Nyse Cit 2018 PDF
Nyse Cit 2018 PDF
Nyse Cit 2018 PDF
FORWARD
A letter
to our shareholders
Ellen R. Alemany
Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer,
CIT Group
I’m proud to report that in 2018 we successfully completed our three-year strategic transformation
plan, delivered on our financial goals and achieved significant earnings per share growth. Our
success is a result of steady execution, and achieving these milestones were pivotal steps in our
evolution to a leading national bank centered on empowering businesses and personal savers.
With a focus on the future, we are powering forward and building on our momentum to deliver
value for our customers, communities and shareholders.
We also fundamentally transformed our culture and operating model. Our risk management
practices are stronger and commensurate with standards for a midsized bank, our credit profile
is significantly improved, our deposit funding has increased to about 80% of our total funding, and
our use of technology is driving growth and operating efficiency.
Having a defined and inclusive culture has also been core to our strategy and our ability to deliver
high performance. Our CIT team is grounded in our companywide core behaviors that serve as the
guardrails for what we do and how we do it.
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Annual Report 2018
Today, CIT is a Top 50 U.S. bank with leading market positions, deep industry expertise and strong
customer relationships. We are focused on lending and leasing to business customers and offering
competitive savings products to consumers. We are positioned for continued growth and value
creation as we build on our strengths and deliver on the next phase of our plan.
Powering forward
With the transformation completed and our foundation stronger, the next phase of our plan is
centered on powering forward and unlocking the full potential of CIT. The key pillars in our plan
are to continue to grow our core business, further optimize the balance sheet, drive greater
operating efficiency and maintain strong risk management.
CIT has decades of experience in many of our core markets and over the
1 Grow Core past year we have continued to build on those strengths, expand in related
Businesses markets and reengage in industries in a new way that aligns to our strategy.
In addition, we have added banking and industry talent to complement the
overall team and help drive our initiatives forward.
Optimize
The key growth areas are in our Commercial Finance and Business Capital
2 Balance
divisions. The strategy for Commercial Finance is to continue to focus on
Sheet collateralized lending in key verticals where we have strong positions, such
as in Healthcare Real Estate and Power and Energy finance. We have also
Enhance reengaged in Aviation Lending and Maritime, which are expected to advance
3 Operating the division’s growth strategies.
Efficiency Our Business Capital division posted strong growth in 2018 and has outpaced
market growth as our proprietary technology platforms, market expertise and
strategic initiatives have started to take hold. We have established a business
Maintain
development team that is positioned to offer a holistic set of CIT offerings to
4 Strong Risk customers and vendors, and we have also expanded into additional verticals
Management such as Materials Handling and other areas of the Industrial market.
Our technology solutions in the Business Capital division are a key strategic
advantage in the marketplace and allow us to drive a strong customer experience, create scale
and pursue growth efficiently. Key capabilities include automating an end-to-end point-of-sale
business financing process and a usage-based billing platform for vendors.
The Rail, Real Estate and Factoring businesses provide additional opportunities for thoughtful growth
in our core business, as well as add diversification of assets with solid risk-adjusted returns.
Our Consumer Banking segment is the cornerstone to our deposit business and also offers incre-
mental lending opportunities with residential mortgages and small business financing. Our national
online bank is highly scalable, grew deposits by 25% in 2018 and welcomed more than 60,000 new
customers. With a steady pipeline of savings products, a growing base of customers and a strong
value proposition, we anticipate continued expansion of this business.
Our Southern California retail branch bank, OneWest Bank, adds diversity to the deposit strategy
and another platform to grow within a desirable market.
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Annual Report 2018
Lastly, I’m pleased to also share an expanded social responsibility section within the annual report
that highlights the many efforts we have implemented to empower customers, colleagues and
communities. This is core to our culture, and we take great pride in the work we are doing to create
a lasting impact.
In conclusion, we are encouraged with the progress we have made so far and are committed to
building on this momentum to continue to create longer-term shareholder value and power CIT
forward. Thank you for your investment in our company.
Ellen R. Alemany
Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer, CIT Group
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Annual Report 2018
Commercial Finance
CIT’s Commercial Finance division provides lending and leasing services
to middle market companies nationwide. Its core strength is leading
complex transactions that require industry knowledge, financing expertise
and customized solutions that deliver successful results.
Focus areas include Aerospace & Defense, Aviation Lending, Capital Markets, Corporate Banking,
Communications and Technology, Entertainment and Media, Healthcare, Maritime, Power and
Energy, Retail, Restaurants and Sponsor Finance. Through the CIT Northbridge Credit joint venture,
Commercial Finance also delivers a broad range of asset-based financing solutions, including
revolving and term-loan commitments.
Business Capital
CIT’s Business Capital division provides equipment financing and leasing to small, mid- and
large-cap businesses via digital platforms. Industry sectors include Office Imaging, Technology,
Industrial, Construction, Transportation, Material Handling and Franchise.
The company’s innovative technology solutions automate an end-to-end financing process.
These solutions deliver a strong customer experience, while providing a competitive advantage
that builds scale and drives efficient growth.
CIT’s Commercial Services unit is a leading provider of accounts receivable factoring to consumer
product companies, including manufacturers, dealers, importers and resellers in industry verticals
such as apparel, footwear, furniture, home goods and consumer electronics.
Rail
CIT’s Rail division is an industry leader in providing customized leasing and financing solutions to
railroads and shippers throughout North America, serving customer needs across a wide range of
industries, commodities and geographies. Superior asset management enables the Rail business
to support clients with the most high-capacity railcars in the market today, and with one of the
industry’s youngest and most diverse fleets of railcars and locomotives.
