Synchrony Financial

Previous wording

We are a premier consumer financial services company delivering one of the industry's most complete, digitally-enabled product suites. Our experience, expertise and scale encompass a broad spectrum of industries including digital, health and wellness, retail, telecommunications, home, auto, outdoor, pet and more. We have an established and diverse group of national and regional retailers, local merchants, manufacturers, buying groups, industry associations and healthcare service providers, which we refer to as our “partners.” For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, we financed $46.8 billion and $89.2 billion of purchase volume, respectively, and had 71.0 million and 71.4 million average active accounts, respectively, and at June 30, 2024, we had $102.3 billion of loan receivables.

Current wording

We are a premier consumer financial services company delivering one of the industry's most complete, digitally-enabled product suites. Our experience, expertise and scale encompass a broad spectrum of industries including digital, health and wellness, retail, telecommunications, home, auto, outdoor, pet and more. We have an established and diverse group of national and regional retailers, local merchants, manufacturers, buying groups, industry associations and healthcare service providers, which we refer to as our “partners.” For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, we financed $45.0 billion and $134.2 billion of purchase volume, respectively, and had 70.4 million and 71.1 million average active accounts, respectively, and at September 30, 2024, we had $102.2 billion of loan receivables.

Previous wording

We offer our credit products primarily through our wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank. In addition, through the Bank, we offer, directly to retail, affinity relationships and commercial customers, a range of deposit products insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), including certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”), money market accounts, savings accounts and sweep and affinity deposits. We also take deposits at the Bank through third-party securities brokerage firms that offer our FDIC-insured deposit products to their customers. We have significantly expanded our online direct banking operations in recent years and our deposit base has continued to serve as a source of stable and diversified low cost funding for our credit activities. At June 30, 2024, we had $83.1 billion in deposits, which represented 84% of our total funding sources.

Current wording

We offer our credit products primarily through our wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank. In addition, through the Bank, we offer, directly to retail, affinity relationships and commercial customers, a range of deposit products insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), including certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”), money market accounts, savings accounts and sweep and affinity deposits. We also take deposits at the Bank through third-party securities brokerage firms that offer our FDIC-insured deposit products to their customers. We have significantly expanded our online direct banking operations in recent years and our deposit base has continued to serve as a source of stable and diversified low cost funding for our credit activities. At September 30, 2024, we had $82.3 billion in deposits, which represented 84% of our total funding sources.

Previous wording

We believe our business and results of operations will be impacted in the future by various trends and conditions. For a discussion of certain trends and conditions, see “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Business Trends and Conditions” in our 2023 Form 10-K. For a discussion of how certain trends and conditions impacted the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, see “—Results of Operations.”

Current wording

We believe our business and results of operations will be impacted in the future by various trends and conditions. For a discussion of certain trends and conditions, see “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Business Trends and Conditions” in our 2023 Form 10-K. For a discussion of how certain trends and conditions impacted the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, see “—Results of Operations.”

Previous wording

While we continue to believe that the strategies we have identified and started to implement will fully offset the decline in late fee income over time, it will take time for such product, policy and pricing changes to offset the reduction in the late fees. Therefore we expect the final rule, if effective in 2024, will have an adverse effect on our results of operations in 2024. The magnitude of these effects in 2024 remain uncertain due to the pending litigation discussed above, which has resulted in a delay in the final rule’s effective date. In addition, the effects of the final rule are also subject to other factors that could increase the adverse effects to our results of operations, including our ability to successfully implement the product, policy and pricing changes we have identified, as well as any potential changes in consumer behavior in response to these changes or the final rule itself.

Current wording

While we continue to believe that over time, the strategies we have identified and are in the process of implementing will fully offset the decline in late fee income resulting from an effective final rule, it may take time for such product, policy and pricing changes to offset the expected reduction in late fees. In addition, we expect that upon the final rule becoming effective, the combined net effects of the final rule and our mitigating strategies would result in a decrease in payments to partners pursuant to our retailer share arrangements. However, the effects of the final rule are also subject to other factors that could increase the adverse effects to our results of operations, including our ability to successfully implement the product, policy and pricing changes we have identified, as well as any potential changes in consumer behavior in response to these changes or the final rule itself.

Previous wording

During the three months ended June 30, 2024, we experienced a decrease in purchase volume of 0.9% primarily driven by lower consumer spending and the impacts from credit actions we have taken across our portfolio where we have seen indications of higher probability of default. We expect these same factors to now result in flat or a low single digit decrease in purchase volume for the second half of 2024. As a result, while we still anticipate loan receivables to increase for the remainder of 2024, we expect the rate of growth to moderate.

