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BREAD FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC. - Quarter Report: 2023 September (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549    
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023
or
o    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 001-15749
_______________________________________
BREAD FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
bfh-20220930x10q002.jpg
Delaware31-1429215
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
3095 Loyalty Circle
Columbus, Ohio
43219
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
(614) 729-4000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
_______________________________________
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading symbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.01 per shareBFHNew York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x
As of October 20, 2023, 49,330,625 shares of common stock were outstanding.

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BREAD FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
INDEX
Page Number

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PART 1: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A).

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto presented in this quarterly report and the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on February 28, 2023 (the 2022 Form 10-K). Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis constitutes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this report. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and those identified in our other filings with the SEC, including in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of our 2022 Form 10-K and this and our other Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

OVERVIEW

We are a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions. We create opportunities for our customers and partners through digitally enabled choices that offer ease, empowerment, financial flexibility and exceptional customer experiences. Driven by a digital-first approach, data insights and white-label technology, we deliver growth for our partners through a comprehensive product suite, including private label and co-brand credit cards and buy now, pay later (BNPL) products such as installment loans and our “split-pay” offerings. We also offer direct-to-consumer solutions that give customers more access, choice and freedom through our branded Bread CashbackTM American Express® Credit Card and Bread SavingsTM products.

Our partner base consists of large consumer-based businesses, including well-known brands such as (alphabetically) AAA, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Caesars, Michaels, the NFL, Signet, Ulta and Victoria’s Secret, as well as small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Our partner base is well diversified across a broad range of industries, including health and beauty, travel and entertainment, jewelry, home goods, sporting goods and specialty apparel. We believe our comprehensive suite of payment, lending and saving solutions, along with our related marketing and data and analytics, offers us a significant competitive advantage with products relevant across customer segments (Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X and Baby Boomers). The breadth and quality of our product and service offerings have enabled us to establish and maintain long-standing partner relationships. Our primary source of revenue is from Interest and fees on loans from our various credit card and other loan products, and to a lesser extent from contractual relationships with our brand partners.

Throughout this report, unless stated or the context implies otherwise, the terms “Bread Financial”, “BFH”, the “Company”, “we”, “our” or “us” refer to Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. References to “Parent Company” refer to Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. on a parent-only standalone basis. In addition, in this report, we may refer to the retailers and other companies with whom we do business as our “partners”, “brand partners”, or “clients”, provided that the use of the term “partner”, “partnering” or any similar term does not mean or imply a formal legal partnership, and is not meant in any way to alter the terms of Bread Financial’s relationship with any third parties. We offer our credit products through our insured depository institution subsidiaries, Comenity Bank and Comenity Capital Bank, which together are referred to herein as the “Banks”.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

We prepare our Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). However, certain information included herein constitutes non-GAAP financial measures. Our calculations of non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the calculations of similarly titled measures by other companies. In particular, Pretax pre-provision earnings (PPNR) is calculated by increasing/decreasing Income from continuing operations before income taxes by the net provision/release in Provision for credit losses. PPNR less gain on portfolio sales then decreases PPNR by the gain on any portfolio sales in the period. We use PPNR and PPNR less gain on portfolio sales as metrics to evaluate our results of operations before income taxes, excluding the volatility that can occur within Provision for credit losses and the one-time nature of a gain on the sale of a portfolio. Tangible common equity over Tangible assets (TCE/TA) represents Total stockholders’ equity reduced by Goodwill and intangible assets, net, (TCE) divided by Tangible assets (TA), which is Total assets reduced by Goodwill and intangible assets, net. We use
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TCE/TA as a metric to evaluate the Company’s capital adequacy and estimate its ability to cover potential losses. Tangible book value per common share represents TCE divided by shares outstanding. We use Tangible book value per common share as a metric to estimate the Company’s potential value. We believe the use of these non-GAAP financial measures provide additional clarity in understanding our results of operations and trends. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, please see “Table 6: Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” that follows.

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

This Business Environment section provides an overview of our results of operations and financial position for the third quarter of 2023, as well as our related outlook for the remainder of 2023 and certain of the uncertainties associated with achieving that outlook. This section should be read in conjunction with the other information included or incorporated by reference in this Form 10-Q, including “Consolidated Results of Operations”, “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” herein, and in our 2022 Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which provide further discussion of variances in our results of operations over the periods of comparison, along with other factors that could impact future results and the Company achieving its outlook. Unless otherwise specified, the discussion included herein is for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in the prior year.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2023, Credit sales were down 13% year-over-year to $6.7 billion, driven primarily by the sale of the BJ’s Wholesale Club (BJ’s) portfolio in the first quarter of this year, proactive and responsible tightening of our underwriting and credit line management and moderating consumer spending, partially offset by new brand partner growth. Average and End-of-period credit card and other loans remained flat year-over-year, driven by the addition of new brand partners as well as further moderation in the consumer payment rate, offset by the decline in credit sales and the sale of the BJ’s portfolio. Total interest income was up 7% from the third quarter of 2022, as a result of improved loan yields from rising prime interest rates, partially offset by increased reversals of interest and fees resulting from higher gross losses. Net interest margin for the third quarter of 2023 was 20.6%, relative to 19.9% for the third quarter of 2022. Non-interest income increased $55 million, primarily related to higher cardholder and brand partner engagement initiatives in the prior year, increased merchant discount fees and interchange revenue earned in the current year, as well as lower payments under our retailer share arrangements due to lower credit sales and higher losses. Overall, Net interest and non-interest income for the quarter was $1.0 billion, up 5% versus the third quarter of 2022.

Provision for credit losses was flat for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, relative to the third quarter of 2022, due to increased net principal losses of $86 million, fully offset by a lower reserve build in the current year due to lower Credit card and other loan growth and a lower increase in the reserve rate. Our Allowance for credit losses decreased as of September 30, 2023, relative to December 31, 2022, due primarily to the reserve release from the sale of the BJ’s portfolio. However, our reserve rate was higher, 12.3% versus 11.5% as of those same respective dates, as a result of the sale of the BJ’s portfolio (with its higher than average credit quality) and the compounding effect of persistent inflation relative to wage growth, the increased cost of consumer debt, the possibility of higher unemployment levels and the potential impacts from the resumption of student loan repayments. The reserve rate remained flat from the second quarter of 2023 as we continue to maintain conservative economic scenario weightings in our credit reserve modeling. Consistent with the reserve rate impacts, relative to the fourth quarter of 2022, our Vantage credit risk score distribution mix adjusted downward primarily as a result of the exit of the BJ’s portfolio. Relative to the second quarter of 2023, our distribution mix reflects modest deterioration, driven by downward Vantage credit risk score migration from existing customers; although, the risk score distribution on new accounts was above the average for the portfolio. Overall, our percentage of Vantage 660+ cardholders remains above pre-pandemic levels given our prudent credit tightening actions and our more diversified product mix, with co-brand and proprietary cards representing a larger portion of our portfolio.

Total non-interest expenses increased 3% from the third quarter of 2022. The year-over-year increase was partially the result of higher Card and processing expenses, including fraud. We also had higher Employee compensation and benefits expenses due to increased hiring to support our investment in both technology and digital capabilities. These increases were partially offset by a reduction in Marketing expenses related to decreased spending associated with direct-to-consumer (DTC) offerings, as well as decreased Depreciation and amortization due to lower amortization of developed technology. Relative to the second quarter of 2023, expenses declined 5%, driven by lower fraud expenses and depreciation and amortization.

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We also continued strengthening our balance sheet and improving our capital ratios, including our TCE/TA ratio and our Common equity tier 1 capital ratio, which were 10.0% and 12.9%, respectively, as of September 30, 2023. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and Table 6: Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures included in this report. DTC deposits comprised 35% of our funding mix as of September 30, 2023, further diversifying our funding base. During the second quarter of 2023 we refinanced our term loan and revolving line of credit, completed a convertible notes offering and executed a tender offer for certain of our senior unsecured notes, leading to a reduction in our debt of more than $500 million and extension of certain debt maturities.

Our 2023 financial outlook has been updated from what we provided in our 2022 Form 10-K, reflecting slowing sales growth as a result of our strategic and targeted credit tightening as well as moderating consumer spending, which we expect will put pressure on Credit card and other loan growth and the Net loss rate. We continue to closely monitor the macroeconomic pressures facing consumers, including persistent inflation pressures, high interest rates, the resumption of student loan repayments, and gas price volatility. We expect these economic pressures to remain throughout the rest of 2023. Our outlook also continues to assume interest rate increases, if any, by the Federal Reserve Board will result in a nominal benefit to Net interest income.

Our outlook for growth in Average credit card and other loans in 2023 reflects our new and renewed brand partner announcements, visibility into our pipeline, ongoing strategic and targeted credit tightening actions, moderating consumer spending, and the current economic outlook. We expect full year 2023 Average credit card and other loans to grow in the low-to-mid-single digits relative to 2022. We expect Total net interest and non-interest income growth for 2023, excluding the BJ’s Gain on portfolio sale, to be slightly above our growth in Average credit card and other loans, with a full year 2023 Net interest margin similar to the 2022 full year rate.

In 2023, we expect an increase of approximately 8% to 9% in Total non-interest expenses relative to 2022. We continue to expect second half 2023 Total non-interest expenses to be lower than the first half of the year, with fourth quarter expenses being slightly higher sequentially due to increased seasonal marketing and employee benefits costs. We continue to strategically invest in technology modernization, marketing and product innovation to drive growth and efficiencies, while remaining focused on disciplined expense management as we adjust the pace and timing of our investments to align with our revenue and growth outlook.

Our 2023 updated financial outlook assumes a full year Net loss rate in the mid 7% range, inclusive of impacts from the 2022 transition of our credit card processing services, our ongoing strategic and targeted credit tightening actions, moderating consumer spending, as well as continued pressure on the consumers ability to pay due to inflationary pressures. While we anticipate that our tighter underwriting and credit line management should benefit future loss performance, these actions raise the Net loss rate in the near-term by lowering our projected loan balance which forms the denominator in the equation. We expect the fourth quarter Net loss rate to be approximately 8%. As noted above, our reserve rate remained flat to the second quarter of 2023 at 12.3% as we continue to maintain conservative economic scenario weightings in our credit reserve modeling. With our conservative model assumptions, we believe our loan loss reserve provides a margin of protection in a more challenging macroeconomic environment.

In our 2023 financial outlook we also expect our full year normalized effective tax rate to remain in the range of 25% to 26%, with quarter-over-quarter variability due to timing of certain discrete items.

In addition, although we do not expect it to have an impact on our 2023 financial outlook, we continue to await a final rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regarding credit card late fees, which we anticipate will be published in the coming months. In anticipation of the final rule being published, we are evaluating a number of strategies designed to limit the impact of the final rule on our business, which may include increased annual percentage rates (APRs) and other fee-based pricing actions, certain underwriting adjustments, various changes in brand partner program economics, and continued product diversification strategies. While we cannot speculate on the exact timing or terms of the final rule, we expect that, absent a successful legal challenge, the rule will significantly reduce the safe harbor amount for late fees that we and other credit card issuers are authorized to charge, which would have a significant impact on our business and results of operations for at least the short term and, depending on the effectiveness of the mitigating actions that we may take in response to the final rule, potentially over the long term.

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We are focused on prudently managing risk-return trade-offs through an ongoing challenging macroeconomic environment, while continuing to strategically invest and drive long-term value for our stakeholders. We remain confident in our ability to deliver on our 2023 full year financial outlook and build on this success for the future.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion provides commentary on the variances in our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same periods in the prior year, as presented in the accompanying tables. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the discussion under “Business Environment” above.

Table 1: Summary of Our Financial Performance

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
20232022$ Change% Change20232022$ Change% Change
(Millions, except per share amounts and percentages)
Total net interest and non-interest income$1,031 $979 52 5 $3,273 $2,793 480 17 
Provision for credit losses304 304 — — 747 902 (155)(17)
Total non-interest expenses502 486 16 3 1,576 1,383 193 14 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes225 189 36 19 950 508 442 87 
Provision for income taxes52 55 (3)(5)257 150 107 72 
Income from continuing operations173 134 39 29 693 358 335 94 
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (1)
(2)— (2)nm(18)(1)(17)nm
Net income171 134 37 28 675 357 318 89 
Net income per diluted share$3.42 $2.69 0.73 27 $13.44 $7.15 6.29 88 
Income from continuing operations per diluted share$3.46 $2.69 0.77 29 $13.80 $7.16 6.64 93 
Net interest margin (2)
20.6 %19.9 %0.7 19.4 %19.3 %0.1 
Return on average equity (3)
24.8 %22.8 %2.0 34.5 %20.9 %13.6 
Effective income tax rate - continuing operations23.0 %28.9 %(5.9)27.1 %29.5 %(2.4)
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(1)Includes amounts that related to the previously disclosed discontinued operations associated with the spinoff of our former LoyaltyOne segment in 2021 and the sale of our former Epsilon segment in 2019. For additional information refer to Note 1, “Description of Business and Basis of Presentation” to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2)Net interest margin represents annualized Net interest income divided by average Total interest-earning assets. See also Table 5: Net Interest Margin.
(3)Return on average equity represents annualized Income from continuing operations divided by average Total stockholders’ equity.
(nm) Not meaningful, denoting a variance of 100 percent or more.


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Table 2: Summary of Total Net Interest and Non-interest Income, After Provision for Credit Losses

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
20232022$ Change% Change20232022$ Change% Change
(Millions, except percentages)
Interest income
Interest and fees on loans$1,256 $1,195 61 5 $3,697 $3,325 372 11 
Interest on cash and investment securities45 23 22 96 135 34 101 nm
Total interest income1,301 1,218 83 7 3,832 3,359 473 14 
Interest expense
Interest on deposits143 66 77 nm387 142 245 nm
Interest on borrowings76 67 9 14 254 166 88 54 
Total interest expense219 133 86 64 641 308 333 nm
Net interest income1,082 1,085 (3)— 3,191 3,051 140 5 
Non-interest income
Interchange revenue, net of retailer share arrangements(84)(136)52 (38)(244)(333)89 (27)
Gain on portfolio sale— — — — 230 — 230 nm
Other33 30 3 9 96 75 21 27 
Total non-interest income(51)(106)55 (52)82 (258)340 nm
Total net interest and non-interest income1,031 979 52 5 3,273 2,793 480 17 
Provision for credit losses304 304 — — 747 902 (155)(17)
Total net interest and non-interest income, after provision for credit losses$727 $675 52 8 $2,526 $1,891 635 34 
__________________________________
(nm) Not meaningful, denoting a variance of 100 percent or more.

Total Net Interest and Non-interest Income, After Provision for Credit Losses

Interest income: Total interest income increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily resulting from Interest and fees on loans. The increase in each period, relative to the prior year, was due to increases in finance charge yields of approximately 148 basis points and 114 basis points for the three and nine month periods, respectively, driven by increases in the prime rate, as well as an increase in average Credit card and other loans in the nine month period.

Interest expense: Total interest expense increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, due to the following:

•Interest on deposits increased due to higher average interest rates which increased interest expense by $70 million and $222 million over the respective periods of comparison, as well as higher average balances which increased interest expense by $7 million and $23 million, over those same respective periods.
•Interest on borrowings increased due to higher average interest rates which increased funding costs $36 million and $130 million over the respective periods of comparison, partially offset by lower average borrowings which decreased funding costs by $27 million and $42 million, over those same respective periods.

Non-interest income: Total non-interest income increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, due to the following:

•Interchange revenue, net of retailer share arrangements, typically a contra-revenue item for us, decreased for the three and nine month periods driven by cardholder and brand partner engagement initiatives in the prior year
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periods, and in the current year periods an increase in merchant discount fees and interchange revenue earned, as well as a reduction in costs associated with brand partner retailer share arrangements.
•Gain on portfolio sale which reflects the gain we recognized from the sale of the BJ’s portfolio in late February 2023.

