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Santander Holdings USA, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2015 September (Form 10-Q)


 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
þ
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015
OR
o
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     .
Commission File Number: 001-16581
SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC.
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  
Virginia
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
23-2453088
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
75 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
02109
(Zip Code)
(617) 346-7200
Registrant’s telephone number including area code
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 þ. No o.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation ST (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ. No o.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer o
 
Non-accelerated filer þ
 
Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes o. No þ.
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
Class
 
Outstanding at October 31, 2015
Common Stock (no par value)
 
530,391,043 shares




FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Santander Holdings USA, Inc. (“SHUSA” or the “Company”) contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the financial condition, results of operations, business plans and future performance of the Company. Words such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “looking forward,” “will,” “would,” “believe,” “expect,” “hope,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “assume” or similar expressions are intended to indicate forward-looking statements.

Although SHUSA believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date on which the statements are made, these statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties based on various factors and assumptions. Among the factors that could cause SHUSA’s financial performance to differ materially from that suggested by forward-looking statements are:

the effects of regulation and policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”), including changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve, the failure to adhere to which could subject SHUSA to formal or informal regulatory compliance and enforcement actions;
the strength of the United States economy in general and regional and local economies in which SHUSA conducts operations in particular, which may affect, among other things, the level of non-performing assets, charge-offs, and provisions for credit losses;
the ability of certain European member countries to continue to service their debt and the risk that a weakened European economy could negatively affect U.S.-based financial institutions, counterparties with which SHUSA does business, as well as the stability of global financial markets;
inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations, which may, among other things, reduce net interest margins, impact funding sources and affect the ability to originate and distribute financial products in the primary and secondary markets;
adverse movements and volatility in debt and equity capital markets and adverse changes in the securities markets, including those related to the financial condition of significant issuers in SHUSA’s investment portfolio;
SHUSA’s ability to manage changes in the value and quality of its assets, changing market conditions that may force management to alter the implementation or continuation of cost savings or revenue enhancement strategies and the possibility that revenue enhancement initiatives may not be successful in the marketplace or may result in unintended costs;
SHUSA’s ability to timely develop competitive new products and services in a changing environment and the acceptance of such products and services by customers;
the ability of SHUSA and its third-party vendors to convert and maintain SHUSA’s data processing and related systems on a timely and acceptable basis and within projected cost estimates;
the impact of changes in financial services policies, laws and regulations, including laws, regulations and policies concerning taxes, banking, capital, liquidity, proper accounting treatment, securities and insurance, the applications and interpretations thereof by regulatory bodies and the impact of changes in and interpretations of generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP");
the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "DFA"), enacted in July 2010, which is a significant development for the industry, the full impact of which will not be known until the rule-making processes mandated by the legislation are complete, although the impact has involved and will involve higher compliance costs that have affected and will affect SHUSA’s revenue and earnings negatively;
competitors of SHUSA that may have greater financial resources or lower costs, may innovate more effectively, or may develop products and technology that enable those competitors to compete more successfully than SHUSA;
acts of terrorism or domestic or foreign military conflicts; and acts of God, including natural disasters;
the costs and effects of regulatory or judicial proceedings;
the outcome of ongoing tax audits by federal, state and local income tax authorities that may require SHUSA to pay additional taxes or recover fewer overpayments compared to what has been accrued or paid as of period-end;
SHUSA’s success in managing the risks involved in the foregoing.


1




GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
Santander Holdings USA, Inc. provides the following list of abbreviations and acronyms as a tool for the reader that are used in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
2015 Amendment: OCC consent order signed by Santander Bank, National Association on June 16, 2015 which amended prior orders signed by Santander Bank, National Association and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency on April 13, 2011 and January 7, 2013
 
GCB: Global Corporate Banking
ABS: Asset-backed securities
 
GSE: Government-sponsored entities
ACL: Allowance for credit losses
 
IHC: U.S. intermediate holding company
Alt-A: Loans originated through brokers outside the Bank's geographic footprint, often lacking full documentation
 
IPO: Initial public offering
ASC: Accounting Standards Codification
 
IRS: Internal Revenue Service
ASU: Accounting Standards Update
 
ISDA: International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.
Bank: Santander Bank, National Association
 
Legacy Covered Funds: Investments in and relationships with covered funds that were in place prior to December 31, 2013.
BB&T: BB&T Corp.
 
LCR: Liquidity coverage ratio
BHC: Bank holding company
 
LHFS: Loans held-for-sale
BNY Mellon: Bank of New York Mellon
 
LIBOR: London Interbank Offered Rate
BOLI: Bank-owned life insurance
 
LTD: Long-term debt
Brokers: Independent parties
 
LTV: Loan-to-value
CBP: Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania
 
MBS: Mortgage-backed securities
CCAR: Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review
 
MD&A: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
CD: Certificate(s) of deposit
 
MSR: Mortgage servicing right
CEVF: Commercial equipment vehicle funding
 
MVE: Market value of equity
CET1: Common equity tier 1
 
NCI: Non-controlling interest
CFPB: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
 
NMD: Non-maturity deposits
Change in Control: First quarter 2014 change in control and consolidation of SCUSA
 
NPL: Non-performing loans
Chrysler Agreement: Ten-year private label financing agreement with the Chrysler Group signed by SCUSA
 
NPR: Notice or proposed rulemaking
Chrysler Capital: trade name used in providing services under the Chrysler Agreement.
 
NSFR: Net stable funding ratio
Chrysler Group: Chrysler Group LLC (FCA US LLC as of December 14, 2014)
 
OCC: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
CID: Civil investigative demand
 
OEM: Original equipment manufacturer
CLO: Collateralized loan obligations
 
OIS: Overnight indexed swap
CLTV: Combined loan-to-value
 
Order: OCC consent order signed by SBNA on January 26, 2012 which replaced a prior order signed by the Bank and other parties with the OTS.
CMO: Collateralized mortgage obligation
 
OREO: Other real estate owned
CODM: Chief Operating Decision Maker
 
OTS: Office of Thrift Supervision
Company: Santander Holdings USA, Inc.
 
OTS Order: Consent order signed by the Bank and other parties with the OTS on April 13, 2011 resolving certain of the Bank's and other parties' foreclosure activities.
Consent Order: Consent order signed by the Bank with the OCC on April 17, 2015 that resolved issues related to the sale and servicing of the identify theft protection product.
 
OTTI: Other-than-temporary impairment
CPR: Changes in anticipated loan prepayment rates
 
REIT: Real estate investment trust
DCF: Discounted cash flow
 
RV: Recreational vehicle
DDFS: Dundon DFS LLC
 
RWA: Risk weight assets
DFA: Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
 
S&P: Standard & Poor's
DOJ: Department of Justice
 
Santander: Banco Santander, S.A.

2




DOJ Order: Consent order signed by SCUSA with the DOJ on February 25, 2015 that resolved claims related to certain of SCUSA's repossession and collection activities.
 
Santander NY: New York branch of Banco Santander, S.A.
DTI: Debt-to-income
 
Santander UK: Santander UK plc
ECOA: Equal Credit Opportunity Act
 
SBNA: Santander Bank, National Association
EPS: Enhanced Prudential Standards
 
SCF: Statement of Cash Flows
Exchange Act: Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
 
SCUSA: Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries
FASB: Financial Accounting Standards Board
 
SCUSA Common Stock: Common shares of SCUSA
FBO: Foreign banking organization
 
SDART: Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, a SCUSA securitization platform
FDIC: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
 
SDGT: Specially Designated Global Terrorist
Federal Reserve: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
 
SEC: Securities and Exchange Commission
FHLB: Federal Home Loan Bank
 
Securities Act: Securities Act of 1933, as amended
FHLMC: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
 
Separation Agreement: Agreement entered into by Thomas Dundon, the former Chief Executive Officer of SCUSA, SCUSA, DDFS, Santander Consumer USA Inc. and Banco Santander, S.A on July 2, 2015.
FICO: Fair Isaac Corporation® credit scoring model
 
SHUSA: Santander Holdings USA, Inc.
Final Rule: Rule implementing certain of the EPS mandated by Section 165 of the DFA
 
SPE: Special purpose entity
FNMA: Federal National Mortgage Association
 
Sponsor Holdings: Sponsor Auto Finance Holding Series LP
FOMC: Federal Open Market Committee
 
Steck Lawsuit: purported securities class action lawsuit filed against SCUSA on August 26, 2014.
FRB: Federal Reserve Bank
 
TDR: Troubled debt restructuring
FSB: Financial Stability Board
 
TLAC: Total loss absorbing capacity
FVO: Fair value option
 
Trusts: Securitization trusts
GAAP: Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
 
VIE: Variable interest entity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

3




INDEX

 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ex-31.1 Certification
 Ex-31.2 Certification
 Ex-32.1 Certification
 Ex-32.2 Certification
 EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
 EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT

4




PART 1- FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(in thousands)
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
4,669,373

 
$
2,234,725

Investment securities:
 
 
 
Available-for-sale at fair value
21,051,184

 
15,908,078

Trading securities at fair value

 
833,936

Other investments
999,232

 
816,991

Loans held for investment (1) (5)
78,709,721

 
76,032,562

Allowance for loan losses (5)
(2,912,346
)
 
(2,108,817
)
Net loans held for investment
75,797,375

 
73,923,745

Loans held-for-sale (2)
2,990,708

 
260,252

Premises and equipment, net (3)
881,468

 
854,671

Leased vehicles, net (5)(6)
8,084,712

 
6,638,115

Accrued interest receivable (5)
586,350

 
559,962

Equity method investments
268,213

 
227,991

Goodwill
8,892,011

 
8,892,011

Intangible assets
686,457

 
735,488

Bank-owned life insurance
1,716,353

 
1,686,491

Restricted cash (5)
2,431,103

 
2,024,838

Other assets (4) (5)
1,811,214

 
2,829,850

TOTAL ASSETS
$
130,865,753

 
$
118,427,144

LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Accrued expenses and payables
$
1,691,565

 
$
1,902,278

Deposits and other customer accounts
55,543,255

 
52,474,007

Borrowings and other debt obligations (5)
48,371,320

 
39,679,382

Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance
210,285

 
167,670

Deferred tax liabilities, net
1,217,066

 
1,025,948

Other liabilities (5)
595,527

 
673,764

TOTAL LIABILITIES
107,629,018

 
95,923,049

STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
 
 
 
Preferred stock (no par value; $25,000 liquidation preference; 7,500,000 shares authorized; 8,000 shares outstanding at September 30, 2015 and at December 31, 2014)
195,445

 
195,445

Common stock and paid-in capital (no par value; 800,000,000 shares authorized; 530,391,043 and 530,391,043 shares outstanding at September 30, 2015 and at December 31, 2014, respectively)
14,717,564

 
14,729,609

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(68,873
)
 
(96,410
)
Retained earnings
4,111,611

 
3,714,642

TOTAL SHUSA STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
18,955,747

 
18,543,286

Noncontrolling interest
4,280,988

 
3,960,809

TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
23,236,735

 
22,504,095

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
$
130,865,753

 
$
118,427,144

 
(1) Loans held for investment includes $374.2 million and $845.9 million of loans recorded at fair value at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
(2) Recorded at the fair value option ("FVO") or lower of cost or fair value.
(3) Net of accumulated depreciation of $804.6 million and $638.0 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
(4) Includes mortgage servicing rights ("MSRs") of $143.5 million and 145.0 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, for which the Company has elected the FVO. See Note 9 to these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(5) The Company has interests in certain securitization trusts ("Trusts") that are considered variable interest entities ("VIEs") for accounting purposes. The Company consolidates VIEs where it is deemed the primary beneficiary. See Note 7 to these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(6) Net of accumulated depreciation of $1.6 billion and $857.7 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
See accompanying notes to unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

5




SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
INTEREST INCOME:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans
$
1,884,226

 
$
1,822,275

 
$
5,690,548

 
$
4,948,106

Interest-earning deposits
2,518

 
2,250

 
5,337

 
5,811

Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale
85,293

 
61,290

 
239,755

 
183,158

Other investments
10,787

 
9,205

 
39,880

 
26,950

TOTAL INTEREST INCOME
1,982,824

 
1,895,020

 
5,975,520

 
5,164,025

INTEREST EXPENSE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits and other customer accounts
65,605

 
53,952

 
194,191

 
151,708

Borrowings and other debt obligations
233,957

 
215,592

 
681,814

 
624,702

TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE
299,562

 
269,544

 
876,005

 
776,410

NET INTEREST INCOME
1,683,262

 
1,625,476

 
5,099,515

 
4,387,615

Provision for credit losses
854,180

 
1,013,357

 
2,728,118

 
2,034,721

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES
829,082

 
612,119

 
2,371,397

 
2,352,894

NON-INTEREST INCOME:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer fees
119,902

 
93,451

 
324,119

 
273,128

Commercial fees
44,940

 
44,515

 
133,766

 
130,044

Mortgage banking income, net
31,317

 
97,576

 
85,484

 
127,285

Equity method investments (loss)/income, net
1,624

 
(4,619
)
 
(5,543
)
 
7,607

Bank-owned life insurance
15,590

 
13,373

 
44,430

 
44,536

Lease income
486,510

 
269,966

 
1,328,401

 
651,458

Miscellaneous income
138,071

 
129,433

 
376,630

 
469,295

TOTAL FEES AND OTHER INCOME
837,954

 
643,695

 
2,287,287

 
1,703,353

OTTI recognized in earnings

 

 
(1,092
)
 

Gain on Change in Control

 

 

 
2,428,539

Net (loss)/gain on sale of investment securities
(1,993
)
 
131

 
18,363

 
11,480

Net (loss)/gain recognized in earnings
(1,993
)
 
131

 
17,271

 
2,440,019

TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME
835,961

 
643,826

 
2,304,558

 
4,143,372

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
365,071

 
290,665

 
1,012,887

 
894,051

Occupancy and equipment expenses
128,990

 
117,697

 
397,769

 
350,788

Technology expense
43,534

 
40,806

 
130,690

 
124,874

Outside services
80,688

 
57,870

 
184,588

 
136,979

Marketing expense
25,731

 
11,858

 
57,913

 
37,077

Loan expense
89,944

 
80,392

 
296,135

 
237,691

Lease expense
384,276

 
208,879

 
1,068,137

 
508,038

Other administrative expenses
93,190

 
111,576

 
257,850

 
240,764

TOTAL GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
1,211,424

 
919,743

 
3,405,969

 
2,530,262

OTHER EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of intangibles
15,887

 
17,730

 
49,031

 
50,670

Deposit insurance premiums and other expenses
13,809

 
14,967

 
42,987

 
43,937

Loss on debt extinguishment

 
8,311

 

 
11,946

Investment expense on qualified affordable housing projects
35

 

 
119

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

 

 
97,546

TOTAL OTHER EXPENSES
29,731

 
41,008

 
92,137

 
204,099

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
423,888

 
295,194

 
1,177,849

 
3,761,905

Income tax provision
241,764

 
36,102

 
474,708

 
1,285,855

NET INCOME INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
182,124

 
259,092

 
703,141

 
2,476,050

LESS: NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
100,237

 
54,420

 
295,222

 
298,633

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHUSA
$
81,887

 
$
204,672

 
$
407,919

 
$
2,177,417

See accompanying notes to unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

6



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)

 
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
NET INCOME INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
$
182,124

 
$
259,092

 
$
703,141

 
$
2,476,050

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / LOSS, NET OF TAX
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments, net of tax
(27,713
)
 
17,381

 
(35,614
)
 
24,022

Net unrealized gains/(losses) on available-for-sale investment securities, net of tax
83,722

 
(17,697
)
 
61,479

 
111,291

Pension and post-retirement actuarial gain, net of tax
620

 
272

 
1,672

 
1,107

TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)/INCOME, NET OF TAX
56,629

 
(44
)
 
27,537

 
136,420

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
$
238,753

 
$
259,048

 
$
730,678

 
$
2,612,470

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
100,237

 
54,420

 
295,222

 
298,633

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHUSA
$
138,516

 
$
204,628

 
$
435,456

 
$
2,313,837


See accompanying notes to unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


7




SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
FOR THE NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 AND 2014
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
 
Common
Shares
Outstanding
 
Preferred
Stock
 
Common
Stock and
Paid-in
Capital
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income/(Loss)
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Noncontrolling
Interest
 
Total
Stockholder's
Equity
Balance, December 31, 2013
520,307

 
$
195,445

 
$
12,209,816

 
$
(254,368
)
 
$
1,394,090

 
$

 
$
13,544,983

Comprehensive income

 

 

 
136,420

 
2,177,417

 

 
2,313,837

SCUSA Change in Control(1)

 

 

 

 

 
3,872,370

 
3,872,370

Issuance of common stock
10,084

 
 
 
2,521,000

 

 

 

 
2,521,000

Stock issued in connection with employee benefit and incentive compensation plans

 

 
(1,207
)
 

 

 

 
(1,207
)
Dividends paid on preferred stock

 

 

 

 
(10,950
)
 

 
(10,950
)
Balance, September 30, 2014
530,391

 
$
195,445

 
$
14,729,609

 
$
(117,948
)
 
$
3,560,557

 
$
3,872,370

 
$
22,240,033

(1) Refer to Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

 
Common
Shares
Outstanding
 
Preferred
Stock
 
Common
Stock and
Paid-in
Capital
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss)/Income
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Noncontrolling Interest
 
Total
Stockholder's
Equity
Balance, December 31, 2014
530,391

 
$
195,445

 
$
14,729,609

 
$
(96,410
)
 
$
3,714,642

 
$
3,960,809

 
$
22,504,095

Comprehensive income

 

 

 
27,537

 
407,919

 

 
435,456

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

 

 

 

 

 
295,222

 
295,222

Impact of SCUSA Stock Option Activity

 

 
(13,946
)
 

 

 
24,957

 
11,011

Stock issued in connection with employee benefit and incentive compensation plans

 

 
1,901

 

 

 

 
1,901

Dividends paid on preferred stock

 

 

 

 
(10,950
)
 

 
(10,950
)
Balance, September 30, 2015
530,391

 
$
195,445

 
$
14,717,564

 
$
(68,873
)
 
$
4,111,611

 
$
4,280,988

 
$
23,236,735



See accompanying notes to unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

8



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)


 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
2015

2014
 
(in thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net income including noncontrolling interest
$
703,141

 
$
2,476,050

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Gain on SCUSA Change in Control

 
(2,291,003
)
Net gain on sale of SCUSA shares

 
(137,536
)
Gain on sale of branches

 
(10,648
)
Provision for credit losses
2,728,118

 
2,034,721

Deferred taxes
224,417

 
890,534

Depreciation, amortization and accretion
116,205

 
(291,638
)
Net gain on sale of loans
(102,909
)
 
(190,388
)
Net gain on sale of investment securities
(18,363
)
 
(11,480
)
Gain on residential loan securitizations
(9,373
)
 
(37,905
)
Net gain on sale of leased vehicles
(22,548
)
 
(4,570
)
OTTI recognized in earnings
1,092

 

Loss on debt extinguishment

 
11,946

Net loss/(gain) on real estate owned and premises and equipment
426

 
(2,384
)
Stock-based compensation
23,156

 
3,312

Equity (earnings)/loss on equity method investments
5,543

 
(7,607
)
Originations of loans held-for-sale, net of repayments
(5,565,455
)
 
(3,604,794
)
Proceeds from sales of loans held-for-sale
4,674,352

 
3,996,244

Purchases of trading securities
(390,192
)
 
(211,590
)
Proceeds from sales of trading securities
823,801

 
88,718

Net change in:
 
 
 
Other assets and bank-owned life insurance
355,987

 
238,384

Other liabilities
180,929

 
379,165

Other

 
14,760

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
3,728,327

 
3,332,291

 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investment securities
2,751,790

 
311,019

Proceeds from prepayments and maturities of available-for-sale investment securities
3,748,529

 
1,711,253

Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities
(11,010,911
)
 
(3,852,941
)
Proceeds from sales of other investments
293,016

 
263,059

Proceeds from maturities of other investments

 
20,000

Purchases of other investments
(451,634
)
 
(265,411
)
Net change in restricted cash
(236,121
)
 
(286,806
)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for investment
1,842,583

 
1,555,557

Proceeds from the sales of equity method investments
14,988

 

Distributions from equity method investments
11,708

 
6,454

Contributions to equity method investments
(89,994
)
 
(18,566
)
Purchases of loans held for investment
(1,753,931
)
 
(1,147,709
)
Net change in loans other than purchases and sales
(7,388,215
)
 
(5,345,759
)
Purchases of leased vehicles
(4,738,987
)
 
(4,579,833
)
Proceeds from the sale of leased vehicles
1,750,928

 
410,529

Manufacturer incentives
993,991

 
564,376

Proceeds from sales of real estate owned and premises and equipment
55,572

 
50,964

Purchases of premises and equipment
(183,154
)
 
(204,626
)
Net cash transferred on the sale of branches

 
(151,286
)
Proceeds from sale of SCUSA shares

 
320,145

Cash acquired in SCUSA Change in Control

 
11,076

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
(14,389,842
)
 
(10,628,505
)
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net change in deposits and other customer accounts
3,069,248

 
2,034,024

Net change in short-term borrowings
(5,450,000
)
 
66,680

Net proceeds from long-term borrowings
41,022,868

 
29,068,188

Repayments of long-term borrowings
(34,995,331
)
 
(26,911,107
)
Proceeds from FHLB advances (with maturities greater than 90 days)
14,200,000

 

Repayments of FHLB advances (with maturities greater than 90 days)
(4,870,000
)
 
(913,635
)
Net change in advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance
42,615

 
20,678

Cash dividends paid to preferred stockholders
(10,950
)
 
(10,949
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest

 
(20,668
)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock
87,713

 
1,787,285

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
13,096,163

 
5,120,496

 
 
 
 
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
2,434,648

 
(2,175,718
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
2,234,725

 
4,226,947

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
$
4,669,373

 
$
2,051,229

 
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES
 
 
 
Income taxes paid/(received), net
$
(134,241
)
 
$
(135,644
)
Interest paid
904,715

 
884,032

 
 
 
 
NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS(1)
 
 
 
Loans transferred to other real estate owned
53,024

 
41,207

Operating leases transferred to repossessed vehicles
27,821

 
115,466

Loans transferred from held for investment to held for sale, net
3,464,436

 
(371,377
)
Unsettled purchases of investment securities
697,057

 

Conversion of debt to common equity

 
750,000

Liquidation of common equity securities

 
(24,742
)
Residential loan securitizations
234,547

 
1,566,612

(1) The first quarter 2014 change in control and consolidation of SCUSA (the "Change in Control") was accounted for as a non-cash transaction. See Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for detail on the Change in Control.

See accompanying notes to unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

9



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)




NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Introduction
 
SHUSA is the parent company of Santander Bank, National Association, (the "Bank"), a national banking association, and Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, "SCUSA"), a consumer finance company focused on vehicle finance. SHUSA is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and the Bank's main office is in Wilmington, Delaware. SHUSA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Banco Santander, S.A. ("Santander").
 
The Bank’s primary business consists of attracting deposits and providing other retail banking services through its network of retail branches, and originating small business loans, middle market, large and global commercial loans, multi-family loans, residential mortgage loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, and auto and other consumer loans throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern areas of the United States, focused throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Delaware. The Bank uses its deposits, as well as other financing sources, to fund its loan and investment portfolios.
 
SCUSA wholly owns Santander Consumer USA Inc., which is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and is a full-service, technology-driven consumer finance company focused on vehicle finance.
 
On January 22, 2014, SCUSA's registration statement for an initial public offering ("IPO") of shares of its common stock (the “SCUSA Common Stock”), was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Prior to the IPO, the Company owned approximately 65% of the shares of SCUSA Common Stock.
 
On January 28, 2014, the IPO was consummated, and certain stockholders of SCUSA, including the Company and Sponsor Auto Finance Holdings Series LP ("Sponsor Holdings"), sold 85,242,042 shares of SCUSA Common Stock. Immediately following the IPO, the Company owned approximately 61% of the shares of SCUSA Common Stock. In connection with these sales, certain board representation, governance and other rights granted to Dundon DFS LLC ("DDFS") and Sponsor Holdings were terminated as a result of the reduction in DDFS and Sponsor Holdings’ collective ownership of shares of SCUSA Common Stock below certain ownership thresholds, causing the Change in Control.
 
Prior to the Change in Control, the Company accounted for its investment in SCUSA under the equity method. Following the Change in Control, the Company consolidated the financial results of SCUSA in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company’s consolidation of SCUSA is treated as an acquisition of SCUSA by the Company in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 805 - Business Combinations (ASC 805). SCUSA Common Stock is now listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "SC".
 
On July 2, 2015, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement with former SCUSA Chief Executive Officer Thomas G. Dundon, DDFS, and Santander related to Mr. Dundon's departure from SCUSA (the “Separation Agreement”). Pursuant to the Separation Agreement the Company was deemed to have delivered an irrevocable notice to exercise its option to acquire all of the shares of SCUSA Common Stock owned by DDFS and consummate the transactions contemplated by the call option notice, subject to the receipt of all required regulatory approvals (the "Call Transaction"). At that date, the SCUSA Common Stock held by DDFS ("the DDFS Shares") represented approximately 9.8% of SCUSA Common Stock. The Separation Agreement did not affect Santander’s option to assume the Company’s obligation under the Call Transaction as provided in the Shareholders Agreement that was entered into by the same parties on January 28, 2014. Santander is expected to assume the Company’s obligation to purchase the DDFS shares and contribute those shares to SHUSA. Under the Separation Agreement, because the Call Transaction was not consummated prior to October 15, 2015 (the “Call End Date”), DDFS is free to transfer any or all of the DDFS shares, subject to the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of July 16, 2014, between DDFS and Santander. In the event the Call Transaction were to be completed after the Call End Date, interest would accrue on the price paid per share in the Call Transaction at the overnight LIBOR rate on the third business day preceding the consummation of the Call Transaction plus 100 basis points with respect to the shares of SCUSA Common Stock that were ultimately sold in the Call Transaction. For additional detail regarding this transaction and the Separation Agreement, refer to the Form 8-K the Company filed with the SEC on July 2, 2015 and Note 14 to these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

10



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed discussion of the Company's consolidation of SCUSA in accordance with ASC 805.

Basis of Presentation

These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, including the Bank, SCUSA, and certain special purpose financing trusts utilized in financing transactions that are considered variable interest entities ("VIEs"). The Company consolidates VIEs for which it is deemed the primary beneficiary. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to SEC regulations. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Additionally, where applicable, the Company's accounting policies conform to the accounting and reporting guidelines prescribed by bank regulatory authorities. However, in the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature necessary to present fairly the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Condensed Statements of Operations, Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income, Condensed Statements of Stockholder's Equity and Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the periods indicated, and contain adequate disclosure to make the information presented not misleading.

Reclassifications and Corrections to Previously Reported Amounts

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications did not have an impact on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

The Company has made certain corrections to the September 30, 2014 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Note 5 thereto. The Company identified and corrected immaterial classification errors with respect to certain cash flows related to loans held for investment, Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") advance repayments and short-term borrowings reported within cash flows in financing activities, as well as classification errors related to certain restricted cash accounts within investing activities. Certain cash flows related to decreases in deferred tax assets have been reclassified from net changes in other liabilities to net changes in other assets within operating cash flows. These changes resulted in increased total cash provided by operating activities and increased total cash used in investing activities by an equal and offsetting amount. There was no net impact to cash provided by financing activities. The reclassification errors did not impact the net change in cash and cash equivalents, total cash and cash equivalents, net income, or any other operating measure.

The corrections to Note 5 related to the components of troubled debt restructuring ("TDR") activities for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014. The corrections do not affect the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, or the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2015 and 2014

Significant Accounting Policies

Management identified accounting for consolidation, business combinations, the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded lending commitments, goodwill, derivatives and hedge activities, and income taxes as the Company's most critical accounting policies and estimates, in that they are important to the portrayal of the Company's financial condition and results of operations and require management's most difficult, subjective and complex judgments as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

As of September 30, 2015, with the exception of the items noted in the section "Changes in Accounting Policies" below, there have been no significant changes to the Company's accounting policies as disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.


11



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


 
NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
 
Changes in Accounting Policies
 
During the first quarter of 2015, the Company adopted the following Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") Accounting Standards Updates ("ASUs"), none of which had a material impact to the Company's Condensed Consolidated financial statements:
 
The Company adopted the FASB ASU 2014-01, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects, which allows an entity to make an accounting policy election to account for its investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method, if certain conditions are met. Under this method, an investor would amortize the cost of its investments in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received and will recognize the amortization, net of tax credits and other tax benefits, in the income statement as a component of income tax expense. This ASU is required to be adopted on a retrospective basis for all periods presented. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect to the Company’s prior periods’ consolidated financial statements to warrant retrospective application. The cumulative effect of the adoption was recognized in the first quarter of 2015 and was not material to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
The Company adopted FASB ASU 2014-04, Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40) - Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure, on a prospective basis. Under this ASU, an in-substance repossession or foreclosure occurs when the creditor obtains legal title to the residential real estate property or the borrower conveys all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy the loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. The Company’s adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
The Company adopted FASB ASU 2014-14, Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure. This ASU requires that a government-guaranteed mortgage loan be de-recognized, and that a separate other receivable be recognized, upon foreclosure if the three criteria identified in the ASU are met. Upon foreclosure and meeting the three criteria, the separate other receivable should be measured based on the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) that is expected to be recovered from the guarantor. The Company’s adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
During the third quarter of 2015, the Company early adopted FASB ASU 2015-03, Interest- Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, on a retrospective basis. This ASU simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs and requires that debt issuance costs be presented as a deduction from the recognized debt liability, and eliminates prior guidance which required that debt issuance costs be recorded as a deferred charge. The Company’s adoption of this ASU resulted in the re-classification of $59.0 million and $30.3 million in debt issuance costs from Other assets to Borrowings as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. The most significant estimates pertain to consolidation, fair value measurements, allowance for loan and lease losses and reserve for unfunded lending commitments, estimates of expected residual values of leased vehicles subject to operating leases, goodwill, derivatives and hedge activities, and income taxes. Actual results may differ from the estimates, and the differences may be material to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Subsequent Events
 
The Company evaluated events from the date of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements on September 30, 2015 through the issuance of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and has determined that there have been no material events that would require recognition in its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or disclosure in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 other than the transactions disclosed within Note 5 of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

12



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 2. RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), superseding the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605. This ASU requires an entity to recognize revenue for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The amendment includes a five-step process to assist an entity in achieving the main principle(s) of revenue recognition under ASC 605. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which formalized the deferral of the effective date of the amendment for a period of one-year from the original effective date. Following the issuance of ASU 2015-14, the amendment will be effective for the Company for the first annual period ending after December 15, 2017. The amendment should be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or as a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. Early adoption of the guidance is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this ASU on its financial position, results of operations and disclosures.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period (Topic 718). This ASU requires that a performance target that affects vesting, and could be achieved after the requisite service period, be treated as a performance condition. Application of existing guidance in ASC 718 as it relates to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting should continue to be used to account for such awards. The amendment will be effective for the Company for the first reporting period ending after December 15, 2015. Adoption of this amendment should be applied on a prospective basis to awards that are granted or modified on or after the effective date. There also is an option to apply the amendments on a modified retrospective basis for performance targets outstanding on or after the beginning of the first annual period presented as of the adoption date. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this ASU on its financial position, results of operations and disclosures.

In August 2014, the FASB also issued ASU 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40). This ASU requires management to perform an assessment of going concern and provides specific guidance on when and how to assess or disclose going concern uncertainties. The new standard also defines terms used in the evaluation of going concern, such as "substantial doubt." Following application, the Company will be required to perform assessments at each annual and interim period, provide an assessment period of one year from the issuance date, and make disclosures in certain circumstances in which substantial doubt is identified. The amendment will be effective for the Company for the first reporting period ending after December 15, 2016. Earlier application is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have an impact on its financial position, result of operations, or disclosures.

In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items. This ASU eliminates the concept of extraordinary items from GAAP, which previously required the separate classification, presentation, and disclosure of extraordinary events and transactions. The amendment will be effective for the Company for the first reporting period ending after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted if the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Adoption of the amendment by the Company can be either on a prospective or retrospective basis. The Company plans to apply this amendment effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and will apply it prospectively, as the Company has not reported any extraordinary items in the three prior fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have an impact on its financial position, results of operations, or disclosures.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 820): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. This ASU changes the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. The amendment will be effective for the Company for the first reporting period ending after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted if the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Adoption of the amendment by the Company may be on a retrospective or modified retrospective basis. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impacts of the adoption of this ASU.

13



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 2. RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS (continued)

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-7, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force). This ASU removes the requirement to categorize investments fair valued using the net asset value per share practical expedient within the fair value hierarchy. It also modifies disclosure requirements to include only investments for which the entity elects to use the practical expedient rather than the prior guidance which required disclosures for all investments eligible to use the practical expedient. This amendment will be effective for the Company for the first reporting period beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of the amendment by the Company must be on a retrospective basis for all periods presented. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impacts of the adoption of this ASU.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement Period Adjustments. This amendment eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for adjustments to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination. Instead, the acquirer will recognize the adjustments to provisional amounts during the period in which the adjustments are determined, including the effect on earnings of any amounts the acquirer would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. This amendment will be effective for the Company for the first reporting period beginning after December 15, 2015, with earlier adoption permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. Adoption of the amendment by the Company must be on a prospective basis to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have an impact on its financial position, results of operations, or disclosures.

14



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 3. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

General

On January 28, 2014, the Company obtained a controlling financial interest in SCUSA in connection with the Change in Control. The financial information set forth in these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements gives effect to the Company’s consolidation of SCUSA as a result of the Change in Control.

Consolidated Assets acquired and Liabilities assumed

The Company did not incur any material transaction-related expenses in connection with the Change in Control, and no cash, equity interests, or other forms of consideration were transferred from the Company in connection with the Change in Control. As a result, the Company measured goodwill by reference to the fair value of SCUSA's equity as implied by the IPO price. The following table summarizes these equity related interests in SCUSA which constitute the purchase price and the identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

 
 
January 28, 2014
 
 
(in thousands)
Fair value of noncontrolling interest in SCUSA
 
$
3,273,265

Fair value of SCUSA employee vested stock options
 
210,181

Fair value of SHUSA remaining ownership interest in SCUSA
 
5,063,881

Fair value of equity-related interests in SCUSA
 
$
8,547,327

 
 
 
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
 

 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
11,075

Restricted cash
 
1,704,906

Loan receivables - held for sale
 
990,137

Loan receivables - retail installment contracts
 
19,870,790

Loan receivables from dealers
 
102,689

Loan receivables - unsecured
 
1,009,896

Premises and equipment
 
74,998

Leased vehicles, net
 
2,486,929

Intangibles
 
768,750

Miscellaneous receivables and other assets
 
1,061,351

Deferred tax asset
 
16,399

Borrowings and other debt obligations
 
(24,497,607
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
(520,568
)
Total identifiable net assets
 
3,079,745

 
 
 
Goodwill
 
$
5,467,582



15



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 3. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (continued)

The fair value of the non-controlling interest ("NCI") of $3.3 billion and the fair value of the Company's remaining ownership interest in SCUSA of $5.1 billion were determined on the basis of the market price of SCUSA Common Stock on the Change in Control date.

The Company recognized SCUSA’s stock option awards that were outstanding as of the IPO date at fair value, which in aggregate amounted to 369.3 million. The portion of the total fair value of the stock option awards that is attributable to pre-business combination service amounting to $210.2 million represented an NCI in SCUSA as of the IPO date, while 159.1 million of the total amount pertains to the post-business combination portion, which will be recognized as stock compensation expense over the remaining vesting period of the awards in the Company’s post-business combination consolidated financial statements. Of the total 159.1 million, 82.6 million was immediately recognized as stock compensation expense as a result of the acceleration of the vesting of certain of the stock option awards upon the closing of the IPO. The fair value of stock option awards was estimated using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Company also recognized SCUSA's restricted stock awards that were outstanding as of the IPO date at fair value. These shares of restricted stock were granted to certain SCUSA executives on December 28, 2013 and had an aggregate fair value of approximately 12.0 million as of the IPO date. The grant date fair value was determined based on SCUSA's per share prices as of the IPO closing date.

The fair value of the assets acquired includes finance receivables. SHUSA estimated the fair value of loans acquired from SCUSA by utilizing a methodology in which similar loans were aggregated into pools. Cash flows for each pool were determined by estimating future credit losses and the rate of prepayments. Projected monthly cash flows were then discounted to present value based on a market rate for similar loans. There was no carryover of SCUSA's allowance for loan losses associated with the loans SHUSA acquired as the loans were initially recorded at fair value.

 
 
January 28, 2014
 
 
(in thousands)
Fair value of loan receivables (1)
 
$
19,870,790

Gross contractual amount of loan receivables (1)
 
31,410,699

Estimate of contractual cash flows not expected to be collected at acquisition (1)
 
4,301,586

 
 
 
(1) Fair value of receivables does not include amounts related to the loan receivables - unsecured and loan receivables from dealers due to the short-term and revolving nature of the receivables.

Goodwill recognized in connection with the Change in Control is attributable to SCUSA's workforce as well as the experience, proven track record, and strong capabilities of its senior management team. The goodwill associated with the Change in Control was allocated to the SCUSA segment and is not deductible for tax purposes.

 
 
January 28, 2014
 
 
Fair Value
Weighted Average Amortization Period
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Intangibles subject to amortization:
 
 
 
Dealer networks
 
$
580,000

17.5 years (a)
Chrysler relationship
 
138,750

9.2 years
 
 
 
 
Intangibles not subject to amortization:
 



Trade name
 
50,000

indefinite lived
Total Intangibles
 
$
768,750


 
 
 
 
(a) The amortization periods of the dealer network range between 7 and 20 years.


16



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 3. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (continued)

Gain on Change in Control

The Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $2.4 billion in connection with the Change in Control in Non-interest income in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
 
 
January 28, 2014
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
Gain attributable to SCUSA shares sold
 
$
137,536

Gain attributable to the remaining equity interest
 
2,291,003

Total pre-tax gain
 
$
2,428,539

 
 
 

In connection with the closing of the IPO on January 28, 2014, the Company sold 13,895,243 shares of SCUSA Common Stock, which generated proceeds of $320.1 million and a realized gain on sale of $137.5 million.

Proforma Financial Information

The results of SCUSA are included in the Company's results beginning January 28, 2014. The following table summarizes the actual unaudited amounts of Total revenue, net of Total interest expense and Net income including Noncontrolling Interest of SCUSA included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and the supplemental pro forma consolidated Total revenue, net of total interest expense and Net income including noncontrolling interest of SHUSA entity for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 as if the Change in Control had occurred on January 1, 2013. These results include the impact of amortizing certain purchase accounting adjustments such as intangible assets as well as fair value adjustments to loans and issued debt. These pro forma results are presented for illustrative purposes and are not intended to represent or be indicative of the actual consolidated results of operations of SHUSA that would have been achieved had the Change in Control occurred at January 1, 2013, nor are they intended to represent or be indicative of future results of operations.

 
 
SCUSA Amounts Included in Results for the
 
Supplemental Pro Forma Combined (b)
 
 
Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2014
 
Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2014
 
Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2014
 
Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenue, Net of Total Interest Expense (a)
 
$
1,585,281

 
$
4,281,311

 
$
2,232,312

 
$
6,239,871

Net Income including Noncontrolling Interest
 
136,237

 
710,984

 
289,417

 
655,055

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) Total Revenue, Net of Total Interest Expense is calculated as the sum of Total Interest Income and Total Non-Interest Income, less Total Interest Expense.
(b) Includes the impact of recording provision for loan losses necessary to bring the retail installment contracts and personal unsecured loans to their expected carrying values considering the required allowance for loan losses on their recorded investment amounts.

These amounts have been calculated after applying SHUSA's accounting policies and adjusting the results of SCUSA to reflect additional depreciation and amortization that would have been charged assuming the fair value adjustments to loans, debt, premises and equipment had been applied from January 1, 2013 with the consequential tax effects.


17



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 4. INVESTMENT SECURITIES

Investments Available-for-sale

Investment Securities Summary - Available-for-sale

The following tables present the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and approximate fair values of securities available-for-sale at the dates indicated:
 
September 30, 2015
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair
Value
 
(in thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities
$
3,191,564

 
$
18,299

 
$

 
$
3,209,863

Corporate debt securities
1,554,216

 
17,224

 
(8,341
)
 
1,563,099

Asset-backed securities ("ABS")
1,938,581

 
7,111

 
(1,041
)
 
1,944,651

Equity securities
10,826

 
3

 
(301
)
 
10,528

State and municipal securities
750,946

 
12,524

 
(2,148
)
 
761,322

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agencies - Residential
4,077,361

 
31,836

 
(16,724
)
 
4,092,473

U.S. government agencies - Commercial
986,989

 
10,283

 
(5,109
)
 
992,163

FHLMC and FNMA - Residential debt securities (1)
8,379,831

 
46,998

 
(89,154
)
 
8,337,675

FHLMC and FNMA - Commercial debt securities
138,383

 
1,402

 
(427
)
 
139,358

Non-agency securities
52

 

 

 
52

Total investment securities available-for-sale
$
21,028,749

 
$
145,680

 
$
(123,245
)
 
$
21,051,184


(1) Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") and Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA")
 
December 31, 2014
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair
Value
 
(in thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities
$
1,692,838

 
$
2,985

 
$
(56
)
 
$
1,695,767

Corporate debt securities
2,159,681

 
29,630

 
(6,910
)
 
2,182,401

Asset-backed securities
2,707,207

 
17,787

 
(4,591
)
 
2,720,403

Equity securities
10,619

 
3

 
(279
)
 
10,343

State and municipal securities
1,790,776

 
35,071

 
(2,385
)
 
1,823,462

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agencies - Residential
2,151,111

 
1,626

 
(33,811
)
 
2,118,926

U.S government agencies - Commercial
472,611

 
183

 
(7,186
)
 
465,608

FHLMC and FNMA - Residential debt securities
4,971,045

 
12,817

 
(129,990
)
 
4,853,872

FHLMC and FNMA - Commercial debt securities
23,929

 
157

 
(171
)
 
23,915

Non-agency securities
12,842

 
539

 

 
13,381

Total investment securities available-for-sale
$
15,992,659

 
$
100,798

 
$
(185,379
)
 
$
15,908,078


The Company continuously evaluates its investment strategies in light of changes in the regulatory and market environments that could have an impact on capital and liquidity. Based on this evaluation, it is reasonably possible that the Company may elect to pursue other strategies relative to its investment securities portfolio.

During the second quarter of 2015, SHUSA sold $234.5 million of qualifying residential loans to FHLMC in return for $243.9 million of mortgage-backed securities ("MBS") issued by FHLMC resulting in a net realized gain on sale of $9.8 million which is included in Mortgage banking income, net line of the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.


18



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 4. INVESTMENT SECURITIES (continued)

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had investment securities available-for-sale with an estimated fair value of $4.1 billion and $3.5 billion, respectively, pledged as collateral, which was made up of the following: $3.5 billion and $2.6 billion were pledged to secure public fund deposits; $122.6 million and $301.6 million, respectively, were pledged at various independent parties ("Brokers") to secure repurchase agreements, support hedging relationships, and for recourse on loan sales; and $450.6 million and $560.6 million, respectively, were pledged to secure the Bank's customer overnight sweep product.

At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had $64.5 million and $66.9 million, respectively, of accrued interest related to investment securities which is included in the Accrued Interest Receivable line of the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The Company's state and municipal bond portfolio primarily consists of general obligation bonds of states, cities, counties and school districts. The portfolio had a weighted average underlying credit risk rating of AA+ as of September 30, 2015. The largest geographic concentrations of state and local municipal bonds are in Washington, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, which represented 21.4%, 14.5%, and 12.2%, respectively, of the total portfolio. No other state comprised more than 10% of the total portfolio.

Contractual Maturity of Debt Securities

Contractual maturities of the Company’s debt securities available-for-sale at September 30, 2015 are as follows:
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
(in thousands)
Due within one year
$
676,336

 
$
674,564

Due after 1 year but within 5 years
5,847,161

 
5,883,134

Due after 5 years but within 10 years
361,297

 
363,618

Due after 10 years
14,133,129

 
14,119,340

Total
$
21,017,923

 
$
21,040,656


Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities when there is a right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

Gross Unrealized Loss and Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale

The following tables present the aggregate amount of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 on securities in the Company’s available-for-sale investment portfolio classified according to the amount of time that those securities have been in a continuous loss position:
 
September 30, 2015
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
(in thousands)
Corporate debt securities
$
500,998

 
$
(6,427
)
 
$
136,932

 
$
(1,914
)
 
$
637,930

 
$
(8,341
)
Asset-backed securities
143,150

 
(1,041
)
 

 

 
143,150

 
(1,041
)
Equity securities
376

 
(2
)
 
9,850

 
(299
)
 
10,226

 
(301
)
State and municipal securities
203,170

 
(1,217
)
 
25,430

 
(931
)
 
228,600

 
(2,148
)
Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agencies - Residential
400,513

 
(735
)
 
972,042

 
(15,989
)
 
1,372,555

 
(16,724
)
U.S government agencies - Commercial
216,806

 
(2,551
)
 
116,893

 
(2,558
)
 
333,699

 
(5,109
)
FHLMC and FNMA - Residential
1,219,050

 
(4,080
)
 
2,245,972

 
(85,074
)
 
3,465,022

 
(89,154
)
FHLMC and FNMA - Commercial
42,195

 
(427
)
 

 

 
42,195

 
(427
)
Total
$
2,726,258

 
$
(16,480
)
 
$
3,507,119

 
$
(106,765
)
 
$
6,233,377

 
$
(123,245
)

19



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 4. INVESTMENT SECURITIES (continued)

 
December 31, 2014
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
(in thousands)
US Treasury securities
$
298,914

 
$
(56
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
298,914

 
$
(56
)
Corporate debt securities
538,108

 
(3,262
)
 
214,852

 
(3,648
)
 
752,960

 
(6,910
)
Asset-backed securities
632,936

 
(1,437
)
 
424,333

 
(3,154
)
 
1,057,269

 
(4,591
)
Equity securities
55

 

 
9,879

 
(279
)
 
9,934

 
(279
)
State and municipal securities
45,128

 
(90
)
 
192,091

 
(2,295
)
 
237,219

 
(2,385
)
Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agencies - Residential
415,731

 
(2,693
)
 
1,348,908

 
(31,118
)
 
1,764,639

 
(33,811
)
U.S. government agencies - Commercial
281,258

 
(2,459
)
 
136,269

 
(4,727
)
 
417,527

 
(7,186
)
FHLMC and FNMA - Residential debt securities
399,176

 
(2,019
)
 
2,607,695

 
(127,971
)
 
3,006,871

 
(129,990
)
FHLMC and FNMA - Commercial debt securities
11,269

 
(171
)
 

 

 
11,269

 
(171
)
Total
$
2,622,575

 
$
(12,187
)
 
$
4,934,027

 
$
(173,192
)
 
$
7,556,602

 
$
(185,379
)

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment ("OTTI")

Management evaluates all investment products in an unrealized loss position for OTTI on at least a quarterly basis. Individual securities are further assessed for OTTI as deemed necessary. An unrealized loss exists when the current fair value of an individual security is less than its amortized cost basis. The OTTI assessment is a subjective process requiring the use of judgments and assumptions. During the securities-level assessments, consideration is given to (1) the intent not to sell and probability that the Company will not be required to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, as well as Company news and current events, and (3) the ability to collect the future expected cash flows. Key assumptions utilized to forecast expected cash flows may include loss severity, expected cumulative loss percentage, cumulative loss percentage to date, weighted average Fair Isaac Corporation credit scoring model ("FICO") scores and weighted average loan-to-value ("LTV") ratio, rating or scoring, credit ratings and market spreads, as applicable.