Current wording

During the three months ended September 30, 2024, we experienced a decrease in purchase volume of 4.3% compared to the prior year period, primarily driven by lower consumer spending and the impacts from credit actions we have taken across our portfolio where we have seen indications of higher probability of default. We expect these same factors to now result in a low single digit decrease in purchase volume for the year ending December 31, 2024. As a result, while we still anticipate loan receivables to increase for the remainder of 2024, we expect the rate of growth to moderate.

Previous wording

In addition to the seasonal variance in loan receivables discussed above, we also typically experience a seasonal increase in delinquency rates and delinquent loan receivables balances during the third and fourth quarters of each year due to lower customer payment rates, resulting in higher net charge-off rates in the first and second quarters. Our delinquency rates and delinquent loan receivables balances typically decrease during the subsequent first and second quarters as customers begin to pay down their loan balances and return to current status, resulting in lower net charge-off rates in the third and fourth quarters. Because customers who were delinquent during the fourth quarter of a calendar year have a higher probability of returning to current status when compared to customers who are delinquent at the end of each of our interim reporting periods, we expect that a higher proportion of delinquent accounts outstanding at an interim period end will result in charge-offs, as compared to delinquent accounts outstanding at a year end. Consistent with this historical experience, we generally experience a higher allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loan receivables at the end of an interim period, as compared to the end of a calendar year. In addition, even in instances of improving credit metrics such as declining past due amounts, we may experience an increase in our allowance for credit losses at an interim period end compared to the prior year end, reflecting these same seasonal trends.

Current wording

In addition to the seasonal variance in loan receivables discussed above, we also typically experience a seasonal increase in delinquency rates and delinquent loan receivables balances during the third and fourth quarters of each year due to lower customer payment rates, resulting in higher net charge-off rates in the first half of the calendar year. Our delinquency rates and delinquent loan receivables balances typically decrease during the subsequent first and second quarters as customers begin to pay down their loan balances and return to current status, resulting in lower net charge-off rates in the second half of the calendar year. Because customers who were delinquent during the fourth quarter of a calendar year have a higher probability of returning to current status when compared to customers who are delinquent at the end of each of our interim reporting periods, we expect that a higher proportion of delinquent accounts outstanding at an interim period end will result in charge-offs, as compared to delinquent accounts outstanding at a year end. Consistent with this historical experience, we generally experience a higher allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loan receivables at the end of an interim period, as compared to the end of a calendar year. In addition, even in instances of improving credit metrics such as declining past due amounts, we may experience an increase in our allowance for credit losses at an interim period end compared to the prior year end, reflecting these same seasonal trends.

Previous wording

However, in addition to these seasonal trends, the elevated customer payment behavior we have experienced in recent years and more recently the subsequent moderation from these elevated levels, has also significantly impacted our key financial metrics and the fluctuations experienced between quarterly periods. The effects from these changes in customer payment behavior have resulted in either partial, or in some instances full, offset to the impact from the ongoing seasonal trends discussed above.

Current wording

However, in addition to these seasonal trends, the moderation in customer payment behavior from the previously elevated levels we experienced in recent periods, has also significantly impacted our key financial metrics, such as our net charge-off rate, and also the fluctuations experienced between quarterly periods. The effects from these changes in customer payment behavior have resulted and may continue to result in either partial, or in some instances full, offset to the impact from the ongoing seasonal trends discussed above.

Previous wording

Below are highlights of our performance for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, as applicable, except as otherwise noted.

Current wording

Below are highlights of our performance for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, as applicable, except as otherwise noted.

Previous wording

•Net earnings increased to $643 million from $569 million and to $1.9 billion from $1.2 billion for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024. The increase in the three months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily driven by higher net interest income and lower retailer share arrangements, partially offset by an increase in provision for credit losses. The increase in the six months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily driven by the after-tax gain on sale related to Pets Best of $802 million, as well as the same trends experienced in the three months ended June 30, 2024.

Current wording

•Net earnings increased to $789 million from $628 million and to $2.7 billion from $1.8 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. The increase in the three months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily driven by higher net interest income and lower retailer share arrangements, partially offset by an increase in provision for credit losses. The increase in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily driven by the after-tax gain on sale related to Pets Best of $802 million, as well as the same trends experienced in the three months ended September 30, 2024.

Previous wording

•Loan receivables increased 7.9% to $102.3 billion at June 30, 2024 compared to $94.8 billion at June 30, 2023, primarily driven by lower customer payment rates and the completion of the Ally Lending acquisition.