Provision for credit losses remained flat for the three months ended September 30, 2023, and decreased $155 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The three months ended September 30, 2023 included increased net principal losses of $86 million, fully offset by a lower reserve build in the current year, due to lower Credit card and other loan growth and a lower increase in the reserve rate. The decrease in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, relative to the same period in the prior year, was driven by reserve releases in the current year of $251 million, of which $235 million was released in the first quarter which related primarily to the sale of the BJ’s portfolio, as compared with a $246 million reserve build in the prior year. The reserve release in the current year compared with the reserve build in the prior year was offset by increased net principal losses of $342 million in the current year. We continue to maintain a reserve rate of 12.3% as of September 30, 2023, due to the the compounding effect of persistent inflation relative to wage growth, the increased cost of consumer debt, the possibility of higher unemployment levels and the potential impacts from the resumption of student loan repayments.

Table 3: Summary of Total Non-interest Expenses

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
20232022$ Change% Change20232022$ Change% Change
(Millions, except percentages)
Non-interest expenses
Employee compensation and benefits$210 $202 8 4 $647 $572 75 13 
Card and processing expenses104 82 22 26 339 248 91 37 
Information processing and communication73 75 (2)(4)222 192 30 16 
Marketing expenses36 44 (8)(17)115 124 (9)(8)
Depreciation and amortization23 29 (6)(20)92 80 12 15 
Other56 54 2 4 161 167 (6)(4)
Total non-interest expenses$502 $486 16 3 $1,576 $1,383 193 14 

Total Non-interest Expenses

Non-interest expenses: Total non-interest expenses increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, due to the following:

•Employee compensation and benefits increased due to increased headcount, which was driven by continued digital and technology modernization-related hiring and customer care and collections staffing, and increased retirement benefits, partially offset by lower incentive compensation.
•Card and processing expenses increased due primarily to increased fraud losses, as well as higher card processing, direct mail and statement costs.
•Information processing and communication was relatively flat for the three month period, and increased for the nine month period due to an increase in data processing expense driven by the transition of our credit card processing services and cloud modernization initiatives, as well as other software licensing expenses.
•Marketing expenses decreased due primarily to decreased spending associated with DTC offerings.
•Depreciation and amortization decreased for the three month period and increased for the nine month period. The decrease in the three month period was due to decreased amortization for developed technology associated with the Lon Inc. acquisition, which was completed in December 2020. (See further discussion of the Lon Inc. acquisition under Note 1, “Description of Business and Basis of Presentation” to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.) This decrease was more than offset in the nine month period as a result of increased amortization of intangible assets related to recently acquired portfolios, and capitalized software.
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Income Taxes

The Provision for income taxes remained relatively flat for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in the prior year. The effective tax rate was 23.0% and 28.9% for the same three month periods, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate primarily related to a discrete benefit in the current year period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in the prior year, the Provision for income taxes increased due to the increase in Income from continuing operations before income taxes. The effective tax rate was 27.1% and 29.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate primarily related to a discrete benefit in the current year period.

Discontinued Operations

The (Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes includes amounts that relate to the previously disclosed discontinued operations associated with the spinoff of our former LoyaltyOne segment in 2021 and the sale of our former Epsilon segment in 2019, and primarily relate to contractual indemnification and tax-related matters. For additional information refer to Note 22, “Discontinued Operations and Bank Holding Company Financial Presentation” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

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Table 4: Summary Financial Highlights – Continuing Operations

As of or for the three months ended September 30,As of or for the nine months ended September 30,
20232022% Change20232022% Change
(Millions, except per share amounts and percentages)
Credit sales$6,668 $7,689 (13)$21,098 $22,716 (7)
PPNR (1)
529 493 7 1,697 1,410 20 
Average credit card and other loans17,540 17,598 — 18,199 17,084 7 
End-of-period credit card and other loans17,922 18,126 (1)17,922 18,126 (1)
End-of-period direct-to-consumer (retail) deposits6,098 5,176 18 6,098 5,176 18 
Return on average assets (2)
3.2 %2.4 %0.8 4.1 %2.2 %1.9 
Return on average equity (3)
24.8 %22.8 %2.0 34.5 %20.9 %13.6 
Net interest margin (4)
20.6 %19.9 %0.7 19.4 %19.3 %0.1 
Loan yield (5)
28.6 %27.2 %1.4 27.1 %25.9 %1.2 
Efficiency ratio (6)
48.7 %49.7 %(1.0)48.2 %49.6 %(1.4)
Double leverage ratio (7)
127.4 %182.4 %(55.0)127.4 %182.4 %(55.0)
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio (8)
12.9 %11.5 %1.4 12.9 %11.5 %1.4 
Tangible common equity / tangible assets ratio (TCE/TA) (9)
10.0 %8.0 %2.0 10.0 %8.0 %2.0 
Tangible book value per common share (10)
$42.45 $34.30 24 $42.45 $34.30 24 
Cash dividend per common share$0.21 $0.21 — $0.63 $0.63 — 
Payment rate (11)
14.4 %15.5 %(1.1)14.4 %15.5 %(1.1)
Delinquency rate (12)
6.3 %5.7 %0.6 6.3 %5.7 %0.6 
Net loss rate (12)
6.9 %5.0 %1.9 7.3 %5.1 %2.2 
Reserve rate12.3 %11.4 %0.9 12.3 %11.4 %0.9 
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(1)PPNR is calculated by increasing/decreasing Income from continuing operations before income taxes by the net provision/release in Provision for credit losses. PPNR is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and Table 6: Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
(2)Return on average assets represents annualized Income from continuing operations divided by average Total assets.
(3)Return on average equity represents annualized Income from continuing operations divided by average Total stockholders’ equity.
(4)Net interest margin represents annualized Net interest income divided by average Total interest-earning assets. See also Table 5: Net Interest Margin.
(5)Loan yield represents annualized Interest and fees on loans divided by Average credit card and other loans.
(6)Efficiency ratio represents Total non-interest expenses divided by Total net interest and non-interest income.
(7)Double leverage ratio represents Parent Company investment in subsidiaries divided by BFH consolidated equity.
(8)The Common equity tier 1 capital ratio represents common equity tier 1 capital divided by total risk-weighted assets.
(9)Tangible common equity (TCE) represents Total stockholders’ equity reduced by Goodwill and intangible assets, net. Tangible assets (TA) represents Total assets reduced by Goodwill and intangible assets, net. TCE/TA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and Table 6: Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
(10)Tangible book value per common share represents TCE divided by shares outstanding and is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and Table 6: Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
(11)Payment rate represents consumer payments during the last month of the period, divided by the beginning-of-month Credit card and other loans, including held for sale in applicable periods.
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(12)Delinquency rate represents outstanding balances that are contractually delinquent (i.e., balances greater than 30 days past due) as of the end of the period, divided by the outstanding principal amount of Credit cards and other loans as of the same period-end. Net loss rate, an annualized rate, represents net principal losses for the period divided by the Average credit card and other loans for the same period, with that Average being the average balance of the loans at the beginning and end of each month, averaged over the period. Delinquency rate as of September 30, 2022 was impacted by the transition of our credit card processing services in June 2022. Net loss rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 were also impacted by the transition of our credit card processing services.

Table 5: Net Interest Margin

Three Months Ended September 30, 2023Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
Average BalanceInterest Income / ExpenseAverage Yield / RateAverage BalanceInterest Income / ExpenseAverage Yield / Rate
(Millions, except percentages)
Cash and investment securities$3,469 $45 5.21 %$4,235 $23 2.18 %
Credit card and other loans17,540 1,256 28.64 %17,598 1,195 27.16 %
Total interest-earning assets21,009 1,301 24.77 %21,833 1,218 22.32 %
Direct-to-consumer (retail) deposits6,055 69 4.54 %4,850 25 2.04 %
Wholesale deposits7,093 74 4.17 %7,001 41 2.37 %
Interest-bearing deposits13,148 143 4.34 %11,851 66 2.23 %
Secured borrowings2,987 51 6.91 %4,970 39 3.20 %
Unsecured borrowings1,401 25 7.17 %1,953 28 5.63 %
Interest-bearing borrowings4,388 76 6.99 %6,923 67 3.89 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities17,536 219 5.00 %18,774 133 2.84 %
Net interest income$1,082 $1,085 
Net interest margin (1)
20.6 %19.9 %



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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
Average BalanceInterest Income / ExpenseAverage Yield / RateAverage BalanceInterest Income / ExpenseAverage Yield / Rate
(Millions, except percentages)
Cash and investment securities$3,723 $135 4.84 %$4,001 $34 1.13 %
Credit card and other loans18,199 3,697 27.09 %17,084 3,325 25.95 %
Total interest-earning assets21,922 3,832 23.31 %21,085 3,359 21.24 %
Direct-to-consumer (retail) deposits5,813 175 4.01 %3,998 42 1.39 %
Wholesale deposits7,403 212 3.81 %7,172 100 1.86 %
Interest-bearing deposits13,216 387 3.90 %11,170 142 1.69 %
Secured borrowings3,480 169 6.52 %5,098 88 2.29 %
Unsecured borrowings1,705 85 6.64 %1,978 78 5.25 %
Interest-bearing borrowings5,185 254 6.56 %7,076 166 3.12 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities18,401 641 4.65 %18,246 308 2.25 %
Net interest income$3,191 $3,051 
Net interest margin (1)
19.4 %19.3 %
__________________________________
(1)Net interest margin represents annualized Net interest income divided by average Total interest-earning assets.
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Table 6: Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures

As of or for the three months ended September 30,As of or for the nine months ended September 30,
20232022% Change20232022% Change
(Millions, except percentages)
Pretax pre-provision earnings (PPNR)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes$225 $189 19 $950 $508 87 
Provision for credit losses304 304 — 747 902 (17)
Pretax pre-provision earnings (PPNR)$529 $493 7 $1,697 $1,410 20 
Less: Gain on portfolio sale$— $— — $(230)$— nm
Pretax pre-provision earnings less gain on portfolio sale$529 $493 7 $1,467 $1,410 4 
Tangible common equity (TCE)
Total stockholders’ equity
2,864 2,399 19 2,864 2,399 19 
Less: Goodwill and intangible assets, net(771)(690)12 (771)(690)12 
Tangible common equity (TCE)$2,093 $1,709 22 $2,093 $1,709 22 
Tangible assets (TA)
Total assets21,608 21,960 (2)21,608 21,960 (2)
Less: Goodwill and intangible assets, net(771)(690)12 (771)(690)12 
Tangible assets (TA)$20,837 $21,270 (2)$20,837 $21,270 (2)
__________________________________
(nm) Not meaningful, denoting a variance of 100 percent or more.

ASSET QUALITY

Given the nature of our business, the credit quality of our assets, in particular our Credit card and other loans, is a key determinant underlying our ongoing financial performance and overall financial condition. When it comes to our Credit card and other loans portfolio, we closely monitor Delinquency rates and Net principal loss rates which reflect, among other factors, our underwriting, the inherent credit risk in our portfolio, the success of our collection and recovery efforts, and more broadly, the general macroeconomic conditions.

Delinquencies: An account is contractually delinquent if we do not receive the minimum payment due by the specified due date. Our policy is to continue to accrue interest and fee income on all accounts, except in limited circumstances, until the balance and all related interest and fees are paid or charged-off. After an account becomes 30 days past due, a proprietary collection scoring algorithm automatically scores the risk of the account becoming further delinquent; based upon the level of risk indicated, a collection strategy is deployed. If after exhausting all in-house collection efforts we are unable to collect on the account, we may engage collection agencies or outside attorneys to continue those efforts, or sell the charged-off balances.

The Delinquency rate is calculated by dividing outstanding principal balances that are contractually delinquent (i.e., balances greater than 30 days past due) as of the end of the period, by the outstanding principal amount of Credit cards and other loans as of the same period-end.

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The following table presents the delinquency trends on our Credit card and other loans portfolio based on the principal balances outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

Table 7: Delinquency Trends on Credit Card and Other Loans

September 30,
2023		% of
Total		December 31,
2022		% of
Total
(Millions, except percentages)
Credit card and other loans outstanding ─ principal$16,585 100.0 %$20,107 100.0 %
Outstanding balances contractually delinquent
31 to 60 days$311 1.9 %$366 1.8 %
61 to 90 days226 1.4 231 1.2 
91 or more days501 3.0 515 2.6 
Total$1,038 6.3 %$1,112 5.5 %
__________________________________
As of December 31, 2022 the Outstanding balances contractually delinquent, and the related % of Total (i.e., the Delinquency rate), were impacted by the transition of our credit card processing services in June 2022.

As part of our collections strategy, we may offer temporary, short term (six-months or less) forbearance programs in order to improve the likelihood of collections and meet the needs of our customers. Our modifications for customers who have requested assistance and meet certain qualifying requirements, come in the form of reduced or deferred payment requirements, interest rate reductions and late fee waivers. We do not offer programs involving the forgiveness of principal. These temporary loan modifications may assist in cases where we believe the customer will recover from the short-term hardship and resume scheduled payments. Under these forbearance programs, those accounts receiving relief may not advance to the next delinquency cycle, including charge-off, in the same time frame that would have occurred had the relief not been granted. We evaluate our forbearance programs to determine if they represent a more than insignificant delay in payment granted to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, in which case they would then be considered a Loan Modification. For additional information, see Note 2 “Credit Card and Other Loans – Modified Credit Card Loans” to our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net Principal Losses: Our net principal losses include the principal amount of losses that are deemed uncollectible, less recoveries, and exclude charged-off interest, fees and third-party fraud losses (including synthetic fraud). Charged-off interest and fees reduce Interest and fees on loans while third-party fraud losses are recorded in Card and processing expenses. Credit card loans, including unpaid interest and fees, are generally charged-off in the month during which an account becomes 180 days past due. BNPL loans such as our installment loans and our “split-pay” offerings, including unpaid interest, are generally charged-off when a loan becomes 120 days past due. However, in the case of a customer bankruptcy or death, Credit card and other loans, including unpaid interest and fees, as applicable, are charged-off 60 days after receipt of the notification of the bankruptcy or death, but in any case no later than 180 days past due for Credit card loans and 120 days past due for BNPL loans.

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The net principal loss rate is calculated by dividing net principal losses for the period by the Average credit card and other loans for the same period. Average credit card and other loans represent the average balance of the loans at the beginning and end of each month, averaged over the periods indicated. The following table presents our net principal losses for the periods specified:

Table 8: Net Principal Losses on Credit Card and Other Loans

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2023202220232022
(Millions, except percentages)
Average credit card and other loans$17,540 $17,598 $18,199 $17,084 
Net principal losses304 218 998 656 
Net principal losses as a percentage of average credit card and other loans (1)
6.9 %5.0 %7.3 %5.1 %
__________________________________
(1)Net principal losses as a percentage of Average credit card and other loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 were impacted by the transition of our credit card processing services in June 2022.

CONSOLIDATED LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Overview

We maintain a strong focus on liquidity and capital. Our funding, liquidity and capital policies are designed to ensure that our business has sufficient liquidity and capital resources necessary to support our daily operations, our business growth, our credit ratings related to our secured financings, and meet our regulatory and policy requirements, including capital and leverage ratio requirements applicable to Comenity Bank (CB) and Comenity Capital Bank (CCB) under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) regulations, in a cost effective and prudent manner through both expected and unexpected market environments. We also monitor our Double Leverage Ratio, which reflects our Parent Company’s investment in its subsidiaries relative to its consolidated equity, and is often used by regulators and other stakeholders as a measure of the use of debt by a parent entity to fund its subsidiaries.