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Annual Report 2018
Consumer Banking
CIT Bank
CIT Bank is a nationwide online bank dedicated to providing consumers with
competitive and digitally convenient deposit products to advance their savings
strategies. These products include a range of CDs and high-yield savings
accounts. Among them is CIT Bank’s award-winning Savings Builder account NerdWallet
that enables consumers to earn more on their money if they build a steady Best Savings Accounts
habit of saving. CIT Bank is a division of CIT Bank, N.A. of 2018
OneWest Bank
OneWest Bank is CIT’s branch bank network that serves the Southern California
community. With a strong local presence, OneWest Bank is dedicated to support-
ing the day-to-day financial lives of its customers and offers a suite of banking
products, including checking and savings, consumer mortgages and small busi- MONEY Magazine
Best Bank – California
ness products. OneWest Bank is a division of CIT Bank, N.A. 2 Years in a Row1
Lending
CIT’s loan specialists help homeowners by offering mortgages to either purchase
a new home or refinance their existing mortgages at competitive fixed or adjust-
able rates. CIT also originates mortgage loans indirectly, primarily through a
network of correspondent lenders. CIT’s SBA Lending group specializes in small Stevie Award
business financing by offering SBA 7(a), SBA 504 and Owner-Occupied Commercial Recognized for
Customer Service
Real Estate loans. Success in the Financial
Services Industry
1
From MONEY Magazine ©2017 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. MONEY® is a registered trademark of Meredith
Corporation and is used under license. MONEY and Meredith Corporation are not affiliated with, and do not endorse
products or services of, OneWest Bank.
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Annual Report 2018
250
nonprofit
$6.5
million
$1.4
billion
relationships in charitable invested in communities
contributions across Southern
California
Food
Pantry
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Annual Report 2018
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Annual Report 2018
Nurturing a cleaner,
greener environment Spotlight:
Putting down roots
CIT works to improve environmental quality through our corporate
In response to deadly wildfires
responsibility activities and business investments.
that ravaged California late
Greenhouse gas credits acquired through our partnership with last year, CIT again partnered
Carbonfund.org offset the carbon associated with our air travel with nonprofit One Tree Planted
during 2018. Our employees joined with Surfrider Foundation to to support reforestation
help clean the world’s oceans and beaches and assisted the New efforts in that state by planting
York City Parks Department in combating an invasive plant species 25,000 trees.
crowding out native vegetation in a local park.
Promoting wellness
Promoting wellness is an investment with long-term value for communities and employees alike.
In collaboration with America’s Grow-A-Row, CIT enabled the harvesting of 228,000 pounds –
or 912,000 servings – of fresh produce for people facing food insecurity.
For the second straight year as part of our Balance & Wellness
month, dozens of our employees bicycled for the equivalent
of hundreds of miles, improving their own fitness while raising
funds for rare cancer research.
Workforce Wellness
Informative health fairs Spotlight: Riding
Comprehensive to fight cancer
biometric screening
Our volunteer cyclists in New
Fitness membership
reimbursement York, New Jersey and California
participated in Cycle for Survival
On-site meditation classes
events, raising thousands of
Tobacco cessation dollars for the Memorial Sloan
Wellness webinars Kettering Cancer Center.
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Annual Report 2018
Spotlight:
Pedal power for kids 250
community projects
As part of CIT Cares Month, employee
volunteers built and donated 150 chil-
dren’s bicycles to Together We Rise,
a national nonprofit advocating for
foster children. In all, employees con-
tributed about 200 volunteer hours
toward the bicycle assembly. Finished
bikes were delivered to foster children
in the New York City metro area.
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Annual Report 2018
Culture of inclusion
CIT is committed to diversity and inclusion and the belief
that more perspectives lead to greater innovation.
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Annual Report 2018
60 facility projects
saved water, improved energy efficiency,
and boosted indoor air quality and recycling
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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities or Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act of 1934 Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
Commission file number:001-31369
Delaware 65-1051192
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
(212) 461-5200
Registrant's telephone number including area code:
Portions of the registrant's definitive proxy statement relating to the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part
III hereof to the extent described herein.
CONTENTS
Part One
Item 1. Business Overview ..................................................................................................................................... 2
Where You Can Find More Information ...................................................................................................... 15
Item 1A. Risk Factors ................................................................................................................................................ 20
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments ....................................................................................................................... 32
Item 2. Properties ................................................................................................................................................... 32
Item 3. Legal Proceedings ...................................................................................................................................... 32
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures ............................................................................................................................. 32
Part Two
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of
Equity Securities ......................................................................................................................................... 33
Item 6. Selected Financial Data .............................................................................................................................. 35
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ...................... 36
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk........................................................................ 36
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data ......................................................................................... 90
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure ..................... 170
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures ............................................................................................................................ 170
Item 9B. Other Information ........................................................................................................................................ 171
Part Three
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance .......................................................................... 172
Item 11. Executive Compensation ............................................................................................................................ 172
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.... 172
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence .......................................... 172
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services .................................................................................................... 172
Part Four
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.............................................................................................. 173
Signatures ................................................................................................................................................................................. 175
CIT is regulated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("FRB") and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
("FRBNY") under the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHC Act”). CIT Bank is regulated by the Office of
the Comptroller of the Currency of the U.S. Department of the Treasury ("OCC").
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
As of December 31, 2018, CIT manages its business and reports its financial results in three operating segments: Commercial
Banking, Consumer Banking, and Non-Strategic Portfolios, and a non-operating segment, Corporate and Other:
SEGMENT
NAME DIVISIONS MARKETS AND SERVICES
Commercial • Commercial • Commercial Finance, Real Estate Finance, and Business Capital provide lending,
Banking Finance leasing and other financial and advisory services, primarily to small and middle-
• Rail market companies across select industries.
• Real Estate • Business Capital also provides factoring, receivables management products and
Finance supply chain financing.
• Business Capital • Rail provides equipment leasing and secured financing to railroads and shippers.
Consumer • Other Consumer • Other Consumer Banking includes a full suite of deposit products, single family
Banking Banking residential (“SFR”) loans, and Small Business Administration ("SBA") loans.
• Legacy • LCM consists of acquired SFR loans in run-off, certain of which are covered by
Consumer loss sharing agreements with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).
Mortgages
("LCM")
Non-Strategic • NSP includes businesses and portfolios that we no longer consider strategic. The
Portfolios remaining loans at December 31, 2018 were in China and reported in assets held
("NSP") for sale.
