JPMORGAN CHASE & CO | 2013 | FY | 3


Allowance for credit losses
JPMorgan Chase’s allowance for loan losses covers the consumer, including credit card, portfolio segments (primarily scored); and wholesale (risk-rated) portfolio, and represents management’s estimate of probable credit losses inherent in the Firm’s loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses includes an asset-specific component, a formula-based component and a component related to PCI loans, as described below. Management also estimates an allowance for wholesale and consumer lending-related commitments using methodologies similar to those used to estimate the allowance on the underlying loans. During 2013, the Firm did not make any significant changes to the methodologies or policies used to determine its allowance for credit losses; such policies are described in the following paragraphs.
The asset-specific component of the allowance relates to loans considered to be impaired, which includes loans that have been modified in TDRs as well as risk-rated loans that have been placed on nonaccrual status. To determine the asset-specific component of the allowance, larger loans are evaluated individually, while smaller loans are evaluated as pools using historical loss experience for the respective class of assets. Scored loans (i.e., consumer loans) are pooled by product type, while risk-rated loans (primarily wholesale loans) are segmented by risk rating.
The Firm generally measures the asset-specific allowance as the difference between the recorded investment in the loan and the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected, discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate. Subsequent changes in impairment are reported as an adjustment to the provision for loan losses. In certain cases, the asset-specific allowance is determined using an observable market price, and the allowance is measured as the difference between the recorded investment in the loan and the loan’s fair value. Impaired collateral-dependent loans are charged down to the fair value of collateral less costs to sell and therefore may not be subject to an asset-specific reserve as for other impaired loans. See Note 14 on pages 258–283 of this Annual Report for more information about charge-offs and collateral-dependent loans.
The asset-specific component of the allowance for impaired loans that have been modified in TDRs incorporates the effects of foregone interest, if any, in the present value calculation and also incorporates the effect of the modification on the loan’s expected cash flows, which considers the potential for redefault. For residential real estate loans modified in TDRs, the Firm develops product-specific probability of default estimates, which are applied at a loan level to compute expected losses. In developing these probabilities of default, the Firm considers the relationship between the credit quality characteristics of the underlying loans and certain assumptions about home prices and unemployment, based upon industry-wide data. The Firm also considers its own historical loss experience to date based on actual redefaulted modified loans. For credit card loans modified in TDRs, expected losses incorporate projected redefaults based on the Firm’s historical experience by type of modification program. For wholesale loans modified in TDRs, expected losses incorporate redefaults based on management’s expectation of the borrower’s ability to repay under the modified terms.
The formula-based component is based on a statistical calculation to provide for incurred credit losses in performing risk-rated loans and all consumer loans, except for any loans restructured in TDRs and PCI loans. See Note 14 on pages 258–283 of this Annual Report for more information on PCI loans.
For scored loans, the statistical calculation is performed on pools of loans with similar risk characteristics (e.g., product type) and generally computed by applying loss factors to outstanding principal balances over an estimated loss emergence period. The loss emergence period represents the time period between the date at which the loss is estimated to have been incurred and the ultimate realization of that loss (through a charge-off). Estimated loss emergence periods may vary by product and may change over time; management applies judgment in estimating loss emergence periods, using available credit information and trends.
Loss factors are statistically derived and sensitive to changes in delinquency status, credit scores, collateral values and other risk factors. The Firm uses a number of different forecasting models to estimate both the PD and the loss severity, including delinquency roll rate models and credit loss severity models. In developing PD and loss severity assumptions, the Firm also considers known and anticipated changes in the economic environment, including changes in home prices, unemployment rates and other risk indicators.
A nationally recognized home price index measure is used to estimate both the PD and the loss severity on residential real estate loans at the metropolitan statistical areas (“MSA”) level. Loss severity estimates are regularly validated by comparison to actual losses recognized on defaulted loans, market-specific real estate appraisals and property sales activity. The economic impact of potential modifications of residential real estate loans is not included in the statistical calculation because of the uncertainty regarding the type and results of such modifications.
For risk-rated loans, the statistical calculation is the product of an estimated PD and an estimated LGD. These factors are differentiated by risk rating and expected maturity. In assessing the risk rating of a particular loan, among the factors considered are the obligor’s debt capacity and financial flexibility, the level of the obligor’s earnings, the amount and sources for repayment, the level and nature of contingencies, management strength, and the industry and geography in which the obligor operates. These factors are based on an evaluation of historical and current information, and involve subjective assessment and interpretation. Emphasizing one factor over another or considering additional factors could impact the risk rating assigned by the Firm to that loan. PD estimates are based on observable external through-the-cycle data, using credit-rating agency default statistics. LGD estimates are based on the Firm’s history of actual credit losses over more than one credit cycle.
Management applies judgment within an established framework to adjust the results of applying the statistical calculation described above. The determination of the appropriate adjustment is based on management’s view of loss events that have occurred but that are not yet reflected in the loss factors and that relate to current macroeconomic and political conditions, the quality of underwriting standards and other relevant internal and external factors affecting the credit quality of the portfolio. For the scored loan portfolios, adjustments to the statistical calculation are accomplished in part by analyzing the historical loss experience for each major product segment. Factors related to unemployment, home prices, borrower behavior and lien position, the estimated effects of the mortgage foreclosure-related settlement with federal and state officials and uncertainties regarding the ultimate success of loan modifications are incorporated into the calculation, as appropriate. For junior lien products, management considers the delinquency and/or modification status of any senior liens in determining the adjustment. In addition, for the risk-rated portfolios, any adjustments made to the statistical calculation also consider concentrated and deteriorating industries.
Management establishes an asset-specific allowance for lending-related commitments that are considered impaired and computes a formula-based allowance for performing consumer and wholesale lending-related commitments. These are computed using a methodology similar to that used for the wholesale loan portfolio, modified for expected maturities and probabilities of drawdown.
Determining the appropriateness of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Subsequent evaluations of the loan portfolio, in light of the factors then prevailing, may result in significant changes in the allowances for loan losses and lending-related commitments in future periods. At least quarterly, the allowance for credit losses is reviewed by the Chief Risk Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Controller of the Firm and discussed with the Risk Policy and Audit Committees of the Board of Directors of the Firm. As of December 31, 2013, JPMorgan Chase deemed the allowance for credit losses to be appropriate (i.e., sufficient to absorb probable credit losses inherent in the portfolio).
Allowance for credit losses and loans and lending-related commitments by impairment methodology
The table below summarizes information about the allowance for loan losses, loans by impairment methodology, the allowance for lending-related commitments and lending-related commitments by impairment methodology.
 