The Company assesses and recognizes OTTI in accordance with applicable accounting standards. Under these standards, if the Company determines that impairment on its debt securities exists and it has made the decision to sell the security or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis, it recognizes the entire portion of the unrealized loss in earnings. If the Company has not made a decision to sell the security and it does not expect that it will be required to sell the security prior to the recovery of the amortized cost basis but the Company has determined that OTTI exists, it recognizes the credit-related portion of the decline in value of the security in earnings.

There was no OTTI recognized in the first quarter of 2015. During the second quarter of 2015, the Company began implementing a strategy to improve the Bank's liquidity by selling non-high-quality liquid assets and reinvesting the funds into high-quality liquid assets. At June 30, 2015, 9 securities totaling a book value of $377 million in an unrealized loss position had not yet been sold. Because the Company could no longer assert that it does not have the intent to sell these securities, the Company determined that the impairment was other-than-temporary. As a result, these securities were written down to fair value, resulting in a $1.1 million OTTI charge. These securities were sold during the third quarter of 2015 for an additional loss of $1.0 million. The Company did not record any OTTI in earnings related to its investment securities in the third quarter of 2015 or in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014.


20



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 4. INVESTMENT SECURITIES (continued)

Management has concluded that the unrealized losses on its debt and equity securities for which it has not recognized OTTI (which was comprised of 277 individual securities at September 30, 2015) are temporary in nature since (1) they are not related to the underlying credit quality of the issuers, (2) the entire contractual principal and interest due on these securities is currently expected to be recoverable, (3) the Company does not intend to sell these investments at a loss and (4) it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the investments before recovery of the amortized cost basis, which may be at maturity. Accordingly, the Company has concluded that the impairment on these securities is not other-than-temporary.

Gains (Losses) and Proceeds on Sales of Securities

Proceeds from sales of investment securities and the realized gross gains and losses from those sales are as follows:
 
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
Proceeds from the sales of available-for-sale securities
$
497,182

 
$
21,138

 
$
2,751,790

 
$
311,019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross realized gains
$
533

 
$
131

 
$
23,592

 
$
11,547

Gross realized losses
(2,526
)
 

 
(5,229
)
 
(67
)
OTTI

 

 
(1,092
)
 

    Net realized (losses)/gains
$
(1,993
)
 
$
131

 
$
17,271

 
$
11,480


The Company uses the specific identification method to determine the cost of the securities sold and the gain or loss recognized.

The net loss realized for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 was primarily comprised of the sale of corporate debt securities with a book value of $63.7 million for a gain of $0.4 million, and the sale of ABS with a book value of $419.6 million for a loss of $1.4 million. The net gain for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 was primarily comprised of the sale of state and municipal securities with a book value of $421.5 million for a gain of $12.1 million, the sale of corporate debt securities with a book value of $517.6 million for a gain of $7.0 million, and the sale of ABS with a book value of $683.9 million for a loss of $0.2 million, offset by OTTI of $1.1 million. The net gain realized for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 was primarily due to the sale of corporate debt securities with a book value of $88.4 million for a gain of $0.1 million. The net gain realized for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 was primarily comprised of the sale of state and municipal securities with a book value of $89.0 million for a gain of $5.2 million, the sale of corporate debt securities with a book value of $434.8 million for a gain of $4.7 million, and the sale of MBS with a book value of $21.6 million for a gain of $1.3 million.

Trading Securities

The Company did not hold any trading securities at September 30, 2015, compared to $833.9 million held at December 31, 2014. Gains and losses on trading securities are recorded within Mortgage banking income, net, in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as the Company utilized trading securities portfolio to economically hedge the MSR portfolio. The realized activity of trading gains and losses related to trading securities are as follows:

 
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
Net gains recognized during the period on trading securities
$

 
$
1,899

 
$
6,391

 
$
3,386

Less: Net gains recognized during the period on trading securities sold during the period

 
2,047

 
6,391

 
3,782

Unrealized losses during the reporting period on trading securities still held at the reporting date
$

 
$
(148
)
 
$

 
$
(396
)
 

21



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 4. INVESTMENT SECURITIES (continued)

As of September 30, 2015, the Company had no trading securities pledged as collateral. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had trading securities with an estimated fair value of $33.0 million pledged as collateral to secure the Bank's customer overnight sweep product.

Other Investments

Other investments at September 30, 2015 were $999.2 million, compared to $817.0 million at December 31, 2014. Other investments primarily include the Company's investment in the stock of the FHLB of Pittsburgh and the Federal Reserve Bank ("FRB") with aggregate carrying amounts of $975.6 million and $817.0 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The stocks do not have readily determinable fair values because their ownership is restricted and they lack a market. The stocks can be sold back only at their par value of $100 per share and only to FHLBs or to another member institution. Accordingly, these stocks are carried at cost. During the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, the Company purchased $208.0 million and $447.9 million of FHLB stock at par, respectively, and redeemed $105.4 million and $344.6 million of FHLB stock at par, respectively. The Company also purchased $3.7 million of FRB stock at par during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015. The Company did not purchase any FRB stock at par during the three-month period ended September 30, 2015. There was no gain or loss associated with these sales. Other investments also include $23.6 million of Low Income Housing Tax Credit Investments as of September 30, 2015.

The Company evaluates these investments for impairment based on the ultimate recoverability of the carrying value, rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value.


NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

Overall

The Company's loans are reported at their outstanding principal balances net of any unearned income, cumulative charge-offs, unamortized deferred fees and costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans. The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses ("ACL") to provide for losses inherent in its portfolios. Certain loans are pledged as collateral for borrowings, securitizations, or special purpose entities ("SPEs"). These loans totaled $59.1 billion at September 30, 2015 and $52.5 billion at December 31, 2014.

Loans that the Company intends to sell are classified as loans held-for-sale ("LHFS"). The LHFS portfolio balance at September 30, 2015 was $3.0 billion, compared to $260.3 million at December 31, 2014. LHFS that are residential mortgage portfolio are reported at fair value. All other LHFS are accounted for at the lower of cost or fair value. For a discussion on the valuation of LHFS at fair value, see Note 16 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. As of September 30, 2015, the Company determined that it no longer intended to hold certain personal lending assets at SCUSA for investment. As a result, $1.9 billion of personal unsecured loans were transferred to held for sale during the third quarter. In connection with this reclassification to held for sale, the Company adjusted the credit loss allowance associated with SCUSA's personal loan portfolio to value the portfolio at the lower of cost or market, and the adjusted credit loss allowance was released through the provision for credit losses; reflected as a charge-off against the credit loss allowance. Future loan originations and purchases under SCUSA’s personal lending platform will also be classified as held for sale.

During the third quarter of 2015, the Company repurchased a portfolio of performing multi-family loans from FNMA for $1.4 billion.

Interest income on loans is accrued based on the contractual interest rate and the principal amount outstanding, except for those loans classified as non-accrual. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, accrued interest receivable on the Company's loans was $521.9 million and $492.7 million, respectively.

22



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)

Loan and Lease Portfolio Composition

The following table presents the composition of the gross loans held for investment by type of loan and by fixed and variable rates at the dates indicated:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial loans held for investment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate loans
$
8,495,182

 
10.8
%
 
$
8,739,233

 
11.5
%
Commercial and industrial loans
19,361,751

 
24.6
%
 
17,092,312

 
22.5
%
Multi-family loans
9,600,527

 
12.2
%
 
8,705,890

 
11.5
%
Other commercial(2)
2,366,742

 
3.0
%
 
2,084,232

 
2.7
%
Total commercial loans held for investment
39,824,202

 
50.6
%
 
36,621,667

 
48.2
%
Consumer loans secured by real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
6,408,164

 
8.1
%
 
6,773,575

 
8.9
%
Home equity loans and lines of credit
6,155,218

 
7.9
%
 
6,206,980

 
8.2
%
Total consumer loans secured by real estate
12,563,382

 
16.0
%
 
12,980,555

 
17.1
%
Consumer loans not secured by real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail installment contracts and auto loans
24,597,860

 
31.3
%
 
22,430,241

 
29.5
%
Personal unsecured loans
644,548

 
0.8
%
 
2,696,820

 
3.5
%
Other consumer(3)
1,079,729

 
1.3
%
 
1,303,279

 
1.7
%
Total consumer loans
38,885,519

 
49.4
%
 
39,410,895

 
51.8
%
Total loans held for investment(1)
$
78,709,721

 
100.0
%
 
$
76,032,562

 
100.0
%
Total loans held for investment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed rate
$
46,983,682

 
59.7
%
 
$
45,425,408

 
59.7
%
Variable rate
31,726,039

 
40.3
%
 
30,607,154

 
40.3
%
Total loans held for investment(1)
$
78,709,721

 
100.0
%
 
$
76,032,562

 
100.0
%

(1)Total loans held for investment includes deferred loan fees, net of deferred origination costs and unamortized purchase premiums, net of discounts as well as purchase accounting adjustments. These items resulted in a net decrease in loan balances of $193.1 million as of September 30, 2015 and a net decrease in loan balances of $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2014, respectively.
(2)Other commercial primarily includes commercial equipment vehicle funding ("CEVF") leveraged leases and loans.
(3)Other consumer primarily includes recreational vehicles ("RV") and marine loans.

Portfolio segments and classes

GAAP requires that entities disclose information about the credit quality of their financing receivables at disaggregated levels, specifically defined as “portfolio segments” and “classes,” based on management’s systematic methodology for determining the ACL. For this, compared to the financial statement categorization of loans, the Company utilizes an alternate categorization to model and calculate the ACL and track the credit quality, delinquency and impairment status of the underlying loan populations. In disaggregating its financing receivables portfolio, the Company’s methodology begins with the commercial and consumer segments.


23



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)

The commercial segmentation reflects line of business distinctions. The three commercial real estate lines of business distinctions include “Corporate banking,” which includes commercial and industrial owner-occupied real estate, “Middle market commercial real estate,” which represents the portfolio of specialized lending for investment real estate, including financing for continuing care retirement communities and “Santander real estate capital”, which is the commercial real estate portfolio of the specialized lending group. "Commercial and industrial" loans includes non-real estate-related commercial and industrial loans. "Multi-family" represents loans for multi-family residential housing units. “Other commercial” primarily represents the CEVF business.
 
The following table reconciles the Company's recorded investment classified by its major loan classifications to its commercial loan classifications utilized in its determination of the allowance for loan losses and other credit quality disclosures at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively:
Commercial Portfolio Segment(2)
 
 
 
 
Major Loan Classifications(1)
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
(in thousands)
Commercial loans held for investment:
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
Corporate Banking
 
$
2,967,780

 
$
3,218,151

Middle Markets Real Estate
 
3,965,173

 
3,743,100

Santander Real Estate Capital
 
1,562,229

 
1,777,982

Total commercial real estate
 
8,495,182

 
8,739,233

Commercial and industrial loans (3)
 
19,361,751

 
17,092,312

Multi-family loans
 
9,600,527

 
8,705,890

Other commercial
 
2,366,742

 
2,084,232

Total commercial loans held for investment
 
$
39,824,202

 
$
36,621,667

 
(1)
These represent the Company's loan categories based on the SEC's Regulation S-X, Article 9.
(2)
These represent the Company's loan classes used to determine its allowance for loan and lease losses in accordance with ASC 310-10.
(3)
Excludes zero and $19.1 million of Commercial and Industrial LHFS at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

The Company's portfolio segments are substantially the same as its financial statement categorization of loans for the consumer loan populations. “Residential mortgages” includes mortgages on residential property including single family and 1-4 family units. "Home equity loans and lines of credit” include all organic home equity contracts and purchased home equity portfolios. "Retail installment contracts and auto loans" includes the Company's direct automobile loan portfolios, but excludes RV and marine retail installment contracts. "Personal unsecured loans" includes personal revolving loans and credit cards. “Other consumer” includes an acquired portfolio of marine and RV contracts as well as indirect auto loans.
Consumer Portfolio Segment(2)
 
 
 
 
Major Loan Classifications(1)
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
(in thousands)
Consumer loans secured by real estate:
 
 
 
Residential mortgages(3)
 
$
6,408,164

 
$
6,773,575

Home equity loans and lines of credit
 
6,155,218

 
6,206,980

Total consumer loans secured by real estate
 
12,563,382

 
12,980,555

Consumer loans not secured by real estate:
 
 
 
Retail installment contracts and auto loans(4)
 
24,597,860

 
22,430,241

Personal unsecured loans(5)
 
644,548

 
2,696,820

Other consumer
 
1,079,729

 
1,303,279

Total consumer loans held for investment
 
$
38,885,519

 
$
39,410,895

 
(1)
These represent the Company's loan categories based on the SEC's Regulation S-X, Article 9.
(2)
These represent the Company's loan classes used to determine its allowance for loan and lease losses in accordance with ASC 310-10.
(3)
Home mortgages exclude $280.8 million and $195.7 million of LHFS at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
(4)
Retail installment contracts and auto loans exclude $825.8 million and $45.4 million of LHFS at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
(5)
Personal unsecured loans exclude $1.9 billion of LHFS at September 30, 2015. There were no personal unsecured loans HFS at December 31, 2014.

24



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)

ACL Rollforward by Portfolio Segment
The activity in the ACL by portfolio segment for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:
 
Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2015
 
Commercial
 
Consumer
 
Unallocated
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Allowance for loan and lease losses, beginning of period
$
414,462

 
$
2,584,404

 
$
71,592

 
$
3,070,458

Provision for/ (Recovery of) loan losses
4,824

 
875,614

 
(26,258
)
 
854,180

Charge-offs
(45,440
)
 
(1,488,291
)
 

 
(1,533,731
)
Recoveries
25,091

 
496,348

 

 
521,439

Charge-offs, net of recoveries
(20,349
)
 
(991,943
)
 

 
(1,012,292
)
Allowance for loan and lease losses, end of period
$
398,937

 
$
2,468,075

 
$
45,334

 
$
2,912,346

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments, beginning of period
$
137,641

 
$

 
$

 
$
137,641

Provision for unfunded lending commitments

 

 

 

Loss on unfunded lending commitments

 

 

 

Reserve for unfunded lending commitments, end of period
137,641

 

 

 
137,641

Total allowance for credit losses, end of period
$
536,578

 
$
2,468,075

 
$
45,334

 
$
3,049,987

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2015
 
Commercial
 
Consumer
 
Unallocated
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period
$
396,489

 
$
1,679,304

 
$
33,024

 
$
2,108,817

Provision for/ (Recovery of) loan losses
59,745

 
2,651,063

 
12,310

 
2,723,118

Other(1)

 
(27,117
)
 

 
(27,117
)
Charge-offs
(96,561
)
 
(3,337,089
)
 

 
(3,433,650
)
Recoveries
39,264

 
1,501,914

 

 
1,541,178

Charge-offs, net of recoveries
(57,297
)
 
(1,835,175
)
 

 
(1,892,472
)
Allowance for loan and lease losses, end of period
$
398,937

 
$
2,468,075

 
$
45,334

 
$
2,912,346

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments, beginning of period
$
132,641

 
$

 
$

 
$
132,641

Provision for unfunded lending commitments
5,000

 

 

 
5,000

Loss on unfunded lending commitments

 

 

 

Reserve for unfunded lending commitments, end of period
137,641

 

 

 
137,641

Total allowance for credit losses, end of period
$
536,578

 
$
2,468,075

 
$
45,334

 
$
3,049,987

Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment(2)
$
56,787

 
$
355,515

 
$

 
$
412,302

Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment
342,150

 
2,112,560

 
45,334

 
2,500,044

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financing receivables:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance
$
39,824,202

 
$
41,876,227

 
$

 
$
81,700,429

Ending balance, evaluated under the fair value option or lower of cost or fair value

 
3,364,866

 

 
3,364,866

Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment(2)
367,871

 
3,661,622

 

 
4,029,493

Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment
39,456,331

 
34,849,739

 

 
74,306,070

(1) The "Other" amount represents the impact on the allowance for loan and lease losses in connection with SCUSA classifying approximately $1.0 billion of retail installment contracts ("RICs") as held-for-sale during the first quarter of 2015.
(2) Consumer loans individually evaluated for impairment consists of loans in TDR status


25



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)

 
Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2014
 
Commercial
 
Consumer
 
Unallocated
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Allowance for loan and lease losses, beginning of period
$
359,811

 
$
1,027,044

 
$
39,001

 
$
1,425,856

Provision for / (Recovery of) loan losses
31,506

 
1,012,355

 
(10,504
)
 
1,033,357

Other(1)

 
(61,220
)
 

 
(61,220
)
Charge-offs
(28,680
)
 
(981,519
)
 

 
(1,010,199
)
Recoveries
8,841

 
408,754

 

 
417,595

Charge-offs, net of recoveries
(19,839
)
 
(572,765
)
 

 
(592,604
)
Allowance for loan and lease losses, end of period
$
371,478

 
$
1,405,414

 
$
28,497

 
$
1,805,389

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments, beginning of period
$
170,274

 
$

 
$

 
$
170,274

Provision for unfunded lending commitments
(20,000
)
 

 

 
(20,000
)
Loss on unfunded lending commitments
(633
)
 

 

 
(633
)
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments, end of period
149,641

 

 

 
149,641

Total allowance for credit losses, end of period
$
521,119

 
$
1,405,414

 
$
28,497

 
$
1,955,030

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2014
 
Commercial
 
Consumer
 
Unallocated
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period
$
443,074

 
$
363,647

 
$
27,616

 
$
834,337

Provision for / (Recovery of) loan losses
(8,990
)
 
2,107,830

 
881

 
2,099,721

Other(1)

 
(61,220
)
 

 
(61,220
)
Charge-offs
(81,157
)
 
(1,744,085
)
 

 
(1,825,242
)
Recoveries
18,551

 
739,242

 

 
757,793

Charge-offs, net of recoveries
(62,606
)
 
(1,004,843
)
 

 
(1,067,449
)
Allowance for loan losses, end of period
$
371,478

 
$
1,405,414

 
$
28,497

 
$
1,805,389

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments, beginning of period
$
220,000

 
$

 
$

 
$
220,000

Provision for unfunded lending commitments
(65,000
)
 

 

 
(65,000
)
Loss on unfunded lending commitments
(5,359
)
 

 

 
(5,359
)
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments, end of period
149,641

 

 

 
149,641

Total allowance for credit losses, end of period
$
521,119

 
$
1,405,414

 
$
28,497

 
$
1,955,030

Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment(2)
$
73,193

 
$
135,564

 
$

 
$
208,757

Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment
298,285

 
1,269,850

 
28,497

 
1,596,632

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financing receivables:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance
$
35,683,403

 
$
39,120,473

 
$

 
$
74,803,876

Ending balance, evaluated under the fair value option or lower of cost or fair value(1)
19,167

 
1,284,403

 

 
1,303,570

Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment(2)
502,922

 
998,663

 

 
1,501,585

Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment
35,161,314

 
36,837,407

 

 
71,998,721

(1)
The "Other" amount represents the impact on the allowance for loan and lease losses in connection with the sale of approximately $484 million of troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs") and non-performing loans ("NPLs") classified as held-for-sale during the quarter ended September 30, 2014.


26



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)

Non-accrual loans by Class of Financing Receivable

The recorded investment in non-accrual loans disaggregated by class of financing receivables is summarized as follows:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(in thousands)
Non-accrual loans:
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
Corporate banking
$
60,450

 
$
90,579

Middle market commercial real estate
38,605

 
71,398

Santander real estate capital
3,505

 
5,803

Commercial and industrial
66,023

 
54,658

Multi-family
7,319

 
9,639

Other commercial
4,365

 
4,136

Total commercial loans
180,267

 
236,213

Consumer:
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
184,828

 
231,316

Home equity loans and lines of credit
126,628

 
142,026

Retail installment contracts and auto loans
936,191

 
960,293

Personal unsecured loans
12,683

 
14,007

Other consumer
30,019

 
12,654

Total consumer loans
1,290,349

 
1,360,296

Total non-accrual loans
1,470,616

 
1,596,509

 
 
 
 
Other real estate owned ("OREO")
40,692

 
65,051

Repossessed vehicles
154,056

 
136,136

Foreclosed and other repossessed assets
377

 
11,375

Total OREO and other repossessed assets
195,125

 
212,562

Total non-performing assets
$
1,665,741

 
$
1,809,071


27



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)

Age Analysis of Past Due Loans

The age of recorded investments in past due loans and accruing loans greater than 90 days past due disaggregated by class of financing receivables is summarized as follows:
 
As of September 30, 2015
 
 
30-89
Days Past
Due
 
Greater
Than 90
Days
 
Total
Past Due
 
Current
 
Total
Financing
Receivables
(1)
 
Recorded Investment
> 90 Days
and
Accruing
 
(in thousands)
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate banking
 
$
23,789

 
$
22,015

 
$
45,804

 
$
2,921,976

 
$
2,967,780

 
$

Middle market commercial real estate
 
3,964

 
21,190

 
25,154

 
3,940,019

 
3,965,173

 

Santander real estate capital
 
659

 

 
659

 
1,561,570

 
1,562,229

 

Commercial and industrial
 
28,760

 
38,813

 
67,573

 
19,294,178

 
19,361,751

 

Multi-family
 
21,830

 
635

 
22,465

 
9,578,062

 
9,600,527

 

Other commercial
 
7,656

 
3,496

 
11,152

 
2,355,590

 
2,366,742

 

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
 
144,232

 
155,947

 
300,179

 
6,388,749

 
6,688,928

 

Home equity loans and lines of credit
 
31,268

 
80,107

 
111,375

 
6,043,843

 
6,155,218

 

Retail installment contracts and auto loans
 
2,928,878

 
274,777

 
3,203,655

 
22,219,958

 
25,423,613

 

Personal unsecured loans
 
92,965

 
86,739

 
179,704

 
2,349,035

 
2,528,739

 
77,528

Other consumer
 
36,983

 
39,652

 
76,635

 
1,003,094

 
1,079,729

 

Total
 
$
3,320,984

 
$
723,371

 
$
4,044,355

 
$
77,656,074

 
$
81,700,429

 
$
77,528

(1)
Financing receivables include LHFS.
 
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
 
30-89
Days Past
Due
 
Greater
Than 90
Days
 
Total
Past Due
 
Current
 
Total
Financing
Receivables
(1)
 
Recorded
Investment
> 90 Days
and
Accruing
 
(in thousands)
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate banking
 
$
18,363

 
$
37,708

 
$
56,071

 
$
3,162,080

 
$
3,218,151

 
$

Middle market commercial real estate
 
3,179

 
33,604

 
36,783

 
3,706,317

 
3,743,100

 

Santander real estate capital
 
4,329

 
2,115

 
6,444

 
1,771,538

 
1,777,982

 

Commercial and industrial
 
27,071

 
23,469

 
50,540

 
17,060,866

 
17,111,406

 

Multi-family
 
13,810

 
5,512

 
19,322

 
8,686,568

 
8,705,890

 

Other commercial
 
5,054

 
1,245

 
6,299

 
2,077,933

 
2,084,232

 

Consumer:
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Residential mortgages
 
165,270

 
200,818

 
366,088

 
6,603,221

 
6,969,309

 

Home equity loans and lines of credit
 
36,074

 
86,749

 
122,823

 
6,084,157

 
6,206,980

 

Retail installment contracts and auto loans
 
3,046,943

 
259,534

 
3,306,477

 
19,169,188

 
22,475,665

 

Personal unsecured loans
 
92,905

 
111,917

 
204,822

 
2,491,998

 
2,696,820

 
93,152

Other consumer
 
47,696

 
30,653

 
78,349

 
1,224,930

 
1,303,279

 

Total
 
$
3,460,694

 
$
793,324

 
$
4,254,018

 
$
72,038,796

 
$
76,292,814

 
$
93,152

(1)
Financing receivables include LHFS.

28



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)

Impaired Loans by Class of Financing Receivable

Impaired loans are generally defined as all TDRs plus commercial non-accrual loans in excess of $1.0 million.

Impaired loans disaggregated by class of financing receivables are summarized as follows:
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
 
Recorded Investment(1)
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Related
Specific
Reserves
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
 
(in thousands)
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate banking
 
$
40,866

 
$
43,717

 
$

 
$
39,301

Middle market commercial real estate
 
79,320

 
124,268

 

 
103,556

Santander real estate capital
 
2,860

 
2,860

 

 
2,921

Commercial and industrial
 
2,721

 
4,144

 

 
4,374

Multi-family
 
4,834

 
5,864

 

 
13,663

Other commercial
 
2,604

 
2,622

 

 
1,346

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
 
20,040

 
20,040

 

 
21,724

Home equity loans and lines of credit
 
22,999

 
22,999

 

 
25,115

Retail installment contracts and auto loans
 
100,835

 
125,670

 

 
124,591

Personal unsecured loans(2)
 
14,635

 
14,635

 

 
7,614

Other consumer
 
6,013

 
6,013

 

 
5,807

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate banking
 
33,744

 
42,396

 
10,664

 
46,847

Middle market commercial real estate
 
36,936

 
42,635

 
10,656

 
48,517

Santander real estate capital
 

 

 

 
1,939

Commercial and industrial
 
80,472

 
89,708

 
34,555

 
73,329

Multi-family
 
5,762

 
5,767

 
463

 
5,871

Other commercial
 
2,429

 
2,527

 
449

 
2,181

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
 
139,279

 
164,278

 
28,812

 
135,046

Home equity loans and lines of credit
 
62,328

 
73,254

 
4,832

 
61,230

Retail installment contracts and auto loans
 
3,393,315

 
3,734,191

 
317,655

 
2,599,160

  Personal unsecured loans
 
1,660

 
1,950

 
496

 
9,068

  Other consumer
 
15,877

 
20,639

 
3,720

 
16,086

Total:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
$
292,548

 
$
366,508

 
$
56,787

 
$
343,845

Consumer
 
3,776,981

 
4,183,669

 
355,515

 
3,005,441

Total
 
$
4,069,529

 
$
4,550,177

 
$
412,302

 
$
3,349,286


(1)
Recorded investment includes deferred loan fees, net of deferred origination costs and unamortized purchase premiums, net of discounts as well as purchase accounting adjustments.
(2)
Includes LHFS.

The Company recognized interest income, not including the impact of purchase accounting adjustments, of $187.9 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 on approximately $3.4 billion of TDRs that were in performing status as of September 30, 2015.

29



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)

 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
Recorded Investment(1)
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Related
Specific
Reserves
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
 
(in thousands)
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Corporate banking
 
$
37,735

 
$
40,453

 
$

 
$
40,610

 Middle market commercial real estate
 
127,792

 
172,766

 

 
114,465

 Santander real estate capital
 
2,982

 
2,982

 

 
1,867

Commercial and industrial
 
6,027

 
15,580

 

 
9,580

Multi-family
 
22,492

 
22,492

 

 
24,762

Other commercial
 
88

 
88

 

 
44

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
 
23,408

 
23,408

 

 
57,776

Home equity loans and lines of credit
 
27,230

 
27,230

 

 
29,152

Retail installment contracts and auto loans
 
148,347

 
189,663

 

 
74,173

Personal unsecured loans
 
592

 
592

 

 
296

Other consumer
 
5,600

 
5,600

 

 
6,973

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Corporate banking
 
59,950

 
66,328

 
25,322

 
56,856

 Middle market commercial real estate
 
60,098

 
66,024

 
17,004

 
89,472

 Santander real estate capital
 
3,878

 
6,356

 
364

 
6,630

Commercial and industrial
 
66,186

 
74,737

 
36,115

 
83,205

Multi-family
 
5,979

 
7,076

 
1,475

 
8,699

Other commercial
 
1,932

 
1,995

 
688

 
1,055

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
 
130,813

 
156,669

 
23,628

 
339,071

Home equity loans and lines of credit
 
60,132

 
69,374

 
5,002

 
57,516

Retail installment contracts and auto loans
 
1,805,006

 
2,031,134

 
192,325

 
902,504

Personal unsecured loans
 
16,476

 
16,815

 
6,508

 
9,506

Other consumer
 
16,295

 
22,812

 
3,264

 
16,889

Total:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
$
395,139

 
$
476,877

 
$
80,968

 
$
437,245

Consumer
 
2,233,899

 
2,543,297

 
230,727

 
1,493,856

Total
 
$
2,629,038

 
$
3,020,174

 
$
311,695

 
$
1,931,101


(1)
Recorded investment includes deferred loan fees, net of deferred origination costs and unamortized purchase premiums, net of discounts as well as purchase accounting adjustments.

The Company recognized interest income of $86.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 on approximately $2.1 billion of TDRs that were returned to performing status as of December 31, 2014.


30



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)

Commercial Lending Asset Quality Indicators

Commercial credit quality disaggregated by class of financing receivables is summarized according to standard regulatory classifications as follows:

PASS. Asset is well-protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or guarantors, if any, or by the fair value less costs to acquire and sell any underlying collateral in a timely manner.

SPECIAL MENTION. Asset has potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention, which, if left uncorrected, may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for an asset at some future date. Special Mention assets are not adversely classified.

SUBSTANDARD. Asset is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the collateral pledged, if any. A well-defined weakness or weaknesses exist that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. The loans are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if deficiencies are not corrected.

DOUBTFUL. Exhibits the inherent weaknesses of a substandard credit. Additional characteristics exist that make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable, on the basis of currently known facts, conditions and values. Possibility of loss is extremely high, but because of certain important and reasonable specific pending factors which may work to the advantage and strengthening of the credit, an estimated loss cannot yet be determined.

LOSS. Credit is considered uncollectible and of such little value that it does not warrant consideration as an active asset. There may be some recovery or salvage value, but there is doubt as to whether, how much or when the recovery would occur.

Commercial loan credit quality indicators by class of financing receivables are summarized as follows:

 
 
Commercial Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
Corporate
banking
 
Middle
market
commercial
real estate
 
Santander
real estate
capital
 
Commercial and industrial
 
Multi-family
 
Remaining
commercial
 
Total(1)
 
 
(in thousands)
Regulatory Rating:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pass
 
$
2,623,982

 
$
3,765,920

 
$
1,392,754

 
$
18,527,810

 
$
9,333,083

 
$
2,320,236

 
$
37,963,785

Special Mention
 
118,536

 
48,842

 
121,441

 
374,448

 
195,710

 
29,950

 
888,927

Substandard
 
215,912

 
127,213

 
47,375

 
429,623

 
71,301

 
16,251

 
907,675

Doubtful
 
9,350

 
23,198

 
659

 
29,870

 
433

 
305

 
63,815

Total commercial loans
 
$
2,967,780

 
$
3,965,173

 
$
1,562,229

 
$
19,361,751

 
$
9,600,527

 
$
2,366,742

 
$
39,824,202

(1)
Financing receivables include LHFS.

 
 
Commercial Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Corporate
banking
 
Middle
market
commercial
real estate
 
Santander
real estate
capital
 
Commercial and industrial
 
Multi-family
 
Remaining
commercial
 
Total(1)
 
 
(in thousands)
Regulatory Rating:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pass
 
$
2,910,957

 
$
3,472,448

 
$
1,564,983

 
$
16,495,319

 
$
8,533,427

 
$
2,064,947

 
$
35,042,081

Special Mention
 
83,122

 
61,166

 
133,950

 
237,331

 
131,677

 
8,475

 
655,721

Substandard
 
192,911

 
174,882

 
76,232

 
358,782

 
40,355

 
10,311

 
853,473

Doubtful
 
31,161

 
34,604

 
2,817

 
19,974

 
431

 
499

 
89,486

Total commercial loans
 
$
3,218,151

 
$
3,743,100

 
$
1,777,982

 
$
17,111,406

 
$
8,705,890

 
$
2,084,232

 
$
36,640,761

(1)
Financing receivables include LHFS.


31



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)

Consumer Lending Asset Quality Indicators-Credit Score

Consumer financing receivables for which credit score is a core component of the allowance model are summarized by credit score as follows:
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit Score Range(2)
 
Retail installment contracts and auto loans(3)
 
Percent
 
Personal unsecured loans balance(3)
 
Percent
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
<600
 
$
13,049,938

 
51.3
%
 
$
405,059

 
16.0
%
600-639
 
4,133,831

 
16.3
%
 
406,943

 
16.1
%
640-679
 
3,080,110

 
12.1
%
 
1,071,993

 
42.4
%
N/A(1)
 
5,159,734

 
20.3
%
 
644,744

 
25.5
%
Total
 
$
25,423,613

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,528,739

 
100.0
%

(1)
Consists primarily of loans for which credit scores are not considered in the ALLL model.
(2)
Credit scores updated quarterly.
(3)
RICs and Personal unsecured loans include $825.8 million and $1.9 billion, respectively of LHFS at September 30, 2015 that do not have an allowance.

December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit Score Range(2)
 
Retail installment contracts and auto loans(3)
 
Percent
 
Personal unsecured loans balance
 
Percent
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
<600
 
$
11,731,114

 
52.2
%
 
$
479,537

 
17.8
%
600-639
 
4,071,918

 
18.1
%
 
440,476

 
16.3
%
640-679
 
4,066,539

 
18.1
%
 
1,135,068

 
42.1
%
N/A(1)
 
2,606,094

 
11.6
%
 
641,739

 
23.8
%
Total
 
$
22,475,665

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,696,820

 
100.0
%

(1)
Consists primarily of loans for which credit scores are not considered in the ALLL model.
(2)
Credit scores updated quarterly.
(3)
RICs include $45.4 million of LHFS at December 31, 2014 that do not have an allowance.


32



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)

Consumer Lending Asset Quality Indicators-FICO and Combined Loan-to-Value ("CLTV")

Residential mortgage and home equity financing receivables by CLTV range are summarized as follows:
 
 
Residential Mortgages
September 30, 2015
 
N/A
 
LTV<=70%
 
70.01-80%
 
80.01-90%
 
90.01-100%
 
100.01-110%
 
LTV>110%
 
Grand Total
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
N/A
 
$
511,932

 
$
12,469

 
$
1,911

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
526,312

<600
 
133

 
235,909

 
74,340

 
32,482

 
17,798

 
10,463

 
9,814

 
380,939

600-639
 
1

 
163,673

 
47,512

 
24,478

 
16,017

 
5,629

 
8,704

 
266,014

640-679
 
237

 
259,330

 
84,767

 
35,774

 
29,088

 
10,259

 
13,600

 
433,055

680-719
 
21

 
487,624

 
183,363

 
65,314

 
45,454

 
11,277

 
27,042

 
820,095

720-759
 
344

 
711,855

 
322,421

 
76,584

 
52,347

 
12,440

 
22,610

 
1,198,601

>=760
 
87

 
2,109,059

 
725,490

 
120,411

 
61,042

 
22,409

 
25,414

 
3,063,912

Grand Total
 
$
512,755

 
$
3,979,919

 
$
1,439,804

 
$
355,043

 
$
221,746

 
$
72,477

 
$
107,184

 
$
6,688,928


 
 
Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit
September 30, 2015
 
N/A
 
LTV<=70%
 
70.01-90%
 
90.01-110%
 
LTV>110%
 
Grand Total
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
N/A
 
$
194,730

 
$
1,388

 
$
909

 
$
62

 
$

 
$
197,089

<600
 
11,964

 
149,242

 
80,251

 
25,356

 
23,108

 
289,921

600-639
 
9,447

 
140,744

 
81,919

 
20,422

 
18,578

 
271,110

640-679
 
11,194

 
246,235

 
173,486

 
35,345

 
26,511

 
492,771

680-719
 
13,692

 
430,783

 
323,493

 
54,890

 
31,492

 
854,350

720-759
 
13,473

 
606,189

 
436,434

 
75,449

 
46,248

 
1,177,793

>=760
 
29,329

 
1,603,426

 
1,018,991

 
142,533

 
77,905

 
2,872,184

Grand Total
 
$
283,829

 
$
3,178,007

 
$
2,115,483

 
$
354,057

 
$
223,842

 
$
6,155,218


 
 
Residential Mortgages
December 31, 2014
 
N/A
 
LTV<=70%
 
70.01-80%
 
80.01-90%
 
90.01-100%
 
100.01-110%
 
LTV>110%
 
Grand Total
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
N/A
 
$
437,215

 
$
14,801

 
$
643

 
$
8,676

 
$
14,934

 
$

 
$

 
$
476,269

<600
 
94

 
279,197

 
91,037

 
41,341

 
17,271

 
15,017

 
16,327

 
460,284

600-639
 
200

 
154,557

 
50,238

 
25,861

 
13,218

 
6,337

 
13,446

 
263,857

640-679
 

 
303,319

 
87,055

 
40,863

 
26,618

 
11,456

 
19,530

 
488,841

680-719
 
25

 
528,979

 
161,023

 
66,898

 
40,456

 
11,503

 
34,473

 
843,357

720-759
 
314

 
758,315

 
271,983

 
80,077

 
42,872

 
16,344

 
39,927

 
1,209,832

>=760
 
124

 
2,328,907

 
633,004

 
132,640

 
60,434

 
29,738

 
42,022

 
3,226,869

Grand Total
 
$
437,972

 
$
4,368,075

 
$
1,294,983

 
$
396,356

 
$
215,803

 
$
90,395

 
$
165,725

 
$
6,969,309



33



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)

 
 
Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit
December 31, 2014
 
N/A
 
LTV<=70%
 
70.01-90%
 
90.01-110%
 
LTV>110%
 
Grand Total
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
N/A
 
$
213,289

 
$
2,265

 
$
863

 
$
336

 
$
148

 
$
216,901

<600
 
13,543

 
158,712

 
69,381

 
24,069

 
20,989

 
286,694

600-639
 
9,748

 
154,887

 
76,431

 
23,410

 
14,118

 
278,594

640-679
 
14,717

 
279,397

 
157,214

 
38,057

 
25,117

 
514,502

680-719
 
15,984

 
488,982

 
272,083

 
56,560

 
33,714

 
867,323

720-759
 
15,643

 
672,971

 
381,828

 
64,993

 
45,810

 
1,181,245

>=760
 
36,962

 
1,736,574

 
885,774

 
125,773

 
76,638

 
2,861,721

Grand Total
 
$
319,886

 
$
3,493,788

 
$
1,843,574

 
$
333,198

 
$
216,534

 
$
6,206,980


For both residential mortgage and home equity loans, loss severity assumptions are incorporated in the loan loss reserve models to estimate loan balances that will ultimately charge-off. These assumptions are based on recent loss experience within various current CLTV bands within these portfolios. CLTVs are refreshed quarterly by applying Federal Housing Finance Agency Home Price Index changes at a state-by-state level to the last known appraised value of the property to estimate the current CLTV. The Company's allowance for loan losses incorporates the refreshed CLTV information to update the distribution of defaulted loans by CLTV as well as the associated loss given default for each CLTV band. Reappraisals on a recurring basis at the individual property level are not considered cost-effective or necessary on a recurring basis; however, reappraisals are performed on certain higher risk accounts to support line management activities, default servicing decisions, or when other situations arise for which the Company believes the additional expense is warranted.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

The following table summarizes the Company’s performing and non-performing TDRs at the dates indicated:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(in thousands)
Performing
$
3,434,409

 
$
2,117,789

Non-performing
523,250

 
377,239

Total
$
3,957,659

 
$
2,495,028


Commercial Loan TDRs

All of the Company’s commercial loan modifications are based on the circumstances of the individual customer, including specific customers' complete relationship with the Company. Loan terms are modified to meet each borrower’s specific circumstances at a point in time. Modifications for commercial loan TDRs generally, although not always, result in bifurcation of the original loan into A and B notes. The A note is restructured to allow for upgraded risk rating and return to accrual status after a sustained period of payment performance has been achieved (typically six months for monthly payment schedules). The B note, if any, is structured as a deficiency note; the balance is charged off but the debt is usually not forgiven. As TDRs, they will be subject to analysis for specific reserves by either calculating the present value of expected future cash flows or, if collateral-dependent, calculating the fair value of the collateral less its estimated cost to sell. The TDR classification will remain on the loan until it is paid in full or liquidated.

34



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)

Consumer Loan TDRs
The primary modification program for the Company’s residential mortgage and home equity portfolios is a proprietary program designed to keep customers in their homes and, when appropriate, prevent them from entering into foreclosure. The program is available to all customers facing a financial hardship regardless of their delinquency status. The main goal of the modification program is to review the customer’s entire financial condition to ensure that the proposed modified payment solution is affordable according to a specific debt-to-income ("DTI") ratio range. The main modification benefits of the program allow for term extensions, interest rate reductions, and/or deferment of principal. The Company reviews each customer on a case-by-case basis to determine which benefit or combination of benefits will be offered to achieve the target DTI range.
For the Company’s other consumer portfolios, including retail installment contracts and autos, the terms of the modifications generally include one or a combination of the following: a reduction of the stated interest rate of the loan at a rate of interest lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk or an extension of the maturity date.
Consumer TDRs are generally placed on non-accrual status until the Company believes repayment under the revised terms is reasonably assured and a sustained period of repayment performance has been achieved (typically six months for a monthly amortizing loan). Any loan that has remained current for the six months immediately prior to modification will remain on accrual status after the modification is enacted. Exceptions to this policy include retail installment contracts, which may begin accruing as soon as they are made current. The TDR classification will remain on the loan until it is paid in full or liquidated.

In addition to those identified as TDRs above, the guidance also requires loans discharged under Chapter 7 bankruptcy to be considered TDRs and collateral-dependent, regardless of delinquency status. These loans must be written down to fair market value and classified as non-accrual/non-performing for the remaining life of the loan. During the quarter ended September 30, 2015, the Company reassessed its TDR definition and has determined that certain modifications should not be reported as a TDR.  An example of that are retail installment contracts that have received modifications under the Service members Civil Relief Act (the "SCRA"). The inclusion of these modified loans were not material to prior periods.

TDR Impact to Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is established to recognize losses inherent in funded loans intended to be held for investment that are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Prior to loans being placed in TDR, the Company generally measures its allowance under a loss contingency methodology in which consumer loans with similar risk characteristics are pooled and loss experience information is monitored for credit risk and deterioration with statistical tools considering factors such as delinquency, LTV and credit scores.

Upon TDR modification, the Company generally measures impairment based on a present value of expected future cash flows methodology considering all available evidence using the effective interest rate or fair value of collateral. The amount of the required valuation allowance is equal to the difference between the loan’s impaired value and the recorded investment.

When a consumer TDR subsequently defaults, the Company generally measures impairment based on the fair value of the collateral, if applicable, less its estimated cost to sell.

Typically, commercial loans whose terms are modified in a TDR will have been identified as impaired prior to modification and accounted for generally using a present value of expected future cash flows methodology, unless the loan is considered collateral-dependent. Loans considered collateral-dependent are measured for impairment based on their fair values of collateral less its estimated cost to sell. Accordingly, upon TDR modification or if a TDR modification subsequently defaults, the allowance methodology remains unchanged.

35



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)

Financial Impact and TDRs by Concession Type
The following tables detail the activity of TDRs for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively:
 
 
Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2015
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Pre-Modification
Outstanding Recorded
Investment
(1)
 
Post-Modification
Outstanding Recorded
Investment
(2)
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial:
 
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 Corporate Banking

 
$

 
$

Commercial and industrial
205

 
7,034

 
7,005

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages(3)
25

 
3,758

 
4,028

 Home equity loans and lines of credit
31

 
2,581

 
2,992

 Retail installment contracts and auto loans
46,034

 
829,574

 
823,967

 Personal unsecured loans
4,058

 
4,894

 
4,870

 Other consumer
3

 
310

 
328

Total
50,356

 
$
848,151

 
$
843,190

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2015
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Pre-Modification
Outstanding Recorded
Investment
(1)
 
Post-Modification
Outstanding Recorded
Investment
(2)
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 Corporate Banking
16

 
$
28,418

 
$
24,546

 Middle market commercial real estate
1

 
14,439

 
14,439

Commercial and industrial
417

 
13,694

 
13,652

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages(3)
114

 
17,929

 
18,765

 Home equity loans and lines of credit
92

 
7,274

 
8,281

 Retail installment contracts and auto loans
201,970

 
3,071,671

 
3,059,425

 Personal unsecured loans
13,217

 
15,774

 
15,685

 Other consumer
20

 
1,441

 
1,484

Total
215,847

 
$
3,170,640

 
$
3,156,277


(1)
Pre-modification outstanding recorded investment amount is the month-end balance prior to the month the modification occurred.
(2)
Post-modification outstanding recorded investment amount is the month-end balance for the month that the modification occurred.
(3)
The post-modification outstanding recorded investment amounts for residential mortgages exclude interest reserves.

36



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)

 
Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2014
 
Number of Contracts
 
Pre-Modification
Outstanding Recorded
Investment(1)
 
Post-Modification
Outstanding Recorded
Investment(2)
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate banking
2

 
$
16,739

 
$
16,615

Middle markets commercial real estate
2

 
19,024

 
19,024

Other commercial
2

 
1,456

 
1,445

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages(3)
65

 
13,096

 
13,444

Home equity loans and lines of credit
32

 
2,813

 
2,813

Retail installment contracts and auto loans (4)
43,602

 
608,408

 
559,565

Personal unsecured loans(6)
5,653

 
6,284

 
6,311

Other consumer
2

 
124

 
124

Total
49,360

 
$
667,944

 
$
619,341

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2014
 
Number of Contracts
 
Pre-Modification
Outstanding Recorded
Investment
(1)
 
Post-Modification
Outstanding Recorded
Investment
(2)
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate banking
23

 
$
70,017

 
$
68,656

Middle markets commercial real estate
5

 
28,963

 
25,851

Other commercial
5

 
2,503

 
2,472

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
222

 
41,830

 
42,510

Home equity loans and lines of credit
86

 
7,991

 
7,991

Retail installment contracts and auto loans(5)
78,216

 
1,027,275

 
900,642

Personal unsecured loans(6)
10,542

 
11,618

 
11,457

Other consumer
7

 
536

 
537

Total
89,106

 
$
1,190,733

 
$
1,060,116

(1)
Pre-modification outstanding recorded investment amount is the month-end balance prior to the month the modification occurred.
(2)
Post-modification outstanding recorded investment amount is the month-end balance for the month that the modification occurred.
(3)
The post-modification outstanding recorded investment amounts for residential mortgages exclude interest reserves.
(4)
The number of RICs that were modified decreased by 15,853 contracts with a corresponding decrease of $384.8 million to the pre-modification outstanding recorded investment and a decrease of $367.5 million to the post-modification outstanding recorded investment to correct the TDR activity that occurred during the three-month period ended September 30, 2014.
(5)
The number of RICs that were modified decreased by 50,012 contracts with a corresponding decrease of $1.0 billion to the pre-modification outstanding recorded investment and a decrease of $1.0 billion to the post-modification outstanding recorded investment to correct the TDR activity that occurred during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014.
(6)
The number of Personal unsecured loans that were modified decreased by 8,839 and 28,197 contracts with a corresponding decrease of $5.1 million and $14.6 million to the Pre-modification outstanding recorded investment and a decrease of $5.0 million and $14.6 million to the post-modification outstanding recorded investment to correct the TDR activity that occurred during the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively.