Corporate and • Certain items are not allocated to operating segments and are included in
Other Corporate and Other. Some of the more significant and recurring items include
interest income on investment securities, a portion of interest expense primarily
related to funding costs, mark-to-market adjustments on non-qualifying derivatives
and bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”), restructuring charges, as well as certain
unallocated costs and intangible assets amortization expenses and loss on debt
extinguishments.
We set underwriting standards for each business and employ portfolio risk management models to achieve desired portfolio
demographics. Our collection and servicing operations are organized by business and geography in order to provide efficient
client interfaces and uniform customer experiences.
Information about our segments is also included in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations and Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data (Note 24 — Business Segment Information).
COMMERCIAL BANKING
Commercial Banking is comprised of four divisions, Commercial Finance, Rail, Real Estate Finance, and Business Capital.
Commercial Banking provides a range of lending, leasing and deposit products, as well as ancillary products and services,
including factoring, cash management and advisory services, primarily to small and medium-sized companies, as well as to the
rail industry. Revenue is generated from interest earned on loans, rents on equipment leased, fees and other revenue from
lending and leasing activities, and banking services, along with capital markets transactions and commissions earned on
factoring and related activities. We source our commercial lending business primarily through direct marketing to borrowers,
lessees, manufacturers, vendors and distributors, and through referral sources and other intermediaries. Periodically we buy
participations in syndications of loans and lines of credit and purchase loans on a whole-loan basis.
Commercial Finance provides a range of commercial lending and deposit products, as well as ancillary services, including cash
management and advisory services, primarily to small and middle market companies. Loans offered are primarily senior secured
loans collateralized by accounts receivable, inventory, machinery and equipment, transportation equipment (shipping vessels
and aircraft) and/or intangibles, and are often used for working capital, plant expansion, acquisitions or recapitalizations. These
loans include revolving lines of credit and term loans and, depending on the nature and quality of the collateral, may be referred
to as asset-based loans or cash flow loans. Loans are originated through relationships with private equity sponsors, or through
direct relationships, led by originators with significant experience in their respective industries. We partner in joint ventures and
provide asset management services for which we collect management fees. We provide financing, treasury management and
capital markets products to customers in a wide range of industries, including aerospace & defense, aviation, communication,
energy, entertainment, gaming, healthcare, industrials, maritime, restaurants, retail, services and technology.
Rail offers customized leasing and financing solutions and a highly efficient fleet of railcars and locomotives to railroads and
shippers throughout North America. Railcar types include covered hopper cars used to ship grain and agricultural products,
plastic pellets, sand, and cement; tank cars for energy products and chemicals; gondolas for coal, steel coil and mill service
products; open hopper cars for coal and aggregates; boxcars for paper and auto parts, and centerbeams and flat cars for
lumber. The rail portfolio is discussed further in the Concentrations section of Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Real Estate Finance provides senior secured commercial real estate loans to developers and other commercial real estate
professionals. We focus on properties with a stable cash flow, provide financing to reposition existing properties, and originate
construction loans to highly experienced and well capitalized developers. The division also includes a portfolio of acquired multi-
family commercial mortgage loans that is being run off.
Business Capital provides leasing and equipment financing to small businesses and middle market companies in a wide range of
industries on both an indirect and direct basis. In our indirect business, we assist manufacturers and distributors in growing
sales, profitability and customer loyalty by providing customized, value-added finance solutions to their commercial clients. In our
direct financing and leasing business, we provide financing solutions for our borrowers and lessees. Additionally, through our
digital small business lending platform, we provide small business unsecured loans and equipment financing. Our lending
platform allows small businesses to access commercial loans and leases, including both capital and operating leases, through a
highly automated credit approval, documentation and funding process. In addition, we provide factoring, receivable
management, and secured financing to businesses (our clients, who are generally manufacturers or importers of goods) that
operate in several industries, including apparel, textile, furniture, home furnishings and consumer electronics. Factoring entails
the assumption of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable arising from the sale of goods by our clients to their
customers (generally retailers) that have been factored (i.e., sold or assigned to the factor).
Key Risks
Key risks faced by the divisions are credit, business and asset risk. Credit risks associated with secured financings relate to the
ability of our borrower to repay our loan and the value of the collateral underlying the loan should our borrower default on its
obligations. Business risks include the demand for services that is broadly affected by the overall level of economic growth and is
more specifically affected by the overall level of economic activity in CIT's target industries. Changes in supply and demand of
products and services affect the pricing CIT can earn in the market. New business volume in Commercial Banking is affected by
CIT's ability to maintain and develop relationships with its equity sponsors, clients, vendor partners, distributors and resellers.
Commercial Banking is also exposed to business risk related to its syndication activity, which could expose CIT to risk arising
from the inability to sell loans to other lenders, resulting in lower fee income and higher than expected credit exposure to certain
borrowers.
The products and services provided by Commercial Services (a unit of Business Capital that provides commercial factoring
services) involve two types of credit risk: customer and client. A customer is the account debtor and obligor on trade accounts
receivable that have been factored with and assigned to the factor. The most prevalent risk in factoring transactions for
Commercial Services is customer credit risk, which relates to the financial inability of a customer to pay undisputed factored
trade accounts receivable. A client is the counterparty to Commercial Services on any factoring, financing, or receivables
purchasing agreement to sell trade receivables to Commercial Services, and generally are manufacturers or importers of goods.
While less significant than customer credit exposure, client credit risk relates to a decline in the creditworthiness of a borrowing
client, their consequent inability to repay their loan, and the possible insufficiency of the underlying collateral (including the
aforementioned customer accounts receivable) to cover any loan repayment shortfall.
Commercial Services is also subject to a variety of business risks, including operational risk, due to the high volume of
transactions, as well as business risks related to competitive pressures from other banks, boutique factors, and credit insurers,
and seasonal risks due to retail trends. These pressures create risk of reduced pricing and factoring volume for CIT. In addition,
client de-factoring can occur if retail credit conditions are benign for a long period and clients no longer demand factoring
services for credit protection.
