BREAD FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS

We are a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending, and saving solutions to millions of U.S. consumers. Our payment solutions, including Bread Financial general purpose credit cards and savings products, empower our customers and their passions for a better life. Additionally, we deliver growth for some of the most recognized brands in travel and entertainment, health and beauty, jewelry and specialty apparel through our private label and co-brand credit cards and pay-over-time products providing choice and value to our shared customers.

We have continued to diversify our product mix with our brand partners through growth of our co-brand credit card programs, which, relative to our private label credit card programs, have higher credit sales per account and an improved credit risk mix that generally results in higher transactor balances, lower delinquencies and late fees, as well as lower losses. We also offer our proprietary credit cards along with the expansion of our Bread Pay products, which are our installment loans and “split-pay” offerings.

Our partner base consists of large consumer-based businesses, including well-known brands such as (alphabetically) AAA, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Caesars, Dell Technologies, Hard Rock International, the NFL, Saks Fifth Avenue, Signet, Ulta and Victoria’s Secret, as well as small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Our partner base is well diversified across a broad range of industries and retail verticals, including travel and entertainment, health and beauty, jewelry, sporting goods, home, technology and electronics and the industry in which we first began, specialty apparel. We believe our comprehensive suite of payment, lending and saving solutions, along with our related marketing and data and analytics, allows us to offer products relevant across all customer segments (Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X and Baby Boomers). The breadth and quality of our product and service offerings, coupled with our customer-centric approach, have enabled us to establish and maintain long-standing partner relationships. We operate our business through a single reportable segment, with our primary source of revenue being from Interest and fees on loans from our various credit card and other loan products, and to a lesser extent from contractual relationships with our brand partners.

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

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

These unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), and should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2025 (the 2024 Form 10-K). If not significantly different, certain note disclosures included therein have been omitted from these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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

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

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies as discussed in Note 1, “Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies” included in our 2024 Form 10-K.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

2. CREDIT CARD AND OTHER LOANS

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

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

The following table provides Credit card and other loans, as of the dates presented:

(1)Includes $10.0 billion and $12.4 billion of Credit card and other loans available to settle obligations of consolidated VIEs as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

(2)Includes $375 million and $378 million, of accrued interest and fees that have not yet been billed to cardholders as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

Credit Card and Other Loans Aging

The following table provides the delinquency trends of our Credit card and other loans portfolio, based on the amortized cost, as of the dates presented:

(1)Other loans delinquencies have been included with credit card loan delinquencies in the table above, as amounts were insignificant as of each period presented. As permitted by GAAP, the primary difference between the amortized cost basis included in the table above and the carrying value of our Credit card and other loans relates to the exclusion of unbilled finance charges and fees from the amortized cost basis. As of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, accrued interest and fees that have not yet been billed to cardholders were $375 million and $378 million, respectively, included in Credit card and other loans on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

From time to time we may re-age cardholders’ accounts, with the intent of assisting delinquent cardholders who have experienced financial difficulties but who demonstrate both an ability and willingness to repay the amounts due. This practice affects credit card loan delinquencies and principal losses. Accounts meeting specific defined criteria are re-aged when the cardholder makes one or more consecutive payments aggregating to a certain pre-defined amount of their account balance. Upon re-aging, the outstanding balance of a delinquent account is returned to current status. Our re-aged accounts as a percentage of Total credit card and other loans represented 2.9% for both the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, and 3.2% and 4.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Our re-aging practices comply with regulatory guidelines.

Credit Quality Indicators for Our Credit Card and Other Loans

Given the nature of our business, the credit quality of our assets, in particular our Credit card and other loans, is a key determinant underlying our ongoing financial performance and overall financial condition. When it comes to our Credit card and other loans portfolio, we closely monitor Delinquency rates and Net principal loss rates, which reflect, among other factors, our underwriting, the inherent credit risk in our portfolio and the success of our collection and recovery efforts. These rates also reflect, more broadly, the general macroeconomic conditions, including the compounding effect of persistent inflation relative to wage growth, and higher interest rates. Our Delinquency and Net principal loss rates are also impacted by the size of our Credit card and other loans portfolio, which serves as the denominator in the calculation of these rates. Accordingly, changes in the size of our portfolio (whether due to credit tightening, acquisitions or dispositions of portfolios, or otherwise) may cause movements in our Delinquency and Net principal loss rates that are not necessarily indicative of the underlying credit quality of the overall portfolio.

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

The Delinquency rate is calculated by dividing outstanding principal balances that are contractually delinquent (i.e., principal balances greater than 30 days past due) as of the end of the period, by the outstanding principal amount of Credit card and other loans as of the same period-end. As of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 our Delinquency rates were 6.0% and 5.9%, respectively.

Net Principal Losses: Our net principal losses include the principal amount of Credit card and other loans that are deemed uncollectible, less recoveries, and exclude charged-off interest, fees and third-party fraud losses (including synthetic fraud). Charged-off interest and fees reduce Interest and fees on loans, while third-party fraud losses are recorded in Card and processing expenses. Our credit card loans, including unpaid interest and fees, are generally charged-off in the month during which an account becomes 180 days past due. Our pay-over-time products, which include installment loans and “split-pay” offerings, including unpaid interest, are generally charged-off when a loan becomes 120 days past due. However, in the case of a customer bankruptcy or death, Credit card and other loans, including unpaid interest and fees, as applicable, are charged-off 60 days after receipt of the notification of the bankruptcy or death, but in any case no later than 180 days past due for credit card loans and 120 days past due for installment loans and “split-pay” offerings. We record the actual losses for unpaid interest and fees as a reduction to Interest and fees on loans, which were $212 million and $232 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and $698 million and $773 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

The Net principal loss rate is calculated by dividing net principal losses for the period by the Average credit card and other loans for the same period, using an average daily balance calculation methodology. For the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, our Net principal loss rates were 7.4% and 7.8%, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, our Net principal loss rates were 7.8% and 8.3%, respectively.