Our primary sources of liquidity include cash generated from operating activities, our bank credit facility, issuances of debt securities, including through our securitization programs, and deposits with the Banks, in addition to ongoing efforts to renew and expand our various sources of liquidity. We aim to satisfy our financing needs with a diverse set of funding sources, and we seek to maintain diversity of funding sources by type of instrument, by tenor and by investor base, among other factors, which we believe will mitigate the impact of disruptions in any one type of instrument, tenor or investor.

Our primary uses of liquidity are for underwriting Credit card and other loans, scheduled payments of principal and interest on our debt, operational expenses, capital expenditures, including digital and product innovation and technology enhancements, stock repurchases and dividends.

We may from time to time retire or purchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases or exchanges for other securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges would depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors, and may be funded through the issuance of debt securities. The amounts involved may be material.

We will also need additional financing in the future to repay or refinance our existing debt at or prior to maturity, and to fund our growth, which may include issuance of additional debt, equity or convertible securities or engaging in other capital markets or financing transactions. Given the maturities of certain of our outstanding debt instruments and the macroeconomic outlook, it is possible that we will be required to repay, extend or refinance some or all of our maturing debt in volatile and/or unfavorable markets.

Because of the alternatives available to us, as discussed above, we believe our short-term and long-term sources of liquidity are adequate to fund not only our current operations, but also our near-term and long-term funding requirements including dividend payments, debt service obligations and repayment of debt maturities and other amounts that may ultimately be
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paid in connection with contingencies. However, the adequacy of our liquidity could be impacted by various factors, including macroeconomic conditions and volatility in the financial and capital markets, limiting our access to or increasing our cost of capital, which could make capital unavailable, or available but on terms that are unfavorable to us. These factors could significantly reduce our financial flexibility and cause us to contract or not grow our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

In early March 2023, in response to banking industry developments and increased financial sector volatility, we undertook enhanced daily monitoring of our liquidity and funding positions, and provided multiple daily updates to our Boards of Directors, at both the Bread Financial and Bank-levels, and regulators. The financial sector volatility experienced in March 2023 has since subsided; nevertheless, we continue enhanced monitoring of our liquidity and funding positions. We maintain a significant majority of our liquidity portfolio on deposit within the Federal Reserve banking system, and we also have a small investment securities portfolio, classified as available-for-sale, which we hold in relation to the Community Reinvestment Act. We do not have any investment securities classified as held-to-maturity. Our DTC deposit balances have grown sequentially each quarter during 2023.

Funding Sources

Throughout 2023, we have engaged in a number of financing transactions, including entering into a new credit agreement, repaying in full and terminating our prior credit agreement and consummating certain debt capital markets transactions, including an offering of convertible senior notes, a tender offer to repurchase certain outstanding senior notes and an offering of asset-backed term notes through one of our securitization trusts. Each of these transactions, as well as other matters relating to our liquidity and capital resources during the year, are described in more detail below.

For additional information regarding our outstanding debt and sources of liquidity, see Note 7, “Borrowings of Long-Term and Other Debt” to our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Certain of our long-term debt agreements include various restrictive financial and non-financial covenants. If we do not comply with certain of these covenants and an event of default occurs and remains uncured, the maturity of amounts outstanding may be accelerated and become payable, and, with respect to our credit agreement, the associated commitments may be terminated. As of September 30, 2023, we were in compliance with all such covenants.

Credit Agreement

On June 7, 2023, we entered into a new credit agreement (the 2023 Credit Agreement) with Parent Company, as borrower, certain of our domestic subsidiaries, as guarantors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and lender, and various other financial institutions, as lenders, which provides for a $700 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the Revolving Credit Facility) and a $575 million senior unsecured delayed draw term loan facility (the Term Loan Facility), all on terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the 2023 Credit Agreement. The 2023 Credit Agreement replaced, in its entirety, our prior credit agreement dated June 14, 2017, as amended (the 2017 Credit Agreement), which was repaid in full and terminated on June 13, 2023 in connection with the closing of our offering of convertible notes, described below. The 2023 Credit Agreement matures on June 13, 2026.

As of September 30, 2023 under the 2023 Credit Agreement, we had $298 million aggregate principal amount of term loans outstanding and $275 million available for future borrowings under the Term Loan Facility, and all $700 million remained available for future borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. The proceeds from the Term Loan Facility may only be used for refinancing existing debt and paying fees, expenses and premiums in connection therewith, while the proceeds from the Revolving Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purposes and working capital needs, including refinancing existing debt, investments, payment of dividends and repurchases of capital stock. Borrowings under the 2023 Credit Agreement bear interest at an annual rate equal to, at our option, either (a) Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus a credit adjustment spread and the applicable margin, (b) Daily Simple SOFR plus a credit adjustment spread and the applicable margin or (c) a base rate set forth in the 2023 Credit Agreement plus the applicable margin, with the applicable margin in each case dependent upon our ratio of (i) consolidated tangible net worth to (ii) consolidated total assets, minus the sum of goodwill and intangible assets, net.

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4.25% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2028

On June 13, 2023, we issued $316 million aggregate principal amount of 4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 (the Convertible Notes). The Convertible Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of June 13, 2023, among Parent Company, as issuer, certain of our domestic subsidiaries, as guarantors, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. The Convertible Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 4.25%, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2023. The Convertible Notes mature on June 15, 2028, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted.

The Convertible Notes are convertible, under certain conditions, until March 15, 2028, and on or after such date without condition, at an initial conversion rate of 26.0247 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, subject to adjustment, which represents a 25% conversion premium based on the last reported sale price of our common stock of $30.74 on June 8, 2023 prior to issuing the Convertible Notes. Upon any such conversion, we will pay cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be converted and pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock (at our election), in respect of the remainder, if any, of our conversion obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes being converted.

At our option, we may redeem for cash, all or a portion of the Convertible Notes on or after June 21, 2026, and before the 51st scheduled trading day before the maturity date, but only if the closing price of our common stock reaches specified targets as defined in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes. The redemption price will equal 100% of the principal amount of the redeemed Convertible Notes plus accrued interest, if any.

If we experience a fundamental change, as defined in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes, the note holders may require us to purchase for cash all or a portion of their notes, subject to specified exceptions, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest.

In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Notes, we entered into privately negotiated capped call transactions (the Capped Call) with certain financial institution counterparties. These transactions are expected generally to reduce potential dilution to our common stock upon any conversion of Convertible Notes and/or offset any cash payments we are required to make in excess of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes, with such reduction and/or offset subject to a cap, based on the cap price. The base price of the Capped Call transactions is $38.43, representing a premium of 25% over the last reported sale price of our common stock of $30.74 on June 8, 2023, while the cap price is initially $61.48, which represents a premium of 100% over that same sale price on June 8, 2023. Within the share price range of $38.43 to $61.48 the Capped Call transactions provide economic value to us from the counterparties, upon maturity or earlier conversion. The Capped Call transactions met the conditions under the related accounting guidance for equity classification and are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis; the price paid of $39 million was recorded in Additional paid-in capital, net of tax, in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Tender Offer for 4.750% Senior Notes Due 2024

Concurrently with the launch of the Convertible Notes offering, we commenced a cash tender offer (the Tender Offer) for any and all of the $850 million in aggregate principal amount of our outstanding 4.750% Senior Notes due 2024 (the Senior Notes due 2024). The consideration offered for each $1,000 principal amount of the Senior Notes due 2024 was $980, plus accrued and unpaid interest, for any and all notes validly tendered. The Tender Offer expired on June 14, 2023, with the holders of $565 million in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes due 2024 validly tendering pursuant to the Tender Offer. The remaining $285 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2024 were outstanding as of September 30, 2023, maturing on December 15, 2024, subject to earlier repurchase or redemption.

In summary, and to provide context for our use of proceeds from the above financing transactions, in connection with entry into the 2023 Credit Agreement and the completion of our Convertible Notes offering in June 2023, we used approximately $616 million in funds from those transactions, together with $500 million in dividends from the Banks and other available cash on hand, to (i) fully repay the $531 million in term loans outstanding under the 2017 Credit Agreement, (ii) repurchase $565 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2024 through the Tender Offer, (iii) enter into the Capped Call transactions in connection with the Convertible Notes offering, and (iv) pay $38 million in associated debt issuance costs and other fees and expenses.

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Deposits

We utilize a variety of deposit products to finance our operating activities, including funding for our non-securitized credit card and other loans, and to fund the securitization enhancement requirements of the Banks. We offer both DTC retail deposit products as well as deposits sourced through contractual arrangements with various financial counterparties (often referred to as wholesale, including brokered deposits). Across both our retail and wholesale deposits, the Banks offer various non-maturity deposit products that are generally redeemable on demand by the customer, and as such have no scheduled maturity date. The Banks also issue certificates of deposit with scheduled maturity dates ranging between October 2023 and September 2028, in denominations of at least $1,000, on which interest is paid either monthly or at maturity.

The following table summarizes our retail and wholesale deposit products as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, by type and associated attributes:

Table 9: Deposits

September 30,
2023		December 31,
2022
(Millions, except percentages)
Deposits
Direct-to-consumer (retail)$6,098 $5,466 
Wholesale7,146 8,321 
Total deposits$13,244 $13,787 
Non-maturity deposit products
Non-maturity deposits$6,560 $6,736 
Interest rate range0.70% - 5.64%0.70% - 4.70%
Weighted-average interest rate4.77 %3.57 %
Certificates of deposit
Certificates of deposit$6,684 $7,051 
Interest rate range0.50% - 5.6%0.40% - 4.95%
Weighted-average interest rate4.33 %3.11 %

As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, deposits that exceeded applicable FDIC insurance limits, which are generally $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, were estimated to be $497 million (4% of Total deposits) and $719 million (5% of Total deposits), respectively. The measurement of estimated uninsured deposits aligns with regulatory guidelines.

Overall, we continue to improve our funding mix through actions taken to grow our DTC deposits and reduce our Parent Company unsecured borrowings, while maintaining the flexibility of secured, unsecured, and wholesale funding. Typical seasonality of credit card and other loan balance pay downs in the first quarter of 2023, combined with the sale of the BJ’s portfolio in late February 2023, and efforts undertaken in the second quarter of 2023 to reduce our long-term unsecured debt, reduced our funding requirements by over $4 billion from year-end 2022. As a result, we opportunistically reduced our wholesale and brokered deposits and paid down a large portion of our secured conduit line balances, discussed further below.

Conduit Facilities and Securitization Programs

We sell the majority of the credit card loans originated by the Banks to certain of our master trusts (the Trusts). These securitization programs are a principal vehicle through which we finance the Banks’ credit card loans. For this purpose, we
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use a combination of public term asset-backed notes, and private conduit facilities (the Conduit Facilities) with a consortium of lenders, including domestic money center, regional and international banks.

As of December 31, 2022, total capacity under our Conduit Facilities was $6.5 billion, of which $6.1 billion had been drawn down and was included in Debt issued by consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs) in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we renewed lender commitments under our Conduit Facilities of $5.4 billion and extended the various maturities to October 2024, February 2025 and September 2025. Specifically, in February 2023, the World Financial Network Credit Card Master Note Trust amended its 2009-VFN Conduit Facility, decreasing the capacity from $2.8 billion to $2.7 billion and extending the maturity to October 2024. Also in February 2023, in connection with the sale of the BJ’s portfolio, the World Financial Capital Master Note Trust amended its 2009-VFN Conduit Facility removing the assets related to the BJ’s portfolio. In April 2023, this same facility was again amended decreasing the capacity from $2.5 billion to $2.3 billion and extending the maturity to February 2025. In March 2023, CCB repaid the Comenity Capital Asset Securitization Trust’s 2022-VFN Conduit Facility and terminated the related lending commitment, decreasing capacity by $1.0 billion. However, the structure of the applicable Trust did not change, including the Trust assets, providing for the option to pledge those assets in the future, and in September 2023, the Comenity Capital Asset Securitization Trust was amended to include a new credit commitment of $250 million with a maturity of September 2025. In June 2023, the World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust III amended its 2009-VFC conduit facility, extending a portion of the maturity to October 2023, and another portion of the maturity to October 2024. In August 2023, this same facility was amended to replace the maturing commitment with a new $100 million commitment with a maturity of October 2024.

As of September 30, 2023, total capacity under our Conduit Facilities was $5.4 billion, of which $2.5 billion had been drawn and included in Debt issued by consolidated VIEs in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The following table shows the maturities of our borrowing capacity for the Trusts, as of September 30, 2023:

Table 10: Conduit Borrowing Capacity and Maturity

20232024ThereafterTotal
(Millions)
Conduit facilities (1)
— 2,925 2,500 5,425 
__________________________________
(1)Total amounts do not include $903 million of debt issued by the Trusts, which was retained by us as a credit enhancement and therefore has been eliminated from the Total.

In May 2023, World Financial Network Credit Card Master Note Trust issued $399 million of Series 2023-A public term asset-backed notes, which mature in May 2026. The offering consisted of $350 million of Class A notes with a fixed interest rate of 5.02% per year, $31 million of Class M notes with a fixed interest rate of 5.27% per year, and $18 million of zero coupon Class B notes. The Class M and B notes were retained by us and eliminated from the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

As of September 30, 2023, we had approximately $12.1 billion of securitized credit card loans. Securitizations require credit enhancements in the form of cash, spread deposits, additional loans and subordinated classes. The credit enhancement is principally based on the outstanding balances of the series issued by the Trusts and by the performance of the credit card loans in the Trusts.

Early amortization events as defined within each asset-backed securitization transaction are generally driven by asset performance. We do not believe it is reasonably likely that an early amortization event will occur due to asset performance. However, if an early amortization event were declared for a Trust, the trustee of the particular Trust would retain the interest in the loans along with the excess spread that would otherwise be paid to our Bank subsidiary until the investors were fully repaid. The occurrence of an early amortization event would significantly limit or negate our ability to securitize additional credit card loans.

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We have secured and continue to secure the necessary commitments to fund our credit card and other loans. However, certain of these commitments are short-term in nature and subject to renewal. There is no guarantee that these funding sources, when they mature, will be renewed on similar terms, or at all, as they are dependent on the availability of the asset-backed securitization and deposit markets at the time.

Regulation RR (Credit Risk Retention) adopted by the FDIC, the SEC, the Federal Reserve Board and certain other federal regulators mandates a minimum five percent risk retention requirement for securitizations. Such risk retention requirements may limit our liquidity by restricting the amount of asset-backed securities we are able to issue or affecting the timing of future issuances of asset-backed securities. We satisfy such risk retention requirements by maintaining a seller’s interest calculated in accordance with Regulation RR.

Stock Repurchase Programs

On July 27, 2023, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program to acquire up to $35 million in shares of our outstanding common stock in the open market during the period ending on December 31, 2023. The rationale for this repurchase program, and the amount thereof, was to offset the impact of dilution associated with issuances of employee restricted stock units, with the objective of reducing the Company’s weighted average diluted share count to approximately 50 million shares for the second half of 2023, subject to then current estimates and assumptions applicable as of the date of approval.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2023, under the authorized stock repurchase program, we acquired a total of 0.9 million shares of our common stock for $35 million. Following their repurchase, these 0.9 million shares ceased to be outstanding shares of common stock and are now treated as authorized but unissued shares of common stock.

As of September 30, 2023, we did not have any amounts remaining for future repurchases under the authorized stock repurchase program.

Dividends

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, we paid $11 million and $32 million, respectively, in dividends to holders of our common stock. On October 26, 2023, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.21 per share on our common stock, payable on December 15, 2023, to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 13, 2023.

Contractual Obligations

In the normal course of business, we enter into various contractual obligations that may require future cash payments, the vast majority of which relate to deposits, debt issued by consolidated VIEs, long-term and other debt and operating leases.

We believe that we will have access to sufficient resources to meet these commitments.

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Cash Flows

The table below summarizes our cash flow activity for the periods indicated, followed by a discussion of the variance drivers impacting our Operating, Investing and Financing activities.