Asset risk is generally recognized through changes to lease income streams from fluctuations in lease rates and/or utilization.
Changes to lease income occur when the existing lease contract expires, the asset comes off lease, and the business seeks to
enter a new lease agreement. Asset risk may also change depreciation, resulting from changes in the residual value of the
operating lease asset or through impairment of the asset carrying value, which can occur at any time during the life of the asset.
Asset risk is primarily related to the Rail division, and to a lesser extent, Business Capital.
Credit risk in the leased equipment portfolio results from the potential default of lessees, possibly driven by obligor specific or
industry-wide conditions, and is economically less significant than asset risk for Rail, because in the operating lease business
there is no extension of credit to the obligor. Instead, the lessor deploys a portion of the useful life of the asset. Credit losses
manifest through multiple parts of the income statement including loss of lease/rental income due to missed payments, time off
lease, or lower rental payments than the existing contract due to either a restructuring with the existing obligor or re-leasing of
the asset to another obligor, as well as higher expenses due to, for example, repossession costs to recover, refurbish, and re-
lease assets.
CONSUMER BANKING
Consumer Banking includes Retail Banking, Consumer Lending, and SBA Lending, which are grouped together for purposes of
discussion as Other Consumer Banking, and LCM. We source our Consumer Lending business primarily through our branch
network and industry referrals, as well as direct digital marketing efforts. Periodically we purchase loans on a whole-loan basis.
We source our SBA loans through a network of SBA originators.
Other Consumer Banking offers consumer mortgage lending and deposit products to its consumer customers. The division offers
conforming and jumbo residential mortgage loans, primarily in Southern California. Mortgage loans are primarily originated
through CIT Bank branches and retail referrals, employee referrals, internet leads and direct marketing. Additionally, loans are
purchased through whole loan and portfolio acquisitions. Consumer Lending includes product specialists, internal sales support
and origination processing, structuring and closing. Retail Banking is the primary deposit gathering business of CIT Bank and
operates through a network of retail branches in Southern California and an online direct channel. We offer a broad range of
deposit and lending products along with payment solutions to meet the needs of our clients (both individuals and small
businesses), including checking, savings, money market, individual retirement accounts, and time deposits.
The Other Consumer Banking division also originates qualified SBA 504 loans and 7(a) loans. SBA 504 loans generally provide
growing businesses with long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets, such as land and buildings. SBA 7(a) loans
provide working capital, acquisition of inventory, machinery, equipment, furniture, and fixtures, the refinance of outstanding debt
subject to any program guidelines, and acquisition of businesses, including partnership buyouts.
LCM includes portfolios of SFR mortgages, certain of which are covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC that expire
between March 2019 and February 2020. Covered Loans in this segment were previously acquired by OneWest Bank, N.A. in
connection with the FDIC-assisted IndyMac Federal Bank, FSB (“IndyMac”), First Federal Bank of California, FSB (“First
Federal”) and La Jolla Bank, FSB (“La Jolla”) transactions. The FDIC indemnified OneWest Bank, N.A. against certain future
losses sustained on these loans. The Company sold its reverse mortgage portfolio in May 2018 in connection with the sale of its
discontinued operation, the Financial Freedom servicing business.
Key Risks
Key risks faced are credit, collateral and geographic concentration risk. Similar to our commercial business, credit risks
associated with secured consumer financings relate to the ability of the borrower to repay its loan and the value of the collateral
underlying the loan should the borrower default on its obligations. Our consumer mortgage loans are typically collateralized by
the underlying property, primarily single family homes. Therefore, collateral risk relates to the potential decline in value of the
property securing the loan. A majority of the loans are concentrated in Southern California, resulting in geographic concentration
risk related to a potential downturn in the economic conditions or a potential natural disaster, such as earthquake or wildfire, in
that region. As discussed in Note 3 — Loans of Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, the Company’s
indemnification asset is limited to the loss sharing agreement of IndyMac, with an indemnification period ending March 31, 2019.
Key risks for both Commercial Banking and Consumer Banking include funding and liquidity risks. These are managed centrally
and are discussed in the Funding and Liquidity section Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations.
CIT Bank raises deposits through its branch network at over 60 locations in Southern California, its online bank (www.cit.com/cit-
bank/), from retail and institutional customers through commercial channels, and, to a lesser extent, broker channels. CIT Bank's
existing suite of deposit products includes checking, savings, money market, individual retirement accounts and time deposits.
CIT Bank provides lending, leasing and other financial and advisory services, primarily to small and middle-market companies
across select industries through its Commercial Finance, Rail, Real Estate Finance, and Business Capital divisions. The Bank
also offers residential mortgage lending and deposits to its customers through its Other Consumer Banking division. To help fulfill
its community reinvestment act (“CRA”) obligations, CIT Bank provides equity investments, loans to support affordable housing
and other community development activities, as well as grants and service-related activities, throughout its assessment area in
Southern California.
CIT Bank's loans and leases are primarily commercial loans, consumer loans and operating lease equipment. CIT Bank's
operating lease portfolio consists primarily of leased railcars and related equipment.
At year-end, CIT Bank remained well capitalized, maintaining capital ratios above required levels.
INFORMATION SECURITY
Information security, including cybersecurity, is a high priority for CIT. Recent, highly publicized events have highlighted the
importance of cybersecurity, including cyberattacks against financial institutions, governmental agencies and other organizations
that resulted in the compromise of personal and/or confidential information, the theft or destruction of corporate information, and
demands for ransom payments to release corporate information encrypted by so-called “ransomware.” A successful cyberattack
could harm CIT’s reputation and/or impair its ability to provide services to its customers.