37



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (continued)

TDRs Which Have Subsequently Defaulted

A TDR is generally considered to have subsequently defaulted if, after modification, the loan becomes 90 days past due. For retail installment contracts, a TDR is considered to have subsequently defaulted after modification at the earlier of the date of repossession or 120 days past due. The following table details TDRs that became TDRs during the past twelve-month period and have subsequently defaulted during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively.

 
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Recorded Investment(1)
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Recorded Investment(1)
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Recorded Investment(1)
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Recorded Investment(1)
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
8

 
$
134

 

 
$

 
25

 
$
652

 

 
$

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
2

 
486

 
1

 
298

 
15

 
2,307

 
22

 
2,993

Home equity loans and lines of credit
3

 
728

 
1

 
65

 
14

 
1,665

 
3

 
377

Retail installment contracts and auto loans(2)
991

 
60,959

 
2,981

 
17,811

 
28,923

 
357,914

 
3,760

 
24,240

Unsecured loans(3)
871

 
1,011

 
820

 
861

 
3,422

 
3,681

 
1,090

 
1,166

Other consumer

 

 

 

 
2

 
244

 

 

Total
1,875

 
$
63,318

 
3,803

 
$
19,035

 
32,401

 
$
366,463

 
4,875

 
$
28,776

(1)
The recorded investment represents the period-end balance at September 30, 2015 and 2014. Does not include Chapter 7 bankruptcy TDRs.
(2)
The number of RIC TDRs that subsequently defaulted increased by 2,595 and 2,586 contracts, respectively, with an associated increase in the recorded investment of $10.6 million and $7.7 million, respectively, to correct the subsequently defaulted TDR activity for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014.
(3)
The number of Unsecured loan contract TDRs that subsequently defaulted increased by 820 and 1,089 contracts, respectively, with an associated increase in the recorded investment of $0.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively, to correct the subsequently defaulted TDR activity for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014.


NOTE 6. LEASED VEHICLES, NET

The Company has operating leases that are included in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as Leased vehicles, net. The leased vehicle portfolio consists primarily of leases originated under a ten-year private label financing agreement signed by SCUSA with the Chrysler Group LLC (the "Chrysler Group") to be a preferred lender (the "Chrysler Agreement").

Leased vehicles, net consisted of the following as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
(in thousands)
Leased vehicles
 
$
10,708,737

 
$
8,314,356

Origination fees and other costs
 
20,991

 
20,628

Manufacturer subvention payments
 
(1,058,594
)
 
(839,150
)
 
 
9,671,134

 
7,495,834

Less: accumulated depreciation
 
(1,586,422
)
 
(857,719
)
Total Leased Vehicles, net
 
$
8,084,712

 
$
6,638,115


38



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 6. LEASED VEHICLES, NET (continued)

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, the Company, executed bulk sales of leases originated under the Chrysler Capital program ("Chrysler Capital"), the trade name used in providing services under the ten-year private label financing agreement SCUSA signed with the Chrysler Group, with depreciated net capitalized costs of $1.3 billion, respectively, and a net book value of$1.2 billion, to a third party. There were no bulk sales of leases during the three-month period ended September 30, 2015. The bulk sales agreements included certain provisions under which SCUSA agreed to share in residual losses for lease terminations with losses over a specific percentage threshold. SCUSA retained servicing on the leases sold. Due to the accelerated depreciation permitted for tax purposes, these sales generated large taxable gains that SCUSA has deferred through a qualified like-kind exchange program. In order to qualify for this deferral, the proceeds from the sales (along with the proceeds from recent lease terminations for which SCUSA also intends to defer the taxable gain) are held in a qualified exchange account, which is classified as restricted cash, until reinvested in new lease originations. Any taxable gains that do not qualify for deferral will be recognized upon expiration of the reinvestment period.

The following summarizes the future minimum rental payments due to the Company as lessor under operating leases as of September 30, 2015 (in thousands):

 
 
 
Remainder of 2015
 
$
363,333

2016
 
1,319,342

2017
 
800,873

2018
 
183,908

2019
 
840

Thereafter
 

Total
 
$
2,668,296



NOTE 7. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

The Company transfers retail installment contracts and leases into newly-formed Trusts that then issue one or more classes of notes payable backed by collateral. The Company’s continuing involvement with the Trusts is in the form of servicing assets held by the Trusts and, generally, through holding residual interests in the Trusts. These transactions are structured without recourse. The Trusts are considered VIEs under GAAP and, when the Company holds the residual interest, are consolidated because the Company has: (a) power over the significant activities of the entity as servicer of its financial assets and (b) residual interest and, in some cases of debt securities held by the Company, an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE which are potentially significant to the VIE. When the Company does not retain any debt or equity interests in its securitizations or subsequently sells such interests it records these transactions as sales of the associated retail installment contracts.

Revolving credit facilities generally also utilize Trusts that are considered VIEs. The collateral, borrowings under credit facilities and securitization notes payable of the Company's consolidated VIEs remain on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company recognizes finance charges and fee income on the retail installment contracts and leased vehicles and interest expense on the debt, and records a provision for loan losses to cover probable inherent losses on the contracts. All of the Trusts are separate legal entities and the collateral and other assets held by these subsidiaries are owned by them and not available to other creditors.


39



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 7. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (continued)

SCUSA also uses a titling trust to originate and hold its leased vehicles and the associated leases, in order to facilitate the pledging of leases to financing facilities or the sale of leases to other parties without incurring the costs and administrative burden of retitling the lease vehicles. This titling trust is considered a VIE.

On-balance sheet variable interest entities

The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities related to the above mentioned VIEs that are included in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of the date indicated:
 
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
(in thousands)
Restricted cash
 
$
1,753,979

 
$
1,626,257

Loans(1)
 
23,540,580

 
19,911,676

Leased vehicles, net
 
6,078,865

 
4,862,783

Various other assets
 
579,691

 
1,301,591

Notes payable
 
30,461,521

 
27,867,494

Various other liabilities
 
15,662

 

(1) Includes $1.6 billion of RICs held for sale at September 30, 2015

The Company retains servicing responsibility for receivables transferred to the Trusts and receives a monthly servicing fee on the outstanding principal balance. Supplemental fees, such as late charges, for servicing the receivables are reflected in miscellaneous income. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company was servicing $26.9 billion and $23.2 billion, respectively, of retail installment contracts that have been transferred to consolidated Trusts. The remainder of the Company’s retail installment contracts remains unpledged.

Below is a summary of the cash flows received from the Trusts for the period indicated:

 
 
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Period from January 28, 2014 to September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in thousands)
Receivables securitized
 
$
4,190,872

 
$
3,723,447

 
$
13,428,243

 
$
10,348,579

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net proceeds from new securitizations
 
3,356,303

 
2,919,796

 
10,843,428

 
8,865,334

Cash received for servicing fees
 
185,894

 
166,390

 
518,550

 
422,020

Cash received upon release from reserved and restricted cash accounts
 

 

 

 
225

Net distributions from Trusts
 
329,357

 
426,966

 
1,046,045

 
1,052,310

Total cash received from securitization trusts
 
$
3,871,554

 
$
3,513,152

 
$
12,408,023

 
$
10,339,889



40



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 7. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (continued)

Off-balance sheet variable interest entities

The Company has completed sales to VIEs that met sale accounting treatment in accordance with the applicable guidance. Due to the nature, purpose, and activity of these transactions, the Company determined for consolidation purposes that it either does not hold potentially significant variable interests or is not the primary beneficiary as a result of the Company's limited further involvement with the financial assets. For such transactions, the transferred financial assets are removed from the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. In certain situations, the Company remains the servicer of the financial assets and receives servicing fees that represent adequate compensation. The Company also recognizes a gain or loss in the amount of the difference between the cash proceeds and carrying value of the assets sold.

During the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, the Company sold zero and $768.6 million of gross RICs in an off-balance sheet securitization. For the three-month period ended September 30, 2014, and the period from January 28, 2014 to September 30, 2014, the company sold $1.0 billion and $1.8 billion of gross RICs in off-balance sheet securitizations, respectively, for a gain of approximately $39.1 million and $71.6 million, respectively.

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company was servicing $2.2 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively, of gross RICs that have been sold in the off-balance sheet Chrysler Capital securitizations. As of September 30, 2014, the Company was servicing $2.4 billion of gross RICs that have been sold in these off-balance sheet Chrysler Capital securitizations. Other than repurchases of sold assets due to standard representations and warranties, the Company has no exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with these VIEs.

A summary of the cash flows received from the off-balance Trusts for the periods indicated is as follows:
 
 
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Period from January 28, 2014 to September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in thousands)
Receivables securitized
 
$

 
$
1,028,278

 
$
768,561

 
$
1,802,461

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net proceeds from new securitizations
 
$

 
$
1,078,202

 
$
785,983

 
$
1,894,052

Cash received for servicing fees
 
5,955

 
3,925

 
17,578

 
10,038

Total cash received from securitization trusts
 
$
5,955

 
$
1,082,127

 
$
803,561

 
$
1,904,090

 
During the three months ended September 30, 2015, the Company settled a transaction to sell its residual interests in certain Trusts and certain retained bonds in those Trusts to an unrelated third party. The Company received cash proceeds of $661.7 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 related to the sale of these residual interests and retained bonds. The Company retained an investment in the notes issued by one of these SDART trusts with a carrying value of $5.6 million, which also approximated fair value on the date of settlement.

Each of these Trusts was previously determined to be a VIE. Prior to the sale of these residual interests, the associated Trusts were consolidated by the Company because the Company held a variable interest in each VIE and had determined that it was the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Although the Company will continue to service the loans in the associated Trusts and, therefore, will have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the Trusts, the Company concluded that it was no longer the primary beneficiary of the Trusts upon the sale of its residual interests. As a result, the Company deconsolidated the assets and liabilities of the corresponding Trusts upon their sale.

Upon settlement of these transactions in the third quarter of 2015, the Company de-recognized $1.9 billion in assets and $1.2 billion in notes payable and other liabilities of the trust. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2015, the Company received cash of $5.9 million for servicing fees from the related trusts that were de-consolidated.

41



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 8. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES

Goodwill

The following table presents activity in the Company's goodwill by its reportable segments for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015:

 
 
Retail Banking
 
Auto Finance & Business Banking(2)
 
Real Estate and Commercial Banking
 
Global Corporate Banking(1)
 
SCUSA
 
Total
 
 
(in thousands)
Goodwill at December 31, 2014
 
$
1,815,729

 
$
71,522

 
$
1,406,048

 
$
131,130

 
$
5,467,582

 
$
8,892,011

Disposals during the period
 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions during the period
 

 

 

 

 

 

Re-allocations during the period
 
(265,553
)
 
374,546

 
(108,993
)
 

 

 

Goodwill at September 30, 2015
 
$
1,550,176

 
$
446,068

 
$
1,297,055

 
$
131,130

 
$
5,467,582

 
$
8,892,011

(1) The Global Corporate Banking ("GCB") was formerly designated as the Global Corporate Banking & Market & Large Corporate Banking segment and was renamed during the third quarter of 2015.
(2) The Auto Finance & Business Banking was formerly designated as the Auto Finance and Alliances segment and was renamed during the third quarter of 2015.

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more frequently as required by events and circumstances. For the purposes of testing goodwill for impairment, goodwill is assigned to reporting units, which are operating segments or one level below an operating segment, as of the acquisition date. The fair value of the Company's reporting unit is determined by using discounted cash flow ("DCF") and market comparability methodologies.

Other Intangible Assets
The following table details amounts related to the Company's finite-lived and indefinite-lived intangible assets for the dates indicated.
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
(in thousands)
Intangibles subject to amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dealer networks
$
514,643

 
$
(65,357
)
 
$
544,054

 
$
(35,946
)
Chrysler relationship
113,750

 
(25,000
)
 
125,000

 
(13,750
)
Core deposit intangibles
1,830

 
(294,012
)
 
7,779

 
(288,063
)
Other intangibles
6,234

 
(23,675
)
 
8,655

 
(21,253
)
Total intangibles subject to amortization
636,457

 
(408,044
)
 
685,488

 
(359,012
)
Intangibles not subject to amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade name
50,000

 

 
50,000

 

Total Intangibles
$
686,457

 
$
(408,044
)
 
$
735,488

 
$
(359,012
)


42



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 8. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES (continued)

Amortization expense on intangible assets for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 was $15.9 million and $49.0 million, respectively, compared to $17.7 million and $50.7 million for the corresponding periods in 2014.

The estimated aggregate amortization expense related to intangibles for each of the five succeeding calendar years ending December 31 is:
Year
 
Calendar Year Amount
 
Recorded To Date
 
Remaining Amount To Record
 
 
(in thousands)
2015
 
$
64,432

 
$
49,031

 
$
15,401

2016
 
57,163

 

 
57,163

2017
 
55,055

 

 
55,055

2018
 
54,702

 

 
54,702

2019
 
54,501

 

 
54,501

Thereafter
 
399,635

 

 
399,635



NOTE 9. OTHER ASSETS

The following is a detail of items that comprise other assets at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
(in thousands)
Income tax receivables
 
$
599,407

 
$
936,365

Derivative assets at fair value
 
415,409

 
366,061

Other repossessed assets
 
154,433

 
137,201

MSRs, at fair value
 
143,535

 
145,047

Prepaid expenses
 
151,017

 
159,250

OREO
 
40,692

 
65,051

Miscellaneous assets and receivables
 
306,721

 
1,020,875

Total other assets
 
$
1,811,214

 
$
2,829,850


Refer to Note 11 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further details about derivative assets.

Other repossessed assets primarily consist of SCUSA's vehicle inventory, which is obtained through repossession. OREO consists primarily of the Bank's foreclosed properties.

Miscellaneous assets and receivables includes, but is not limited to, subvention receivables in connection with the Chrysler Agreement, investment and capital market receivables, and unapplied payments.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

The Company maintains an MSR asset for sold residential real estate loans serviced for others. At both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the balance of these loans serviced for others was $15.9 billion. The Company accounts for residential MSRs using the FVO. Changes in fair value are recorded through the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fair value of the MSRs at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was $143.5 million and $145.0 million, respectively. See further discussion on the valuation of the MSRs in Note 16. As deemed appropriate, the Company economically hedges MSRs using interest rate swaps and forward contracts to purchase mortgage-backed securities ("MBS"). See further discussion on these derivative activities in Note 11 to these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



43



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 9. OTHER ASSETS (continued)

For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded net changes in the fair value of MSRs totaling $(13.5) million and 0.7 million, respectively, compared to $(2.7) million and $(14.1) million for the corresponding periods of 2014. The MSR asset fair value decrease during the third quarter of 2015 was primarily the result of decreased interest rates.

The following table presents a summary of year to date activity for the Company's residential MSRs that are included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
 
Nine-Month Period Ended
 
September 30, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
 
(in thousands)
Fair value at beginning of period
$
145,047

 
$
141,787

Mortgage servicing assets recognized
17,124

 
20,081

Principal reductions
(19,385
)
 
(15,999
)
Change in fair value due to valuation assumptions
749

 
(14,078
)
Fair value at end of period
$
143,535

 
$
131,791


Multi-family

Historically, the Company originated and sold multi-family loans in the secondary market to FNMA while retaining servicing. The Company has not sold multi-family loans to FNMA since 2009. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company serviced $589.7 million and $2.6 billion, respectively, of loans for FNMA.

Fee income and gain/loss on sale of mortgage loans

Included in Mortgage banking income, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations was mortgage servicing fee income of $11.1 million and $33.6 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $10.5 million and $31.7 million for the corresponding periods ended September 30, 2014. The Company had gains on sales of mortgage loans of $5.2 million and $28.7 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to gains of $90.9 million and $104.7 million for the corresponding periods ended September 30, 2014.

44



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 10. BORROWINGS

Total borrowings and other debt obligations at September 30, 2015 were $48.4 billion, compared to $39.7 billion at December 31, 2014. The Company's debt agreements impose certain limitations on dividends and other payments and transactions. The Company is currently in compliance with these limitations.

Periodically, as part of the Company's wholesale funding management, it opportunistically repurchases outstanding borrowings in the open market and subsequently retires the obligations. The Company did not repurchase any outstanding borrowings during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, the Company repurchased $0.6 million of outstanding borrowings in the open market.

On January 12, 2015, the Bank completed the offer and sale of $750.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 2.00% Senior Notes due 2018 and $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2018. On April 17, 2015, the Company completed the public offer and sale of $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 2.65% Senior Notes due 2020. On July 17, 2015, the Company completed the public offer and sale of $1.1 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.50% Senior Notes due 2025.

The following table presents information regarding the Holding Company's borrowings and other debt obligations at the dates indicated:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Balance
 
Effective
Rate
 
Balance
 
Effective
Rate
 
(dollars in thousands)
3.00% senior notes, due September 2015
$

 
%
 
$
598,788

 
3.28
%
4.625% senior notes, due April 2016
475,467

 
4.85
%
 
474,718

 
4.85
%
3.45% senior notes, due August 2018
497,604

 
3.62
%
 
497,025

 
3.62
%
2.65% senior notes, due April 2020
992,211

 
2.83
%
 

 
%
4.50% senior notes, due July 2025
1,093,824

 
4.57
%
 

 
%
Junior subordinated debentures - Capital Trust VI, due June 2036
69,768

 
7.91
%
 
69,751

 
7.91
%
Common securities - Capital Trust VI
10,000

 
7.91
%
 
10,000

 
7.91
%
Junior subordinated debentures - Capital Trust IX, due July 2036
149,397

 
2.09
%
 
149,375

 
2.04
%
Common securities - Capital Trust IX
4,640

 
2.09
%
 
4,640

 
2.04
%
     Total holding company borrowings and other debt obligations
$
3,292,911

 
3.91
%
 
$
1,804,297

 
3.89
%

The following table presents information regarding the Bank's borrowings and other debt obligations at the dates indicated:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Balance
 
Effective
Rate
 
Balance
 
Effective
Rate
 
(dollars in thousands)
2.00% senior notes, due January 2018
$
745,485

 
2.27
%
 
$

 
%
Senior notes, due January 2018(1)
249,187

 
1.31
%
 

 
%
8.750% subordinated debentures, due May 2018
498,008

 
8.92
%
 
497,530

 
8.92
%
FHLB advances, maturing through August 2018
13,335,000

 
1.36
%
 
9,455,000

 
2.06
%
Subordinated term loan, due February 2019
130,678

 
6.15
%
 
139,180

 
6.00
%
REIT (2) preferred, due May 2020
154,550

 
13.54
%
 
153,417

 
13.64
%
Subordinated term loan, due August 2022
30,867

 
7.89
%
 
31,428

 
7.77
%
     Total Bank borrowings and other debt obligations
$
15,143,775

 
1.83
%
 
$
10,276,555

 
2.64
%

(1) These notes will bear interest at a rate equal to the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 93 basis points per annum.
(2) Real estate investment trust ("REIT")

45



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 10. BORROWINGS (continued)

Revolving Credit Facilities

The following tables present information regarding SCUSA's credit facilities as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
 
September 30, 2015
 
Balance
 
Effective
Rate
 
Assets Pledged
 
Restricted Cash Pledged
 
(dollars in thousands)
Warehouse line, maturing on various dates(1)
$
698,715

 
1.26
%
 
$
1,001,601

 
$
39,046

Warehouse line, maturing on various dates(2)
1,087,977

 
1.36
%
 
1,565,626

 
55,126

Warehouse line, due October 2015(3)
199,680

 
2.10
%
 
261,042

 
9,433

Warehouse line, due June 2016
397,021

 
1.18
%
 
544,546

 

Warehouse line, due November 2016(4)
175,000

 
1.76
%
 

 

Warehouse line, due November 2016(4)
250,000

 
1.76
%
 

 
2,501

Warehouse line, due March 2017
510,899

 
0.94
%
 
752,083

 
22,528

Warehouse line, due July 2017(5)
874,320

 
1.18
%
 
1,006,388

 
34,531

Warehouse line, due July 2017(6)
1,608,643

 
1.17
%
 
2,481,681

 
30,818

Repurchase facility, due December 2015(7)
851,929

 
1.87
%
 
1,966

 
37,844

Line of credit with related party, due December 2016(8)
500,000

 
2.51
%
 

 

Line of credit with related party, due December 2016(8)
1,750,000

 
2.48
%
 

 

Line of credit with related party, due December 2018(8)
975,000

 
2.89
%
 

 

     Total SCUSA revolving credit facilities
$
9,879,184

 
1.76
%
 
$
7,614,933

 
$
231,827


(1) Half of the outstanding balance on this facility matures in March 2016 and half matures in March 2017.
(2) In December 2016, $500.0 million of the total revolving commitment under this warehouse line will expire, at which time any utilized balance attributable to that portion of the commitment will become an amortizing obligation; the remainder of the commitment of $2.0 billion matures in June 2017.
(3) This line is held exclusively for personal term loans. On October 26, 2015, the maturity date for this warehouse line commitment was extended to November 9, 2015.
(4) These lines are collateralized by residuals retained by SCUSA.
(5) This line is held exclusively for financing Chrysler loans.
(6) This line is held exclusively for financing Chrysler leases.
(7) The repurchase facility is collateralized by securitization notes payable retained by SCUSA. No portion of this facility is unsecured. This facility has rolling 30-day and 90 -day maturities.
(8) These lines are also collateralized by securitization notes payable and residuals retained by SCUSA. As of September 30, 2015, $2.5 billion of the aggregate outstanding balances on these credit facilities was unsecured.

46



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 10. BORROWINGS (continued)

 
December 31, 2014
 
Balance
 
Effective
Rate
 
Assets Pledged
 
Restricted Cash Pledged
 
(dollars in thousands)
Warehouse line, maturing on various dates(1)
$
397,452

 
1.26
%
 
$
589,529

 
$
20,661

Warehouse line, due March 2015(2)
250,594

 
0.98
%
 

 

Warehouse line, due June 2015
243,736

 
1.17
%
 
344,822

 

Warehouse line, due September 2015(3)
199,980

 
1.96
%
 
351,755

 
13,169

Warehouse line, due December 2015
468,565

 
0.93
%
 
641,709

 
16,467

Warehouse line, due June 2016(4)
2,201,511

 
0.98
%
 
3,249,263

 
65,414

Warehouse line, due June 2016
1,051,777

 
1.06
%
 
1,481,135

 
28,316

Warehouse line, due October 2016(3)
240,487

 
2.02
%
 
299,195

 
17,143

Warehouse line, due November 2016(5)
175,000

 
1.71
%
 

 

Warehouse line, due November 2016(5)
250,000

 
1.71
%
 

 
2,500

Repurchase facility, maturing on various dates(6)
923,225

 
1.63
%
 

 
34,184

Line of credit with related party, due December 2016(7)
500,000

 
2.46
%
 
1,340

 

Line of credit with related party, due December 2016(7)
1,750,000

 
2.33
%
 

 

Line of credit with related party, due December 2018(7)
1,140,000

 
2.85
%
 
9,701

 

     Total SCUSA revolving credit facilities
$
9,792,327

 
1.68
%
 
$
6,968,449

 
$
197,854


(1) Half of the outstanding balance on this facility had maturity dates in March 2015 and half matures in March 2016.
(2) This line is collateralized by securitization notes payable retained by SCUSA.
(3) These lines are held exclusively for personal consumer term loans.
(4) This line is held exclusively for Chrysler Capital retail loan and lease financing.
(5) These lines are collateralized by residuals retained by SCUSA.
(6) The repurchase facility is collateralized by securitization notes payable retained by SCUSA. No portion of this facility is unsecured. This facility has rolling 30-day and 90-day maturities.
(7) These lines are also collateralized by securitization notes payable and residuals retained by SCUSA. As of December 31, 2014, $2.2 billion of the aggregate outstanding balances on these credit facilities was unsecured.

Secured Structured Financings

The following tables present information regarding SCUSA's secured structured financings as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
 
September 30, 2015
 
Balance
 
Initial Note Amounts Issued
 
Initial Weighted Average Interest Rate Range
 
Collateral
 
Restricted Cash
 
(dollars in thousands)
SCUSA public securitizations, maturing on various dates(1)
$
13,377,986

 
$
23,863,842

 
0.89% - 2.29%
 
$
16,852,670

 
$
1,194,363

SCUSA privately issued amortizing notes, maturing on various dates(1)
6,677,464

 
10,174,679

 
0.88% - 1.62%
 
9,831,162

 
368,134

     Total SCUSA secured structured financings
$
20,055,450

 
$
34,038,521

 
0.88% - 2.29%
 
$
26,683,832

 
$
1,562,497


47



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 10. BORROWINGS (continued)

 
December 31, 2014
 
Balance
 
Initial Note Amounts Issued
 
Initial Weighted Average Interest Rate Range
 
Collateral
 
Restricted Cash
 
(dollars in thousands)
SCUSA public securitizations, maturing on various dates(1)
$
11,523,729

 
$
26,682,930

 
0.89% - 2.80%
 
$
14,345,242

 
$
1,184,047

SCUSA privately issued amortizing notes, maturing on various dates(1)
6,282,474

 
8,499,111

 
1.05% - 1.85%
 
9,114,997

 
281,038

     Total SCUSA secured structured financings
$
17,806,203

 
$
35,182,041

 
0.89% - 2.80%
 
$
23,460,239

 
$
1,465,085


(1) SCUSA has entered into various securitization transactions involving its retail automotive installment loans and leases. These transactions are accounted for as secured financings and therefore both the securitized retail installment contracts and the related securitization debt issued by SPEs, remain on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The maturity of this debt is based on the timing of repayments from the securitized assets.

Most of the Company's secured structured financings are in the form of public, SEC-registered securitizations. The Company also executes private securitizations under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and periodically issues private term amortizing notes, which are structured similarly to securitizations but are acquired by banks and conduits. The Company's securitizations and private issuances are collateralized by vehicle retail installment contracts and loans or leases.


NOTE 11. DERIVATIVES

General

The Company uses derivative financial instruments primarily to help manage exposure to interest rate, foreign exchange, equity and credit risk, as well as to reduce the effects that changes in interest rates may have on net income, the fair value of assets and liabilities, and cash flows. The Company also enters into derivatives with customers to facilitate their risk management activities. The Company uses derivative financial instruments as risk management tools and not for speculative trading purposes. The fair value of all derivative balances is recorded within Other assets and Other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

See Note 16 for discussion of the valuation methodology for derivative instruments.

Derivatives represent contracts between parties that usually require little or no initial net investment and result in one party delivering cash or another type of asset to the other party based on a notional amount and an underlying as specified in the contract. Derivative transactions are often measured in terms of notional amount, but this amount is generally not exchanged and is not recorded on the balance sheet. The notional amount is the basis to which the underlying is applied to determine required payments under the derivative contract. The underlying is a referenced interest rate (commonly Overnight Indexed Swap ("OIS") or LIBOR), security price, credit spread or other index. Derivative balances are presented on a gross basis before taking into consideration the effects of legally enforceable master netting agreements.

Through the Company’s capital markets and mortgage banking activities, it is subject to price risk. The Company employs various tools to measure and manage price risk in its portfolios. In addition, the Board of Directors has established certain limits relative to positions and activities. The level of price risk exposure at any given time depends on the market environment and expectations of future price and market movements and will vary from period to period.

To qualify for hedge accounting, the Company was required to designate SCUSA’s derivatives as accounting hedges on or after the Change in Control date. The Company designated certain of SCUSA’s derivatives as accounting hedges effective April 1, 2014.

48



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 11. DERIVATIVES (continued)

Credit Risk Contingent Features

The Company has entered into certain derivative contracts that require the posting of collateral to counterparties when these contracts are in a net liability position. The amount of collateral to be posted is based on the amount of the net liability and thresholds generally related to the Company's long-term senior unsecured credit ratings. In a limited number of instances, counterparties also have the right to terminate their International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. ("ISDA") master agreements if the Company's ratings fall below investment grade. As of September 30, 2015, derivatives in this category had a fair value of $32.5 million. The credit ratings of the Bank and SHUSA are currently considered investment grade. The Bank estimates a further 1- or 2- notch downgrade by either Standard & Poor's or Moody's would require the Bank to post up to an additional $3.5 million or $5.5 million of collateral, respectively, to comply with existing derivative agreements.

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the aggregate fair value of all derivative contracts with credit risk contingent features (i.e. those containing collateral posting or termination provisions based on the Company's ratings) that were in a net liability position totaled $145.2 million and $133.2 million, respectively. The Company had $120.6 million and $127.6 million in cash and securities collateral posted to cover those positions as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Fair Value Hedges

The Company enters into cross-currency swaps to hedge its foreign currency exchange risk on certain Euro-denominated investments. The Company also entered into interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate risk on certain fixed rate investments. These derivatives are designated as fair value hedges at inception. The Company includes all components of each derivative's gain or loss in the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The earnings impact of the ineffective portion of these hedges was not material for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 or September 30, 2014. The last of the hedges is scheduled to expire in June 2020.

Cash Flow Hedges

Management uses derivative instruments, which are designated as hedges, to mitigate the impact of interest rate movements on the fair value of certain liabilities, assets and on highly probable forecasted cash flows. These instruments primarily include interest rate swaps that have underlying interest rates based on key benchmark indices and forward sale or purchase commitments. The nature and volume of the derivative instruments used to manage interest rate risk depend on the level and type of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet and the risk management strategies for the current and anticipated interest rate environment.

Interest rate swaps are generally used to convert fixed-rate assets and liabilities to variable rate assets and liabilities and vice versa. The Company utilizes interest rate swaps that have a high degree of correlation to the related financial instrument.

The last of the hedges is scheduled to expire in December 2030. The Company includes all components of each derivative's gain or loss in the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The earnings impact of the ineffective portion of these hedges was not material for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 or September 30, 2014. As of September 30, 2015, the Company expects approximately $1.4 million of gross losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income to be reclassified to earnings during the subsequent twelve months as the future cash flows occur.

49



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 11. DERIVATIVES (continued)

Derivatives Designated in Hedge Relationships – Notional and Fair Values

Derivatives designated as accounting hedges at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 included:
 
Notional
Amount
 
Asset
 
Liability
 
Weighted Average Receive
Rate
 
Weighted Average Pay
Rate
 
Weighted Average Life
(Years)
 
(dollars in thousands)
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cross-currency swaps
$
16,757

 
$
3,555

 
$
309

 
4.76
%
 
4.75
%
 
0.36
Interest rate swaps
318,000

 
153

 
6,136

 
1.00
%
 
2.29
%
 
3.75
Cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay fixed — receive floating interest rate swaps
10,751,056

 

 
71,178

 
0.20
%
 
1.09
%
 
3.12
Total
$
11,085,813

 
$
3,708

 
$
77,623

 
0.23
%
 
1.13
%
 
3.13
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cross-currency swaps
$
18,230

 
$
2,711

 
$
980

 
4.76
%
 
4.75
%
 
1.11
    Interest rate swaps
257,000

 
232

 
779

 
0.90
%
 
2.38
%
 
4.33
Cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay fixed — receive floating interest rate swaps
10,086,103

 
7,619

 
20,552

 
0.17
%
 
1.11
%
 
3.02
Total
$
10,361,333

 
$
10,562

 
$
22,311

 
0.19
%
 
1.14
%
 
3.05

See Note 13 for detail of the amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives activity.

Other Derivative Activities

The Company also enters into derivatives that are not designated as accounting hedges under GAAP. The majority of these derivatives are customer-related derivatives relating to foreign exchange and lending arrangements. In addition, derivatives are used to manage risks related to residential and commercial mortgage banking and investing activities. Although these derivatives are used to hedge risk and are considered economic hedges, they are not designated as accounting hedges because the contracts they are hedging are typically also carried at fair value on the balance sheet, resulting in generally symmetrical accounting treatment for both the hedging instrument and the hedged item.

Mortgage Banking Derivatives

The Company's derivatives portfolio includes mortgage banking interest rate lock commitments, forward sale commitments and interest rate swaps. As part of its overall business strategy, the Bank originates fixed-rate residential mortgages. It sells a portion of this production to the FHLMC, FNMA, and private investors. The Company uses forward sales as a means of hedging against the economic impact of changes in interest rates on the mortgages that are originated for sale and on interest rate lock commitments.

The Company typically retains the servicing rights related to residential mortgage loans that are sold. Residential MSRs are accounted for at fair value. As deemed appropriate, the Company economically hedges MSRs using interest rate swaps and forward contracts to purchase MBS.

50



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 11. DERIVATIVES (continued)

Customer-related derivatives

The Company offers derivatives to its customers in connection with their risk management needs. These financial derivative transactions primarily consist of interest rate swaps, caps, floors and foreign exchange contracts. Risk exposure from customer positions is managed through transactions with other dealers, including Santander.

Other derivative activities

The Company uses foreign exchange contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with certain foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities. Foreign exchange contracts, which include spot and forward contracts as well as cross-currency swaps, represent agreements to exchange the currency of one country for the currency of another country at an agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon settlement date. Exposure to gains and losses on these contracts will increase or decrease over their respective lives as currency exchange and interest rates fluctuate.

In March 2014, SCUSA entered into a financing arrangement with a third party under which SCUSA pledged certain bonds retained in its own securitizations in exchange for approximately $251 million in cash. In conjunction with this financing arrangement, SCUSA entered into a total return swap related to the bonds as an effective avenue to monetize SCUSA’s retained bonds as a source of financing. This arrangement matured and was terminated in May 2015.

Other derivative instruments primarily include forward contracts related to certain investment securities sales, an OIS, a total return swap on Visa, Inc. Class B common shares, and equity options, which manage the Company's market risk associated with certain investments and customer deposit products.

Derivatives Not Designated in Hedge Relationships – Notional and Fair Values

Other derivative activities at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 included:
 
Notional
 
Asset derivatives
Fair value
 
Liability derivatives
Fair value
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(in thousands)
Mortgage banking derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward commitments to sell loans
$
482,207

 
$
328,757

 
$

 
$

 
$
4,200

 
$
2,424

Interest rate lock commitments
248,375

 
163,013

 
5,480

 
3,063

 

 

Mortgage servicing
435,000

 
469,000

 
3,684

 
7,432

 
2,399

 
7,448

Total mortgage banking risk management
1,165,582

 
960,770

 
9,164

 
10,495

 
6,599

 
9,872

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer related derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Swaps receive fixed
8,624,004

 
7,927,522

 
300,848

 
213,415

 
1,194

 
4,343

Swaps pay fixed
8,749,748

 
7,944,247

 
3,306

 
13,361

 
267,923

 
186,732

Other
2,983,761

 
1,670,696

 
44,899

 
62,464

 
43,931

 
61,880

Total customer related derivatives
20,357,513

 
17,542,465

 
349,053

 
289,240

 
313,048

 
252,955

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other derivative activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
2,136,160

 
1,152,125

 
29,413

 
20,033

 
28,743

 
17,390

Interest rate swap agreements
2,833,000

 
3,231,000

 

 
535

 
12,743

 
12,743

Interest rate cap agreements
9,211,000

 
7,541,385

 
24,451

 
49,762

 

 

Options for interest rate cap agreements
9,211,000

 
7,541,385

 

 

 
24,462

 
49,806

Other
822,534

 
646,321

 
8,635

 
6,543

 
11,931

 
9,914

Total
$
45,736,789

 
$
38,615,451

 
$
420,716

 
$
376,608

 
$
397,526

 
$
352,680



51



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 11. DERIVATIVES (continued)

SCUSA is the holder of a warrant that gives it the right, if certain vesting conditions are satisfied, to purchase additional shares in a company in which it has a cost method investment. This warrant was issued in 2012 and is carried at its estimated fair value of zero at September 30, 2015.

Gains (Losses) on All Derivatives

The following Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations line items were impacted by the Company’s derivative activities for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively:

 
 
 
 
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
Derivative Activity
 
Accounts
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Fair value hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cross-currency swaps
 
Miscellaneous income
 
immaterial

 
immaterial

 
$
110

 
$
774

Interest rate swaps
 
Miscellaneous income
 
(3,985
)
 
1,731

 
(5,437
)
 
978

Cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Pay fixed-receive variable interest
rate swaps
 
Net interest income
 
(1,775
)
 
(13,469
)
 
(9,957
)
 
(40,936
)
Other derivative activities:
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Forward commitments to sell loans
 
Mortgage banking income
 
(10,711
)
 
2,490

 
(1,776
)
 
(2,762
)
Interest rate lock commitments
 
Mortgage banking income
 
3,595

 
(2,027
)
 
2,417

 
1,518

Mortgage servicing
 
Mortgage banking income
 
11,736

 
1,032

 
1,302

 
(4,100
)
Customer related derivatives
 
Miscellaneous income
 
(1,251
)
 
3,280

 
(179
)
 
6,941

Foreign exchange
 
Miscellaneous income
 
(109
)
 
1,794

 
(1,973
)
 
1,302

SCUSA derivatives
 
Miscellaneous income
 
(3,746
)
 
9,130

 
711

 
27,269

 
Net interest income
 
21,093

 
(971
)
 
58,453

 
(4,951
)
Other
 
Miscellaneous income
 
(1,649
)
 
580

 
(2,107
)
 
(729
)

Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

The Company enters into legally enforceable master netting agreements, which reduce risk by permitting netting of transactions with the same counterparty on the occurrence of certain events. A master netting agreement allows two counterparties the ability to net-settle amounts under all contracts, including any related collateral posted, through a single payment and in a single currency. The right to offset and certain terms regarding the collateral process, such as valuation, credit events and settlement, are contained in the ISDA master agreement. The Company's financial instruments, including resell and repurchase agreements, securities lending arrangements, derivatives and cash collateral, may be eligible for offset on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

52



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 11. DERIVATIVES (continued)

Information about financial assets and liabilities that are eligible for offset on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, is presented in the following tables:

 
 
Offsetting of Financial Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
Financial Instruments
 
Cash Collateral Received
 
Net Amount
 
 
(in thousands)
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value hedges
 
$
3,708

 
$

 
$
3,708

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,708

Cash flow hedges
 

 

 

 

 

 

Other derivative activities(1)
 
415,236

 
9,015

 
406,221

 
8,027

 
45,306

 
352,888

Total derivatives subject to a master netting arrangement or similar arrangement
 
418,944

 
9,015

 
409,929

 
8,027

 
45,306

 
356,596

Total derivatives not subject to a master netting arrangement or similar arrangement(2)
 
5,480

 

 
5,480

 

 

 
5,480

Total Derivative Assets
 
$
424,424

 
$
9,015

 
$
415,409

 
$
8,027

 
$
45,306

 
$
362,076

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Financial Assets
 
$
424,424

 
$
9,015

 
$
415,409

 
$
8,027

 
$
45,306

 
$
362,076

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value hedges
 
$
2,943

 
$

 
$
2,943

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,943

Cash flow hedges
 
7,619

 

 
7,619

 

 

 
7,619

Other derivative activities(1)
 
373,545

 
21,109

 
352,436

 
10,020

 
5,940

 
336,476

Total derivatives subject to a master netting arrangement or similar arrangement
 
384,107

 
21,109

 
362,998

 
10,020

 
5,940

 
347,038

Total derivatives not subject to a master netting arrangement or similar arrangement(2)
 
3,063

 

 
3,063

 

 

 
3,063

Total Derivative Assets
 
$
387,170

 
$
21,109

 
$
366,061

 
$
10,020

 
$
5,940

 
$
350,101

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Financial Assets
 
$
387,170

 
$
21,109

 
$
366,061

 
$
10,020

 
$
5,940

 
$
350,101


(1)
Includes customer-related and other derivatives
(2)
Includes mortgage banking derivatives

53



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 11. DERIVATIVES (continued)

 
 
Offsetting of Financial Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
Financial Instruments
 
Cash Collateral Pledged
 
Net Amount
 
 
(in thousands)
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value hedges
 
$
6,445

 
$

 
$
6,445

 
$
114

 
$
12,703

 
$
(6,372
)
Cash flow hedges
 
71,178

 
39,108

 
32,070

 

 
40,329

 
(8,259
)
Other derivative activities(1)
 
397,158

 
134,386

 
262,772

 
8,016

 
187,454

 
67,302

Total derivatives subject to a master netting arrangement or similar arrangement
 
474,781

 
173,494

 
301,287

 
8,130

 
240,486

 
52,671

Total derivatives not subject to a master netting arrangement or similar arrangement(2)
 
368

 

 
368

 

 

 
368

Total Derivative Liabilities
 
$
475,149

 
$
173,494

 
$
301,655

 
$
8,130

 
$
240,486

 
$
53,039

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Financial Liabilities
 
$
475,149

 
$
173,494

 
$
301,655

 
$
8,130

 
$
240,486

 
$
53,039

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value hedges
 
$
1,759

 
$

 
$
1,759

 
$
65

 
$
5,589

 
$
(3,895
)
Cash flow hedges
 
20,552

 

 
20,552

 
7,341

 
16,797

 
(3,586
)
Other derivative activities(1)
 
350,863

 
21,109

 
329,754

 
49,318

 
198,103

 
82,333

Total derivatives subject to a master netting arrangement or similar arrangement
 
373,174

 
21,109

 
352,065

 
56,724

 
220,489

 
74,852

Total derivatives not subject to a master netting arrangement or similar arrangement(2)
 
1,817

 

 
1,817

 

 
1,736

 
81

Total Derivative Liabilities
 
$
374,991

 
$
21,109

 
$
353,882

 
$
56,724

 
$
222,225

 
$
74,933

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Financial Liabilities
 
$
374,991

 
$
21,109

 
$
353,882

 
$
56,724

 
$
222,225

 
$
74,933


(1)
Includes customer-related and other derivatives
(2)
Includes mortgage banking derivatives


NOTE 12. INCOME TAXES

Income tax provisions of $241.8 million and $474.7 million were recorded for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $36.1 million and $1.3 billion for the corresponding periods in 2014. This resulted in effective tax rates of 57.0% and 40.3% for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to 12.2% and 34.2% for the corresponding periods in 2014. The higher tax rate for the three-month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to a discrete tax expense recognized during the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 to increase the reserve for income taxes related to a dispute with the United States on two financing transactions and a discrete tax benefit recognized during the corresponding period in 2014 for a tax filing position on a debt redemption.





54



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 12. INCOME TAXES (continued)

The Company is subject to the income tax laws of the U.S., its states and municipalities and certain foreign countries. These tax laws are complex and are potentially subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and the relevant governmental taxing authorities. In establishing a provision for income tax expense, the Company must make judgments and interpretations about the application of these inherently complex tax laws.

The Company has a lawsuit pending against the United States in Federal District Court in Massachusetts relating to the proper tax consequences of two financing transactions with an international bank through which the Company borrowed $1.2 billion. As a result of these financing transactions, the Company paid foreign taxes of $264.0 million during the years 2003 through 2007 and claimed a corresponding foreign tax credit for foreign taxes paid during those years, which the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") disallowed. The IRS also disallowed the Company's deductions for interest expense and transaction costs, totaling $74.6 million in tax liability, and assessed penalties and interest totaling approximately $92.5 million. The Company has paid the taxes, penalties and interest associated with the IRS adjustments for all tax years, and the lawsuit will determine whether it is entitled to a refund all or any portion of the amounts paid. The Company has recorded a receivable in the Other assets line of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for the amount of these payments, less a tax reserve of $230.1 million, as of September 30, 2015.

On October 17, 2013, the Court issued a written opinion in favor of the Company relating to a motion for partial summary judgment on a significant issue in the case. The Company subsequently filed a motion for summary judgment requesting the Court to resolve the case in its entirety and enter a final judgment in the borrower's favor and awarding the Company a refund of all amounts paid to the IRS. In response, the IRS filed a motion opposing the Company's motion, and filed a cross-motion for summary judgment requesting that the Court enter a final judgment in the IRS's favor. The Company anticipates the Court will make a determination as to whether further proceedings are required at the District Court level to resolve any remaining legal or factual issues, which could affect the Company's entitlement to some or all of the refund. The Company expects the IRS to appeal any decision in favor of the Company, and the Company may appeal any decision in the IRS's favor.

In 2013, two different federal courts decided cases involving similar financing structures entered into by the Bank of New York Mellon Corp. ("BNY Mellon") and BB&T Corp. ("BB&T") in favor of the IRS. BNY Mellon and BB&T each appealed. On May 14, 2015, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit decided BB&T's appeal by affirming the trial court's decision to disallow BB&T's foreign tax credits and to allow penalties, but reversed the trial court and allowed BB&T's entitlement to interest deductions. On September 9, 2015, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld the trial court's decision in BNY Mellon's case, allowing BNY Mellon to claim interest deductions, but disallowing BNY Mellon's claimed foreign tax credits. On September 29, 2015, BB&T filed a petition requesting the U.S. Supreme Court to hear its appeal of the Federal Circuit Court’s decision. BNY Mellon filed a petition requesting the U.S. Supreme Court hear its appeal of the Second Circuit’s decision on November 3, 2015. 

While the Company remains confident in the legal merits of its position, the Company increased its reserve position as of September 30, 2015 by $104.2 million, and believes its reserve amount adequately provides for potential exposure to the IRS related to these items. Over the next 12 months, it is reasonably possible that changes in the reserve for uncertain tax positions could range from a decrease of $230.1 million to an increase of $201.9 million.

The IRS concluded the exam of the Company’s 2006 and 2007 tax returns in 2011. In addition to the adjustments for items related to the financing transactions discussed above, the IRS proposed to recharacterize ordinary losses related to the sale of certain assets as capital losses. The Company paid the tax assessment resulting from this recharacterization, and contested the adjustment through the administrative appeals process. IRS administrative appeals determined that the Company properly characterized the loss as an ordinary loss. The Company has received a refund of all taxes paid associated with this issue (for which a benefit had already been recognized), and the Company is not subject to any further exposure.

With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal, state and non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2003.


55



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 13. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS)
The following table presents the components of accumulated other comprehensive income/ (loss), net of related tax, for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.