Overall Credit Quality: As part of our credit risk management activities for our credit card loans portfolio, we assess overall credit quality by reviewing information from credit bureaus and other sources relating to our cardholders’ broader credit performance. We utilize VantageScore (Vantage) credit scores to assist in our assessment of credit quality. Vantage credit scores are obtained at origination of the account and are refreshed monthly thereafter to assist in predicting customer behavior. We categorize these Vantage credit scores into the following three credit score categories: (i) 661 or higher, which are considered the strongest credits and therefore have the lowest credit risk; (ii) 601 to 660, considered to have moderate credit risk; and (iii) 600 or less, which are considered weaker credits and therefore have the highest credit risk. In certain limited circumstances there are customer accounts for which a Vantage score is not available and we use alternative sources to assess credit risk and predict behavior. The table below excludes less than 0.1% of the total credit card loans balance as of both September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, representing those customer accounts for which a Vantage credit score is not available. The following table reflects the distribution of credit card loans by Vantage score as of the dates presented:

As part of our credit risk management activities for our Other loans portfolio, we also assess overall credit quality by reviewing information from credit bureaus. We have historically utilized Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) credit scores to assist in our assessment of the credit quality for our Other loans portfolio, but in early 2024 we completed a transition to Vantage scoring. The scoring scale produced by both FICO and Vantage is similar in that scores of 600 or less are considered weaker scores and as per our categorization method would have the highest credit risk. The amortized cost basis of Other loans totaled$293 million and $298 million as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. As of September 30, 2025, approximately 87% of these loans were originated with customers with scores of 661 or above, and correspondingly approximately 13% of these loans were originated with customers with scores below 661. Similarly, as of December 31, 2024, approximately 84% and 16% of these loans were originated with customers with FICO scores of 661 or above, and below 661, respectively.

Modified Credit Card Loans

Consumer Relief Programs

As part of our collections strategy, we may offer temporary and short term programs in order to improve the likelihood of collections and meet the needs of our customers. For example, as a result of hurricanes Helene and Milton in September and October of 2024, respectively, we froze delinquency progression for cardholders in Federal Emergency Management

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

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

In instances where cardholders are experiencing financial difficulty, we may modify our credit card loans with the intention of minimizing losses and improving collectability, while providing cardholders with financial relief; such credit card loans are classified as Loan Modifications, exclusive of the temporary, short-term consumer relief programs described above. Loan Modifications include concessions consisting primarily of a reduced minimum payment, late fee waiver, and/or an interest rate reduction. The majority of concessions remain in place for a period no longer than 12 months; however, for certain modifications the concessions remain in place through the payoff of the credit card loans if the cardholder complies with the terms of the program.

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

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

(1)Represents the outstanding balances as of September 30, 2025 and 2024, of all Loan Modifications undertaken in the past three and nine months, respectively, for credit card loans that remain in modification programs as of September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The outstanding balances include principal, accrued interest and fees.

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

The following table provides the performance of our credit card loans that were modified within the 12 months prior to the dates presented and remain in a Loan Modification program as of the dates presented:

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

Unfunded Lending Commitments

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

We manage our potential risk in credit commitments by limiting the total amount of credit, both by individual customer and across our credit card loan portfolio, by monitoring the size and maturity of our loan portfolio and applying consistent risk-based underwriting standards reflective of current and anticipated macroeconomic conditions. We have the unilateral ability to cancel or reduce unused credit card lines at any time. Unused credit card lines available to cardholders totaled approximately $98 billion and $103 billion as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. While this amount represented the total available unused credit card lines, we have not experienced and do not anticipate that all cardholders will access their entire available line at any given point in time.

Portfolio Sales

As of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, there wereno credit card loans held for sale.

In late April 2024 we sold a credit card loan portfolio for cash consideration of $102 million. We recognized a gain on sale in April 2024 that was subsequently adjusted during the second half of 2024, and again one final time during the first half of 2025, to recognize an incremental amount due under the purchase and sale agreement.

Portfolio Acquisitions

In August 2024, we acquired a credit card loan portfolio for cash consideration of approximately $378 million.

3. ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

The Allowance for credit losses represents our estimate of expected credit losses over the estimated life of our Credit card and other loans, incorporating future macroeconomic forecasts in addition to information about past events and current conditions. Our estimate under the Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) approach is significantly influenced by the composition, characteristics and quality of our portfolio of Credit card and other loans, as well as the prevailing economic conditions and forecasts utilized. The Allowance for credit losses includes an estimate for uncollectible principal as well as unpaid interest and fees. Principal losses, net of recoveries are deducted from the Allowance for credit losses. Losses of unpaid interest and fees are recorded as a reduction to Interest and fees on loans upon charge-off. The Allowance for credit losses is maintained through an adjustment to the Provision for credit losses and is evaluated for appropriateness on a quarterly basis.

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

Credit Card Loans

We use a “pooled” approach to estimate expected credit losses for financial assets with similar risk characteristics. We have evaluated multiple risk characteristics across our credit card loans portfolio, and determined delinquency status and overall credit quality to be the most significant characteristics for estimating expected credit losses. To estimate our Allowance for credit losses, we segment our credit card loans on the basis of delinquency status, credit quality risk score and product. These risk characteristics are evaluated on at least an annual basis, or more frequently as facts and circumstances warrant. In determining the estimated life of our credit card loans, payments were applied to the measurement date balance withno payments allocated to future purchase activity. We use a combination of First In First Out and the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act of 2009 (CARD Act) methodologies to model balance paydown.