Current wording

•Loan receivables increased 4.4% to $102.2 billion at September 30, 2024 compared to $97.9 billion at September 30, 2023, primarily driven by lower customer payment rates and the completion of the Ally Lending acquisition, partially offset by lower purchase volume.

Previous wording

•Net interest income increased 6.9% to $4.4 billion and 7.8% to $8.8 billion for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. Interest and fees on loans increased 10.2% and 12.4% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, primarily driven by growth in average loan receivables and higher benchmark rates. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, interest expense increased 30.6% and 43.0%, respectively, due to higher benchmark rates and higher interest-bearing liabilities.

Current wording

•Net interest income increased 5.7% to $4.6 billion and 7.1% to $13.4 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively. Interest and fees on loans increased 7.2% and 10.5% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, primarily driven by growth in average loan receivables, the impact of our product, pricing and policy changes and lower payment rate, partially offset by higher reversals. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, interest expense increased 18.5% and 33.8%, respectively, due to higher benchmark rates and higher interest-bearing liabilities.

Previous wording

•Retailer share arrangements decreased 8.7% to $810 million and 12.7% to $1.6 billion for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, primarily due to higher net charge-offs, partially offset by higher net interest income.

Current wording

•Retailer share arrangements decreased 6.6% to $914 million and 10.6% to $2.5 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, primarily due to higher net charge-offs.

Previous wording

•Over-30 day loan delinquencies as a percentage of period-end loan receivables increased 63 basis points to 4.47% at June 30, 2024 compared to June 30, 2023. The net charge-off rate increased 167 basis points to 6.42% and increased 175 basis points to 6.37% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively.

Current wording

•Over-30 day loan delinquencies as a percentage of period-end loan receivables increased 38 basis points to 4.78% at September 30, 2024 compared to September 30, 2023. The net charge-off rate increased 146 basis points to 6.06% and increased 164 basis points to 6.26% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively.

Previous wording

•Provision for credit losses increased by $308 million, or 22.3%, and $902 million, or 33.7%, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, primarily driven by higher net charge-offs, partially offset by lower reserve builds. The reserve build in the six months ended June 30, 2024 included $180 million related to the Ally Lending acquisition. Our allowance coverage ratio (allowance for credit losses as a percentage of period-end loan receivables) increased to 10.74% at June 30, 2024, as compared to 10.34% at June 30, 2023.

Current wording

•Provision for credit losses increased by $109 million, or 7.3%, and $1.0 billion, or 24.3%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, primarily driven by higher net charge-offs, partially offset by lower reserve builds. The reserve build in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 included $180 million related to the Ally Lending acquisition. Our allowance coverage ratio (allowance for credit losses as a percentage of period-end loan receivables) increased to 10.79% at September 30, 2024, as compared to 10.40% at September 30, 2023.

Previous wording

•Other income increased by $56 million to $117 million, and by $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. The increase in the three months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily driven by a gain of $51 million related to an exchange of Visa Class B-1 common stock as well as the initial impact of our product, pricing and policy change related fees, partially offset by the impact of the Pets Best disposition. The increase in the six months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily driven by the gain on sale related to the Pets Best disposition.

Current wording

•Other income increased by $27 million to $119 million, and by $1.2 billion to $1.4 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively. The increase in the three months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily driven by the impact of our product, pricing and policy change related fees, partially offset by the impact of the Pets Best disposition and venture investment gains and losses. The increase in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily driven by the $1.1 billion gain on sale related to the Pets Best disposition.

Previous wording

•Other expense increased by $8 million, or 0.7%, and $95 million, or 4.2%, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. The increase in the three months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily driven by technology investments, preparatory expenses related to the late fee rule change and servicing costs related to the newly acquired business, partially offset by lower operational losses and cost discipline resulting in lower employee and marketing costs. The increase for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily driven by these same factors, other than employee costs which increased primarily attributable to an increase in headcount driven by growth.

Current wording

•Other expense increased by $35 million, or 3.0%, and $130 million, or 3.8%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively. The increase in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily driven by costs related to the Ally Lending acquisition, technology investments, and preparatory expenses related to the late fee rule change, partially offset by lower operational losses.

Previous wording

•At June 30, 2024, deposits represented 84% of our total funding sources. Total deposits increased by 2.4% to $83.1 billion at June 30, 2024, compared to December 31, 2023.