Total Other
Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

Total Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2015

June 30, 2015



September 30, 2015

Pretax
Activity

Tax
Effect

Net Activity

Beginning
Balance

Net
Activity

Ending
Balance

(in thousands)
Change in accumulated gains/(losses) on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments
$
(45,805
)

$
16,975


$
(28,830
)

 

 

 
Reclassification adjustment for net gains/(losses) on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments (1)
1,774


(657
)

1,117


 

 

 
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments
(44,031
)

16,318


(27,713
)

$
(22,161
)

$
(27,713
)

$
(49,874
)















Change in unrealized gains/(losses) on investment securities available-for-sale
135,217


(52,711
)

82,506


 

 

 
Reclassification adjustment for net gains/(losses) included in net income on non-OTTI securities (2)
1,993


(777
)

1,216







Reclassification adjustment for net gains/(losses) included in net income on OTTI securities (3)











Net unrealized gains/(losses) on investment securities available-for-sale
137,210


(53,488
)

83,722


(74,758
)

83,722


8,964



















Pension and post-retirement actuarial gain/(loss) (3)
1,018


(398
)

620


(28,583
)

620


(27,963
)


















As of September 30, 2015
$
94,197


$
(37,568
)

$
56,629


$
(125,502
)

$
56,629


$
(68,873
)
(1) Net losses reclassified into Interest on borrowings and other debt obligations in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for settlements of interest rate swap contracts designated as cash flow hedges.
(2) Net gains reclassified into Net gain on sale of investment securities sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the sale of available-for-sale securities.
(3) Included in the computation of net periodic pension costs.


56



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 13. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS) (continued)

 
Total Other
Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
 
Total Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
 
For the Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 

 
September 30, 2015
 
Pretax
Activity
 
Tax
Effect
 
Net Activity
 
Beginning
Balance
 
Net
Activity
 
Ending
Balance
 
(in thousands)
Change in accumulated gains/(losses) on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments
$
(67,051
)
 
$
25,226

 
$
(41,825
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment for net gains/(losses) on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments (1)
9,957

 
(3,746
)
 
6,211

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments
(57,094
)
 
21,480

 
(35,614
)
 
$
(14,260
)
 
$
(35,614
)
 
$
(49,874
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) on investment securities available-for-sale
121,737

 
(48,564
)
 
73,173

 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment for net gains/(losses) included in net income on non-OTTI securities (2)
(18,363
)
 
7,325

 
(11,038
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income/(expense) on OTTI securities (3)
(1,092
)
 
436

 
(656
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on investment securities available-for-sale
102,282

 
(40,803
)
 
61,479

 
(52,515
)
 
61,479

 
8,964

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and post-retirement actuarial gain/(loss) (3)
3,054

 
(1,382
)
 
1,672

 
(29,635
)
 
1,672

 
(27,963
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of September 30, 2015
$
48,242


$
(20,705
)

$
27,537


$
(96,410
)

$
27,537


$
(68,873
)
(1) Net losses reclassified into Interest on borrowings and other debt obligations in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for settlements of interest rate swap contracts designated as cash flow hedges.
(2) Net gains reclassified into Net gain on sale of investment securities sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the sale of available-for-sale securities.
(3) Included in the computation of net periodic pension costs.


57



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 13. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS) (continued)

 
Total Other
Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
 
Total Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
 
Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2014
 
June 30, 2014
 
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
Pretax
Activity
 
Tax
Effect
 
Net Activity
 
Beginning
Balance
 
Net
Activity
 
Ending
Balance
 
(in thousands)
Change in accumulated gains/(losses) on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments
$
13,667

 
$
(5,018
)
 
$
8,649

 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment for net gain/(losses) on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments (1)
13,797

 
(5,065
)
 
8,732

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments
27,464

 
(10,083
)
 
17,381

 
$
(32,782
)
 
$
17,381

 
$
(15,401
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) on investment securities available-for-sale
(28,911
)
 
11,294

 
(17,617
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income on non-OTTI securities(2)
(131
)
 
51

 
(80
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on investment securities available-for-sale
(29,042
)
 
11,345

 
(17,697
)
 
(70,404
)
 
(17,697
)
 
(88,101
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and post-retirement actuarial gain/(loss)(3)
447

 
(175
)
 
272

 
(14,718
)
 
272

 
(14,446
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of September 30, 2014
$
(1,131
)
 
$
1,087

 
$
(44
)
 
$
(117,904
)
 
$
(44
)
 
$
(117,948
)
(1) Net losses reclassified into Interest on borrowings and other debt obligations in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for settlements of interest rate swap contracts designated as cash flow hedges.
(2) Net gains reclassified into Net gain on sale of investment securities sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the sale of available-for-sale securities.
(3) Included in the computation of net periodic pension costs.


58



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 13. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS) (continued)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Other
Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
 
Total Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
 
Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
Pretax
Activity
 
Tax
Effect
 
Net Activity
 
Beginning
Balance
 
Net
Activity
 
Ending
Balance
 
(in thousands)
Change in accumulated gains/(losses) on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments
$
(3,453
)
 
$
1,259

 
$
(2,194
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment for net gains/(losses) on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments (1)
41,264

 
(15,048
)
 
26,216

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedge derivative financial instruments
37,811

 
(13,789
)
 
24,022

 
$
(39,423
)
 
$
24,022

 
$
(15,401
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) on investment securities available-for-sale
2,623,062

 
(1,028,228
)
 
1,594,834

 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income/(expense) on non-OTTI securities(2)
(2,440,019
)
 
956,476

 
(1,483,543
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on investment securities available-for-sale
183,043

 
(71,752
)
 
111,291

 
(199,392
)
 
111,291

 
(88,101
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and post-retirement actuarial gain/(loss)(3)
1,341

 
(234
)
 
1,107

 
(15,553
)
 
1,107

 
(14,446
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of September 30, 2014
$
222,195

 
$
(85,775
)
 
$
136,420

 
$
(254,368
)
 
$
136,420

 
$
(117,948
)
(1) Net losses reclassified into Interest on borrowings and other debt obligations in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for settlements of interest rate swap contracts designated as cash flow hedges.
(2) Net gains reclassified into Net gain on sale of investment securities sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the sale of available-for-sale securities.
(3) Included in the computation of net periodic pension costs.
 
 
NOTE 14. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES
 
Off-Balance Sheet Risk - Financial Instruments
 
In the normal course of business, the Company utilizes a variety of financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers and manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, letters of credit, loans sold with recourse, forward contracts, and interest rate and cross currency swaps, caps and floors. These financial instruments may involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, liquidity, and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The contractual or notional amounts of these financial instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments.
 
The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit, letters of credit and loans sold with recourse is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. For forward contracts and interest rate swaps, caps and floors, the contract or notional amounts do not represent exposure to credit loss. The Company controls the credit risk of its forward contracts and interest rate swaps, caps and floors through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures. See Note 11 to these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of all derivative contract commitments.

59



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 14. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES (continued)
 
The following table details the amount of commitments at the dates indicated:
Other Commitments
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
(in thousands)
Commitments to extend credit
 
$
30,570,879

 
$
28,792,062

Unsecured revolving lines of credit
 

 
5

Letters of credit
 
1,890,547

 
1,789,666

Recourse and credit enhancement exposure on sold loans
 
71,845

 
174,902

Commitments to sell loans
 
60,921

 
82,791

Total commitments
 
$
32,594,192

 
$
30,839,426

 
Commitments to Extend Credit
 
Commitments to extend credit generally have fixed expiration dates, are variable rate, and contain provisions that permit the Company to terminate or otherwise renegotiate the contracts in the event of a significant deterioration in the customer’s credit quality. These arrangements normally require payment of a fee by the customer, the pricing of which is based on prevailing market conditions, credit quality, probability of funding, and other relevant factors. Since many of these commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the contract amounts are not necessarily indicative of future cash requirements.
 
The following table details the amount of commitments to extend credit expiring per period as of the dates indicated:

 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
(in thousands)
One year or less
 
$
5,563,216

 
$
5,968,468

Over 1 year to 3 years
 
5,626,208

 
5,322,291

Over 3 years to 5 years
 
12,254,421

 
10,810,213

Over 5 years (1)
 
7,127,034

 
6,691,090

Total
 
$
30,570,879

 
$
28,792,062

(1) Includes certain commitments to extend credit that do not have a contractual maturity date, but are expected to be outstanding greater than 5 years.
 
Unsecured Revolving Lines of Credit
 
Such commitments arise primarily from agreements with customers for unused lines of credit on unsecured revolving accounts and credit cards, provided there is no violation of conditions in the underlying agreement. These commitments, substantially all of which the Company can terminate at any time and which do not necessarily represent future cash requirements, are periodically reviewed based on account usage, customer creditworthiness and loan qualifications.
 
Letters of Credit
 
The Company’s letters of credit meet the definition of a guarantee. Letters of credit commit the Company to make payments on behalf of its customers if specified future events occur. The guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. The weighted average term of these commitments is 14.8 months. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. In the event of a draw by the beneficiary that complies with the terms of the letters of credit, the Company would be required to honor the commitment. The Company has various forms of collateral for these letters of credit, including real estate assets and other customer business assets. The maximum undiscounted exposure related to these commitments at September 30, 2015 was $1.9 billion. The fees related to letters of credit are deferred and amortized over the lives of the commitments and were immaterial to the Company’s financial statements at September 30, 2015. Management believes that the utilization rate of these letters of credit will continue to be substantially less than the amount of the commitments, as has been the Company’s experience to date. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the liability related to these letters of credit was $34.7 million and $73.9 million, respectively, which is recorded within the reserve for unfunded lending commitments in Other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The credit risk associated with letters of credit is monitored using the same risk rating system utilized within the loan and financing lease portfolio. Also included within the reserve for unfunded lending commitments at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were lines of credit outstanding of $102.9 million and $58.8 million, respectively.

60



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 14. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES (continued)

The following table details the amount of letters of credit expiring per period as of the dates indicated:
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
(in thousands)
One year or less
 
$
1,312,652

 
$
1,250,124

Over 1 year to 3 years
 
246,126

 
285,108

Over 3 years to 5 years
 
310,476

 
248,209

Over 5 years
 
21,293

 
6,225

Total
 
$
1,890,547

 
$
1,789,666


Loans Sold with Recourse

The Company has loans sold with recourse that meet the definition of a guarantee. For loans sold with recourse under the terms of its multi-family sales program with FNMA, the Company retained a portion of the associated credit risk. The unpaid principal balance outstanding of loans sold in these programs was $589.7 million as of September 30, 2015 and $2.6 billion as of December 31, 2014. As a result of its agreement with FNMA, the Company retained a 100% first loss position on each multi-family loan sold to FNMA until the earlier to occur of (i) the aggregate approved losses on multi-family loans sold to FNMA reaching the maximum loss exposure for the portfolio as a whole of $34.4 million as of September 30, 2015 and $152.8 million as of December 31, 2014, or (ii) all of the loans sold to FNMA under this program are being fully paid off. Any losses sustained as a result of impediments in standard representations and warranties would be in addition to the maximum loss exposure.

The Company has established a liability which represents the fair value of the retained credit exposure and the amount the Company estimates it would have to pay a third party to assume the retained recourse obligation. The estimated liability is calculated as the present value of losses that the portfolio is projected to incur based upon internal specific information and an industry-based default curve with a range of estimated losses. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had $8.1 million and $40.7 million, respectively, of reserves classified in accrued expenses and payables on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets related to the fair value of the retained credit exposure for loans sold to FNMA under this program. The Company's commitment will expire in March 2039 based on the maturity of the loans sold with recourse. Losses sustained by the Company may be offset, or partially offset, by proceeds resulting from the disposition of the underlying mortgaged properties. Approval from FNMA is required for all transactions related to the liquidation of properties underlying the mortgages.

Additionally, during the period from 1999 to 2002, residential mortgage loans were sold with recourse and credit enhancement features to FNMA and FHLMC. The remaining unpaid principal balance of these loans was $54.5 million and $55.8 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and the remaining maximum amount of credit exposure on these loans was $20.1 million and $22.1 million for the same periods. The Company has posted collateral in the amount of $0.9 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 to be utilized for any losses incurred related to these loans.

Commitments to Sell Loans

The Company enters into forward contracts relating to its mortgage banking business to hedge the exposures from commitments to make new residential mortgage loans with existing customers and from mortgage loans classified as LHFS. These contracts mature in less than one year.


61



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 14. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES (continued)
 
Representation and Warranty Liability
 
In the ordinary course of business, the Company sells residential loans on a non-recourse basis to certain government-sponsored entities ("GSEs") and private investors. In connection with these sales, the Company has entered into agreements containing various representations and warranties about, among other things, the ownership of the loans, the validity of the liens securing the loans, the loans' compliance with any applicable loan criteria established by the GSEs and the private investors, including underwriting standards and the ongoing existence of mortgage insurance, the absence of delinquent taxes or liens against the property securing the loans and the loans' compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Breaches of these representations and warranties may require the Company to repurchase the mortgage loan, or if the loan has been foreclosed, the underlying collateral, or otherwise make whole or provide other remedies to the GSEs and the private investors. The repurchase liability is recorded within Accrued expenses and payables on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, and the related income statement activity is recorded in Mortgage banking income, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
 
Management believes the Company's repurchase reserve appropriately reflects the estimated probable losses on repurchase claims for all loans sold and outstanding as of September 30, 2015. In making these estimates, the Company considers the losses it expects to incur over the lives of the loans sold. The table below represents the activity in the representation and warranty reserve for the dates indicated.
 
 
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in thousands)
Beginning Balance
 
$
23,008

 
$
40,862

 
$
24,266

 
$
54,836

Changes in Estimate
 
655

 
10,894

 
935

 
3,315

Claims
 
(429
)
 
(794
)
 
(1,967
)
 
(7,189
)
Ending Balance
 
$
23,234

 
$
50,962

 
$
23,234

 
$
50,962


SCUSA Commitments
 
SCUSA is obligated to make purchase price hold-back payments to a third party originator of loans that it purchases on a periodic basis, when losses are lower than originally expected. SCUSA also is obligated to make total return settlement payments to this third-party originator in 2016 and 2017 if returns on the purchased pools are greater than originally expected.
 
SCUSA has extended revolving lines of credit to certain auto dealers. Under this arrangement, SCUSA is committed to lend up to each dealer's established credit limit.
 
Under terms of agreements with a peer-to-peer personal lending platform company, SCUSA was committed as of September 30, 2015 to purchase at least the lesser of $30.0 million per month or 50% of the lending platform company’s near-prime originations thereafter through July 2017. This commitment can be reduced or canceled with 90 days notice. On October 9, 2015, SCUSA sent a notice of termination to the lending platform company.
 

62



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 14. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES (continued)

SCUSA committed to purchase certain new advances on personal revolving financings originated by a third party retailer, along with existing balances on accounts with new advances, for an initial term ending in April 2020 and renewing through April 2022 at the retailer's option. Each customer account generated under the agreements generally is approved with a credit limit higher than the amount of the initial purchase, with each subsequent purchase automatically approved as long as it does not cause the account to exceed its limit and the customer is in good standing. As these credit lines do not have a specified maturity, but rather can be terminated at any time in the event of adverse credit changes or lack of use, SCUSA has not recorded an allowance for unfunded commitments. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, SCUSA was obligated to purchase $15.7 million and $7.7 million, respectively, in receivables that had been originated by the retailer but not yet purchased by SCUSA. SCUSA also is required to make a profit-sharing payment to the retailer each month if performance exceeds a specified return threshold. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, SCUSA and the third-party retailer executed an amendment that, among other provisions, increases the profit-sharing percentage retained by SCUSA, gives the retailer the right to repurchase up to 9.99% of the existing portfolio at any time during the term of the agreement, and, provided that repurchase right is exercised, gives the retailer the right to retain up to 20% of new accounts subsequently originated.

Under terms of an application transfer agreement with an original equipment manufacturer ("OEM"), SCUSA has the first opportunity to review for its own portfolio any credit applications turned down by the OEM's captive finance company. The agreement does not require SCUSA to originate any loans, but for each loan originated SCUSA will pay the OEM a referral fee, comprised of a volume bonus fee and a loss betterment bonus fee. The loss betterment bonus fee will be calculated annually and is based on the amount by which losses on loans originated under the agreement are lower than an established percentage threshold.

In connection with the sale of retail installment contracts through securitizations and other sales, SCUSA has made standard representations and warranties customary to the consumer finance industry. Violations of these representations and warranties may require SCUSA to repurchase loans previously sold to on- or off-balance sheet trusts or other third parties. As of September 30, 2015, SCUSA had no repurchase requests outstanding. In the opinion of SCUSA management, the potential exposure of other recourse obligations related to SCUSA’s retail installment contract sales agreements will not have a material adverse effect on SCUSA’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Santander has provided guarantees on the covenants, agreements, and obligations of SCUSA under the governing documents of its warehouse facilities and privately issued amortizing notes. These guarantees are limited to the obligations of SCUSA as servicer.

Under terms of the agreement with Chrysler, SCUSA must make revenue sharing payments to Chrysler and also must make gain-sharing payments when residual gains on leased vehicles exceed a specified threshold.

SCUSA has a flow agreement with Bank of America under which SCUSA is committed to sell up to a specified amount of eligible loans to the Bank of America each month through May 2018. Prior to October 1, 2015, the amount of this monthly commitment was $300 million. On October 1, 2015, SCUSA and Bank of America amended the flow agreement to increase the maximum commitment to sell to $350 million of eligible loans each month, and to change the required written notice period from either party, in the event of termination of the agreement, from 120 days to 90 days. SCUSA retains servicing on all sold loans and may receive or pay a servicer performance payment based on an agreed-upon formula if performance on the sold loans is better or worse, respectively, than expected performance at the time of sale.

SCUSA has sold loans to Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania ("CBP") under terms of a flow agreement and predecessor sale agreements. SCUSA retains servicing on the sold loans and will owe CBP a loss-sharing payment capped at 0.5% of the original pool balance if losses exceed a specified threshold, established on a pool-by-pool basis. On June 25, 2015, SCUSA executed an amendment to the servicing agreement with CBP which increased the servicing fee SCUSA receives. SCUSA and CBP also amended the flow agreement which reduced, effective from and after August 1, 2015, CBP's committed purchases of Chrysler Capital prime loans from a maximum of $600 million and a minimum of $250 million per quarter to a maximum of $200 million and a minimum of $50 million per quarter, as may be adjusted according to the agreement.

In connection with the bulk sale of Chrysler Capital leases, SCUSA is obligated to make quarterly payments to the purchaser sharing residual losses for lease terminations with losses over a specific percentage threshold. The estimated guarantee liability was $3.9 million as of September 30, 2015.

63



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 14. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES (continued)

On March 31, 2015, SCUSA executed a forward flow asset sale agreement with a third party under the terms of which SCUSA is committed to sell charged-off loan receivables in bankruptcy status on a quarterly basis until sales total at least $200 million in proceeds. SCUSA and the third party executed an amendment to the forward flow asset sale agreement on June 29, 2015 which increased the committed sales of charged-off loan receivables in bankruptcy status to $275 million, and another amendment on September 29, 2015 requiring sales to occur quarterly. Prior to the most recent amendment there was no requirement on the timing of sales. As of September 30, 2015, the remaining commitment was $203.4 million.

Periodically, SCUSA is party to or otherwise involved in various lawsuits and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. On August 26, 2014, a putative securities class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York (the "Steck Lawsuit"). On October 6, 2014, another putative securities class action lawsuit was filed in the District Court of Dallas County, Texas and was subsequently removed to the United States District Court, Northern District of Texas. Both lawsuits were filed against SCUSA, certain current and former directors and executive officers of SCUSA and certain institutions that served as underwriters in the IPO. Each lawsuit was brought by a purported stockholder of SCUSA seeking to represent a class consisting of all those who purchased or otherwise acquired securities pursuant and/or traceable to SCUSA's Registration Statement and Prospectus issued in connection with the IPO. Each complaint alleges that the Registration Statement and Prospectus contained misleading statements concerning SCUSA’s auto lending business and underwriting practices. Each lawsuit asserts claims under Section 11 and Section 15 of the Securities Act and seeks damages and other relief. In February 2015, the putative class action lawsuit pending in the United States District Court, Northern District of Texas, was voluntarily dismissed without prejudice. In June 2015, the Steck Lawsuit venue was transferred from the Southern District of New York to the Northern District of Texas. On October 15, 2015, a shareholder derivative complaint was filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, captioned Feldman v. Jason A. Kulas, et al., C.A. No. 11614. The lawsuit names as defendants current and former members of SCUSA’s board of directors, and names SCUSA as a nominal defendant. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the current and former director defendants breached their fiduciary duties in connection with overseeing SCUSA’s subprime auto lending practices, resulting in harm to SCUSA. The complaint seeks unspecified damages and equitable relief.

Further, SCUSA is party to or are otherwise involved periodically in reviews, investigations, proceedings (both formal and informal), and information-gathering requests, by government and self-regulatory agencies, including the Federal Reserve, the CFPB, the Department of Justice (the "DOJ"), the SEC, the Federal Trade Commission and various state regulatory agencies. Currently, such proceedings include a civil subpoena from the DOJ under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 requesting the production of documents and communications that, among other things, relate to the underwriting and securitization of nonprime auto loans since 2007. Additionally, on October 28, 2014, SCUSA received a preservation letter and request for documents from the SEC requesting the preservation and production of documents and communications that, among other things, relate to the underwriting and securitization of auto loans since January 1, 2011. SCUSA also has received civil subpoenas from various state attorneys general requesting similar documents and communications. SCUSA is complying with these requests for information and document preservation.

On February 25, 2015, SCUSA entered into a consent order with the DOJ, approved by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, which resolves the DOJ's claims against SCUSA that certain of its repossession and collection activities during the period of time between January 2008 and February 2013 violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The consent requires SCUSA to pay a civil fine in the amount of 55 thousand, as well as at least $9.4 million to affected service members consisting of ten thousand dollars plus compensation for any lost equity (with interest) for each repossession by SCUSA and five thousand dollars for each instance where SCUSA sought to collect repossession-related fees on accounts where a repossession was conducted by a prior account holder, as well as requires SCUSA to undertake additional remedial measures.

On July 31, 2015, the CFPB notified SCUSA that it had referred to the DOJ certain alleged violations by SCUSA of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act ("ECOA") regarding (i) statistical disparities in markups charged by automobile dealers to protected groups on loans originated by those dealers and purchased by SCUSA and (ii) the treatment of certain types of income in SCUSA's underwriting process. On September 25, 2015, SCUSA the DOJ notified SCUSA that it has initiated, based on the referral from the CFPB, an investigation under the ECOA of SCUSA's pricing of automobile loans.

SHUSA does not believe that there are any proceedings, threatened or pending, that, if determined adversely, would have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity of SCUSA.

64



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 14. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES (continued)
 
On July 2, 2015, SCUSA announced the departure of Thomas G. Dundon from his roles as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of SCUSA, effective as of the close of business on July 2, 2015. In connection with Mr. Dundon's, and subject to the terms and conditions of his Employment Agreement, including Mr. Dundon's execution of a release of claims against SCUSA, Mr. Dundon became entitled to receive certain payments and benefits under his Employment Agreement. The Separation Agreement also provided for the modification of terms of certain equity based awards. Certain of the payments, agreements to make payments and benefits may be effective only upon receipt of certain required regulatory approvals.

During the three months ended September 30, 2015, SCUSA recognized $12.3 million in severance-related expenses, and $9.9 million in stock compensation expense in connection with Mr. Dundon’s departure and the terms of the Separation Agreement. As of September 30, 2015, SCUSA had recorded a liability for $115.1 million in contemplation of the payments and benefits due under the terms of the Separation Agreement. Mr. Dundon will continue to serve as a Director of SCUSA's Board, and will serve as a consultant to SCUSA for twelve months from the date of the Separation Agreement at a mutually agreed rate, subject to required bank regulatory approvals. As of September 30, 2015, SCUSA has not made any payments to Mr. Dundon arising from or pursuant to the terms of the Separation Agreement.

Other Off-Balance Sheet Risk
 
Other off-balance sheet risk stems from financial instruments that do not meet the definition of guarantees under applicable accounting guidance, and from other relationships which include items such as indemnifications provided in the ordinary course of business and intercompany guarantees.
 
Litigation
 
In the ordinary course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries are routinely parties to pending and threatened legal actions and proceedings, including class action claims. These actions and proceedings are generally based on alleged violations of consumer protection, securities, environmental, banking, employment and other laws. In some of these actions and proceedings, claims for substantial monetary damages are asserted against the Company and its subsidiaries. In the ordinary course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries are also subject to regulatory examinations, inspections, information-gathering requests, inquiries and investigations, including by the Federal Reserve, the OCC, the CFPB, the FDIC, the DOJ, the SEC, states attorney's general and other governmental and regulatory authorities.
 
In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of such litigation and regulatory matters, particularly where the claimants seek very large or indeterminate damages or where the matters present novel legal theories or involve a large number of parties, the Company generally cannot predict the eventual outcome of the pending matters, the timing of the ultimate resolution of the matters, or the eventual loss, fines or penalties related to the matter. The Company does not presently anticipate that the ultimate aggregate liability, if any, arising out of such other legal proceedings will have a material effect on its financial position.
 
In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes an accrued liability for litigation and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. In such cases, there may be an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. When a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish an accrued liability. As a litigation, enforcement, or regulatory matter develops, the Company in conjunction with any outside counsel handling the matter, evaluates on an ongoing basis whether the matter presents a loss contingency that is probable and estimable, during which quarter an accrued liability is established with respect to such loss contingency. The Company continues to monitor the matter for further developments that could affect the amount of the accrued liability previously established. For certain of the Company's legal matters, the Company is able to estimate a range of reasonably possible losses. For other matters for which some loss is probable or reasonably possible, such an estimate is not possible. While the outcome of legal proceedings is inherently uncertain, based on information currently available, advice of counsel and available insurance coverage, management believes that the established legal reserves at September 30, 2015 are adequate and the liabilities arising from legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, consolidated results of operations or consolidated cash flows. However, in the event of unexpected future developments, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of these matters, if unfavorable, may be material to the consolidated financial position, consolidated results of operations or consolidated cash flows of the Company.
 

65



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 14. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES (continued)

The regulatory matters for which it is reasonably possible that the Company will incur a significant loss are described below. The Company may include in some of the descriptions of individual disclosed matters certain quantitative information related to the plaintiff's claim against the Company as alleged in the plaintiff's pleadings or other public filings or otherwise based on publicly available information. While information of this type may provide insight into the potential magnitude of a matter, it does not necessarily represent the Company's estimate of reasonably possible loss or its judgment as to any currently appropriate accrual. Refer to Note 12 to these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosure regarding the lawsuit filed by the Company against the IRS/United States.
 
Other Regulatory and Governmental Matters
 
Foreclosure Matters
 
On May 22, 2013, the Bank received a subpoena from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York seeking information regarding claims for foreclosure expenses incurred in connection with the foreclosure of loans insured or guaranteed by the Federal Housing Agency, FNMA or FHLMC. The Bank is cooperating with the investigation; however, there can be no assurance that claims or litigation will not arise from this matter.

On April 13, 2011, the Bank and other parties signed a consent order with the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") resolving certain of the Bank's and other parties' foreclosure activities (the "OTS Order") by the Bank's previous primary federal banking regulator, the OTS, as part of an interagency horizontal review of foreclosure practices at 14 mortgage servicers. Upon its conversion to a national bank on January 26, 2012, the Bank entered into a stipulation consenting to the issuance of a consent order by the OCC, which contains the same terms as the OTS Order (the "Order").

On January 7, 2013, the Bank and nine other mortgage servicing companies subject to enforcement actions for deficient practices in mortgage loan servicing and foreclosure processing reached an agreement in principle with the OCC and the Federal Reserve to make cash payments and provide other assistance to borrowers. On February 28, 2013, the agreements were finalized with all ten mortgage servicing companies, including the Bank. Other assistance includes reductions of principal on first and second lien mortgage loans, payments to assist with short sales, deficiency balance waivers on past foreclosures and short sales, and forbearance assistance for unemployed homeowners. As of January 24, 2013, twelve other mortgage servicing companies subject to enforcement action for deficient practices in mortgage loan servicing and foreclosure processes also reached an agreement with the OCC or the Federal Reserve, as applicable.

As a result of this agreement, the participating servicers, including the Bank, ceased their independent foreclosure reviews, which involved case-by-case reviews, and replaced them with a broader framework allowing eligible borrowers to receive compensation in a more timely manner. This arrangement has not eliminated all of the Company's risks associated with foreclosures, since it does not protect the Bank from potential individual borrower claims, class actions lawsuits, actions by state attorneys general, or actions by the DOJ or other regulators. In addition, all of the other terms of the Order are still in effect.

Under the agreement, the Bank has paid $6.2 million into a remediation fund, the majority of which has been distributed to borrowers, and will engage in foreclosure avoidance activities, such as loan modifications and short sales over the next two years in an aggregate principal amount of $9.9 million. In return, the OCC waived any civil money penalties that could have been assessed against the Bank. During 2013, the Company submitted for credit from the OCC mortgage loans in the amount of $74.1 million, which represents the principal balance of mortgage loans for which the Bank completed foreclosure avoidance activities with its borrowers.

The Bank represents 0.17% of the total $9.3 billion settlement among the banks and is the smallest participant in the agreement. The total $16.1 million related to the remediation fund and mortgage modifications was fully reserved.


66



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 14. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES (continued)

On June 16, 2015, the Bank entered into a consent order amending the Order and the 2013 amendment to the Order (the “2015 Amendment”). The 2015 Amendment states that the Bank has not fully complied with the terms of the OTS Order and that nine actionable items under the OTS Order, as amended, remain. The 2015 Amendment imposes certain supervisory restrictions on the Bank’s mortgage origination and servicing business. These restrictions require the Bank to obtain prior supervisory non-objection from the OCC before engaging in certain new or broader mortgage origination and servicing activities or appointing new senior mortgage servicing officers, although the Bank may generally operate its current mortgage origination and servicing business in the ordinary course. The Bank continues its efforts to close the nine actionable items identified in the 2015 Amendment.

The 2015 Amendment confirmed that the Bank has fulfilled its obligations under the OTS Order to pay $6.2 million into the remediation fund referenced above and to engage in foreclosure avoidance activities in an aggregate principal amount of at least $9.9 million.

Identity Theft Protection Product Matter

The Bank has been in discussions to address concerns that some customers may have paid for but did not receive certain benefits of an identity theft protection product from the Bank's third-party vendor. To date, the Bank has made $37.6 million in total remediation payments to customers. On April 17, 2015, the OCC announced that it had reached an agreement with the Bank that resolved issues related to the sale and servicing of the identity theft protection product (the "Consent Order"). Pursuant to the Consent Order, the Bank has paid a civil monetary penalty of $6.0 million and agreed to remediate customers who paid for but may not have received certain benefits of the identify theft protection product. As indicated above, as of December 31, 2014, all customers were refunded amounts paid for product enrollment. The Bank is in the process of further remediating customers, in the approximate amount of $4.7 million, customers whose checking accounts may have been charged an overdraft fee or credit card accounts an over limit fee and/or finance charge as a result of the identity theft protection product fees. In reaching this Consent Order, the Bank has cooperated fully with the OCC and is working to finalize its response to comply fully with the terms of the Consent Order.

Marketing of Overdraft Coverage

On April 1, 2014, the Bank received a civil investigative demand (“CID”) from the CFPB requesting information and documents in connection with the Bank’s marketing to consumers of overdraft coverage for automatic teller machine and/or onetime debit card transactions. The Bank received a second CFPB CID related to the same overdraft coverage program on February 10, 2015. Pursuant to the terms of the CIDs, the information obtained by the CFPB will be used to determine whether the Bank is in compliance with laws administered by the CFPB. The Bank is cooperating with the investigation; however, there can be no assurance that claims or litigation will not arise from this matter.

The Company's practice is to cooperate fully with regulatory and governmental investigations, audits and other inquiries, including those described above.


NOTE 15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company has various debt agreements with Santander. For a listing of these debt agreements, see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. The Company and its affiliates also entered into or were subject to various service agreements with Santander and its affiliates. Each of these agreements was made in the ordinary course of business and on market terms. A list and description of these agreements can be found in Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

67



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 16. FAIR VALUE

General

As of September 30, 2015, $22.3 billion of the Company’s total assets consisted of financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis, including financial instruments for which the Company elected the FVO. Approximately $10.5 million of these financial instruments were measured using quoted market prices for identical instruments or Level 1 inputs. Approximately $20.1 billion of these financial instruments were measured using valuation methodologies involving market-based and market-derived information, or Level 2 inputs. Approximately $2.1 billion of these financial instruments were measured using model-based techniques, or Level 3 inputs, and represented approximately 9.6% of total assets measured at fair value and approximately 1.6% of total consolidated assets.

Fair value is defined in GAAP as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The standard focuses on the exit price in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. GAAP establishes a fair value reporting hierarchy to maximize the use of observable inputs when measuring fair value and defines the three levels of inputs as noted below:

Level 1 - Assets or liabilities for which the identical item is traded on an active exchange, such as publicly-traded instruments or futures contracts.

Level 2 - Assets and liabilities valued based on observable market data for similar instruments. Fair value is estimated using inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3 - Assets or liabilities for which significant valuation assumptions are not readily observable in the market, and instruments valued based on the best available data, some of which is internally developed and considers risk premiums that a market participant would require. Fair value is estimated using unobservable inputs that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities may include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing services, pricing models with internally developed assumptions, DCF methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value, by their nature; result in a higher degree of financial statement volatility. When available, the Company attempts to use quoted market prices or matrix pricing in active markets to determine fair value and classifies such items as Level 1 or Level 2 assets or liabilities. If quoted market prices in active markets are not available, fair value is determined using third-party broker quotes and/or DCF models incorporating various assumptions including interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit losses. Assets and liabilities valued using broker quotes and/or DCF models are classified as either Level 2 or Level 3, depending on the lowest level classification of an input that is considered significant to the overall valuation.

The Company values assets and liabilities based on the principal market on which each would be sold (in the case of assets) or transferred (in the case of liabilities). The principal market is the forum with the greatest volume and level of activity. In the absence of a principal market, the valuation is based on the most advantageous market. In the absence of observable market transactions, the Company considers liquidity valuation adjustments to reflect the uncertainty in pricing the instruments. The fair value of a financial asset is measured on a stand-alone basis and cannot be measured as a group, with the exception of certain financial instruments held and managed on a net portfolio basis. In measuring the fair value of a nonfinancial asset, the Company assumes the highest and best use of the asset by a market participant, not just the intended use, to maximize the value of the asset. The Company also considers whether any credit valuation adjustments are necessary based on the counterparty's credit quality.

Any models used to determine fair values or validate dealer quotes based on the descriptions below are subject to review and testing as part of the Company's model validation and internal control testing processes.


68



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 16. FAIR VALUE (continued)

The Bank's Market Risk Department is responsible for determining and approving the fair values of all assets and liabilities valued at fair value, including the Company's Level 3 assets and liabilities. Price validation procedures are performed and the results are reviewed for Level 3 assets and liabilities by the Market Risk Department. Price validation procedures performed for these assets and liabilities can include comparing current prices to historical pricing trends by collateral type and vintage, comparing prices by product type to indicative pricing grids published by market makers, and obtaining corroborating dealer prices for significant securities.

The Company reviews the assumptions utilized to determine fair value on a quarterly basis. Any changes in methodologies or significant inputs used in determining fair values are further reviewed to determine if a change in fair value level hierarchy has occurred. Transfers in and out of Levels 1, 2 and 3 are considered to be effective as of the end of the quarter in which they occur.

There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 for any assets or liabilities valued at fair value on a recurring basis. There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 during the three-month period ended September 30, 2014. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, the Company transferred certain of its ABS from Level 2 to Level 3 due to limited price transparency in connection with their limited trading activity.


69



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 16. FAIR VALUE (continued)

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following tables present the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis by major product category and fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
 
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Balance at
September 30, 2015
 
(in thousands)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
US Treasury securities
$

 
$
3,209,863

 
$

 
$
3,209,863

Corporate debt

 
1,563,099

 

 
1,563,099

Asset-backed securities

 
321,924

 
1,622,727

 
1,944,651

Equity securities
10,528

 

 

 
10,528

State and municipal securities

 
761,322

 

 
761,322

Mortgage backed securities

 
13,561,721

 

 
13,561,721

Total investment securities available-for-sale
10,528

 
19,417,929

 
1,622,727

 
21,051,184

Retail installment contracts held for investment

 

 
374,158

 
374,158

Loans held-for-sale

 
280,764

 

 
280,764

Mortgage servicing rights

 

 
143,535

 
143,535

Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value

 
3,708

 

 
3,708

Mortgage banking interest rate lock commitments

 

 
5,480

 
5,480

Customer related

 
349,053

 

 
349,053

Foreign exchange

 
29,413

 

 
29,413

Mortgage servicing

 
3,684

 

 
3,684

Interest rate cap agreements

 
24,451

 

 
24,451

Other

 
8,620

 
15

 
8,635

Total financial assets
$
10,528

 
$
20,117,622

 
$
2,145,915

 
$
22,274,065

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value
$

 
$
6,445

 
$

 
$
6,445

Cash flow

 
71,178

 

 
71,178

Mortgage banking forward sell commitments

 
4,200

 

 
4,200

Customer related

 
313,048

 

 
313,048

Total return swap

 

 
282

 
282

Foreign exchange

 
28,743

 

 
28,743

Mortgage servicing

 
2,399

 

 
2,399

Interest rate swaps

 
12,743

 

 
12,743

Option for interest rate cap

 
24,462

 

 
24,462

Other

 
11,513

 
136

 
11,649

Total financial liabilities
$

 
$
474,731

 
$
418

 
$
475,149


70



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 16. FAIR VALUE (continued)

 
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Balance at
December 31, 2014
 
(in thousands)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
US Treasury securities
$

 
$
1,695,767

 
$

 
$
1,695,767

Corporate debt

 
2,182,401

 

 
2,182,401

Asset-backed securities

 
1,452,760

 
1,267,643

 
2,720,403

Equity securities
10,343

 

 

 
10,343

State and municipal securities

 
1,823,462

 

 
1,823,462

Mortgage backed securities

 
7,475,702

 

 
7,475,702

Total investment securities available-for-sale
10,343

 
14,630,092

 
1,267,643

 
15,908,078

Trading securities

 
833,936

 

 
833,936

Retail installment contracts held for investment

 

 
845,911

 
845,911

Loans held-for-sale

 
213,666

 

 
213,666

Mortgage servicing rights

 

 
145,047

 
145,047

Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value

 
2,943

 

 
2,943

Cash flow

 
7,619

 

 
7,619

Mortgage banking interest rate lock commitments

 

 
3,063

 
3,063

Customer related

 
289,240

 

 
289,240

Foreign exchange

 
20,033

 

 
20,033

Mortgage servicing

 
7,432

 

 
7,432

Interest rate swap agreements

 
535

 

 
535

Interest rate cap agreements

 
49,762

 

 
49,762

Other

 
6,536

 
7

 
6,543

Total financial assets
$
10,343

 
$
16,061,794

 
$
2,261,671

 
$
18,333,808

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value
$

 
$
1,759

 
$

 
$
1,759

Cash flow

 
20,552

 

 
20,552

Mortgage banking forward sell commitments

 
2,424

 

 
2,424

Customer related

 
252,955

 

 
252,955

Total return swap

 
1,736

 
282

 
2,018

Foreign exchange

 
17,390

 

 
17,390

Mortgage servicing

 
7,448

 

 
7,448

Interest rate swaps

 
12,743

 

 
12,743

Option for interest rate cap

 
49,806

 

 
49,806

Other

 
7,823

 
73

 
7,896

Total financial liabilities
$

 
$
374,636

 
$
355

 
$
374,991


Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
The Company may be required to measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with GAAP from time to time. These adjustments to fair value usually result from application of lower-of-cost-or-fair value accounting or certain impairment measures. Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis that were still held on the balance sheet were as follows:

71



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 16. FAIR VALUE (continued)

 
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets (Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
 
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans held for investment
$

 
$
89,338

 
$
360

 
$
89,698

Foreclosed assets

 
21,908

 

 
21,908

Vehicle inventory

 
182,069

 

 
182,069

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans held for investment
$

 
$
101,218

 
$
67,699

 
$
168,917

Foreclosed assets

 
45,599

 

 
45,599

Vehicle inventory

 
136,136

 

 
136,136


Valuation Processes and Techniques

Impaired loans held for investment represents the recorded investment of impaired commercial loans for which the Company periodically records nonrecurring adjustments of collateral-dependent loans measured for impairment when establishing the allowance for loan losses. Such amounts are generally based on the fair value of the underlying collateral supporting the loan. Written offers to purchase a specific impaired loan are considered observable market inputs, which are considered Level 1 inputs. Appraisals are obtained to support the fair value of the collateral and incorporate measures such as recent sales prices for comparable properties, which are considered Level 2 inputs. Loans for which the value of the underlying collateral is determined using a combination of real estate appraisals, field examinations and internal calculations are considered Level 3 inputs. The inputs in the internal calculations include the loan balance, estimation of the collectability of the underlying receivables held by the customer used as collateral, sale and liquidation value of the inventory held by the customer used as collateral and historical loss-given-default parameters. In cases in which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the collateral less cost to sell, an impairment charge is recognized. The total carrying value of these loans was $54.3 million and $100.2 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Foreclosed assets represent the recorded investment in assets taken in foreclosure of defaulted loans, and are primarily comprised of commercial and residential real properties and generally measured at fair value less costs to sell. The fair value of the real property is generally determined using appraisals or other indications of value based on recent comparable sales of similar properties or assumptions generally observable in the marketplace.

The Company estimates the fair value of its vehicles, which are obtained either through repossession or lease termination, using historical auction rates and current market levels of used car prices.

Fair Value Adjustments

The following table presents the increases and decreases in value of certain assets that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis for which a fair value adjustment has been included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations relating to assets held at period-end:
 
Statement of Operations
Location
 
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Impaired loans held for investment
Provision for credit losses
 
$
(2,888
)
 
$
(12,826
)
 
$
(1,445
)
 
$
(17,652
)
Foreclosed assets
Other administrative expense
 
(474
)
 
(167
)
 
(1,501
)
 
(519
)
 
 
 
$
(3,362
)
 
$
(12,993
)
 
$
(2,946
)
 
$
(18,171
)

72



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 16. FAIR VALUE (continued)

Level 3 Rollforward for Recurring Assets and Liabilities

The tables below present the changes in all Level 3 balances for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments
Available-for-Sale
 
Retail Installment Contracts Held for Investment
 
MSRs
 
Derivatives
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Balance, June 30, 2015
$
1,539,483

 
$
494,651

 
$
157,147

 
$
1,473

 
$
2,192,754

Losses in other comprehensive income
(5,307
)
 

 

 

 
(5,307
)
Gains/(losses) in earnings

 
39,296

 
(13,472
)
 
3,504

 
29,328

Additions/Issuances
311,540

 

 
5,795

 

 
317,335

Settlements(1)
(222,989
)
 
(159,789
)
 
(5,935
)
 
100

 
(388,613
)
Balance, September 30, 2015
$
1,622,727

 
$
374,158

 
$
143,535

 
$
5,077

 
$
2,145,497

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings related to balances still held at September 30, 2015
$

 
$
39,296

 
$
(13,472
)
 
$
(91
)
 
$
25,733

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments
Available-for-Sale
 
Retail Installment Contracts Held for Investment
 
MSRs
 
Derivatives
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2014
$
1,267,643

 
$
845,911

 
$
145,047

 
$
2,715

 
$
2,261,316

Losses in other comprehensive income
(8,961
)
 

 

 

 
(8,961
)
Gains/(losses) in earnings

 
219,837

 
749

 
2,067

 
222,653

Additions/Issuances
910,135

 

 
17,124

 

 
927,259

Settlements(1)
(546,090
)
 
(691,590
)
 
(19,385
)
 
295

 
(1,256,770
)
Balance, September 30, 2015
$
1,622,727

 
$
374,158

 
$
143,535

 
$
5,077

 
$
2,145,497

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings related to balances still held at September 30, 2015
$

 
$
219,837

 
$
749

 
$
(350
)
 
$
220,236


(1)
Settlements include charge-offs, prepayments, pay downs and maturities.


73



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 16. FAIR VALUE (continued)

Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments
Available-for-Sale
 
Retail Installment Contracts Held for Investment
 
MSRs
 
Derivatives
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Balance, June 30, 2014
$
1,243,872

 
$
1,273,072

 
$
124,118

 
$
3,741

 
$
2,644,803

(Losses) in other comprehensive income
(849
)
 

 

 

 
(849
)
Gains/(losses) in earnings

 
116,177

 
(2,726
)
 
(2,118
)
 
111,333

Additions/Issuances
69,543

 

 
16,078

 

 
85,621

Settlements(1)
(138,107
)
 
(362,737
)
 
(5,679
)
 
107

 
(506,416
)
Balance, September 30, 2014
$
1,174,459

 
$
1,026,512

 
$
131,791

 
$
1,730

 
$
2,334,492

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings related to balances still held at September 30, 2014
$

 
$
116,177

 
$
(2,726
)
 
$
(91
)
 
$
113,360

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments
Available-for-Sale
 
Retail Installment Contracts Held for Investment
 
MSRs
 
Derivatives
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2013
$
52,940

 
$

 
$
141,787

 
$
164

 
$
194,891

Gains in other comprehensive income
1,021

 

 

 

 
1,021

Gains/(losses) in earnings

 
475,607

 
(14,078
)
 
1,212

 
462,741

Additions/Issuances
171,869

 
1,870,383

 
20,081

 

 
2,062,333

Settlements(1)
(222,831
)
 
(1,319,478
)
 
(15,999
)
 
354

 
(1,557,954
)
Transfers into level 3
1,171,460

 

 

 

 
1,171,460

Balance, September 30, 2014
$
1,174,459

 
$
1,026,512

 
$
131,791

 
$
1,730

 
$
2,334,492

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings related to balances still held at September 30, 2014
$

 
$
475,607

 
$
(14,078
)
 
$
(306
)
 
$
461,223


(1) Settlements include charge-offs, prepayments, pay downs and maturities.

74



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 16. FAIR VALUE (continued)

Valuation Processes and Techniques - Recurring Fair Value Assets and Liabilities

The following is a description of the valuation techniques used for instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

Securities Available-for-Sale and Trading Securities

Securities accounted for at fair value include both available-for-sale and trading securities portfolios. The Company utilizes a third-party pricing service to value its investment securities portfolios. Its primary pricing service has consistently proved to be a high quality third-party pricing provider. For those investments not valued by the pricing vendors, other trusted market sources are utilized. The vendors the Company uses provide pricing services on a global basis. The Company monitors and validates the reliability of vendor pricing on an ongoing basis, which can include pricing methodology reviews, performing detailed reviews of the assumptions and inputs used by the vendor to price individual securities, and price validation testing. Price validation testing is performed independently of the risk-taking function and can include corroborating the prices received from third-party vendors with prices from another third-party source, reviewing valuations of comparable instruments, comparison to internal valuations, or reference to recent sales of similar securities.

The classification of securities within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the activity level in the market for the security type and the observability of the inputs used to determine their fair value. Actively traded quoted market prices for investment securities available-for-sale, such as U.S. Treasury securities, corporate debt, state and municipal securities, and MBS, are not readily available. The Company's principal markets for its investment securities are the secondary institutional markets with an exit price that is predominantly reflective of bid-level pricing in these markets. These investment securities are priced by third-party pricing vendors. The third-party vendors use a variety of methods in pricing securities that incorporate relevant market data to arrive at an estimate of what a buyer in the marketplace would pay for a security under current market conditions. These investment securities are, therefore, considered Level 2.

