations as the portion of other-than-temporary losses recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) excludes subsequent increases and decreases in the fair value of these securities.
For all securities that are considered temporarily impaired, the Company does not intend to sell these securities (has not made a decision to sell) and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. The Company believes that it will collect all principal and interest due on all investments that have amortized cost in excess of fair value that are considered only temporarily impaired.
Factors the Company considers in determining whether declines in the fair value of fixed maturity securities are other-than-temporary include: (i) the extent to which the market value is below amortized cost; (ii) the duration of time in which there has been a significant decline in value; (iii) fundamental analysis of the liquidity, business prospects and overall financial condition of the issuer; and (iv) market events that could impact credit ratings, economic and business climate, litigation and government actions, and similar external business factors. In order to determine the amount of the credit loss component for corporate debt securities considered other-than-temporarily impaired, a best estimate of the present value of cash flows expected to be collected discounted at the security's effective interest rate is compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. The significant inputs to cash flow projections consider potential debt restructuring terms, projected cash flows available to pay creditors and the Company's position in the debtor's overall capital structure.
For structured investments (e.g., residential mortgage backed securities, commercial mortgage backed securities and asset backed securities), the Company also considers factors such as overall deal structure and its position within the structure, quality of underlying collateral, delinquencies and defaults, loss severities, recoveries, prepayments and cumulative loss projections in assessing potential other-than-temporary impairments of these investments. Based upon these factors, securities that have indicators of potential other-than-temporary impairment are subject to detailed review by management. Securities for which declines are considered temporary continue to be carefully monitored by management.
Other Investments
Other investments primarily reflect the Company's interests in affordable housing partnerships, trading securities, seed money investments and syndicated loans. Affordable housing partnerships and seed money investments are accounted for under the equity method. Trading securities primarily include common stocks and trading bonds. Trading securities are carried at fair value with unrealized and realized gains (losses) recorded within net investment income.
Financing Receivables
Commercial Mortgage Loans, Syndicated Loans, and Consumer Bank Loans
Commercial mortgage loans are reflected within investments at amortized cost less the allowance for loan losses. Syndicated loans represent the Company's investment in below investment grade loan syndications. Syndicated loans are reflected in investments at amortized cost less the allowance for loan losses.
The Company provides consumer lending through its banking subsidiary, Ameriprise Bank, FSB ("Ameriprise Bank"). The Company's consumer lending products primarily include home equity lines of credit, first mortgage lines of credit, credit cards and other revolving lines of credit. The loans are reflected in receivables at amortized cost less the allowance for loan losses.
Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balances of the loans as earned.
Other Loans
Other loans consist of policy loans and brokerage margin loans. Policy loans include life insurance policy, annuity and investment certificate loans and are reflected within investments at the unpaid principal balance, plus accrued interest. When originated, the loan balances do not exceed the cash surrender value of the underlying products. As there is minimal risk of loss related to policy loans, the Company does not record an allowance for loan losses for policy loans. The Company's broker dealer subsidiaries enter into lending arrangements with clients through the normal course of business, which are primarily based on customer margin levels. These balances are reported at the unpaid principal balance within receivables. The Company monitors the market value of collateral supporting the margin loans and requests additional
collateral when necessary in order to mitigate the risk of loss. As there is minimal risk of loss related to margin loans, the allowance for loan losses is immaterial.
Nonaccrual Loans
Generally, loans are evaluated for or placed on nonaccrual status when either the collection of interest or principal has become 90 days past due or is otherwise considered doubtful of collection. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid accrued interest is reversed. Interest payments received on loans on nonaccrual status are generally applied to principal or in accordance with the loan agreement unless the remaining principal balance has been determined to be fully collectible.
Revolving unsecured consumer lines, including credit card loans, are charged off at 180 days past due. Closed-end consumer loans, other than loans secured by one to four family properties, are charged off at 120 days past due and are generally not placed on nonaccrual status. Loans secured by one to four family properties are charged off when management determines the assets are uncollectible and commences foreclosure proceedings on the property, at which time the property is written down to fair value less selling costs and recorded as real estate owned in other assets. Commercial mortgage loans are evaluated for impairment when the loan is considered for nonaccrual status, restructured or foreclosure proceedings are initiated on the property. If it is determined that the fair value is less than the current loan balance, it is written down to fair value less selling costs. Foreclosed property is recorded as real estate owned in other assets. Syndicated loans are placed on nonaccrual status when management determines it will not collect all contractual principal and interest on the loan.
Allowance for Loan Losses
Management determines the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses by portfolio based on the overall loan portfolio composition, recent and historical loss experience, and other pertinent factors, including when applicable, internal risk ratings, loan-to-value ("LTV") ratios, FICO scores of the borrower, debt service coverage and occupancy rates, along with economic and market conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates, which may be susceptible to significant change.
The Company determines the amount of the allowance required for certain sectors based on management's assessment of relative risk characteristics of the loan portfolio. The allowance is recorded for homogeneous loan categories on a pool basis, based on an analysis of product mix and risk characteristics of the portfolio, including geographic concentration, bankruptcy experiences, and historical losses, adjusted for current trends and market conditions.
While the Company attributes portions of the allowance to specific loan pools as part of the allowance estimation process, the entire allowance is available to absorb losses inherent in the total loan portfolio. The allowance is increased through provisions charged to net investment income and reduced/increased by net charge-offs/recoveries.
Impaired Loans
The Company considers a loan to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due (both interest and principal) according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans may also include loans that have been modified in troubled debt restructurings as a concession to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties. Management evaluates for impairment all restructured loans and loans with higher impairment risk factors. The impairment recognized is measured as the excess of the loan's recorded investment over: (i) the present value of its expected principal and interest payments discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, (ii) the fair value of collateral or (iii) the loan's observable market price.
Restructured Loans
A loan is classified as a restructured loan when the Company makes certain concessionary modifications to contractual terms for borrowers experiencing financial difficulties. When the interest rate, minimum payments, and/or due dates have been modified in an attempt to make the loan more affordable to a borrower experiencing financial difficulties, the modification is considered a troubled debt restructuring. Generally, performance prior to the restructuring or significant events that coincide with the restructuring are considered in assessing whether the borrower can meet the new terms which may result in the loan being returned to accrual status at the time of the restructuring or after a performance period. If the borrower's ability to meet the revised payment schedule is not reasonably assured, the loan remains on nonaccrual status.
Separate Account Assets and Liabilities
Separate account assets and liabilities are primarily funds held for the exclusive benefit of variable annuity contractholders and variable life insurance policyholders, who assume the related investment risk. Income and losses on separate account assets accrue directly to the contractholder or policyholder and are not reported in the Company's Consolidated
Statements of Operations. Separate account assets are recorded at fair value. Changes in the fair value of separate account assets are offset by changes in the related separate account liabilities. The Company receives investment management fees, mortality and expense risk fees, guarantee fees and cost of insurance charges from the related accounts.
Included in separate account liabilities are investment liabilities of Threadneedle which represent the value of the units in issue of the pooled pension funds that are offered by Threadneedle's subsidiary, Threadneedle Pensions Limited.
Restricted and Segregated Cash and Investments
Total restricted cash at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $79 million and $110 million, respectively, which cannot be utilized for operations. The Company's restricted cash at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was primarily cash held by Threadneedle for the benefit of customers and cash that has been pledged to counterparties. At both December 31, 2011 and 2010, amounts segregated under federal and other regulations were $1.7 billion, segregated in special reserve bank accounts for the exclusive benefit of the Company's brokerage customers.
Land, Buildings, Equipment and Software
Land, buildings, equipment and internally developed or purchased software are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation or amortization and are reflected within other assets. The Company generally uses the straight-line method of depreciation and amortization over periods ranging from three to 30 years. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, land, buildings, equipment and software were $774 million and $693 million, respectively, net of accumulated depreciation of $1.1 billion at both periods. Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $143 million, $160 million and $176 million, respectively.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the amount of an acquired company's acquisition cost in excess of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually on the measurement date of July 1 and whenever events and circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred, such as a significant adverse change in the business climate or a decision to sell or dispose of a reporting unit. In determining whether impairment has occurred, the Company uses the discounted cash flow method, a variation of the income approach.
Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives unless they are deemed to have indefinite useful lives. The Company evaluates the definite lived intangible assets remaining useful lives annually and tests for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred, such as a significant adverse change in the business climate. For definite lived intangible assets subject to amortization, impairment to fair value is recognized if the carrying amount is not recoverable. Indefinite lived intangibles are also tested for impairment annually or whenever circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred. Impairment is recognized by the amount carrying value exceeds fair value.
Goodwill and other intangible assets are reflected in other assets.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Freestanding derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and are reflected in other assets or other liabilities. The Company's policy is to not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivatives and collateral arrangements executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting arrangement. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on its intended use and the resulting hedge designation, if any. The Company primarily uses derivatives as economic hedges that are not designated as accounting hedges or do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. The Company occasionally designates derivatives as (i) hedges of changes in the fair value of assets, liabilities, or firm commitments ("fair value hedges"), (ii) hedges of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability ("cash flow hedges"), or (iii) hedges of foreign currency exposures of net investments in foreign operations ("net investment hedges in foreign operations").
Derivative instruments that are entered into for hedging purposes are designated as such at the time the Company enters into the contract. For all derivative instruments that are designated for hedging activities, the Company formally documents all of the hedging relationships between the hedge instruments and the hedged items at the inception of the relationships. Management also formally documents its risk management objectives and strategies for entering into the hedge transactions. The Company formally assesses, at inception and on a quarterly basis, whether derivatives designated as hedges are highly effective in offsetting the fair value or cash flows of hedged items. If it is determined that a derivative is no longer highly effective as a hedge, the Company will discontinue the application of hedge accounting.
For derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting or are not designated as accounting hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in current period earnings. Changes in fair value of derivatives are presented in the Consolidated
Statements of Operations based on the nature and use of the instrument. Changes in fair value of derivatives used as economic hedges are presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations with the corresponding change in the hedged asset or liability.
For derivative instruments that qualify as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivatives, as well as changes in the fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments, are recognized on a net basis in current period earnings. The carrying value of the hedged item is adjusted for the change in fair value from the designated hedged risk. If a fair value hedge designation is removed or the hedge is terminated prior to maturity, previous adjustments to the carrying value of the hedged item are recognized into earnings over the remaining life of the hedged item.
For derivative instruments that qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instruments is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings when the hedged item or transaction impacts earnings. The amount that is reclassified into earnings is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations with the hedged instrument or transaction impact. Any ineffective portion of the gain or loss is reported in current period earnings as a component of net investment income. If a hedge designation is removed or a hedge is terminated prior to maturity, the amount previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is reclassified to earnings over the period that the hedged item impacts earnings. For hedge relationships that are discontinued because the forecasted transaction is not expected to occur according to the original strategy, any related amounts previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are recognized in earnings immediately.
For derivative instruments that qualify as net investment hedges in foreign operations, the effective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as part of the foreign currency translation adjustment. Any ineffective portion of the net investment hedges in foreign operations is recognized in net investment income during the period of change.
See Note 14 for information regarding the Company's fair value measurement of derivative instruments and Note 15 for the impact of derivatives on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The equity component of equity indexed annuity ("EIA"), indexed universal life ("IUL") and stock market certificate obligations are considered embedded derivatives. Additionally, certain annuities contain guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit ("GMAB") and guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit ("GMWB") provisions. The GMAB and the non-life contingent benefits associated with GMWB provisions are also considered embedded derivatives. The fair value of embedded derivatives associated with annuities and IUL is included in future policy benefits and claims, whereas the fair value of stock market certificate embedded derivatives is included in customer deposits. The changes in the fair value of the EIA and IUL embedded derivatives are reflected in interest credited to fixed accounts. The changes in the fair value of the stock market certificate embedded derivatives are included in banking and deposit interest expense. The changes in the fair value of the GMAB and GMWB embedded derivatives are reflected in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses.
Deferred Acquisition Costs
DAC represent the costs of acquiring new business, principally direct sales commissions and other distribution and underwriting costs that have been deferred on the sale of annuity and insurance products and, to a lesser extent, certain mutual fund products. These costs are deferred to the extent they are recoverable from future profits or premiums. The DAC associated with insurance or annuity contracts that are significantly modified or internally replaced with another contract are accounted for as contract terminations. These transactions are anticipated in establishing amortization periods and other valuation assumptions.
Direct sales commissions and other costs deferred as DAC are amortized over time. For annuity and universal life ("UL") contracts, DAC are amortized based on projections of estimated gross profits over amortization periods equal to the approximate life of the business. For other insurance products, DAC are generally amortized as a percentage of premiums over amortization periods equal to the premium-paying period. For certain mutual fund products, DAC are generally amortized over fixed periods on a straight-line basis adjusted for redemptions.
For annuity and UL insurance products, the assumptions made in projecting future results and calculating the DAC balance and DAC amortization expense are management's best estimates. Management is required to update these assumptions whenever it appears that, based on actual experience or other evidence, earlier estimates should be revised. When assumptions are changed, the percentage of estimated gross profits used to amortize DAC might also change. A change in the required amortization percentage is applied retrospectively; an increase in amortization percentage will result in a decrease in the DAC balance and an increase in DAC amortization expense, while a decrease in amortization percentage will result in an increase in the DAC balance and a decrease in DAC amortization expense. The impact on results of operations of changing assumptions can be either positive or negative in any particular period and is reflected in the period in which such changes are made.
For other life and health insurance products, the assumptions made in calculating the DAC balance and DAC amortization expense are consistent with those used in determining the liabilities and, therefore, are intended to provide for adverse deviations in experience and are revised only if management concludes experience will be so adverse that DAC are not recoverable. If management concludes that DAC are not recoverable, DAC are reduced to the amount that is recoverable based on best estimate assumptions and there is a corresponding expense recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
For annuity, life and health insurance products, key assumptions underlying those long-term projections include interest rates (both earning rates on invested assets and rates credited to contractholder and policyholder accounts), equity market performance, mortality and morbidity rates and the rates at which policyholders are expected to surrender their contracts, make withdrawals from their contracts and make additional deposits to their contracts. Assumptions about earned and credited interest rates are the primary factors used to project interest margins, while assumptions about equity and bond market performance are the primary factors used to project client asset value growth rates, and assumptions about surrenders, withdrawals and deposits comprise projected persistency rates. Management must also make assumptions to project maintenance expenses associated with servicing the Company's annuity and insurance businesses during the DAC amortization period.
The client asset value growth rates are the rates at which variable annuity and variable universal life ("VUL") insurance contract values invested in separate accounts are assumed to appreciate in the future. The rates used vary by equity and fixed income investments. Management reviews and, where appropriate, adjusts its assumptions with respect to client asset value growth rates on a regular basis. The Company typically uses a five-year mean reversion process as a guideline in setting near-term equity fund growth rates based on a long-term view of financial market performance as well as recent actual performance. The suggested near-term equity fund growth rate is reviewed quarterly to ensure consistency with management's assessment of anticipated equity market performance. DAC amortization expense recorded in a period when client asset value growth rates exceed management's near-term estimate will typically be less than in a period when growth rates fall short of management's near-term estimate.
The Company monitors other principal DAC amortization assumptions, such as persistency, mortality, morbidity, interest margin and maintenance expense levels each quarter and, when assessed independently, each could impact the Company's DAC balances.
The analysis of DAC balances and the corresponding amortization is a dynamic process that considers all relevant factors and assumptions described previously. Unless the Company's management identifies a significant deviation over the course of the quarterly monitoring, management reviews and updates these DAC amortization assumptions annually in the third quarter of each year.
Deferred Sales Inducement Costs
DSIC consist of bonus interest credits and premium credits added to certain annuity contract and insurance policy values. These benefits are capitalized to the extent they are incremental to amounts that would be credited on similar contracts without the applicable feature. The amounts capitalized are amortized using the same methodology and assumptions used to amortize DAC. DSIC is recorded in other assets, and amortization of DSIC is recorded in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses.
Reinsurance
The Company cedes significant amounts of insurance risk to other insurers under reinsurance agreements. Reinsurance premiums paid and benefits received are accounted for consistently with the basis used in accounting for the policies from which risk is reinsured and consistently with the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Reinsurance premiums for traditional life, long term care ("LTC"), disability income ("DI") and auto and home ceded on a coinsurance basis, net of the change in any prepaid reinsurance asset, are reported as a reduction of premiums. Fixed and variable universal life reinsurance premiums are reported as a reduction of other revenues. In addition, for fixed and variable universal life insurance policies, the net cost of reinsurance ceded, which represents the discounted amount of the expected cash flows between the reinsurer and the Company, is recognized as an asset and amortized over the term of the reinsurance contract, in proportion to the estimated gross profits and is subject to retrospective adjustment in a manner similar to retrospective adjustment of DAC. The assumptions used to project the expected cash flows are consistent with those used for DAC asset valuation for the same contracts. Changes in the net cost of reinsurance are reflected as a component of other revenues. Reinsurance recoveries are reported as components of benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses.
Insurance liabilities are reported before the effects of reinsurance. Future policy benefits and claims recoverable under reinsurance contracts are recorded within receivables.
The Company also assumes life insurance and fixed annuity business from other insurers in limited circumstances. Reinsurance premiums received and benefits paid are accounted for consistently with the basis used in accounting for the policies from which risk is reinsured and consistently with the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Liabilities for assumed business are recorded within future policy benefits and claims.
See Note 7 for additional information on reinsurance.
Future Policy Benefits and Claims
Fixed Annuities and Variable Annuity Guarantees
Future policy benefits and claims related to fixed annuities and variable annuity guarantees include liabilities for fixed account values on fixed and variable deferred annuities, guaranteed benefits associated with variable annuities, equity indexed annuities and fixed annuities in a payout status.
Liabilities for fixed account values on fixed and variable deferred annuities are equal to accumulation values, which are the cumulative gross deposits and credited interest less withdrawals and various charges.