Table 11: Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30,
20232022
(Millions)
Total cash provided by (used in)
Operating activities$1,370 $1,351 
Investing activities2,579 (1,488)
Financing activities(4,481)(178)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$(532)$(315)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities primarily include net income adjusted for (i) non-cash items included in net income, such as provision for credit losses, depreciation and amortization, deferred taxes and other non-cash items, and (ii) changes in the balances of operating assets and liabilities, which can fluctuate in the normal course of business due to the amount and timing of payments. We generated cash flows from operating activities of $1,370 million and $1,351 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the net cash provided by operating activities was primarily driven by cash generated from net income for the period after adjusting for the Provision for credit losses and the Gain on portfolio sale. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the net cash provided by operating activities was primarily driven by cash generated from net income for the period after adjusting for the Provision for credit losses and deferred income taxes.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities primarily include changes in Credit card and other loans. Cash provided by investing activities was $2,579 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and cash used in investing activities was $1,488 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the net cash provided by investing activities was primarily due to the sale of the BJ’s portfolio and the paydown of Credit card and other loans. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the net cash used in investing activities was primarily due to growth in credit sales and the consequential growth in Credit card and other loans, as well as the acquisition of a credit card loan portfolio.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities primarily include changes in deposits and long-term debt. Cash used in financing activities was $4,481 million and $178 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. For each of the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the net cash used in financing activities was primarily driven by net repayments of both debt issued by consolidated variable interest entities (securitizations) and unsecured borrowings. These two periods were also impacted by a net decrease in deposits, and a net increase in deposits, respectively.

INFLATION AND SEASONALITY

Although we cannot precisely determine the impact of inflation on our operations, we have generally sought to rely on operating efficiencies from scale, technology modernization and digital advancement, and expansion in lower cost jurisdictions (in select circumstances) to offset increased costs of employee compensation and other operating expenses impacted by inflation. We also recognize that a customer’s ability and willingness to repay us has been negatively impacted by factors such as inflation, which results in higher delinquencies that could lead to increased credit losses, as reflected in our increased Allowance for credit losses. If the efforts to control inflation in the U.S. and globally are not successful and inflationary pressures continue to persist, they could magnify the slowdown in the domestic and global economies and increase the risk of a recession, which may adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

With respect to seasonality, our revenues, earnings and cash flows are affected by increased consumer spending patterns leading up to and including the holiday shopping period in the fourth quarter and, to a lesser extent, during the first quarter as Credit card and other loans are paid down.

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LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY MATTERS

CB is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the State of Delaware and the FDIC. CCB is also subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the FDIC, as well as the State of Utah. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can trigger certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by our regulators. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, both Banks must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets and liabilities as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by these regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. In addition, both Banks are limited in the amounts they can pay as dividends to the Parent Company. For additional information about legislative and regulatory matters impacting us, see “Business–Supervision and Regulation” under Part I of our 2022 Form 10-K.

Quantitative measures, established by regulations to ensure capital adequacy, require the Banks to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of Tier 1 capital to average assets, and Common equity tier 1, Tier 1 capital and Total capital, all to risk weighted assets. Failure to meet these minimum capital requirements can result in certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary actions by the Banks’ regulators that if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on CB’s and/or CCB’s operating activities, as well as our operating activities. Based on these regulations, as of September 30, 2023 and 2022, each Bank met all capital requirements to which it was subject, and maintained capital ratios in excess of the minimums required to qualify as well capitalized. The Banks seek to maintain capital levels and ratios in excess of the minimum regulatory requirements inclusive of the 2.5% Capital Conservation Buffer. Although Bread Financial is not a bank holding company, as defined, we seek to maintain capital levels and ratios in excess of the minimums required for bank holding companies. As of September 30, 2023 the actual capital ratios and minimum ratios for each Bank, as well as Bread Financial, are as follows:

Table 12: Capital Ratios

Actual RatioMinimum Ratio for
Capital Adequacy
Purposes		Minimum Ratio to be
Well Capitalized under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
Total Company
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio (1)
12.9 %4.5 %6.5 %
Tier 1 capital ratio (2)
12.9 6.0 8.0 
Total risk-based capital ratio (3)
14.2 8.0 10.0 
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio (4)
11.4 4.0 5.0 
Comenity Bank
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio (1)
20.3 %4.5 %6.5 %
Tier 1 capital ratio (2)
20.3 6.0 8.0 
Total risk-based capital ratio (3)
21.6 8.0 10.0 
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio (4)
17.5 4.0 5.0 
Comenity Capital Bank
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio (1)
18.5 %4.5 %6.5 %
Tier 1 capital ratio (2)
18.5 6.0 8.0 
Total risk-based capital ratio (3)
19.9 8.0 10.0 
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio (4)
16.5 4.0 5.0 
__________________________________
(1)The Common equity tier 1 capital ratio represents common equity tier 1 capital divided by total risk-weighted assets.
(2)The Tier 1 capital ratio represents tier 1 capital divided by total risk-weighted assets.
(3)The Total risk-based capital ratio represents total capital divided by total risk-weighted assets.
(4)The Tier 1 leverage capital ratio represents tier 1 capital divided by total average assets, after certain adjustments.

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The Banks adopted the option provided by the interim final rule issued by joint federal bank regulatory agencies, which largely delayed the effects of the current expected credit loss (CECL) model on their regulatory capital for two years, until January 1, 2022, after which the effects are phased-in over a three-year period through December 31, 2024. Under the interim final rule, the amount of adjustments to regulatory capital deferred until the phase-in period includes both the initial impact of our adoption of CECL as of January 1, 2020, and 25% of subsequent changes in our Allowance for credit losses during each quarter of the two-year period ended December 31, 2021. In accordance with the interim final rule, we began to ratably phase-in these effects on January 1, 2022.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A)” included in our 2022 Form 10-K.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

See the “Recently Issued Accounting Standards” under Note 1, “Description of Business and Basis of Presentation” to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.


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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements give our expectations or forecasts of future events and can generally be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “likely,” “may,” “should” or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe our business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make regarding, and the guidance we give with respect to, our anticipated operating or financial results, future financial performance and outlook, future dividend declarations and future economic conditions.

We believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions. Forward-looking statements, however, are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and, in many cases, beyond our control. Accordingly, our actual results could differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or other expectations expressed in this report, and no assurances can be given that our expectations will prove to have been correct. Factors that could cause the outcomes to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the following:
•macroeconomic conditions, including market conditions, inflation, rising interest rates, unemployment levels and the increased probability of a recession or prolonged economic slowdown, and the related impact on consumer spending behavior, payments, debt levels, savings rates and other behavior;
•global political, market, public health and social events or conditions, including ongoing wars and military conflicts;
•future credit performance of our customers, including the level of future delinquency and write-off rates;
•loss of, or reduction in demand for services from, significant brand partners or customers in the highly competitive markets in which we compete;
•the concentration of our business in U.S. consumer credit;
•increases or volatility in the Allowance for credit losses that may result from the application of CECL;
•inaccuracies in the models and estimates on which we rely, including the amount of our Allowance for credit losses and our credit risk management models;
•increases in fraudulent activity;
•failure to identify, complete or successfully integrate or disaggregate business acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic initiatives;
•the extent to which our results are dependent upon our brand partners, including our brand partners’ financial performance and reputation, as well as the effective promotion and support of our products by brand partners;
•continued financial responsibility with respect to a divested business, including required equity ownership, guarantees, indemnities or other financial obligations;
•increases in the cost of doing business, including market interest rates;
•our level of indebtedness and inability to access financial or capital markets, including asset-backed securitization funding or deposits markets;
•restrictions that limit our Banks’ ability to pay dividends to us;
•pending and future litigation;
•pending and future legislation, regulation, supervisory guidance and regulatory and legal actions including, but not limited to, those related to financial regulatory reform and consumer financial services practices, as well as any such actions with respect to late fees, interchange fees or other charges;
•increases in regulatory capital requirements or other support for our Banks;
•impacts arising from or relating to the transition of our credit card processing services to third party service providers that we completed in 2022;
•failures or breaches in our operational or security systems, including as a result of cyberattacks, unanticipated impacts from technology modernization projects or otherwise;
•loss of consumer information due to compromised physical or cyber security;
•any tax liability, disputes or other adverse impacts arising out of or related to the spinoff of our former LoyaltyOne segment or the bankruptcy filings of Loyalty Ventures Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries; and
•those factors identified in our filings with the SEC, including in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of our 2022 Form 10-K, our
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Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 and this quarterly report.

If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from what we projected. In addition, a final CFPB ruling is anticipated in the coming months that could place significant limits on credit card late fees; we cannot provide any assurance as to when any such rule will be issued, the provisions or effective date of any such rule, the result of any litigation relating to such rule, or our ability to mitigate or offset the impact of any such rule on our business and results of operations.

Any forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q speak only as of the date made, and we undertake no obligation, other than as required by applicable law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events, anticipated or unanticipated circumstances or otherwise.

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Item 1. Financial Statements.
BREAD FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Three Months Ended
September 30,		Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2023202220232022
(Millions, except per share amounts)
Interest income
Interest and fees on loans$1,256 $1,195 $3,697 $3,325 
Interest on cash and investment securities45 23 135 34 
Total interest income1,301 1,218 3,832 3,359 
Interest expense
Interest on deposits143 66 387 142 
Interest on borrowings76 67 254 166 
Total interest expense219 133 641 308 
Net interest income1,082 1,085 3,191 3,051 
Non-interest income
Interchange revenue, net of retailer share arrangements(84)(136)(244)(333)
Gain on portfolio sale— — 230 — 
Other33 30 96 75 
Total non-interest income(51)(106)82 (258)
Total net interest and non-interest income1,031 979 3,273 2,793 
Provision for credit losses304 304 747 902 
Total net interest and non-interest income, after provision for credit losses727 675 2,526 1,891 
Non-interest expenses
Employee compensation and benefits210 202 647 572 
Card and processing expenses104 82 339 248 
Information processing and communication73 75 222 192 
Marketing expenses36 44 115 124 
Depreciation and amortization23 29 92 80 
Other56 54 161 167 
Total non-interest expenses502 486 1,576 1,383 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes225 189 950 508 
Provision for income taxes52 55 257 150 
Income from continuing operations173 134 693 358 
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (1)
(2)— (18)(1)
Net income$171 $134 $675 $357 
Basic income per share (Note 14)
Income from continuing operations$3.47 $2.69 $13.85 $7.17 
(Loss) income from discontinued operations$(0.03)$— $(0.37)$(0.01)
Net income per share$3.44 $2.69 $13.48 $7.16 
Diluted income per share (Note 14)
Income from continuing operations$3.46 $2.69 $13.80 $7.16 
(Loss) income from discontinued operations$(0.04)$— $(0.36)$(0.01)
Net income per share$3.42 $2.69 $13.44 $7.15 
Weighted average common shares outstanding (Note 14)
Basic49.949.850.049.9
Diluted50.149.950.250.0
___________________________________________________________
(1)Includes amounts that related to the previously disclosed discontinued operations associated with the spinoff of our former LoyaltyOne segment in 2021 and the sale of our former Epsilon segment in 2019. For additional information refer to Note 1, “Description of Business and Basis of Presentation” to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
See Notes to unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
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BREAD FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Three Months Ended
September 30,		Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2023202220232022
(Millions)
Net income$171 $134 $675 $357 
Other comprehensive loss
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale debt securities(9)(9)(8)(25)
Tax benefits2 2 2 6 
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale debt securities, net of tax(7)(7)(6)(19)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax(7)(7)(6)(19)
Total comprehensive income, net of tax$164 $127 $669 $338 

See Notes to unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
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BREAD FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
September 30,
2023		December 31,
2022
(Millions, except per share amounts)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents$3,380 $3,891 
Credit card and other loans
Total credit card and other loans (includes loans available to settle obligations of consolidated variable interest entities September 30, 2023, $12,100; December 31, 2022, $15,383, respectively)
17,922 21,365 
Allowance for credit losses(2,207)(2,464)
Credit card and other loans, net15,715 18,901 
Investment securities240 221 
Property and equipment, net160 195 
Goodwill and intangible assets, net771 799 
Other assets1,342 1,400 
Total assets$21,608 $25,407 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Deposits13,268 13,826 
Debt issued by consolidated variable interest entities2,848 6,115 
Long-term and other debt1,375 1,892 
Other liabilities1,253 1,309 
Total liabilities18,744 23,142 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized, 200.0 million shares; issued, 49.3 million shares as of September 30, 2023 and 49.9 million shares as of December 31, 2022, respectively.
1 1 
Additional paid-in capital2,155 2,192 
Retained earnings735 93 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(27)(21)
Total stockholders’ equity2,864 2,265 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$21,608 $25,407 

See Notes to unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
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BREAD FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023Common StockAdditional
Paid-In
Capital		Retained
Earnings		Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss		Total
Stockholders’
Equity
SharesAmount
(Millions)
Balance as of June 30, 202350.1$1 $2,181 $574 $(20)$2,736 
Net income—— — 171 — 171 
Other comprehensive loss—— — — (7)(7)
Stock-based compensation—— 10 — — 10 
Repurchase of common stock(0.9)— (35)— — (35)
Dividends and dividend equivalent rights declared ($0.21 per common share)
—— — (10)— (10)
Issuance of shares to employees, net of shares withheld for employee taxes0.1— (1)— — (1)
Balance as of September 30, 202349.3$1 $2,155 $735 $(27)$2,864 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022Common StockAdditional
Paid-In
Capital		Retained
Earnings		Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss		Total
Stockholders’
Equity
SharesAmount
(Millions)
Balance as of June 30, 202249.8$1 $2,174 $114 $(14)$2,275 
Net income—— — 134 — 134 
Other comprehensive loss—— — — (7)(7)
Stock-based compensation—— 7 — — 7 
Dividends and dividend equivalent rights declared ($0.21 per common share)
—— — (10)— (10)
Balance as of September 30, 202249.8$1 $2,181 $238 $(21)$2,399 



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BREAD FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023Common StockAdditional
Paid-In
Capital		Retained
Earnings		Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss		Total
Stockholders’
Equity
SharesAmount
(Millions)
Balance as of December 31, 202249.9$1 $2,192 $93 $(21)$2,265 
Net income—— — 675 — 675 
Other comprehensive loss—— — — (6)(6)
Stock-based compensation—— 32 — — 32 
Capped call transactions for convertible senior notes due 2028—— (30)— — (30)
Repurchases of common stock(0.9)— (35)— — (35)
Dividends and dividend equivalent rights declared ($0.63 per common share)
—— — (33)— (33)
Issuance of shares to employees, net of shares withheld for employee taxes0.3— (4)— — (4)
Balance as of September 30, 202349.3 $1 $2,155 $735 $(27)$2,864 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022Common StockAdditional
Paid-In
Capital		Retained
Earnings		Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss		Total
Stockholders’
Equity
SharesAmount
(Millions)
Balance as of December 31, 202149.9$1 $2,174 $(87)$(2)$2,086 
Net income—— — 357 — 357 
Other comprehensive loss—— — — (19)(19)
Stock-based compensation—— 23 — — 23 
Repurchase of common stock(0.2)(12)(12)
Dividends and dividend equivalent rights declared ($0.63 per common share)
—— — (32)— (32)
Issuance of shares to employees, net of shares withheld for employee taxes0.1— (4)— — (4)
Balance as of September 30, 202249.8$1 $2,181 $238 $(21)$2,399 

See Notes to unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
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BREAD FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
20232022
(Millions)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income$675 $357 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Provision for credit losses747 902 
Depreciation and amortization92 80 
Deferred income taxes(35)(137)
Non-cash stock compensation32 24 
Amortization of deferred financing costs20 18 
Amortization of deferred origination costs67 64 
Gain on portfolio sale(230)— 
Change in other operating assets and liabilities
Change in other assets38 (25)
Change in other liabilities(56)11 
Other20 57 
Net cash provided by operating activities1,370 1,351 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Change in credit card and other loans217 (1,171)
Proceeds from sale of credit card loan portfolio2,499 — 
Purchase of credit card loan portfolio(81)(249)
Net purchase of investment securities(29)(10)
Other, including capital expenditures(27)(58)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities2,579 (1,488)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Unsecured borrowings under debt agreements801 218 
Repayments/maturities of unsecured borrowings under debt agreements(1,299)(294)
Debt issued by consolidated variable interest entities1,517 1,723 
Repayments/maturities of debt issued by consolidated variable interest entities(4,782)(3,162)
Net (decrease) increase in deposits(559)1,395 
Payment of deferred financing costs(50)(10)
Payment for capped call transactions(39)— 
Dividends paid(32)(32)
Repurchase of common stock(35)(12)
Other(3)(4)
Net cash used in financing activities(4,481)(178)
Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(532)(315)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period3,927 3,923 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$3,395 $3,608 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash and cash equivalents reconciliation
Cash and cash equivalents$3,380 $3,583 
Restricted cash included within Other assets15 25 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$3,395 $3,608 
The unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows are presented with the combined cash flows from continuing and discontinued operations.
See Notes to unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
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BREAD FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS

We are a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions. We create opportunities for our customers and partners through digitally enabled choices that offer ease, empowerment, financial flexibility and exceptional customer experiences. Driven by a digital-first approach, data insights and white-label technology, we deliver growth for our partners through a comprehensive product suite, including private label and co-brand credit cards and buy now, pay later (BNPL) products such as installment loans and our “split-pay” offerings. We also offer direct-to-consumer solutions that give customers more access, choice and freedom through our branded Bread CashbackTM American Express® Credit Card and Bread SavingsTM products.