Other Loans

We measure our Allowance for credit losses on Other loans, consisting primarily of our installment loans and “split-pay” offerings, using a statistical model to estimate projected losses over the remaining terms of the loans, inclusive of an assumption for prepayments. The model is based on the historical statistical relationship between loan loss performance and certain macroeconomic data pooled based on credit quality risk score, term of the underlying loans, vintage and geographic location. As of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Allowance for credit losses on Other loans was $25 million and $30 million, respectively.

Allowance for Credit Losses Rollforward

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

(1)Provision for credit losses includes a build/release for the Allowance, as well as replenishment of Net principal losses.

(2)Net principal losses are presented net of recoveries of $82 million and $85 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and $267 million and $286 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 the balance of the Allowance for credit losses decreased, due primarily to the decrease in Credit card and other loans as seasonally higher transactor balances from the fourth quarter of 2024 were paid down in the first quarter of 2025. Our reserve rate was 11.7% as of September 30, 2025, reflecting our improving credit metrics and higher-quality new account acquisitions. We continue to maintain appropriately prudent weightings on the economic scenarios in our credit reserve modeling to ensure the adequacy of our Allowance for credit losses given the wide range of potential macroeconomic outcomes.

4. SECURITIZATIONS

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

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

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

The Trusts issue debt securities and notes, which are non-recourse to us. The collections on the securitized credit card loans held by the Trusts are available only for payment of those debt securities and notes, or other obligations arising in the securitization transactions. For our securitized credit card loans, during the initial phase of a securitization reinvestment period, we generally retain principal collections in exchange for the transfer of additional credit card loans into the securitized pool of assets. During the amortization or accumulation period of a securitization, the investors’ share of principal collections (in certain cases, up to a maximum specified amount each month) is either distributed to the investors or held in an account until it accumulates to the total amount due, at which time it is paid to the investors in a lump sum.

Under the Indentures of each Trust and their Indenture Supplements, we are required to maintain minimum interests in our Trusts ranging from 4% to 10% of the securitized credit card loans. This requirement is met through a transferor’s interest and is supplemented through excess funding deposits which represent cash amounts deposited with the trustee of the securitizations. Cash collateral, restricted deposits are generally released proportionately as investors are repaid. Under the terms of the Trusts, the occurrence of certain triggering events associated with the performance of the securitized credit card loans in each Trust could result in certain required actions, including payment of Trust expenses, the establishment of reserve funds, or early amortization of the debt securities and/or notes, in a worst-case scenario. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, no such triggering events occurred.

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

5. INVESTMENTS

Investments include investment securities and various other investments primarily held by the Banks for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) purposes. Investment securities consist of available-for-sale (AFS) debt securities, which are mortgage-backed securities and municipal bonds, and equity securities, which are mutual funds. Investment securities are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We also have other investments, which primarily include a portfolio of investments in certain limited partnerships and limited liability companies accounted for under the equity method, and therefore are recorded at cost and adjusted each period for our share of the investee’s earnings or losses, less any impairment. Other investments also include an insignificant tax credit investment where we elected to apply the proportional amortization method of accounting, for which the impacts of both the amortization of the investment and income tax benefits are fully recognized in the Provision for income taxes.

The following table provides a summary of our Investments as of the dates presented:

For AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position, any estimated credit losses are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income by establishing or adjusting an existing Allowance for credit losses for such losses. We typically invest in highly-rated securities with low probabilities of default; therefore, we didnot have an Allowance for credit losses as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, and did not recognize any credit losses for the periods presented. Any unrealized gains, or any portion of an AFS debt security’s non-credit-related unrealized losses are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, net of tax. Realized gains and losses are recorded in Other non-interest expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income upon disposition of the AFS debt security, using the specific identification method. Gains and losses on investments in equity securities and CRA-related equity method investments are recorded in Other non-interest expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The table below provides unrealized gains and losses on AFS debt securities as of the dates presented:

The following tables provide information about AFS debt securities in a gross unrealized loss position and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, as of the dates presented:

As of September 30, 2025, our AFS debt securities included mortgage-backed securities, which do not have a single maturity date, with an amortized cost and estimated fair value of $162 million and $145 million, respectively, and municipal bonds, all of which have a maturity date greater than ten years, with an amortized cost and estimated fair value of $31 million and $29 million, respectively.

There wereno realized gains or losses from the sale of any investment securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024.

6. DEPOSITS

Deposits were categorized as interest-bearing or non-interest-bearing as follows, as of the dates presented:

Deposits by deposit type were as follows as of the dates presented:

The scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit were as follows as of September 30, 2025:

(1)The 2025 balance includes $4 million in unamortized debt issuance costs, which are associated with the entire portfolio of certificates of deposit.

As of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, deposits that exceeded applicable FDIC insurance limits, which are generally $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category, were estimated to be $642 million (5% of Total deposits) and $574 million (4% of Total deposits), respectively. The measurement of estimated uninsured deposits aligns with regulatory guidelines.

7. BORROWINGS OF LONG-TERM AND OTHER DEBT

Long-term and other debt consisted of the following as of the dates presented:

(1)The interest rate is based upon the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus an applicable margin.

(2)The interest rate is based upon SOFR, or the asset-backed commercial paper costs of each individual conduit provider plus an applicable margin. As of September 30, 2025 the interest rates ranged from 5.22% to 5.23% with a weighted average rate of 5.22%. As of December 31, 2024 the interest rates ranged from 5.48% to 5.60% with a weighted average rate of 5.54%.

Certain of our long-term debt agreements include various restrictive financial and non-financial covenants. If we do not comply with certain of these covenants and an event of default occurs and remains uncured, the maturity of amounts outstanding may be accelerated and become payable, and, with respect to our credit agreement, the associated commitments may be terminated. As of September 30, 2025, we were in compliance with all such covenants.