CIT has developed policies and technology designed to (i) protect both our own and our clients’ information from cyberattacks or
other corruption or loss, (ii) reasonably assure the continuity of CIT’s business in the event of disruptions of CIT’s or its vendors’
critical systems, and (iii) comply with regulatory requirements relating to the protection of customer information (see Regulation –
Privacy Provisions and Customer and Client Information below). For additional information on CIT’s cybersecurity and business
continuity programs, see the Risk Management section of Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations and Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk (the "MD&A") below.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Discontinued operations were comprised of Business Air and residual activity from the Financial Freedom servicing business that
we sold on May 31, 2018. Discontinued operations are discussed, along with balance sheet and income statement items, in Note
2 — Discontinued Operations in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
EMPLOYEES
CIT employed 3,678 people at December 31, 2018. Based upon the location of the Company's legal entities, as of December 31,
2018, 3,636 were employed in U.S. entities and 42 in non-U.S. entities.
COMPETITION
We operate in competitive markets. Our competitors include global and regional commercial banks and community banks, as
well as captive finance companies, leasing companies, business development companies, and other non-bank lenders. In most
of our business lines, we have a few large competitors that have significant market share and many smaller niche competitors.
Many of our competitors have substantial financial, technological, and marketing resources.
Our customer value proposition is primarily based on financing terms, industry expertise, transaction structuring, technology
driven solutions, and client service. From time to time, due to highly competitive markets, we may (i) lose market share if we are
unwilling to match product structure, pricing, or terms of our competitors that do not meet our credit standards or return
requirements or (ii) receive lower returns or incur higher credit losses if we match our competitors’ product structure, pricing, or
terms. We tend not to compete on price, but rather on industry experience, asset and equipment knowledge, and customer
service.
Certain of our subsidiaries are subject to the jurisdiction of other governmental agencies. CIT Capital Securities LLC is a broker-
dealer licensed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), and is subject to the jurisdiction of FINRA and the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Our insurance operations are primarily conducted through The Equipment
Insurance Company and CIT Insurance Agency, Inc. Each company is licensed to enter into insurance contracts and is subject
to regulation and examination by state insurance regulators. In connection with the disposition of our international platforms, we
have surrendered all of our banking licenses outside of the United States.
On May 24, 2018, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (“EGRRCPA”) was signed into law.
Among other regulatory changes, the EGRRCPA amended provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) to increase the threshold for applicability of the enhanced prudential supervision
requirements under Sections 165 and 166 from $50 billion to $250 billion. The EGRRCPA’s increased threshold took effect
immediately for BHCs with total consolidated assets of less than $100 billion, including CIT. As a result, certain of the enhanced
prudential standards required under Sections 165 and 166 of the Dodd-Frank Act no longer apply to CIT or will be adjusted to
reflect that banking entities with less than $100 billion in assets are no longer deemed to be systemically important financial
institutions. See “Regulatory Expectations for Capital Planning” below.
In connection with the OneWest Transaction, CIT Bank submits to the OCC annually a comprehensive 3-year business plan,
including a financial forecast, a capital plan that provides for maintenance of CIT Bank’s capital, a funding plan and a
contingency funding plan, the intended types and volumes of lending activities, and an action plan to accomplish identified
strategic goals and objectives. The Bank reports quarterly to the OCC on any material variances. The Board of Directors must
review the performance of CIT Bank under the business plan at least annually.
CIT Bank also submitted to the OCC a CRA Plan after the merger, describing the actions it intended to take to help meet the
credit needs of low and moderate income (“LMI”) communities within its assessment areas, the management structure
responsible for implementing the CRA Plan, and the Board committee responsible for overseeing the Bank’s performance under
the CRA Plan. CIT Bank published on its public website (i) a copy of its CRA Plan and (ii) a CRA Plan summary report that
demonstrates the measurable results of the CRA Plan.
CIT also committed to the FRB to meet certain levels of CRA-reportable lending and CRA Qualified Investments in its
assessment areas over 4 years, make annual donations to qualified non-profit organizations that provide services in its
assessment areas, locate a minimum of 15% of its branches and ATMs in LMI census tracts, and provide at least 2,100 hours of
CRA qualified volunteer service.
Permissible Activities
The BHC Act limits the business of BHCs that are not FHCs to banking, managing or controlling banks, performing servicing
activities for subsidiaries, and engaging in activities that the FRB has determined, by order or regulation, are so closely related to
banking as to be a proper incident thereto. An FHC also may engage in or acquire and retain the shares of a company engaged
in activities that are financial in nature or incidental or complementary to activities that are financial in nature as long as the FHC
continues to meet the eligibility requirements for FHCs, including that the FHC and each of its U.S. depository institution
subsidiaries remain “well-capitalized” and “well-managed.”
Activities that are “financial in nature” include securities underwriting, dealing and market making, advising mutual funds and
investment companies, insurance underwriting and agency, merchant banking, and activities that the FRB, in consultation with
the Secretary of the Treasury, determines to be financial in nature or incidental to such financial activity. “Complementary
activities” are activities that the FRB determines upon application to be complementary to a financial activity and that do not pose
a safety and soundness issue. CIT is primarily engaged in activities that are permissible for a BHC, and conducts only limited
business involving the expanded activities available to an FHC.
Capital Requirements
The Company and the Bank are subject to risk-based requirements and rules issued by the FRB, OCC, and FDIC (the “Basel III
Rule”) that are based upon the final framework for strengthening capital and liquidity regulation of the Basel Committee on
Banking Supervision (the “Basel Committee”). Under the Basel III Rule, the Company and the Bank apply the Standardized
Approach in measuring their risk-weighted assets (“RWA”) and regulatory capital. The Basel III Rule divides a banking entity’s
capital into three capital components: Common Equity Tier 1 (“CET1”) capital, additional Tier 1 capital, and Tier 2 capital, and
assigns related regulatory capital ratios. Tier 1 capital consists of CET1 and “Additional Tier 1 capital” instruments meeting
certain requirements. Total Capital is the sum of Tier 1 and Tier 2 Capital. The most common form of Additional Tier 1 capital
instruments is non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock and the most common form of Tier 2 capital instruments is subordinated
notes, in each case subject to specific requirements under the Basel III Rule. The Company has both non-cumulative perpetual
preferred stock and subordinated notes outstanding.