The majority of the variable annuity contracts offered by the Company contain guaranteed minimum death benefit ("GMDB") provisions. When market values of the customer's accounts decline, the death benefit payable on a contract with a GMDB may exceed the contract accumulation value. The Company also offers variable annuities with death benefit provisions that gross up the amount payable by a certain percentage of contract earnings, which are referred to as gain gross-up ("GGU") benefits. In addition, the Company offers contracts containing GMWB and GMAB provisions, and until May 2007, the Company offered contracts containing guaranteed minimum income benefit ("GMIB") provisions.
In determining the liabilities for GMDB, GMIB and the life contingent benefits associated with GMWB, the Company projects these benefits and contract assessments using actuarial models to simulate various equity market scenarios. Significant assumptions made in projecting future benefits and assessments relate to customer asset value growth rates, mortality, persistency and investment margins and are consistent with those used for DAC asset valuation for the same contracts. As with DAC, management reviews and, where appropriate, adjusts its assumptions each quarter. Unless management identifies a material deviation over the course of quarterly monitoring, management reviews and updates these assumptions annually in the third quarter of each year.
The GMDB liability is determined by estimating the expected value of death benefits in excess of the projected contract accumulation value and recognizing the excess over the estimated meaningful life based on expected assessments (e.g., mortality and expense fees, contractual administrative charges and similar fees).
If elected by the contract owner and after a stipulated waiting period from contract issuance, a GMIB guarantees a minimum lifetime annuity based on a specified rate of contract accumulation value growth and predetermined annuity purchase rates. The GMIB liability is determined each period by estimating the expected value of annuitization benefits in excess of the projected contract accumulation value at the date of annuitization and recognizing the excess over the estimated meaningful life based on expected assessments.
The embedded derivatives related to GMAB and the non-life contingent benefits associated with GMWB provisions are recorded at fair value. See Note 14 for information regarding the fair value measurement of embedded derivatives. The liability for the life contingent benefits associated with GMWB provisions is determined in the same way as the GMDB liability. Significant assumptions made in projecting future benefits and fees relate to persistency and benefit utilization. As with DAC, management reviews, and where appropriate, adjusts its assumptions each quarter. Unless management identifies a material deviation over the course of quarterly monitoring, management reviews and updates these assumptions annually in the third quarter of each year. The changes in both the fair values of the GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives and the liability for life contingent benefits are reflected in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses.
Liabilities for equity indexed annuities are equal to the accumulation of host contract values covering guaranteed benefits and the fair value of embedded equity options.
Liabilities for fixed annuities in a benefit or payout status are based on future estimated payments using established industry mortality tables and interest rates.
Life and Health Insurance
Future policy benefits and claims related to life and health insurance include liabilities for fixed account values on fixed and variable universal life policies, liabilities for indexed accounts of IUL products, liabilities for unpaid amounts on reported claims, estimates of benefits payable on claims incurred but not yet reported and estimates of benefits that will become payable on term life, whole life and health insurance policies as claims are incurred in the future.
Liabilities for fixed account values on fixed and variable universal life insurance are equal to accumulation values. Accumulation values are the cumulative gross deposits and credited interest less various contractual expense and mortality charges and less amounts withdrawn by policyholders.
Liabilities for indexed accounts of IUL products are equal to the accumulation of host contract values covering guaranteed benefits and the fair value of embedded equity options.
A portion of the Company's fixed and variable universal life contracts have product features that result in profits followed by losses from the insurance component of the contract. These profits followed by losses can be generated by the cost structure of the product or secondary guarantees in the contract. The secondary guarantee ensures that, subject to specified conditions, the policy will not terminate and will continue to provide a death benefit even if there is insufficient policy value to cover the monthly deductions and charges.
In determining the liability for contracts with profits followed by losses, the Company projects benefits and contract assessments using actuarial models. Significant assumptions made in projecting future benefits and assessments relate to customer asset value growth rates, mortality, persistency and investment margins and are consistent with those used for DAC asset valuation for the same contracts. As with DAC, management reviews, and where appropriate, adjusts its assumptions each quarter. Unless management identifies a material deviation over the course of quarterly monitoring, management reviews and updates these assumptions annually in the third quarter of each year.
The liability for these future losses is determined by estimating the death benefits in excess of account value and recognizing the excess over the estimated meaningful life based on expected assessments (e.g. cost of insurance charges, contractual administrative charges, similar fees and investment margin). See Note 10 for information regarding the liability for contracts with secondary guarantees.
Liabilities for unpaid amounts on reported life insurance claims are equal to the death benefits payable under the policies. Liabilities for unpaid amounts on reported health insurance claims include any periodic or other benefit amounts due and accrued, along with estimates of the present value of obligations for continuing benefit payments. These amounts are calculated based on claim continuance tables which estimate the likelihood an individual will continue to be eligible for benefits. Present values are calculated at interest rates established when claims are incurred. Anticipated claim continuance rates are based on established industry tables, adjusted as appropriate for the Company's experience.
Liabilities for estimated benefits payable on claims that have been incurred but not yet reported are based on periodic analysis of the actual time lag between when a claim occurs and when it is reported.
Liabilities for estimates of benefits that will become payable on future claims on term life, whole life and health insurance policies are based on the net level premium method, using anticipated premium payments, mortality and morbidity rates, policy persistency and interest rates earned on assets supporting the liability. Anticipated mortality and morbidity rates are based on established industry mortality and morbidity tables, with modifications based on the Company's experience. Anticipated premium payments and persistency rates vary by policy form, issue age, policy duration and certain other pricing factors.
Where applicable, benefit amounts expected to be recoverable from reinsurance companies who share in the risk are separately recorded as reinsurance recoverable within receivables.
Auto and Home Reserves
Auto and home reserves include amounts determined from loss reports on individual claims, as well as amounts based on historical loss experience for losses incurred but not yet reported. Such liabilities are necessarily based on estimates and, while management believes that the reserve amounts were adequate at December 31, 2011 and 2010, the ultimate liability may be in excess of or less than the amounts provided. The Company's methods for making such estimates and for establishing the resulting liabilities are continually reviewed, and any adjustments are reflected in earnings in the period such adjustments are made.
Share-Based Compensation
The Company measures and recognizes the cost of share-based awards granted to employees and directors based on the grant-date fair value of the award and recognizes the expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The fair value of each option is estimated on the grant date using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company recognizes the cost of share-based awards granted to independent contractors on a fair value basis until the award is fully vested.
Income Taxes
The Company's provision for income taxes represents the net amount of income taxes that the Company expects to pay or to receive from various taxing jurisdictions in connection with its operations. The Company provides for income taxes based on amounts that the Company believes it will ultimately owe taking into account the recognition and measurement for
uncertain tax positions. Inherent in the provision for income taxes are estimates and judgments regarding the tax treatment of certain items.
In connection with the provision for income taxes, the Consolidated Financial Statements reflect certain amounts related to deferred tax assets and liabilities, which result from temporary differences between the assets and liabilities measured for financial statement purposes versus the assets and liabilities measured for tax return purposes. Included in deferred tax assets are significant capital losses that have been recognized for financial statement purposes but not yet for tax return purposes as well as future deductible capital losses realized for tax return purposes. Under current U.S. federal income tax law, capital losses generally must be used against capital gain income within five years of the year in which the capital losses are recognized for tax purposes.
The Company is required to establish a valuation allowance for any portion of its deferred tax assets that management believes will not be realized. Significant judgment is required in determining if a valuation allowance should be established and the amount of such allowance if required. Factors used in making this determination include estimates relating to the performance of the business including the ability to generate capital gains. Consideration is given to, among other things in making this determination: (i) future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards; (ii) future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences; (iii) taxable income in prior carryback years; and (iv) tax planning strategies. Management may need to identify and implement appropriate planning strategies to ensure its ability to realize deferred tax assets and avoid the establishment of a valuation allowance with respect to such assets. In the opinion of management, it is currently more likely than not that the Company will not realize the full benefit of certain state net operating losses and therefore a valuation allowance of $5 million has been established as of December 31, 2011.
Sources of Revenue
The Company generates revenue from a wide range of investment and insurance products. Principal sources of revenue include management and financial advice fees, distribution fees, net investment income and premiums.
Management and Financial Advice Fees
Management and financial advice fees relate primarily to fees earned from managing mutual funds, separate account and wrap account assets and institutional investments, as well as fees earned from providing financial advice and administrative services (including transfer agent, administration and custodial fees earned from providing services to retail mutual funds). Management and financial advice fees also include mortality and expense risk fees earned on separate account assets.
The Company's management fees are generally accrued daily and collected monthly. A significant portion of the Company's management fees are calculated as a percentage of the fair value of its managed assets. The substantial majority of the Company's managed assets are valued by third party pricing services vendors based upon observable market data. The selection of the Company's third party pricing services vendors and the reliability of their prices are subject to certain governance procedures, such as exception reporting, subsequent transaction testing, and annual due diligence of our vendors, which includes assessing the vendor's valuation qualifications, control environment, analysis of asset-class specific valuation methodologies and understanding of sources of market observable assumptions.
Several of the Company's mutual funds had a performance incentive adjustment ("PIA"). The PIA increased or decreased the level of management fees received based on the specific fund's relative performance as measured against a designated external index. We discontinued the PIA earned by the Company's domestic mutual funds during 2011. The Company recognized PIA revenue monthly on a 12 month rolling performance basis. The Company may also receive performance-based incentive fees from hedge funds or other structured investments that it manages. The annual performance fees for structured investments are recognized as revenue at the time the performance fee is finalized or no longer subject to adjustment. All other performance fees are based on a full contract year and are final at the end of the contract year. Any performance fees received are not subject to repayment or any other clawback provisions. Employee benefit plan and institutional investment management and administration services fees are negotiated and are also generally based on underlying asset values. Fees from financial planning and advice services are recognized when the financial plan is delivered.
Distribution Fees
Distribution fees primarily include point-of-sale fees (such as mutual fund front-end sales loads) and asset-based fees (such as 12b-1 distribution and shareholder service fees) that are generally based on a contractual percentage of assets and recognized when earned. Distribution fees also include amounts received under marketing support arrangements for sales of mutual funds and other companies' products, such as through the Company's wrap accounts, as well as surrender charges on fixed and variable universal life insurance and annuities.
Net Investment Income
Net investment income primarily includes interest income on fixed maturity securities classified as Available-for-Sale, commercial mortgage loans, policy loans, consumer loans, other investments and cash and cash equivalents; the changes in fair value of trading securities, certain derivatives and certain assets and liabilities of consolidated investment entities; the pro rata share of net income or loss on equity method investments; and realized gains and losses on the sale of securities and charges for other-than-temporary impairments of investments related to credit losses. Interest income is accrued as earned using the effective interest method, which makes an adjustment of the yield for security premiums and discounts on all performing fixed maturity securities classified as Available-for-Sale so that the related security or loan recognizes a constant rate of return on the outstanding balance throughout its term. Realized gains and losses on securities, other than trading securities and equity method investments, are recognized using the specific identification method on a trade date basis.
Premiums
Premiums include premiums on property-casualty insurance, traditional life and health (DI and LTC) insurance and immediate annuities with a life contingent feature. Premiums on auto and home insurance are net of reinsurance premiums and are recognized ratably over the coverage period. Premiums on traditional life and health insurance are net of reinsurance ceded and are recognized as revenue when due.
3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
Receivables
In April 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") updated the accounting standards for troubled debt restructurings. The new standard includes indicators that a lender should consider in determining whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and provides clarification for determining whether the lender has granted a concession to the borrower. The standard sets the effective dates for troubled debt restructuring disclosures required by recent guidance on credit quality disclosures. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and is to be applied retrospectively to modifications occurring on or after the beginning of the annual period of adoption. For purposes of measuring impairments of receivables that are considered impaired as a result of applying the new guidance, the standard should be applied prospectively for the interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011. The Company adopted the standard in the third quarter of 2011. The adoption did not have any effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations and financial condition. See Note 6 for the required disclosures.
Fair Value
In January 2010, the FASB updated the accounting standards related to disclosures on fair value measurements. The standard expands the current disclosure requirements to include additional detail about significant transfers between Levels 1 and 2 within the fair value hierarchy and presents activity in the rollforward of Level 3 activity on a gross basis. The standard also clarifies existing disclosure requirements related to the level of disaggregation to be used for assets and liabilities as well as disclosures on the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosure requirements related to the Level 3 rollforward, which are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010. The Company adopted the standard in the first quarter of 2010, except for the additional disclosures related to the Level 3 rollforward, which the Company adopted in the first quarter of 2011. The adoption did not have any effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations and financial condition. See Note 4 and Note 14 for the required disclosures.
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities
In June 2009, the FASB updated the accounting standards related to the consolidation of VIEs. The standard amends the guidance on the determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE from a quantitative model to a qualitative model and requires additional disclosures about an enterprise's involvement in VIEs. Under the new qualitative model, the primary beneficiary must have both the power to direct the activities of the VIE and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive gains that could be potentially significant to the VIE. In February 2010, the FASB amended this guidance to defer application of the consolidation requirements for certain investment funds. The standards are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company adopted the standards effective January 1, 2010 and as a result consolidated certain collateralized debt obligations ("CDOs"). At adoption, the Company recorded a $5.5 billion increase to assets and a $5.1 billion increase to liabilities. The difference between the fair value of the assets and liabilities of the CDOs was recorded as a cumulative effect increase of $473 million to appropriated retained earnings of consolidated investment entities. Such amounts are recorded as appropriated retained earnings as the CDO note
holders, not Ameriprise Financial, ultimately will receive the benefits or absorb the losses associated with the assets and liabilities of the CDOs. Subsequent to the adoption, the net change in fair value of the assets and liabilities of the CDOs will be recorded as net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and as an adjustment to appropriated retained earnings of consolidated investment entities. See Note 4 for additional information related to the application of the amended VIE consolidation model and the required disclosures.
Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments ("OTTI")
In April 2009, the FASB updated the accounting standards for the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments. The standard amends existing guidance on other-than-temporary impairments for debt securities and requires that the credit portion of other-than-temporary impairments be recorded in earnings and the noncredit portion of losses be recorded in other comprehensive income when the entity does not intend to sell the security and it is more likely than not that the entity will not be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its cost basis. The standard requires separate presentation of both the credit and noncredit portions of other-than-temporary impairments on the financial statements and additional disclosures. This standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. At the date of adoption, the portion of previously recognized other-than-temporary impairments that represent the noncredit related loss component shall be recognized as a cumulative effect of adoption with an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income. The Company adopted the standard in the first quarter of 2009 and recorded a cumulative effect increase to the opening balance of retained earnings of $132 million, net of DAC and DSIC amortization, certain benefit reserves and income taxes, and a corresponding increase to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of impacts to DAC and DSIC amortization, certain benefit reserves and income taxes. See Note 5 for the required disclosures.
Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards
Balance Sheet
In December 2011, the FASB updated the accounting standards to require new disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities. The standard requires an entity to disclose both gross and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 on a retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
Comprehensive Income
In June 2011, the FASB updated the accounting standards related to the presentation of comprehensive income. The standard requires entities to present all nonowner changes in stockholders' equity either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The amendments do not affect how earnings per share is calculated or presented. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The standard is to be applied retrospectively. The adoption of the standard will not impact the Company's consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
Fair Value
In May 2011, the FASB updated the accounting standards related to fair value measurement and disclosure requirements. The standard requires entities, for assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the statement of financial position which are Level 3 fair value measurements, to disclose quantitative information about unobservable inputs and assumptions used in the measurements, a description of the valuation processes in place, and a qualitative discussion about the sensitivity of the measurements to changes in unobservable inputs and interrelationships between those inputs if a change in those inputs would result in a significantly different fair value measurement. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy for each class of assets and liabilities not measured at fair value in the statement of financial position but for which the fair value is disclosed. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The adoption of the standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
Transfers and Servicing: Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements
In April 2011, the FASB updated the accounting standards related to accounting for repurchase agreements and other similar agreements. The standard modifies the criteria for determining when these transactions would be accounted for as secured borrowings as opposed to sales. The standard is effective prospectively for new transfers and existing transactions that are modified in the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The adoption of the standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts
In October 2010, the FASB updated the accounting standards for DAC. Under this new standard, only the following costs incurred in the acquisition of new and renewal insurance contracts would be capitalizable as DAC: (i) incremental direct costs of a successful contract acquisition, (ii) portions of employees' salaries and benefits directly related to time spent performing specified acquisition activities (that is, underwriting, policy issuance and processing, medical and inspection, and sales force contract selling) for a contract that has actually been acquired, (iii) other costs related to the specified acquisition activities that would not have been incurred had the acquisition contract not occurred, and (iv) advertising costs that meet the capitalization criteria in other GAAP guidance for certain direct-response marketing. All other costs are to be expensed as incurred. The Company retrospectively adopted the standard on January 1, 2012. The cumulative effect of the adoption reduced retained earnings by $1.4 billion after-tax at January 1, 2012.
4. Consolidated Investment Entities
The Company provides asset management services to various CDOs and other investment products (collectively, "investment entities"), which are sponsored by the Company for the investment of client assets in the normal course of business. Certain of these investment entities are considered to be VIEs while others are considered to be voting rights entities ("VREs"). The Company consolidates certain of these investment entities.
The CDOs managed by the Company are considered VIEs. These CDOs are asset backed financing entities collateralized by a pool of assets, primarily syndicated loans and, to a lesser extent, high-yield bonds. Multiple tranches of debt securities are issued by a CDO, offering investors various maturity and credit risk characteristics. The debt securities issued by the CDOs are non-recourse to the Company. The CDO's debt holders have recourse only to the assets of the CDO. The assets of the CDOs cannot be used by the Company. Scheduled debt payments are based on the performance of the CDO's collateral pool. The Company generally earns management fees from the CDOs based on the par value of outstanding debt and, in certain instances, may also receive performance-based fees. In the normal course of business, the Company has invested in certain CDOs, generally an insignificant portion of the unrated, junior subordinated debt.