Long-term and Other Debt

Throughout 2025, we engaged in a number of financing-related transactions, including closing on our offering of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 8.375% Fixed-Rate Reset Subordinated Notes due 2035 (the Subordinated Notes), and the redemption of the remaining $100 million in aggregate principal amount of our 7.000% Senior Notes due 2026 (Senior Notes due 2026). We also had repurchases of $10 million in aggregate principal amount of our 4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 (the Convertible Notes), the completion of a cash tender offer (the Tender Offer) to repurchase $150 million in aggregate principal amount of our 9.750% Senior Notes due 2029 (Senior Notes due 2029), and another cash tender offer (the Third Quarter Tender Offer) to repurchase $31 million in aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes due 2029 and $0.1 million in aggregate principal amount of our Subordinated Notes, in each case utilizing cash on hand. Each of these transactions, as well as other matters relating to our liquidity and capital resources during the year, are described in more detail below.

Credit Agreement

In October 2024, we entered into our amended credit agreement with Parent Company, as borrower, certain of our domestic subsidiaries, as guarantors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and lender, and various other financial institutions, as lenders, which provides for a $700 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the

Revolving Credit Facility), which matures in October 2028. As of September 30, 2025, our Revolving Credit Facility was undrawn and all $700 million remained available for future borrowings.

Senior Notes Due 2026, 2028 and 2029

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

7.000% Senior Notes due 2026

In September 2020, we issued and sold $500 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due January 15, 2026. In January 2024, we redeemed $400 million in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes due 2026 and in January 2025, with cash on hand we redeemed the remaining $100 million. For additional information on our 7.000% Senior Notes Due 2026, see Note 10, “Borrowings of Long-Term and Other Debt” to our 2024 Form 10-K.

4.25% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2028

In June 2023, we issued and sold $316 million aggregate principal amount of 4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028. The Convertible Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 4.25%, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year. The Convertible Notes mature on June 15, 2028, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted.

In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Notes, we entered into privately negotiated capped call (Capped Call) transactions with certain financial institution counterparties. These transactions are expected generally to reduce potential dilution to our common stock upon any conversion of Convertible Notes and/or offset any cash payments we are required to make in excess of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes, with such reduction and/or offset subject to a cap, based on the cap price.

For additional information on the June 2023 issuance, and subsequent repurchases during 2024, of our Convertible Notes, as well as our Capped Call transactions, see Note 10, “Borrowings of Long-Term and Other Debt” to our 2024 Form 10-K.

In the first quarter of 2025, a holder of Convertible Notes approached us to repurchase Convertible Notes, and we entered into a privately-negotiated repurchase agreement with the holder, repurchasing $7 million in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Convertible Notes. The final purchase price, or settlement value, for the repurchase was $11 million, which was funded with cash on hand. In connection with the repurchase, we recognized a $2 million inducement expense in Other non-interest expenses representing the total settlement value, inclusive of transaction fees, in excess of the total conversion value (calculated in accordance with the indenture governing the Convertible Notes), as well as a $2 million reduction in Additional paid-in capital (APIC) related to the total conversion value paid in excess of the carrying value of the Convertible Notes repurchased and a deferred tax impact. This repurchase was negotiated and settled during the first quarter; therefore, there were no embedded conversion features requiring bifurcation and derivative accounting as of March 31, 2025.

In the third quarter of 2025, we entered into privately-negotiated repurchase agreements with two additional holders of our Convertible Notes, repurchasing $3 million in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Convertible Notes. The final purchase price, or settlement value, for the repurchases was $5 million, which was funded with cash on hand. In connection with the repurchases, we recognized a $1 million inducement expense in Other non-interest expenses representing the total settlement value, inclusive of transaction fees, in excess of the total conversion value (calculated in accordance with the indenture governing the Convertible Notes), as well as a $2 million reduction in APIC related to the total conversion value paid in excess of the carrying value of the Convertible Notes repurchased and a deferred tax impact. These repurchases were negotiated and settled during the third quarter; therefore, there were no embedded conversion features requiring bifurcation and derivative accounting as of September 30, 2025.

As of September 30, 2025, $0.1 million of Convertible Notes remained outstanding. We may, from time to time, seek to retire or repurchase our remaining outstanding Convertible Notes through cash purchases or exchanges for other securities, in open market purchases, tender offers, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise.

All of the Capped Call transactions continue to remain outstanding, notwithstanding repurchases of our Convertible Notes. Although we do not trade or speculate in derivatives, we may seek to opportunistically terminate the Capped Call transactions (in full or in part from time to time) or leave the Capped Call transactions outstanding, possibly until maturity, in any such case with the objective of optimizing the shareholder value we receive under these transactions.

9.750% Senior Notes due 2029

In January 2024, we issued and sold an additional $300 million aggregate principal amount of 9.750% Senior Notes due 2029 (Senior Notes due 2029) at an issue price of 101.00% of principal plus accrued interest from December 22, 2023. The Senior Notes due 2029 issued in January 2024 were issued as additional notes under the same indenture pursuant to which the initial $600 million of Senior Notes due 2029 were issued in December 2023, bringing our total aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes Due 2029 to $900 million as of January, 2024. The Senior Notes due 2029 will mature on March 15, 2029, unless subject to earlier repurchase or redemption. For additional information on our 9.750% Senior Notes Due 2029, see Note 10, “Borrowings of Long-Term and Other Debt” to our 2024 Form 10-K.

In June 2025, we completed the cash Tender Offer pursuant to which we repurchased $150 million in aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes due 2029. The consideration paid in the Tender Offer for each $1,000 principal amount of the Senior Notes due 2029 was $1,071, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In connection with the repurchase, we recognized a $13 million loss on extinguishment in Other non-interest expenses representing the total settlement value, inclusive of transaction fees, in excess of the carrying value of the Senior Notes due 2029.