ABS is comprised primarily of collateralized loan obligations ("CLOs") and other ABS. Certain ABS are valued using DCF models. The DCF models are obtained from a third-party pricing vendor which uses observable market data and therefore are classified as Level 2 inputs. CLOs are initially valued by the provider using DCF models which consider inputs such as default correlation, credit spread, prepayment speed, conditional default rate and loss severity. The price produced by the model is then compared to recent trades for similar transactions. If there are differences between the model price and the market price, adjustments are made to the model so the final price approximates the market price. These CLO investments are, therefore, considered Level 2. Other ABS that could not be valued using a third-party pricing service are valued using an internally-developed DCF model. When estimating the fair value using this model, the Company uses its best estimate of the key assumptions which include the discount rates and forward yield curves. The Company uses comparable bond indices based on industry, term, and rating to discount the expected future cash flows. Determining the comparability of assets involves significant subjectivity related to asset type differences, cash flows, performance and other inputs. The inability of the Company to corroborate the fair value of the ABS due to the limited available observable data on these ABS resulted in a fair value classification of Level 3.

The Company's equity securities are priced using net asset value per share, which is validated with a sufficient level of observable activity. Since the price is observable and unadjusted, these investments are considered Level 1.

Gains and losses on investments are recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations through Net gain on sale of investment securities.


75



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 16. FAIR VALUE (continued)

Retail Installment Contracts Held for Investment

For certain retail installment contracts held for investment within loans held for investment, the Company has elected the FVO. The fair values of the retail installment contracts are estimated using the DCF model. In estimating the fair value using this model, the Company uses significant unobservable inputs on key assumptions, which includes historical default rate and adjustments to reflect voluntary prepayments, prepayment rates based on available data from a comparable market securitization of similar assets, discount rates reflective of the cost of funding debt issuance and recent historical equity yields, and recovery rates based on the average severity utilizing reported severity rates and loss severity utilizing available market data from a comparable securitized pool. Accordingly, retail installment contracts held for investment are classified as Level 3.

Loans Held-for-Sale

The fair values of LHFS are estimated using published forward agency prices to agency buyers such as the FNMA and the FHLMC. The majority of the residential mortgage LHFS portfolio is sold to these two agencies. The fair value is determined using current secondary market prices for portfolios with similar characteristics, adjusted for servicing values and market conditions.

These loans are regularly traded in active markets, and observable pricing information is available from market participants. The prices are adjusted as necessary to include the embedded servicing value in the loans and to take into consideration the specific characteristics of certain loans that are priced based on the pricing of similar loans. These adjustments represent unobservable inputs to the valuation, but are not considered significant given the relative insensitivity of the value to changes in these inputs to the fair value of the loans. Accordingly, residential mortgage LHFS are classified as Level 2. See further discussion below in the FVO for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities section below.

MSRs

The model to value MSRs estimates the present value of the future net cash flows from mortgage servicing activities based on various assumptions. These cash flows include servicing and ancillary revenue, offset by the estimated costs of performing servicing activities. Significant assumptions used in the valuation of residential MSRs include changes in anticipated loan prepayment rates ("CPRs") and the discount rate, reflective of a market participant's required return on an investment for similar assets. Other important valuation assumptions include market-based servicing costs and the anticipated earnings on escrow and similar balances held by the Company in the normal course of mortgage servicing activities. All of these assumptions are considered to be unobservable inputs. Historically, servicing costs and discount rates have been less volatile than CPR and earnings rates, both of which are directly correlated with changes in market interest rates. Increases in prepayment speeds, discount rates and servicing costs result in lower valuations of MSRs. Decreases in the anticipated earnings rate on escrow and similar balances result in lower valuations of MSRs. For each of these items, the Company makes assumptions based on current market information and future expectations. All of the assumptions are based on standards that the Company believes would be utilized by market participants in valuing MSRs and are derived and/or benchmarked against independent public sources. Accordingly, MSRs are classified as Level 3 inputs. Gains and losses on MSRs are recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations through Mortgage banking income. See further discussion on MSRs in Note 9.

Listed below are the most significant inputs that are utilized by the Company in the evaluation of residential MSRs:

A 10% and 20% increase in the CPR speed would decrease the fair value of the residential servicing asset by $5.3 million and $10.1 million, respectively, at September 30, 2015.
A 10% and 20% increase in the discount rate would decrease the fair value of the residential servicing asset by $5.0 million and $9.5 million, respectively, at September 30, 2015.

76



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 16. FAIR VALUE (continued)

Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in significantly higher (lower) fair value measurements. These sensitivity calculations are hypothetical and should not be considered to be predictive of future performance. Changes in fair value based on adverse changes in assumptions generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of the change in assumption to the change in fair value may not be linear. Also, the effect of an adverse variation in a particular assumption on the fair value of the MSRs is calculated without changing any other assumption, while in reality changes in one factor may result in changes in another, which may either magnify or counteract the effect of the change. Prepayment estimates generally increase when market interest rates decline and decrease when market interest rates rise. Discount rates typically increase when market interest rates increase and/or credit and liquidity risks increase and decrease when market interest rates decline and/or credit and liquidity conditions improve.

Derivatives

The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including DCF analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable and unobservable market-based inputs. The fair value represents the estimated amount SHUSA would receive or pay to terminate the contract or agreement, taking into account current interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices and, when appropriate, the current creditworthiness of the counterparties.

The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments in the fair value measurement of its derivatives to reflect the respective counterparty's nonperformance risk in the fair value measurement of its derivatives, except for those derivative contracts with associated credit support annexes which provide credit enhancements, such as collateral postings and guarantees.

The Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Certain of the Company's derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, which are primarily related to mortgage banking derivatives-interest rate lock commitments.

The DCF model is utilized to determine the fair value of the mortgage banking derivatives-interest rate lock commitments. The significant unobservable inputs for mortgage banking derivatives used in the fair value measurement of the Company's loan commitments are "pull through" percentage and the MSR value that is inherent in the underlying loan value. The pull through percentage is an estimate of loan commitments that will result in closed loans. Significant increases (decreases) in any of these inputs in isolation would result in significantly higher (lower) fair value measurements. Significant increases (decreases) in the fair value of a mortgage banking derivative asset (liability) results when the probability of funding increases (decreases). Significant increases (decreases) in the fair value of a mortgage loan commitment result when the embedded servicing value increases (decreases).

Gains and losses related to derivatives affect various line items in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 11 for a discussion of derivatives activity.

77



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 16. FAIR VALUE (continued)

Level 3 Inputs - Significant Recurring Assets and Liabilities

The following table presents quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within significant Level 3 recurring assets and liabilities.
 
Fair Value at September 30, 2015
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Inputs
 
Range
(Weighted Average)
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Assets:
 
Asset-backed securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financing bonds
$
1,571,741

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Discount Rate (1)
 
0.79% - 2.01% (1.10%)

Sale-leaseback securities
$
50,986

 
Consensus Pricing (2)
 
Offered quotes (3)
 
130.15
%
Retail installment contracts held for investment
$
374,158

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
ABS (4)
 
0.40
%
 
 
 
 
 
Prepayment rate (CPR) (5)
 
11.00
%
 
 
 
 
 
Discount Rate (6)
 
5.95% - 12.00% (10.63%)

 
 
 
 
 
Recovery Rate (7)
 
25.00% - 43.00% (31.67%)

Mortgage servicing rights
$
143,535

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Prepayment rate (CPR) (8)
 
0.01% - 36.43% (10.38%)

 
 
 
 
 
Discount Rate (9)
 
9.90
%
Mortgage banking interest rate lock commitments
$
5,480

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Pull through percentage (10)
 
77.46
%
 
 
 
 
 
MSR value (11)
 
0.71% - 1.07% (1.02%)


(1) Based on the applicable term and discount index.
(2) Consensus pricing refers to fair value estimates that are generally developed using information such as dealer quotes or other third-party valuations or comparable asset prices.
(3) Based on the nature of the input, a range or weighted average does not exist. For sale-lease back securities, the Company owns one security.
(4) Based on the historical default rate and adjustments to reflect voluntary prepayments.
(5) Based on the analysis of available data from a comparable market securitization of similar assets.
(6) Based on the cost of funding of debt issuance and recent historical equity yields.
(7) Based on the average severity utilizing reported severity rates and loss severity utilizing available market data from a comparable securitized pool.
(8) Average CPR projected from collateral stratified by loan type, note rate and maturity.
(9) Based on the nature of the input, a range or weighted average does not exist.
(10) Historical weighted average based on principal balance calculated as the percentage of loans originated for sale divided by total commitments less outstanding commitments. 
(11) MSR value is the estimated value of the servicing right embedded in the underlying loan, expressed in basis points of outstanding unpaid principal balance.




78



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 16. FAIR VALUE (continued)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values, as well as the level within the fair value hierarchy, of the Company's financial instruments are as follows:
 
September 30, 2015
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
(in thousands)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and amounts due from depository institutions
$
4,669,373

 
$
4,669,373

 
$
4,669,373

 
$

 
$

Available-for-sale investment securities
21,051,184

 
21,051,184

 
10,528

 
19,417,929

 
1,622,727

Loans held for investment, net
75,797,375

 
75,683,065

 

 
89,338

 
75,593,727

Loans held-for-sale
2,990,708

 
3,041,325

 

 
3,041,325

 

Restricted cash
2,431,103

 
2,431,103

 
2,431,103

 

 

Mortgage servicing rights
143,535

 
143,535

 

 

 
143,535

Derivatives
424,424

 
424,424

 

 
418,929

 
5,495

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

Deposits
55,543,255

 
55,565,093

 
47,377,317

 
8,187,776

 

Borrowings and other debt obligations
48,371,320

 
49,378,230

 

 
39,499,046

 
9,879,184

Derivatives
475,149

 
475,149

 

 
474,731

 
418


 
December 31, 2014
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
(in thousands)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and amounts due from depository institutions
$
2,234,725

 
$
2,234,725

 
$
2,234,725

 
$

 
$

Available-for-sale investment securities
15,908,078

 
15,908,078

 
10,343

 
14,630,092

 
1,267,643

Trading securities
833,936

 
833,936

 

 
833,936

 

Loans held for investment, net
73,923,745

 
74,265,569

 

 
101,218

 
74,164,351

Loans held-for-sale
260,252

 
260,251

 

 
260,251

 

Restricted cash
2,024,838

 
2,024,838

 
2,024,838

 

 

Mortgage servicing rights
145,047

 
145,047

 

 

 
145,047

Derivatives
387,170

 
387,170

 

 
384,100

 
3,070

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

Deposits
52,474,007

 
52,507,347

 
45,162,698

 
7,344,649

 

Borrowings and other debt obligations
39,709,653

 
40,147,937

 

 
30,355,610

 
9,792,327

Derivatives
374,991

 
374,991

 

 
374,636

 
355


79



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 16. FAIR VALUE (continued)

Valuation Processes and Techniques - Financial Instruments

The preceding tables present disclosures about the fair value of the Company's financial instruments. Those fair values for certain instruments are presented based upon subjective estimates of relevant market conditions at a specific point in time and information about each financial instrument. In cases in which quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. These techniques involve uncertainties resulting in variability in estimates affected by changes in assumptions and risks of the financial instruments at a certain point in time. Therefore, the derived fair value estimates presented above for certain instruments cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets. In addition, the fair values do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time an entity’s entire holding of a particular financial instrument, nor does it reflect potential taxes and the expenses that would be incurred in an actual sale or settlement. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented above do not represent the underlying value of the Company.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments not measured at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet:

Cash and amounts due from depository institutions

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from depository institutions, interest-bearing deposits in other banks, federal funds sold, and securities purchased under agreements to resell. The related fair value measurements have been classified as Level 1, since their carrying value approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the asset.

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had $2.4 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively, of restricted cash. Restricted cash is related to cash restricted for investment purposes, cash posted for collateral purposes, cash advanced for loan purchases, and lockbox collections. Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, have maturities of three months or less and, accordingly, the carrying amount of these instruments is deemed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Debentures of FHLB

Other investments include debentures of the FHLB. The related fair value measurements have generally been classified as Level 2, as carrying value approximates fair value. The debentures of the FHLB matured in September 2014.

Loans held for investment, net

The fair values of loans are estimated based on groupings of similar loans, including but not limited to stratifications by type, interest rate, maturity, and borrower creditworthiness. Discounted future cash flow analyses are performed for these loans incorporating assumptions of current and projected voluntary prepayment speeds. Discount rates are determined using the Company's current origination rates on similar loans, adjusted for changes in current liquidity and credit spreads (if necessary). Because the current liquidity spreads are generally not observable in the market and the expected loss assumptions are based on the Company's experience, these are Level 3 valuations. Impaired loans are valued at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. See further discussion under "Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis" above.

Deposits

The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as non-interest-bearing demand deposits, interest-bearing demand deposit accounts, savings accounts and certain money market accounts is equal to the amount payable on demand and does not take into account the significant value of the cost advantage and stability of the Company’s long-term relationships with depositors. The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit ("CDs") is estimated by discounting cash flows using currently offered rates for deposits of similar remaining maturities. The related fair value measurements have generally been classified as Level 1 for core deposits, since the carrying value approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the liabilities. All other deposits are considered to be Level 2.


80



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 16. FAIR VALUE (continued)

Borrowings and other debt obligations

Fair value is estimated by discounting cash flows using rates currently available to the Company for other borrowings with similar terms and remaining maturities. Certain other debt obligation instruments are valued using available market quotes for similar instruments, which contemplates issuer default risk. The related fair value measurements have generally been classified as Level 2. A certain portion of debt, relating to revolving credit facilities, is classified as Level 3. Management believes that the terms of these credit agreements approximate market terms for similar credit agreements and, therefore, are considered to be Level 3.

Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit

Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit include the value of unfunded lending commitments and standby letters of credit, as well as the recorded liability for probable losses. The Company’s pricing of such financial instruments is based largely on credit quality and relationship, probability of funding and other requirements. Loan commitments often have fixed expiration dates and contain termination and other clauses which provide relief from funding in the event of significant deterioration in the credit quality of the customer. The rates and terms of the Company’s loan commitments and letters of credit are competitive with other financial institutions operating in markets served by the Company.

The liability for probable losses is estimated by analyzing unfunded lending commitments and standby letters of credit for commercial customers and segregating by risk according to the Company's internal risk rating scale. These risk classifications, in conjunction with an analysis of historical loss experience, current economic conditions, performance trends within specific portfolio segments, and any other pertinent information, result in the estimation of the reserve for probable losses.

These instruments and the related reserve are classified as Level 3. The Company believes that the carrying amounts, which are included in Other liabilities, are reasonable estimates of the fair value of these financial instruments.

Fair Value Option ("FVO") for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

LHFS

The Company's LHFS portfolio primarily consists of residential mortgages and retail installment contracts. Retail installment contracts that are held-for-sale are accounted for at the lower of cost or market while the Company adopted the FVO on residential mortgage loans classified as held-for-sale, which allows the Company to record the mortgage LHFS portfolio at fair market value compared to the lower of cost, net of deferred fees, deferred origination costs, or market. The Company economically hedges its residential LHFS portfolio, which is reported at fair value. A lower of cost or market accounting treatment would not allow the Company to record the excess of the fair market value over book value, but would require the Company to record the corresponding reduction in value on the hedges. Both the loans and related hedges are carried at fair value, which reduces earnings volatility, as the amounts more closely offset.

Retail installment contracts held for investment

To reduce accounting and operational complexity, the Company elected the FVO for certain of its retail installment contracts held for investment in connection with the Change in Control. These loans consisted of all of SCUSA’s retail installment contracts accounted for by SCUSA under ASC 310-30, as well as all of SCUSA’s retail installment contracts that were more than 60 days past due at the date of the Change in Control, which collectively had an aggregate outstanding unpaid principal balance of $2.6 billion with a fair value of $1.9 billion at the date of the Change in Control.


81



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 16. FAIR VALUE (continued)

The following table summarizes the difference between the fair value and the principal balance of LHFS and retail installment contracts measured at fair value as of September 30, 2015.

 
 
Fair Value
 
Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Difference
 
 
(in thousands)
Loans held-for-sale
 
$
280,764

 
$
273,846

 
$
6,918

Nonaccrual loans
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail installment contracts held for investment
 
$
374,158

 
$
496,200

 
$
(122,042
)
Nonaccrual loans
 
46,310

 
72,279

 
(25,969
)

Interest income on the Company’s LHFS and retail installment contracts held for investment is recognized when earned based on their respective contractual rates in Interest income on loans in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The accrual of interest is discontinued and reversed once the loans become more than 90 days past due for LHFS and more than 60 days past due for retail installment contracts held for investment. 

Residential MSRs

The Company elected to account for its existing portfolio of residential MSRs at fair value. This election created greater flexibility with regard to any ongoing decisions relating to risk management of the asset by mitigating the effects of changes to the residential MSRs' fair value through the use of risk management instruments.

The Company's residential MSRs had an aggregate fair value of $143.5 million at September 30, 2015. Changes in fair value totaling a gain of $0.7 million were recorded in net mortgage banking income in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015.


NOTE 17. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

Business Segment Products and Services

The Company’s reportable segments are focused principally around the customers the Bank and SCUSA serve. The Company has identified the following reportable segments:

The Retail Banking segment primarily comprises the Bank's branch locations and residential mortgage business. The branch locations offer a wide range of products and services to consumers, and attract deposits by offering a variety of deposit instruments including demand and interest-bearing demand deposit accounts, money market and savings accounts, CDs and retirement savings products. The branch locations also offer consumer loans such as credit cards, and home equity loans and lines of credit. The Retail Banking segment also includes investment services, provides annuities, mutual funds, managed monies, and insurance products and acts as an investment brokerage agent to the customers of the Retail Banking segment.

82



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 17. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

The Auto Finance & Business Banking segment currently provides commercial lines, loans, and deposits to business banking customers as well as indirect consumer leasing, commercial loans to dealers and financing for commercial vehicles and municipal equipment. The Auto Finance & Business Banking segment includes certain activity related to the Bank's intercompany agreements with SCUSA.

In conjunction with the Chrysler Agreement, the Bank has an agreement with SCUSA under which SCUSA provides the Bank with the first right to review and assess Chrysler dealer lending opportunities and, if the Bank elects, to provide the proposed financing. Historically and through September 30, 2014, SCUSA provided servicing under this arrangement. Effective October 1, 2014, the servicing of all Chrysler Capital receivables from dealers, including receivables held by the Bank and by SCUSA, were transferred to the Bank. The agreements executed in connection with this transfer require SCUSA to permit the Bank the first right to review and assess Chrysler Capital dealer lending opportunities and require the Bank to pay SCUSA a relationship management fee based upon the performance and yields of Chrysler Capital dealer loans held by the Bank. All intercompany revenue and fees between the Bank and SCUSA are eliminated in the consolidated results of the Company.

On January 17, 2014, the Bank entered into a direct origination agreement with SCUSA under which the Bank had the first right to review and approve all prime Chrysler Capital consumer vehicle lease applications. SCUSA could review any applications declined by the Bank for SCUSA’s own portfolio. SCUSA provides servicing and receives an origination fee on all leases originated under this agreement. During April 2015, the Bank and SCUSA determined not to renew this direct origination agreement which expired by its terms on May 9, 2015.

The Real Estate and Commercial Banking segment offers commercial real estate loans, multi-family loans, commercial loans, and the Bank's related commercial deposits. This segment also provides financing and deposits for government entities and niche product financing for specific industries, including oil and gas and mortgage warehousing, among others.

The Global Corporate Banking ("GCB") segment was formerly designated as the Global Corporate Banking & Market & Large Corporate Banking segment and was renamed during the third quarter of 2015. This segment serves the needs of global commercial and institutional customers by leveraging the international footprint of the Santander group to provide financing and banking services to corporations with over $500 million in annual revenues. GCB's offerings and strategy are based on Santander's local and global capabilities in wholesale banking.

SCUSA is a specialized consumer finance company focused on vehicle finance and personal lending products. SCUSA’s primary business is the indirect origination of retail installment contracts, principally through manufacturer-franchised dealers in connection with their sale of new and used vehicles to retail consumers. In conjunction with a ten-year private label financing agreement with the Chrysler Group that became effective May 1, 2013, SCUSA offers a full spectrum of auto financing products and services to Chrysler customers and dealers under the Chrysler Capital brand. These products and services include consumer retail installment contracts and leases, as well as dealer loans for inventory, construction, real estate, working capital and revolving lines of credit. SCUSA also originates vehicle loans through a web-based direct lending program, purchases vehicle retail installment contracts from other lenders, and services automobile, recreational and marine vehicle portfolios for other lenders. Additionally, SCUSA has several relationships through which it provides personal loans, private label credit cards and other consumer finance products.

SCUSA has entered into a number of intercompany agreements with the Bank as described above as part of the Auto Finance & Business Banking segment. All intercompany revenue and fees between the Bank and SCUSA are eliminated in the consolidated results of the Company.

83



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 17. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

The Other category includes earnings from the investment portfolio, interest from the non-strategic assets portfolio, interest expense on the Company's borrowings and other debt obligations, amortization of intangible assets and certain unallocated corporate income and indirect expenses.

For segment reporting purposes, SCUSA continues to be managed as a separate business unit. The Company’s segment results, excluding SCUSA, are derived from the Company’s business unit profitability reporting system by specifically attributing managed balance sheet assets, deposits and other liabilities and their related interest income or expense to each of the segments. Funds transfer pricing methodologies are utilized to allocate a cost for funds used or a credit for funds provided to business line deposits, loans and selected other assets using a matched funding concept. The methodology includes a liquidity premium adjustment, which considers an appropriate market participant spread for commercial loans and deposits by analyzing the mix of borrowings available to the Company with comparable maturity periods.

Other income and expenses are managed directly by each business line, including fees, service charges, salaries and benefits, and other direct expenses, as well as certain allocated corporate expenses, and are accounted for within each segment’s financial results. Accounting policies for the lines of business are the same as those used in preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements with respect to activities specifically attributable to each business line. However, the preparation of business line results requires management to establish methodologies to allocate funding costs and benefits, expenses and other financial elements to each line of business. Where practical, the results are adjusted to present consistent methodologies for the segments.

The application and development of management reporting methodologies is a dynamic process and is subject to periodic enhancements. The implementation of these enhancements to the internal management reporting methodology may materially affect the results disclosed for each segment with no impact on consolidated results. Whenever significant changes to management reporting methodologies take place, prior period information is reclassified wherever practicable.

During the second quarter of 2015, certain management and business line changes were announced as the Company reorganized its management reporting in order to improve its structure and focus to better align management teams and resources with the business goals of the Company and provide enhanced customer service to its clients. These changes became effective for reporting purposes during the third quarter. Accordingly, the following changes were made within the Company's reportable segments to provide greater focus on each of its core businesses:

The small business banking unit, formerly included in the Retail Banking business unit, was combined with the Auto Finance and Alliances business unit.
The commercial business banking unit, formerly included in the Real Estate and Commercial Banking business unit, was combined with the Auto Finance and Alliances business unit.
A new business unit named Auto Finance & Business Banking was created from the small business banking unit, the commercial business banking unit, and the Auto Finance and Alliances unit.

Certain segments previously deemed quantitatively significant no longer met the threshold and have been combined with the Other category as of September 30, 2015. Prior period results have been recast to conform to the new composition of the reportable segments.

84



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 17. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

Results of Segments

The following tables present certain information regarding the Company’s segments.
For the Three-Month Period Ended
SHUSA excluding SCUSA
 
Non-GAAP measure(4)
 
 
September 30, 2015
Retail Banking
Auto Finance & Business Banking
Real Estate and Commercial Banking
Global Corporate Banking
Other(2)
 
SCUSA(3)
SCUSA Purchase Price Adjustments
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Net interest income
$
175,417

$
63,418

$
115,514

$
54,475

$
(23,080
)
 
$
1,231,539

$
65,863

$
116

 
$
1,683,262

Total non-interest income
60,206

104,947

34,930

17,280

24,779

 
478,873

119,409

(4,463
)
 
835,961

Provision/(release) for credit losses
18,800

7,017

3,897

4,570

(52,908
)
 
744,143

128,661


 
854,180

Total expenses
284,969

102,781

43,168

18,981

174,343

 
613,263

12,099

(8,449
)
 
1,241,155

Income/(loss) before income taxes
(68,146
)
58,567

103,379

48,204

(119,736
)
 
353,006

44,512

4,102

 
423,888

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Intersegment (expense)/revenue(1)
66,568

5,136

(65,233
)
(10,199
)
3,728

 



 

Total average assets
16,871,108

8,440,985

21,849,120

12,093,666

34,262,662

 
35,478,456



 
128,995,997


For the Nine-Month Period Ended
SHUSA excluding SCUSA
 
Non-GAAP measure(4)
 
 
September 30, 2015
Retail Banking
Auto Finance & Business Banking
Real Estate and Commercial Banking
        Global Corporate Banking
Other(2)
 
SCUSA(3)
SCUSA Purchase Price Adjustments
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Net interest income
$
512,584

$
187,654

$
338,678

$
157,806

$
(25,245
)
 
$
3,620,089

$
307,689

$
260

 
$
5,099,515

Total non-interest income
213,064

306,320

72,610

60,961

67,295

 
1,435,354

170,391

(21,437
)
 
2,304,558

Provision/(release) for credit losses
47,033

18,452

22,868

9,514

(32,490
)
 
2,088,857

573,884


 
2,728,118

Total expenses
839,119

302,750

129,945

63,483

442,311

 
1,736,210

8,270

(23,982
)
 
3,498,106

Income/(loss) before income taxes
(160,504
)
172,772

258,475

145,770

(367,771
)
 
1,230,376

(104,074
)
2,805

 
1,177,849

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Intersegment (expense)/revenue(1)
183,780

12,175

(200,550
)
(30,039
)
34,634

 



 

Total average assets
17,065,573

8,374,508

21,138,122

11,573,651

31,299,057

 
34,352,761



 
123,803,672


(1)
Intersegment revenue/(expense) represents charges or credits for funds used or provided by each of the segments and is included in net interest income.
(2)
Other is not considered a segment and includes earnings from non-strategic assets, the investment portfolio, interest expense on the Bank’s and Holding Company's borrowings and other debt obligations, amortization of intangible assets and certain unallocated corporate income and indirect expenses.
(3)
Management of SHUSA manages SCUSA by analyzing the pre-Change in Control results of SCUSA as disclosed in this column.
(4)
Purchase Price Adjustments represents the impact that SCUSA purchase marks had on the results of SCUSA included within the consolidated operations of SHUSA, while eliminations eliminate intercompany transactions.

85



SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



NOTE 17. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

For the Three-
Month Period
Ended
SHUSA excluding SCUSA
 
Non-GAAP measure(4)
 
 
September 30, 2014
Retail Banking
Auto Finance & Business Banking
Real Estate and Commercial Banking
         Global Corporate Banking
Other(2)
 
SCUSA(3)
SCUSA Purchase Price Adjustments
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Net interest income
$
166,555

$
61,293

$
107,924

$
46,586

$
19,696

 
$
1,092,698

$
130,695

$
29

 
$
1,625,476

Total non-interest income
128,774

76,012

17,986

19,700

39,495

 
374,872

(4,075
)
(8,938
)
 
643,826

Provision/(release) for credit losses
35,251

2,868

(59,849
)
7,990

13,740

 
770,105

243,252


 
1,013,357

Total expenses
259,799

75,821

39,386

18,160

194,770

 
415,403

(35,086
)
(7,502
)
 
960,751

Income/(loss) before income taxes
279

58,616

146,373

40,136

(149,319
)
 
282,062

(81,546
)
(1,407
)
 
295,194

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Intersegment revenue/(expense)(1)
27,342

5,649

(79,516
)
(10,162
)
56,687

 



 

Total average assets
17,833,597

7,027,225

20,511,518

9,812,825

26,775,746

 
30,648,333



 
112,609,244


For the Nine-
Month Period
Ended
SHUSA excluding SCUSA
 
Non-GAAP measure(4)
 
 
September 30, 2014
Retail Banking
Auto Finance & Business Banking
Real Estate and Commercial Banking
        Global Corporate Banking
Other(2)
 
SCUSA(3)
SCUSA Purchase Price Adjustments
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Net interest income
$
497,851

$
180,088

$
310,761

$
131,780

$
62,039

 
$
3,238,551

$
310,652

$
(344,107
)
 
$
4,387,615

Total non-interest income
280,088

142,515

61,514

57,513

96,987

 
927,958

241,067

(92,809
)
 
1,714,833

Gain on Change in Control





 

2,428,539


 
2,428,539

Provision/(release) for credit losses
51,308

4,779

(63,135
)
6,228

(39,181
)
 
2,057,260

242,915

(225,453
)
 
2,034,721

Total expenses
767,240

146,519

110,335

55,391

537,435

 
1,307,851

70,066

(260,476
)
 
2,734,361

Income/(loss) before income taxes
(40,609
)
171,305

325,075

127,674

(339,228
)
 
801,398

2,667,277

49,013

 
3,761,905

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Intersegment revenue/(expense)(1)
77,836

15,902

(242,454
)
(30,077
)
178,793

 



 

Total average assets
17,866,900

6,217,471

20,355,225

9,161,992

26,430,492

 
26,160,378



 
106,192,458


(1)
Intersegment revenue/(expense) represents charges or credits for funds used or provided by each of the segments and is included in net interest income.
(2)
Other is not considered a segment and includes earnings from non-strategic assets, the investment portfolio, interest expense on the Bank’s and Holding Company's borrowings and other debt obligations, amortization of intangible assets and certain unallocated corporate income and indirect expenses.
(3)
Management of SHUSA manages SCUSA by analyzing the pre-Change in Control results of SCUSA as disclosed in this column.
(4)
Purchase Price Adjustments represent the impact that SCUSA purchase marks had on the results of SCUSA included within the consolidated operations of SHUSA, while eliminations adjust for the one month that SHUSA accounted for SCUSA as an equity method investment and eliminate intercompany transactions.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM"), as described by ASC 280, Segment Reporting, manages SCUSA on a historical basis by reviewing the results of SCUSA on a pre-Change in Control basis. The Results of Segments table discloses SCUSA's operating information on the same basis that it is reviewed by SHUSA's CODM to reconcile to SCUSA's GAAP results, purchase price adjustments and accounting for SCUSA as an equity method investment. The Company's non-GAAP information has limitations as an analytical tool, and the reader should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of its results or any performance measures under GAAP as set forth in its financial statements. The reader should compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on the GAAP results and using this non-GAAP information only as a supplement to evaluate the Company's performance.

86


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Santander Holdings USA, Inc. ("SHUSA" or the "Company") is the parent company of Santander Bank, National Association, (the "Bank" or "SBNA"), a national banking association, and owns approximately 59% of Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, "SCUSA"), a consumer finance company focused on vehicle finance. SHUSA is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and the Bank's main office is in Wilmington, Delaware. SCUSA is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. SHUSA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Banco Santander, S.A. ("Santander").

The Bank, previously named Sovereign Bank, National Association, changed its name to Santander Bank, National Association on October 17, 2013. The Bank's principal markets are in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States. The Bank uses its deposits, as well as other financing sources, to fund its loan and investment portfolios. The Bank earns interest income on its loan and investment portfolios. In addition, the Bank generates non-interest income from a number of sources, including deposit and loan services, sales of loans and investment securities, capital markets products and bank-owned life insurance ("BOLI"). The principal non-interest expenses include employee compensation and benefits, occupancy and facility-related costs, technology and other administrative expenses. The volumes, and accordingly the financial results, of the Bank are affected by the economic environment, including interest rates and consumer and business confidence and spending, as well as the competitive conditions within the Bank's geographic footprint.

SCUSA's primary business is the indirect origination of retail installment contracts, principally through manufacturer-franchised dealers in connection with their sale of new and used vehicles to retail consumers. SCUSA also offers a full spectrum of auto financing products and services to Chrysler customers and dealers under the Chrysler Capital brand, the trade name used in providing services ("Chrysler Capital") under the ten-year private label financing agreement SCUSA signed with the Chrysler Group LLC. These products and services include consumer retail installment contracts and leases, as well as dealer loans for inventory, construction, real estate, working capital and revolving lines of credit. SCUSA also originates vehicle loans through a web-based direct lending program, purchases vehicle retail installment contracts from other lenders, and services automobile and recreational and marine vehicle portfolios for other lenders. Additionally, SCUSA has several relationships through which it provides unsecured consumer loans, private-label credit cards and other consumer finance products.

On January 22, 2014, SCUSA's registration statement for an initial public offering ("IPO") of shares of its common stock (the “SCUSA Common Stock”), was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Prior to the IPO, the Company owned approximately 65% of SCUSA Common Stock.

On January 28, 2014, the IPO closed, and certain stockholders of SCUSA, including the Company and Sponsor Auto Finance Holdings Series LP ("Sponsor Holdings"), sold 85,242,042 shares of SCUSA Common Stock. Immediately following the IPO, the Company owned approximately 61% of the shares of SCUSA Common Stock. In connection with these sales, certain board representation, governance and other rights granted to Dundon DFS, LLC ("DDFS") and Sponsor Holdings were terminated as a result of the reduction in DDFS and Sponsor Holdings’ collective ownership of shares of SCUSA Common Stock below certain ownership thresholds, causing the first quarter 2014 change in control and consolidation of SCUSA (the "Change in Control").

Prior to the Change in Control, the Company accounted for its investment in SCUSA under the equity method. Following the Change in Control, the Company consolidated the financial results of SCUSA in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company’s consolidation of SCUSA is treated as an acquisition of SCUSA by the Company in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 805 - Business Combinations (ASC 805). SCUSA Common Stock is now listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "SC".


87


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


On July 2, 2015, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement with Thomas Dundon, the former Chief Executive Officer of SCUSA, DDFS, and Santander related to Mr. Dundon’s departure from SCUSA (the “Separation Agreement”). Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, the Company was deemed to have delivered an irrevocable notice to exercise its option to acquire all of the shares of SCUSA Common Stock owned by DDFS and consummate the transactions contemplated by the call option notice, subject to the receipt of all required regulatory approvals (the “Call Transaction”). At that date, the SCUSA Common Stock held by DDFS (the “DDFS shares”) represented approximately 9.8% of SCUSA Common Stock. The Separation Agreement did not affect Santander’s option to assume the Company’s obligation under the Call Transaction as provided in the Shareholders Agreement that was entered into by the same parties on January 28, 2014. Santander is expected to assume the Company’s obligation to purchase the DDFS shares and contribute those shares to SHUSA. Under the Separation Agreement, because the Call Transaction was not consummated prior to October 15, 2015 (the “Call End Date”), DDFS is free to transfer any or all of the DDFS shares, subject to the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of July 16, 2014, between DDFS and Santander. In the event the Call Transaction were to be completed after the Call End Date, interest would accrue on the price paid per share in the Call Transaction at the overnight LIBOR rate on the third business day preceding the consummation of the Call Transaction plus 100 basis points with respect to the DDFS shares that were ultimately sold in the Call Transaction.


ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Overview

During the third quarter of 2015, unemployment improved while market results declined, marking a mixed quarter for the U.S. economy.

The unemployment rate at September 30, 2015 improved to 5.1% from 5.3% at June 30, 2015 and 5.9% one year ago. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth is primarily attributable to the professional and business services, retail trade, and health care sectors.

Markets continued the overall decline that began in the second quarter, sparked by the Greek debt crisis and continued by short-term market trading disruptions in China and the U.S. The total year-to-date returns for the following indices, based on closing prices, at September 30, 2015 were:
 
 
September 30, 2015
Dow Jones Industrial Average
 
(8.6)%
S&P 500
 
(6.7)%
NASDAQ Composite
 
(2.4)%

At its September 2015 meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee (the “FOMC”) announced its plans to maintain the federal funds rate target at 0-.25% and the targeted inflation rate at 2%. While the federal funds rate has remained on target, the inflation rate remains just under 2.0%. As of its September statement, the FOMC had not confirmed timing for its initial increase in the target ranges for the federal funds rate.

The 10-year Treasury bond rate at September 30, 2015 was 2.06%, down from 2.17 % at December 31, 2014 and 2.51% one year prior. Over the past year, the 10-year Treasury bond rate decreased 45 basis points.

At the time of filing this Form 10-Q, third quarter 2015 mortgage origination activity results were not available. Actual origination data through the second quarter of 2015 indicated both purchase and refinance activity that exceeded the first half of 2014. Projections indicate that 2015 will remain ahead of 2014 in mortgage origination activity. Actual commercial and multifamily loan originations through the second quarter of 2015 also exceeded origination activity for the prior year.

Changing market conditions are considered a significant risk factor to the Company. The continued low interest rate environment presents challenges in the growth of net interest income for the banking industry, which continues to rely on non-interest activities to support revenue growth. Changing market conditions and political uncertainty could have an overall impact on the Company's results of operations and financial condition. Such conditions could also impact the Company's credit risk, and the associated provision for credit losses and legal expense could increase.

88


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


European Exposure

Concerns about the European Union’s sovereign debt and the future of the euro have caused uncertainty for financial markets globally. Other than borrowing agreements and related party transactions with Santander, as further described in the Financial Condition section of this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") and Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company's exposure to European countries includes the following:
 
 
September 30, 2015
Country
 
 Covered Bonds
 
Financial Institution Bonds
 
Non-Financial Institutions Bonds
 
Total
 
 
(in thousands)
France
 
$

 
$
6,000

 
$
4,961

 
$
10,961

Germany
 

 

 
138,239

 
138,239

Great Britain
 

 
80,114

 
277,842

 
357,956

Italy
 

 

 
56,957

 
56,957

Netherlands
 

 
45,963

 

 
45,963

Norway
 

 

 
7,996

 
7,996

Portugal
 

 

 
40,833

 
40,833

Spain
 
93,481

 
11,000

 
44,261

 
148,742

Sweden
 

 
51,947

 

 
51,947

Switzerland
 

 
4,998

 

 
4,998

 
 
$
93,481

 
$
200,022

 
$
571,089

 
$
864,592


The market value of the Company's European exposure at September 30, 2015 was $872.5 million.

 
 
December 31, 2014
Country
 
 Covered Bonds
 
Financial Institution Bonds
 
Non-Financial Institutions Bonds
 
Total
 
 
(in thousands)
France
 
$

 
$
143,475

 
$
4,953

 
$
148,428

Germany
 

 

 
139,233

 
139,233

Great Britain
 

 
119,048

 
295,436

 
414,484

Italy
 

 
48,765

 
57,803

 
106,568

Netherlands
 

 
49,886

 

 
49,886

Norway
 

 

 
7,994

 
7,994

Portugal
 

 

 
41,081

 
41,081

Spain
 
93,938

 
78,098

 
61,355

 
233,391

Sweden
 

 
77,847

 

 
77,847

Switzerland
 

 
14,970

 

 
14,970

 
 
$
93,938

 
$
532,089

 
$
607,855

 
$
1,233,882


The market value of the Company's European exposure at December 31, 2014 was $1.3 billion.

These investments are included within corporate debt securities discussed in Note 4 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company's total exposure to European entities decreased $369.3 million, or 29.9%, from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015.

As of September 30, 2015, the Company had approximately $327.9 million of loans that were denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar.


89


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Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


Overall, gross exposure to the foregoing countries was approximately 0.9% of the Company's total assets as of September 30, 2015, and no more than 1% was to any given country or third party. The Company currently does not have credit protection on any of these exposures, nor does it provide lending services in Europe. The Company transacts with various European banks as counterparties to interest rate swaps and foreign currency transactions for its hedging and customer-related activities; however, these derivatives transactions are generally subject to master netting and collateral support agreements, which significantly limit the Company’s exposure to loss.

Management conducts periodic stress tests of the Company's significant country risk exposures, analyzing the direct and indirect impacts on the risk of loss from various macroeconomic and capital markets scenarios. The Company does not have significant exposure to foreign country risks because its foreign portfolio is relatively small. However, the Company has identified exposure to increased loss from U.S. borrowers associated with the potential indirect impact of a European downturn on the U.S. economy. The Company mitigates these potential impacts through its normal risk management processes, which includes active monitoring and, if necessary, the application of loss mitigation strategies.

Credit Rating Actions

The following table presents Moody's and Standard & Poor's ("S&P") credit ratings for the Bank, SHUSA, Santander and the Kingdom of Spain as of September 30, 2015:
 
BANK
 
SHUSA
 
SANTANDER
 
SPAIN
 
Moody's
S&P
 
Moody's
S&P
 
Moody's
S&P
 
Moody's
S&P
LT Senior Debt
Baa2
BBB+
 
Baa2
BBB+
 
A3
BBB+
 
Baa2
BBB
ST Deposits
P-1
A-2
 
n/a
A-2
 
P-2
A-2
 
n/a
A-2
Outlook
Stable
Stable
 
Negative
Stable
 
Positive
Stable
 
Positive
Stable

Subsequent to the quarter end, on October 2, 2015, S&P upgraded the long-term senior debt rating of the Kingdom of Spain's from BBB to BBB+. In addition, on October 6, 2015, S&P upgraded the long-term senior debt rating of Santander from BBB+ to A-. S&P also upgraded SHUSA's long-term debt rating from BBB to BBB+, and the Bank's long-term debt rating from BBB to
BBB+.

SHUSA funds its operations independently of the other entities owned by Santander, and believes its business is not necessarily closely related to the business or outlook of other entities owned by Santander. Future changes in the credit ratings of its parent, Santander, or the Kingdom of Spain could impact SHUSA's or its subsidiaries' credit ratings, and any other change in the condition of Santander could affect SHUSA.

On March 16, 2015 Moody's published its new bank rating methodology and subsequently announced multiple rating actions following the publication of its new methodology. The rating actions affect 1,021 of 1,934 rated banking entities, which include operating banks, holding companies, subsidiaries, special purpose issuance conduits, branches and other entities for which Moody's has assigned ratings to at least one debt class. Moody's noted that the deposit ratings of most U.S. banking entities are on review for upgrade and their bank-level senior unsecured debt and issuer ratings are on review for downgrade. These rating actions reflect the Loss Given Failure component of Moody's new methodology. On May 15, 2015, Moody's upgraded the Bank's short-term deposit rating by 1 notch (from P-2 to P1) and downgraded its senior unsecured debt rating by 1 notch from Baa1 to Baa2. SHUSA's ratings were not placed under review by Moody's.

On June 17, 2015 Moody's upgraded Santander's long-term senior debt rating from Baa1 to A3 and changed Santander's outlook from Stable to Positive.

At this time, SCUSA is not rated by the major credit rating agencies.

The Bank estimates that a one or two notch downgrade by either S&P or Moody's would require the Bank to post up to an additional $3.5 million or $5.5 million, respectively, to comply with existing derivative agreements.

90


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


REGULATORY MATTERS

The activities of the Company and the Bank are subject to regulation under various U.S. federal laws, including the Bank Holding Company ("BHC") Act, the Federal Reserve Act, the National Bank Act, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the Dodd-Frank Act (the "DFA"), the Truth-in-Lending Act (which governs disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers), the Truth-in-Savings Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (the "ECOA"), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (which governs the provision of consumer information to credit reporting agencies and the use of consumer information), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (which governs the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection agencies), the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (which requires financial institutions to provide certain information about home mortgage and refinanced loans), the Servicemember Civil Relief Act, the Unfair and Deceptive Practices Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, and the Electronic Funds Transfer Act (which governs automatic deposits to and withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers' rights and liabilities arising from the use of automated teller machines and other electronic banking services), as well as other federal and state laws.

As SCUSA is a subsidiary of SHUSA, it is also subject to regulatory oversight from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("Federal Reserve") for BHC regulatory supervision purposes, as well as the CFPB.

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

On July 21, 2010, the DFA, which instituted major changes to the banking and financial institutions regulatory regimes in light of the performance of, and government intervention in, the financial services sector during the financial crisis, was enacted. The DFA includes a number of provisions designed to promote enhanced supervision and regulation of financial companies and financial markets. The DFA introduced a substantial number of reforms that reshape the structure of the regulation of the financial services industry. Although the full impact of this legislation on the Company and the industry will not be known until these regulations are completed and fully implemented, which could take several years, the enhanced regulation has involved and will continue to involve higher compliance costs and have negatively affected the Company's revenue and earnings.

More specifically, the DFA imposes heightened prudential requirements on BHCs with at least $50.0 billion in total consolidated assets (often referred to as “systemically important financial institutions” or "SIFIs"), which includes the Company, and requires the Federal Reserve to establish prudential standards for such BHCs that are more stringent than those applicable to other BHCs, including standards for risk-based requirements and leverage limits; heightened capital and liquidity standards, including eliminating trust preferred securities as Tier 1 regulatory capital; enhanced risk-management requirements; and credit exposure reporting and concentration limits. These changes have impacted and are expected to continue impacting the profitability and growth of the Company.

The DFA mandates an enhanced supervisory framework, which means that the Company is subject to annual stress tests by the Federal Reserve, and the Company and the Bank are required to conduct semi-annual and annual stress tests, respectively, reporting results to the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the "OCC"). The Federal Reserve also has discretionary authority to establish additional prudential standards, on its own or at the Financial Stability Oversight Council's recommendation, regarding contingent capital, enhanced public disclosures, short-term debt limits, and otherwise as it deems appropriate.

Under the Durbin Amendment to the DFA, in June 2011 the Federal Reserve issued the final rule implementing debit card interchange fee and routing regulation. The final rule establishes standards for assessing whether debit card interchange fees received by debit card issuers including the Bank, are “reasonable and proportional” to the costs incurred by issuers for electronic debit transactions, and prohibits network exclusivity arrangements on debit cards to ensure merchants have choices in how debit card transactions are routed.

The DFA established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the "CFPB"), which has broad powers to set the requirements for the terms and conditions of consumer financial products. This has resulted in and is expected to continue to result in increased compliance costs and reduced revenue.


91


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


In March 2013, the CFPB issued a bulletin recommending that indirect vehicle lenders, including SCUSA, take steps to monitor and impose controls over vehicle dealer "mark-up" policies whereby dealers impose higher interest rates on certain consumers, with the mark-up shared between the dealer and the lender. In accordance with SCUSA's policy, dealers are allowed to mark-up interest rates by a maximum of 2.00%, but in October 2013 SCUSA reduced the maximum compensation (participation from 2.00% (industry practice) to 1.75%). The Company believes this restriction removes the dealers' incentive to mark-up rates beyond 1.75%. The Company plans to continue to evaluate this policy for effectiveness and may make further changes to strengthen oversight of dealers and mark-up rates.

On July 31, 2015, the CFPB notified SCUSA that it had referred to the DOJ certain alleged violations by SCUSA of the ECOA regarding (i) statistical disparities in mark-ups charged by automobile dealers to protected groups on loans originated by those dealers and purchased by SCUSA and (ii) the treatment of certain types of income in SCUSA's underwriting process. On September 25, 2015, the DOJ notified SCUSA that it had initiated, based on the referral from the CFPB, an investigation under the ECOA of SCUSA's pricing of automobile loans.