For certain of the CDOs, the Company has determined that consolidation is required as it has power over the CDOs and holds a variable interest in the CDOs for which the Company has the potential to receive significant benefits or the potential obligation to absorb significant losses. For other CDOs managed by the Company, the Company has determined that consolidation is not required as the Company does not hold a variable interest in the CDOs.
The Company provides investment advice and related services to private, pooled investment vehicles organized as limited partnerships, limited liability companies or foreign (non-U.S.) entities. Certain of these pooled investment vehicles are considered VIEs while others are VREs. For investment management services, the Company generally earns management fees based on the market value of assets under management, and in certain instances may also receive performance-based fees. The Company provides seed money occasionally to certain of these funds. For certain of the pooled investment vehicles, the Company has determined that consolidation is required as the Company stands to absorb a majority of the entity's expected losses or receive a majority of the entity's expected residual returns. For other VIE pooled investment vehicles, the Company has determined that consolidation is not required because the Company is not expected to absorb the majority of the expected losses or receive the majority of the expected residual returns. For the pooled investment vehicles which are VREs, the Company consolidates the structure when it has a controlling financial interest.
The Company also provides investment advisory, distribution and other services to the Columbia and Threadneedle mutual fund families. The Company has determined that consolidation is not required for these mutual funds.
In addition, the Company may invest in structured investments including VIEs for which it is not the sponsor. These structured investments typically invest in fixed income instruments and are managed by third parties and include asset backed securities, commercial mortgage backed securities, and residential mortgage backed securities. The Company includes these investments in Available-for-Sale securities. The Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of these structures due to its relative size, position in the capital structure of these entities, and the Company's lack of power over the structures. The Company's maximum exposure to loss as a result of its investment in structured investments that it does not consolidate is limited to its carrying value. The Company has no obligation to provide further financial or other support to these structured investments nor has the Company provided any support to these structured investments. See Note 5 for additional information about these structured investments.
The following tables present the balances of assets and liabilities held by consolidated investment entities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
The following tables provide a summary of changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities held by consolidated investment entities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
(1)Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2)Included in other revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(3)Represents a $20 million gain included in other revenues and a $1 million loss included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(1)Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2)Represents a $69 million gain included in other revenues and a $2 million loss included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(3)Represents a $42 million gain included in other revenues and a $2 million loss included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Securities transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 represent securities with fair values that are now based on a single non-binding broker quote. Securities transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 represent securities with fair values that are now obtained from a third party pricing service with observable inputs.
The Company has elected the fair value option for the financial assets and liabilities of the consolidated CDOs. Management believes that the use of the fair value option better matches the changes in fair value of assets and liabilities related to the CDOs.
For receivables, certain other assets and other liabilities of the consolidated CDOs, the carrying value approximates fair value as the nature of these assets and liabilities has historically been short term and the receivables have been collectible. The fair value of these assets and liabilities is classified as Level 2. Other liabilities consist primarily of securities purchased but not yet settled held by consolidated CDOs. The fair value of syndicated loans obtained from third party pricing services with multiple non-binding broker quotes as the underlying valuation source is classified as Level 2. The fair value of syndicated loans obtained from third party pricing services with a single non-binding broker quote as the underlying valuation source is classified as Level 3. Prices received from third party pricing services are subjected to exception reporting that identifies loans with significant daily price movements as well as no movements. The Company reviews the exception reporting and resolves the exceptions through reaffirmation of the price or recording an appropriate fair value estimate. The Company also performs subsequent transaction testing. The Company performs annual due diligence of the third party pricing services. The Company's due diligence procedures include assessing the vendor's valuation qualifications, control environment, analysis of asset-class specific valuation methodologies, and understanding of sources of market observable assumptions and unobservable assumptions, if any, employed in the valuation methodology. The Company also considers the results of its exception reporting controls and any resulting price challenges that arise. Other assets consist primarily of properties held in consolidated pooled investment vehicles managed by Threadneedle. The fair value of these properties is determined using discounted cash flows and is calculated by a third party appraisal service. Inputs into the valuation of these properties include: rental cash flows, current occupancy, historical vacancy rates, tenant history and assumptions regarding how quickly the property can be occupied and at what rental rates. The Company also utilizes market comparables obtained from a third party appraisal service in developing its fair value assumptions. Management reviews the discounted cash flows and assumptions to ensure that the valuation was performed in accordance with applicable independence, appraisal and valuation standards. Given the significance of the unobservable inputs to these measurements, these assets are classified as Level 3. The fair value of the CDO's debt is valued using a discounted cash flow methodology. Inputs used to determine the expected cash flows include assumptions about default and recovery rates of the CDO's underlying assets. Given the significance of the unobservable inputs to this fair value measurement, the CDO debt is classified as Level 3. See also Note 14 for a description of the Company's determination of the fair value of other investments.
The following table presents the fair value and unpaid principal balance of loans and debt for which the fair value option has been elected:
Interest income from syndicated loans, bonds and structured investments is recorded based on contractual rates in net investment income. Gains and losses related to changes in the fair value of investments and gains and losses on sales of investments are recorded in net investment income. Interest expense on debt is recorded in interest and debt expense with gains and losses related to changes in the fair value of debt recorded in net investment income.
Total net gains (losses) recognized in net investment income related to changes in the fair value of financial assets and liabilities for which the fair value option was elected were $(122) million and $58 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The majority of the syndicated loans and debt have floating rates; as such, changes in their fair values are primarily attributable to changes in credit spreads.
Debt of the consolidated investment entities and the stated interest rates were as follows:
The debt of the consolidated CDOs has both fixed and floating interest rates, which range from 0% to 13.2%. The interest rates on the debt of consolidated investment entities are weighted average rates based on the outstanding principal and contractual interest rates. The carrying value of the debt of the consolidated CDOs represents the fair value of the aggregate debt as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. The carrying value of the floating rate revolving credit borrowings represents the outstanding principal amount of debt of certain consolidated pooled investment vehicles managed by Threadneedle. The fair value of this debt was $466 million and $364 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The consolidated pooled investment vehicles have entered into interest rate swaps and collars to manage the interest rate exposure on the floating rate revolving credit borrowings. The overall effective interest rate reflecting the impact of the derivative contracts was 5.0% and 5.5% as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
At December 31, 2011, future maturities of debt were as follows:
5. Investments
The following is a summary of Ameriprise Financial investments:
The following is a summary of net investment income:
Available-for-Sale securities distributed by type were as follows:
(1)Represents the amount of other-than-temporary impairment losses in accumulated other comprehensive income. Amount includes unrealized gains and losses on impaired securities subsequent to the initial impairment measurement date. These amounts are included in gross unrealized gains and losses as of the end of the period.
At both December 31, 2011 and 2010, fixed maturity securities comprised approximately 89% of Ameriprise Financial investments. Rating agency designations are based on the availability of ratings from Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations ("NRSROs"), including Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's"), Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P") and Fitch Ratings Ltd. ("Fitch"). The Company uses the median of available ratings from Moody's, S&P and Fitch, or, if fewer than three ratings are available, the lower rating is used. When ratings from Moody's, S&P and Fitch are unavailable, the Company may utilize ratings from other NRSROs or rate the securities internally. At both December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company's internal analysts rated $1.2 billion of securities, using criteria similar to those used by NRSROs. A summary of fixed maturity securities by rating was as follows:
At December 31, 2011 and 2010, approximately 36% and 29%, respectively, of the securities rated AAA were GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC mortgage backed securities. No holdings of any other issuer were greater than 10% of total equity.
The following tables provide information about Available-for-Sale securities with gross unrealized losses and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:
As part of Ameriprise Financial's ongoing monitoring process, management determined that a majority of the gross unrealized losses on its Available-for-Sale securities are attributable to movement in credit spreads.
The following table presents a rollforward of the cumulative amounts recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for other-than-temporary impairments related to credit losses on securities for which a portion of the securities' total other-than-temporary impairments was recognized in other comprehensive income:
The change in net unrealized securities gains (losses) in other comprehensive income includes three components, net of tax: (i) unrealized gains (losses) that arose from changes in the market value of securities that were held during the period; (ii) (gains) losses that were previously unrealized, but have been recognized in current period net income due to sales of Available-for-Sale securities and due to the reclassification of noncredit other-than-temporary impairment losses to credit losses and (iii) other items primarily consisting of adjustments in asset and liability balances, such as DAC, DSIC, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables, to reflect the expected impact on their carrying values had the unrealized gains (losses) been realized as of the respective balance sheet dates.
The following table presents a rollforward of the net unrealized securities gains (losses) on Available-for-Sale securities included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
(1)Amount represents the cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting standard on January 1, 2009. See Note 3 for additional information on the adoption impact.
(2)Includes $(75) million, $(66) million and $(84) million of noncredit related impairments on securities and net unrealized securities losses on previously impaired securities at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
(3)Includes other-than-temporary impairment losses on Available-for-Sale securities related to factors other than credit that were recognized in other comprehensive income during the period. Net realized gains and losses on Available-for-Sale securities, determined using the specific identification method, recognized in earnings were as follows:
Other-than-temporary impairments for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 primarily related to credit losses on non-agency residential mortgage backed securities. Other-than-temporary impairments for the year ended December 31,
related to credit losses on non-agency residential mortgage backed securities, corporate debt securities primarily in the financial services and gaming industries and other structured investments.
Available-for-Sale securities by contractual maturity at December 31, 2011 were as follows:
Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations. Residential mortgage backed securities, commercial mortgage backed securities and asset backed securities are not due at a single maturity date. As such, these securities, as well as common and preferred stocks, were not included in the maturities distribution.
6. Financing Receivables
The Company's financing receivables include commercial mortgage loans, syndicated loans, consumer bank loans, policy loans and margin loans. See Note 2 for information regarding the Company's accounting policies related to loans and the allowance for loan losses.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The following tables present a rollforward of the allowance for loan losses for the years ended and the ending balance of the allowance for loan losses by impairment method and type of loan:
The recorded investment in financing receivables by impairment method and type of loan was as follows:
As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company's recorded investment in financing receivables individually evaluated for impairment for which there was no related allowance for loan losses was $13 million and $24 million, respectively. Unearned income, unamortized premiums and discounts, and net unamortized deferred fees and costs are not material to the Company's total loan balance.
Purchases and sales of loans were as follows:
The Company has not acquired any loans with deteriorated credit quality as of the acquisition date.
Credit Quality Information
Nonperforming loans, which are generally loans 90 days or more past due, were $20 million and $15 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. All other loans were considered to be performing.
Commercial Mortgage Loans
The Company reviews the credit worthiness of the borrower and the performance of the underlying properties in order to determine the risk of loss on commercial mortgage loans. Based on this review, the commercial mortgage loans are assigned an internal risk rating, which management updates as necessary. Commercial mortgage loans which management has assigned its highest risk rating were 3% of total commercial mortgage loans at both December 31, 2011 and 2010. Loans with the highest risk rating represent distressed loans which the Company has identified as impaired or expects to become delinquent or enter into foreclosure within the next six months. In addition, the Company reviews the concentrations of credit risk by region and property type.
Concentrations of credit risk of commercial mortgage loans by U.S. region were as follows:
Concentrations of credit risk of commercial mortgage loans by property type were as follows:
Syndicated Loans
The Company's syndicated loan portfolio is diversified across industries and issuers. The primary credit indicator for syndicated loans is whether the loans are performing in accordance with the contractual terms of the syndication. Total nonperforming syndicated loans at both December 31, 2011 and 2010 were $3 million.
Consumer Bank Loans
The Company considers the credit worthiness of borrowers (FICO score), collateral characteristics such as LTV and geographic concentration in determining the allowance for loan losses for residential mortgage loans, credit cards and other consumer bank loans. At a minimum, management updates FICO scores and LTV ratios semiannually.
As of both December 31, 2011 and 2010, approximately 7% of residential mortgage loans and credit cards and other consumer bank loans had FICO scores below 640. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, approximately 2% and 3%, respectively, of the Company's residential mortgage loans had LTV ratios greater than 90%. The Company's most significant geographic concentration for consumer bank loans is in California representing 38% and 33% of the portfolio as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. No other state represents more than 10% of the total consumer bank loan portfolio.
Troubled Debt Restructurings
During the year ended December 31, 2011 the Company restructured 119 loans with a recorded investment of $52 million as of December 31, 2011. Of the total restructured loans, 11 loans were commercial mortgage loans with a recorded investment of $51 million as of December 31, 2011. The troubled debt restructurings did not have a material impact to the Company's allowance for loan losses or income recognized for the year ended December 31, 2011. There are no material commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loans have been restructured.
7. Reinsurance
Generally, the Company reinsures 90% of the death benefit liability related to almost all individual fixed and variable universal life and term life insurance products. As a result, the Company typically retains and is at risk for, at most, 10% of each policy's death benefit from the first dollar of coverage for new sales of these policies, subject to the reinsurers fulfilling their obligations. The Company began reinsuring risks at this level during 2001 (2002 for RiverSource Life of NY) for term life insurance and 2002 (2003 for RiverSource Life of NY) for individual fixed and variable universal life insurance. Policies issued prior to these dates are not subject to these same reinsurance levels. Generally, the maximum amount of life insurance risk retained by the Company is $1.5 million on a single life and $1.5 million on any flexible premium survivorship life policy. Risk on fixed and variable universal life policies is reinsured on a yearly renewable term basis. Risk on most term life policies starting in 2001 (2002 for RiverSource Life of NY) is reinsured on a coinsurance basis, a type of reinsurance in which the reinsurer participates proportionally in all material risks and premiums associated with a policy.
For existing LTC policies, the Company retained 50% of the risk and ceded the remaining 50% of the risk on a coinsurance basis to subsidiaries of Genworth Financial, Inc. ("Genworth"). For RiverSource Life of NY, this reinsurance arrangement applies for 1996 and later issues only.
Generally, the Company retains at most $5,000 per month of risk per life on DI policies sold on policy forms introduced in most states in October 2007 (August 2010 for RiverSource Life of NY) and reinsures the remainder of the risk on a coinsurance basis with unaffiliated reinsurance companies. The Company retains all risk for new claims on DI contracts sold on other policy forms. The Company also retains all risk on accidental death benefit claims and substantially all risk associated with waiver of premium provisions.
At December 31, 2011 and 2010, traditional life and UL insurance in force aggregated $191.2 billion and $192.0 billion, respectively, of which $136.2 billion and $134.0 billion were reinsured at the respective year ends. Life insurance in force is reported on a statutory basis.
The Company also reinsures a portion of the risks associated with its personal auto, home and umbrella insurance products through three types of reinsurance agreements with unaffiliated reinsurance companies. The Company purchases reinsurance with a limit of $5 million per loss and the Company retains $750,000 per loss. The Company purchases catastrophe reinsurance with a limit of $90 million per event and retains $10 million per event. Those limits change in 2012 to $110 million and $20 million, respectively. The Company also cedes 90% of every personal umbrella loss with a limit of $5 million.
The effect of reinsurance on premiums was as follows:
Cost of insurance and administrative charges on UL and VUL insurance are reflected in other revenues and were net of reinsurance ceded of $71 million, $67 million and $62 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Reinsurance recovered from reinsurers was $201 million, $172 million and $174 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its primary obligation to policyholders.
Receivables included $2.0 billion and $1.9 billion of reinsurance recoverables as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, including $1.5 billion and $1.4 billion recoverable from Genworth, respectively. Included in future policy benefits and claims were $629 million and $657 million related to assumed reinsurance arrangements as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
8. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but are instead subject to impairment tests. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the tests did not indicate impairment.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill reported in the Company's main operating segments were as follows:
On April 30, 2010, the Company acquired the long-term asset management business of Columbia Management from Bank of America. The acquisition has enhanced the scale and performance of the Company's retail mutual fund and institutional asset management businesses. The Company recorded the assets and liabilities acquired at fair value and allocated the remaining costs to goodwill and intangible assets.
As of both December 31, 2011 and 2010, the carrying amount of indefinite-lived intangible assets included $630 million of investment management contracts and $67 million of trade names. Identifiable intangible assets with indefinite useful lives acquired during the year ended December 31, 2010 included $615 million of investment management contracts and $57 million of trade names.
Definite-lived intangible assets consisted of the following:
Definite-lived intangible assets acquired during the year ended December 31, 2011 were $2 million with a weighted average amortization period of 5 years. In 2011, the Company did not record any purchase price adjustments to definite-lived intangible assets. The increase (decrease) to the net carrying amount of definite-lived intangible assets due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates was nil, $(5) million and $13 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The aggregate amortization expense for definite-lived intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $45 million, $46 million and $32 million, respectively. In 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company did not record any impairment charges on definite-lived intangible assets.
Estimated intangible amortization expense as of December 31, 2011 for the next five years is as follows:
9. Deferred Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducement Costs
During the third quarter of 2011, 2010 and 2009, management reviewed and updated the DAC and DSIC valuation assumptions for the Company's products. As part of its third quarter 2010 process, management extended the projection periods used for its annuity products and revised client asset value growth rates assumed for variable annuity and VUL contracts.
The balances of and changes in DAC were as follows:
The balances of and changes in DSIC, which is included in other assets, were as follows:
As described in Note 3, the Company adopted a new accounting standard on the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments in the first quarter of 2009. The adoption had no net impact to DAC and DSIC.
10. Future Policy Benefits and Claims and Separate Account Liabilities
Future policy benefits and claims consisted of the following:
Separate account liabilities consisted of the following:
Fixed Annuities
Fixed annuities include both deferred and payout contracts. Deferred contracts offer a guaranteed minimum rate of interest and security of the principal invested. Payout contracts guarantee a fixed income payment for life or the term of the contract. The Company generally invests the proceeds from the annuity payments in fixed rate securities. The Company may hedge the interest rate risks related to fixed annuities with derivative instruments. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, there were no outstanding derivatives to hedge these risks.