In August 2025, we completed the cash Third Quarter Tender Offer pursuant to which we repurchased $31 million in aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes due 2029. The consideration paid in the Third Quarter Tender Offer for each $1,000 principal amount of the Senior Notes due 2029 was $1,070, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In connection with the repurchase, we recognized a $3 million loss on extinguishment in Other non-interest expenses representing the total settlement value, inclusive of transaction fees, in excess of the carrying value of the Senior Notes due 2029. Following the completion of these two tender offers, $719 million in the aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes due 2029 remained outstanding as of September 30, 2025, and will mature in March 2029, subject to any earlier repurchase or redemption.

8.375% Subordinated Notes Due 2035

In March 2025, we issued and sold $400 million in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Notes. The Subordinated Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. The Subordinated Notes accrue interest on the outstanding principal amount (i) at a rate per annum equal to 8.375% from, and including, March 10, 2025, to, but excluding, June 15, 2030 (the Reset Date), and (ii) from, and including, the Reset Date to, but excluding, the maturity date at a rate per annum equal to the Five-Year U.S. Treasury Rate as of the date that is two business days prior to the Reset Date, plus 430 basis points. Interest on the Subordinated Notes is payable semiannually in arrears in June and December of each year. The Subordinated Notes will mature in June 2035, unless earlier repurchased or redeemed. As noted above, included in the cash Third Quarter Tender Offer was a repurchase of $0.1 million aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Notes.

Debt Issued by Consolidated VIEs

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

Conduit Facilities

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

The table below summarizes our conduit capacities, borrowings and maturities for the periods presented:

(1)2009-VFN Conduit issued under World Financial Network Credit Card Master Note Trust (WFNMNT). In October 2025, the 2009-VFN Conduit commitment was reduced by $900 million to $1.75 billion, and the Maturity Date was extended to October 2026.

(2)2009-VFC1 Conduit issued under World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust III (WFNMT) was retired following controlled amortization, meaning the period in which principal collections are accumulated to pay down the outstanding principal amount of the notes issued under the Conduit Facility, in June 2025 pursuant to the termination, consent and waiver agreement.

(3)2009-VFN Conduit issued under World Financial Capital Master Note Trust (WFCMNT). In February 2025, the 2009-VFN Conduit commitment was reduced by $250 million to $2 billion, and the Maturity Date was extended to February 2026.

(4)2023-VFN1 Conduit issued under Comenity Capital Asset Securitization Trust (CCAST). The purchase commitment expired on September 29, 2025 and the 2023-VFN1 Conduit was retired on October 1, 2025 pursuant to the termination, consent and waiver agreement.

(5)2024-VFN1 Conduit issued under CCAST was retired in February 2025 pursuant to the termination, consent and waiver agreement.

(6)Amounts drawn do not include $0.4 billion and $1.1 billion of debt issued by the Trusts as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, which were not sold, but were retained by us as a credit enhancement and therefore have been eliminated from the Total.

(7)Maturity Date with respect to conduit borrowings means the date on which the revolving period for the applicable Conduit Facility expires. The revolving period may be extended or renewed (unless an early amortization event occurs prior to the Maturity Date). Absent the extension or renewal of the revolving period, the Conduit Facility shall enter controlled amortization on the Maturity Date and may no longer be drawn upon.

8. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

From time to time, we use derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to various financial risks; we do not trade or speculate in derivatives. Subject to the criteria set forth in GAAP, we will either designate our derivatives in qualifying hedging relationships, or as economic hedges should the criteria in GAAP not be met. All derivatives that we enter into are recognized at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, where our derivative receivables are included in Other assets and our derivative payables are included in Other liabilities. As permitted by GAAP, when a legally enforceable master netting agreement exists between us and the derivative counterparty, we present derivative receivables and derivative payables with the same counterparty on a net basis in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, including any related cash collateral receivables and payables.

Risk Management Objectives of Using Derivatives

We enter into derivative transactions to support our overall risk management activities. Our primary risks stem from the impact on our earnings and economic value of equity due to changes in interest rates, and to a lesser extent, changes in foreign exchange rates. Beginning in October 2024, we manage our interest rate sensitivity in part by changing the duration and re-pricing characteristics of a portion of our variable rate credit card loan portfolio by using interest rate swaps. We also use foreign currency forwards to limit our earnings and capital exposures to foreign exchange risk by hedging our limited exposures denominated in foreign currencies, in particular, Canadian dollars. We designate our interest rate swaps as qualifying accounting cash flow hedges, and account for our foreign currency forwards as economic hedges (as the criteria under GAAP for hedge accounting designation have not been met).

See below for additional information on our use of derivatives and how we account for them:

•Cash flow hedges: We designate derivatives as cash flow hedges when they are used to manage our exposure to variability in cash flows attributable to changes in contractually specified interest rates on our variable-rate credit card loans.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Those amounts are reclassified into our Consolidated Statements of Income in the same period during which the hedged forecasted interest accruals impact earnings, and are presented in the same line item as the earnings effect of the hedged items (i.e., Interest and fees on loans).

Specifically, we entered into receive-fixed, pay-floating interest rate swaps to modify the interest rate characteristics of designated credit card loans from a floating rate to a fixed rate in order to reduce the impact of changes in forecasted future cash flows due to fluctuations in market interest rates. As of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we had outstanding interest rate swaps with a total notional amount of $0.8 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively. The maximum period over which forecasted interest accruals were hedged with these interest rate swaps was approximately 1.0 year as of September 30, 2025. The impacts of our cash flow hedges were insignificant to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods presented on both a gross basis and, where applicable, a net basis.