The Company routinely executes interest rate swaps for the management of its asset/liability mix, and also executes such swaps with its borrower clients. Under the DFA, the Bank is required to post collateral with certain of its counterparties and clearing exchanges. While clearing these financial instruments offers some benefits and additional transparency in valuation, the systems requirements for clearing execution add operational complexities to the business and accordingly increase operational risk exposure.

Provisions of the DFA relating to the applicability of state consumer protection laws to national banks, including the Bank, became effective in July 2011. Questions may arise as to whether certain state consumer financial laws that were previously preempted by federal law are no longer preempted as a result of these new provisions. Depending on how such questions are resolved, the Bank may experience an increase in state-level regulation of its retail banking business and additional compliance obligations, revenue impacts and costs. SCUSA already is subject to such state-level regulation.

The DFA and certain other legislation and regulations impose various restrictions on compensation of certain executive offers. The Company's ability to attract and/or retain talented personnel may be adversely affected by these restrictions.

Other requirements of the DFA include increases in the amount of deposit insurance assessments the Bank must pay; changes to the nature and levels of fees charged to consumers, which are negatively affecting the Bank's income; banning banking organizations from engaging in proprietary trading and restricting their sponsorship of, or investing in, hedge funds and private equity funds, subject to limited exceptions; and increasing regulation of the derivatives markets through measures that broaden the derivative instruments subject to regulation and requiring clearing and exchange trading as well as imposing additional capital and margin requirements for derivatives market participants, which will increase the cost of conducting this business.

Volcker Rule

The DFA added new section 13 to the BHC Act. Section 13, which is commonly referred to as the “Volcker Rule”, prohibits a “banking entity” from engaging in “proprietary trading” or engaging in any of the following activities with respect to a hedge fund or a private equity fund (together, a “covered fund”): (i) acquiring or retaining any equity, partnership or other ownership interest in the fund; (ii) controlling the fund; or (iii) engaging in certain transactions with the fund if the banking entity or any affiliate is an investment adviser or sponsor to the fund. These prohibitions are subject to certain exemptions for permitted activities.

Because the term “banking entity” includes an insured depository institution, a depository institution holding company and any affiliate of any of the foregoing, the Volcker Rule has sweeping worldwide application and covers entities such as Santander, SHUSA, SCUSA, the Bank and numerous other Santander subsidiaries in the United States and abroad.

When the agencies responsible for administering the Volcker Rule approved the final regulations implementing the rule, the Federal Reserve extended the deadline for compliance with the rule until July 21, 2015. The Federal Reserve subsequently extended the deadline by which banking entities were to conform investments in and relationships with covered funds and foreign funds that may be subject to the Volcker Rule and that were in place prior to December 31, 2013 (“Legacy Covered Funds”) until July 21, 2016. Furthermore, the Federal Reserve expressed its intention to grant a final one-year extension until July 21, 2017 to conform ownership interests in and relationships with Legacy Covered Funds. The extension did not apply to non-Legacy Covered Funds or to proprietary trading activities which were required to conform to the Volcker Rule by July 21, 2015.


92


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


In implementing the Volcker Rule, an examination was made of all activities and investments worldwide to determine which banking entities were involved in proprietary trading and/or covered fund activity. Based on this review, all proprietary trading that was not permitted under the Volcker Rule was terminated and all covered fund activity was addressed under the rule’s requirements. As a result, the Company and its banking entity subsidiaries satisfied all requirements of the Volcker Rule for non-Legacy Covered Funds by July 21, 2015 deadline. In addition, many Legacy Covered Funds have already been conformed to the requirements of the Volcker Rule and will either be conformed to the Volcker Rule’s requirements or divested before any deadline for conformance.

Certain policies and procedures, training programs, recordkeeping, internal controls and other compliance requirements that are necessary to comply with the Volcker Rule were implemented before July 21, 2015. As required by the Volcker Rule, the compliance infrastructure has been tailored to each banking entity based on the size of the entity and its level of trading activities. The compliance program includes, among other things, processes for prior approval of new activities and investments that are permitted under the rule, testing and auditing for compliance and a process for attesting annually that the compliance program is reasonably designed to achieve compliance with the Volcker Rule.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act established five capital tiers: well-capitalized, adequately-capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. A depository institution’s capital tier depends on its capital levels in relation to various capital measures, which include leverage and risk-based capital measures and certain other factors. Depository institutions that are not classified as well-capitalized or adequately-capitalized are subject to various restrictions regarding capital distributions, payment of management fees, acceptance of brokered deposits and other operating activities.

Basel III

New and evolving capital standards, both as a result of the DFA and the implementation in the U.S. of Basel III, will have a significant effect on banks and BHCs, including SHUSA and the Bank. In July 2013, the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") and the OCC released final U.S. Basel III regulatory capital rules implementing the global regulatory capital reforms of Basel III. The final rules established a comprehensive capital framework that includes both the advanced approaches for the largest internationally active U.S. banks, formerly known as Basel II, and a standardized approach that applies to all banking organizations with over $500 million in assets. Subject to various transition periods, the rule became effective for the largest banks on January 1, 2014, and for all other banks on January 1, 2015.

The new rules narrow the definition of regulatory capital and establish higher minimum risk-based capital ratios that, when fully phased in, will require banking organizations, including SHUSA and the Bank, to maintain a minimum common equity tier 1 ("CET1") ratio of 4.5%, a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.0%, a total capital ratio of 8.0% and a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to average consolidated assets for the quarter. These requirements for SHUSA and the Bank went into effect on January 1, 2015.

A capital conservation buffer of 2.5% above each of these levels (to be phased in over three years starting in 2016, beginning at 0.625% and increasing by that amount on each subsequent January 1, until it reaches 2.5% on January 1, 2019) will be required for banking institutions and BHCs to avoid restrictions on their ability to make capital distributions, including paying dividends.

The final framework included new deductions from and adjustments to CET1. These include, for example, the requirement that mortgage servicing rights ("MSRs"), deferred tax assets dependent upon future taxable income and significant investments in non-consolidated financial entities are deducted from CET1 to the extent any one such category exceeds 10% of CET1 or all such categories in the aggregate exceed 15% of CET1. Implementation of the deductions and other adjustments to CET1 for SHUSA and the Bank began on January 1, 2015 and will be phased in over three years.


93


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


As of September 30, 2015, the Bank's and SHUSA's CET1 ratio under Basel III, on a fully phased-in basis under the standardized approach, were 13.43% and 11.09%, respectively. Under the transitions provided under Basel III, the Bank's and SHUSA's CET1 ratio under the standardized approach, were 13.86% and 12.09%, respectively. The calculation of the CET1 ratio under both a fully phased in and transition basis is based on management's interpretation of the final rules adopted by the Federal Reserve in July 2013. As part of the implementation of any regulations, management interprets the rules in order to implement the new regulations. If the regulators would interpret the rules differently, there could be an impact to the results of the calculation which may have a negative impact to the calculation of CET1. As mentioned above, the minimum required CET1 ratio is comprised of the 4.5% minimum and the 2.5% conservation buffer. On that basis, the Company believes that, as of September 30, 2015, it would remain above regulatory minimums under the currently enacted capital adequacy requirements of Basel III, including when implemented on a fully phased-in basis.

See the Bank Regulatory Capital section of this MD&A for the Company's ratios under Basel III standards. The implementation of certain regulations and standards relating to regulatory capital could disproportionately affect the Company's regulatory capital position relative to that of its competitors, including those that may not be subject to the same regulatory requirements as the Company.

The Basel III liquidity framework will require banks and BHCs to measure their liquidity against specific liquidity tests that, although similar in some respects to liquidity measures historically applied by banks and regulators for management and supervisory purposes, will be required by regulation going forward. One test, referred to as the liquidity coverage ratio ("LCR"), is designed to ensure that a banking entity maintains an adequate level of unencumbered high-quality liquid assets equal to its expected net cash outflow for a 30-day time horizon. The other, referred to as the net stable funding ratio ("NSFR"), is designed to promote more medium and long-term funding of the assets and activities of banking entities over a one-year time horizon.

On October 24, 2013, the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, and the OCC issued a proposal to implement the Basel III LCR for certain internationally active banks and nonbank financial companies and a modified version of the LCR for certain depository institution holding companies that are not internationally active. On September 3, 2014, the agencies approved the final LCR rule. The agencies stressed that LCR is a key component in their effort to strengthen the liquidity soundness of the U.S. financial sector and is used to complement the broader liquidity regulatory framework and supervisory process such as Enhanced Prudential Standards ("EPS") and Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review ("CCAR"). The agencies have mandated a phased implementation approach where the most globally important covered companies (more than $700 billion in assets) and large regionals ($250 billion to $700 billion in assets) were required to report their LCR calculation beginning January 1, 2015. Smaller covered companies (more than $50 billion in assets) such as SHUSA are required to report their LCR calculation monthly beginning January 1, 2016. Based on management's interpretation of the final rule that will be effective on January 1, 2016, SHUSA's LCR was in excess of the regulatory minimum of 90% which will increase to 100% on January 1, 2017.

On October 31, 2014, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision issued the final standard for the NSFR. The NSFR requires banks to maintain a stable funding profile in relation to their on- and off-balance sheet activities, thus reducing the likelihood that disruptions to a bank's regular sources of funding will erode its liquidity position in a way that could increase the risk of its failure and potentially lead to broader systemic stress. NSFR will become a minimum standard by January 1, 2018.

The U.S. notice of proposed rule-making on NSFR is expected to be published in 2015.

Stress Tests and Capital Adequacy

Pursuant to the DFA, as part of the Federal Reserve's annual CCAR, certain banks and BHCs, including the Company and the Bank, are required to perform stress tests and submit capital plans to the Federal Reserve and the OCC on an annual basis, and receive a notice of non-objection to those capital plans from the Federal Reserve and the OCC before taking capital actions, such as paying dividends, implementing common equity repurchase programs, or redeeming or repurchasing capital instruments. As a consolidated subsidiary of SHUSA, SCUSA is included in the Company's stress tests and capital plans. On March 26, 2014, the Federal Reserve announced that, based on qualitative concerns, it objected to the Company's 2014 capital plans. The Federal Reserve did not object to SHUSA’s payment of dividends on its outstanding class of preferred stock.


94


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


On May 1, 2014, the Board of Directors of SCUSA declared the May SCUSA dividend. The Federal Reserve informed SHUSA on May 22, 2014 that it did not object to SCUSA's payment of the May SCUSA dividend, provided that Santander contribute at least $20.9 million of capital to SHUSA prior to such payment, so that SHUSA's consolidated capital position would be unaffected by the May SCUSA dividend. The Federal Reserve also informed SHUSA that, until the Federal Reserve issues a non-objection to SHUSA's capital plan, any future SCUSA dividend will require prior receipt of a written non-objection from the Federal Reserve. On May 28, 2014, SHUSA issued 84,000 shares of its common stock, no par value per share, to Santander in exchange for cash in the amount of $21 million.

On September 15, 2014, the Company entered into a written agreement with the Federal Reserve Bank (the "FRB") of Boston and the Federal Reserve. Under the terms of the written agreement, the Company must serve as a source of strength to the Bank; strengthen Board oversight of planned capital distributions by the Company and its subsidiaries; and not declare or pay, and not permit any non-bank subsidiary that is not wholly-owned by the Company to declare or pay, any dividends and not make, or permit any such subsidiary to make, any capital distribution, in each case without the prior written approval of the FRB of Boston.

On March 11, 2015, the Federal Reserve announced that SHUSA received an objection from the FRB of Boston to the 2015 capital plan SHUSA submitted on January 5, 2015. The FRB of Boston objected to SHUSA’s capital plan on qualitative grounds due to significant deficiencies in SHUSA’s capital planning process. Subject to the restrictions outlined above with respect to the written agreement, the FRB did not object to SHUSA’s payment of dividends on its outstanding class of preferred stock. The FRB of Boston did object to the requested payment of dividends on SCUSA Common Stock.

On July 2, 2015, the Company entered into a written agreement with the FRB of Boston. Under the terms of that written agreement, the Company is required to make enhancements with respect to, among other matters, board oversight of the consolidated organization, risk management, capital planning and liquidity risk management.

Total Loss Absorbing Capacity

On October 30, 2015 the Federal Reserve released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) on total loss absorbing capacity ("TLAC"), long-term debt ("LTD"), and clean holding company requirements for systemically important U.S. BHCs and intermediate holding companies ("IHCs") of systemically important foreign banking organizations ("FBOs"). SHUSA, as the IHC for Santander in the U.S., will be subject to these requirements.

TLAC represents the amount of equity and debt a company must hold to facilitate its orderly liquidation. Under the FRB’s proposal, SHUSA would be required to hold loss absorbing equity and unsecured debt of 18.5% of risk-weighted assets ("RWAs") by January 1, 2019 and then 20.5% of RWAs by January 1, 2022. These amounts represent the TLAC requirement (16% by January 1, 2019 and then 18% by January 1, 2022) plus a TLAC buffer of 2.5%. The FRBs proposal also establishes a requirement for the LTD component of the TLAC. The LTD requirement for SHUSA would be 7% of RWAs by January 1, 2019.

The comment period on the FRB's TLAC proposal ends on February 1, 2016.

Enhanced Prudential Standards for Liquidity

On February 18, 2014, the Federal Reserve approved the final rule implementing certain of the EPS mandated by Section 165 of the DFA (the "Final Rule"). The Final Rule applies the EPS to (i) U.S. BHCs with $50 billion (and in some cases $10 billion) or more in total consolidated assets and (ii) FBOs with a U.S. banking presence, through branches, agencies or depository institutions exceeding $50 billion in consolidated U.S. non-branch assets. The Final Rule implements, as new requirements for U.S. BHCs, Section 165’s risk management requirements (including requirements, duties and qualifications for a risk management committee and chief risk officer), liquidity stress testing and buffer requirements. U.S. BHCs with total consolidated assets of $50 billion or more on June 30, 2014 are subject to the liquidity requirements as of January 1, 2015.


95


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


Foreign Banking Organizations

On February 18, 2014, the Federal Reserve issued the Final Rule to strengthen regulatory oversight of FBOs. Under the Final Rule, FBOs with global assets of $50 billion or more and U.S. non-branch assets of $10 billion or more, including Santander, must consolidate U.S. subsidiary activities under a U.S. IHC. In addition, the Final Rule requires U.S. BHCs and FBOs with at least $50 billion in total U.S. consolidated non-branch assets to be subject to EPS, heightened capital, liquidity, risk management, and stress testing requirements. Due to both its global and U.S. non-branch total consolidated asset size, Santander is subject to both of the above provisions of the Final Rule. As a result of this rule, Santander is required to transfer its U.S. non-bank subsidiaries currently outside of the Company to the Company, which would become an IHC, or establish a top-tier IHC structure that would include all of its U.S. bank and non-bank subsidiaries. As required under the Final Rule, the Company submitted its IHC implementation plan to the Federal Reserve on December 31, 2014. A phased-in approach is being used for the standards and requirements at both the FBO and the IHC. As a U.S. BHC with more than $50 billion in total consolidated assets, the Company was subject to EPS as of January 1, 2015. The IHC must be formed, with all but 10% of the non-BHC assets included, by July 1, 2016. Other standards of the Final Rule will be phased in through January 1, 2018.

Bank Regulations

As a national bank, the Bank is subject to the OCC's regulations under the National Bank Act. The various laws and regulations administered by the OCC for national banks affect corporate practices and impose certain restrictions on activities and investments to ensure that the Bank operates in a safe and sound manner. These laws and regulations also require the Bank to disclose substantial business and financial information to the OCC and the public.



96


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


Disclosure Pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act

Pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, which added Section 13(r) to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), an issuer is required to disclose in its annual or quarterly reports, as applicable, whether it or any of its affiliates knowingly engaged in certain activities, transactions or dealings relating to Iran or with individuals or entities designated pursuant to certain Executive Orders. Disclosure is generally required even where the activities, transactions or dealings were conducted in compliance with applicable law.

The following activities are disclosed in response to Section 13(r) with respect to affiliates of Santander U.K. plc ("Santander U.K.") within the Santander group.

During the period covered by this quarterly report:

Santander UK plc ("Santander UK") holds frozen savings and one current accounts for two customers resident in the U.K. who are currently designated by the U.S. for terrorism. The accounts held by each customer were blocked after the customer's designation and have remained blocked and dormant throughout the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015. Revenue generated by Santander UK on these accounts in the third quarter of 2015 is negligible.
An Iranian national, resident in the U.K., who is currently designated by the U.S. under the Iranian Financial Sanctions Regulations and the Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators ("NPWMD") designation, holds a mortgage with Santander U.K. that was issued prior to any such designation. No further draw-down has been made (or would be allowed) under this mortgage, although Santander U.K. continues to receive repayment installments. In the nine months ended September 30, 2015, total revenue in connection with this mortgage was approximately £2,928, while net profits were negligible relative to the overall profits of Santander U.K. Santander U.K. does not intend to enter into any new relationships with this customer, and any disbursements will only be made in accordance with applicable sanctions. The same Iranian national also holds two investment accounts with Santander Asset Management UK Limited. The accounts have remained frozen during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The investment returns are being automatically reinvested, and no disbursements have been made to the customer. Total revenue for the Santander group in connection with the investment accounts was approximately £161 while net profits in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were negligible relative to the overall profits of Santander.
In addition, during the third quarter of 2015 two additional Santander UK customers were designated. A UK national designated by the U.S under the Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) sanctions program, who is on the U.S Specially Designated National (SDN) list. This customer holds a bank account which generated revenue of £183 during the third quarter of 2015. A stop was placed on the account. Net profits in the third quarter of 2015 were negligible relative to the overall profits of Santander. A second UK national also designated by the U.S under the SDGT sanctions program and on the U.S. SDGT list, held a bank account. No transactions were made in the third quarter of 2015 and the account is blocked and in arrears.

In addition, the Santander group has certain legacy export credits and performance guarantees with Bank Mellat, which are included in the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. Santander entered into two bilateral credit facilities in February 2000 in an aggregate principal amount of €25.9 million. Both credit facilities matured in 2012. In addition, in 2005 Santander participated in a syndicated credit facility for Bank Mellat of €15.5 million, which matured on July 6, 2015. As of September 30, 2015, Santander was owed €0.9 million under this credit facility and 95% covered by official export credit agencies.

Santander has not been receiving payments from Bank Mellat under any of these credit facilities in recent years. Santander has been and expects to continue to be repaid any amounts due by official export credit agencies, which insure between 95% and 99% of the outstanding amounts under these credit facilities. No funds have been extended by Santander under these facilities since they were granted.

The Santander group also has certain legacy performance guarantees for the benefit of Bank Sepah and Bank Mellat (stand-by letters of credit to guarantee the obligations - either under tender documents or under contracting agreements - of contractors who participated in public bids in Iran) that were in place prior to April 27, 2007. However, should any of the contractors default in their obligations under the public bids, the Santander group would not be able to pay any amounts due to Bank Sepah or Bank Mellat because any such payments would be frozen pursuant to Council Regulation (EU) No. 961/2010.


97


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


In the aggregate, all of the transactions described above resulted in approximately €12,000 in gross revenues and approximately €44,000 of net loss to the Santander group in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, all of which resulted from the performance of export credit agencies rather than any Iranian entity. The Santander group has undertaken significant steps to withdraw from the Iranian market such as closing its representative office in Iran and ceasing all banking activities therein, including correspondent relationships, deposit taking from Iranian entities and issuing export letters of credit, except for the legacy transactions described above. The Santander group is not contractually permitted to cancel these arrangements without either (i) paying the guaranteed amount - which payment would be frozen as explained above (in the case of the performance guarantees), or (ii) forfeiting the outstanding amounts due to it (in the case of the export credits). Accordingly, the Santander group intends to continue to provide the guarantees and hold these assets in accordance with company policy and applicable laws.

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Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 AND 2014
 
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
Net interest income
$
1,683,262

 
$
1,625,476

 
$
5,099,515

 
$
4,387,615

Provision for credit losses
(854,180
)
 
(1,013,357
)
 
(2,728,118
)
 
(2,034,721
)
Total non-interest income
835,961

 
643,826

 
2,304,558

 
4,143,372

General and administrative expenses
(1,211,424
)
 
(919,743
)
 
(3,405,969
)
 
(2,530,262
)
Other expenses
(29,731
)
 
(41,008
)
 
(92,137
)
 
(204,099
)
Income before income taxes
423,888

 
295,194

 
1,177,849

 
3,761,905

Income tax provision
(241,764
)
 
(36,102
)
 
(474,708
)
 
(1,285,855
)
Net income(1)
$
182,124

 
$
259,092

 
$
703,141

 
$
2,476,050

(1) Includes non-controlling interest

The Company reported pre-tax income of $423.9 million and $1.2 billion for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to pretax income of $295.2 million and $3.8 billion for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014. Factors contributing to these changes were as follows:

Net interest income increased $57.8 million and $711.9 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. These increases were primarily due to the increased interest income as a result of the growing retail installment contract and auto loan portfolio.

The provision for credit losses decreased $159.2 million and increased $693.4 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The increase in the nine-month period was primarily due to the continued growth in the retail installment contract ("RIC"), auto loan portfolio and the related provisioning for these portfolios. The decrease in the three-month period was due to the movement of loans from held for investment to held for sale.

Total non-interest income increased $192.1 million and decreased $1.8 billion for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The decrease for the nine-month period was primarily due to the one-time net gain recognized in the first quarter of 2014 related to the Change in Control. The increase for the three-month period was primarily due to higher lease income in the current period.

Total general and administrative expenses increased $291.7 million and $875.7 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The increases were primarily due to lease expense, as well as compensation and benefits.

Other expenses decreased $11.3 million and $112.0 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding period in 2014. The decrease in the nine-month period was primarily due to a one-time impairment charge on long-lived assets in 2014, while the decrease in the three-month period was primarily due to a one-time loss on debt extinguishment in the third quarter of 2014.

The income tax provision increased $205.7 million and decreased $811.1 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The increase for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 was primarily related to a $104 million increase in the reserve for uncertain tax positions in 2015. Refer to Footnote 12 for additional information. The decrease of $811.1 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 was due to the income tax provision on the gain on Change in Control that occurred in 2014.

99


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET / TAX EQUIVALENT NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS
THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 AND 2014
 
2015 (1)
 
2014
 
Average
Balance
 
Tax
Equivalent
Interest
 
Yield/
Rate
 
Average
Balance
 
Tax
Equivalent
Interest
 
Yield/
Rate
 
(dollars in thousands)
EARNING ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INVESTMENTS AND INTEREST EARNING DEPOSITS
$
24,060,297

 
$
101,596

 
1.68
%
 
$
14,889,844

 
$
81,558

 
2.19
%
LOANS(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial loans
30,074,804

 
241,019

 
3.18
%
 
26,573,374

 
217,094

 
3.24
%
Multi-family
9,207,838

 
89,290

 
3.85
%
 
9,055,704

 
99,276

 
4.35
%
Consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
6,700,834

 
66,186

 
3.92
%
 
9,518,535

 
95,577

 
4.02
%
Home equity loans and lines of credit
6,147,646

 
54,658

 
3.53
%
 
6,190,380

 
55,918

 
3.58
%
Total consumer loans secured by real estate
12,848,480

 
120,844

 
3.73
%
 
15,708,915

 
151,495

 
3.85
%
Retail installment contracts and auto loans
25,500,683

 
1,241,989

 
19.32
%
 
22,108,076

 
1,147,242

 
20.59
%
Personal unsecured
3,135,513

 
169,227

 
21.41
%
 
2,029,004

 
178,288

 
34.86
%
Other consumer(3)
1,118,594

 
25,556

 
9.06
%
 
1,417,671

 
32,385

 
9.06
%
Total consumer
42,603,270

 
1,557,616

 
14.51
%
 
41,263,666

 
1,509,410

 
14.52
%
Total loans
81,885,912

 
1,887,925

 
9.15
%
 
76,892,744

 
1,825,780

 
9.43
%
Allowance for loan losses (4)
(3,175,954
)
 

 
%
 
(1,585,648
)
 

 
%
NET LOANS
78,709,958

 
1,887,925

 
9.52
%
 
75,307,096

 
1,825,780

 
9.62
%
Intercompany Investments
14,640

 
222

 
6.02
%
 

 

 
%
TOTAL EARNING ASSETS
102,784,895

 
1,989,743

 
7.68
%
 
90,196,940

 
1,907,338

 
8.40
%
Other assets(5)
26,211,102

 
 
 
 
 
22,412,304

 
 
 
 
TOTAL ASSETS
$
128,995,997

 
 
 
 
 
$
112,609,244

 
 
 
 
INTEREST BEARING FUNDING LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits and other customer related accounts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest bearing demand deposits
$
11,523,046

 
$
14,347

 
0.49
%
 
$
11,293,317

 
$
10,783

 
0.38
%
Savings
3,969,472

 
1,191

 
0.12
%
 
4,015,718

 
1,328

 
0.13
%
Money market
23,366,596

 
32,807

 
0.56
%
 
20,230,827

 
23,953

 
0.47
%
Certificates of deposit
7,904,938

 
17,260

 
0.87
%
 
6,856,663

 
17,890

 
1.04
%
TOTAL INTEREST BEARING DEPOSITS
46,764,052

 
65,605

 
0.56
%
 
42,396,525

 
53,954

 
0.50
%
BORROWED FUNDS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLB advances
11,703,043

 
45,787

 
1.55
%
 
8,192,461

 
66,443

 
3.22
%
Federal funds and repurchase agreements
2,228

 
1

 
0.18
%
 

 

 
%
Other borrowings
35,630,247

 
188,168

 
2.10
%
 
29,280,602

 
149,150

 
2.02
%
TOTAL BORROWED FUNDS (6)
47,335,518

 
233,956

 
1.96
%
 
37,473,063

 
215,593

 
2.29
%
TOTAL INTEREST BEARING FUNDING LIABILITIES
94,099,570

 
299,561

 
1.26
%
 
79,869,588

 
269,547

 
1.34
%
Noninterest bearing demand deposits
8,267,126

 
 
 
 
 
8,004,592

 
 
 
 
Other liabilities(7)
3,414,770

 
 
 
 
 
2,609,271

 
 
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES
105,781,466

 
 
 
 
 
90,483,451

 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
23,214,531

 
 
 
 
 
22,125,793

 
 
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
$
128,995,997

 
 
 
 
 
$
112,609,244

 
 
 
 
TAXABLE EQUIVALENT NET INTEREST INCOME
 
 
$
1,689,960

 
 
 
 
 
$
1,637,791

 
 
NET INTEREST SPREAD (8)
 
 
 
 
6.42
%
 
 
 
 
 
7.06
%
NET INTEREST MARGIN (9)
 
 
 
 
6.52
%
 
 
 
 
 
7.21
%
(1)
Average balances are based on daily averages when available. When daily averages are unavailable, mid-month averages are substituted.
(2)
Interest on loans includes amortization of premiums and discounts on purchased loan portfolios and amortization of deferred loan fees, net of origination costs. Average loan balances includes non-accrual loans and loans-held-for-sale ("LHFS").
(3)
Other consumer primarily includes recreational vehicle ("RV") and marine loans.
(4)
Refer to Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
(5)
Other assets primarily includes goodwill and intangibles, premise and equipment, net deferred tax assets, equity method investments, BOLI, accrued interest receivable, derivative assets, miscellaneous receivables, prepaid expenses and MSRs. Refer to Note 9 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
(6)
Refer to Note 10 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
(7)
Other liabilities primarily includes accounts payable and accrued expenses, derivative liabilities, net deferred tax liabilities and the unfunded lending commitments liability.
(8)
Represents the difference between the yield on total earning assets and the cost of total funding liabilities.
(9)
Represents annualized, taxable equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

100


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET / TAX EQUIVALENT NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS
NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 AND 2014
 
2015 (1)
 
2014
 
Average
Balance
 
Tax
Equivalent
Interest
 
Yield/
Rate
 
Average
Balance
 
Tax
Equivalent
Interest
 
Yield/
Rate
 
(dollars in thousands)
EARNING ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INVESTMENTS AND INTEREST EARNING DEPOSITS
$
21,041,105

 
$
300,533

 
1.91
%
 
$
14,741,828

 
$
243,063

 
2.20
%
LOANS(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial loans
29,468,457

 
696,843

 
3.16
%
 
25,481,792

 
634,692

 
3.33
%
Multi-family
8,740,276

 
269,612

 
4.12
%
 
9,110,795

 
285,718

 
4.19
%
Consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
6,832,880

 
202,632

 
3.96
%
 
9,582,020

 
288,161

 
4.01
%
Home equity loans and lines of credit
6,168,383

 
163,721

 
3.55
%
 
6,214,366

 
166,548

 
3.58
%
Total consumer loans secured by real estate
13,001,263

 
366,353

 
3.77
%
 
15,796,386

 
454,709

 
3.84
%
Retail installment contracts and auto loans
24,487,167

 
3,773,376

 
20.60
%
 
19,069,809

 
3,039,566

 
21.31
%
Personal unsecured
2,877,176

 
514,300

 
23.90
%
 
1,636,746

 
450,790

 
36.82
%
Other consumer(3)
1,196,014

 
81,070

 
9.06
%
 
1,473,942

 
93,117

 
8.45
%
Total consumer
41,561,620

 
4,735,099

 
15.23
%
 
37,976,883

 
4,038,182

 
14.21
%
Total loans
79,770,353

 
5,701,554

 
9.56
%
 
72,569,470

 
4,958,592

 
9.13
%
Allowance for loan losses (4)
(2,717,775
)
 

 
%
 
(1,262,839
)
 

 
%
NET LOANS
77,052,578

 
5,701,554

 
9.89
%
 
71,306,631

 
4,958,592

 
9.29
%
Intercompany investments
14,640

 
664

 
6.06
%
 

 

 
%
TOTAL EARNING ASSETS
98,108,323

 
6,002,751

 
8.18
%
 
86,048,459

 
5,201,655

 
8.08
%
Other assets(5)
25,695,349

 
 
 
 
 
20,143,999

 
 
 
 
TOTAL ASSETS
$
123,803,672

 
 
 
 
 
$
106,192,458

 
 
 
 
INTEREST BEARING FUNDING LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits and other customer related accounts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest bearing demand deposits
$
11,547,452

 
$
40,600

 
0.47
%
 
$
10,965,717

 
$
23,830

 
0.29
%
Savings
3,960,464

 
3,621

 
0.12
%
 
4,023,385

 
4,000

 
0.13
%
Money market
22,666,266

 
94,851

 
0.56
%
 
19,460,569

 
62,324

 
0.43
%
Certificates of deposit
8,140,845

 
55,122

 
0.91
%
 
7,363,777

 
59,459

 
1.08
%
TOTAL INTEREST BEARING DEPOSITS
46,315,027

 
194,194

 
0.56
%
 
41,813,448

 
149,613

 
0.48
%
BORROWED FUNDS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLB advances
9,158,535

 
133,324

 
1.95
%
 
7,705,533

 
204,845

 
3.55
%
Federal funds and repurchase agreements
15,586

 
18

 
0.15
%
 
641

 

 
%
Other borrowings
33,897,097

 
548,472

 
2.16
%
 
25,757,395

 
419,856

 
2.18
%
TOTAL BORROWED FUNDS (6)
43,071,218

 
681,814

 
2.12
%
 
33,463,569

 
624,701

 
2.50
%
TOTAL INTEREST BEARING FUNDING LIABILITIES
89,386,245

 
876,008

 
1.31
%
 
75,277,017

 
774,314

 
1.38
%
Noninterest bearing demand deposits
8,073,662

 
 
 
 
 
7,933,912

 
 
 
 
Other liabilities(7)
3,334,991

 
 
 
 
 
2,259,454

 
 
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES
100,794,898

 
 
 
 
 
85,470,383

 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
23,008,774

 
 
 
 
 
20,722,075

 
 
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
$
123,803,672

 
 
 
 
 
$
106,192,458

 
 
 
 
TAXABLE EQUIVALENT NET INTEREST INCOME
 
 
$
5,126,079

 
 
 
 
 
$
4,427,341

 
 
NET INTEREST SPREAD (8)
 
 
 
 
6.87
%
 
 
 
 
 
6.70
%
NET INTEREST MARGIN (9)
 
 
 
 
6.99
%
 
 
 
 
 
6.88
%
(1)
Average balances are based on daily averages when available. When daily averages are unavailable, mid-month averages are substituted.
(2)
Interest on loans includes amortization of premiums and discounts on purchased loan portfolios and amortization of deferred loan fees, net of origination costs. Average loan balances includes non-accrual loans and LHFS.
(3)
Other consumer primarily includes RV and marine loans.
(4)
Refer to Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
(5)
Other assets primarily includes goodwill and intangibles, premise and equipment, net deferred tax assets, equity method investments, BOLI, accrued interest receivable, derivative assets, miscellaneous receivables, prepaid expenses and MSRs. Refer to Note 9 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
(6)
Refer to Note 10 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
(7)
Other liabilities primarily includes accounts payable and accrued expenses, derivative liabilities, net deferred tax liabilities and the unfunded lending commitments liability.
(8)
Represents the difference between the yield on total earning assets and the cost of total funding liabilities.
(9)
Represents annualized, taxable equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

101


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


NET INTEREST INCOME
 
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
INTEREST INCOME:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-earning deposits
$
2,518

 
$
2,250

 
$
5,337

 
$
5,811

Investments available-for-sale
85,293

 
61,290

 
239,755

 
183,158

Other investments
10,787

 
9,205

 
39,880

 
26,950

Total interest income on investment securities and interest-earning deposits
98,598

 
72,745

 
284,972

 
215,919

Interest on loans
1,884,226

 
1,822,275

 
5,690,548

 
4,948,106

Total Interest Income
1,982,824

 
1,895,020

 
5,975,520

 
5,164,025

INTEREST EXPENSE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits and customer accounts
65,605

 
53,952

 
194,191

 
151,708

Borrowings and other debt obligations
233,957

 
215,592

 
681,814

 
624,702

Total Interest Expense
299,562

 
269,544

 
876,005

 
776,410

 NET INTEREST INCOME
$
1,683,262

 
$
1,625,476

 
$
5,099,515

 
$
4,387,615


Net interest income increased $57.8 million and $711.9 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. This was primarily due to interest income earned on continued growth in the retail installment contract and auto loans portfolio, offset by an increase in interest expense on debt obligations due to one additional month of interest expense on SCUSA's debt obligations in 2015 compared to 2014.

Interest Income on Investment Securities and Interest-Earning Deposits

Interest income on investment securities and interest-earning deposits increased $25.9 million and $69.1 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The average balances of investment securities and interest-earning deposits for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 were $24.1 billion and $21.0 billion with an average yield of 1.68% and 1.91%, respectively, compared to average balances of $14.9 billion and $14.7 billion with an average yield of 2.19% and 2.20% for the corresponding period in 2014. Overall, the increase in interest income on investment securities was primarily attributable to increased interest from CMOs of $22.5 million and $38.1 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015.

Interest Income on Loans

Interest income on loans increased $62.0 million and $742.4 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The increase in interest income on loans was primarily due to the growth in originations of the retail installment contract and auto loan and unsecured loan portfolios. Interest income on the retail installment contract and auto loans portfolio increased $94.7 million and $733.8 million, respectively, for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. This was offset by decreases in interest on mortgage loans of $29.4 million and $85.5 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

The average balance of total loans was $81.9 billion and $79.8 billion with an average yield of 9.15% and 9.56% for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $76.9 billion and $72.6 billion with an average yield of 9.43% and 9.13% for the corresponding periods in 2014. The increase in the average balance of total loans of $5.0 billion and $7.2 billion was primarily due to the growth of the retail installment contract and auto loan portfolio. The average balance of retail installment contracts and auto loans, which comprised a majority of the increase, was $25.5 billion and $24.5 billion with an average yield of 19.32% and 20.60% for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $22.1 billion and $19.1 billion with an average yield of 20.59% and 21.31% for the corresponding periods in 2014.


102


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


Interest Expense on Deposits and Related Customer Accounts

Interest expense on deposits and related customer accounts increased $11.7 million and $42.5 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The average balance of total interest-bearing deposits was $46.8 billion and $46.3 billion with an average cost of 0.56% for both the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to an average balance of $42.4 billion and $41.8 billion with an average cost of 0.50% and 0.48%for the corresponding periods in 2014. The increase in interest expense on deposits and customer-related accounts during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to the increase in the volume of deposit accounts, along with a slight increase in average interest rates.

Interest Expense on Borrowed Funds

Interest expense on borrowed funds increased $18.4 million and $57.1 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The increase in interest expense on borrowed funds was due to a $9.9 billion and $9.6 billion increase in total average borrowings for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. These increases were primarily due to $3.1 billion of new debt issued by SBNA and the Company and net $2.3 billion of SCUSA securitization activity. The average balance of total borrowings was $47.3 billion and $43.1 billion with an average cost of 1.96% and 2.12% for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to an average balance of $37.5 billion and $33.5 billion with an average cost of 2.29% and 2.50% for the corresponding periods in 2014.


PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES

The provision for credit losses is based on credit loss experience, growth or contraction of specific segments of the loan portfolio, and the estimate of losses inherent in the portfolio. The provision for credit losses for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 was $854.2 million and $2.7 billion, respectively, compared to $1.0 billion and $2.0 billion for the corresponding periods in 2014. The activity for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 is primarily related to retail installment contract and auto loan activity.

103


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


 
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period
$
3,070,458

 
$
1,425,856

 
$
2,108,817

 
$
834,337

Charge-offs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
(45,440
)
 
(28,680
)
 
(96,561
)
 
(81,157
)
Consumer
(1,488,291
)
 
(981,519
)
 
(3,337,089
)
 
(1,744,085
)
Total charge-offs
(1,533,731
)
 
(1,010,199
)
 
(3,433,650
)
 
(1,825,242
)
Recoveries:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
25,091

 
8,841

 
39,264

 
18,551

Consumer
496,348

 
408,754

 
1,501,914

 
739,242

Total recoveries
521,439

 
417,595

 
1,541,178

 
757,793

Charge-offs, net of recoveries
(1,012,292
)
 
(592,604
)
 
(1,892,472
)
 
(1,067,449
)
Provision for loan losses (1)
854,180

 
1,033,357

 
2,723,118

 
2,099,721

Other(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial

 

 

 

Consumer

 
(61,220
)
 
(27,117
)
 
(61,220
)
Allowance for loan losses, end of period
$
2,912,346

 
$
1,805,389

 
$
2,912,346

 
$
1,805,389

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments, beginning of period
$
137,641

 
$
170,274

 
$
132,641

 
$
220,000

Provision for unfunded lending commitments (1)

 
(20,000
)
 
5,000

 
(65,000
)
Loss on unfunded lending commitments

 
(633
)
 

 
(5,359
)
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments, end of period
137,641

 
149,641

 
137,641

 
149,641

Total allowance for credit losses, end of period
$
3,049,987

 
$
1,955,030

 
$
3,049,987

 
$
1,955,030


(1)
The provision for credit losses in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations is the sum of the total provision for loan losses and provision for unfunded lending commitments.
(2)
For 2015, the "Other" amount represents the impact on the allowance for loan and lease losses in connection with SCUSA classifying approximately $1.0 billion of retail installment contracts ("RICs") as held-for-sale during the first quarter of 2015. For 2014, the "Other" amount represents the impact on the allowance for loan and lease losses in connection with the sale of approximately $484 million of troubled debt restructurings and non-performing loans classified as held-for-sale during the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

The Company's net charge-offs increased for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The ratio of net loan charge-offs to average total loans was 1.2% and 2.4% for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to 0.8% and 1.5% for the corresponding periods in 2014.

Commercial loan net charge-offs as a percentage of average commercial loans, including multi-family loans, decreased to less than 0.1% and 0.1% for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to less than 0.1% and 0.2% for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014. Consumer loan net charge-offs as a percentage of average consumer loans increased to 2.3% and 4.4% for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to 1.4% and 2.6% for the corresponding periods in the prior year.

The change in consumer net charge-offs for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 was due to net charge-offs for the RIC and auto loans portfolio, which grew by approximately 119.1%, offset by a decrease in the residential mortgage and home equity portfolios net charge-offs of approximately 18.2%. The change in consumer net charge-offs for the nine-month period was due to net charge-offs for the RIC and auto loans portfolio growing by approximately 111.5%, offset by residential mortgage and home equity portfolio charge-offs decreasing by approximately 11.0%.

104


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


NON-INTEREST INCOME
 
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
Consumer fees
$
119,902

 
$
93,451

 
$
324,119

 
$
273,128

Commercial fees
44,940

 
44,515

 
133,766

 
130,044

Mortgage banking income, net
31,317

 
97,576

 
85,484

 
127,285

Equity method investments (loss)/income, net
1,624

 
(4,619
)
 
(5,543
)
 
7,607

Bank-owned life insurance
15,590

 
13,373

 
44,430

 
44,536

Lease income
486,510

 
269,966

 
1,328,401

 
651,458

Miscellaneous income
138,071

 
129,433

 
376,630

 
469,295

Net gain/(loss) recognized in earnings
(1,993
)
 
131

 
17,271

 
2,440,019

     Total non-interest income
$
835,961

 
$
643,826

 
$
2,304,558

 
$
4,143,372


Total non-interest income increased $192.1 million and decreased $1.8 billion for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The increase for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to an increase in lease income. The decrease for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to the one-time gain recognized in 2014 related to the Change in Control.

Consumer Fees

Consumer fees increased $26.5 million and $51.0 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The increases were primarily due to the $29.0 million and $55.8 million increases in servicing fees attributable to the Company's growing RIC and auto loan portfolio. This growth was offset by a decrease in insurance service and consumer deposit fees.

Commercial Fees

Commercial fees increased $0.4 million and $3.7 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. These increases were primarily due to an increase in commercial loan fees of $4.0 million for the nine-months period ended September 30, 2015.

Mortgage Banking Revenue
 
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
Mortgage and multi-family servicing fees
$
11,127

 
$
10,451

 
$
33,640

 
$
31,721

Net gains on sales of residential mortgage loans and related securities
5,167

 
90,868

 
28,731

 
104,720

Net gains on sales of multi-family mortgage loans
18,623

 
4,600

 
28,961

 
20,208

Net gains on hedging activities
15,806

 
61

 
12,787

 
713

Net (losses)/gains from changes in MSR fair value
(13,472
)
 
(2,725
)
 
749

 
(14,078
)
MSR principal reductions
(5,934
)
 
(5,679
)
 
(19,384
)
 
(15,999
)
     Total mortgage banking income, net
$
31,317

 
$
97,576

 
$
85,484

 
$
127,285


Mortgage banking income consisted of fees associated with servicing loans not held by the Company, as well as originations, amortization, and changes in the fair value of MSRs and recourse reserves. Mortgage banking income also included gains or losses on the sale of mortgage loans, home equity loans, home equity lines of credit, and MBS. Lastly, gains or losses on mortgage banking derivative and hedging transactions are also included in Mortgage banking income.

Mortgage banking revenue decreased $66.3 million and $41.8 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. These changes were primarily due to decreases in the gain on sales of residential mortgage loans, partially, offset by an increase in hedging activities.

105


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


Since mid-2013, mortgage interest rates have remained stable, resulting in relative stability in mortgage banking fee fluctuations from rate changes.

The following table details certain residential mortgage rates for the Bank as of the dates indicated:
 
30-Year Fixed
 
15-Year Fixed
September 30, 2013
4.38
%
 
3.38
%
December 31, 2013
4.63
%
 
3.50
%
March 31, 2014
4.38
%
 
3.50
%
June 30, 2014
4.13
%
 
3.38
%
September 30, 2014
4.25
%
 
3.50
%
December 31, 2014
3.99
%
 
3.25
%
March 31, 2015
3.88
%
 
3.13
%
June 30, 2015
4.13
%
 
3.38
%
September 30, 2015
3.99
%
 
3.13
%

Other factors, such as portfolio sales, servicing, and re-purchases, have continued to affect mortgage banking revenue.

Mortgage and multifamily servicing fees increased $0.7 million and $1.9 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding period in 2014. At September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, the Company serviced mortgage and multifamily real estate loans for the benefit of others totaling $897.0 million and $3.2 billion, respectively.

Net gains on sales of residential mortgage loans and related securities decreased $85.7 million and $76.0 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding period in 2014. For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, the Company sold $655.8 million and $1.6 billion of loans for gains of $5.2 million and $28.7 million, respectively, compared to $385.3 million and $805.2 million of loans sold for gains of $90.9 million and $104.7 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014.

The Company periodically sells qualifying mortgage loans to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), Government National Mortgage Association and Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") in return for MBS issued by those agencies. The Company records these transactions as sales when the transfers meet all of the accounting criteria for a sale. For those loans sold to the agencies for which the Company retains the servicing rights, the Company recognizes the servicing rights at fair value. These loans are also generally sold with standard representation and warranty provisions, which the Company recognizes at fair value. Any difference between the carrying value of the transferred mortgage loans and the fair value of MBS, servicing rights, and representation and warranty reserves is recognized as gain or loss on sale.

Net gains on sales of multi-family mortgage loans increased $14.0 million and $8.8 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The increase was primarily due to an $18.6 million release in the FNMA recourse reserve for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015. The release of FNMA recourse reserves was attributable to the $1.4 billion purchases of multi-family mortgages in the third quarter of 2015 from FNMA.

The Company previously sold multi-family loans in the secondary market to FNMA while retaining servicing. In September 2009, the Bank elected to stop selling multi-family loans to FNMA and, since that time, has retained all production for the multi-family loan portfolio. Under the terms of the multi-family sales program with FNMA, the Company retained a portion of the credit risk associated with those loans. As a result of that agreement, the Company retains a 100% first loss position on each multi-family loan sold to FNMA under the program until the earlier to occur of (i) the aggregate approved losses on the multi-family loans sold to FNMA reaching the maximum loss exposure for the portfolio as a whole or (ii) all of the loans sold to FNMA under the program are fully paid off.

At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company serviced $589.7 million and $2.6 billion, respectively, of loans for FNMA. These loans had a credit loss exposure of $34.4 million and $152.8 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and losses, if any, resulting from representation and warranty defaults would be in addition to the Company's credit loss exposure. The servicing asset for these loans has completely amortized.

106


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


The Company has established a liability related to the fair value of the retained credit exposure for multi-family loans sold to FNMA. This liability represents the amount the Company estimates it would have to pay a third party to assume the retained recourse obligation. The estimated liability represents the present value of the estimated losses the portfolio is projected to incur based upon internal specific information and an industry-based default curve with a range of estimated losses. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had a liability of $8.1 million and $40.7 million, respectively, related to the fair value of the retained credit exposure for loans sold to FNMA under this program.

Net gains/(losses) on hedging activities increased $15.7 million and $12.1 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The gains were primarily due to the increase in the mortgage loan pipeline and the Company's hedging strategy in the current mortgage rate environment.