Equity Indexed Annuities
The Index 500 Annuity, the Company's EIA product, is a single premium deferred fixed annuity. The contract is issued with an initial term of seven years and interest earnings are linked to the S&P 500 Index. This annuity has a minimum interest rate guarantee of 3% on 90% of the initial premium, adjusted for any surrenders. The Company generally invests the proceeds from the annuity deposits in fixed rate securities and hedges the equity risk with derivative instruments. See Note 15 for additional information regarding the Company's derivative instruments. In 2007, the Company discontinued new sales of equity indexed annuities.
Variable Annuities
Purchasers of variable annuities can select from a variety of investment options and can elect to allocate a portion to a fixed account. A vast majority of the premiums received for variable annuity contracts are held in separate accounts where the assets are held for the exclusive benefit of those contractholders.
Most of the variable annuity contracts issued by the Company contain one or more guaranteed benefits, including GMWB, GMAB, GMDB and GGU provisions. The Company previously offered contracts with GMIB provisions. See Note 2 and Note 11 for additional information regarding the Company's variable annuity guarantees. The Company does not currently hedge its risk under the GMDB, GGU and GMIB provisions. See Note 15 for additional information regarding derivative instruments used to hedge risks related to GMWB and GMAB provisions.
Insurance Liabilities
VUL/UL is the largest group of insurance policies written by the Company. Purchasers of VUL can select from a variety of investment options and can elect to allocate a portion to a fixed account or a separate account. A vast majority of the premiums received for VUL contracts are held in separate accounts where the assets are held for the exclusive benefit of those policyholders. In 2011, the Company began offering IUL insurance. IUL is similar to UL in that it provides life insurance coverage and cash value that increases as a result of credited interest. Also, like UL, there is a minimum guaranteed credited rate of interest. Unlike UL the rate of credited interest above the minimum guarantee is linked to the S&P 500 Index (subject to a cap). The Company also offers term and whole life insurance as well as disability products. The Company no longer offers LTC products but has in force policies from prior years. Insurance liabilities include accumulation values, unpaid reported claims, incurred but not reported claims and obligations for anticipated future claims.
Portions of the Company's fixed and variable universal life contracts have product features that result in profits followed by losses from the insurance component of the contract. These profits followed by losses can be generated by the cost structure of the product or secondary guarantees in the contract. The secondary guarantee ensures that, subject to specified conditions, the policy will not terminate and will continue to provide a death benefit even if there is insufficient policy value to cover the monthly deductions and charges.
Threadneedle Investment Liabilities
Threadneedle provides a range of unitized pooled pension funds, which invest in property, stocks, bonds and cash. The investments are selected by the clients and are based on the level of risk they are willing to assume. All investment performance, net of fees, is passed through to the investors. The value of the liabilities represents the value of the units in issue of the pooled pension funds.
11. Variable Annuity and Insurance Guarantees
The majority of the variable annuity contracts offered by the Company contain GMDB provisions. The Company also offers variable annuities with GGU, GMWB and GMAB provisions. The Company previously offered contracts containing GMIB provisions. See Note 2 and Note 10 for additional information regarding the Company's variable annuity guarantees.
The GMDB provisions provide a specified minimum return upon death of the contractholder. The death benefit payable is the greater of (i) the contract value less any purchase payment credits subject to recapture and less a pro-rata portion of any rider fees, or (ii) the GMDB provisions specified in the contract. The Company has three primary GMDB provisions:
•Return of premium - provides purchase payments minus adjusted partial surrenders.
•Reset - provides that the value resets to the account value every sixth contract anniversary minus adjusted partial surrenders. This provision is often provided in combination with the return of premium provision. This provision is no longer offered.
•Ratchet - provides that the value ratchets up to the maximum account value at specified anniversary intervals, plus subsequent purchase payments less adjusted partial surrenders. The variable annuity contracts with GMWB riders typically have account values that are based on an underlying portfolio of mutual funds, the values of which fluctuate based on fund performance. At issue, the guaranteed amount is equal to the amount deposited but the guarantee may be increased annually to the account value (a "step-up") in the case of favorable market performance.
The Company has GMWB riders in force, which contain one or more of the following provisions:
•Withdrawals at a specified rate per year until the amount withdrawn is equal to the guaranteed amount.
•Withdrawals at a specified rate per year for the life of the contractholder ("GMWB for life").
•Withdrawals at a specified rate per year for joint contractholders while either is alive.
•Withdrawals based on performance of the contract.
•Withdrawals based on the age withdrawals begin.
•Once withdrawals begin, the contractholder's funds are moved to one of the three least aggressive asset allocation models (of the five that are available prior to withdrawal).
•Credits are applied annually for a specified number of years to increase the guaranteed amount as long as withdrawals have not been taken. Variable annuity contractholders age 79 or younger at contract issue can also obtain a principal-back guarantee by purchasing the optional GMAB rider for an additional charge. The GMAB rider guarantees that, regardless of market performance at the end of the 10-year waiting period, the contract value will be no less than the original investment or 80% of the highest anniversary value, adjusted for withdrawals. If the contract value is less than the guarantee at the end of the 10 year period, a lump sum will be added to the contract value to make the contract value equal to the guarantee value.
Certain UL contracts offered by the Company provide secondary guarantee benefits. The secondary guarantee ensures that, subject to specified conditions, the policy will not terminate and will continue to provide a death benefit even if there is insufficient policy value to cover the monthly deductions and charges.
The following table provides information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities:
(1)Individual variable annuity contracts may have more than one guarantee and therefore may be included in more than one benefit type. Variable annuity contracts for which the death benefit equals the account value are not shown in this table.
(2)Represents the current guaranteed benefit amount in excess of the current contract value. GMIB, GMWB and GMAB benefits are subject to waiting periods and payment periods specified in the contract. Changes in additional liabilities for variable annuity and insurance guarantees were as follows:
The liabilities for guaranteed benefits are supported by general account assets.
The following table summarizes the distribution of separate account balances by asset type for variable annuity contracts providing guaranteed benefits:
No gains or losses were recognized on assets transferred to separate accounts for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
12. Customer Deposits
Customer deposits consisted of the following:
Investment Certificates
The Company offers fixed rate investment certificates primarily in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $1 million with interest crediting rate terms ranging from six to 36 months. Investment certificates may be purchased either with a lump sum payment or installment payments. Certificate product owners are entitled to receive, at maturity, a definite sum of money. Payments from certificate owners are credited to investment certificate reserves. Investment certificate reserves generally accumulate interest at specified percentage rates. Reserves are maintained for advance payments made by certificate owners, accrued interest thereon and for additional credits in excess of minimum guaranteed rates and accrued interest thereon. On certificates allowing for the deduction of a surrender charge, the cash surrender values may be less than accumulated investment certificate reserves prior to maturity dates. Cash surrender values on certificates allowing for no surrender charge are equal to certificate reserves. The Company generally invests the proceeds from investment certificates in fixed and variable rate securities. The Company may hedge the interest rate risks under these obligations with derivative instruments. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, there were no outstanding derivatives to hedge these interest rate risks.
Certain investment certificate products have returns tied to the performance of equity markets. The Company guarantees the principal for purchasers who hold the certificate for the full 52-week term and purchasers may participate in increases in the stock market based on the S&P 500 Index, up to a maximum return. Purchasers can choose 100% participation in the market index up to the cap or 25% participation plus fixed interest with a combined total up to the cap. Current first term certificates have maximum returns of 2% to 3%. The equity component of these certificates is considered an embedded derivative and is accounted for separately. See Note 15 for additional information about derivative instruments used to economically hedge the equity price risk related to the Company's stock market certificates.
Brokerage Deposits
Brokerage deposits are amounts payable to brokerage customers related to free credit balances, funds deposited by customers and funds accruing to customers as a result of trades or contracts. The Company pays interest on certain customer credit balances and the interest is included in banking and deposit interest expense.
Banking Deposits
Banking deposits primarily include customer deposits in money market, savings and checking accounts and certificates of deposit held at Ameriprise Bank. The Company pays interest on certain customer balances and the interest is included in banking and deposit interest expense.
13. Debt
The balances and the stated interest rates of outstanding debt of Ameriprise Financial were as follows:
(1)Amounts include adjustments for fair value hedges on the Company's long-term debt and any unamortized discounts. See Note 15 for information on the Company's fair value hedges. Long-term debt
On November 23, 2005, the Company issued $1.5 billion of unsecured senior notes including five-year notes which matured November 15, 2010 and 10-year notes which mature November 15, 2015, and incurred debt issuance costs of $7 million. Interest payments are due semi-annually on May 15 and November 15.
In November 2010, the Company retired $340 million of its senior notes due 2010. In July 2009, the Company purchased $450 million aggregate principal amount of its senior notes due 2010, pursuant to a cash tender offer. The tender offer consideration per $1,000 principal amount of these notes accepted for purchase was $1,000, with an early tender payment of $30. Payments for these notes pursuant to the tender offer included accrued and unpaid interest from the last interest payment date to, but not including, the settlement date. The Company also purchased $10 million of these notes in the second quarter of 2009 in open market transactions.
On June 8, 2009, the Company issued $300 million of unsecured senior notes which mature June 28, 2019, and incurred debt issuance costs of $3 million. Interest payments are due semi-annually in arrears on June 28 and December 28.
On March 11, 2010, the Company issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes which mature March 15, 2020, and incurred debt issuance costs of $6 million. Interest payments are due semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15.
On June 3, 2009, the Company issued $200 million of unsecured senior notes which mature June 15, 2039, and incurred debt issuance costs of $6 million. Interest payments are due quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15.
On May 26, 2006, the Company issued $500 million of unsecured junior subordinated notes, which mature June 1, 2066, and incurred debt issuance costs of $6 million. For the initial 10-year period, the junior notes carry a fixed interest rate of 7.5% payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1. From June 1, 2016 until the maturity date, interest on the junior notes will accrue at an annual rate equal to the three-month LIBOR plus a margin equal to 290.5 basis points, payable quarterly in arrears. The Company has the option to defer interest payments, subject to certain limitations. In addition, interest payments are mandatorily deferred if the Company does not meet specified capital adequacy, net income or shareholders' equity levels. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had met the specified levels.
In 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company extinguished $14 million, $14 million and $135 million, respectively, of its junior notes in open market transactions and recognized gains (losses) of nil, $(1) million and $58 million, respectively, in other revenues.
During the first quarter of 2011, the Company extinguished $6 million of its municipal bond inverse floater certificates funded through the call of a $10 million portfolio of municipal bonds.
At December 31, 2011, future maturities of Ameriprise Financial long-term debt were as follows:
Short-term borrowings
The Company enters into repurchase agreements in exchange for cash, which it accounts for as secured borrowings. The Company has pledged Available-for-Sale securities consisting of agency residential mortgage backed securities and commercial mortgage backed securities to collateralize its obligation under the repurchase agreements. The fair value of the securities pledged is recorded in investments and was $521 million and $412 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The stated interest rate of the short-term borrowings is a weighted average annualized interest rate on repurchase agreements held as of the balance sheet date.
On November 22, 2011, the Company entered into a credit agreement for $500 million expiring on November 22, 2015. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company may increase the amount of this facility to $750 million upon satisfaction of certain approval requirements. Available borrowings under the agreement are reduced by any outstanding letters of credit. The Company had no borrowings outstanding under this facility and outstanding letters of credit issued against this facility were $2 million as of December 31, 2011.
14. Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities
GAAP defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date; that is, an exit price. The exit price assumes the asset or liability is not exchanged subject to a forced liquidation or distressed sale.
Valuation Hierarchy
The Company categorizes its fair value measurements according to a three-level hierarchy. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used by the Company's valuation techniques. A level is assigned to each fair value measurement based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:
Level 1
Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date.
Level 2
Prices or valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 3
Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.
Determination of Fair Value
The Company uses valuation techniques consistent with the market and income approaches to measure the fair value of its assets and liabilities. The Company's market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The Company's income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future projected cash flows to a single discounted present value amount. When applying either approach, the Company maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs.
The following is a description of the valuation techniques used to measure fair value and the general classification of these instruments pursuant to the fair value hierarchy.
Assets
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less. Actively traded money market funds are measured at their net asset value ("NAV") and classified as Level 1. The Company's remaining cash equivalents are classified as Level 2 and measured at amortized cost, which is a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the short time between the purchase of the instrument and its expected realization.
Investments (Trading Securities and Available-for-Sale Securities)
When available, the fair value of securities is based on quoted prices in active markets. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are obtained from third party pricing services, non-binding broker quotes, or other model-based valuation techniques. Level 1 securities primarily include U.S. Treasuries. Level 2 securities primarily include residential mortgage backed securities, commercial mortgage backed securities, asset backed securities, municipal and corporate bonds, and U.S. agency and foreign government securities. The fair value of these Level 2 securities is based on a market approach with prices obtained from third party pricing services. Observable inputs used to value these securities can include, but are not limited to reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads and non-binding broker quotes. Level 3 securities primarily include certain non-agency residential mortgage backed securities, asset backed securities and corporate bonds. The fair value of corporate bonds and certain asset backed securities classified as Level 3 is typically based on a single non-binding broker quote. The fair value of certain asset backed securities and non-agency residential mortgage backed securities is obtained from third party pricing services who use significant unobservable inputs to estimate the fair value.
Prices received from third party pricing services are subjected to exception reporting that identifies investments with significant daily price movements as well as no movements. The Company reviews the exception reporting and resolves the exceptions through reaffirmation of the price or recording an appropriate fair value estimate. The Company also performs subsequent transaction testing. The Company performs annual due diligence of third party pricing services. The Company's due diligence procedures include assessing the vendor's valuation qualifications, control environment, analysis of asset-class specific valuation methodologies, and understanding of sources of market observable assumptions and unobservable assumptions, if any, employed in the valuation methodology. The Company also considers the results of its exception reporting controls and any resulting price challenges that arise.
Separate Account Assets
The fair value of assets held by separate accounts is determined by the NAV of the funds in which those separate accounts are invested. The NAV represents the exit price for the separate account. Separate account assets are classified as Level 2 as they are traded in principal-to-principal markets with little publicly released pricing information.
Investments Segregated for Regulatory Purposes
When available, the fair value of securities is based on quoted prices in active markets. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are obtained from third party pricing services, non-binding broker quotes, or other model-based valuation techniques. Level 2 securities include agency mortgage backed securities, asset backed securities, municipal and corporate bonds, and U.S. agency and foreign government securities.
Other Assets
Derivatives that are measured using quoted prices in active markets, such as foreign currency forwards, or derivatives that are exchange-traded are classified as Level 1 measurements. The fair value of derivatives that are traded in less active over-the-counter markets are generally measured using pricing models with market observable inputs such as interest rates and equity index levels. These measurements are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy and include swaps and the majority of options. The counterparties' nonperformance risk associated with uncollateralized derivative assets was immaterial at December 31, 2011 and 2010. See Note 15 for further information on the credit risk of derivative instruments and related collateral.
Assets Held for Sale
Assets held for sale consist of cash equivalents of Securities America.
Liabilities
Future Policy Benefits and Claims
The Company values the embedded derivative liability attributable to the provisions of certain variable annuity riders using internal valuation models. These models calculate fair value by discounting expected cash flows from benefits plus margins for profit, risk and expenses less embedded derivative fees. The projected cash flows used by these models include observable capital market assumptions (such as, market implied equity volatility and the LIBOR swap curve) and incorporate significant unobservable inputs related to contractholder behavior assumptions (such as withdrawals and lapse rates) and margins for risk, profit and expenses that the Company believes an exit market participant would expect. The fair value of these embedded derivatives also reflects a current estimate of the Company's nonperformance risk specific to these liabilities. Given the significant unobservable inputs to this valuation, these measurements are classified as Level 3. The embedded derivative liability attributable to these provisions is recorded in future policy benefits and claims. The Company uses various Black-Scholes calculations to determine the fair value of the embedded derivative liability associated with the provisions of its equity indexed annuity and indexed universal life products. The inputs to these calculations are primarily market observable and include interest rates, volatilities, and equity index levels. As a result, these measurements are classified as Level 2.
Customer Deposits
The Company uses various Black-Scholes calculations to determine the fair value of the embedded derivative liability associated with the provisions of its stock market certificates. The inputs to these calculations are primarily market observable and include interest rates, volatilities and equity index levels. As a result, these measurements are classified as Level 2.
Other Liabilities
Derivatives that are measured using quoted prices in active markets, such as foreign currency forwards, or derivatives that are exchange-traded are classified as Level 1 measurements. The fair value of derivatives that are traded in less active over-the-counter markets are generally measured using pricing models with market observable inputs such as interest rates and equity index levels. These measurements are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy and include swaps and the majority of options. The Company's nonperformance risk associated with uncollateralized derivative liabilities was immaterial at December 31, 2011 and 2010. See Note 15 for further information on the credit risk of derivative instruments and related collateral.
Securities sold but not yet purchased include highly liquid investments which are short-term in nature. Securities sold but not yet purchased are measured using amortized cost, which is a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the short time between the purchase of the instrument and its expected realization and are classified as Level 2.
The following tables present the balances of assets and liabilities of Ameriprise Financial measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
(1)The Company's adjustment for nonperformance risk resulted in a $506 million cumulative decrease to the embedded derivative liability.
(1)The Company's adjustment for nonperformance risk resulted in a $197 million cumulative decrease to the embedded derivative liability.