Current wording

•At September 30, 2024, deposits represented 84% of our total funding sources. Total deposits increased by 1.4% to $82.3 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to December 31, 2023.

Previous wording

•During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we declared and paid cash dividends totaling $30 million on our Series A 5.625% fixed rate non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock and our Series B 8.250% fixed rate reset non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock.

Current wording

•During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we declared and paid cash dividends totaling $51 million on our Series A 5.625% fixed rate non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock and our Series B 8.250% fixed rate reset non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock.

Previous wording

•During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we repurchased $600 million of our outstanding common stock, and declared and paid cash dividends of $0.50 per share, or $202 million in the aggregate. In April 2024, the Board of Directors approved an incremental share repurchase program of up to $1.0 billion, through June 30, 2025, and maintained the quarterly dividend at its current amount of $0.25 per common share. At June 30, 2024 we had a total share repurchase authorization of $1.0 billion remaining. For more information, see “Capital—Dividend and Share Repurchases.”

Current wording

•During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we repurchased $900 million of our outstanding common stock, and declared and paid cash dividends of $0.75 per share, or $301 million in the aggregate. In April 2024, the Board of Directors approved an incremental share repurchase program of up to $1.0 billion, through June 30, 2025, and maintained the quarterly dividend at its current amount of $0.25 per common share. At September 30, 2024 we had a total share repurchase authorization of $700 million remaining. For more information, see “Capital—Dividend and Share Repurchases.”

Previous wording

During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we continued to expand and diversify our portfolio with the addition or renewal of more than 40 partners, which included the following:

Current wording

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we continued to expand and diversify our portfolio with the addition or renewal of more than 55 partners, as well as enter new strategic relationships, which included the following:

Previous wording

•In our Digital sales platform, we announced our new partnership with Virgin Red and extended our program agreement with Verizon.

Current wording

•In our Digital sales platform, we announced our new partnership with Virgin Red and extended our program agreement with Cathay Pacific and Verizon.

Previous wording

•In our Health & Wellness sales platform, we expanded our network through our new partnership with Lakefield Veterinary Group and LaserAway and extended our program agreements with Bosley, Innovetive and SCI.

Current wording

•In our Health & Wellness sales platform, we expanded our network through our new partnerships with Bond Veterinary, Lakefield Veterinary Group, LaserAway and Western Veterinary and extended our program agreements with Bosley, Innovetive, LCA Vision and SCI. We also launched the integration of our CareCredit card with Pets Best to enable direct insurance claim reimbursement for customers.

Previous wording

•In our Lifestyle sales platform, we announced our new partnership with BRP and extended our program agreement with EC Barton.

Current wording

•In our Lifestyle sales platform, we announced our new partnerships with BRP and Gibson and extended our program agreements with CF Moto, Daniel's, Dick's Sporting Goods, and EC Barton and Reeds.

Previous wording

(4)Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

Current wording

(4)Net interest margin represents annualized net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

Previous wording

(6)Return on assets represents net earnings as a percentage of average total assets.

Current wording

(6)Return on assets represents annualized net earnings as a percentage of average total assets.

Previous wording

(7)Return on equity represents net earnings as a percentage of average total equity.

Current wording

(7)Return on equity represents annualized net earnings as a percentage of average total equity.

Previous wording

(1)Average yields/rates are based on total interest income/expense over average balances.

Current wording

(1)Average yields/rates are based on annualized total interest income/expense divided by average balances.

Previous wording

(2)Includes average restricted cash balances of $61 million and $472 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $85 million and $412 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Current wording

(2)Includes average restricted cash balances of $57 million and $151 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $76 million and $324 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

(3)Interest income on loan receivables includes fees on loans, which primarily consist of late fees on our credit products, of $609 million and $644 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $1.3 billion for both the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Current wording

(3)Interest income on loan receivables includes fees on loans, which primarily consist of late fees on our credit products, of $652 million and $694 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $1.9 billion and $2.0 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

(5)Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

Current wording

(5)Net interest margin represents annualized net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

Previous wording

Interest income increased by $561 million, or 11.2%, and $1.3 billion, or 13.7%, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, primarily driven by increases in interest and fees on loans of 10.2% and 12.4%, respectively. The increases in the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 in interest and fees on loans were primarily driven by growth in average loan receivables, lower customer payment rates and higher benchmark rates.

Current wording

Interest income increased by $431 million, or 8.1%, and $1.8 billion, or 11.7%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, primarily driven by increases in interest and fees on loans of 7.2% and 10.5%, respectively. The increases in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 in interest and fees on loans were primarily driven by growth in average loan receivables, the impact of our product, pricing and policy changes and lower customer payment rates, partially offset by higher reversals.