2013
Year ended December 31,
(in millions)
Consumer,
excluding
credit card
 
Credit card
 
Wholesale
Total
Allowance for loan losses
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance at January 1,
$
12,292

 
$
5,501

 
$
4,143

$
21,936

Gross charge-offs
2,754


4,472

 
241

7,467

Gross recoveries
(847
)
 
(593
)
 
(225
)
(1,665
)
Net charge-offs/(recoveries)
1,907


3,879

 
16

5,802

Write-offs of PCI loans(a)
53

 

 

53

Provision for loan losses
(1,872
)
 
2,179

 
(119
)
188

Other
(4
)
 
(6
)
 
5

(5
)
Ending balance at December 31,
$
8,456

 
$
3,795

 
$
4,013

$
16,264

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses by impairment methodology
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-specific(b)
$
601

 
$
971

(c) 
$
181

$
1,753

Formula-based
3,697

 
2,824

 
3,832

10,353

PCI
4,158

 

 

4,158

Total allowance for loan losses
$
8,456

 
$
3,795

 
$
4,013

$
16,264

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans by impairment methodology
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-specific
$
13,785

 
$
3,115

 
$
845

$
17,745

Formula-based
221,609

 
124,350

 
307,412

653,371

PCI
53,055

 

 
6

53,061

Total retained loans
$
288,449

 
$
127,465

 
$
308,263

$
724,177

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired collateral-dependent loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net charge-offs
$
235


$

 
$
37

$
272

Loans measured at fair value of collateral less cost to sell
3,105

 

 
362

3,467

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for lending-related commitments
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance at January 1,
$
7

 
$

 
$
661

$
668

Provision for lending-related commitments
1

 

 
36

37

Other

 

 


Ending balance at December 31,
$
8

 
$

 
$
697

$
705

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for lending-related commitments by impairment methodology
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-specific
$