The Basel III Rule provides for a number of deductions from and adjustments to CET1. These include, for example, goodwill,
other intangible assets, and deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) that arise from net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards net of
any related valuation allowance. Mortgage servicing rights, DTAs arising from temporary differences that could not be realized
through net operating loss carrybacks and significant investments in non-consolidated financial institutions must also be
deducted from CET1 to the extent that any one such category exceeds 10% of CET1 or all such items, in the aggregate, exceed
15% of CET1. The non-DTA related deductions (goodwill, intangibles, etc.) may be reduced by netting with any associated
deferred tax liabilities (“DTLs”). As for the DTA deductions, the netting of any remaining DTL must be allocated in proportion to
the DTAs arising from net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards and those arising from temporary differences. In
September 2017, the federal bank regulators proposed to revise and simplify the capital treatment for certain DTAs, mortgage
servicing rights, investments in non-consolidated financial institutions and minority interests for non-advanced approaches
banking organizations, such as CIT and the Bank. In November 2017, the federal bank regulators revised the Basel III Rule to
extend the current transitional treatment of these items for non-advanced approaches banking organizations until the September
2017 proposal is finalized.
Under the Basel III Rule, certain off-balance sheet commitments and obligations are converted into RWA, that together with on-
balance sheet assets, are the base against which regulatory capital is measured. The Basel III Rule defined the risk-weighting
categories for BHCs and banks that follow the Standardized approach based on a risk-sensitive analysis, depending on the
nature of the exposure. Risk weights range from 0% for U.S. government securities, to as high as 1,250% for such exposures as
certain tranches of securitizations or unsettled security/commodity transactions.
Per the Basel III Rule, the minimum capital ratios for CET1, Tier 1 capital, and Total capital are 4.5%, 6.0% and 8.0%,
respectively. The Basel III Rule includes a “capital conservation buffer” of 2.5%, composed entirely of CET1, on top of these
minimum RWA ratios. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking
institutions with a ratio of CET1 to RWA above the minimum but below the capital conservation buffer will face constraints on
dividends, equity repurchases and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall and the institution’s "eligible retained
income" (that is, four quarter trailing net income, net of distributions and tax effects not reflected in net income).
The Company and CIT Bank, as non-advanced approaches banking organizations, made a one-time, permanent election under
the Basel III Rule to exclude the effects of certain components of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) included in
shareholders’ equity under U.S. GAAP (for example, mark-to-market of securities held in the available-for-sale (“AFS”) portfolio)
in determining regulatory capital ratios.
The Company and CIT Bank are also required to maintain a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio (Tier 1 capital to a quarterly average
of non-risk weighted total assets) of 4%. As non-advanced approaches banking organizations, the Company and CIT Bank are
not subject to the Basel III Rule's countercyclical buffer or the supplementary leverage ratio.
The Company and CIT Bank meet all capital requirements under the Basel III Rule, including the capital conservation buffer. The
table in Part 2 Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Regulatory
Capital section) presents CIT's and CIT Bank's capital ratios as of December 31, 2018, calculated under the Basel III Rule —
Standardized Approach and the Transition Final Rule (effective January 1, 2018 to extend the regulatory capital treatment under
2017 transition provisions for certain items).
In December 2017, the Basel Committee published standards that it described as the finalization of the Basel III post-crisis
regulatory reforms (the standards are commonly referred to as “Basel IV”). Among other things, these standards revise the Basel
Committee's standardized approach for credit risk (including by recalibrating risk weights and introducing new capital
requirements for certain "unconditionally cancellable commitments," such as unused credit card and home equity lines of credit)
and provides a new standardized approach for operational risk capital. Under the Basel framework, these standards will
generally be effective on January 1, 2022, with an aggregate output floor phasing in through January 1, 2027. Under the current
U.S. capital rules, operational risk capital requirements and a capital floor apply only to advanced approaches institutions, and
not to the Company or CIT Bank. The impact of Basel IV on the Company and CIT Bank will depend on whether, and the
manner in which, it is implemented by the federal bank regulators. In December 2018, the federal bank regulators issued a final
rule that would provide an optional three-year phase-in period for the day-one regulatory capital effects of the adoption of ASU
2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” on
January 1, 2020. See Note 1. Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Recent Accounting Pronouncements
in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for additional information on this accounting pronouncement.
Under Sections 165 and 166 of the Dodd-Frank Act, as amended by the EGRRCPA, the FRB has promulgated regulations and
issued guidance imposing enhanced prudential supervision requirements on BHCs with total consolidated assets of $100 billion
or more. As a BHC with total consolidated assets of less than $100 billion, CIT is no longer subject to these enhanced prudential
standards. However, the FRB has indicated that the capital planning and risk management practices of financial institutions with
assets of less than $100 billion will continue to be reviewed through the regular supervisory process.
Although CIT no longer participates in the FRB’s CCAR process, CIT is still required to maintain a comprehensive and effective
capital planning process in accordance with SR Letter 09-4, “Applying Supervisory Guidance and Regulations on the Payment of
Dividends, Stock Redemptions, and Stock Repurchases at Bank Holding Companies” (“SR 09-4”). Under SR 09-4, a BHC is
expected to inform and consult with the FRB before (i) declaring and paying a dividend that could raise safety and soundness
concerns, (ii) redeeming or repurchasing regulatory capital instruments when the BHC is experiencing financial weakness, or (iii)
redeeming or repurchasing common stock or perpetual preferred stock that would result in a net reduction in the amount of such
instrument during the quarter in which the redemption or repurchase occurs. BHCs are expected to advise the FRB sufficiently in
advance of such capital action to provide reasonable opportunity for supervisory review and possible objection. The FRB reviews
our capital planning process as part of its regular supervisory process. In addition, under the Basel III Rule, any repurchase or
redemption of a regulatory capital instrument is subject to approval by the applicable federal bank regulator.