Previous wording

Average loan receivables, including held for sale, increased 9.7% and 10.4% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, primarily driven by lower customer payment rates. Purchase volume decreased by 0.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2024 reflecting lower consumer spend as well as the impact of credit actions. Purchase volume increased 0.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 reflecting growth in average active accounts and the impact of the Ally Lending acquisition, partially offset by lower consumer spend and the impact of credit actions.

Current wording

Average loan receivables, including held for sale, increased 6.0% and 8.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, primarily driven by lower customer payment rates and the impact of the Ally Lending acquisition, partially offset by lower purchase volume. Purchase volume decreased by 4.3% and 1.2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, reflecting lower consumer spend as well as the impact of credit actions, partially offset by the Ally Lending acquisition. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was also partially offset by growth in average active accounts of 1.7%.

Previous wording

The yield on average interest-earning assets increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 primarily due to increases in the yield on average loan receivables. The increases in loan receivable yield were 14 basis points to 21.01% and 31 basis points to 21.05% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively.

Current wording

The yield on average interest-earning assets increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 primarily due to increases in the yield on average loan receivables. The loan receivable yield increased 30 basis points for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 to 21.54% and 21.21%, respectively.

Previous wording

Interest expense increased by $276 million to $1.2 billion, and $704 million to $2.3 billion, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, due to higher benchmark rates and higher interest-bearing liabilities. Our cost of funds increased to 4.80% and 4.77% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to 4.04% and 3.74% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively.

Current wording

Interest expense increased by $184 million to $1.2 billion, and $888 million to $3.5 billion, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, due to higher benchmark rates and higher interest-bearing liabilities. Our cost of funds increased to 4.78% and 4.77% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, compared to 4.34% and 3.95% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

Net interest income increased by $285 million, or 6.9%, and $639 million, or 7.8%, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, resulting from the changes in interest income and interest expense discussed above.

Current wording

Net interest income increased by $247 million, or 5.7%, and $886 million, or 7.1%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, resulting from the changes in interest income and interest expense discussed above.

Previous wording

Retailer share arrangements decreased by $77 million, or 8.7%, and $230 million, or 12.7%, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, primarily due to higher net charge-offs, partially offset by higher net interest income.

Current wording

Retailer share arrangements decreased by $65 million, or 6.6%, and $295 million, or 10.6%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, primarily due to higher net charge-offs.

Previous wording

Provision for credit losses increased by $308 million, or 22.3%, and $902 million, or 33.7%, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, primarily driven by higher net charge-offs, partially offset by lower reserve builds in the current year. The reserve build in the six months ended June 30, 2024 included $180 million related to the Ally Lending acquisition.

Current wording

Provision for credit losses increased by $109 million, or 7.3%, and $1.0 billion, or 24.3%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, primarily driven by higher net charge-offs, partially offset by lower reserve builds in the current year. The net charge-off rate for the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased by 146 basis points to 6.06%, as compared to the prior year period, and was 97 basis points above the average of the third quarters of 2017 through 2019. The reserve build in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 included $180 million related to the Ally Lending acquisition.

Previous wording

The increase for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily driven by the gain on sale related to the Pets Best disposition. The pre-tax gain amount of $1.1 billion is included within the Other component of Other Income in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

Current wording

The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily driven by the gain on sale related to the Pets Best disposition. The pre-tax gain amount of $1.1 billion is included within the Other component of Other Income in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Previous wording

The increase in the three months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily driven by technology investments, preparatory expenses related to the late fee rule change and servicing costs related to the newly acquired business, partially offset by lower operational losses and cost discipline resulting in lower employee and marketing costs.

Current wording

The increase in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 were primarily driven by costs related to the Ally Lending acquisition, technology investments, and preparatory expenses related to the late fee rule change, partially offset by lower operational losses. Technology investments primarily reflect higher amortization of capitalized software expenditures.

Previous wording

The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2024 increased compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to the impact of research and development credits recorded in the prior period. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2024 increased compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to an increase in state tax expense in the current period related to the Pets Best disposition. For both periods presented, the effective tax rate differs from the applicable U.S. federal statutory tax rate primarily due to state income taxes.

Current wording

The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2024 decreased compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to the resolution of certain tax matters in the current period. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 decreased slightly compared to the same period in the prior year. For both periods presented, the effective tax rate differs from the applicable U.S. federal statutory tax rate primarily due to state income taxes.