Additionally, within the next 12 months, the amount we expect to reclassify from Accumulated other comprehensive loss as of September 30, 2025 into our Consolidated Statements of Income will be insignificant. The actual amount reclassified into earnings may vary due to market conditions and adjustments made as part of our ongoing risk management strategy.

•Economic hedges: Our economic hedges use derivatives to hedge the risk of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Changes in the fair value of derivatives used in economic hedges are recognized in Other non-interest expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income.

As of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we had outstanding foreign currency forwards with a total notional amount of $74 million and $73 million, respectively. The impacts of our economic hedges were insignificant to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods presented.

The notional amounts disclosed above are not exchanged on our derivatives. While these notional amounts provide an indication of the volume of our derivative activity, they significantly exceed, in our view, the possible losses that could arise from the associated transactions.

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

The following table provides the components of Other non-interest income for the periods presented:

(1)Primarily related to implemented pricing actions, including paper statement fees.

The following table provides the components of Other non-interest expenses for the periods presented:

(1)Primarily related to costs associated with various other individually insignificant operating activities.

10. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

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

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

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

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

We monitor the market conditions and evaluate the fair value hierarchy levels at least quarterly. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, there wereno transfers into or out of Level 3, andno transfers between Levels 1 and 2.

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

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

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

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

Derivative assets and liabilities: We use derivatives to manage our interest rate and foreign currency risk exposures. When quoted market prices are available and used to value our derivatives, we classify them as Level 1. However, the majority of our derivatives do not have readily available quoted market prices. Therefore, we value most of our derivatives using vendor-based models. We primarily rely on market observable inputs for these models, including, for example, interest rate yield curves and currency rates. These inputs can vary depending on the type of derivatives and nature of the underlying rate, price or index upon which the value of the derivative is based. We typically classify derivatives as Level 2 as significant inputs can be observed in a liquid market and the model itself does not require significant judgment. Our derivatives are included in Other assets or Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value impacts of our derivative assets and liabilities were insignificant to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods presented on both a gross basis and, where applicable, a net basis.

Deposits: Money market and other non-maturity deposits carrying values approximate their fair values because they are short-term in duration and have no defined maturity. GAAP requires that the fair values of deposit liabilities with no stated maturities equal their carrying values and does not permit recognition of the inherent funding value of the instruments. Certificates of deposit are recorded at their historical issuance cost on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, adjusted for unamortized fees, with the fair value being estimated based on the currently observable market rates available to us for similar deposits with similar remaining maturities (i.e., Level 2 inputs). Interest payable is included within Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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

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

Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following tables summarize our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by the fair value hierarchy described in the preceding paragraphs, as of the dates presented:

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain assets and liabilities are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, including equity method investments, property and equipment, right-of-use assets, deferred contract costs, goodwill and intangible assets. These assets are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as upon impairment. We didnot have any impairments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024.

Financial Instruments Disclosed but Not Carried at Fair Value

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

11. REGULATORY MATTERS AND CAPITAL ADEQUACY

Regulatory Matters

Our business is subject to extensive federal and state laws and regulations, as well as related regulation and supervision, including by the FDIC, CFPB and other federal and state authorities. Pending and future laws and regulations (federal and state) may adversely impact our business. Without limiting the foregoing, CB is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Delaware Office of the State Bank Commissioner and the FDIC. CCB is also subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Utah Department of Financial Institutions and the FDIC. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can trigger certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by our regulators. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, both Banks must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets and liabilities as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by these regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. In addition, both Banks are limited in the amounts they can pay as dividends to the Parent Company.

Quantitative measures, established by regulations to ensure capital adequacy, require the Banks to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of Tier 1 capital to average assets, and Common equity tier 1, Tier 1 capital and Total capital, all to risk-weighted assets. Failure to meet these minimum capital requirements can result in certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary actions by the Banks’ regulators that if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on CB’s and/or CCB’s operating activities, as well as our operating activities. Based on these regulations, as of September 30, 2025 and 2024, each Bank met all capital requirements to which it was subject, and maintained capital ratios in excess of the minimums required to qualify as well capitalized. The Banks seek to maintain capital levels and ratios in excess of the minimum regulatory requirements inclusive of the 2.5% Capital Conservation Buffer. Although Bread Financial is not a bank holding company as defined under the Bank Holding Company Act, we seek to maintain capital levels and ratios in excess of the minimums required for bank holding companies.

As of September 30, 2025 the actual capital ratios and minimum ratios for the Company, as well as each Bank, are as follows:

(1)Common equity tier 1 capital ratio represents tier 1 capital divided by total risk-weighted assets. In the calculation of tier 1 capital, we follow the Basel III Standardized Approach and therefore Total stockholders' equity has been reduced, primarily by Goodwill and intangible assets, net.

(2)Tier 1 capital ratio represents tier 1 capital divided by total risk-weighted assets. In the calculation of tier 1 capital, we follow the Basel III Standardized Approach and therefore Total stockholders' equity has been reduced, primarily by Goodwill and intangible assets, net.

(3)Total risk-based capital ratio represents total capital divided by total risk-weighted assets. In the calculation of total capital, we follow the Basel III Standardized Approach and therefore tier 1 capital has been increased by tier 2 capital, which for us is comprised of subordinated notes, as well as the allowable portion of the Allowance for credit losses.

(4)Tier 1 leverage capital ratio represents tier 1 capital divided by total average assets, after certain adjustments.

(5)Total risk-weighted assets are generally measured by allocating assets, and specified off-balance sheet exposures, to various risk categories as defined by the Basel III Standardized Approach.

We are also involved, from time to time, in reviews, investigations, subpoenas, supervisory actions and other proceedings (both formal and informal) by governmental agencies regarding our business, which could subject us to significant fines, penalties, obligations to change our business practices, significant restrictions on our existing business or ability to develop new business, cease-and-desist orders, safety-and-soundness directives or other requirements resulting in increased expenses, diminished income and damage to our reputation.