Our partner base consists of large consumer-based businesses, including well-known brands such as (alphabetically) AAA, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Caesars, Michaels, the NFL, Signet, Ulta and Victoria’s Secret, as well as small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Our partner base is well diversified across a broad range of industries, including health and beauty, travel and entertainment, jewelry, home goods, sporting goods and specialty apparel. We believe our comprehensive suite of payment, lending and saving solutions, along with our related marketing and data and analytics, offers us a significant competitive advantage with products relevant across customer segments (Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X and Baby Boomers). The breadth and quality of our product and service offerings have enabled us to establish and maintain long-standing partner relationships. Our primary source of revenue is from Interest and fees on loans from our various credit card and other loan products, and to a lesser extent from contractual relationships with our brand partners.

Throughout these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, unless stated otherwise, the terms “Bread Financial”, the “Company”, “we”, “our” or “us” refer to Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. and our subsidiaries and variable interest entities (VIEs) on a consolidated basis. References to “Parent Company” refer to Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. on a parent-only stand-alone basis. In December 2020 we acquired Lon Inc., known at the time as Bread, which has been fully integrated into our ongoing business strategy and operations.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

These unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2023. If not significantly different, certain note disclosures included therein have been omitted from these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

The unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein reflect all adjustments, which consist of normal, recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to state fairly the results for the interim periods presented. The unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements also include amounts that relate to the previously disclosed discontinued operations associated with the spinoff of our former LoyaltyOne segment in 2021 and the sale of our former Epsilon segment in 2019. Such amounts have been classified within Discontinued operations and primarily relate to the after-tax impact of contractual indemnification and tax-related matters. For additional information refer to Note 22, “Discontinued Operations and Bank Holding Company Financial Presentation” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. Results of operations reported for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. These accounting estimates and assumptions reflect the best judgement of management, but actual results could differ. The most significant of those estimates and assumptions relate to the Allowance for credit losses.

The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and all subsidiaries in which we have a controlling financial interest. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

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BREAD FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In March 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new accounting and disclosure guidance for troubled debt restructurings effective January 1, 2023, with early adoption permitted. Specifically, the new guidance eliminates the previous recognition and measurement guidance for troubled debt restructurings while enhancing the disclosure requirements for certain loan modifications and write-offs. Effective January 1, 2023 we adopted the guidance, with no significant impact on our results of operations, financial position, regulatory risk-based capital, or on our operational processes, controls and governance in support of the new guidance.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

The recently issued accounting standards from our standard setters e.g., the FASB, relate to topics that are outside our industry or are otherwise not impactful on our results of operations, financial position, cash flows, or disclosures related thereto.

2. CREDIT CARD AND OTHER LOANS

Our payment and lending solutions result in the generation of Credit card and other loans, which are recorded at the time a borrower enters into a point-of-sale transaction with a merchant. Credit card loans represent revolving lines of credit and have a range of terms that include credit limits, interest rates and fees, which can be revised over time based on new information about the cardholder, in accordance with applicable regulations and the governing terms and conditions. Cardholders choosing to make a payment of less than the full balance due, instead of paying in full, are subject to finance charges and are required to make monthly payments based on pre-established amounts. Other loans, which consist of BNPL products such as installment loans and our “split-pay” offerings, have a range of fixed terms such as interest rates, fees and repayment periods, and borrowers are required to make pre-established monthly payments over the term of the loan in accordance with the applicable terms and conditions. Credit card and other loans include principal and any related accrued interest and fees and are presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets net of the Allowance for credit losses. We continue to accrue interest and fee income on all accounts, except in limited circumstances, until the related balance and all related interest and fees are paid or charged-off.

We generally classify our Credit card and other loans as held for investment. We sell a majority of our Credit card loans originated by Comenity Bank (CB) and by Comenity Capital Bank (CCB), which together are referred to herein as the “Banks”, to certain of our master trusts (the Trusts), which are consolidated VIEs, and therefore these loans are restricted for securitization investors. All new originations of Credit card and other loans are determined to be held for investment at origination because we have the intent and ability to hold them for the foreseeable future. In determining what constitutes the foreseeable future, we consider the average life and homogenous nature of our Credit card and other loans. In assessing whether our Credit card and other loans continue to be held for investment, we also consider capital levels and scheduled maturities of funding instruments used. The assertion regarding the intent and ability to hold Credit card and other loans for the foreseeable future can be made with a high degree of certainty given the maturity distribution of our direct-to-consumer (retail) deposits and other funding instruments; the demonstrated ability to replace maturing time-based deposits and other borrowings with new deposits or borrowings; and historic payment activity on Credit card and other loans. Due to the homogenous nature of our Credit card loans, amounts are classified as held for investment on a brand partner portfolio basis. From time to time certain Credit card loans are classified as held for sale, as determined on a brand partner portfolio basis. We carry these assets at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value and continue to recognize finance charges on an accrual basis. Cash flows associated with Credit card and other loans originated or purchased for investment are classified as Cash flows from investing activities, regardless of any subsequent change in intent and ability.

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The following table presents Credit card and other loans, as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively:

September 30,
2023		December 31,
2022
(Millions)
Credit card loans$17,616 $21,065 
BNPL (other) loans306 300 
Total credit card and other loans (1)(2)
17,922 21,365 
Less: Allowance for credit losses(2,207)(2,464)
Credit card and other loans, net$15,715 $18,901 
__________________________________
(1)Includes $12.1 billion and $15.4 billion of Credit card and other loans available to settle obligations of consolidated VIEs as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
(2)Includes $341 million and $307 million, of accrued interest and fees that have not yet been billed to cardholders as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Credit Card and Other Loans Aging

The following table presents the delinquency trends of our Credit card and other loans portfolio based on the amortized cost:

Aging Analysis of Delinquent Amortized Cost
Credit Card and Other Loans (1)
31 to 60 Days Past Due 61 to 90 Days Past Due 91 or more Days Past Due Total Total
Current		 Total
(Millions)
As of September 30, 2023$382 $292 $722 $1,396 $16,165 $17,561 
As of December 31, 2022$444 $296 $732 $1,472 $19,559 $21,031 
__________________________________
(1)BNPL loan delinquencies have been included with credit card loan delinquencies in the table above, as amounts were insignificant as of each period presented. As permitted by GAAP, we exclude unbilled finance charges and fees from our amortized cost basis of Credit card and other loans. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, accrued interest and fees that have not yet been billed to cardholders were $341 million and $307 million, respectively, included in Credit card and other loans on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.     

From time to time we may re-age cardholders’ accounts, with the intent of assisting delinquent cardholders who have experienced financial difficulties but who demonstrate both an ability and willingness to repay the amounts due, this practice affects credit card loan delinquencies and principal losses. Accounts meeting specific defined criteria are re-aged when the cardholder makes one or more consecutive payments aggregating to a certain pre-defined amount of their account balance. Upon re-aging, the outstanding balance of a delinquent account is returned to current status. Our re-aged accounts as a percentage of Total credit card and other loans represented 2.8% and 1.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and 2.7% and 1.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our re-aging practices comply with regulatory guidelines.

Credit Quality Indicators for Our Credit Card and Other Loans

Given the nature of our business, the credit quality of our assets, in particular our Credit card and other loans, is a key determinant underlying our ongoing financial performance and overall financial condition. When it comes to our Credit card and other loans portfolio, we closely monitor Delinquency rates and Net principal loss rates which reflect, among other factors, our underwriting, the inherent credit risk in our portfolio, the success of our collection and recovery efforts, and more broadly, the general macroeconomic conditions.

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Delinquencies: An account is contractually delinquent if we do not receive the minimum payment due by the specified due date. Our policy is to continue to accrue interest and fee income on all accounts, except in limited circumstances, until the balance and all related interest and fees are paid or charged-off. After an account becomes 30 days past due, a proprietary collection scoring algorithm automatically scores the risk of the account becoming further delinquent; based upon the level of risk indicated, a collection strategy is deployed. If after exhausting all in-house collection efforts we are unable to collect on the account, we may engage collection agencies or outside attorneys to continue those efforts, or sell the charged-off balances.

The Delinquency rate is calculated by dividing outstanding principal balances that are contractually delinquent (i.e., balances greater than 30 days past due) as of the end of the period, by the outstanding principal amount of Credit cards and other loans as of the same period-end. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our Delinquency rates were 6.3% and 5.5%, respectively.

Net Principal Losses: Our net principal losses include the principal amount of losses that are deemed uncollectible, less recoveries, and exclude charged-off interest, fees and third-party fraud losses (including synthetic fraud). Charged-off interest and fees reduce Interest and fees on loans while third-party fraud losses are recorded in Card and processing expenses. Credit card loans, including unpaid interest and fees, are generally charged-off in the month during which an account becomes 180 days past due. BNPL loans such as our installment loans and our “split-pay” offerings, including unpaid interest, are generally charged-off when a loan becomes 120 days past due. However, in the case of a customer bankruptcy or death, Credit card and other loans, including unpaid interest and fees, as applicable, are charged-off 60 days after receipt of the notification of the bankruptcy or death, but in any case no later than 180 days past due for Credit card loans and 120 days past due for BNPL loans. We record the actual losses for unpaid interest and fees as a reduction to Interest and fees on loans, which were $204 million and $145 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $689 million and $429 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The net principal loss rate is calculated by dividing net principal losses for the period by the Average credit card and other loans for the same period. Average credit card and other loans represent the average balance of the loans at the beginning and end of each month, averaged over the periods indicated. For the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, our Net principal loss rates were 6.9% and 5.0%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, our Net principal loss rates were 7.3% and 5.1%, respectively.

Overall Credit Quality: As part of our credit risk management activities for our credit card loans portfolio, we assess overall credit quality by reviewing information from credit bureaus and other sources relating to our cardholders’ broader credit performance. We utilize VantageScore (Vantage) credit scores to assist in our assessment of credit quality. Vantage credit scores are obtained at origination of the account and are refreshed monthly thereafter to assist in predicting customer behavior. We categorize these Vantage credit scores into the following three credit score categories: (i) 661 or higher, which are considered the strongest credits and therefore have the lowest credit risk; (ii) 601 to 660, considered to have moderate credit risk; and (iii) 600 or less, which are considered weaker credits and therefore have the highest credit risk. In certain limited circumstances there are customer accounts for which a Vantage score is not available and we use alternative sources to assess credit risk and predict behavior. The table below excludes 0.1% and 0.6% of the total credit card loans balance as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, representing those customer accounts for which a Vantage credit score is not available. The following table reflects the distribution of our Credit card loans by Vantage score as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

September 30,
2023		December 31,
2022
661 or
Higher		601 to
660		600 or
Lower		661 or
Higher		601 to
660		600 or
Lower
Credit card loans57 %27 %16 %62 %26 %12 %

As part of our credit risk management activities for our BNPL loans portfolio, we also assess overall credit quality by reviewing information from credit bureaus. In this case we utilize Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) credit scores to assist in our assessment of credit quality. The amortized cost basis of BNPL loans totaled $306 million and $299 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. As of September 30, 2023, approximately 83% of these loans
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were originated with customers with FICO scores of 661 or above, and correspondingly approximately 17% of these loans were originated with customers with FICO scores below 661. Similarly, as of December 31, 2022, approximately 86% and 14% of these loans were originated with customers with FICO scores of 661 or above, and below 661, respectively.

Modified Credit Card Loans

Forbearance Programs

As part of our collections strategy, we may offer temporary, short term (six-months or less) forbearance programs in order to improve the likelihood of collections and meet the needs of our customers. Our modifications for customers who have requested assistance and meet certain qualifying requirements, come in the form of reduced or deferred payment requirements, interest rate reductions and late fee waivers. We do not offer programs involving the forgiveness of principal. These temporary loan modifications may assist in cases where we believe the customer will recover from the short-term hardship and resume scheduled payments. Under these forbearance programs, those accounts receiving relief may not advance to the next delinquency cycle, including charge-off, in the same time frame that would have occurred had the relief not been granted. We evaluate our forbearance programs to determine if they represent a more than insignificant delay in payment granted to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, in which case they would then be considered a Loan Modification. Loans in these short term programs that are determined to be Loan Modifications, will be included as such in the disclosures below.

Credit Card Loans - Modifications for Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty (Loan Modifications)

In instances where cardholders are experiencing financial difficulty, we may modify our credit card loans with the intention of minimizing losses and improving collectability, while providing cardholders with financial relief; such credit card loans are classified as Loan Modifications, exclusive of the temporary, short-term forbearance programs described above. Loan Modifications, include concessions consisting primarily of a reduced minimum payment, late fee waiver, and/or an interest rate reduction. The majority of concessions remain in place for a period no longer than twelve months; however, for certain modifications the concessions remain in place through the payoff of the credit card loans if the cardholder complies with the terms of the program.

Loan Modification concessions do not include the forgiveness of unpaid principal, but may involve the reversal of certain unpaid interest or fee assessments, and the cardholder’s ability to make future purchases is either limited, or suspended until the cardholder successfully exits from the modification program. In accordance with the terms of our workout programs, the credit agreement reverts back to its original contractual terms (including the contractual interest rate) when the customer exits the program, which is either when all payments have been made in accordance with the program, or when the customer defaults out of the program.

Loan Modifications are collectively evaluated for impairment on a pooled basis in measuring the appropriate Allowance for credit losses. The following table provides information relating to credit card loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that were granted a concession under a Loan Modification program during the periods presented:

Three Months Ended September 30, 2023Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Account Balances (1)
% of Total Credit Card Loans
Weighted Average Interest Rate Reduction (% points)
Account Balances (1)
% of Total Credit Card LoansWeighted Average Interest Rate Reduction (% points)
(Millions, except percentages)
Credit card loans$86 0.5 %20.2 %$189 1.1 %20.1 %
__________________________________
(1)Represents the outstanding balances as of September 30, 2023 of all Loan Modifications undertaken in the past three and nine months, respectively, for credit card loans that remain in modification programs on September 30, 2023. The outstanding balances include principal, accrued interest and fees.