 
$

 
$
60

$
60

Formula-based
8

 

 
637

645

Total allowance for lending-related commitments
$
8

 
$

 
$
697

$
705

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lending-related commitments by impairment methodology
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-specific
$

 
$

 
$
206

$
206

Formula-based
56,057

 
529,383

 
446,026

1,031,466

Total lending-related commitments
$
56,057

 
$
529,383

 
$
446,232

$
1,031,672

(a)
Write-offs of PCI loans are recorded against the allowance for loan losses when actual losses for a pool exceed estimated losses that were recorded as purchase accounting adjustments at the time of acquisition. Any write-offs of PCI loans are recognized when the underlying loan is removed from a pool (e.g., upon liquidation).
(b)
Includes risk-rated loans that have been placed on nonaccrual status and loans that have been modified in a TDR.
(c)
The asset-specific credit card allowance for loan losses is related to loans that have been modified in a TDR; such allowance is calculated based on the loans’ original contractual interest rates and does not consider any incremental penalty rates.
(d)
Consumer, excluding credit card, charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2012, included $747 million of charge-offs for Chapter 7 residential real estate loans and $53 million of charge-offs for Chapter 7 auto loans.


(table continued from previous page)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
Consumer,
excluding
credit card
 
Credit card
 
Wholesale
Total
 
Consumer,
excluding
credit card
 
Credit card
 
Wholesale
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
16,294

 
$
6,999

 
$
4,316

$
27,609

 
$
16,471

 
$
11,034

 
$
4,761

$
32,266

4,805

(d) 
5,755

 
346

10,906

 
5,419

 
8,168

 
916

14,503

(508
)
 
(811
)
 
(524
)
(1,843
)
 
(547
)
 
(1,243
)
 
(476
)
(2,266
)
4,297

(d) 
4,944

 
(178
)
9,063

 
4,872

 
6,925

 
440

12,237


 

 


 

 

 


302

 
3,444

 
(359
)
3,387

 
4,670

 
2,925

 
17

7,612

(7
)
 
2

 
8

3

 
25

 
(35
)
 
(22
)
(32
)
$
12,292

 
$
5,501

 
$
4,143

$
21,936

 
$
16,294

 
$
6,999

 
$
4,316

$
27,609

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
729

 
$
1,681

(c) 
$
319

$
2,729

 
$
828

 
$
2,727

(c) 
$
516

$
4,071

5,852

 
3,820

 
3,824

13,496

 
9,755

 
4,272

 
3,800

17,827

5,711

 

 

5,711

 
5,711

 

 

5,711

$
12,292

 
$
5,501

 
$
4,143

$
21,936

 
$
16,294

 
$
6,999

 
$
4,316

$
27,609

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
13,938

 
$
4,762

 
$
1,475

$
20,175

 
$
9,892

 
$
7,214

 
$
2,549

$
19,655

218,945

 
123,231

 
304,728

646,904

 
232,989

 
124,961

 
275,825

633,775

59,737

 

 
19

59,756

 
65,546

 

 
21

65,567

$
292,620

 
$
127,993

 
$
306,222

$
726,835

 
$
308,427

 
$
132,175

 
$
278,395

$
718,997

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
973

(c) 
$

 
$
77

$
1,050

 
$
110

 
$

 
$
128

$
238

3,272

 

 
445

3,717

 
830

 

 
833

1,663

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
7

 
$

 
$
666

$
673

 
$
6

 
$

 
$
711

$
717


 

 
(2
)
(2
)
 
2

 

 
(40
)
(38
)

 

 
(3
)
(3
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(5
)
(6
)
$
7

 
$

 
$
661

$
668

 
$
7

 
$

 
$
666

$
673

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$

 
$

 
$
97

$
97

 
$

 
$

 
$
150

$
150

7

 

 
564

571

 
7

 

 
516

523

$
7

 
$

 
$
661

$
668

 
$
7

 
$

 
$
666

$
673

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$

 
$

 
$
355

$
355

 
$

 
$

 
$
865

$
865

60,156

 
533,018

 
434,459

1,027,633

 
62,307

 
530,616

 
381,874

974,797

$
60,156

 
$
533,018

 
$
434,814

$
1,027,988

 
$
62,307

 
$
530,616

 
$
382,739

$
975,662


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