In November 2023, following the consent of the Board of Managers of Comenity Servicing LLC (the Servicer), the FDIC issued a consent order to the Servicer. The Servicer is not one of our Bank subsidiaries, but is our wholly-owned subsidiary that services substantially all of our loans. The consent order arose out of the June 2022 transition of our credit card processing services to strategic outsourcing partners and addresses certain shortcomings in the Servicer’s information technology (IT) systems development, project management, business continuity management, cloud operations, and third-party oversight. The Servicer entered into the consent order for the purpose of resolving these matters without admitting or denying any violations of law or regulation set forth in the order. The consent order does not contain any monetary penalties or fines.

The Servicer continues to take significant steps to strengthen the organization’s IT governance and address the other issues identified in the consent order, working diligently to ensure that all requirements of the consent order are satisfied. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Servicer has taken steps to address each provision within the consent order and continues to comply with each ongoing requirement. The Servicer is committed to complying with the longer-term requirements of the consent order, including the enhancement of its compliance management processes and related corporate governance, compliance with the applicable system conversion requirements, and enhanced risk management and reporting. The Servicer has submitted nearly all of the required deliverables under the consent order to the FDIC for its review and consideration. The Board of Managers of the Servicer continues to oversee its compliance with the requirements of the consent order and provide effective challenge to the Servicer’s management toward that end. The Board of Directors of each of the Banks also receives reporting about the Servicer and monitors the Servicer’s compliance with the provisions of the consent order.

12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

From time to time we are subject to various lawsuits, claims, disputes, or potential claims or disputes, and other proceedings, arising in the ordinary course of business that we believe, based on our current knowledge, will not have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition or liquidity, including claims and lawsuits alleging breaches of our contractual obligations, arbitrations, class actions and other litigation, arising in connection with our business activities. However, in light of the uncertainties involved in such matters, including the fact that some pending legal proceedings are at preliminary stages or seek an indeterminate amount of damages, penalties or fines, it is possible that the outcome of legal proceedings could have a material impact on our results of operations. Certain legal proceedings involving us or our subsidiaries are described further below.

On February 20, 2024, we and our general counsel were named as defendants in an adversary proceeding filed by the liquidating trustee in LVI’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy case in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, captioned Pirinate Consulting Group, LLC v. Bread Financial Holdings, Inc., Case No. 24-03027 (Bankr. S.D. Tex.), alleging actual and constructive fraudulent transfers, among other claims, in connection with our spinoff of LVI. Also on February 20, 2024, the liquidating trustee filed an action in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against us, each of the members of our Board of Directors at the time of the spinoff, and certain members of our management team, captioned Pirinate Consulting Group, LLC v. Bread Financial Holdings, Inc., Case No. 24-cv-00226-RGA (D. Del.), alleging certain breaches of fiduciary duties (and aiding and abetting breaches of fiduciary duties) in connection with the spinoff. Subsequently, the liquidating trustee voluntarily dismissed without prejudice the complaint in the District of Delaware and commenced on March 20, 2024 a substantially similar action in Delaware Chancery Court, captioned Pirinate Consulting Group, LLC v. Bread Financial Holdings, Inc., Case No. 2024-0277-MTZ (Del. Ch.), against the same parties and asserting the same claims. Among other things, in each of the Texas and Delaware actions, the liquidating trustee seeks damages in the amount of approximately $750 million plus interest, fees and expenses.

We and certain current and former members of our management team have also been named as defendants in other litigation matters relating to the LVI spinoff. LoyaltyOne, Co. (the LVI subsidiary that operated its Canadian AIR MILES business) filed suit against us and our general counsel in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Canada on October 18, 2023, in an action captioned LoyaltyOne, Co. v. Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. et al. The lawsuit asserts that our general counsel, in his capacity as a pre-spinoff director of LoyaltyOne, Co., breached various fiduciary duties owed to LoyaltyOne, Co. in connection with the LVI spinoff and certain other transactions, and that Bread Financial assisted in and benefited from those breaches. The lawsuit seeks damages in the amount of $775 million. LoyaltyOne, Co. is also contesting our entitlement to certain potential tax refunds under the tax matters agreement, in proceedings pursuant to the Canadian Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act in the Commercial List of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, captioned In re Matter of a Plan of Compromise or Arrangement of LoyaltyOne, Co., Case No. CV-23-00696017-00CL (the Tax Matters Dispute). In July 2024, the judge presiding over the Tax Matters Dispute issued an order in our favor, and LoyaltyOne, Co. filed a motion for leave to appeal that order, which motion was dismissed by the Court of Appeal for Ontario in March 2025. LoyaltyOne, Co. has indicated that it will continue to seek to contest our entitlement to these potential tax refunds. Finally, on April 27, 2023, we and certain current and former members of our management team were named as defendants in a putative federal securities class action filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, captioned Newtyn Partners, LP v. Alliance Data Systems n/k/a Bread Financial Holdings, Inc., Case No. 23-cv-1451-EAS (S.D. Ohio), concerning disclosures made about LVI’s business prior to the spinoff. The lead plaintiff in this matter filed an amended complaint on March 21, 2024 and is seeking, among other things, a class action designation and an award of damages in an amount to be proven at trial, plus fees and expenses. In March 2025, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio granted our and the other defendants’ motions to dismiss in full and with prejudice; the court entered judgment in favor of all defendants and terminated the case. The plaintiffs have filed a notice of appeal of the court’s ruling in this matter.

In all these actions related to the spinoff, we believe the allegations contained in the complaints are without merit and intend to defend the cases. We cannot predict at this point the length of time that these actions will be ongoing or the liability, if any, which may arise therefrom.