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Interest income on these impaired credit card loans is accounted for in the same manner as non-impaired credit card loans, and cash collections are allocated according to the same payment hierarchy methodology applied for credit card loans not in Loan Modification programs.

The following table presents the performance of our credit card loans that were modified on or after January 1, 2023 and remain in a Loan Modification program as of September 30, 2023:

Aging Analysis of Delinquent Amortized Cost
Loan Modifications - Credit Card Loans
31 to 60 Days Past Due 61 to 90 Days Past Due 91 or more Days Past Due Total Total
Current		 Total
(Millions)
As of September 30, 2023$15 $12 $17 $44 $145 $189 

The following table provides additional information regarding credit card Loan Modifications that have subsequently defaulted within 12 months of their modification dates, for the periods specified; the probability of default is factored into the Allowance for credit losses:

Three Months Ended September 30, 2023Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Number of
Modifications		Outstanding
Balance		Number of
Modifications		Outstanding
Balance
(Millions, except for Number of modifications)
Loan Modifications that subsequently defaulted4,047$7 6,567$11 

Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs)

The following table provides information on credit card loans modified as troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance in effect during the periods presented, which was effective prior to our adoption of the new guidance that eliminated TDRs effective January 1, 2023.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
Number of
Restructurings		Pre-modification
Outstanding
Balance		Post-modification
Outstanding
Balance		Number of
Restructurings		Pre-modification
Outstanding
Balance		Post-modification
Outstanding
Balance
(Millions, except for Number of restructurings)
Troubled debt restructurings – credit card loans37,363$52 $52 107,577$154 $154 

TDRs are collectively evaluated for impairment on a pooled basis in measuring the appropriate Allowance for credit losses. Our impaired credit card loans represented less than 2% of total credit card loans as of September 30, 2022. As of the same date, our recorded investment in impaired credit card loans was $248 million, with an associated allowance for credit losses of $62 million. The average recorded investment in impaired credit card loans was $248 million and $259 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.

Interest income on these impaired credit card loans is accounted for in the same manner as non-impaired credit card loans, and cash collections are allocated according to the same payment hierarchy methodology applied for credit card loans not
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accounted for as TDRs. We recognized $4 million and $11 million in interest income associated with credit card loans accounted for as TDRs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.

The following table provides additional information regarding credit card loans modified as TDRs that have subsequently defaulted within 12 months of their modification dates during the specified periods; the probability of default is factored into the allowance for credit losses:

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
Number of
Restructurings		Outstanding
Balance		Number of
Restructurings		Outstanding
Balance
(Millions, except for Number of restructurings)
Troubled debt restructurings that subsequently defaulted11,511$16 51,201$70 

Unfunded Loan Commitments

We are active in originating private label and co-brand credit cards in the U.S. We manage potential credit risk in unfunded lending commitments by reviewing each potential customer’s credit application and evaluating the applicant’s financial history and ability and perceived willingness to repay. Credit card loans are made primarily on an unsecured basis. Cardholders reside throughout the U.S. and are not significantly concentrated in any one geographic area.

We manage our potential risk in credit commitments by limiting the total amount of credit, both by individual customer and in total, by monitoring the size and maturity of our portfolios and applying consistent risk-based underwriting standards. We have the unilateral ability to cancel or reduce unused credit card lines at any time. Unused credit card lines available to cardholders totaled approximately $109 billion and $128 billion as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. While this amount represented the total available unused credit card lines, we have not experienced and do not anticipate that all cardholders will access their entire available line at any given point in time.

Portfolio Sales

As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were no credit card loans held for sale.

We previously announced the non-renewal of our contract with BJ’s Wholesale Club (BJ’s) and the sale of the BJ’s portfolio, which closed in late February 2023, for a total purchase price of $2.5 billion on a loan portfolio of $2.3 billion, resulting in a $230 million Gain on portfolio sale.

Portfolio Acquisition

In October 2023, we acquired a credit card portfolio for cash consideration of approximately $390 million, which primarily consisted of credit card loans and is subject to customary purchase price adjustments.

3. ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

The Allowance for credit losses is an estimate of expected credit losses, measured over the estimated life of our Credit card and other loans that considers forecasts of future economic conditions in addition to information about past events and current conditions. The estimate under the credit reserving methodology referred to as the Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) model is significantly influenced by the composition, characteristics and quality of our portfolio of Credit card and other loans, as well as the prevailing economic conditions and forecasts utilized. The estimate of the Allowance for credit losses includes an estimate for uncollectible principal as well as unpaid interest and fees. Principal losses, net of recoveries are deducted from the Allowance. Principal losses for unpaid interest and fees as well as any adjustments to the Allowance associated with unpaid interest and fees are recorded as a reduction to Interest and fees on loans. The Allowance is maintained through an adjustment to the Provision for credit losses and is evaluated for appropriateness.

In estimating our Allowance for credit losses, for each identified group, management utilizes various models and estimation techniques based on historical loss experience, current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts and
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other relevant factors. These models utilize historical data and applicable macroeconomic variables with statistical analysis and behavioral relationships, to determine expected credit performance. Our quantitative estimate of expected credit losses under CECL is impacted by certain forecasted economic factors. We consider the forecast used to be reasonable and supportable over the estimated life of the Credit card and other loans, with no reversion period. In addition to the quantitative estimate of expected credit losses, we also incorporate qualitative adjustments for certain factors such as Company-specific risks, changes in current economic conditions that may not be captured in the quantitatively derived results, or other relevant factors to ensure the Allowance for credit losses reflects our best estimate of current expected credit losses.

Credit Card Loans

We use a “pooled” approach to estimate expected credit losses for financial assets with similar risk characteristics. We have evaluated multiple risk characteristics across our credit card loans portfolio, and determined delinquency status and overall credit quality to be the most significant characteristics for estimating expected credit losses. To estimate our Allowance for credit losses, we segment our credit card loans on the basis of delinquency status, credit quality risk score and product. These risk characteristics are evaluated on at least an annual basis, or more frequently as facts and circumstances warrant. In determining the estimated life of our Credit card loans, payments were applied to the measurement date balance with no payments allocated to future purchase activity. We use a combination of First In First Out and the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act of 2009 (CARD Act) methodologies to model balance paydown.

BNPL Loans

We measure our Allowance for credit losses on BNPL loans using a statistical model to estimate projected losses over the remaining terms of the loans, inclusive of an assumption for prepayments. The model is based on the historical statistical relationship between loan loss performance and certain macroeconomic data pooled based on credit quality risk score, term of the underlying loans, vintage and geographic location. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Allowance for credit losses on BNPL loans was $25 million and $21 million, respectively.

Allowance for Credit Losses Rollforward

The following table presents our Allowance for credit losses for our Credit card and other loans. The amount of the related Allowance for credit losses on BNPL loans is insignificant and therefore has been included in the table below:

Three Months Ended
September 30,		Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2023202220232022
(Millions)
Beginning balance$2,207 $1,992 $2,464 $1,832 
Provision for credit losses (1)
304 304 747 902 
Change in the estimate for uncollectible unpaid interest and fees— — 5 — 
Net principal losses (2)
(304)(223)(1,009)(661)
Ending balance$2,207 $2,073 $2,207 $2,073 
__________________________________
(1)Provision for credit losses includes a build/release for the Allowance, as well as replenishment of Net principal losses.
(2)Net principal losses are presented net of recoveries of $69 million and $47 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $242 million and $126 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Net principal losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 include a $10 million adjustment related to the effects of the purchase of previously written-off accounts that were sold to a third-party debt collection agency; no such adjustment was made in the comparative period.

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For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the factors that influenced the increase in the Allowance for credit losses are higher net principal losses and a higher reserve rate due to the the compounding effect of persistent inflation relative to wage growth, the increased cost of consumer debt, the possibility of higher unemployment levels and the potential impacts from the resumption of student loan repayments.

4. SECURITIZATIONS

We account for transfers of financial assets as either sales or financings. Transfers of financial assets that are accounted for as sales are removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheets with any realized gain or loss reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income during the period in which the sale occurs. Transfers of financial assets that are not accounted for as a sale are treated as a financing.

We regularly securitize the majority of our credit card loans through the transfer of those loans to one of our Trusts. We perform the decision making for the Trusts, as well as servicing the cardholder accounts that generate the credit card loans held by the Trusts. In our capacity as a servicer, we administer the loans, collect payments and charge-off uncollectible balances. Servicing fees are earned by a subsidiary, which are eliminated in consolidation.

The Trusts are consolidated VIEs because they have insufficient equity at risk to finance their activities – the issuance of debt securities and notes, collateralized by the underlying credit card loans. Because we perform the decision making and servicing for the Trusts, we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the Trusts’ economic performance (the collection of the underlying credit card loans). In addition, we hold all of the variable interests in the Trusts, with the exception of the liabilities held by third-parties. These variable interests provide us with the right to receive benefits and the obligation to absorb losses, which could be significant to the Trusts. As a result of these considerations, we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the Trusts and therefore consolidate the Trusts.

The Trusts issue debt securities and notes, which are non-recourse to us. The collections on the securitized credit card loans held by the Trusts are available only for payment of those debt securities and notes, or other obligations arising in the securitization transactions. For our securitized credit card loans, during the initial phase of a securitization reinvestment period, we generally retain principal collections in exchange for the transfer of additional credit card loans into the securitized pool of assets. During the amortization or accumulation period of a securitization, the investors’ share of principal collections (in certain cases, up to a maximum specified amount each month) is either distributed to the investors or held in an account until it accumulates to the total amount due, at which time it is paid to the investors in a lump sum.
We are required to maintain minimum interests in our Trusts ranging from 4% to 10% of the securitized credit card loans. This requirement is met through a transferor’s interest and is supplemented through excess funding deposits which represent cash amounts deposited with the trustee of the securitizations. Cash collateral, restricted deposits are generally released proportionately as investors are repaid. Under the terms of the Trusts, the occurrence of certain triggering events associated with the performance of the securitized credit card loans in each Trust could result in certain required actions, including payment of Trust expenses, the establishment of reserve funds, or early amortization of the debt securities and/or notes, in a worst-case scenario. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, no such triggering events occurred.

The following tables provide the total securitized credit card loans and related delinquencies, and net principal losses of securitized credit card loans for the periods specified:

September 30,
2023		December 31,
2022
(Millions)
Total credit card loans – available to settle obligations of consolidated VIEs$12,100 $15,383 
Of which: principal amount of credit card loans 91 days or more past due$296 $307 

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Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2023202220232022
(Millions)
Net principal losses of securitized credit card loans$179 $123 $592 $363 

5. INVESTMENT SECURITIES

Investment securities primarily consist of available-for-sale (AFS) debt securities, including both mortgage-backed securities and mutual funds. We also hold equity securities within our investment securities portfolio. Collectively, these investments are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets within Investment securities.

For any AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position, any estimated credit loss would be recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income by establishing, or adjusting an existing allowance for those credit losses. We did not have any such credit losses for the periods presented. Any unrealized gains, or any portion of an AFS debt security’s non-credit-related unrealized losses are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, net of tax. We typically invest in highly-rated securities with low probabilities of default.

Gains and losses on investments in equity securities are recorded in Other non-interest expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Realized gains and losses are recognized upon disposition of the investment securities, using the specific identification method. The table below reflects unrealized gains and losses as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively:

September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Amortized
Cost		Unrealized
Gains		Unrealized
Losses		Fair ValueAmortized
Cost		Unrealized
Gains		Unrealized
Losses		Fair Value
(Millions)
Available-for-sale securities$191 $— $(31)$160 $175 $— $(23)$152 
Equity securities80 — — 80 69 — — 69 
Total$271 $— $(31)$240 $244 $— $(23)$221 

The following tables provide information about AFS debt securities with gross unrealized losses and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively:

September 30, 2023
Less than 12 months12 Months or GreaterTotal
Fair Value Unrealized
Losses		 Fair Value Unrealized
Losses		 Fair Value Unrealized
Losses
(Millions)
Available-for-sale securities$27 $(2)$133 $(29)$160 $(31)
Total$27 $(2)$133 $(29)$160 $(31)

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December 31, 2022
Less than 12 months12 Months or GreaterTotal
Fair Value Unrealized
Losses		 Fair Value Unrealized
Losses		 Fair Value Unrealized
Losses
(Millions)
Available-for-sale securities$95 $(9)$57 $(14)$152 $(23)
Total$95 $(9)$57 $(14)$152 $(23)

As of September 30, 2023, the amortized cost and estimated fair value of AFS debt securities, which are mortgage-backed securities with no stated maturities, was $191 million and $160 million, respectively.

There were no realized gains or losses from the sale of any investment securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.

6. DEPOSITS

Deposits were categorized as interest-bearing or non-interest-bearing as follows, as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

September 30,
2023		December 31,
2022
(Millions)
Interest-bearing$13,244 $13,787 
Non-interest-bearing (including cardholder credit balances)24 39 
Total deposits$13,268 $13,826 

Deposits by deposit type as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were as follows:

September 30,
2023		December 31,
2022
(Millions)
Savings accounts
Direct-to-consumer (retail)$2,814 $2,782 
Wholesale3,746 3,954 
Certificates of deposit
Direct-to-consumer (retail)3,284 2,684 
Wholesale3,400 4,367 
Cardholder credit balances24 39 
Total deposits$13,268 $13,826 

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The scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit were as follows as of September 30, 2023:

(Millions)
2023 (1)
$505 
20243,894 
20251,095 
2026411 
2027634 
Thereafter145 
Total certificates of deposit$6,684 
__________________________________
(1)The 2023 balance includes $8 million in unamortized debt issuance costs, which are associated with the entire portfolio of certificates of deposit.

As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, deposits that exceeded applicable FDIC insurance limits, which are generally $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, were estimated to be $497 million (4% of Total deposits) and $719 million (5% of Total deposits), respectively. The measurement of estimated uninsured deposits aligns with regulatory guidelines.


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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
7. BORROWINGS OF LONG-TERM AND OTHER DEBT

Long-term and other debt consisted of the following as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

DescriptionSeptember 30, 2023December 31, 2022Contractual MaturitiesInterest Rates
(Millions, except percentages)
Long-term and other debt:
2023 revolving line of credit$— $— June 2026
(1)
2023 term loans298 — June 20267.40%
2017 revolving line of credit— — ——
2017 term loans— 556 ——
Convertible senior notes due 2028316 — June 20284.25%
Senior notes due 2024285 850 December 20244.75%
Senior notes due 2026500 500 January 20267.00%
Subtotal1,399 1,906 
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs24 14 
Total long-term and other debt$1,375 $1,892 
Debt issued by consolidated VIEs:
Fixed rate asset-backed term note securities$350 $— May 20265.02%
Conduit asset-backed securities2,500 6,115 Various – Oct. 2024 to Sep. 2025
(2)
Subtotal2,850 6,115 
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs2 — 
Total debt issued by consolidated VIEs$2,848 $6,115 
Total borrowings of long-term and other debt$4,223 $8,007 
______________________________
(1)The interest rate is based upon the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus an applicable margin.
(2)The interest rate is based upon SOFR, or the asset-backed commercial paper costs of each individual conduit provider plus an applicable margin. As of September 30, 2023, the interest rates ranged from 6.37% to 6.53% with a weighted average rate of 6.41%. As of December 31, 2022, the interest rates ranged from 5.08% to 5.93% with a weighted average rate of 5.38%.

Certain of our long-term debt agreements include various restrictive financial and non-financial covenants. If we do not comply with certain of these covenants and an event of default occurs and remains uncured, the maturity of amounts outstanding may be accelerated and become payable, and, with respect to our credit agreement, the associated commitments may be terminated. As of September 30, 2023, we were in compliance with all such covenants.