The following tables provide a summary of changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities of Ameriprise Financial measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
(1)Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2)Included in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(1)Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2)Included in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(3)Represents the elimination of Ameriprise Financial's investment in CDOs, which were consolidated due to the adoption of a new accounting standard. See Note 2 and Note 4 for additional information related to the consolidation of CDOs. The impact to pretax income of the Company's adjustment for nonperformance risk on the fair value of its GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives was an increase of $168 million and $28 million, net of DAC and DSIC amortization, for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2011 transfers out of Level 3 to Level 2 included certain non-agency residential mortgage backed securities and sub-prime non-agency residential mortgage backed securities classified as asset backed securities with a fair value of approximately $3.9 billion. The transfers reflect improved pricing transparency of these
securities, a continuing trend of increased activity in the non-agency residential mortgage backed security market and increased observability of significant inputs to the valuation methodology. All other securities transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 represent securities with fair values that are now obtained from a third party pricing service with observable inputs. Securities transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 represent securities with fair values that are now based on a single non-binding broker quote.
The Company recognizes transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy as of the beginning of the quarter in which each transfer occurred.
During the reporting periods, there were no material assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.
The following table provides the carrying value and the estimated fair value of financial instruments that are not reported at fair value. All other financial instruments that are reported at fair value have been included above in the table with balances of assets and liabilities Ameriprise Financial measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
Investments
The fair value of commercial mortgage loans, except those with significant credit deterioration, is determined by discounting contractual cash flows using discount rates that reflect current pricing for loans with similar remaining maturities and characteristics including loan-to-value ratio, occupancy rate, refinance risk, debt-service coverage, location, and property condition. For commercial mortgage loans with significant credit deterioration, fair value is determined using the same adjustments as above with an additional adjustment for the Company's estimate of the amount recoverable on the loan.
The fair value of policy loans is determined using discounted cash flows.
Receivables
The fair value of consumer bank loans is determined by discounting estimated cash flows and incorporating adjustments for prepayment, administration expenses, severity and credit loss estimates, with discount rates based on the Company's estimate of current market conditions.
Loans held for sale are measured at the lower of cost or market and fair value is based on what secondary markets are currently offering for loans with similar characteristics.
Brokerage margin loans are measured at outstanding balances, which are a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the sufficiency of the collateral and short term nature of these loans.
Restricted and Segregated Cash
Restricted and segregated cash is generally set aside for specific business transactions and restrictions are specific to the Company and do not transfer to third party market participants; therefore, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
Amounts segregated under federal and other regulations may also reflect resale agreements and are measured at the cost at which the securities will be sold. This measurement is a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the short time between entering into the transaction and its expected realization and the reduced risk of credit loss due to pledging U.S. government-backed securities as collateral.
Assets Held for Sale
Assets held for sale reflect notes receivable of Securities America. See Note 1 and Note 24 for additional information on the Company's presentation of discontinued operations.
Other Investments and Assets
Other investments and assets primarily consist of syndicated loans. The fair value of syndicated loans is obtained from a third party pricing service.
Future Policy Benefits and Claims
The fair value of fixed annuities, in deferral status, is determined by discounting cash flows using a risk neutral discount rate with adjustments for profit margin, expense margin, early policy surrender behavior, a provision for adverse deviation from estimated early policy surrender behavior, and the Company's nonperformance risk specific to these liabilities. The fair value of other liabilities including non-life contingent fixed annuities in payout status, equity indexed annuity host contracts and the fixed portion of a small number of variable annuity contracts classified as investment contracts is determined in a similar manner.
Customer Deposits
The fair value of investment certificate reserves is determined by discounting cash flows using discount rates that reflect current pricing for assets with similar terms and characteristics, with adjustments for early withdrawal behavior, penalty fees, expense margin and the Company's nonperformance risk specific to these liabilities.
Banking and brokerage customer deposits are liabilities with no defined maturities and fair value is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date.
Separate Account Liabilities
Certain separate account liabilities are classified as investment contracts and are carried at an amount equal to the related separate account assets. Carrying value is a reasonable estimate of the fair value as it represents the exit value as evidenced by withdrawal transactions between contractholders and the Company. A nonperformance adjustment is not included as the related separate account assets act as collateral for these liabilities and minimize nonperformance risk.
Debt and Other Liabilities
The fair value of long-term debt is based on quoted prices in active markets, when available. If quoted prices are not available fair values are obtained from third party pricing services, non-binding broker quotes, or other model-based valuation techniques such as present value of cash flows.
The fair value of short-term borrowings is obtained from a third party service. A nonperformance adjustment is not included as collateral requirements for these borrowings minimize the nonperformance risk.
The fair value of future funding commitments to affordable housing partnerships is determined by discounting cash flows.
15. Derivatives and Hedging Activities
Derivative instruments enable the Company to manage its exposure to various market risks. The value of such instruments is derived from an underlying variable or multiple variables, including equity, foreign exchange and interest rate indices or prices. The Company primarily enters into derivative agreements for risk management purposes related to the Company's products and operations.
The Company uses derivatives as economic hedges and accounting hedges. The following table presents the balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives:
N/A Not applicable.
(1)The fair values of GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives fluctuate based on changes in equity, interest rate and credit markets.
See Note 14 for additional information regarding the Company's fair value measurement of derivative instruments.
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges
The following table presents a summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31:
(1)The fair values of GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives fluctuate based on changes in equity, interest rate and credit markets. The Company holds derivative instruments that either do not qualify or are not designated for hedge accounting treatment. These derivative instruments are used as economic hedges of equity, interest rate, credit and foreign currency exchange rate risk related to various products and transactions of the Company.
The majority of the Company's annuity contracts contain GMDB provisions, which may result in a death benefit payable that exceeds the contract accumulation value when market values of customers' accounts decline. Certain annuity contracts contain GMWB or GMAB provisions, which guarantee the right to make limited partial withdrawals each contract year regardless of the volatility inherent in the underlying investments or guarantee a minimum accumulation value of consideration received at the beginning of the contract period, after a specified holding period, respectively. The Company economically hedges the exposure related to non-life contingent GMWB and GMAB provisions primarily using various futures, options, interest rate swaptions, interest rate swaps, variance swaps and credit default swaps. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the gross notional amount of derivative contracts for the Company's GMWB and GMAB provisions was $104.7 billion and $55.5 billion, respectively. The Company had previously entered into a limited number of derivative contracts to economically hedge equity exposure related to GMDB provisions on variable annuity contracts written in 2009. As of both December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company did not have any outstanding hedges on its GMDB provisions.
The deferred premium associated with some of the above options is paid or received semi-annually over the life of the option contract. The following is a summary of the payments the Company is scheduled to make and receive for these options:
Actual timing and payment amounts may differ due to future contract settlements, modifications or exercises of options prior to the full premium being paid or received.
EIA, IUL and stock market certificate products have returns tied to the performance of equity markets. As a result of fluctuations in equity markets, the obligation incurred by the Company related to EIA, IUL and stock market certificate products will positively or negatively impact earnings over the life of these products. As a means of economically hedging its obligations under the provisions of these products, the Company enters into index options and futures contracts. The gross notional amount of these derivative contracts was $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
The Company enters into forward contracts, futures, total return swaps and commodity swaps to manage its exposure to price risk arising from seed money investments in proprietary investment products. The gross notional amount of these contracts was $123 million and $174 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts to economically hedge its exposure to certain receivables and obligations denominated in non-functional currencies. The gross notional amount of these contracts was $26 million and $21 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
In 2010, the Company entered into a total return swap to economically hedge its exposure to equity price risk of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. common stock granted as part of its Ameriprise Financial Franchise Advisor Deferred Compensation Plan ("Franchise Advisor Deferral Plan"). In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company extended the contract through 2012. As part of the contract, the Company expects to cash settle the difference between the value of a fixed number of shares at the contract date (which may be increased from time to time) and the value of those shares over an unwind period ending on December 31, 2012. The gross notional value of this contract was $17 million and $35 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Embedded Derivatives
Certain annuities contain GMAB and non-life contingent GMWB provisions, which are considered embedded derivatives. In addition, the equity component of the EIA, IUL and stock market certificate product obligations are also considered embedded derivatives. These embedded derivatives are bifurcated from their host contracts and reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value with changes in fair value reported in earnings. As discussed above, the Company uses derivatives to mitigate the financial statement impact of these embedded derivatives.
Cash Flow Hedges
The Company has designated and accounts for the following as cash flow hedges: (i) interest rate swaps to hedge interest rate exposure on debt, (ii) interest rate lock agreements to hedge interest rate exposure on debt issuances and (iii) swaptions used to hedge the risk of increasing interest rates on forecasted fixed premium product sales. The Company previously designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges interest rate swaps to hedge certain asset-based distribution fees.
During the second quarter of 2011, the Company reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings a $27 million gain on an interest rate hedge put in place in anticipation of issuing debt between December 2010 and September 2011. The gain was reclassified due to the forecasted transaction not occurring according to the original hedge strategy. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, amounts recognized in earnings related to cash flow hedges due to ineffectiveness were not material. The estimated net amount of existing pretax losses on December 31, 2011 that the Company expects to reclassify to earnings within the next twelve months is $2 million, which consists of $4 million of pretax gains to be recorded as a reduction to interest and debt expense and $6 million of pretax losses to be recorded in net investment income. The following tables present the impact of the effective portion of the
Company's cash flow hedges on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and the Consolidated Statements of Equity for the years ended December 31:
The following is a summary of unrealized derivatives gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to cash flow hedges:
Currently, the longest period of time over which the Company is hedging exposure to the variability in future cash flows is 24 years and relates to forecasted debt interest payments.
Fair Value Hedges
During the first quarter of 2010, the Company entered into and designated as fair value hedges three interest rate swaps to convert senior notes due 2015, 2019 and 2020 from fixed rate debt to floating rate debt. The swaps have identical terms as the underlying debt being hedged so no ineffectiveness is expected to be realized. The Company recognizes gains and losses on the derivatives and the related hedged items within interest and debt expense. The following table presents the amounts recognized in income related to fair value hedges for the years ended December 31:
Credit Risk
Credit risk associated with the Company's derivatives is the risk that a derivative counterparty will not perform in accordance with the terms of the applicable derivative contract. To mitigate such risk, the Company has established guidelines and oversight of credit risk through a comprehensive enterprise risk management program that includes members of senior management. Key components of this program are to require preapproval of counterparties and the use of master netting arrangements and collateral arrangements whenever practical. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company held $802 million and $98 million, respectively, in cash and cash equivalents and recorded a corresponding liability in other liabilities for collateral the Company is obligated to return to counterparties. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had accepted additional collateral consisting of various securities with a fair value of $186 million and $23 million, respectively, which are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2011 and
2010, the Company's maximum credit exposure related to derivative assets after considering netting arrangements with counterparties and collateral arrangements was approximately $72 million and $45 million, respectively.
Certain of the Company's derivative instruments contain provisions that adjust the level of collateral the Company is required to post based on the Company's debt rating (or based on the financial strength of the Company's life insurance subsidiaries for contracts in which those subsidiaries are the counterparty). Additionally, certain of the Company's derivative contracts contain provisions that allow the counterparty to terminate the contract if the Company's debt does not maintain a specific credit rating (generally an investment grade rating) or the Company's life insurance subsidiary does not maintain a specific financial strength rating. If these termination provisions were to be triggered, the Company's counterparty could require immediate settlement of any net liability position. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments in a net liability position containing such credit risk features was $112 million and $412 million, respectively. The aggregate fair value of assets posted as collateral for such instruments as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $103 million and $406 million, respectively. If the credit risk features of derivative contracts that were in a net liability position at December 31, 2011 and 2010 were triggered, the additional fair value of assets needed to settle these derivative liabilities would have been $9 million and $6 million, respectively.
16. Share-Based Compensation
The Company's share-based compensation plans consist of the Amended and Restated Ameriprise Financial 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan (the "2005 ICP"), the Ameriprise Financial 2008 Employment Incentive Equity Award Plan (the "2008 Plan"), the Franchise Advisor Deferral Plan, and the Ameriprise Advisor Group Deferred Compensation Plan ("Employee Advisor Deferral Plan").
The components of the Company's share-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures, were as follows:
(1)Includes $19 million of expense related to the Threadneedle equity incentive plan. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, total income tax benefit recognized by the Company related to share-based compensation expense was $53 million, $67 million and $63 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2011, there was $132 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards under the Company's share-based compensation plans, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.
Amended and Restated Ameriprise Financial 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan
The 2005 ICP, which was amended and approved by shareholders on April 28, 2010, provides for the grant of cash and equity incentive awards to directors, employees and independent contractors, including stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance shares and similar awards designed to comply with the applicable federal regulations and laws of jurisdiction. Under the 2005 ICP, a maximum of 37.9 million shares may be issued. Of this total, no more than 6.0 million shares may be issued after April 28, 2010 for full value awards, which are awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights. Shares issued under the 2005 ICP may be authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares.
Ameriprise Financial Deferred Compensation Plan
The Ameriprise Financial Deferred Compensation Plan ("DCP") gives certain employees the choice to defer a portion of their eligible compensation, which can be invested in investment options as provided by the DCP, including the Ameriprise Financial Stock Fund. The DCP is an unfunded non-qualified deferred compensation plan under section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company provides a match on certain deferrals. Participant deferrals vest immediately and the Company match vests after three years. Distributions are made in shares of the Company's common stock for the portion of the deferral invested in the Ameriprise Financial Stock Fund and the related Company match, for which the Company has recorded in equity. The DCP does allow for accelerated vesting of the share-based awards in cases of death, disability and qualified retirement. Compensation expense related to the Company match is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
Ameriprise Financial 2008 Employment Incentive Equity Award Plan
The 2008 Plan is designed to align new employees' interests with those of the shareholders of the Company and attract and retain new employees. The 2008 Plan provides for the grant of equity incentive awards to new employees who became employees in connection with a merger or acquisition, including stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and other equity-based awards designed to comply with the applicable federal and foreign regulations and laws of jurisdiction. Under the 2008 Plan, a maximum of 6.0 million shares may be issued. Awards granted under the 2008 Plan may be settled in cash and/or shares of the Company's common stock according to the award's terms.
Stock Options
Stock options granted have an exercise price not less than 100% of the current fair market value of a share of the Company's common stock on the grant date and a maximum term of 10 years. Stock options granted generally vest ratably over three to four years. Vesting of option awards may be accelerated based on age and length of service. Stock options granted are expensed on a straight-line basis over the option vesting period based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model.
The following weighted average assumptions were used for stock option grants:
The dividend yield assumption represents the Company's expected dividend yield based on its historical dividend payouts. The expected volatility is based on the Company's historical and implied volatilities. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the expected option life is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the grant date. The expected life of the option is based on the Company's past experience and other considerations.
The weighted average grant date fair value for options granted during 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $21.38, $15.89 and $8.93, respectively.
A summary of the Company's stock option activity for 2011 is presented below (shares and intrinsic value in millions):
The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the fair value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option. The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $58 million, $70 million and $2 million during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Restricted Stock Awards
Restricted stock awards generally vest ratably over three to four years or at the end of five years. Vesting of restricted stock awards may be accelerated based on age and length of service. Compensation expense for restricted stock awards is based on the market price of Ameriprise Financial stock on the date of grant and is amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Quarterly dividends are paid on restricted stock, as declared by the Company's Board of Directors, during the vesting period and are not subject to forfeiture.
Certain advisors receive a portion of their compensation in the form of restricted stock awards which are subject to forfeiture based on future service requirements.
A summary of the Company's restricted stock award activity for 2011 is presented below (shares in millions):
The fair value of restricted stock awards vested during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $54 million, $42 million and $27 million, respectively.
Restricted Stock Units
The 2005 ICP provides for the grant of deferred share units to non-employee directors of the Company and restricted stock units to employees. The director awards are fully vested upon issuance. The deferred share units are settled for Ameriprise Financial common stock upon the director's termination of service. The employee awards generally vest ratably over three to four years. Compensation expense for deferred share units and restricted stock units is based on the market price of Ameriprise Financial stock on the date of grant. Restricted stock units granted to employees are amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period or on an accelerated basis due to retirement eligibility. Deferred share units granted to non-employee directors are expensed immediately. Restricted stock units include units awarded under the DCP.
As of December 31, 2011, there were approximately 1.4 million units outstanding of restricted stock units, including deferred share units, of which approximately 1.1 million units were fully vested.
Ameriprise Financial Franchise Advisor Deferred Compensation Plan
The Franchise Advisor Deferral Plan, which was amended in January 2011, gives certain advisors the choice to defer a portion of their commissions into share-based awards or other investment options. The Franchise Advisor Deferral Plan is an unfunded non-qualified deferred compensation plan under section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. Prior to 2011, all deferrals were in the form of share-based awards and the Company provided a match on the advisor deferrals, which participants could elect to receive in cash or shares of common stock. The Company provided a 15% stock match for 2010 and a 25% stock match for 2009 on eligible deferrals.
The Franchise Advisor Deferral Plan allows for the grant of share-based awards of up to 8.5 million shares of common stock. The number of units awarded is based on the performance measures, deferral percentage and the market value of Ameriprise Financial common stock on the deferral date as defined by the plan. Share-based awards made during 2011 are fully vested and are not subject to forfeitures. Share-based awards made prior to 2011 generally vest ratably over four years, beginning on January 1 of the year following the plan year in which the award was made. In addition to the voluntary deferral, certain advisors are eligible for the Franchise Advisor Top Performer Stock Award or the Franchise Consultant Growth Bonus. The Franchise Advisor Top Performer Stock Award allows eligible advisors to earn additional deferred stock awards on commissions over a specified threshold. The awards vest ratably over four years. The Franchise Consultant Growth Bonus allows eligible advisors who coach other advisors the ability to earn a bonus based on the success of the advisors they coach, which can be deferred into the plan. The awards vest ratably over three years. The Franchise Advisor Deferral Plan allows for accelerated vesting of the share-based awards based on age and years as an advisor. Commission expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. However, as franchise advisors are not employees of the Company, the expense is adjusted each period based on the stock price of the Company's common stock up to the vesting date. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, expense related to share-based units awarded under the Franchise Advisor Deferral Plan was $38 million, $70 million and $60 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2011, there were approximately 5.2 million units outstanding under the Franchise Advisor Deferral Plan, of which approximately 4.4 million were fully vested.