Net gains/(losses) from changes in MSR fair value decreased $10.7 million and increased $14.8 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The carrying value of the related MSRs at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were $143.5 million and $145.0 million, respectively. The MSR asset fair value increase for the nine-month period September 30, 2015 was the result of increases in interest rates.

MSR principal reductions recognized a decrease of $0.3 million and $3.4 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. These decreases were due to continued increases in prepayments and mortgage refinancing as a result of the anticipation of rising interest rates in the near future.

Equity Method Investments

Equity Method Investments increased $6.2 million and decreased $13.2 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The decrease for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to the Change in Control, which resulted in accounting for SCUSA as a consolidated subsidiary beginning January 28, 2014. The three-month period ended increase was due to amortization expense on housing loans that occurred in the third quarter of 2014.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

BOLI income represents fluctuations in the cash surrender value of life insurance policies on certain employees. The Bank is the beneficiary and the recipient of the insurance proceeds. Income from BOLI increased $2.2 million and decreased $0.1 million, for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014.

Lease income

Lease income increased $216.5 million and $676.9 million, on an average leased vehicle portfolio balance of $8.0 billion and $7.4 billion for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. These increases were the result of the Company's efforts to grow the lease portfolio.

Net gain recognized in earnings

Net gains recognized in earnings decreased $2.1 million and $2.4 billion for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The decrease for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to the one-time gain the Company recognized in connection with the Change in Control during the first quarter of 2014. For additional information on the Change in Control, see Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


107


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


The net gain realized for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 was primarily comprised of the sale of corporate debt securities with a book value of $63.7 million for a gain of $0.4 million, and the sale of ABS with a book value of $419.6 million for a loss of $1.4 million. The net gain for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 was primarily comprised of the sale of state and municipal securities with a book value of $421.5 million for a gain of $12.1 million, the sale of corporate debt securities with a book value of $517.6 million for a gain of $7.0 million, and the sale of ABS with a book value of $683.9 million for a loss of $0.2 million, offset by OTTI of $1.1 million. The net gain realized for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 was primarily due to the sale of corporate debt securities with a book value of $88.4 million for a gain of $0.1 million. The net gain realized for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 was primarily comprised of the sale of state and municipal securities with a book value of $89 million for a gain of $5.2 million, the sale of corporate debt securities with a book value of $434.8 million for a gain of $4.7 million, and the sale of MBS with a book value of $21.6 million for a gain of $1.3 million.

Miscellaneous Income

Miscellaneous income increased $8.6 million and decreased $92.7 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The decrease for the nine-month period was primarily due to changes in fair value associated with the portfolio of loans that the Company accounts for at the fair value option ("FVO").


GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
 
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
Compensation and benefits
$
365,071

 
$
290,665

 
$
1,012,887

 
$
894,051

Occupancy and equipment expenses
128,990

 
117,697

 
397,769

 
350,788

Technology expense
43,534

 
40,806

 
130,690

 
124,874

Outside services
80,688

 
57,870

 
184,588

 
136,979

Marketing expense
25,731

 
11,858

 
57,913

 
37,077

Loan expense
89,944

 
80,392

 
296,135

 
237,691

Lease expense
384,276

 
208,879

 
1,068,137

 
508,038

Other administrative expenses
93,190

 
111,576

 
257,850

 
240,764

Total general and administrative expenses
$
1,211,424

 
$
919,743

 
$
3,405,969

 
$
2,530,262


Total general and administrative expenses increased $291.7 million and $875.7 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, from the corresponding periods in 2014. During the second quarter of 2015, the Bank closed 29 branches located throughout its footprint in order to gain operational efficiencies. These closures resulted in accelerated depreciation expense of $7.6 million of related assets and a vacancy accrual charge of $6.4 million in the form of rent expense. Additional factors contributing to these increases were as follows:

Compensation and benefits expense increased $74.4 million and $118.8 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, from the corresponding periods in 2014. This primary driver of these increases was the Company's continued investment in personnel through increased salary, benefits, and headcount. During the third quarter of 2015, the Company initiated a process to improve its operating efficiency specifically focused on organizational simplification.

Occupancy and equipment expenses increased $11.3 million and $47.0 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, from the corresponding periods in 2014. These were primarily due to increases in depreciation expense for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 of $6.1 million and $23.1 million, respectively, which accounted for 54.4% and 49.2% of the increase.

Outside services increased $22.8 million and $47.6 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, from the corresponding periods in 2014. These increases were primarily due to the increase in consulting service fees that relate to finance-related initiatives, including preparation for meeting the requirements of the IHC implementation rules. Consulting fees increased $23.5 million and $54.0 million, respectively, for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 from the corresponding periods in 2014. The increase was offset by a decrease in processing services.

108


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


Loan expense increased $9.6 million and $58.4 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, from the corresponding periods in 2014. These increases were primarily due to increases of $10.6 million and $50.8 million in collection expenses associated with the growing retail installment contract and auto loan portfolio. The increase for the three-month period was offset by a decrease in loan origination expenses.

Lease expense increased $175.4 million and $560.1 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, from the corresponding periods in 2014. These increases were primarily due to the continued growth of the Company's leased vehicle portfolio.

Other administrative expenses decreased $18.4 million and increased $17.1 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, from the corresponding periods in 2014. The majority of the nine-month period ended increase was due to $35.4 million of legal fees recognized throughout the year, offset by a $16.2 million decrease in uninsured losses.


OTHER EXPENSES
 
Three-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
Amortization of intangibles
$
15,887

 
$
17,730

 
$
49,031

 
$
50,670

Deposit insurance premiums and other expenses
13,809

 
14,967

 
42,987

 
43,937

Loss on debt extinguishment

 
8,311

 

 
11,946

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

 

 
97,546

Investment expense on affordable housing projects
35

 

 
119

 

Total other expenses
$
29,731

 
$
41,008

 
$
92,137

 
$
204,099


Total other expenses decreased $11.3 million and $112.0 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The primary factors contributing to the decreases were:

Amortization of intangibles decreased $1.8 million and $1.6 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in amortization of core deposit intangibles.

Deposit insurance premiums expenses decreased $1.2 million and $1.0 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. These variances were caused by a change in FDIC insurance premium rates and assessments for the Bank.

There were no losses on debt extinguishment during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 compared to $8.3 million and $11.9 million of losses in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014.

There were no impairment charges recorded on long-lived assets during 2015. In the second quarter of 2014, an impairment of long-lived assets charge of $97.5 million was recorded due to the restructuring of the Company's capitalized software.

The Company incurred an investment expense on affordable housing projects of $35.0 thousand and $119.0 thousand for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015. This expense was directly related to low income housing tax credit investments.

109


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


INCOME TAX PROVISION

Income tax provisions of $241.8 million and $474.7 million were recorded for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $36.1 million and $1.3 billion for the corresponding periods in 2014. This resulted in effective tax rates of 57.0% and 40.3% for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to 12.2% and 34.2% for the corresponding periods in 2014. The higher tax rate for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to a discrete tax expense recognized during the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 to increase the reserve for income taxes under dispute with the United States on two financing transactions and a discrete tax benefit recognized during the corresponding period in 2014 for a tax filing position on a debt redemption.

The Company's effective tax rate in future periods will be affected by the results of operations allocated to the various tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates, any change in income tax laws or regulations within those jurisdictions, and interpretations of income tax regulations that differ from the Company's interpretations by tax authorities that examine tax returns filed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.


LINE OF BUSINESS RESULTS

General

The Company's segments at September 30, 2015 consisted of Retail Banking, Auto Finance & Business Banking, Real Estate and Commercial Banking, Global Corporate Banking ("GCB"), and SCUSA. Prior to the closing of the IPO in January 2014, the Company accounted for its investment in SCUSA under the equity method. Following the closing of the IPO, the Company consolidated the financial results of SCUSA in the Company’s financial statements, effective January 28, 2014. For additional information with respect to the Company's reporting segments, see Note 17 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Results Summary

Retail Banking

Net interest income increased $8.9 million and $14.7 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The average balance of the Retail Banking segment's gross loans was $14.1 billion and $14.3 billion for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $17.1 billion and $17.2 billion for the corresponding periods in 2014, driven by a troubled debt restructuring ("TDR") sale during the third quarter of 2014, and the securitization of $2.1 billion of mortgage loans to MBS as part of the securitization transactions. The average balance of deposits was $32.5 billion and $32.7 billion for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $31.6 billion and $31.8 billion for the corresponding periods in 2014, driven by growth in money market accounts. Total non-interest income decreased $68.6 million and $67.0 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The provision for credit losses decreased $16.5 million and $4.3 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014, driven by an improvement in credit quality in 2015. Total expenses increased $25.2 million and $71.9 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014, primarily due to increased consulting service fees, which were mostly related to the CCAR plan, as well as increased maintenance expenses.

Total average assets for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 were $16.9 billion and $17.1 billion, respectively, compared to $17.8 billion and $17.9 billion for the corresponding periods in 2014. These decreases were primarily driven by decreases within the mortgage loan portfolio.


110


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


Auto Finance & Business Banking

Net interest income increased $2.1 million and $7.6 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. Total average gross loans were $6.4 billion and $6.4 billion for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $5.9 billion and $5.7 billion for the corresponding periods in 2014, driven by growth in the dealer lending and commercial equipment and vehicle funding ("CEVF") business lines. Total non-interest income increased $28.9 million and $163.8 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014, due primarily to growth in the indirect leasing business line, which was launched in 2014. The Auto Finance & Business Banking segment ceased originations in the indirect leasing business line during the quarter ended June 30, 2015. The provision for credit losses increased $4.1 million and $13.7 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. Total expenses increased $27.0 million and $156.2 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014, due primarily to growth in the indirect leasing business line.

Total average assets were $8.4 billion and $8.4 billion for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $7.0 billion and $6.2 billion for the corresponding periods in 2014, driven by the growth in the indirect leasing business line. Total average deposits were $7.0 billion and $6.8 billion for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $7.0 billion and $6.6 billion for the corresponding periods in 2014.

Real Estate and Commercial Banking

Net interest income increased $7.6 million and $27.9 million during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. Driven by growth in the special industries portfolio, the average balance of this segment's gross loans increased to $21.9 billion and $21.2 billion during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $20.6 billion and $20.5 billion for the corresponding periods in 2014. The average balance of deposits increased to $9.6 billion and $9.5 billion during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $8.6 billion and $8.1 billion during the corresponding periods in 2014, due to an increase in government banking deposits. Total non-interest income increased $16.9 million and $11.1 million during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014 due to increased releases of recourse reserves during 2015. The provision for credit losses was $3.9 million and $22.9 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to provision releases of $59.8 million and $63.1 million for the corresponding periods in 2014. The increase in the provision was driven by loan growth in the segment. Total expenses increased $3.8 million and $19.6 million during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014.

Total average assets, which includes the related ACL, were $21.8 billion and $21.1 billion for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $20.5 billion and $20.4 billion for the corresponding periods in 2014.

Global Corporate Banking

Net interest income increased $7.9 million and $26.0 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The average balance of this segment's gross loans was $9.9 billion and $9.4 billion for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $8.1 billion and $7.5 billion for the corresponding periods in 2014. The average balance of deposits was $2.2 billion and $1.8 billion for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $1.2 billion and $1.2 billion for the corresponding periods in 2014. Total non-interest income decreased $2.4 million and increased $3.4 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. The provision for credit losses decreased $3.4 million and increased $3.3 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. Total expenses increased $0.8 million and $8.1 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014.

Total average assets were $12.1 billion and $11.6 billion for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $9.8 billion and $9.2 billion for the corresponding periods in 2014.


111


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


Other

Net interest income decreased $42.8 million and $87.3 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. Total non-interest income decreased $14.7 million and $29.7 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. There were provision releases of $52.9 million and $32.5 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to a provision for credit losses of $13.7 million and a provision release of $39.2 million during the corresponding periods in 2014. Total expenses decreased $20.4 million and $95.1 million during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014.

Average assets were $34.3 billion and $31.3 billion for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $26.8 billion and $26.4 billion for the corresponding periods in 2014.

SCUSA

From December 2011 until January 28, 2014, SCUSA was accounted for as an equity method investment. In 2014, SCUSA's results of operations were consolidated with SHUSA. SCUSA is managed as a separate business unit, with its own systems and processes, and is reported as a separate segment. For more information, see Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net interest income increased $138.8 million and $381.5 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of 2014. Total non-interest income increased $104.0 million and $507.4 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. These increases in income were primarily attributable to increases in loans and leased vehicles during the year. The provision for credit losses decreased $26.0 million and increased $31.6 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014. Total expenses increased $197.9 million and $428.4 million during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2014, also attributable to the growth in the loan and leased vehicle portfolios during the year.

Average assets were $35.5 billion and $34.4 billion for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $30.6 billion and $26.2 billion for the corresponding periods of 2014.

112


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


FINANCIAL CONDITION


LOAN PORTFOLIO

The Company's loan portfolio(1) consisted of the following at the dates provided:

 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate loans
$
8,495,182

 
10.4
%
 
$
8,739,233

 
11.5
%
 
$
8,685,949

 
11.6
%
Commercial and industrial loans and other commercial
21,728,493

 
26.6
%
 
19,195,638

 
25.1
%
 
18,055,988

 
24.1
%
Multi-family
9,600,527

 
11.8
%
 
8,705,890

 
11.4
%
 
8,941,466

 
12.0
%
Total Commercial Loans
39,824,202

 
48.8
%
 
36,640,761

 
48.0
%
 
35,683,403

 
47.7
%
Consumer loans secured by real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
6,688,928

 
8.2
%
 
6,969,309

 
9.2
%
 
7,525,709

 
10.1
%
Home equity loans and lines of credit
6,155,218

 
7.5
%
 
6,206,980

 
8.1
%
 
6,215,554

 
8.3
%
Total consumer loans secured by real estate
12,844,146

 
15.7
%
 
13,176,289

 
17.3
%
 
13,741,263

 
18.4
%
Consumer loans not secured by real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail installment contracts and auto loans
25,423,613

 
31.1
%
 
22,475,665

 
29.5
%
 
21,870,891

 
29.2
%
Personal unsecured loans
2,528,739

 
3.1
%
 
2,696,820

 
3.5
%
 
2,131,371

 
2.8
%
Other consumer
1,079,729

 
1.3
%
 
1,303,279

 
1.7
%
 
1,376,948

 
1.9
%
Total Consumer Loans
41,876,227

 
51.2
%
 
39,652,053

 
52.0
%
 
39,120,473

 
52.3
%
Total Loans
$
81,700,429

 
100.0
%
 
$
76,292,814

 
100.0
%
 
$
74,803,876

 
100.0
%
Total Loans with:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed
$
49,206,794

 
60.2
%
 
$
45,661,781

 
59.9
%
 
$
45,262,807

 
60.5
%
Variable
32,493,635

 
39.8
%
 
30,631,033

 
40.1
%
 
29,541,069

 
39.5
%
Total Loans
$
81,700,429

 
100.0
%
 
$
76,292,814

 
100.0
%
 
$
74,803,876

 
100.0
%

(1) Includes LHFS

Commercial loans (excluding multi-family loans) increased approximately $2.3 billion, or 8.2%, from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015, and increased $3.5 billion, or 13.0%, from September 30, 2014 to September 30, 2015. The primary driver was organic growth exceeding repayments and runoffs in the commercial and industrial portfolio by $2.1 billion.

Multi-family loans increased $894.6 million, or 10.3%, from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015, and increased $659.1 million, or 7.4%, from September 30, 2014 to September 30, 2015. The increase from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015 was primarily attributable to the $1.4 billion purchase of FNMA loans during the third quarter of 2015, offset by loan repayments exceeding originations by $254.0 million. The increase from September 30, 2014 to September 30, 2015 was primarily attributable to the $1.4 billion purchase of FNMA loans, offset by loan repayments exceeding organic originations by $673.0 million.

Consumer loans secured by real estate decreased $332.1 million, or 2.5%, from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015, and decreased $897.1 million, or 6.5%, from September 30, 2014 to September 30, 2015. The primary drivers of the decrease from December 31, 2014 were loan sales of $1.2 billion and runoff of $662.0 million exceeding originations of $1.7 billion. The decrease from September 30, 2014 was primarily due to additional loan sales of $556.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2014.

The consumer loan portfolio not secured by real estate increased $2.6 billion, or 9.7%, from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015, and increased $3.7 billion, or 14.4%, from September 30, 2014 to September 30, 2015. The growth from December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 were related to the retail installment contract and auto loan portfolio growth.


113


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


As of September 30, 2015, 67.6% of the Company's RIC and auto loan portfolio and 32.1% of its personal unsecured loans portfolio were nonprime loans (defined by the Company as customers with a FICO score of below 640) with customers who did not qualify for conventional consumer finance products as a result of, among other things, a lack of or adverse credit history, low income levels and/or the inability to provide adequate down payments. While underwriting guidelines were designed to establish that the customer would be a reasonable credit risk, the nonprime loans nonetheless will experience higher default rates than a portfolio of obligations of prime customers. Additionally, higher unemployment rates, higher gasoline prices, unstable real estate values, re-sets of adjustable rate mortgages to higher interest rates, the general availability of consumer credit, and other factors that impact consumer confidence or disposable income could lead to an increase in delinquencies, defaults, and repossessions, as well as decrease consumer demand for used automobiles and other consumer products, weakening collateral values and increasing losses in the event of default. Because the Company's historical focus for such credit has been predominantly on nonprime consumers, the actual rates of delinquencies, defaults, repossessions, and losses on these loans could be more dramatically affected by a general economic downturn. The Company's automated originations process reflects a disciplined approach to credit risk management to mitigate the risks of nonprime customers. The Company's robust historical data on both organically originated and acquired loans provides it with the ability to perform advanced loss forecasting. Each applicant is automatically assigned a proprietary custom score using information such as FICO, debt-to-income ratio, loan-to-value ratio, and over 30 other predictive factors, placing the applicant in one of 100 pricing tiers. The pricing in each tier is continuously monitored and adjusted to reflect market and risk trends. In addition to the Company's automated process, it maintains a team of underwriters for manual review, consideration of exceptions, and review of deal structures with dealers.

At September 30, 2015, a typical RIC was originated with an average APR of 16.9% and was purchased from the dealer at a discount of 2.2%. All of the Company's RICs and auto loans are fixed rate loans.

Nonprime RICs and personal unsecured loans have a higher inherent risk of loss than prime loans. The Company records an allowance for loan losses to cover its estimate of inherent losses incurred as of the balance sheet date on its RICs. As of September 30, 2015, SCUSA's personal unsecured portfolio is held for sale and thus does not have a related allowance. The inclusion of SCUSA's nonprime loans within the Company's loan portfolio effective upon the Change in Control in 2014, among other things, resulted in an increase in the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans held for investment from 2.8% at December 31, 2014 to 3.7% at September 30, 2015.


NON-PERFORMING ASSETS

Non-performing assets decreased during the period, to $1.7 billion, or 1.3% of total assets, at September 30, 2015, compared to $1.8 billion, or 1.5% of total assets, at December 31, 2014, primarily due to a decrease in NPLs in the retail installment contract and auto loan portfolio.

Non-performing assets consist of non-performing loans and leases ("NPLs"), which represent loans and leases no longer accruing interest, OREO properties, and other repossessed assets. When interest accruals are suspended, accrued interest income is reversed, with accruals charged against earnings. The Company generally places all commercial loans and consumer loans secured by real estate on non-performing status at 90 days past due for interest, principal or maturity, or earlier if it is determined that the collection of principal or interest on the loan is in doubt. For certain individual portfolios, including the retail installment contract portfolio, non-performing status may begin at 60 days past due. Personal unsecured loans, including credit cards, generally continue to accrue interest until they are 180 days delinquent, at which point they are charged-off and all interest is removed from interest income. 

In general, when the borrower's ability to make required interest and principal payments has resumed and collectability is no longer believed to be in doubt, the loan or lease is returned to accrual status. Generally, commercial loans categorized as non-performing remain in non-performing status until the payment status is current and an event occurs that fully remediates the impairment or the loan demonstrates a sustained period of performance without a past due event, and there is reasonable assurance as to the collectability of all amounts due. Within the residential mortgage and home equity portfolios, the accrual status is generally systematically driven, so that if the customer makes a payment that brings the loan below 90 days past due, the loan automatically returns to accrual status.


114


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


Commercial

Commercial NPLs decreased $55.9 million from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015. At September 30, 2015, commercial NPLs accounted for 0.5% of total commercial loans, compared to 0.6% of total commercial loans at December 31, 2014. The decrease in commercial NPLs was primarily attributable to overall improvements in credit quality, including decreased delinquencies, TDRs, and net charge-offs.

Consumer Loans Secured by Real Estate

The following table shows NPLs compared to total loans outstanding for the residential mortgage and home equity portfolios as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Residential mortgages (1)
 
Home equity loans and lines of credit
 
Residential mortgages (1)
 
Home equity loans and lines of credit
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-performing loans
$
184,828

 
$
126,628

 
$
231,316

 
$
142,026

Total loans
$
6,688,928

 
$
6,155,218

 
$
6,969,309

 
$
6,206,980

NPLs as a percentage of total loans
2.8
%
 
2.1
%
 
3.3
%
 
2.3
%
NPLs in foreclosure status
44.3
%
 
21.7
%
 
38.9
%
 
13.7
%

(1) Includes LHFS

The NPL ratio is significantly higher for the Company's residential mortgage loan portfolio compared to its consumer loans secured by real estate portfolio due to a number of factors, including: the prolonged workout and foreclosure resolution processes for residential mortgage loans; differences in risk profiles; and mortgage loans located outside the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic United States.

Resolution challenges with low foreclosure sales continue to impact both residential mortgage and consumer loans secured by real estate portfolio NPL balances, but foreclosure inventory decreased quarter-over-quarter. The foreclosure moratorium was lifted and activity resumed in the fourth quarter of 2011, but delays in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts limited the decline in NPL balances and contributed to a higher NPL ratio. As of September 30, 2015, foreclosures in all states except Delaware and Washington, D.C. were moving forward. Both Delaware and Washington, D.C. are delayed due to new legal complexities surrounding documentation required to initiate new foreclosure proceedings.

A new foreclosure law was enacted in Massachusetts in August 2012, and the Massachusetts Division of Banks issued its final rules on the implementation of the new foreclosure law in June 2013. These final rules require lenders to offer loan modification terms to certain borrowers prior to proceeding with foreclosure, unless the lender is able to prove that the modification would result in greater losses for the bank or that the borrower has rejected the offer. Lenders are also required to send notice to borrowers regarding their right to request a modification. Breach notices for Massachusetts foreclosures recommenced in September 2013.

The following table represents the concentration of foreclosures by state as a percentage of total foreclosures at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
New Jersey
23.9%
 
29.9%
New York
20.5%
 
18.1%
Pennsylvania
10.6%
 
13.0%
Massachusetts
21.9%
 
11.7%
All other states
23.1%
 
27.3%


115


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


The foreclosure closings issue has a greater impact on the residential mortgage portfolio than the consumer real estate secured portfolio due to the larger volume of loans in first lien position in that portfolio which have equity upon which to foreclose. Exclusive of Chapter 7 bankruptcy NPL accounts, approximately 82.6% of the 90+ day delinquent loan balances in the residential mortgage portfolio are secured by a first lien, while only 49.9% of the 90+ day delinquent loan balances in the consumer real estate secured portfolio are secured by a first lien. Consumer real estate secured NPLs may get charged off more quickly due to the lack of equity to foreclose from a second lien position.

The Alt-A segment consists of loans with limited documentation requirements and a portion of which were originated through Brokers outside the Bank's geographic footprint. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the residential mortgage portfolio included the following Alt-A loans:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Alt-A loans
$
560,153

 
$
637,327

Alt-A loans as a percentage of the residential mortgage portfolio
8.4
%
 
9.1
%
Alt-A loans in NPL status
$
50,170

 
$
67,668

Alt-A loans in NPL status as a percentage of residential mortgage NPLs
27.1
%
 
29.3
%

The performance of the Alt-A segment has remained poor, averaging a 9.0% NPL ratio for the year-to-date in 2015. Alt-A mortgage originations were discontinued in 2008 and have continued to run off at an average rate of 1.9% per month. Alt-A NPL balances represented 64.6% of the total residential mortgage loan portfolio NPL balance at the end of the first quarter of 2009, when the portfolio was placed in run-off, compared to 27.1% at September 30, 2015. As the Alt-A segment runs off and higher quality residential mortgages are added to the portfolio, the shift in product mix is expected to lower NPL balances.

Consumer Loans Not Secured by Real Estate

RICs and amortizing term personal loans are classified as non-performing when they are greater than 60 days past due with respect to principal or interest. Except for loans accounted for using the fair value option, at the time a loan is placed on non-performing status, previously accrued and uncollected interest is reversed against interest income. When an account is 60 days or less past due, it is returned to a performing status and the Company returns to accruing interest on the loan. The accrual of interest on revolving personal loans continues until the loan is charged off.

NPLs in the consumer loans not secured by real estate portfolio decreased $8.1 million from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015. At September 30, 2015, non-performing consumer loans not secured by real estate accounted for 3.4% of total consumer loans not secured by real estate, compared to 3.7% of total consumer loans not secured by real estate at December 31, 2014. This decrease was attributable to a decline in the overall aging of the retail installment contracts and auto loan portfolio.


116


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


The following table presents the composition of non-performing assets at the dates indicated:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(dollars in thousands)
Non-accrual loans:
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
Commercial real estate
$
102,560

 
$
167,780

Commercial and industrial loans and other commercial
70,388

 
58,794

Multi-family
7,319

 
9,639

Total commercial loans
180,267

 
236,213

Consumer:
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
184,828

 
231,316

Consumer loans secured by real estate
126,628

 
142,026

Consumer loans not secured by real estate
978,893

 
986,954

Total consumer loans
1,290,349

 
1,360,296

 
 
 
 
Total non-accrual loans
1,470,616

 
1,596,509

 
 
 
 
Other real estate owned
40,692

 
65,051

Repossessed vehicles
154,056

 
136,136

Other repossessed assets
377

 
11,375

Total other real estate owned and other repossessed assets
195,125

 
212,562

Total non-performing assets
$
1,665,741

 
$
1,809,071

 
 
 
 
Past due 90 days or more as to interest or principal and accruing interest
$
77,528

 
$
93,152

Annualized net loan charge-offs to average loans (2)
3.2
%
 
2.6
%
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets
1.3
%
 
1.5
%
NPLs as a percentage of total loans
1.8
%
 
2.1
%
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total loans, real estate owned and repossessed assets
2.0
%
 
2.4
%
ACL as a percentage of total non-performing assets (1)
183.1
%
 
123.9
%
ACL as a percentage of total NPLs (1)
207.4
%
 
140.4
%

(1)
The ACL is comprised of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded lending commitments, and is included in Other liabilities.
(2)
Annualized net loan charge-offs to average loans is calculated as annualized net loan charge-offs divided by the average loan balance for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015.

No commercial loans were 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest as of September 30, 2015. Potential problem loans are loans not currently classified as NPLs for which management has doubts about the borrowers’ ability to comply with the present repayment terms. These assets are principally loans delinquent more than 30 days but less than 90 days. Potential problem commercial loans totaled approximately $86.7 million and $71.8 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Potential problem consumer loans amounted to $3.2 billion and $3.4 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Management has included these loans in its evaluation and reserved for them during the respective periods.


TROUBLED DEBT RESTRUCTURINGS ("TDRs")

TDRs are loans that have been modified as the Company has agreed to make certain concessions to both meet the needs of the customers and maximize its ultimate recovery on the loans. TDRs occur when a borrower is experiencing, or is expected to experience, financial difficulties and the loan is modified with terms that would otherwise not be granted to the borrower. The types of concessions granted are generally interest rate reductions, limitations on accrued interest charged, term extensions, and deferments of principal.


117


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


TDRs are generally placed in nonaccrual status upon modification, unless the loan was performing immediately prior to modification. For most portfolios, TDRs may return to accrual status after demonstrating at least six consecutive months of sustained payments following modification, as long as the Company believes the principal and interest of the restructured loan will be paid in full. For the retail installment contract portfolio, loans may return to accrual status when the balance is remediated to current status. To the extent the TDR is determined to be collateral-dependent and the source of repayment depends on the operation of the collateral, the loan may be returned to accrual status based on the foregoing parameters. To the extent the TDR is determined to be collateral-dependent and the source of repayment depends on disposal of the collateral, the loan may not be returned to accrual status.

The following table summarizes TDRs at the dates indicated:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(in thousands)
Performing
 
 
 
Commercial
$
117,656

 
$
186,789

Residential mortgage
99,330

 
83,597

Retail installment contracts and auto loan
3,138,793

 
1,772,750

Other consumer
78,630

 
74,653

Total performing
3,434,409

 
2,117,789

Non-performing
 
 
 
Commercial
63,132

 
74,308

Residential mortgage
59,989

 
70,624

Retail installment contracts and auto loan
355,358

 
180,635

Other consumer
44,771

 
51,672

Total non-performing
523,250

 
377,239

Total
$
3,957,659

 
$
2,495,028


Performing TDRs totaled $3.4 billion at September 30, 2015, an increase of $1.3 billion compared to December 31, 2014. Non-performing TDRs totaled $523.3 million at September 30, 2015, an increase of $146.0 million compared to December 31, 2014. The following table provides a summary of TDR activity:
 
 
Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2015
 
Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
Retail installment contracts and auto loan
 
All other loans
 
Retail installment contracts and auto loan
 
All other loans(1)
 
 
(in thousands)
TDRs, beginning of period(1)
 
$
3,598,032

 
$
489,395

 
$
320,307

 
$
985,471

New TDRs
 
941,862

 
7,170

 
575,521

 
48,091

Charged-Off TDRs
 
(334,058
)
 
(1,263
)
 
(33,140
)
 
(8,444
)
Sold TDRs
 
(573,135
)
 
(2,239
)
 

 
(435,664
)
Payments on TDRs
 
(138,550
)
 
(57,821
)
 
(31,200
)
 
(77,236
)
TDRs, end of period(2)
 
$
3,494,151

 
$
435,242

 
$
831,488

 
$
512,218


(1) Excludes $17.2 million and $5.1 million of SCUSA personal unsecured loans at June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which were reclassified to LHFS during the third quarter of 2015.
(2) Excludes $28.3 million and $12.2 million of SCUSA personal unsecured loans at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which were reclassified to LHFS during the third quarter of 2015.


118


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


 
 
Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2015
 
Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
Retail installment contracts and auto loan
 
All other loans(1)
 
Retail installment contracts and auto loan
 
All other loans(1)
 
 
(in thousands)
TDRs, beginning of period(1)
 
$
1,953,385

 
$
524,938

 
$

 
$
1,003,643

New TDRs
 
3,293,942

 
58,194

 
925,258

 
106,218

Charged-Off TDRs
 
(781,713
)
 
(7,786
)
 
(42,982
)
 
(17,001
)
Sold TDRs
 
(600,203
)
 
(7,691
)
 

 
(440,673
)
Payments on TDRs
 
(371,260
)
 
(132,413
)
 
(50,788
)
 
(139,969
)
TDRs, end of period(2)
 
$
3,494,151

 
$
435,242

 
$
831,488

 
$
512,218


(1) Excludes $16.7 million and zero dollars of SCUSA personal unsecured loans at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, that were reclassified to LHFS during the third quarter of 2015.
(2) Excludes $28.3 million and $12.2 million of SCUSA personal unsecured loans at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, that were reclassified to LHFS during the third quarter of 2015.

Commercial

Performing commercial TDRs decreased from 71.5% of total commercial TDRs at December 31, 2014 to 65.1% of total commercial TDRs at September 30, 2015. This improvement is attributable to improving credit quality and performance among commercial borrowers, including fewer new TDRs and a rise in cured TDRs compared with the prior year.

Residential Mortgages

Performing residential mortgage TDRs increased from 54.2% of total residential mortgage TDRs at December 31, 2014 to 62.3% of total residential TDRs at September 30, 2015. This improvement is attributable to an increase in cured TDRs compared with 2014.

Retail installment contracts

RICs were a new portfolio for the Company in 2014 as a result of the Change in Control. The RIC and auto loan portfolio is primarily comprised of nonprime loans (67.6% at September 30, 2015) which leads to a higher rate of modifications and deferrals, and thus a higher volume of TDRs, than its other portfolios. Total RIC and auto loan portfolio TDRs (performing and non-performing) comprised 8.7% of the Company’s total retail installment contract and auto loan portfolio at December 31, 2014 and 13.7% at September 30, 2015.

Other Consumer Loans

Performing other consumer loan TDRs increased from 59.1% of total other consumer loan TDRs at December 31, 2014 to 63.7% of total other consumer loan TDRs at September 30, 2015. This improvement is primarily attributable to the personal unsecured lending portfolio.

In accordance with its policies and guidelines, the Company, at times, offer payment deferrals to borrowers on its retail installment contracts, under which the consumer is allowed to move up to three delinquent payments to the end of the loan. The policies and guidelines limit the number and frequency of deferrals that may be granted to one deferral every six months and eight months over the life of a loan. Additionally, the Company generally limits the granting of deferrals on new accounts until a requisite number of payments have been received. During the deferral period, the Company continues to accrue and collect interest on the loan in accordance with the terms of the deferral agreement.

At the time a deferral is granted, all delinquent amounts may be deferred or paid, resulting in the classification of the loan as current and therefore not considered a delinquent account. Thereafter, the account is aged based on the timely payment of future installments in the same manner as any other account.


119


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


The Company evaluates the results of its deferral strategies based upon the amount of cash installments that are collected on accounts after they have been deferred versus the extent to which the collateral underlying the deferred accounts has depreciated over the same period of time. Based on this evaluation, the Company believes that payment deferrals granted according to its policies and guidelines are an effective portfolio management technique and result in higher ultimate cash collections from the portfolio.

Changes in deferral levels do not have a direct impact on the ultimate amount of consumer finance receivables charged off. However, the timing of a charge-off may be affected if the previously deferred account ultimately results in a charge-off. To the extent that deferrals impact the ultimate timing of when an account is charged off, historical charge-off ratios, loss confirmation periods, and cash flow forecasts for loans classified as TDRs used in the determination of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses are also impacted. Increased use of deferrals may result in a lengthening of the loss confirmation period, which would increase expectations of credit losses inherent in the portfolio and therefore increase the allowance for loan losses and related provision for loan losses. Changes in these ratios and periods are considered in determining the appropriate level of allowance for loan losses and related provision for loan losses.

If a customer’s financial difficulty is not temporary, the Company may agree, or be required by a bankruptcy court, to grant a modification involving one or a combination of the following: a reduction in interest rate, a reduction in the loan's principal balance, or an extension of the maturity date. The servicer also may grant concessions on the Company's revolving personal loans in the form of principal or interest rate reductions or payment plans.

TDR activity in the personal loan and other consumer portfolios was negligible to overall TDR activity.


ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ("ACL")

The ACL is maintained at levels that management considers adequate to provide for losses based upon an evaluation of known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio. Management's evaluation takes into consideration the risks inherent in the portfolio, past loan loss experience, specific loans with loss potential, geographic and industry concentrations, delinquency trends, the level of originations, credit quality metrics such as Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”) and combined loan-to-value (“CLTV”), internal risk ratings, economic conditions and other relevant factors. While management uses the best information available to make such evaluations, future adjustments to the ACL may be necessary if conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the evaluations.

The following table presents the allocation of the allowance for loan losses and the percentage of each loan type to total loans at the dates indicated:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Amount
 
% of Loans
to Total Loans
 
Amount
 
% of Loans
to Total Loans
 
(dollars in thousands)
Allocated allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial loans
$
398,937

 
48.8
%
 
$
396,489

 
48.0
%
Consumer loans
2,468,075

 
51.2
%
 
1,679,304

 
52.0
%
Unallocated allowance
45,334

 
imm.

 
33,024

 
imm.

Total allowance for loan losses
2,912,346

 
100.0
%
 
2,108,817

 
100.0
%
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments
137,641

 
 
 
132,641

 
 
Total ACL
$
3,049,987

 
 
 
$
2,241,458

 
 

General

The ACL increased $808.5 million from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015. The increase in the ACL was attributable to increased provisioning as a result of the continued growth in the Company's retail installment contract and auto loans portfolio.

Management regularly monitors the condition of the Company's portfolio, considering factors such as historical loss experience, trends in delinquencies and NPLs, changes in risk composition and underwriting standards, the experience and ability of staff, and regional and national economic conditions and trends.

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


The risk factors inherent in the ACL are continuously reviewed and revised by management when conditions indicate that the estimates initially applied are different from actual results. The Company also performs a comprehensive analysis of the ACL on a quarterly basis. In addition, a review of allowance levels based on nationally published statistics is conducted quarterly.

The factors supporting the ACL do not diminish the fact that the entire ACL is available to absorb losses in the loan portfolio and related commitment portfolio. The Company’s principal focus is to ensure the adequacy of the total ACL.

The ACL is subject to review by banking regulators. The Company’s primary bank regulators regularly conduct examinations of the ACL and make assessments regarding its adequacy and the methodology employed in its determination.

Commercial

For the commercial loan portfolio excluding small business loans (businesses with annual sales of up to $3.0 million), the Company has specialized credit officers, a monitoring unit, and workout units that identify and manage potential problem loans. Changes in management factors, financial and operating performance, company behavior, industry factors and external events and circumstances are evaluated on an ongoing basis to determine whether potential impairment is evident and additional analysis is needed. For the commercial loan portfolios, risk ratings are assigned to each loan to differentiate risk within the portfolio, reviewed on an ongoing basis by credit risk management and revised, if needed, to reflect the borrower’s current risk profile and the related collateral position. The risk ratings consider factors such as financial condition, debt capacity and coverage ratios, market presence and quality of management. Generally, credit officers reassess a borrower’s risk rating on at least an annual basis, and more frequently if warranted. This reassessment process is managed by credit officers and is overseen by the Credit Monitoring group to ensure consistency and accuracy in risk ratings, as well as the appropriate frequency of risk rating reviews by the Company’s credit officers. The Company’s Credit Risk Review Committee assesses whether the Company’s Credit Risk Review Framework and, risk management guidelines established by the Company’s Board and applicable laws and regulations are being followed, and reports key findings and relevant information to the Board. The Company’s Internal Audit group regularly performs loan reviews and assesses the appropriateness of assigned risk ratings. When credits are downgraded below a certain level, the Company’s Workout Department becomes responsible for managing the credit risk. Risk rating actions are generally reviewed formally by one or more credit committees depending on the size of the loan and the type of risk rating action being taken. Detailed analyses are completed that support the risk rating and management’s strategies for the customer relationship going forward.

A loan is considered to be impaired when, based upon current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. An insignificant delay (e.g., less than 90 days) or insignificant shortfall in the amount of payments does not necessarily result in the loan being identified as impaired. Impaired commercial loans are defined as all TDRs plus non-accrual loans in excess of $1 million. In addition, the Company may perform a specific reserve analysis on loans that fail to meet this threshold if the nature of the collateral or business conditions warrant. The Company performs a specific reserve analysis on certain loans regardless of loan size. If a loan is identified as impaired and is collateral-dependent, an initial appraisal is obtained to provide a baseline to determine the property’s fair market value. The frequency of appraisals depends on the type of collateral being appraised. If the collateral value is subject to significant volatility (due to location of the asset, obsolescence, etc.), an appraisal is obtained more frequently. At a minimum, updated appraisals for impaired loans are obtained within a 12-month period if the loan remains outstanding for that period of time.

If a loan is identified as impaired and is not collateral-dependent, impairment is measured based on a discounted cash flow methodology.

When the Company determines that the value of an impaired loan is less than its carrying amount, the Company recognizes impairment through a provision estimate or a charge-off to the allowance. Management performs these assessments on at least a quarterly basis. For commercial loans, a charge-off is recorded when a loan, or a portion thereof, is considered uncollectible and of such little value that its continuance on the Company’s books as an asset is not warranted. Charge-offs are recorded on a monthly basis, and partially charged-off loans continue to be evaluated on at least a quarterly basis, with additional charge-offs or loan loss provisions taken on the remaining loan balance, if warranted, utilizing the same criteria.


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Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


The portion of the allowance for loan losses related to the commercial portfolio increased from $396.5 million at December 31, 2014 (1.1% of commercial loans) to $398.9 million at September 30, 2015 (1.0% of commercial loans). The primary factor resulting in the decrease of coverage is a result of improved portfolio risk distribution related to portfolio credit quality (lower levels of classified and non-accruing loans). In addition, there has been a decrease in probability of default rates associated with commercial loans that has resulted in a decrease in reserve balances.

Consumer

The consumer loan and small business loan portfolios are monitored for credit risk and deterioration with statistical tools considering factors such as delinquency, loan-to-value ("LTV") ratios, and credit scores. Management evaluates the consumer portfolios throughout their life cycles on a portfolio basis. When problem loans are identified that are secured with collateral, management examines the loan files to evaluate the nature and type of collateral. Management documents the collateral type, the date of the most recent valuation, and whether any liens exist to determine the value to compare against the committed loan amount.

For both residential mortgage and home equity loans, loss severity assumptions are incorporated in the loan loss reserve models to estimate loan balances that will ultimately charge-off. These assumptions are based on recent loss experience within various CLTV bands in these portfolios. CLTVs are refreshed quarterly by applying Federal Housing Finance Agency Home Price Index changes at a state-by-state level to the last known appraised value of the property to estimate the current CLTV. The Company's allowance for loan losses incorporates the refreshed CLTV information to update the distribution of defaulted loans by CLTV as well as the associated loss given default for each CLTV band. Reappraisals at the individual property level are not considered cost-effective or necessary on a recurring basis; however, reappraisals are performed on certain higher risk accounts to support line management activities and default servicing decisions, or when other situations arise for which the Company believes the additional expense is warranted.

Residential mortgages and any portion of a home equity loan or line of credit not adequately secured by collateral are generally charged-off when deemed to be uncollectible or are delinquent 180 days or more (120 days for closed-end consumer loans not secured by real estate), whichever comes first, unless it can be clearly demonstrated that repayment will occur regardless of the delinquency status. Examples that would demonstrate repayment likelihood include: a loan that is secured by collateral and is in the process of collection; a loan supported by a valid guarantee or insurance; or a loan supported by a valid claim against a solvent estate. Auto loans are charged off when an account becomes 120 days delinquent if the Company has not repossessed the vehicle. The Company writes the vehicle down to the estimated recovery amount of the collateral when the automobile is repossessed and legally available for disposition. Credit cards that are 180 days delinquent are charged-off and all interest is removed from interest income.

As of September 30, 2015, the Company had $601.3 million and $5.4 billion of consumer home equity loans and lines of credit, which included $261.6 million and $2.9 billion, or 43.5% and 53.6%, in junior lien positions, respectively. Loss severity rates on these consumer home equity loans and lines of credit in junior lien positions were 57.0% and 69.4%, respectively, as of September 30, 2015.

To ensure the Company has captured losses inherent in its home equity portfolios, the Company estimates its allowance for loan losses for home equity loans and lines of credit by segmenting its portfolio into sub-segments based on the nature of the portfolio and certain risk characteristics such as product type, lien positions, and origination channels. Projected future defaulted loan balances are estimated within each portfolio sub-segment by incorporating risk parameters, including the current payment status as well as historical trends in delinquency rates. Other assumptions, including prepayment and attrition rates, are also calculated at the portfolio sub-segment level and incorporated into the estimation of the likely volume of defaulted loan balances. The projected default volume is stratified across CLTV ratio bands, and a loss severity rate for each CLTV band is applied based on the Company's historical net credit loss experience. This amount is then adjusted, as necessary, for qualitative considerations to reflect changes in underwriting, market, or industry conditions, or changes in trends in the composition of the portfolio, including risk composition, seasoning, and underlying collateral.


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Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


The Company considers the delinquency status of its senior liens in cases in which the Company services the lien. The Company currently services the senior lien on 24.9% of junior lien home equity principal balances. Of the junior lien home equity loan and line of credit balances that are current, 0.7% have a senior lien that is one or more payments past due. When the senior lien is delinquent but the junior lien is current, allowance levels are adjusted to reflect loss estimates consistent with the delinquency status of the senior lien. The Company also extrapolates these impacts to the junior lien portfolio when the senior lien is serviced by another investor and the delinquency status of that senior lien is unknown.

The Company's allowance models and reserve levels are back-tested on a quarterly basis to ensure that both remain within appropriate ranges. As a result, management believes that the current allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level sufficient to absorb inherent losses in the portfolio.

Depository and lending institutions in the U.S. generally are expected to experience a significant volume of home equity lines of credit that will be approaching the end of their draw periods over the next several years, following the growth in home equity lending experienced during 2003 through 2007. As a result, many of these home equity lines of credit will either convert to amortizing loans or have principal due as balloon payments. The percentage of the Company's current home equity lines of credit that are expected to reach the end of their draw periods prior to January 1, 2019 is approximately 2.8% and not considered significant. The Company's home equity lines of credit originated prior to 2007 are generally open-ended, revolving loans with fixed-rate lock options and draw periods of up to 15 years, along with amortizing repayment periods of up to 15 years. The Company's home equity lines of credit generated after 2007 are generally open-ended, revolving loans with fixed-rate lock options and draw periods of up to 10 years, along with amortizing repayment periods of up to 20 years. The Company currently monitors delinquency rates for amortizing and non-amortizing lines, as well as other credit quality metrics including FICO credit scoring model score and LTV ratio. The Company's home equity lines of credit are generally underwritten considering fully drawn and fully amortizing levels. As a result, the Company currently does not anticipate a significant deterioration in credit quality when these home equity lines of credit begin to amortize.

For RIC and personal unsecured loans at SCUSA, the Company estimates the allowance for loan losses at a level considered adequate to cover probable credit losses inherent in the portfolio. RICs and personal unsecured loans are considered separately in assessing the required allowance for loan losses using product-specific allowance methodologies applied on pooled basis. For RICs, the Company segregates the portfolio based on homogeneity into pools based on source, then further stratifies each pool by vintage and custom loss forecasting score. For each vintage and risk segment, the Company's vintage model predicts timing of unit losses and the loan balances at time of default.

For the personal unsecured loan portfolio at SCUSA, as of September 30, 2015, there was no allowance associated with the portfolio as the portfolio was moved to held for sale. In previous periods, including December 31, 2014, the Company employed product specific models in determining the required allowance for loan losses. For the fixed rate installment loan portfolio, a vintage modeling approach was employed in which the models predicted the timing of losses and the loan balance at the time of default. As these were unsecured loans, the total loss was the loan balance at the time of default. For revolving loans, the model stratified the portfolio based on delinquency categories and age of account. Loss rates were derived from historical experience to determine the expected portfolio losses over the next 12 months.

The Company considers changes in the used vehicle index when forecasting recovery rates to apply to the gross losses forecasted by the vintage model. Its models do not include other macro-economic factors. Instead, the allowance for loan loss process considers factors such as unemployment rates and bankruptcy trends as potential qualitative overlays. Management reviews idiosyncratic and systemic risks facing the business. This qualitative overlay framework enables the allowance for loan loss process to arrive at a provision that reflects all relevant information, including both quantitative model outputs and qualitative overlays.