Some matters pending against us specify the damages sought, others seek an unspecified amount of damages or are at very early stages of the legal process. In matters where the amount of damages claimed against us are stated, the claimed amount may be exaggerated and/or unsupported. While some matters have not yet progressed sufficiently through discovery or have had development of important factual information and legal issues to enable us to estimate an amount of loss or a range of possible loss, other matters may have progressed sufficiently to enable an estimate of an amount of loss, or a range of possible loss. We accrue for a loss contingency when it is both probable that a loss has occurred, and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated; however, there may be instances in which an exposure to a loss contingency exceeds our accrual. On a quarterly basis we evaluate developments in the legal proceedings against us that could cause an increase or decrease in the amount of the accrual that has been previously recorded.

13. CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The changes in each component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax effects, are as follows for the periods presented:

14. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Stock Repurchase Programs

On August 26, 2025 our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program to acquire up to $200 million in shares of our outstanding common stock in the open market. There is no expiration date for this repurchase plan. The rationale for this repurchase program, and the amount thereof, was to execute against our previously disclosed capital priorities to grow responsibly, maintain balance sheet strength, and return value to shareholders. This repurchase program is in addition to the Company’s prior $150 million stock repurchase program, which was announced in March 2025 and was completed in April 2025.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, under these authorized stock repurchase programs, we acquired a total of 3.8 million shares of our common stock for $190 million plus applicable excise tax on stock repurchases, with 0.6 million of those shares having been repurchased in the third quarter for $40 million. Following their repurchase, these 3.8 million shares ceased to be outstanding shares of common stock and are now treated as authorized but unissued shares of common stock. As of September 30, 2025, we had $160 million remaining for future repurchases under our current authorized stock repurchase program. During October 2025, we repurchased another 0.4 million shares of common stock for $20 million plus applicable excise tax on stock repurchases. On October 23, 2025, our Board of Directors approved an increase of an incremental $200 million to our current share repurchase program, meaning as of October 28, 2025, $340 million remained available for future repurchases under our current authorized stock repurchase program, for which there is no expiration date.

Stock Compensation Expense

During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, we awarded 841,575 service-based restricted stock units (RSUs) with a weighted average grant date fair market value per share of $61.56 as determined on the date of grant. Service-based restricted stock units typically vest ratably over three years provided that the participant is employed by us on each such vesting date.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, we awarded 141,117 performance-based restricted stock units with a fair market value of approximately $61.95. Performance-based RSUs cliff vest at the end ofthree years, if specific performance measures tied to our financial performance are met. For the performance-based RSUs awarded in 2025, the predefined vesting criteria permit a range from 0% to 160% to be earned, subject to a market-based condition. Accruals of compensation cost for an award with a performance condition are based on the probable outcome of that performance condition. If the performance targets are met, these awards will vest with respect to the entire award on February 18, 2028, provided that the participant is employed by us on the vesting date (subject to certain limited exceptions, such as death, disability and qualifying retirements).

For the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, we recognized $14 million and $13 million in stock-based compensation expense, respectively. For both the nine month periods ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, we recognized $41 million in stock-based compensation expense, respectively.

Dividends

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, we paid $9 million and $31 million, respectively, in dividends to holders of our common stock. On October 23, 2025, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.23 per share on our common stock, payable on December 12, 2025, to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 7, 2025.

15. INCOME TAXES

The Provision for income taxes decreased for thethree and nine months ended September 30, 2025. The effective tax rate was 4.3% and 92.2% for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and 17.5% and 33.4% for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Both the decreases in the Provision for income taxes and in the effective tax rates over the periods of comparison were driven by a discrete tax benefit in the current year period and larger nondeductible items in the prior year period.

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (the Bill). The Bill reinstates several provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for businesses. We do not expect the Bill to have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows, nor do we expect significant changes to operational processes, controls or governance as a result of the Bill.

We file income tax returns in U.S. federal, state and foreign jurisdictions, as applicable. U.S. federal income tax returns are no longer subject to examination for years before 2015. With a few exceptions, state and local income tax returns are no longer subject to examination for years before 2015 and foreign income tax returns are no longer subject to examination for years before 2021.

16. EARNINGS PER SHARE

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

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS attributable to common stockholders for the periods presented:

(1)Includes amounts that related to the previously disclosed discontinued operations associated with the spinoff of our former LoyaltyOne segment in 2021 and the sale of our former Epsilon segment in 2019. For additional information, refer to Note 1, “Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2)As the effect would have been anti-dilutive, for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 approximately 0.5 million and 0.7 million, respectively, in restricted stock awards were excluded from each calculation of weighted average dilutive common shares. For the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, the anti-dilutive effect from restricted stock awards on the weighted average dilutive common shares was insignificant.

(3)Holders of the Convertible Notes may convert their notes under certain conditions until March 15, 2028, and on or after such date without condition. Upon any such conversion, we will repay the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes in cash, and pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of both (at our election), in respect of the remainder, if any, of our conversion obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes. At our option, we may redeem for cash, all or a portion of the Convertible Notes on or after June 21, 2026, and before the 51 st scheduled trading day before the maturity date, but only if the closing price of our common stock reaches specified targets as defined in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes. We may also, from time to time, retire or purchase all or a portion of the outstanding Convertible Notes through cash purchases or exchanges for other securities, in open market purchases, tender offers, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The conversion feature of the Convertible Notes has a dilutive impact on EPS when the average market price of our common stock for the period exceeds the conversion price of $38.43 per share. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 the average market price exceeded the conversion price and the dilutive effect is therefore included in the table above.

(4)In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Notes, we entered into privately negotiated capped call transactions (the Capped Calls) with certain financial institution counterparties. Diluted weighted average common stock does not include the impact of the Capped Calls, as the effect would have been anti-dilutive.