Liquidity Requirements
In line with international liquidity standards established by the Basel Committee to ensure that banking entities address both
short-term and long-term funding needs, the federal banking agencies set minimum liquidity requirements for large banking
organizations, including minimum levels of unencumbered high-quality liquid assets. In 2014, the federal banking regulators
adopted a joint final rule implementing a liquidity coverage ratio (“LCR”), calculated as the ratio of a banking entity’s high-quality
liquid assets to its total net cash outflows over 30 consecutive calendar days, for large and internationally active U.S. banking
entities. The final rule applied a modified version of the LCR requirements to bank holding companies with total consolidated
assets of greater than $50 billion but less than $250 billion. In 2016, the federal banking regulators issued a proposed rule that
would implement a net stable funding ratio (“NSFR”), calculated as the ratio of the amount of stable funding available to a
banking organization to its required amount of stable funding, for U.S. banking entities with total consolidated assets greater than
$50 billion, although the NSFR is not yet effective.
Acquisitions
Federal and state laws impose notice and approval requirements for mergers and acquisitions involving depository institutions or
BHCs. The BHC Act requires the prior approval of the FRB for (i) the acquisition by a BHC of direct or indirect ownership or
control of more than 5% of any class of voting shares of a bank, savings association, or BHC, (ii) the acquisition of all or
substantially all of the assets of any bank or savings association by any subsidiary of a BHC other than a bank, or (iii) the merger
or consolidation of any BHC with another BHC. Prior regulatory approval is also generally required for mergers, acquisitions and
consolidations involving other insured depository institutions. In reviewing acquisition and merger applications, the bank
regulatory authorities will consider, among other things, the competitive effect of the transaction, financial and managerial issues,
including the capital position of the combined organization, convenience and needs factors, including the applicant's CRA record,
the effectiveness of the subject organizations in combating money laundering activities, and the transaction's effect on the
stability of the U.S. banking or financial system. In addition, a FHC must obtain prior approval of the FRB before acquiring certain
non-bank financial companies with assets exceeding $10 billion.
Dividends
CIT Group Inc. is a legal entity separate and distinct from CIT Bank and CIT’s other subsidiaries. Most of CIT’s cash inflow is
comprised of interest on intercompany loans to its subsidiaries and dividends from its subsidiaries.
The ability of CIT to pay dividends on common stock may be affected by various factors, most notably regulatory capital
requirements. Capital and non-capital standards established for depository institutions under the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, as amended (“FDICIA”) may limit the ability of CIT Bank to pay dividends to CIT. The right
of CIT, its stockholders, and its creditors to participate in any distribution of the assets or earnings of its subsidiaries is further
subject to prior claims of creditors of CIT Bank and CIT’s other subsidiaries.
OCC regulations limit CIT Bank’s ability to pay dividends if the total amount of all dividends (common and preferred) declared in
any current year, including the proposed dividend, exceeds the total net income for the current year to date plus any retained net
income for the prior two years, less the sum of any transfers required by the OCC and any transfers required to fund the
retirement of any preferred stock. If the dividend in either of the prior two years exceeded that year’s net income, the excess
shall not reduce the net income for the three year period described above, provided the amount of excess dividends for either of
the prior two years can be offset by retained net income in the current year minus three years or the current year minus four
years.
It is the policy of the FRB that a BHC generally pay dividends on common stock out of net income available to common
shareholders over the past year, and only if the prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with capital needs,
asset quality, and overall financial condition, and the BHC is not in danger of failing to meet its minimum regulatory capital
adequacy ratios. A BHC should not maintain a dividend level that places undue pressure on the capital of bank subsidiaries, or
that may undermine the BHC’s ability to serve as a source of strength to its subsidiary bank.
Volcker Rule
The Dodd-Frank Act limits banks and their affiliates from engaging in proprietary trading and investing in or sponsoring certain
unregistered investment companies (e.g., hedge funds and private equity funds). This statutory provision is commonly called the
“Volcker Rule”. Under the final rules adopted by the federal banking agencies, the SEC, and the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (“CFTC”), banking entities are required to implement an extensive compliance program, including an enhanced
compliance program applicable to banking entities with more than $50 billion in total consolidated assets. The FRB extended the
conformance period for CIT through July 2022 for investments in and relationships with so-called legacy covered funds. The
Volcker Rule has not had a material effect on CIT’s business and activities, as we have a limited amount of trading activities and
fund investments.
In July 2018, the FRB, OCC, FDIC, CFTC and SEC issued a notice of proposed rulemaking intended to tailor the application of
the Volcker Rule based on the size and scope of a banking entity’s trading activities and to clarify and amend certain definitions,
requirements and exemptions. The ultimate impact of any amendments to the Volcker Rule will depend on, among other things,
further rulemaking and implementation guidance from the relevant U.S. federal regulatory agencies and the development of
market practices and standards.
The Dodd-Frank Act created the Orderly Liquidation Authority ("OLA"), a resolution regime for systemically important non-bank
financial companies, including BHCs and their non-bank affiliates, under which the FDIC may be appointed receiver to liquidate
such a company upon a determination by the Secretary of the Treasury (Treasury), after consultation with the President of the
United States, with support by a supermajority recommendation from the FRB and, depending on the type of entity, the approval
of the director of the Federal Insurance Office, a supermajority vote of the SEC, or a supermajority vote of the FDIC, that the
company is in danger of default, that such default presents a systemic risk to U.S. financial stability, and that the company
should be subject to the OLA process. This resolution authority is similar to the FDIC resolution model for depository institutions,
with certain modifications to reflect differences between depository institutions and non-bank financial companies and to reduce
disparities between the treatment of creditors' claims under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and in an OLA proceeding compared to
those that would exist under the resolution model for insured depository institutions.
An Orderly Liquidation Fund will fund OLA liquidation proceedings through borrowings from the Treasury and risk-based
assessments made, first, on entities that received more in the resolution than they would have received in liquidation to the
extent of such excess, and second, if necessary, on BHCs with total consolidated assets of $50 billion or more, any non-bank
financial company supervised by the FRB, and certain other financial companies with total consolidated assets of $50 billion or
more. If an orderly liquidation is triggered, CIT could face assessments for the Orderly Liquidation Fund. We do not yet have an
indication of the level of such assessments. Furthermore, were CIT to become subject to the OLA, the regime may also require
changes to CIT's structure, organization and funding pursuant to the guidelines described above.