The allowance for consumer loans was $2.5 billion and $1.7 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The allowance as a percentage of held for investment consumer loans was 6.3% at September 30, 2015 and 4.3% at December 31, 2014. The increase in the allowance for consumer loans is primarily attributable to continued growth in the Company's RIC and auto loan portfolio.


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Unallocated

Additionally, the Company reserves for certain inherent, but undetected, losses that are probable within the loan and lease portfolios. This is considered to be reasonably sufficient to absorb imprecisions of models or to otherwise provide for coverage of inherent losses in the Company's entire loan and lease portfolios. These imprecisions may include loss factors inherent in the loan portfolio that may not have been discreetly contemplated in the general and specific components of the allowance, as well as potential variability in estimates. Period-to-period changes in the Company's historical unallocated allowance for loan and lease loss positions are considered in light of these factors. The unallocated allowance for loan losses was $45.3 million at September 30, 2015 and $33.0 million at December 31, 2014.

Reserve for Unfunded Lending Commitments

In addition to the allowance for loan and lease losses, the Company estimates probable losses related to unfunded lending commitments. The reserve for unfunded lending commitments consists of two elements: (i) an allocated reserve, which is determined by an analysis of historical loss experience and risk factors, current economic conditions, performance trends within specific portfolio segments, and any other pertinent information, and (ii) an unallocated reserve to account for a level of imprecision in management's estimation process. Additions to the reserve for unfunded lending commitments are made by charges to the provision for credit losses, and this reserve is classified within Other liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet. Once an unfunded lending commitment becomes funded and is carried as a loan, the corresponding reserves are transferred to the allowance for loan losses.

The reserve for unfunded lending commitments increased from $132.6 million at December 31, 2014 to $137.6 million at September 30, 2015. This increase was due to an increase in off-balance sheet lending commitments, which is a result of the overall increase in the Company's commercial lending business. As a result of these shifts, the net impact of the decrease in the reserve for unfunded lending commitments to the overall ACL is immaterial.


INVESTMENT SECURITIES

Investment securities consist primarily of U.S. Treasuries, MBS, tax-free municipal securities, corporate debt securities, asset-backed securities ("ABS") and stock in the FHLB and the FRB. MBS consist of pass-through, collateralized mortgage obligations, and adjustable rate mortgages issued by federal agencies. The Company’s MBS are either guaranteed as to principal and interest by the issuer or have ratings of “AAA” by S&P and Moody’s at the date of issuance. The Company’s available-for-sale investment strategy is to purchase liquid fixed-rate and floating-rate investments to manage the Company's liquidity position and interest rate risk adequately.

Total investment securities available-for-sale increased $5.1 billion to $21.1 billion at September 30, 2015, compared to $15.9 billion at December 31, 2014. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the composition of the Company's investment portfolio changed by decreases in ABS, corporate, and municipal securities which were offset by increases in High Quality Liquid Assets such as U.S. Treasuries and MBS. This increase was primarily driven by activity within the MBS portfolio, offset by activity within the state and municipal portfolio. MBS increased by $6.1 billion primarily due to $7.5 billion of investment purchases, offset by sales and maturities of $0.7 billion and normal principal amortization during 2015. The state and municipal portfolio decreased by $1.1 billion primarily due to sales and maturities of $1.0 billion. For additional information with respect to the Company’s investment securities, see Note 4 in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

There were no trading securities held at September 30, 2015, compared to $833.9 million at December 31, 2014.

Other investments, which consists of FHLB stock and FRB stock, increased from $817.0 million at December 31, 2014 to $999.2 million at September 30, 2015 primarily due to purchases of FHLB and FRB stock, partially offset by the FHLB's repurchase of its stock.

The average life of the available-for-sale investment portfolio (excluding certain ABS) at September 30, 2015 was approximately 3.99 years, compared to 4.11 years at December 31, 2014. The average effective duration of the investment portfolio (excluding certain ABS) at September 30, 2015 was approximately 2.98 years. The actual maturities of MBS available-for-sale will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to prepay obligations without prepayment penalties.

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Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


GOODWILL

Goodwill totaled $8.9 billion at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

The following table shows goodwill by reportable segments at September 30, 2015:
 
 
Retail Banking
 
Auto Finance & Business Banking
 
Real Estate and Commercial Banking
 
GCB
 
SCUSA
 
Total
 
 
(in thousands)
Goodwill at September 30, 2015
 
$1,550,176
 
$446,068
 
$1,297,055
 
$131,130
 
$5,467,582
 
$8,892,011

At September 30, 2015, goodwill represented 6.8% and 38.3% of total assets and total stockholder's equity, respectively, compared to 7.5% of total assets and 39.5% of total stockholder's equity at December 31, 2014.

The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2014, and the results of the 2014 impairment test validated that the fair values exceeded the carrying values for the reporting units which had goodwill at the testing date.

During the second quarter of 2015, the Company determined that the expiration of the direct lease origination agreement with SCUSA constituted a potential impairment indicator in the Auto Finance & Business Banking reporting unit. As a result, the Company conducted an interim impairment test on the Auto Finance & Business Banking reporting unit as of April 1, 2015. The Company conducted the interim impairment test in the same manner as its annual impairment test with key inputs and assumptions being updated as of the interim testing date. The results of the interim impairment test validated that the fair value exceeded the carrying value for the Auto Finance & Business Banking reporting unit by over 25%. Based on these results, the Company does not consider the goodwill assigned to the Auto Finance & Business Banking reporting unit to be impaired or at risk for impairment.

No impairment indicators were noted in the other reporting units since the annual review and, accordingly, no other interim impairment tests have been performed.

The Company is in the process of completing its annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2015.


DEFERRED TAXES AND OTHER TAX ACTIVITY

The Company's net deferred tax balance was a liability of $1.2 billion at September 30, 2015 and $1.0 billion at December 31, 2014. The $200 million increase for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to a $135.9 million increase in the deferred tax liability related to accelerated tax depreciation on leasing transactions; a $37.5 million decrease in the deferred tax asset for net gains that have been recognized for tax purposes on loans that are required to be marked to market for tax purposes but not book purposes; a $13.2 million reduction in deferred tax assets related to a decrease in investment and market-related unrealized losses; and a $4.6 million increase in the net deferred tax liability from the change in other than temporary differences, net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits.

The Company has a lawsuit pending against the United States in Federal District Court in Massachusetts relating to the proper tax consequences of two financing transactions with an international bank through which the Company borrowed $1.2 billion. As a result of these financing transactions, the Company paid foreign taxes of $264.0 million during the years 2003 through 2007 and claimed a corresponding foreign tax credit for foreign taxes paid during those years, which the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") disallowed. The IRS also disallowed the Company's deductions for interest expense and transaction costs, totaling $74.6 million in tax liability, and assessed penalties and interest totaling approximately $92.5 million. The Company has paid the taxes, penalties and interest associated with the IRS adjustments for all tax years, and the lawsuit will determine whether the Company is entitled to a refund of the amounts paid. The Company has recorded a receivable in the other assets line of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for the amount of these payments, less a tax reserve of $230.1 million, as of September 30, 2015.


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Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


On October 17, 2013, the Court issued a written opinion in favor of the Company relating to a motion for partial summary judgment on a significant issue in the case. The Company subsequently filed a motion for summary judgment requesting the Court to resolve the case in its entirety and enter a final judgment in the Company's favor and awarding the Company a refund of all amounts paid to the IRS. In response, the IRS filed a motion opposing the Company's motion, and filed a cross-motion for summary judgment requesting that the Court enter a final judgment in the IRS' favor. The Company anticipates that the Court will make a determination as to whether further proceedings are required at the District Court level to resolve any remaining legal or factual issues, which could affect the Company's entitlement to some or all of the refund. The Company expects the IRS to appeal any decision in favor of the Company, and the Company may appeal any decision in the IRS's favor.

In 2013, two different federal courts decided cases involving similar financing structures entered into by the Bank of New York Mellon Corp. ("BNY Mellon") and BB&T Corp. ("BB&T") in favor of the IRS. BNY Mellon and BB&T each appealed. On May 14, 2015, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit decided BB&T’s appeal by affirming the trial court's decision to disallow BB&T's foreign tax credits and to allow penalties, but reversing the trial court and allowed BB&T's entitlement to interest deductions. On September 9, 2015, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld the trial court's decision in BNY Mellon's case, allowing BNY Mellon to claim interest deductions but disallowing BNY Mellon's claimed foreign tax credits. On September 29, 2015, BB&T filed a petition requesting the U.S. Supreme Court to hear its appeal of the Federal Circuit Court’s decision. BNY Mellon filed a petition requesting the U.S. Supreme Court hear its appeal of the Second Circuit’s decision on November 3, 2015.

While the Company remains confident in the legal merits of its position, the Company increased its reserve position as of September 30, 2015 by $104.2 million, and believes its reserve amount adequately provides for potential exposure to the IRS related to these items. Over the next 12 months, it is reasonably possible that changes in the reserve for uncertain tax positions could range from a decrease of $230.1 million to an increase of $201.9 million.


OTHER ASSETS

Other assets at September 30, 2015 were $1.8 billion, compared to $2.8 billion at December 31, 2014. The decrease in other assets was primarily due to activity in income tax receivables and miscellaneous assets and receivables, offset by an increase in derivative assets.

Income tax receivables decreased $337.0 million, primarily due to the decrease in accrued federal tax receivables.

Miscellaneous assets and receivables decreased $714.2 million primarily due to investment trades unsettled at the end of 2014 that were received by September 30, 2015. These unsettled trades were primarily related to $579.6 million in sales of trading securities between December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015. These decreases were offset by a $49.3 million increase in derivative assets primarily due to an increase in capital market trading.


DEPOSITS AND OTHER CUSTOMER ACCOUNTS

The Bank attracts deposits within its primary market area by offering a variety of deposit instruments, including demand and interest-bearing demand deposit accounts, money market accounts, savings accounts, customer repurchase agreements, Certificates of deposit ("CDs") and retirement savings plans. The Bank also issues wholesale deposit products such as brokered deposits and government deposits on a periodic basis, which serve as an additional source of liquidity for the Company.


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Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


The following table presents the composition of deposits and other customer accounts at the dates indicated:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Balance
 
Percent of total deposits
 
Balance
 
Percent of total deposits
 
(dollars in thousands)
Interest-bearing demand deposits
$
10,817,674

 
19.5
%
 
$
10,864,395

 
20.7
%
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
8,104,813

 
14.6
%
 
7,998,870

 
15.2
%
Savings
3,958,790

 
7.1
%
 
3,863,064

 
7.4
%
Customer repurchase agreements
897,720

 
1.6
%
 
988,790

 
1.9
%
Money market
23,598,320

 
42.5
%
 
21,447,579

 
40.9
%
Certificates of deposit
8,165,938

 
14.7
%
 
7,311,309

 
13.9
%
Total Deposits
$
55,543,255

 
100.0
%
 
$
52,474,007

 
100.0
%

Total deposits and other customer accounts increased $3.1 billion from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015. The increase in deposits was primarily due to increases in money market accounts, CDs, and noninterest-bearing accounts, offset by a decrease in interest-bearing accounts. The increase in deposits was primarily comprised of increases in CDs of $854.6 million, or 11.7%, and money market accounts of $2.2 billion, or 10.0%, due mainly to continuing better economic conditions encouraging movement from certain interest-bearing investments to CDs and money market accounts.

Interest-bearing deposit accounts decreased $46.7 million, or 0.4%, primarily due to the shift in deposits to money market accounts. The Company continues to focus its efforts on attracting and increasing lower-cost deposits, however, the cost of deposits increased from 0.48% for the third quarter of 2014 to 0.56% for the third quarter of 2015.

Demand deposit overdrafts that have been reclassified as loan balances were $36.5 million and $51.3 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Time deposits of $250,000 or more totaled $1.3 billion and $993.4 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.


BORROWINGS AND OTHER DEBT OBLIGATIONS

The Company has term loans and lines of credit with Santander and other third-party lenders. The Bank utilizes borrowings and other debt obligations as a source of funds for its asset growth and asset/liability management. Collateralized advances are available from the FHLB if certain standards related to creditworthiness are met. The Bank also utilizes repurchase agreements, which are short-term obligations collateralized by securities. In addition, SCUSA has warehouse lines of credit and securitizes some of its retail installment contracts and operating leases, which are structured secured financings. Total borrowings and other debt obligations at September 30, 2015 were $48.4 billion, compared to $39.7 billion at December 31, 2014. Total borrowings increased $8.7 billion, primarily due to $3.1 billion of new debt issued by the Bank and the Holding Company, an increase of $3.9 billion in FHLB Advances, and net $2.3 billion of SCUSA securitization activity, offset by maturing debt of $0.6 billion. See further detail on borrowings activity in Note 10 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

See further discussion of the Company's off-balance sheet arrangements in Note 7 and Note 14 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, and Liquidity and Capital Resources analysis.


BANK REGULATORY CAPITAL

The Company's capital priorities are to support client growth, business investment, and maintain appropriate capital in light of economic uncertainty and the Basel III framework. The Company continues to improve its capital levels and ratios through retention of quarterly earnings.


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Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


The Company is subject to the regulations of certain federal, state, and foreign agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, the Bank met the well-capitalized capital ratio requirements. The Company's capital levels exceeded the ratios required for BHCs.

For a discussion of Basel III, which became effective for SHUSA and the Bank on January 1, 2015, including the standardized approach and related future changes to the minimum U.S. regulatory capital ratios, see the section captioned Regulatory Matters within this MD&A.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act established five capital tiers: well-capitalized, adequately-capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. A depository institution's capital tier depends on its capital levels in relation to various capital measures, which include leverage and risk-based capital measures and certain other factors. Depository institutions that are not classified as well-capitalized or adequately-capitalized are subject to various restrictions regarding capital distributions, payment of management fees, acceptance of brokered deposits and other operating activities.

Federal banking laws, regulations and policies also limit the Bank's ability to pay dividends and make other distributions to the Company. The Bank must obtain prior OCC approval to declare a dividend or make any other capital distribution if, after such dividend or distribution: (1) the Bank's total distributions to the Holding Company within that calendar year would exceed 100% of its net income during the year plus retained net income for the prior two years; (2) the Bank would not meet capital levels imposed by the OCC in connection with any order, or (3) the Bank is not adequately capitalized at the time. In addition, the OCC's prior approval would be required if the Bank's examination or Community Reinvestment Act ratings fall below certain levels or the Bank is notified by the OCC that it is a problem association or in troubled condition. In addition, the Bank must obtain the OCC's prior written approval to make any capital distribution until it has positive retained earnings. Under a written agreement with the FRB of Boston, the Company must not declare or pay, and must not permit any non-bank subsidiary that is not wholly-owned by the Company, including SCUSA, to declare or pay, any dividends, and the Company must not make, or permit any such subsidiary to make, any capital distribution, in each case without the prior written approval of the FRB of Boston.

Any dividend declared and paid or return of capital has the effect of reducing the Bank's capital ratios. The Bank did not declare and pay any return of capital to SHUSA during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015.

The following schedule summarizes the actual capital balances of the Bank and SHUSA at September 30, 2015:
 
 
BANK
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
Well-capitalized Requirement(1)
 
Minimum Requirement(1)
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio
 
13.86
%
 
6.50
%
 
4.50
%
Tier 1 capital ratio
 
13.86
%
 
8.00
%
 
6.00
%
Total capital ratio
 
15.14
%
 
10.00
%
 
8.00
%
Leverage ratio
 
11.69
%
 
5.00
%
 
4.00
%
(1) As defined by OCC regulations.

 
 
SHUSA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
Well-capitalized Requirement(2)
 
Minimum Requirement(2)
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio
 
12.09
%
 
6.50
%
 
4.50
%
Tier 1 capital ratio
 
13.44
%
 
8.00
%
 
6.00
%
Total capital ratio
 
15.31
%
 
10.00
%
 
8.00
%
Leverage ratio
 
11.92
%
 
5.00
%
 
4.00
%

(2) As defined by FRB regulations.

128


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Overall

The Company continues to maintain strong liquidity positions. Liquidity represents the ability of the Company to obtain cost-effective funding to meet the needs of customers as well as the Company's financial obligations. Factors that impact the liquidity position of the Company include loan origination volumes, loan prepayment rates, the maturity structure of existing loans, core deposit growth levels, CD maturity structure and retention, the Company's credit ratings, investment portfolio cash flows, the maturity structure of the Company's wholesale funding, and other factors. These risks are monitored and managed centrally. The Bank's Asset/Liability Committee reviews and approves the liquidity policy and guidelines on a regular basis. This process includes reviewing all available wholesale liquidity sources. The Company also forecasts future liquidity needs and develops strategies to ensure adequate liquidity is available at all times. SHUSA conducts monthly liquidity stress test analyses to manage its liquidity under a variety of scenarios, all of which demonstrate that the Company has ample liquidity to meet its short-term and long-term cash requirements.

Further changes to the credit ratings of SHUSA, Santander and its affiliates or the Kingdom of Spain could have a material adverse effect on SHUSA's business, including its liquidity and capital resources. The credit ratings of SHUSA have changed in the past and may change in the future, which could impact its cost of and access to sources of financing and liquidity. Any reductions in the long-term or short-term credit ratings of SHUSA would: increase its borrowing costs; require it to replace funding lost due to the downgrade, which may include the loss of customer deposits; and limit its access to capital and money markets and trigger additional collateral requirements in derivatives contracts and other secured funding arrangements. See further discussion on the impacts of credit ratings actions in the Economic and Business Environment section of this MD&A.

Sources of Liquidity

Company and Bank

The Company and the Bank have several sources of funding to meet liquidity requirements, including the Bank's core deposit base, liquid investment securities portfolio, ability to acquire large deposits, FHLB borrowings, wholesale deposit purchases, and federal funds purchased, as well as through securitizations in the ABS market and committed credit lines from third-party banks and Santander. The Company has the following major sources of funding to meet its liquidity requirements: dividends and returns of investments from its subsidiaries, short-term investments held by non-bank affiliates, and access to the capital markets.

On September 15, 2014, the Company entered into a written agreement with the FRB of Boston. Under the terms of the written agreement, the Company must serve as a source of strength to the Bank; strengthen Board oversight of planned capital distributions by the Company and its subsidiaries; and not declare or pay, and not permit any nonbank subsidiary that is not wholly-owned by the Company to declare or pay, any dividends and not make, or permit any such subsidiary to make, any capital distribution, in each case without the prior written approval of the FRB of Boston.

On July 2, 2015, the Company entered into a written agreement with the FRB of Boston. Under the terms of this written agreement, the Company is required to make enhancements with respect to, among other matters, Board oversight of the consolidated organization, risk management, capital planning and liquidity risk management.

SCUSA

SCUSA requires a significant amount of liquidity to originate and acquire loans and leases and to service debt. SCUSA funds its operations through its lending relationships with 14 third-party banks and Santander, as well as through securitizations in the ABS market and large flow agreements. SCUSA seeks to issue debt that appropriately matches the cash flows of the assets that it originates. SCUSA has over $4.3 billion of stockholders’ equity that supports its access to the securitization markets, credit facilities, and flow agreements.


129


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, SCUSA completed on-balance sheet funding transactions totaling approximately $12.0 billion, including:

four securitizations on its Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust ("SDART") platform for $4.6 billion;
a series of seven subordinate bond transactions on its SDART platform totaling $262.0 million to fund residual interests from existing securitizations;
four securitizations on its relaunched Drive Auto Receivables Trust, deeper subprime platform, for $3.4 billion;
top-ups of four private amortizing facilities totaling $1.6 billion; and
four private amortizing lease facilities totaling $2.0 billion.

SCUSA also completed $7.3 billion in asset sales, including $1.3 billion in third-party lease sales and $3.2 billion in recurring monthly sales with its third-party flow partners, in addition to executing several sales of charged off assets totaling $118.0 million in proceeds.

For information regarding SCUSA's debt, see Note 10 in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Institutional borrowings

The Company regularly projects its funding needs under various stress scenarios and maintains contingency plans consistent with the Company’s access to diversified sources of contingent funding. The Company maintains a substantial level of total available liquidity in the form of on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet funding sources. These include cash, unencumbered liquid assets, and capacity to borrow at the FHLB and the FRB’s discount window. 

Available Liquidity

As of September 30, 2015, the Bank had approximately $22.6 billion in committed liquidity from the FHLB and the FRB. Of this amount, $6.7 billion was unused and therefore provides additional borrowing capacity and liquidity for the Company. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, liquid assets (cash and cash equivalents, LHFS, and securities available-for-sale exclusive of securities pledged as collateral) totaled approximately $22.4 billion and $13.7 billion, respectively. These amounts represented 40.3% and 26.1% of total deposits at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. In addition to liquid assets, the Company also has available liquidity from federal funds counterparties of $1.3 billion. Management believes that the Company has ample liquidity to fund its operations.

Cash and cash equivalents
 
 
Nine-Month Period
Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
3,728,327

 
$
3,332,291

Net cash (used in) investing activities
 
(14,389,842
)
 
(10,628,505
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
 
13,096,163

 
5,120,496


Cash provided by operating activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $3.7 billion for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, which is comprised of net income of $0.7 billion, $2.7 billion of provision for credit losses, $4.7 billion in proceeds from sales of LHFS, and $0.8 billion in proceeds from sales of trading securities, offset by $5.6 billion of originations of LHFS, net of repayments.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $3.3 billion for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, which was comprised of net income of $2.5 billion and $4.0 billion in proceeds from sales of LHFS, offset by $3.6 billion of originations of LHFS, net of repayments.


130


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


Cash used in investing activities

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, net cash used in investing activities was $14.4 billion, primarily due to $11.0 billion of purchases of investment securities available-for-sale, $7.4 billion in normal loan activity, and $4.7 billion in leased vehicle purchases, offset by $6.5 billion of investment sales, maturities and prepayments, $1.8 billion in proceeds from sales of loans held for investment and $1.8 billion in proceeds from sales of leased vehicles.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, net cash used in investing activities was $10.6 billion, primarily due to $3.9 billion of purchases of investment securities available-for-sale, $5.3 billion in normal loan activity and $4.6 billion in leased vehicle purchases, offset by $2.0 billion of investment sales, maturities and repayments and $1.6 billion in proceeds from sales of loans held for investment.

Cash provided by financing activities

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, net cash provided by financing activities was $13.1 billion, which was primarily due to a $3.1 billion increase in deposits and an increase in net borrowing activity of $9.9 billion.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 was $5.1 billion, which was primarily driven by an increase in proceeds from the issuance of common stock of $1.8 billion, an increase in deposits of $2.0 billion, and an increase in net borrowing activity of $1.3 billion.

See the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows ("SCF") for further details on the Company's sources and uses of cash.

Credit Facilities

Third-Party Revolving Credit Facilities

Warehouse Lines

Warehouse lines are used to fund new originations. Each line specifies the required collateral characteristics, collateral concentrations, credit enhancement, and advance rates. Warehouse lines are generally backed by auto retail installment contracts and, in some cases, leases or personal loans. These credit lines generally have one- or two-year commitments, staggered maturities and floating interest rates. SCUSA maintains daily funding forecasts for originations, acquisitions, and other large outflows such as tax payments in order to balance the desire to minimize funding costs with its liquidity needs.

SCUSA's warehouse lines generally have net spread, delinquency, and net loss ratio limits. These limits are generally calculated based on the portfolio collateralizing the line; however, for two of the warehouse lines, delinquency and net loss ratios are calculated with respect to the serviced portfolio as a whole. Failure to meet any of these covenants could trigger increased over-collateralization requirements or, in the case of limits calculated with respect to the specific portfolio underlying certain credit lines, result in an event of default under these agreements. If an event of default occurred under one of these agreements, the lender could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under the impacted agreement to be immediately due and payable, enforce its interests against collateral pledged under the agreement, restrict SCUSA's ability to obtain additional borrowings under the agreement, and/or remove SCUSA as servicer. SCUSA has never had a warehouse line terminated due to failure to comply with any ratio or meet any covenant. A default under one of these lines could be enforced only with respect to that line.

SCUSA has a credit facility with eight banks providing an aggregate commitment of $4.2 billion for the exclusive use of providing short-term liquidity needs to support Chrysler retail financing. This facility can be used for both loan and lease financing. The facility requires reduced advance rates in the event of delinquency, credit loss, or residual loss ratios exceeding specified thresholds.

Repurchase Facility

SCUSA also obtains financing through an investment management agreement under which it pledges retained subordinated bonds on its securitizations as collateral for repurchase agreements with various borrowers at renewable terms ranging from 30 to 90 days.


131


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


Santander Credit Facilities

Santander historically has provided, and continues to provide, SCUSA's business with significant funding support in the form of committed credit facilities. Through its New York branch ("Santander NY"), Santander provides SCUSA with $4.5 billion of long-term committed revolving credit facilities.

The facilities offered through Santander NY's branch are structured as three- and five-year floating rate facilities, with current maturity dates of December 31, 2016 and 2018. Santander has the option to allow SCUSA to continue to renew the term of these facilities annually going forward, thereby maintaining the three- and five-year maturities. These facilities currently permit unsecured borrowing, but generally are collateralized by retail installment contracts as well as securitization notes payable and residuals owned by SCUSA. Any secured balances outstanding under the facilities at the time of their maturity will amortize to match the maturities and expected cash flows of the corresponding collateral.

There was an average outstanding balance of approximately $3.7 billion and $3.6 billion under the facilities offered through Santander NY's branch during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The maximum outstanding balance during each period was $4.4 billion and $4.3 billion, respectively.

Santander also serves as the counterparty for many of SCUSA's derivative financial instruments.

Secured Structured Financings

SCUSA's secured structured financings primarily consist of public, SEC-registered securitizations. SCUSA also executes private securitizations under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and privately issues amortizing notes.

SCUSA obtains long-term funding for its receivables through securitizations in the ABS market. The ABS market provides an attractive source of funding due to its cost efficiency, a large and deep investor base, and terms that appropriately match the cash flows of the debt to the cash flows of the underlying assets. The term structure of a securitization generally locks in fixed-rate funding for the life of the underlying fixed-rate assets, and the matching amortization of the assets and liabilities provides committed funding for the collateralized loans throughout their terms. In certain cases, SCUSA may choose to issue floating rate securities based on market conditions; in such cases, SCUSA generally executes hedging arrangements outside of the securitization trusts (the "Trusts") to lock in its cost of funds. Because of prevailing market rates, SCUSA did not issue ABS in 2008 or 2009, but began issuing ABS again in 2010. SCUSA has been the largest issuer of retail auto ABS in the U.S. since 2011. SCUSA has issued a total of over $46.0 billion in retail auto ABS since 2010.

SCUSA executes each securitization transaction by selling receivables to the Trusts that issue ABS to investors. To attain specified credit ratings for each class of bonds, these transactions have credit enhancement requirements in the form of subordination, restricted cash accounts, excess cash flow, and over-collateralization, which result in more receivables being transferred to the Trusts than the amount of ABS they issue.

Excess cash flows result from the difference between the finance and interest income received from the obligors on the receivables and the interest paid to the ABS investors, net of credit losses and expenses. Initially, excess cash flows generated by the Trusts are used to pay down outstanding debt of the Trusts, increasing over-collateralization until the targeted level of assets has been reached. Once the targeted level of over-collateralization is reached and maintained, excess cash flows generated by the Trusts are released to SCUSA as distributions. SCUSA also receives monthly servicing fees as servicer for the Trusts. SCUSA's securitizations may require an increase in credit enhancement levels if cumulative net losses, as defined in the documents underlying each ABS transaction, exceed a specified percentage of the pool balance. None of SCUSA's securitizations has a cumulative net loss percentage above its limit.


132


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


SCUSA's on-balance sheet securitization transactions utilize bankruptcy-remote special purpose entities, which are also variable interest entities ("VIEs") that meet the requirements to be consolidated in the Company's financial statements. Following a securitization, the finance receivables and notes payable related to the securitized retail installment contracts remain on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company recognizes finance and interest income as well as fee income on the collateralized retail installment contracts and interest expense on the ABS issued. The Company also records a provision for credit losses to cover inherent credit losses on the retail installment contracts. While these Trusts are included in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, they are separate legal entities. The finance receivables and other assets sold to the Trusts are owned by them, are available only to satisfy the notes payable related to the securitized retail installment contracts, and are not available to SCUSA's or the Company's creditors or those of its other subsidiaries.

SCUSA has completed nine securitizations year-to-date in 2015, in addition to executing seven subordinate bond transactions to obtain additional liquidity from residual interests in existing securitizations. SCUSA currently has 34 securitizations outstanding in the market with a cumulative ABS balance of approximately $15.9 billion. Its securitizations generally have several classes of notes, with principal paid sequentially based on seniority and any excess spread distributed to the residual holder. SCUSA generally retains the lowest bond class and the residual interest in each securitization, and uses the proceeds from the securitization to repay borrowings outstanding under its credit facilities, originate and acquire new loans and leases, and for general corporate purposes. SCUSA generally exercises clean-up call options on its securitizations when the collateralization pool balance reaches 10% of its original balance.

SCUSA periodically issues amortizing notes in private placements that are structured similarly to its public securitizations and securitizations which are issued under Rule 144A of the Securities Act to banks and conduits. SCUSA's securitizations and private issuances are collateralized by vehicle retail installment contracts, loans and vehicle leases.

Flow Agreements

In addition to its credit facilities and secured structured financings, SCUSA has flow agreements in place with Bank of America and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania ("CBP") for Chrysler Capital retail installment contracts, with another third party for charged off assets, and with the Bank for Chrysler Capital dealer loans.

SCUSA enters into flow agreements under which assets are sold on a periodic basis to provide funding for new originations. These assets are not on SCUSA's balance sheet, but may provide a gain or loss on sale and a stable stream of servicing fee income.

SCUSA has a flow agreement with Bank of America under which SCUSA is committed to sell up to a specified amount of eligible loans to that bank each month through May 2018. Prior to October 1, 2015, the amount of this monthly commitment was $300.0 million. On October 1, 2015, SCUSA and Bank of America amended the flow agreement to increase the maximum commitment to sell to $350.0 million of eligible loans each month, and to change the required written notice period from either party, in the event of termination of the agreement, from 120 days to 90 days. For loans sold, SCUSA retains the servicing rights and may receive or pay a servicer performance payment based on an agreed-upon formula if performance on the sold loans is better or worse, respectively, than expected performance at the time of sale.

SCUSA also has sold loans to CBP under terms of a flow agreement and predecessor sale agreements. SCUSA retains servicing on the sold loans and will owe CBP a loss-sharing payment capped at 0.5% of the original pool balance if losses exceed a specified threshold, established on a pool-by-pool basis. On June 25, 2015, SCUSA executed an amendment to the servicing agreement with CBP, which increased the servicing fee that SCUSA receives. SCUSA and CBP also amended the flow agreement which reduced, effective from and after August 1, 2015, CBP's committed purchases of Chrysler Capital prime loans from a maximum of $600.0 million and a minimum of $250.0 million per quarter to a maximum of $200.0 million and a minimum of $50.0 million per quarter, as may be adjusted according to the agreement.

Off-Balance Sheet Financing

SCUSA periodically executes Chrysler Capital-branded securitizations under Rule 144A of the Securities Act. Because all of the notes and residual interests in these securitizations are issued to third parties, SCUSA records these transactions as true sales of the retail installment contracts securitized, and removes the sold assets from its condensed consolidated balance sheets. In April 2015, SCUSA executed its first off-balance sheet securitization of 2015, selling $769.0 million of gross retail installment contracts.


133


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, SCUSA executed its first two bulk sales of leases to a third party. Due to accelerated depreciation permitted for tax purposes, these two sales generated large taxable gains that SCUSA has deferred through a qualified like-kind exchange program. In order to qualify for this deferral, SCUSA is required to maintain the sale proceeds in escrow until reinvested in new lease originations. Because the sale proceeds were also needed to pay down the third-party credit facilities under which it had financed the leases prior to their sale, SCUSA has increased its borrowings on its related party credit facilities until the sale proceeds are fully reinvested over the 180 days following each sale.

Uses of Liquidity

The Company uses liquidity for debt service and repayment of borrowings, as well as for funding loan commitments and satisfying deposit withdrawal requests.

Dividends and Stock Issuances

In February 2014, the Company issued 7.0 million shares of common stock to Santander in exchange for cash in the amount of $1.75 billion. Also in February 2014, the Company raised $750.0 million of capital by issuing 3.0 million shares of common stock to Santander in exchange for canceling debt of an equivalent amount.

In May 2014, the Company issued 84,000 shares of its common stock to Santander in exchange for cash in the amount of $21.0 million.

On May 1, 2014, SCUSA's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.15 per share, which was paid on May 30, 2014 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 12, 2014.

At September 30, 2015, the Company's liquidity to meet debt payments, debt service and debt maturities was in excess of 12 months.

There were no dividends declared or paid during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had 530,391,043 shares of common stock outstanding.


CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The Company enters into contractual obligations in the normal course of business as a source of funds for its asset growth and asset/liability management, to fund acquisitions, and to meet required capital needs. These obligations require the Company to make cash payments over time as detailed in the table below.
 
Payments Due by Period
 
Total
 
Less than
1 year
 
Over 1 yr
to 3 yrs
 
Over 3 yrs
to 5 yrs
 
Over
5 yrs
 
(in thousands)
FHLB advances (1)
$
13,916,523

 
$
7,157,477

 
$
5,875,548

 
$
661,591

 
$
221,907

Notes payable - revolving facilities
9,879

 
3,235

 
5,669

 
975

 

Notes payable - secured structured financings
20,092,949

 
438,125

 
5,151,265

 
9,256,679

 
5,246,880

Other debt obligations (1) (2)
6,627,044

 
993,454

 
2,728,778

 
1,557,821

 
1,346,991

Junior subordinated debentures due to capital trust entities (1) (2)
435,280

 
9,594

 
19,188

 
19,188

 
387,310

Certificates of deposit (1)
8,221,072

 
6,827,277

 
1,347,955

 
45,840

 

Non-qualified pension and post-retirement benefits
69,921

 
6,741

 
13,542

 
13,928

 
35,710

Operating leases(3)
752,487

 
118,878

 
208,367

 
154,753

 
270,489

Total contractual cash obligations
$
50,125,155

 
$
15,554,781

 
$
15,350,312

 
$
11,710,775

 
$
7,509,287


(1)
Includes interest on both fixed and variable rate obligations. The interest associated with variable rate obligations is based on interest rates in effect at September 30, 2015. The contractual amounts to be paid on variable rate obligations are affected by changes in market interest rates. Future changes in market interest rates could materially affect the contractual amounts to be paid.
(2)
Includes all carrying value adjustments, such as unamortized premiums and discounts and hedge basis adjustments.
(3)
Does not include future expected sublease income.

134


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


Excluded from the above table are deposits of $47.4 billion that are due on demand by customers. Additionally, $247.7 million of tax liabilities associated with unrecognized tax benefits have been excluded due to the high degree of uncertainty regarding the timing of future cash outflows associated with those obligations.

The Company is a party to financial instruments and other arrangements with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers and manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. See further discussion on these risks in Note 11 and Note 14 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


ASSET AND LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk arises primarily through the Company’s traditional business activities of extending loans and accepting deposits. Many factors, including economic and financial conditions, movements in market interest rates, and consumer preferences, affect the spread between interest earned on assets and interest paid on liabilities. Interest rate risk is managed by the Company's Treasury group and measured by its Market Risk Department, with oversight by the Asset/Liability Committee. In managing interest rate risk, the Company seeks to minimize the variability of net interest income across various likely scenarios, while at the same time maximizing net interest income and the net interest margin. To achieve these objectives, the Treasury group works closely with each business line in the Company and guides new business. The Treasury group also uses various other tools to manage interest rate risk, including wholesale funding maturity targeting, investment portfolio purchase strategies, asset securitizations/sales, and financial derivatives.

Interest rate risk focuses on managing four elements of risk associated with interest rates: basis risk, repricing risk, yield curve risk and option risk. Basis risk stems from rate index timing differences with rate changes, such as differences in the extent of changes in Federal funds rates compared with the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate. Repricing risk stems from the different timing of contractual repricing, such as one-month versus three-month reset dates, as well as the related maturities. Yield curve risk stems from the impact on earnings and market value resulting from different shapes and levels of yield curves. Option risk stems from prepayment or early withdrawal risk embedded in various products. These four elements of risk are analyzed through a combination of net interest income simulations, shocks to those net interest income simulations, and scenario and market value analyses and the subsequent results are reviewed by management. Numerous assumptions are made to produce these analyses, including assumptions about new business volumes, loan and investment prepayment rates, deposit flows, interest rate curves, economic conditions and competitor pricing.

Net Interest Income Simulation Analysis

The Company utilizes a variety of measurement techniques to evaluate the impact of interest rate risk, including simulating the impact of changing interest rates on expected future interest income and interest expense to estimate the Company's net interest income sensitivity. This simulation is run monthly and includes various scenarios that help management understand the potential risks in the Company's net interest income sensitivity. These scenarios include both parallel and non-parallel rate shocks as well as other scenarios that are consistent with quantifying the four elements of risk described above. This information is used to develop proactive strategies to ensure that the Company’s risk position remains within SHUSA Board of Directors-approved limits so that future earnings are not significantly adversely affected by future interest rates.

The table below reflects the estimated sensitivity to the Company’s net interest income based on interest rate changes:
If interest rates changed in parallel by the
amounts below at September 30, 2015
 
The following estimated percentage increase/(decrease) to
net interest income would result
Down 100 basis points
 
(1.48
)%
Up 100 basis points
 
0.93
 %
Up 200 basis points
 
1.77
 %


135


SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


Market Value of Equity ("MVE") Analysis

The Company also evaluates the impact of interest rate risk by utilizing MVE modeling. This analysis measures the present value of all estimated future cash flows of the Company over the estimated remaining life of the balance sheet. MVE is calculated as the difference between the market value of assets and liabilities. The MVE calculation utilizes only the current balance sheet, and therefore does not factor in any future changes in balance sheet size, balance sheet mix, yield curve relationships or product spreads, which may mitigate the impact of any interest rate changes.

Management examines the effect of interest rate changes on MVE. The sensitivity of MVE to changes in interest rates is a measure of longer-term interest rate risk, and highlights the potential capital at risk due to adverse changes in market interest rates. The following table discloses the estimated sensitivity to the Company’s MVE at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
 
 
The following estimated percentage
increase/(decrease) to MVE would result
If interest rates changed in parallel by
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Down 100 basis points
 
(4.23
)%
 
(2.28
)%
Up 100 basis points
 
0.43
 %
 
(0.40
)%
Up 200 basis points
 
(0.39
)%
 
(1.74
)%

As of September 30, 2015, the Company’s MVE profile showed a decrease of 4.23% for downward parallel interest rate shocks of 100 basis points and also a decrease of 0.39% for upward parallel interest rate shocks of 200 basis points. This is due to the negative convexity as a result of the prepayment option embedded in mortgage-related products, the impact of which is not fully offset by the behavior of the funding base (largely non-maturity deposits) (“NMDs”).

In downward parallel interest rate shocks, mortgage-related products’ prepayments increase, their duration decreases and their market value appreciation therefore is limited. At the same time, with deposit rates already close to zero, the Company cannot effectively transfer interest rate declines to its NMD customers.

For upward parallel interest rate shocks extension risk weighs on a sizable portion of the Company’s mortgage-related products, which are predominantly long-term and fixed-rate; and for larger shocks the loss in market value is not offset by the change in the NMD.

Limitations of Interest Rate Risk Analyses

Since the assumptions used are inherently uncertain, the Company cannot predict precisely the effect of higher or lower interest rates on net interest income or MVE. Actual results will differ from simulated results due to the timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes, the difference between actual experience and the assumed volume, characteristics of new business and behavior of existing positions, and changes in market conditions and management strategies, among other factors.

Uses of Derivatives to Manage Interest Rate and Other Risks

To mitigate interest rate risk and, to a lesser extent, foreign exchange, equity and credit risks, the Company uses derivative financial instruments to reduce the effects that changes in interest rates may have on net income, the fair value of assets and liabilities, and cash flows.

Through the Company’s capital markets and mortgage banking activities, it is subject to price risk. The Company employs various tools to measure and manage price risk in its portfolios. In addition, the SHUSA Board of Directors has established certain limits relative to positions and activities. The level of price risk exposure at any point in time depends on the market environment and expectations of future price and market movements, and will vary from period to period.

Management uses derivative instruments to mitigate the impact of interest rate movements on the fair value of certain liabilities, assets and highly probable forecasted cash flows. These instruments primarily include interest rate swaps that have underlying interest rates based on key benchmark indices and forward sale or purchase commitments. The nature and volume of the derivative instruments used to manage interest rate risk depend on the level and type of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet and the risk management strategies for the current and anticipated interest rate environment.


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SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


The Company enters into cross-currency swaps to hedge its foreign currency exchange risk on certain Euro-denominated investments. These derivatives are designated as fair value hedges at inception.

The Company's derivative portfolio includes mortgage banking interest rate lock commitments, forward sale commitments and interest rate swaps. As part of its overall business strategy, the Bank originates fixed-rate residential mortgages. It sells a portion of this production to the FHLMC, the FNMA, and private investors. The Company uses forward sales as a means of hedging against the economic impact of changes in interest rates on the mortgages that are originated for sale and on interest rate lock commitments.

The Company typically retains the servicing rights related to residential mortgage loans that are sold. Residential MSRs are accounted for at fair value. As deemed appropriate, the Company economically hedges MSRs, using interest rate swaps and forward contracts to purchase MBS. For additional information on MSRs, see Note 9 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company uses foreign exchange contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with certain foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities. Foreign exchange contracts, which include spot and forward contracts, represent agreements to exchange the currency of one country for the currency of another country at an agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon settlement date. Exposure to gains and losses on these contracts will increase or decrease over their respective lives as currency exchange and interest rates fluctuate.

The Company also utilizes forward contracts to manage market risk associated with certain expected investment securities sales and equity options, which manage its market risk associated with certain customer deposit products.

For additional information on foreign exchange contracts, derivatives and hedging activities, see Note 11 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Incorporated by reference from Part I, Item 2, MD&A — Asset and Liability Management above.

Item 4.
Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of September 30, 2015 because of a material weakness previously identified and reported in its September 30, 2014 Form 10-Q and 10-Q/A filings in connection with the preparation and review of its Condensed Consolidated SCF and Note 5, the Company did not maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures.

Specifically, the Company concluded that it did not have adequate controls designed and in place over the preparation and review of the Condensed Consolidated SCF and financial statement disclosures in Note 5, whereby errors were made during 2014 that were not identified in a timely manner. As a result of this material weakness, other errors were made during the quarters ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, 2014 related to the SCF for those periods which were not identified in a timely manner. These additional errors were identified and corrected in connection with the preparation of the Company's Form 10-K for 2014.

While the errors were concluded to not be material, the control deficiencies could result in a material misstatement of the SCF and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements that might not be prevented or detected. Accordingly, management has concluded that the control deficiencies constitute a material weakness.

Notwithstanding this material weakness, the Company has concluded that the financial statements included in this report fairly present in all material respects its financial position, results of operations, capital position, and cash flows for the periods presented, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

Status of Remediation of Previously Reported Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the second and third quarters of 2015, with the oversight of senior management and the Audit Committee, the Company implemented a number of new controls to remediate the material weakness described above. The Company has revised the design of the former process to prepare and review the SCF and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and has implemented additional controls and a new SCF model to remediate the underlying causes that gave rise to the material weakness. Other improvements to the process include additional reviews at a detailed level, the implementation of improved processes, and enhancements to documented controls.

The Company believes these measures have remediated the design and is monitoring the operating effectiveness of the new controls and believe these changes will strengthen its internal control over financial reporting for the preparation and review of the SCF and Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. As part of these ongoing efforts, the Company has documented and is in the process of testing its internal controls over financial reporting in order to report on the effectiveness of its internal controls as of December 31, 2015. The Company can provide no assurance at this time that management will be able to report that its internal control over financial reporting is effective as of December 31, 2015, or that its registered independent public accounting firm will be able to attest that such internal controls are effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Other than as described above, there were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

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SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1
— Legal Proceedings

Reference should be made to Note 12 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosure regarding the lawsuit filed by SHUSA against the IRS and Note 14 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for SHUSA’s litigation disclosure, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1A
— Risk Factors

The Company is subject to a number of risks potentially impacting its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. There have been no material changes from the risk factors set forth under Part I, Item IA, Risk Factors, in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

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

Not applicable.

Item 3
— Defaults upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4
— Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

Item 5
— Other Information

None.




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Item 6
— Exhibits
(2.1)
Transaction Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2008, between Santander Holdings USA, Inc. and Banco Santander, S.A. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to SHUSA's Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 16, 2008) (Commission File Number 333-172807)
 
 
(3.1)
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Santander Holdings USA, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Santander Holdings USA, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 30, 2009) (Commission File Number 333-172807)
 
 
(3.2)
Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Santander Holdings USA, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Santander Holdings USA, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 27, 2009) (Commission File Number 333-172807)
 
 
(3.3)
Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Santander Holdings USA, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Santander Holdings USA, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 5, 2010) (Commission File Number 333-172807)
 
 
(3.4)
Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Santander Holdings USA, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Santander Holdings USA, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 21, 2011) (Commission File Number 333-172807)
 
 
(3.5)
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Santander Holdings USA, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Santander Holdings USA, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 30, 2012) (Commission File Number 333-172807)
 
 
(4.1)
Santander Holdings USA, Inc. has certain debt obligations outstanding. None of the instruments evidencing such debt authorizes an amount of securities in excess of 10% of the total assets of Santander Holdings USA, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; therefore, copies of such instruments are not included as exhibits to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Santander Holdings USA, Inc. agrees to furnish copies to the SEC on request.
 
 
(10.1)
Underwriting Agreement dated January 22, 2014 among Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representatives of the underwriters listed therein, SCUSA, SCUSA Illinois, Santander Holdings USA, Inc. and the other Selling Stockholders listed in Schedule II thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 28, 2014 (Commission File Number 001-16581)
 
 
(10.2)
Shareholders Agreement dated January 28, 2014 among the Company, SCUSA, Sponsor Holdings, DDFS, Thomas G. Dundon and Banco Santander, S.A. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to Santander Holdings USA, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 28, 2014 (Commission File Number 001-16581)
 
 
(10.3)
Written Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2014, by and between Santander Holdings USA, Inc. and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Santander Holdings USA, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 18, 2014 (Commission File Number 001-16581)
 
 
(10.4)
Written Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2015, by and between Santander Holdings USA, Inc. and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Santander Holdings USA, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 7, 2015 (Commission File Number 001-16581)
 
 
(31.1)
Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith)
 
 
(31.2)
Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith)
 
 
(32.1)
Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith)
 
 
(32.2)
Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith)
 
 
(101)
Interactive Data File (XBRL). (Filed herewith)

140




SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
 
 
SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC.
(Registrant)
 
Date:
November 13, 2015
 
/s/ Scott E. Powell
 
 
 
Scott E. Powell
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Authorized Officer) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
November 13, 2015
 
/s/ Gerald P. Plush
 
 
 
Gerald P. Plush
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer and Senior Executive Vice President


141