Long-term and Other Debt

Credit Agreement

On June 7, 2023, we entered into a new credit agreement (the 2023 Credit Agreement) with Parent Company, as borrower, certain of our domestic subsidiaries, as guarantors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and lender, and various other financial institutions, as lenders, which provides for a $700 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the Revolving Credit Facility) and a $575 million senior unsecured delayed draw term loan facility (the Term Loan Facility), all on terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the 2023 Credit Agreement. The 2023 Credit Agreement replaced, in its entirety, our prior credit agreement dated June 14, 2017, as amended (the 2017 Credit Agreement), which was repaid in full and terminated on June 13, 2023 in connection with the closing of our offering of convertible notes, described below. The 2023 Credit Agreement matures on June 13, 2026.

As of September 30, 2023 under the 2023 Credit Agreement, we had $298 million aggregate principal amount of term loans outstanding and $275 million available for future borrowings under the Term Loan Facility, and all $700 million remained available for future borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. The proceeds from the Term Loan Facility
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may only be used for refinancing existing debt and paying fees, expenses and premiums in connection therewith, while the proceeds from the Revolving Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purposes and working capital needs, including refinancing existing debt, investments, payment of dividends and repurchases of capital stock. Borrowings under the 2023 Credit Agreement bear interest at an annual rate equal to, at our option, either (a) Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus a credit adjustment spread and the applicable margin, (b) Daily Simple SOFR plus a credit adjustment spread and the applicable margin or (c) a base rate set forth in the 2023 Credit Agreement plus the applicable margin, with the applicable margin in each case dependent upon our ratio of (i) consolidated tangible net worth to (ii) consolidated total assets, minus the sum of goodwill and intangible assets, net.

Senior Notes Due 2024 and 2026

The Senior Notes set forth below are each governed by their respective indentures that include usual and customary negative covenants and events of default. These Senior Notes are unsecured and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by certain of our existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries that incur or in any other manner become liable for any debt under our domestic credit facilities, including the 2023 Credit Agreement.

Due December 15, 2024: In December 2019, we issued and sold $850 million aggregate principal amount of 4.750% Senior Notes due December 15, 2024 (the Senior Notes due 2024). The Senior Notes due 2024 accrue interest on the outstanding principal amount at the rate of 4.750% per annum from December 20, 2019, payable semi-annually in arrears, on June 15 and December 15 of each year. Concurrently with the launch of the convertible notes offering (see further discussion below), we commenced a cash tender offer (the Tender Offer) for any and all of the $850 million in aggregate principal amount of our outstanding 4.750% Senior Notes due 2024. The consideration offered for each $1,000 principal amount of the Senior Notes due 2024 was $980, plus accrued and unpaid interest, for any and all notes validly tendered. The Tender Offer expired on June 14, 2023, with the holders of $565 million in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes due 2024 validly tendering pursuant to the Tender Offer. The remaining $285 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2024 were outstanding as of September 30, 2023, maturing on December 15, 2024, subject to earlier repurchase or redemption.

Due January 15, 2026: In September 2020, we issued and sold $500 million aggregate principal amount of 7.000% Senior Notes due January 15, 2026 (the Senior Notes due 2026). The Senior Notes due 2026 accrue interest on the outstanding principal amount at the rate of 7.000% per annum from September 22, 2020, payable semi-annually in arrears, on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on March 15, 2021. The Senior Notes due 2026 will mature on January 15, 2026, subject to earlier repurchase or redemption.

4.25% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2028

On June 13, 2023, we issued $316 million aggregate principal amount of 4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 (the Convertible Notes). The Convertible Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of June 13, 2023, among Parent Company, as issuer, certain of our domestic subsidiaries, as guarantors, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. The Convertible Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 4.25%, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2023. The Convertible Notes mature on June 15, 2028, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted.

The Convertible Notes are convertible, under certain conditions, until March 15, 2028, and on or after such date without condition, at an initial conversion rate of 26.0247 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, subject to adjustment, which represents a 25% conversion premium based on the last reported sale price of our common stock of $30.74 on June 8, 2023 prior to issuing the Convertible Notes. Upon any such conversion, we will pay cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be converted and pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock (at our election), in respect of the remainder, if any, of our conversion obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes being converted.

At our option, we may redeem for cash, all or a portion of the Convertible Notes on or after June 21, 2026, and before the 51st scheduled trading day before the maturity date, but only if the closing price of our common stock reaches specified targets as defined in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes. The redemption price will equal 100% of the principal amount of the redeemed Convertible Notes plus accrued interest, if any.
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If we experience a fundamental change, as defined in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes, the note holders may require us to purchase for cash all or a portion of their notes, subject to specified exceptions, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest.

In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Notes, we entered into privately negotiated capped call transactions (the Capped Call) with certain financial institution counterparties. These transactions are expected generally to reduce potential dilution to our common stock upon any conversion of Convertible Notes and/or offset any cash payments we are required to make in excess of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes, with such reduction and/or offset subject to a cap, based on the cap price. The base price of the Capped Call transactions is $38.43, representing a premium of 25% over the last reported sale price of our common stock of $30.74 on June 8, 2023, while the cap price is initially $61.48, which represents a premium of 100% over that same sale price on June 8, 2023. Within the share price range of $38.43 to $61.48 the Capped Call transactions provide economic value to us from the counterparties, upon maturity or earlier conversion. The Capped Call transactions met the conditions under the related accounting guidance for equity classification and are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis; the price paid of $39 million was recorded in Additional paid-in capital, net of tax, in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Debt Issued by Consolidated VIEs

An asset-backed security is a security whose value and income payments are derived from and collateralized by a specified pool of underlying assets – in our case, our credit card loans. The sale of the pool of underlying assets to general investors is accomplished through a securitization process. We regularly sell our credit card loans to our Trusts, which are consolidated. The liabilities of these consolidated VIEs include asset-backed securities for which creditors, or beneficial interest holders, do not have recourse to our general credit.

Fixed Rate Asset-Backed Term Notes

In May 2023, World Financial Network Credit Card Master Note Trust issued $399 million of Series 2023-A public term asset-backed notes, which mature in May 2026. The offering consisted of $350 million of Class A notes with a fixed interest rate of 5.02% per year, $31 million of Class M notes with a fixed interest rate of 5.27% per year, and $18 million of zero coupon Class B notes. The Class M and B notes were retained by us and eliminated from the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Conduit Facilities

We maintained committed syndicated bank Conduit Facilities to support the funding of our credit card loans for our Trusts. Borrowings outstanding under each private Conduit Facility bear interest at a margin above SOFR, or the asset-backed commercial paper costs of each individual conduit provider.

As of December 31, 2022, total capacity under our Conduit Facilities was $6.5 billion, of which $6.1 billion had been drawn down and was included in Debt issued by consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs) in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we renewed lender commitments under our Conduit Facilities of $5.4 billion and extended the various maturities to October 2024, February 2025 and September 2025. Specifically, in February 2023, the World Financial Network Credit Card Master Note Trust amended its 2009-VFN Conduit Facility, decreasing the capacity from $2.8 billion to $2.7 billion and extending the maturity to October 2024. Also in February 2023, in connection with the sale of the BJ’s portfolio, the World Financial Capital Master Note Trust amended its 2009-VFN Conduit Facility removing the assets related to the BJ’s portfolio. In April 2023, this same facility was again amended decreasing the capacity from $2.5 billion to $2.3 billion and extending the maturity to February 2025. In March 2023, CCB repaid the Comenity Capital Asset Securitization Trust’s 2022-VFN Conduit Facility and terminated the related lending commitment, decreasing capacity by $1.0 billion. However, the structure of the applicable Trust did not change, including the Trust assets, providing for the option to pledge those assets in the future, and in September 2023, the Comenity Capital Asset Securitization Trust was amended to include a new credit commitment of $250 million with a maturity of September 2025. In June 2023, the World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust III amended its 2009-VFC conduit facility,
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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
extending a portion of the maturity to October 2023, and another portion of the maturity to October 2024. In August 2023, this same facility was amended to replace the maturing commitment with a new $100 million commitment with a maturity of October 2024.

As of September 30, 2023, total capacity under our Conduit Facilities was $5.4 billion, of which $2.5 billion had been drawn and included in Debt issued by consolidated VIEs in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

8. OTHER NON-INTEREST INCOME AND OTHER NON-INTEREST EXPENSES

The following table provides the components of Other non-interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:

Three Months Ended
September 30,		Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2023 20222023 2022
(Millions)
Payment protection products$32 $39 $99 $116 
Loss from equity method investment— (11)(5)(44)
Other1 2 2 3 
Total other non-interest income$33 $30 $96 $75 

The following table provides the components of Other non-interest expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:

Three Months Ended
September 30,		Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2023 20222023 2022
(Millions)
Professional services and regulatory fees$29 $33 $101 $102 
Occupancy expense5 5 16 17 
Other (1)
22 16 44 48 
Total other non-interest expenses$56 $54 $161 $167 
__________________________________
(1)Primarily related to costs associated with various other individually insignificant operating activities; also includes the net gain on debt extinguishment for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

9. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Fair value is defined under GAAP as the price that would be required to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date; with such transaction based on the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market the most advantageous market for the specific instrument. GAAP provides for a three-level fair value hierarchy that classifies the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value, defined as follows:

Level 1: Inputs that are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity can access.

Level 2: Inputs, other than those included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability.

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Level 3: Inputs that are unobservable (e.g., internally derived assumptions) and reflect an entity’s own estimates about estimates market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available under the circumstances. In particular, Level 3 inputs and valuation techniques involve judgment and as a result are not necessarily indicative of amounts we would realize in a current market exchange. The use of different assumptions or estimation techniques may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

We monitor the market conditions and evaluate the fair value hierarchy levels quarterly. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3, and no transfers between Levels 1 and 2.

The following table summarizes the carrying values and fair values of our financial assets and financial liabilities:

September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Carrying
Amount		 Fair
Value		 Carrying
Amount		 Fair
Value
(Millions)
Financial assets
Credit card and other loans, net$15,715 $18,048 $18,901 $21,328 
Investment securities240 240 221 221 
Financial liabilities
Deposits13,268 13,164 13,826 13,731 
Debt issued by consolidated VIEs2,848 2,844 6,115 6,115 
Long-term and other debt1,375 1,392 1,892 1,759 

Valuation Techniques Used in the Fair Value Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

Credit card and other loans, net: Our Credit card and other loans are recorded at historical cost, less the Allowance for credit losses, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In estimating the fair values, we use a discounted cash flow model (i.e., Level 3 inputs), primarily because a comparable whole loan sales market for similar loans does not exist, and therefore there is a lack of observable pricing inputs. We use various internally derived inputs, including projected income, discount rates and forecasted write-offs; economic value attributable to future loans generated by the cardholder accounts is not included in the fair values.

Investment securities: Investment securities primarily consist of AFS debt securities, including both mortgage-backed securities and mutual funds, as well as equity securities, and are recorded at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Quoted prices of identical or similar investment securities in active markets are used to estimate the fair values (i.e., Level 1 or Level 2 inputs).

Deposits: Money market and other non-maturity deposits carrying values approximate their fair values because they are short-term in duration and have no defined maturity. Certificates of deposit are recorded at their historical issuance cost on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, adjusted for unamortized fees, with fair value being estimated based on the currently observable market rates available to us for similar deposits with similar remaining maturities (i.e., Level 2 inputs). Interest payable is included within Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Debt issued by consolidated VIEs: We record debt issued by consolidated VIEs at amortized cost (including unamortized fees, issuance costs, premiums and discounts, where applicable) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Interest payable is included within Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Fair value is estimated based on the currently observable market rates available to us for similar debt instruments with similar remaining maturities or quoted market prices for the same transaction (i.e., Level 2 inputs).

Long-term and other debt: We record long-term and other debt at amortized cost (including unamortized fees, issuance costs, premiums and discounts, where applicable) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Interest payable is included within Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value is estimated based on the currently observable market
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rates available to us for similar debt instruments with similar remaining maturities, or quoted market prices for the same transaction (i.e., Level 2 inputs).

Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following tables summarize financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by the fair value hierarchy described in the preceding paragraphs:

September 30, 2023
Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
(Millions)
Investment securities$240 $44 $196 $— 
Total assets measured at fair value$240 $44 $196 $— 

December 31, 2022
Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
(Millions)
Investment securities$221 $44 $177 $— 
Total assets measured at fair value$221 $44 $177 $— 

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain assets and liabilities are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, including property and equipment, right-of-use assets, deferred contract assets, goodwill, and intangible assets. These assets are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as upon impairment. In the nine months ended September 30, 2023 we wrote-off the remaining $6 million of our equity method investment in Loyalty Ventures Inc. (LVI). For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 we recognized a write-down of our equity method investment in LVI of $11 million and $44 million, respectively.

Financial Instruments Disclosed but Not Carried at Fair Value

The following tables summarize financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at amortized cost, and not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis, as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The fair values of these financial instruments are estimates as of those dates, and require management’s judgment; therefore, these fair value estimates may not be indicative of future fair values, nor can our fair value be estimated by aggregating all of the amounts presented.

September 30, 2023
Fair ValueLevel 1Level 2Level 3
(Millions)
Financial assets
Credit card and other loans, net$18,048 $— $— $18,048 
Total$18,048 $— $— $18,048 
Financial liabilities
Deposits$13,164 $— $13,164 $— 
Debt issued by consolidated VIEs2,844 — 2,844 — 
Long-term and other debt1,392 — 1,392 — 
Total$17,400 $— $17,400 $— 

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December 31, 2022
Fair ValueLevel 1Level 2Level 3
(Millions)
Financial assets
Credit card and other loans, net$21,328 $— $— $21,328 
Total$21,328 $— $— $21,328 
Financial liabilities
Deposits$13,731 $— $13,731 $— 
Debt issued by consolidated VIEs6,115 — 6,115 — 
Long-term and other debt1,759 — 1,759 — 
Total$21,605 $— $21,605 $— 

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Regulatory Matters

CB is regulated, supervised and examined by the State of Delaware and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Our industrial bank, CCB, is regulated, supervised and examined by the State of Utah and the FDIC.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) promulgates regulations for the federal consumer financial protection laws and supervises and examines large banks (those with more than $10 billion of total assets) with respect to those laws. Banks in a multi-bank organization, such as CB and CCB, are subject to supervision and examination by the CFPB with respect to the federal consumer financial protection laws if at least one bank reports total assets over $10 billion for four consecutive quarters. While the Banks were subject to supervision and examination by the CFPB with respect to the federal consumer financial protection laws between 2016 and 2021, this reverted to the FDIC in 2022. Beginning September 30, 2022, CCB’s total assets exceeded $10 billion for four consecutive quarters and both Banks are now again subject to supervision and examination by the CFPB with respect to federal consumer protection laws.