Ameriprise Advisor Group Deferred Compensation Plan
The Employee Advisor Deferral Plan, which was created in April 2009, allows for employee advisors to receive share-based bonus awards which are subject to future service requirements and forfeitures. The Employee Advisor Deferral Plan is an unfunded non-qualified deferred compensation plan under section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. The Employee Advisor Deferral Plan also gives qualifying employee advisors the choice to defer a portion of their base salary or commissions beginning in 2010. This deferral can be in the form of share-based awards or other investment options. Deferrals are not subject to future service requirements or forfeitures. Under the Employee Advisor Deferral Plan, a maximum of 3.0 million shares may be issued. Awards granted under the Employee Advisor Deferral Plan may be settled in cash and/or shares of the Company's common stock according to the award's terms.
As of December 31, 2011, there were approximately 0.3 million units outstanding under the Employee Advisor Deferral Plan, of which nil were fully vested.
Threadneedle Equity Incentive Plan
On an annual basis, certain key Threadneedle employees are eligible for awards under an equity incentive plan ("EIP") based on a formula tied to Threadneedle's financial performance. Awards under the EIP were first made in April 2009; prior awards were made under the equity participation plan ("EPP"). In 2011, Threadneedle's articles of incorporation were amended to create a new class of Threadneedle corporate units to be granted under a modified EIP plan. Employees who held EIP units granted prior to 2011 were given the choice to exchange their existing units at the exchange date. EIP awards may be settled in cash or Threadneedle corporate units according to the award's terms. For awards granted prior to 2011, the EIP provides for 100% vesting after three years, with a mandatory call after six years. For converted units and awards granted after February 2011, the EIP provides for 100% vesting after two and a half years, with no mandatory call date. Converted units and units granted after February 2011 have dividend rights once fully vested. The EPP provides for 50% vesting after three years and 50% vesting after four years, with required cash-out after five years. EIP and EPP awards are subject to forfeitures based on future service requirements.
The value of the awards is recognized as compensation expense evenly over the vesting periods. Generally, the expense is based on the grant date fair value of the awards as determined by an annual independent valuation of Threadneedle's fair market value; however, for awards accounted for as a liability the expense is adjusted to reflect Threadneedle's current calculated value (the change in the value of the awards is recognized immediately for vested awards and over the remaining vesting period for unvested awards). During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, cash settlements of EPP and EIP awards were $14 million, $18 million and $5 million, respectively.
17. Shareholders' Equity
The following table presents the components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax:
See Note 5, Note 15 and Note 21 for additional disclosures related to net unrealized securities gains, net unrealized derivatives gains (losses) and net unrealized actuarial gains (losses) on defined benefit plans, respectively.
In May 2010, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the expenditure of up to $1.5 billion for the repurchase of the Company's common stock through the date of its 2012 annual meeting. In June 2011, the Company's Board of Directors authorized an additional expenditure of up to $2.0 billion for the repurchase of the Company's common stock through June 28, 2013. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company repurchased a total of 27.9 million shares and 13.1 million shares, respectively, of its common stock for an aggregate cost of $1.5 billion and $573 million, respectively. There were no share repurchases during the year ended December 31, 2009. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had $1.5 billion remaining under the share repurchase authorization.
The Company may also reacquire shares of its common stock under its 2005 ICP related to restricted stock awards. Restricted shares that are forfeited before the vesting period has lapsed are recorded as treasury shares. In addition, the holders of restricted shares may elect to surrender a portion of their shares on the vesting date to cover their income tax obligations. These vested restricted shares reacquired by the Company and the Company's payment of the holders' income tax obligations are recorded as a treasury share purchase. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the
restricted shares forfeited under the 2005 ICP and recorded as treasury shares were 0.1 million, 0.3 million and 0.3 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company reacquired 0.5 million, 0.4 million and 0.5 million shares, respectively, of its common stock through the surrender of restricted shares upon vesting and paid in the aggregate $25 million, $17 million and $11 million, respectively, related to the holders' income tax obligations on the vesting date.
In 2011, the Company reissued 1.7 million treasury shares for restricted stock award grants and issuance of shares vested under the Franchise Advisor Deferral Plan. In 2011 and 2010, the Company reacquired 0.3 million and 0.1 million shares, respectively, of its common stock with an aggregate value of $13 million and $7 million, respectively, from a total return swap used to economically hedge its Franchise Advisor Deferral Plan. See Note 15 for additional information. In 2009, the Company issued and sold 36 million shares of its common stock. The proceeds of $869 million were used for general corporate purposes, including the Company's acquisition of the long-term asset management business of the Columbia Management Group.
18. Earnings per Share Attributable to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Common Shareholders
The computations of basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. common shareholders are as follows:
19. Regulatory Requirements
Restrictions on the transfer of funds exist under regulatory requirements applicable to certain of the Company's subsidiaries. At December 31, 2011, the aggregate amount of unrestricted net assets was approximately $1.6 billion.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") defines Risk-Based Capital ("RBC") requirements for insurance companies. The RBC requirements are used by the NAIC and state insurance regulators to identify companies that merit regulatory actions designed to protect policyholders. These requirements apply to both the Company's life and property casualty insurance companies. In addition, IDS Property Casualty is subject to the statutory surplus requirements of the State of Wisconsin. The Company's life and property casualty companies each met their respective minimum RBC requirements.
State insurance statutes also contain limitations as to the amount of dividends and distributions that insurers may make without providing prior notification to state regulators. For RiverSource Life, dividends or distributions in excess of statutory unassigned surplus, as determined in accordance with accounting practices prescribed by the State of Minnesota, require advance notice to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, RiverSource Life's primary regulator, and are subject to
potential disapproval. In addition, dividends whose fair market value, together with that of other dividends or distributions made within the preceding 12 months, exceeds the greater of (i) the previous year's statutory net gain from operations or (ii) 10% of the previous year-end statutory capital and surplus are referred to as "extraordinary dividends." Extraordinary dividends also require advance notice to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, and are subject to potential disapproval. Government debt securities of $7 million and $6 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, held by the Company's life insurance subsidiaries were on deposit with various states as required by law and satisfied legal requirements. Statutory capital and surplus for RiverSource Life were $2.7 billion, $3.7 billion and $3.4 billion for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Ameriprise Certificate Company ("ACC") is registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"). ACC markets and sells investment certificates to clients. ACC is subject to various capital requirements under the 1940 Act, laws of the State of Minnesota and understandings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The terms of the investment certificates issued by ACC and the provisions of the 1940 Act also require the maintenance by ACC of qualified assets. Under the provisions of its certificates and the 1940 Act, ACC was required to have qualified assets (as that term is defined in Section 28(b) of the 1940 Act) in the amount of $2.8 billion and $3.1 billion at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. ACC had qualified assets of $2.9 billion and $3.4 billion at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Ameriprise Financial and ACC entered into a Capital Support Agreement on March 2, 2009, pursuant to which Ameriprise Financial agrees to commit such capital to ACC as is necessary to satisfy applicable minimum capital requirements, up to a maximum commitment of $115 million. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, ACC did not draw upon the Capital Support Agreement and had met all applicable capital requirements.
Threadneedle's required capital is predominantly based on the requirements specified by its regulator, the Financial Services Authority, under its Capital Adequacy Requirements for asset managers.
The Company has four broker-dealer subsidiaries, American Enterprise Investment Services Inc., Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., RiverSource Distributors, Inc. and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. The broker-dealers are subject to the net capital requirements of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") and the Uniform Net Capital requirements of the SEC under Rule 15c3-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Ameriprise Trust Company is subject to capital adequacy requirements under the laws of the State of Minnesota as enforced by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the responsibility for ongoing examination, supervision and regulation of federal savings associations, including Ameriprise Bank, transferred from the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") to the Office of the Comptroller of Currency ("OCC") effective July 21, 2011. Ameriprise Bank is required to maintain sufficient capital in compliance with the OCC regulations and policies. Typically, the OCC requires savings banks to maintain a Tier 1 (core) capital requirement based upon 4.00% of total adjusted assets, total risk-based capital based upon 8.00% of total risk-weighted assets, as well as Tier 1 risk-based capital based upon 4.00% of total risk-weighted assets and a tangible capital ratio of at least 1.50%. Ameriprise Bank agreed with the regulators to maintain its Tier 1 capital-to-assets leverage ratio at or above 7.50%, rather than the OCC-regulated Tier 1 (core) capital requirement of 4.00% and keep its total risk-based capital ratio at or above 12.00%. As a thrift, Ameriprise Bank is also required to maintain 65.00% of its portfolio assets in qualified thrift investments, which include mortgage and consumer-related loans and investments. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, Ameriprise Bank had met all applicable capital requirements.
20. Income Taxes
The components of income tax provision attributable to continuing operations were as follows:
The geographic sources of pretax income from continuing operations were as follows:
The principal reasons that the aggregate income tax provision attributable to continuing operations is different from that computed by using the U.S. statutory rate of 35% were as follows:
The increase in the Company's effective tax rate in 2011 compared to 2010 primarily reflects the change in the noncontrolling interests which is included in pretax income, partially offset by a favorable audit settlement related to the dividends received deduction. The increase in the Company's effective tax rate in 2010 compared to 2009 primarily reflects an increase in pretax income relative to tax advantaged items, which was partially offset by $53 million in benefits from tax planning and the completion of certain audits.
Accumulated earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries, which totaled $89 million at December 31, 2011, are intended to be permanently reinvested outside the United States. Accordingly, U.S. federal taxes, which would have aggregated $9 million, have not been provided on those earnings.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities result from temporary differences between the assets and liabilities measured for GAAP reporting versus income tax return purposes. The significant components of the Company's deferred income tax assets and liabilities, which are included net within other assets or other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, were as follows:
The Company is required to establish a valuation allowance for any portion of the deferred tax assets that management believes will not be realized. Included in deferred tax assets is a significant deferred tax asset relating to capital losses that have been recognized for financial statement purposes but not yet for tax return purposes. Under current U.S. federal income tax law, capital losses generally must be used against capital gain income within five years of the year in which the capital losses are recognized for tax purposes. Significant judgment is required in determining if a valuation allowance should be established, and the amount of such allowance if required. Factors used in making this determination include estimates relating to the performance of the business including the ability to generate capital gains. Consideration is given to, among other things in making this determination, (i) future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards, (ii) future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, (iii) taxable income in prior carryback years, and (iv) tax planning strategies. Based on analysis of the Company's tax position, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize the full benefit of certain state net operating losses and therefore a valuation allowance of $5 million has been established as of December 31, 2011.
Included in the Company's deferred income tax assets are tax benefits related to capital loss carryforwards of $30 million which will expire beginning December 31, 2015, tax credits of $65 million which will expire beginning December 31, 2027, and state net operating losses of $39 million which will expire beginning December 31, 2014. As a result of the Company's ability to file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return including the Company's life insurance subsidiaries, as well as the expected level of taxable income, management believes the Company's capital loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards will be utilized before they expire.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits (expense) were as follows:
If recognized, approximately $38 million, $54 million and $81 million, net of federal tax benefits, of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively, would affect the effective tax rate.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of the income tax provision. The Company recognized $66 million of interest and penalties for the year ended December 31, 2011. The Company recognized a net reduction of $17 million in interest and penalties for the year ended December 31, 2010 and an increase of $1 million in interest and penalties for the year ended December 31, 2009. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had a payable of $37 million and a receivable of $29 million, respectively, related to accrued interest and penalties.
It is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next 12 months. Based on the current audit position of the Company, it is estimated that the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by $150 million to $160 million in the next 12 months.
The Company or one or more of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") had previously completed its field examination of the 1997 through 2007 tax returns in recent years as part of the overall examination of the American Express Company consolidated returns. However, for federal income tax purposes these years except for 2007, continue to remain open as a consequence of certain issues under appeal. The IRS is currently auditing the Company's U.S. income tax returns for 2008 and 2009. The Company's or certain of its subsidiaries' state income tax returns are currently under examination by various jurisdictions for years ranging from 1999 through 2009. The Company's federal and state income tax returns remain open for the years after 2009.
It is possible there will be corporate tax reform in the next few years. While impossible to predict, corporate tax reform is likely to include a reduction in the corporate tax rate coupled with reductions in tax preferred items. Potential tax reform may also affect the U.S. tax rules regarding international operations. Any changes could have a material impact on the income tax expense and the deferred tax balances of the Company.
The items comprising other comprehensive income are presented net of the following income tax provision (benefit) amounts:
21. Retirement Plans and Profit Sharing Arrangements
Defined Benefit Plans
Pension Plans
The Company's U.S. non-advisor employees are generally eligible for the Ameriprise Financial Retirement Plan (the "Retirement Plan"), a noncontributory defined benefit plan which is a qualified plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"). Funding of costs for the Retirement Plan complies with the applicable minimum funding requirements specified by ERISA and is held in a trust. The Retirement Plan is a cash balance plan by which the employees' accrued benefits are based on notional account balances, which are maintained for each individual. Each pay period these balances are credited with an amount equal to a percentage of eligible compensation as defined by the Retirement Plan (which includes, but is not limited to, base pay, performance based incentive pay, commissions, shift differential and overtime). Prior to March 1, 2010, the percentage ranged from 2.5% to 10% based on employees' age plus years of service. Effective March 1, 2010, the percentage ranged from 2.5% to 5% based on employees' years of service. Employees eligible for the plan at the time of the change remain under the previous schedule until the new schedule becomes more favorable. Employees' balances are also credited with a fixed rate of interest that is updated each January 1 and is based on the average of the daily five-year U.S. Treasury Note yields for the previous October 1 through November 30, with a minimum crediting rate of 5%. Employees have the option to receive annuity payments or a lump sum payout at vested termination, retirement, death or disability. The Retirement Plan's year-end is September 30.
In addition, the Company sponsors the Ameriprise Financial Supplemental Retirement Plan (the "SRP"), an unfunded non-qualified deferred compensation plan subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. This plan is for certain highly compensated employees to replace the benefit that cannot be provided by the Retirement Plan due to IRS limits. The SRP generally parallels the Retirement Plan but offers different payment options.
Most employees outside the United States are covered by local retirement plans, some of which are funded, while other employees receive payments at the time of retirement or termination under applicable labor laws or agreements.
The components of the net periodic benefit cost for all pension plans were as follows:
The prior service costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of active participants. Actuarial gains and losses in excess of 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the market-related value of assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected average remaining service period of active participants.
The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the benefit obligation and fair value of assets for the pension plans:
The following table provides the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, which equal the funded status of the Company's pension plans:
The Company complies with the minimum funding requirements in all countries.
The amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, as of December 31, 2011 but not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost included an unrecognized actuarial loss of $87 million and an unrecognized prior service credit of $5 million. The estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, into net periodic benefit cost in 2012 include a prior service credit of $1 million.
The accumulated benefit obligation for all pension plans as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $493 million and $423 million, respectively. The accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations that exceeded the fair value of plan assets were as follows:
The projected benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with projected benefit obligations that exceeded the fair value of plan assets were as follows:
The weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations for pension plans were as follows:
The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for pension plans were as follows:
In developing the expected long-term rate of return on assets, management evaluated input from an external consulting firm, including their projection of asset class return expectations and long-term inflation assumptions. The Company also considered historical returns on the plans' assets. Discount rates are based on yields available on high-quality corporate bonds that would generate cash flows necessary to pay the benefits when due.
The Company's pension plans' assets are invested in an aggregate diversified portfolio to minimize the impact of any adverse or unexpected results from a security class on the entire portfolio. Diversification is interpreted to include diversification by asset type, performance and risk characteristics and number of investments. When appropriate and consistent with the objectives of the plans, derivative instruments may be used to mitigate risk or provide further diversification, subject to the investment policies of the plans. Asset classes and ranges considered appropriate for investment of the plans' assets are determined by each plan's investment committee. The target allocations are 70% equity securities, 20% debt securities and 10% all other types of investments, except for the assets in pooled pension funds which are 82% equity securities, 14% debt securities, and 4% all other types of investments. Actual allocations will generally be within 5% of these targets. At December 31, 2011, there were no significant holdings of any single issuer and the exposure to derivative instruments was not significant.
The following tables present the Company's pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Equity securities are managed to track the performance of common market indices for both U.S. and non-U.S. securities, primarily across large cap, small cap and emerging market asset classes. Debt securities are managed to track the performance of common market indices for both U.S. and non-U.S. investment grade bonds as well as a pool of U.S. high yield bonds. Real estate investment trusts are managed to track the performance of a broad population of investment grade non-agricultural income producing properties. The Company's investments in hedge funds include investments in a multi-strategy fund and an off-shore fund managed to track the performance of broad fund of fund indices. Pooled pension funds are managed to return 1.5% in excess of a common index of similar pooled pension funds on a rolling three year basis. Cash equivalents consist of holdings in a money market fund that seeks to equal the return of the three month U.S. Treasury bill.
The fair value of real estate investment trusts is based primarily on the underlying cash flows of the properties within the trusts which are significant unobservable inputs and classified as Level 3. The fair value of the hedge funds is based on the proportionate share of the underlying net assets of the funds, which are significant unobservable inputs and classified as Level 3. The fair value of pooled pension funds and equity securities held in collective trust funds is based on the fund's NAV and classified as Level 2 as they trade in principal-to-principal markets. Equity securities and mutual funds traded in active markets are classified as Level 1. For debt securities and cash equivalents, the valuation techniques and classifications are consistent with those used for the Company's own investments as described in Note 14.
The following table provides a summary of changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
The Company's pension plans expect to make benefit payments to retirees as follows:
The Company expects to contribute $46 million to its pension plans in 2012.
Other Postretirement Benefits
The Company sponsors defined benefit postretirement plans that provide health care and life insurance to retired U.S. employees. Net periodic postretirement benefit costs were nil, nil and $2 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the defined postretirement benefit plan obligation:
The recognized liabilities for the Company's defined postretirement benefit plans are unfunded. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the recognized liabilities were $19 million and $21 million, respectively, which was equal to the funded status of the Company's postretirement benefit plans.
The amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, as of December 31, 2011 but not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost included an unrecognized actuarial gain of $7 million and an unrecognized prior service cost of nil. The estimated amount that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, into net periodic benefit cost in 2012 is approximately $1 million.
The weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations for other postretirement benefits were as follows:
Discount rates are based on yields available on high-quality corporate bonds that would generate cash flows necessary to pay the benefits when due.
A one percentage-point change in the assumed healthcare cost trend rates would not have a material effect on the postretirement benefit obligation or net periodic postretirement benefit costs.
The Company's defined benefit postretirement plans expect to make benefit payments to retirees as follows:
The Company expects to contribute $2 million to its defined benefit postretirement plans in 2012.
The following is a summary of unrealized losses included in other comprehensive income related to the Company's defined benefit plans:
Defined Contribution Plan
In addition to the plans described previously, the Company's employees are generally eligible to participate in the Ameriprise Financial 401(k) Plan (the "401(k) Plan"). The 401(k) Plan allows eligible employees to make contributions through payroll deductions up to IRS limits and invest their contributions in one or more of the 401(k) Plan investment options, which include the Ameriprise Financial Stock Fund. Effective March 1, 2010, the Company matches 100% of the first 5% of eligible compensation an employee contributes on a pretax or Roth 401(k) basis for each annual period. Prior to March 1, 2010, the Company matched 100% of the first 3% of base pay an employee contributed on a pretax basis each pay period. Effective March 1, 2010, the Company no longer makes an annual discretionary variable match. Prior to May 2009, the Company also made contributions equal to 1% of base pay each pay period, which were automatically invested in the Ameriprise Financial Stock Fund.
Under the 401(k) Plan, employees become eligible for contributions under the plan during the pay period they reach 60 days of service. Fixed and variable match contributions and stock contributions are fully vested after five years of service, vesting ratably over the first five years of service. The Company's defined contribution plan expense was $33 million, $32 million and $16 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Threadneedle Profit Sharing Plan
On an annual basis, Threadneedle employees are eligible for a profit sharing arrangement. The employee profit sharing plan provides for profit sharing of 30% based on an internally defined recurring pretax operating income measure for Threadneedle, which primarily includes pretax income related to investment management services and investment portfolio income excluding gains and losses on asset disposals, certain reorganization expenses, EPP and EIP expenses and other non-recurring expenses. Compensation expense related to the employee profit sharing plan was $54 million, $52 million and $32 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
22. Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies
Commitments
The Company is committed to pay aggregate minimum rentals under noncancelable operating leases for office facilities and equipment in future years as follows:
For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, operating lease expense was $97 million, $103 million and $103 million, respectively.
The following table presents the Company's funding commitments:
The Company's life and annuity products all have minimum interest rate guarantees in their fixed accounts. As of December 31, 2011, these guarantees range up to 5%. To the extent the yield on the Company's invested asset portfolio declines below its target spread plus the minimum guarantee, the Company's profitability would be negatively affected.
Guarantees
Owing to conditions then-prevailing in the credit markets and the isolated defaults of unaffiliated structured investment vehicles held in the portfolios of money market funds advised by its Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC subsidiary (the "2a-7 Funds"), the Company closely monitored the net asset value of the 2a-7 Funds during 2008 and
through the date of this report and, as circumstances warranted from time to time, injected capital into one or more of the 2a-7 Funds. The Company has not provided a formal capital support agreement or net asset value guarantee to any of the 2a-7 Funds.
Contingencies
The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in the normal course of business in legal, regulatory and arbitration proceedings, including class actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of its activities as a diversified financial services firm. These include proceedings specific to the Company as well as proceedings generally applicable to business practices in the industries in which it operates. The Company can also be subject to litigation arising out of its general business activities, such as its investments, contracts, leases and employment relationships. Uncertain economic conditions, heightened and sustained volatility in the financial markets and significant financial reform legislation may increase the likelihood that clients and other persons or regulators may present or threaten legal claims or that regulators increase the scope or frequency of examinations of the Company or the financial services industry generally.
As with other financial services firms, the level of regulatory activity and inquiry concerning the Company's businesses remains elevated. From time to time, the Company receives requests for information from, and/or has been subject to examination or claims by, the SEC, FINRA, the Federal Reserve Bank, the OCC, the Financial Services Authority, state insurance and securities regulators, state attorneys general and various other domestic or foreign governmental and quasi-governmental authorities on behalf of themselves or clients concerning the Company's business activities and practices, and the practices of the Company's financial advisors. During recent periods, the Company has received information requests, exams or inquiries regarding certain matters, including: sales of, or disclosures pertaining to, mutual funds, annuities, equity and fixed income securities, low priced securities, insurance products, brokerage services, financial advice offerings; trading practices within the Company's asset management business; supervision of the Company's financial advisors; company procedures and information security. The Company is also responding to regulatory audits, market conduct examinations and other inquiries (including inquiries from the states of Minnesota and New York) relating to an industry-wide investigation of unclaimed property and escheatment practices and procedures. The number of reviews and investigations has increased in recent years with regard to many firms in the financial services industry, including Ameriprise Financial. The Company has cooperated and will continue to cooperate with the applicable regulators regarding their inquiries.
These legal and regulatory proceedings and disputes are subject to uncertainties and, as such, the Company is unable to predict the ultimate resolution or range of loss that may result. An adverse outcome in one or more of these proceedings could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties or other relief, in addition to further claims, examinations or adverse publicity that could have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
Certain legal and regulatory proceedings are described below.
In June 2004, an action captioned John E. Gallus et al. v. American Express Financial Corp. and American Express Financial Advisors Inc., was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, and was later transferred to the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. The plaintiffs alleged that they were investors in several of the Company's mutual funds and they purported to bring the action derivatively on behalf of those funds under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the '40 Act). The plaintiffs alleged that fees allegedly paid to the defendants by the funds for investment advisory and administrative services were excessive. Plaintiffs seek an order declaring that defendants have violated the '40 Act and awarding unspecified damages including excessive fees allegedly paid plus interest and other costs. On July 6, 2007, the district court granted the Company's motion for summary judgment, dismissing all claims with prejudice. Plaintiffs appealed the district court's decision, and on April 8, 2009, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reversed the district court's decision, and remanded the case for further proceedings. The Company filed with the United States Supreme Court a Petition for Writ of Certiorari to review the judgment of the Court of Appeals in this case in light of the Supreme Court's anticipated review of a similar excessive fee case captioned Jones v. Harris Associates. On March 30, 2010, the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Jones v. Harris Associates, and on April 5, 2010, the Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit's decision in this case and remanded it to the Eighth Circuit for further consideration in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Jones v. Harris Associates. Without any further briefing or argument, on June 4, 2010, the Eighth Circuit remanded the case to the district court for further consideration in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Jones v. Harris Associates. On December 8, 2010, the district court re-entered its July 2007 order granting summary judgment in favor of the Company. Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal with the Eighth Circuit on January 10, 2011. The Eighth Circuit Court heard oral arguments of the parties on November 17, 2011. The Company is awaiting the Court's ruling.
In November 2010, the Company's J. & W. Seligman & Co. Incorporated subsidiary ("Seligman") received a governmental inquiry regarding an industry insider trading investigation, as previously stated by the Company in general media reporting. The Company continues to cooperate fully with that inquiry. Neither the Company nor Seligman has been accused of any
wrongdoing, and the government has confirmed that neither the Company nor any of its affiliated entities is a target of its investigation into potential insider trading.
In October 2011, a putative class action lawsuit entitled Roger Krueger, et al. vs. Ameriprise Financial, et al. was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota against the Company, certain of its present or former employees and directors, as well as certain fiduciary committees on behalf of participants and beneficiaries of the Ameriprise Financial 401(k) Plan. The alleged class period is from October 1, 2005, to the present. The action alleges that Ameriprise breached fiduciary duties under ERISA by selecting and retaining primarily proprietary mutual funds with allegedly poor performance histories, higher expenses relative to other investment options, and improper fees paid to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. or its subsidiaries. The action also alleges that the Company breached fiduciary duties under ERISA because it used its affiliate Ameriprise Trust Company as the Plan trustee and record-keeper and improperly reaped profits from the sale of the record-keeping business to Wachovia Bank, N.A. Plaintiffs allege over $20 million in damages. On January 17, 2012, all defendants filed a brief and other documents in support of their motion to dismiss the complaint. Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on February 7, 2012. An amended briefing and hearing schedule for the motion to dismiss this amended complaint will be set by the court.
23. Related Party Transactions
The Company may engage in transactions in the ordinary course of business with significant shareholders or their subsidiaries, between the Company and its directors and officers or with other companies whose directors or officers may also serve as directors or officers for the Company or its subsidiaries. The Company carries out these transactions on customary terms. The transactions have not had a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial condition.
The Company's executive officers and directors may have transactions with the Company or its subsidiaries involving financial products and insurance services. All obligations arising from these transactions are in the ordinary course of the Company's business and are on the same terms in effect for comparable transactions with the general public. Such obligations involve normal risks of collection and do not have features or terms that are unfavorable to the Company's subsidiaries.
24. Discontinued Operations
During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company sold Securities America to Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services, Inc. for $150 million in cash and potential future payments if Securities America reaches certain financial criteria. The components of income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, were as follows for the years ended December 31:
Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2010 were as follows:
Included in other assets at December 31, 2010, were $48 million of goodwill and $8 million of intangible assets related to Securities America.
25. Segment Information
The Company's segments are Advice & Wealth Management, Asset Management, Annuities, Protection and Corporate & Other. Each segment records revenues and expenses as if they were each a stand-alone business using the Company's transfer pricing methodology. Transfer pricing uses rates that approximate market-based arm's length prices for specific services provided. The Company reviews the transfer pricing rates periodically and makes appropriate adjustments to ensure the transfer pricing rates that approximate arm's length market prices remain at current market levels. Costs related to shared services are allocated to segments based on their usage of the services provided.
The largest source of intersegment revenues and expenses is retail distribution services, where segments are charged transfer pricing rates that approximate arm's length market prices for distribution through the Advice & Wealth Management segment. The Advice & Wealth Management segment provides distribution services for affiliated and non-affiliated products and services. The Asset Management segment provides investment management services for the Company's owned assets and client assets, and accordingly charges investment and advisory management fees to the other segments.
All costs related to shared services are allocated to the segments based on a rate times volume or fixed basis.
The Advice & Wealth Management segment provides financial planning and advice, as well as full service brokerage and banking services, primarily to retail clients through the Company's affiliated advisors. The Company's affiliated advisors have access to a diversified selection of both affiliated and non-affiliated products to help clients meet their financial needs. A significant portion of revenues in this segment is fee-based, driven by the level of client assets, which is impacted by both market movements and net asset flows. The Company also earns net investment income on invested assets primarily from certificate and banking products. This segment earns revenues (distribution fees) for distributing non-affiliated products and earns intersegment revenues (distribution fees) for distributing the Company's affiliated products and services provided to its retail clients. Intersegment expenses for this segment include expenses for investment management services provided by the Asset Management segment.
The Asset Management segment provides investment advice and investment products to retail and institutional clients. Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC ("Columbia" or "Columbia Management") predominantly provides U.S. domestic products and services and Threadneedle predominantly provides international investment products and services. Columbia retail products are provided through unaffiliated third party financial institutions and through the Advice & Wealth Management segment. Institutional products and services are primarily sold through the Company's institutional sales force. Threadneedle retail products are primarily provided through third parties. Retail products include mutual funds and variable product funds underlying insurance and annuity separate accounts. Institutional asset management services are designed to meet specific client objectives and may involve a range of products including those that focus on traditional asset classes, separately managed accounts, individually managed accounts, collateralized loan obligations, hedge funds, collective funds and property funds. Revenues in this segment are primarily earned as fees based on managed asset balances, which are impacted by both market movements and net asset flows. In addition to the products and services provided to third party clients, management teams serving our Asset Management segment provide all intercompany asset management services. The fees for all such services are reflected within the Asset Management segment results through intersegment transfer pricing. Intersegment expenses for this segment include distribution expenses for services provided by the Advice & Wealth Management, Annuities and Protection segments.
The Annuities segment provides variable and fixed annuity products of RiverSource Life companies to retail clients. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company's variable annuity products were provided through both affiliated and unaffiliated advisors through third-party distribution. During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company discontinued new sales of its variable annuities in non-Ameriprise channels to further strengthen the risk and return characteristics of the business. The Company's fixed annuity products are provided through affiliated advisors as well as unaffiliated advisors through third-party distribution. Revenues for the Company's variable annuity products are primarily earned as fees based on underlying account balances, which are impacted by both market movements and net asset flows. Revenues for the Company's fixed annuity products are primarily earned as net investment income on invested assets supporting fixed account balances, with profitability significantly impacted by the spread between net investment income earned and interest credited on the fixed account balances. The Company also earns net investment income on invested assets supporting reserves for immediate annuities and for certain guaranteed benefits offered with variable annuities and on capital supporting the business. Intersegment revenues for this segment reflect fees paid by the Asset Management segment for marketing support and other services provided in connection with the availability of RiverSource Variable Series Trust, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I and Wanger Advisors Trust funds under the variable annuity contracts. Intersegment expenses for this segment include distribution expenses for services provided by the Advice & Wealth Management segment, as well as expenses for investment management services provided by the Asset Management segment.
The Protection segment offers a variety of protection products to address the protection and risk management needs of the Company's retail clients including life, DI and property-casualty insurance. Life and DI products are primarily provided through the Company's affiliated advisors. The Company's property-casualty products are provided direct, primarily through affinity relationships. The Company issues insurance policies through its life insurance subsidiaries and the property casualty companies. The primary sources of revenues for this segment are premiums, fees, and charges that the Company receives to assume insurance-related risk. The Company earns net investment income on invested assets supporting insurance reserves and capital supporting the business. The Company also receives fees based on the level of assets supporting VUL separate account balances. This segment earns intersegment revenues from fees paid by the Asset Management segment for marketing support and other services provided in connection with the availability of RiverSource Variable Series Trust, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust, Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I and Wanger Advisors Trust funds under the VUL contracts. Intersegment expenses for this segment include distribution expenses for services provided by the Advice & Wealth Management segment, as well as expenses for investment management services provided by the Asset Management segment.
The Corporate & Other segment consists of net investment income or loss on corporate level assets, including excess capital held in the Company's subsidiaries and other unallocated equity and other revenues as well as unallocated corporate expenses. The Corporate & Other segment also includes revenues and expenses of consolidated investment entities.
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those of the Company, except for the method of capital allocation and the accounting for gains (losses) from intercompany revenues and expenses, which are eliminated in consolidation.
The following is a summary of assets by segment:
The following is a summary of segment results:
26. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be reported in the Exchange Act filings is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in and pursuant to SEC regulations, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that this information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding the required disclosure. It should be noted that, because of inherent limitations, our company's disclosure controls and procedures, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met.
Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable level of assurance as of December 31, 2011.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth fiscal quarter of the year to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our company's internal control over financial reporting.
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company.
The Company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company's principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the Company's Board of Directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, and includes those policies and procedures that:
•Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
•Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and
•Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
The Company's management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011. In making this assessment, the Company's management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control - Integrated Framework.
Based on management's assessment and those criteria, we believe that, as of December 31, 2011, the Company's internal control over financial reporting is effective.
PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011.
Item 9B. Other Information.
None.
Part III.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
The following portions of the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by reference:
•information included under the caption "Items to be Voted on by Shareholders - Item 1 - Election of Directors";
•information included under the caption "Requirements, Including Deadlines, for Submission of Proxy Proposals, Nomination of Directors and Other Business of Shareholders";
•information under the caption "Corporate Governance - Codes of Conduct";
•information included under the caption "Corporate Governance - Membership on Board Committees";
•information under the caption "Corporate Governance - Nominating and Governance Committee - Director Nomination Process";
•information included under the caption "Corporate Governance - Audit Committee";
•information included under the caption "Corporate Governance - Audit Committee Financial Experts"; and
•information under the caption "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance." Executive Officers of our Company
Set forth below is a list of our executive officers as of the date this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been filed with the SEC. None of such officers has any family relationship with any other executive officer or our principal accounting officer, and none of such officers became an officer pursuant to any arrangement or understanding with any other person. Each such officer has been elected to serve until the next annual election of officers or until his or her successor is elected and qualified. Each officer's age is indicated by the number in parentheses next to his or her name.
James M. Cracchiolo - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Cracchiolo (53) has been our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since September 2005. Prior to that time, Mr. Cracchiolo was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of American Express Financial Corporation ("AEFC") since March 2001; President and Chief Executive Officer of AEFC since November 2000; and Group President, Global Financial Services of American Express since June 2000. He served as Chairman of American Express Bank Ltd. from September 2000 until April 2005 and served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Travel Related Services International from May 1998 through July 2003. He is also currently on the board of advisors of the March of Dimes and previously had served on the board of Tech Data Corporation.
Joseph E. Sweeney - President - Advice & Wealth Management, Products and Services
Mr. Sweeney (50) has been our President - Advice & Wealth Management, Products and Services since May 2009. Prior to that time, Mr. Sweeney served as President - Financial Planning, Products and Services. Prior to that, Mr. Sweeney served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Banking, Brokerage and Managed Products of AEFC since April 2002. Prior thereto, he served as Senior Vice President and Head, Business Transformation, Global Financial Services of American Express from March 2001 until April 2002. Mr. Sweeney is currently on the board of directors of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association.
William F. Truscott - CEO - U.S. Asset Management and President, Annuities
Mr. Truscott (51) has been our CEO - U.S. Asset Management and President, Annuities since May 2010. Prior to that time, Mr. Truscott had served as our President - U.S. Asset Management, Annuities and Chief Investment Officer since February 2008 and as our President - U.S. Asset Management and Chief Investment Officer since September 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Truscott served as Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of AEFC, a position he held since he joined the company in September 2001.