Quantitative measures established by regulations to ensure capital adequacy require CB and CCB to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of Tier 1 capital to average assets, Common equity tier 1, Tier 1 capital and Total capital, all to risk weighted assets. Failure to meet these minimum capital requirements can result in certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary actions by the Banks’ regulators that if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on CB’s and/or CCB’s operating activities, as well as those of Bread Financial. Based on these regulations, as of September 30, 2023, each Bank met all capital requirements to which it was subject, and maintained capital ratios in excess of the minimums required to qualify as well capitalized. The Banks are considered well capitalized and seek to maintain capital levels and ratios in excess of the minimum regulatory requirements inclusive of the 2.5% Capital Conservation Buffer. Although Bread Financial is not a bank holding company, as defined, we seek to maintain capital levels and ratios in excess of the minimums required for bank holding companies. The actual capital ratios and minimum ratios for each Bank, as well as Bread Financial, as of September 30, 2023, are as follows:
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Actual RatioMinimum Ratio for
Capital Adequacy
Purposes		Minimum Ratio to be
Well Capitalized under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
Total Company
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio (1)
12.9 %4.5 %6.5 %
Tier 1 capital ratio (2)
12.9 6.0 8.0 
Total risk-based capital ratio (3)
14.2 8.0 10.0 
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio (4)
11.4 4.0 5.0 
Comenity Bank
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio (1)
20.3 %4.5 %6.5 %
Tier 1 capital ratio (2)
20.3 6.0 8.0 
Total risk-based capital ratio (3)
21.6 8.0 10.0 
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio (4)
17.5 4.0 5.0 
Comenity Capital Bank
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio (1)
18.5 %4.5 %6.5 %
Tier 1 capital ratio (2)
18.5 6.0 8.0 
Total risk-based capital ratio (3)
19.9 8.0 10.0 
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio (4)
16.5 4.0 5.0 
__________________________________
(1)The Common equity tier 1 capital ratio represents common equity tier 1 capital divided by total risk-weighted assets.
(2)The Tier 1 capital ratio represents tier 1 capital divided by total risk-weighted assets.
(3)The Total risk-based capital ratio represents total capital divided by total risk-weighted assets.
(4)The Tier 1 leverage capital ratio represents tier 1 capital divided by total average assets, after certain adjustments.

Indemnification

On July 1, 2019, we completed the sale of Epsilon segment to Publicis Groupe S.A. (Publicis). Under the terms of the agreement governing that transaction, we agreed to indemnify Publicis and our affiliates from and against any losses arising out of or related to a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation. The DOJ investigation related to third-party marketers who sent, or allegedly sent, deceptive mailings and the provision of data and services to those marketers by Epsilon’s data practice. Epsilon actively cooperated with the DOJ in connection with the investigation. On January 19, 2021, Epsilon entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the DOJ to resolve the matters that were the subject of the investigation. Pursuant to the DPA, Epsilon agreed, among other things, to pay penalties and consumer compensation in the aggregate amount of $150 million, to be paid in two equal installments, the first in January 2021 and the second in January 2022. A $150 million loss contingency was recorded as of December 31, 2020. Pursuant to our contractual indemnification obligation, in January 2021 we paid $75 million to Publicis, and in January 2022, we paid the remaining $75 million installment to Publicis. Our indemnification obligation also covers certain ongoing legal, consulting and claims administration fees and expenses incurred in connection with this matter, which we expect to diminish through the remainder of 2023.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time we are subject to various lawsuits, claims, disputes, or potential claims or disputes, and other proceedings, arising in the ordinary course of business that we believe, based on our current knowledge, will not have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition or liquidity, including claims and lawsuits alleging breaches of our contractual obligations, arbitrations, class actions and other litigation, arising in connection with our business activities. We are also involved, from time to time, in reviews, investigations, subpoenas, supervisory actions and other proceedings (both formal and informal) by governmental agencies regarding our business, which could subject us to
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significant fines, penalties, obligations to change our business practices, significant restrictions on our existing business or ability to develop new business, cease-and-desist orders, safety-and-soundness directives or other requirements resulting in increased expenses, diminished income and damage to our reputation.

11. CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax effects, are as follows:

Three Months Ended September 30, 2023Net Unrealized
Losses
on AFS Securities		Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments		Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(Millions)
Balance as of June 30, 2023$(17)$(3)$(20)
Changes in other comprehensive loss(7)— (7)
Balance as of September 30, 2023$(24)$(3)$(27)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022Net Unrealized
Losses
on AFS Securities		Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments		Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(Millions)
Balance as of June 30, 2022$(11)$(3)$(14)
Changes in other comprehensive loss(7)— (7)
Balance as of September 30, 2022$(18)$(3)$(21)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023Net Unrealized
Losses
on AFS Securities		Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments		Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(Millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2022$(18)$(3)$(21)
Changes in other comprehensive loss(6)— (6)
Balance as of September 30, 2023$(24)$(3)$(27)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on AFS Securities		Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments		Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(Millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2021$1 $(3)$(2)
Changes in other comprehensive loss(19)— (19)
Balance as of September 30, 2022$(18)$(3)$(21)


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12. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Stock Repurchase Programs

On July 27, 2023, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program to acquire up to $35 million in shares of our outstanding common stock in the open market during the period ending on December 31, 2023. The rationale for this repurchase program, and the amount thereof, was to offset the impact of dilution associated with issuances of employee restricted stock units, with the objective of reducing the Company’s weighted average diluted share count to approximately 50 million shares for the second half of 2023, subject to then current estimates and assumptions applicable as of the date of approval.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2023, under the authorized stock repurchase program, we acquired a total of 0.9 million shares of our common stock for $35 million. Following their repurchase, these 0.9 million shares ceased to be outstanding shares of common stock and are now treated as authorized but unissued shares of common stock.

As of September 30, 2023, we did not have any amounts remaining for future repurchases under the authorized stock repurchase program.

Stock Compensation Expense

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we awarded 1,135,383 service-based restricted stock units (RSUs) with a weighted average grant date fair value per share of $39.92 as determined on the date of grant. Service-based restricted stock units typically vest ratably over three years provided that the participant is employed by us on each such vesting date.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we awarded 175,587 performance-based restricted stock units with a fair market value of $27.76 to our Named Executive Officers. Performance-based RSUs cliff vest at the end of three years, if specific performance measures tied to our financial performance are met, which are measured annually over the three-year period. For the performance-based RSUs awarded in 2023, the predefined vesting criteria typically permit a range from 0% to 150% to be earned. Accruals of compensation cost for an award with a performance condition are based on the probable outcome of that performance condition. If the performance targets are met, the awards will vest with respect to the entire award on February 16, 2026, provided that the participant is employed by us on the vesting date.

For the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we recognized $10 million and $8 million in stock-based compensation expense, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we recognized $32 million and $24 million in stock-based compensation expense, respectively.

Dividends

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, we paid $11 million and $32 million, respectively, in dividends to holders of our common stock. On October 26, 2023, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.21 per share on our common stock, payable on December 15, 2023, to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 13, 2023.

13. INCOME TAXES

The Provision for income taxes remained relatively flat for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in the prior year. The effective tax rate was 23.0% and 28.9% for the same three month periods, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate primarily related to a discrete benefit in the current year period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in the prior year, the Provision for income taxes increased due to the increase in Income from continuing operations before income taxes. The effective tax rate was 27.1% and 29.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate primarily related to a discrete benefit in the current year period.

We are under examination by the Internal Revenue Service as well as tax authorities in various states. The tax years under examination and open for examination vary by jurisdiction; with some exceptions, the tax returns filed by us are no longer
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BREAD FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
subject to U.S. federal income tax and state and local examinations for the years before 2015 or foreign income tax examinations for years before 2018.

14. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings (losses) per share (EPS) is based only on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, excluding any dilutive effects of stock options, unvested restricted stock awards, or other dilutive securities. Diluted EPS is based on the weighted average number of common and potentially dilutive common shares (dilutive stock options, unvested restricted stock awards and other dilutive securities outstanding during the year) pursuant to the Treasury Stock method.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS attributable to common stockholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2023 202220232022
(Millions, except per share amounts)
Numerator
Income from continuing operations$173 $134 $693 $358 
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes(2)— (18)(1)
Net income$171 $134 $675 $357 
Denominator
Basic: Weighted average common stock49.9 49.8 50.0 49.9 
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities
Add: net effect of dilutive unvested restricted stock awards (1)
0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 
Diluted50.1 49.9 50.2 50.0 
Basic EPS
Income from continuing operations$3.47 $2.69 $13.85 $7.17 
(Loss) income from discontinued operations$(0.03)$— $(0.37)$(0.01)
Net income per share$3.44 $2.69 $13.48 $7.16 
Diluted EPS
Income from continuing operations$3.46 $2.69 $13.80 $7.16 
(Loss) income from discontinued operations$(0.04)$— $(0.36)$(0.01)
Net income per share$3.42 $2.69 $13.44 $7.15 
__________________________________
(1)For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, an insignificant amount of restricted stock awards were excluded from each calculation of weighted average dilutive common shares as the effect would have been anti-dilutive.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Market Risk

Market risk is the risk to earnings or asset and liability values resulting from movements in market prices. Our principal market risk exposure arises from volatility in interest rates and their impact on economic value, capitalization levels, cost of capital and earnings.

There has been no material change from our 2022 Form 10-K (as supplemented by our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023) related to our exposure to interest rate risk or other market risks.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective and designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the requisite time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

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 fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

For a description of legal proceedings applicable to our business, see Indemnification and Legal Proceedings in Note 10, “Commitments and Contingencies” of the Notes to unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

This section supplements and updates certain of the information found under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors”, of our 2022 Form 10-K, as previously supplemented in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023. The matters discussed below should be read in conjunction with the risk factors set forth in the 2022 Form 10-K, as so supplemented to date. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently believe are not material, may also become important factors that adversely affect our business. For a discussion of the recent trends and uncertainties impacting our business, see also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Business Environment”.

The LoyaltyOne spinoff could result in substantial tax liability to us and our stockholders, and more generally, we have been adversely affected by LVI’s performance, and we may continue to be adversely affected by LVI’s ongoing bankruptcy proceedings or disputes involving or relating to LVI.

In November 2021, we completed the spinoff of our former LoyaltyOne segment, consisting of the Canadian AIR MILES® Reward Program and the Netherlands-based BrandLoyalty businesses, into an independent, publicly traded company, LVI. As part of the spinoff, we retained 19% of the outstanding shares of common stock of LVI.

We received a private letter ruling, or PLR, from the IRS and an opinion from our tax advisor to the effect that the spinoff of our former LoyaltyOne segment qualified as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes for us and our stockholders (except for cash received in lieu of fractional shares). However, if the factual assumptions or representations made by us in connection with the delivery of the PLR and opinion are inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect, including those relating to the past and future conduct of our business, we may not be able to rely on the PLR or opinion. Furthermore, the PLR does not address all the issues that are relevant to determining whether the spinoff qualified for tax-free treatment, and the opinion from our tax advisor is not binding on the IRS or the courts. If, notwithstanding receipt of the PLR and the opinion from our tax advisor, the spinoff transaction and certain related transactions are determined to be taxable, we would be subject to a substantial tax liability. In addition, if the spinoff transaction is taxable, each holder of our common stock who received shares of LVI in connection with the spinoff would generally be treated as receiving a taxable distribution of property in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares received.

Even if the spinoff otherwise qualifies as a tax-free transaction, the distribution would be taxable to us (but not to our stockholders) in certain circumstances if post-spinoff significant acquisitions of our stock or the stock of LVI are deemed to be part of a plan or series of related transactions that included the spinoff. In this event, the resulting tax liability could be substantial, and could discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of us. In connection with the spinoff, we entered into a tax matters agreement with LVI, pursuant to which LVI agreed to not enter into any transaction that could cause any portion of the spinoff to be taxable to us without our consent and to indemnify us for any tax liability resulting from any such transaction. On March 1, 2023, LVI announced that it had entered into an agreement to sell its BrandLoyalty business. At LVI’s request to accommodate the sale, we agreed to not take action under the tax matters agreement to attempt to prevent the BrandLoyalty sale and, upon the closing, agreed to certain mutual releases with the buyer in the sale. Subsequently, on March 10, 2023, LVI and certain of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code and in Canada under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) (collectively, the LVI Bankruptcy Proceedings). In the Canadian proceedings, LVI conducted an auction process and subsequently sold its AIR MILES business to Bank of Montreal in June 2023. While we believe these transactions should not affect the qualification of the spinoff as a tax-free transaction, it is possible the IRS could disagree and successfully assert that the spinoff should be taxable to us and our stockholders that received LVI shares in the spinoff. In addition, it is possible the IRS could view this disposition as inconsistent with the PLR and, as a result, the IRS could take the position that we cannot rely on the PLR.

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More generally, we have been adversely affected by LVI’s performance, and we may continue to be adversely affected by the ongoing LVI Bankruptcy Proceedings or disputes involving or relating to LVI. During 2022, LVI’s stock price decreased significantly and, as a result, we wrote down the value of our 19% shareholding in LVI from $50 million as of December 31, 2021, to $6 million as of December 31, 2022. As of March 31, 2023, we had written down the value of these LVI shares to zero. While we had intended to divest our ownership position in LVI in a tax-efficient manner within 12 months of the spinoff, market conditions and other factors prevented us from doing so. We anticipate our remaining 19% shareholding in LVI will be disposed of either during or in connection with the LVI Bankruptcy Proceedings, in compliance with the terms of the PLR.

Furthermore, though we believe that our process and decision-making with respect to the spinoff transaction were entirely appropriate, LoyaltyOne, Co. (the LVI subsidiary that operated its Canadian AIR MILES business) has recently filed suit against us and Joseph Motes, our general counsel, in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Canada. The lawsuit asserts that Mr. Motes, in his capacity as a pre-spinoff director of LoyaltyOne, Co., breached various fiduciary duties owed to LoyaltyOne, Co. in connection with the LVI spinoff and certain other transactions, and that Bread Financial assisted in and benefited from those breaches. The lawsuit seeks damages in the amount of $775 million. LVI has also established a litigation trust in the U.S. Chapter 11 proceedings to pursue claims against us and one or more members of our management team in respect of the spinoff transaction, although no such claims have been filed to date. While we believe that the suit filed against us in Canada and any other claims in connection with the spinoff are without merit and we will defend ourselves vigorously, litigation is complex and the outcomes are inherently uncertain. We may also become involved in legal or other disputes with respect to the spinoff agreements with LVI, or incur other liabilities or obligations under contractual arrangements with LVI. In addition, a putative federal securities class action complaint was filed in April 2023 against us and current and former members of our management team concerning disclosures made about LVI’s business, which we believe is without merit and we will defend ourselves vigorously. Any litigation or dispute relating to the spinoff could distract management, result in significant legal and other costs, and otherwise adversely impact our financial position, results of operations and financial condition.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

The following table presents information with respect to purchases of our common stock made by or on behalf of us during the three months ended September 30, 2023:

Period
Total Number of
Shares Purchased (1)
Average Price Paid
per Share		Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs		Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
(Millions)
July 1-314,382$36.09 —$35 
August 1-31713,46937.45 710,9528 
September 1-30226,57837.36 224,244— 
Total944,429$37.42 935,196$— 
__________________________________
(1)During the periods presented, 9,233 shares of our common stock were purchased by the administrator of our Bread Financial 401(k) Plan for the benefit of the employees who participated in that portion of the 401(k) Plan.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

(a)None
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(b)None

(c)During the three months ended September 30, 2023, no Section 16 officer or director of the Parent Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.

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Item 6. Exhibits.

a)Exhibits:

EXHIBIT INDEX

Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit No.FilerDescriptionFormExhibitFiling Date
3.1(a)8-K3.26/10/16
3.2(a)8-K3.13/24/22
3.3(a)8-K3.14/29/19
3.4(a)8-K3.23/24/22
4(a)10-Q48/8/03
10.1(b)
(c)
(d)		8-K99.28/1/23
10.2(b)
(c)
(d)		8-K99.19/6/23
*31.1(a)
*31.2(a)
**32.1(a)
**32.2(a)
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Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit No.FilerDescriptionFormExhibitFiling Date
*101(a)
The following financial information from Bread Financial Holdings, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss), (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
*104(a)Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
__________________________________
*Filed herewith
**Furnished herewith
(a)Bread Financial Holdings, Inc.
(b)WFN Credit Company, LLC
(c)World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust
(d)World Financial Network Credit Card Master Note Trust
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. has duly caused this quarterly report on Form 10-Q to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

BREAD FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
DATE: October 26, 2023
By:/s/ RALPH J. ANDRETTA
Ralph J. Andretta
President and Chief Executive Officer
DATE: October 26, 2023
By:/s/ PERRY S. BEBERMAN
Perry S. Beberman
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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