Walter S. Berman - Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Berman (69) has been our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since September 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Berman served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of AEFC, a position he held since January 2003. From April 2001 to January 2004, Mr. Berman served as Corporate Treasurer of American Express.
Kelli A. Hunter - Executive Vice President of Human Resources
Ms. Hunter (50) has been our Executive Vice President of Human Resources since September 2005. Prior to that, Ms. Hunter served as Executive Vice President of Human Resources of AEFC since joining our company in June 2005. Prior to joining AEFC, Ms. Hunter was Senior Vice President - Global Human Capital for Crown Castle International Corporation in Houston, Texas. Prior to that, she held a variety of senior level positions in human resources for Software Spectrum, Inc., Mary Kay, Inc., as well as Morgan Stanley Inc. and Bankers Trust New York Corporation.
John C. Junek - Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Mr. Junek (62) has been our Executive Vice President and General Counsel since September 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Junek served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of AEFC since June 2000.
Glen Salow - Executive Vice President - Service Delivery and Technology
Mr. Salow (55) has been our Executive Vice President - Service Delivery and Technology since September 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Salow was Executive Vice President of Technologies and Operations of AEFC since May 2005 and was Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of American Express from March 2000 to May 2005.
Kim M. Sharan - President - Financial Planning and Wealth Strategies, Chief Marketing Officer
Ms. Sharan (54) has been our President - Financial Planning and Wealth Strategies, Chief Marketing Officer since June 2009. Prior to that time, Ms. Sharan served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. Prior to that, Ms. Sharan served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of AEFC since July 2004. Prior thereto, she served as Senior Vice President and Head of Strategic Planning of the Global Financial Services Division of American Express from October 2002 until July 2004. Prior to joining American Express, Ms. Sharan was Managing Director at Merrill Lynch in Tokyo, Japan, from February 2000 until September 2002.
Deirdre Davey McGraw - Executive Vice President - Corporate Communications and Community Relations
Ms. Davey McGraw (41) has been our Executive Vice President - Corporate Communications and Community Relations since February 2010. Previously, Ms. Davey McGraw served as Senior Vice President - Corporate Communications and Community Relations since February 2007 and as Vice President - Corporate Communications since May 2006. Prior thereto, Ms. Davey McGraw served as Vice President - Business Planning and Communications for our Chairman's Office, and prior to that, she served as Vice President - Business Planning and Communications for the Group President, Global Financial Services at American Express.
John R. Woerner - President - Insurance and Chief Strategy Officer
Mr. Woerner (43) has been our President - Insurance and Chief Strategy Officer since February 2008. Prior to his current role, he was Senior Vice President - Strategy and Business Development since September 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Woerner served as Senior Vice President - Strategic Planning and Business Development of AEFC since March 2005. Prior to joining AEFC, Mr. Woerner was a Principal at McKinsey & Co., where he spent approximately ten years serving leading U.S. and European financial services firms, and co-led McKinsey's U.S. Asset Management Practice.
Donald E. Froude - President - The Personal Advisors Group
Mr. Froude (56) has been our President - The Personal Advisors Group since September 2008. Prior to joining us, Mr. Froude served as managing director and head of U.S. distribution for Legg Mason, Inc. since 2006. Prior to that, he served as President of Intermediary Distribution for Columbia Management, a division of Bank of America, from 2004 to 2006. Prior thereto, he was president and chief executive officer of Quick & Reilly.
David K. Stewart - Senior Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
Mr. Stewart (58) has been our Senior Vice President and Controller since September 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Stewart served as Vice President and Controller of AEFC and its subsidiaries since June 2002, when he joined American Express. Prior thereto, Mr. Stewart held various management and officer positions in accounting, financial reporting and treasury operations at Lutheran Brotherhood, now known as Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, where he was Vice President - Treasurer from 1997 until 2001.
Corporate Governance
We have adopted a set of Corporate Governance Principles and Categorical Standards of Director Independence which, together with the charters of the three standing committees of the Board of Directors (Audit; Compensation and Benefits; and Nominating and Governance) and our Code of Conduct (which constitutes the Company's code of ethics), provide the framework for the governance of our company. A complete copy of our Corporate Governance Principles and Categorical Standards of Director Independence, the charters of each of the Board committees, the Code of Conduct (which applies
not only to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Controller, but also to all other employees of our company) and the Code of Business Conduct for the Members of the Board of Directors may be found by clicking the "Corporate Governance" link found on our Investor Relations website at ir.ameriprise.com. You may also access our Investor Relations website through our main website at ameriprise.com by clicking on the "Investor Relations" link, which is located at the bottom of the page. (Information from such sites is not incorporated by reference into this report.) You may also obtain free copies of these materials by writing to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The following portions of the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by reference:
•information under the caption "Corporate Governance - Compensation and Benefits Committee - Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation";
•information included under the caption "Compensation of Executive Officers"; and
•information included under the caption "Compensation of Directors."
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
(1)Includes 1,504,579 share units subject to vesting per the terms of the applicable plan which could result in the issuance of common stock. As the terms of these share based awards do not provide for an exercise price, they have been excluded from the weighted average exercise price in column B.
(2)Includes 5,710,093 share units subject to vesting per the terms of the applicable plans which could result in the issuance of common stock. As the terms of these share based awards do not provide for an exercise price, they have been excluded from the weighted average exercise price in column B. For additional information on the Company's equity compensation plans see Note 16 - Share-Based Compensation to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The non-shareholder approved plans consist of the Ameriprise Financial 2008 Employment Incentive Equity Award Plan and the Amended Franchise Advisor Deferred Equity Program.
(3)Consists of 2,959,218 shares of common stock issuable under the terms of the Ameriprise Financial 2008 Employment Incentive Equity Award Plan, 2,641,960 shares of common stock issuable under the Ameriprise Advisor Group Deferred Compensation Plan, and 658,425 shares of common stock issuable under the Amended Franchise Advisor Deferred Compensation Plan. Descriptions of our equity compensation plans can be found in Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Information concerning the market for our common shares and our shareholders can be found in Part II, Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Price and dividend information concerning our common shares may be found in Note 26 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The information included under the caption "Ownership of Our Common Shares" in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
The information under the captions "Corporate Governance - Director Independence," "Corporate Governance - Categorical Standards of Director Independence," "Corporate Governance - Independence of Committee Members" and "Certain Transactions" in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
The information set forth under the heading "Items to be Voted on by Shareholders - Item 3 - Ratification of Audit Committee's Selection of Independent Registered Public Accountants for 2012 - Independent Registered Public Accountant Fees"; " - Services to Associated Organizations"; and " -Policy on Pre-Approval of Services Provided by Independent Registered Public Accountants," in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Part IV.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)1. Financial Statements:
The information required herein has been provided in Item 8, which is incorporated herein by reference.
2.Financial schedules required to be filed by Item 8 of this form, and by Item 15(b):
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company Only)
All other financial schedules are not required under the related instructions, or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.
3.Exhibits:
The list of exhibits required to be filed as exhibits to this report are listed on pages E-1 through E-2 hereof under "Exhibit Index," which is incorporated herein by reference.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: February 24, 2012
By
/s/ Walter S. Berman
Walter S. Berman
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Power of Attorney
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned directors and officers of Ameriprise Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation, does hereby make, constitute and appoint James M. Cracchiolo, Walter S. Berman and John C. Junek, and each of them, the undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned's name, place and stead, to sign and affix the undersigned's name as such director and/or officer of said corporation to an Annual Report on Form 10-K or other applicable form, and all amendments thereto, to be filed by such corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with all exhibits thereto and other supporting documents, with said Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and any of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts necessary or incidental to the performance and execution of the powers herein expressly granted.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacity and on the dates indicated.
Date: February 24, 2012
By
/s/ James M. Cracchiolo
James M. Cracchiolo
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer and Director)
Date: February 24, 2012
By
/s/ Walter S. Berman
Walter S. Berman
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Date: February 24, 2012
By
/s/ David K. Stewart
David K. Stewart
Senior Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Date: February 24, 2012
By
/s/ Lon R. Greenberg
Lon R. Greenberg
Director
Date: February 24, 2012
By
/s/ Warren D. Knowlton
Warren D. Knowlton
Director
Date: February 24, 2012
By
/s/ W. Walker Lewis
W. Walker Lewis
Director
Date: February 24, 2012
By
/s/ Siri S. Marshall
Siri S. Marshall
Director
Date: February 24, 2012
By
/s/ Jeffrey Noddle
Jeffrey Noddle
Director
Date: February 24, 2012
By
/s/ H. Jay Sarles
H. Jay Sarles
Director
Date: February 24, 2012
By
/s/ Robert F. Sharpe, Jr.
Robert F. Sharpe, Jr.
Director
Date: February 24, 2012
By
/s/ William H. Turner
William H. Turner
Director
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Financial Statement Schedule
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Ameriprise Financial, Inc.:
Our audit of the consolidated financial statements and of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting referred to in our report dated February 24, 2012 appearing in this Annual Report to Shareholders of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. on Form 10-K also included an audit of the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) of this Form 10-K. In our opinion, this financial statement schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 24, 2012
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
We have audited the consolidated balance sheet of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2010, and have issued our report thereon dated February 28, 2011, except for Note 24 (Discontinued Operations), as to which the date is February 24, 2012 (included elsewhere in this Registration Statement). Our audits also included the financial statement schedule for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2010 listed in Item 15(a) of this Annual Report (Form 10-K). This schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits.
In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statement schedule, certain 2010 and 2009 amounts have been retrospectively adjusted to reclassify the assets, liabilities and results of operations of a certain subsidiary as discontinued operations.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 28, 2011, except for Note 2 (Discontinued Operations), as to which the date is February 24, 2012
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
(Parent Company Only)
Condensed Statements of Operations
Condensed Balance Sheets
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Condensed Statements of Operations
(Parent Company Only)
See Notes to Condensed Financial Information of Registrant.
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Condensed Balance Sheets
(Parent Company Only)
See Notes to Condensed Financial Information of Registrant.
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(Parent Company Only)
See Notes to Condensed Financial Information of Registrant.
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Notes to Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
(Parent Company Only)
1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Condensed Financial Statements include the accounts of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (the "Registrant," "Ameriprise Financial" or "Parent Company") and, on an equity basis, its subsidiaries and affiliates. The appropriated retained earnings of consolidated investment entities are not included on the Parent Company Only Condensed Financial Statements. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation. The financial information of the Parent Company should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes of Ameriprise Financial. Parent Company revenues and expenses, other than compensation and benefits and debt and interest expense, are primarily related to intercompany transactions with subsidiaries and affiliates.
The change in the fair value of certain derivative instruments is reflected on the Parent Company Only Condensed Statements of Operations. For certain of these derivatives, the change in the hedged item is reflected on the subsidiaries' Statements of Operations. The change in fair value of derivatives used to hedge certain asset-based distribution fees is included in distribution fees, while the underlying distribution fee revenue is reflected in equity in earnings of subsidiaries. The change in fair value of derivatives used to economically hedge exposure to equity price risk of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. common stock granted as part of the Ameriprise Financial Franchise Advisor Deferred Compensation Plan is included in distribution expenses, while the underlying distribution expenses are reflected in equity in earnings of subsidiaries.
2. Discontinued Operations
In the fourth quarter of 2011, Ameriprise Financial sold Securities America for $150 million. The results of Securities America have been presented as equity in income (loss) of discontinued operations for all periods presented and the related investment in subsidiary has been classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2010.
3. Debt
All of the debt of Ameriprise Financial is borrowings of the Parent Company, except as indicated below.
•At December 31, 2010, the debt of Ameriprise Financial included $6 million of municipal bond inverse floater certificates that are non-recourse debt obligations supported by a $10 million portfolio of municipal bonds. The certificates were extinguished in 2011, funded through the call of the portfolio of municipal bonds.
•At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the debt of Ameriprise Financial included $504 million and $397 million of repurchase agreements, respectively, which are accounted for as secured borrowings.
4. Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies
The Parent Company is the guarantor for operating leases of IDS Property Casualty Insurance Company and certain other subsidiaries.
All consolidated legal, regulatory and arbitration proceedings, including class actions of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries are potential or current obligations of the Parent Company.
The Parent Company and Ameriprise Certificate Company ("ACC") entered into a Capital Support Agreement on March 2, 2009, pursuant to which the Parent Company agrees to commit such capital to ACC as is necessary to satisfy applicable minimum capital requirements, up to a maximum commitment of $115 million. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, ACC did not draw upon the Capital Support Agreement and had met all applicable capital requirements.
Exhibit Index
Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we have filed certain agreements as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These agreements may contain representations and warranties by the parties. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other party or parties to such agreements and (i) may have been qualified by disclosures made to such other party or parties, (ii) were made only as of the date of such agreements or such other date(s) as may be specified in such agreements and are subject to more recent developments, which may not be fully reflected in our public disclosure, (iii) may reflect the allocation of risk among the parties to such agreements and (iv) may apply materiality standards different from what may be viewed as material to investors. Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe our actual state of affairs at the date hereof and should not be relied upon.
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The exhibit numbers followed by an asterisk (*) indicate exhibits electronically filed herewith. All other exhibit numbers indicate exhibits previously filed and are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Exhibits numbered 10.2 through 10.22 are management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.
Exhibit
Description
3.1
Amended Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 1-32525, filed on April 30, 2010).
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 1-32525, filed on April 30, 2010).
4.1
Form of Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 3 to Form 10 Registration Statement, File No. 1-32525, filed on August 19, 2005).
4.2
Indenture dated as of October 5, 2005, between Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to the Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-128834, filed on October 5, 2005).
4.3
Indenture dated as of May 5, 2006, between Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.A to the Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR, File No. 333-133860, filed on May 5, 2006).
4.4
Junior Subordinated Debt Indenture, dated as of May 5, 2006, between Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.C to the Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR, File No. 333-133860, filed on May 5, 2006).
Other instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt securities of the registrant are omitted pursuant to Section (b)(4)(iii)(A) of Item 601 of Regulation S-K. The registrant agrees to furnish copies of these instruments to the SEC upon request.
10.1
Tax Allocation Agreement by and between American Express and Ameriprise Financial, Inc., dated as of September 30, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 1-32525, filed on October 4, 2005).
10.2
Ameriprise Financial 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective April 28, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on April 28, 2010, File No. 001-32525, filed on March 19, 2010).
10.3*
Ameriprise Financial Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2012.
10.4
Ameriprise Financial Supplemental Retirement Plan, as amended and restated effective April 1, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, File No. 1-32525, filed on May 4, 2010).
10.5
Form of Ameriprise Financial 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan Master Agreement for Substitution Awards (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 Registration Statement, File No. 1-32525, filed on August 15, 2005).
10.6
Ameriprise Financial Form of Award Certificate - Non-Qualified Stock Option Award (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 1-32525, filed on October 4, 2005).
10.7
Ameriprise Financial Form of Award Certificate - Restricted Stock Award (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 1-32525, filed on October 4, 2005).
10.8
Ameriprise Financial Form of Award Certificate - Restricted Stock Unit Award (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 1-32525, filed on October 4, 2005).
10.9
Ameriprise Financial Form of Agreement - Cash Incentive Award (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 1-32525, filed on October 4, 2005).
10.10
Ameriprise Financial Long-Term Incentive Award Program Guide (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 1-32525, filed on March 2, 2009).
10.11
Ameriprise Financial Performance Cash Unit Plan Supplement to the Long Term Incentive Award Program Guide (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, File No. 1-32525, filed on May 2, 2011).
10.12
Ameriprise Financial Form of Award Certificate - Performance Cash Unit Plan Award (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, File No. 1-32525, filed on May 2, 2011).
10.13
Ameriprise Financial Performance Share Unit Plan Supplement to the Long-Term Incentive Award Program Guide (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, File No. 1-32525, filed on May 2, 2011).
E-1
Exhibit
Description
10.14
Ameriprise Financial Form of Award Certificate - Performance Share Unit Plan Award (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, File No. 1-32525, filed on May 2, 2011).
10.15*
Ameriprise Financial Deferred Share Plan for Outside Directors, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2012.
10.16
CEO Security and Compensation Arrangements (incorporated by reference to Item 1.01 of the Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 1-32525, filed on October 31, 2005).
10.17*
Ameriprise Financial Senior Executive Severance Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2012.
10.18
Restricted Stock Awards in lieu of Key Executive Life Insurance Program (incorporated by reference to Item 1.01 of the Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 1-32525, filed on November 18, 2005).
10.19
Ameriprise Financial Annual Incentive Award Plan, adopted effective as of September 30, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 1-32525. filed on March 8, 2006).
10.20
Form of Indemnification Agreement for directors, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Principal Accounting Officer and any other officers designated by the Chief Executive Officer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 1-32525, filed on March 8, 2006).
10.21
Ameriprise Financial 2008 Employment Incentive Equity Award Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8, File No. 333-156075, filed on December 11, 2008).
10.22
Ameriprise Advisor Group Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 1-32525, filed on February 24, 2010).
10.23
Credit Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2011, among Ameriprise Financial, Inc., the lenders party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A., as Syndication Agent, and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 1-32525, filed on November 23, 2011).
10.24
Capital Support Agreement by and between Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and Ameriprise Certificate Company, dated as of March 2, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 1-32525, filed on March 2, 2009).
12*
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
13*
Portions of the Ameriprise Financial, Inc. 2011 Annual Report to Shareholders, which, except for those sections incorporated herein by reference, are furnished solely for the information of the SEC and are not to be deemed "filed."
21*
Subsidiaries of Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
23.1*
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.2*
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Powers of attorney (included on Signature Page).
31.1*
Certification of James M. Cracchiolo pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
31.2*
Certification of Walter S. Berman pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
32*
Certification of James M. Cracchiolo and Walter S. Berman pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101*
The following materials from Ameriprise Financial, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009; (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011 and 2010; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Equity for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009; and (v) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
E-2