FDICIA, among other things, establishes five capital categories for FDIC-insured banks: well capitalized, adequately capitalized,
undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. When they adopted the Basel III Rule, the OCC
and the other agencies also revised their prompt corrective action regulations by adding a CET1 ratio at each capital category
(except critically undercapitalized) and increasing the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio for each capital category. The following table
sets forth the required capital ratios to be deemed “well capitalized” or “adequately capitalized” under regulations in effect at
December 31, 2018.
Prompt Corrective Action Ratios
— December 31, 2018
Well Adequately
Capitalized(1) Capitalized
CET 1 6.5% 4.5%
Tier 1 Capital 8.0% 6.0%
Total Capital 10.0% 8.0%
Tier 1 Leverage(2) 5.0% 4.0%
(1) A "well capitalized" institution also must not be subject to any written agreement, order or directive to meet and maintain a specific capital
CIT Bank's capital ratios were all in excess of minimum guidelines for well capitalized at December 31, 2018.
FDICIA requires the applicable federal regulatory authorities to implement systems for prompt corrective action for insured
depository institutions that do not meet minimum requirements. FDICIA imposes progressively more restrictive constraints on
operations, management and capital distributions as the capital category of an institution declines. Undercapitalized, significantly
undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized depository institutions are required to submit a capital restoration plan to their
primary federal regulator. Although prompt corrective action regulations apply only to depository institutions and not to BHCs, the
holding company must guarantee any such capital restoration plan in certain circumstances. The liability of the parent holding
company under any such guarantee is limited to the lesser of five percent of the bank’s assets at the time it became
“undercapitalized” or the amount needed to comply. The parent holding company might also be liable for civil money damages
for failure to fulfill that guarantee. In the event of the bankruptcy of the parent holding company, such guarantee would take
priority over the parent’s general unsecured creditors.
Regulators take into consideration both risk-based capital ratios and other factors that can affect a bank's financial condition,
including (i) concentrations of credit risk, (ii) interest rate risk, and (iii) risks from non-traditional activities, along with an
institution's ability to manage those risks, when determining capital adequacy. This evaluation is made during the institution's
safety and soundness examination. An institution may be downgraded to, or deemed to be in, a capital category that is lower
than is indicated by its capital ratios if it is determined to be in an unsafe or unsound condition or if it receives an unsatisfactory
examination rating with respect to certain matters.
FRB policy and, after the Dodd-Frank Act, the BHC Act requires BHCs such as CIT to serve as a source of strength and to
commit capital and other financial resources to subsidiary banks. This support may be required at times when CIT may not be
able to provide such support without adversely affecting its ability to meet other obligations. If CIT is unable to provide such
support, the FRB could instead require the divestiture of CIT Bank and impose operating restrictions pending the divestiture. Any
capital loans by a BHC to any of its subsidiary banks are subordinate in right of payment to depositors and to certain other
indebtedness of the subsidiary bank. If a BHC commits to a federal bank regulator that it will maintain the capital of its bank
subsidiary, whether in response to the FRB's invoking its source of strength authority or in response to other regulatory
measures, that commitment will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and the bank will be entitled to priority payment in respect
of that commitment.
The FRB and other U.S. banking agencies have broad enforcement powers with respect to an insured depository institution and
its holding company, including the power to (i) impose cease and desist orders, substantial fines and other civil penalties, (ii)
terminate deposit insurance, and (iii) appoint a conservator or receiver. Failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations
could subject CIT or CIT Bank, as well as their officers and directors, to administrative sanctions and potentially substantial civil
and criminal penalties.
Deposits of CIT Bank are insured by the DIF up to $250,000 for each depositor. The DIF is funded by fees assessed on insured
depository institutions, including CIT Bank.
The FDIC uses a two scorecard system, one scorecard for most large institutions with more than $10 billion in assets, such as
CIT Bank, and another scorecard for "highly complex" institutions with over $50 billion in assets that are directly or indirectly
controlled by a U.S. parent with over $500 billion in assets. Each scorecard has a performance score and a loss-severity score
that is combined to produce a total score, which is translated into an initial assessment rate. In calculating these scores, the
FDIC utilizes a bank's capital level and CAMELS ratings (a composite regulatory rating based on Capital adequacy, Asset
quality, Management, Earnings, Liquidity, and Sensitivity to market risk) and certain financial measures designed to assess an
institution's ability to withstand asset-related stress and funding-related stress. The FDIC also has the ability to make
discretionary adjustments to the total score, up or down based upon significant risk factors that are not adequately captured in
the scorecard. The total score translates to an initial base assessment rate on a non-linear, sharply increasing scale. As of July
1, 2016, for large institutions, the initial base assessment rate ranges from three to thirty basis points (0.03% – 0.30%) on an
annualized basis. After the effect of potential base rate adjustments, the total base assessment rate could range from one and a
half to forty basis points (0.015% – 0.40%) on an annualized basis.
In March 2016, the FDIC adopted a final rule increasing the reserve ratio for the DIF to 1.35% of total insured deposits, and
imposing a surcharge of four and a half basis points (0.045%) on the quarterly assessments of insured depository institutions
with total consolidated assets of $10 billion or more, such as CIT Bank. The surcharge continued through September 30, 2018,
when the reserve ratio reached 1.36% of insured deposits, exceeding the statutorily required minimum reserve ratio. The FDIC
will, at least semi-annually, update its income and loss projections for the DIF and, if necessary, propose rules to further increase
assessment rates.
Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act ("FDIA"), the FDIC may terminate an institution’s deposit insurance upon a finding that
the institution has engaged in unsafe and unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has
violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC.
Transactions between CIT Bank and its subsidiaries, and CIT and its other subsidiaries and affiliates, are regulated pursuant to
Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and the FRB's Regulation W. These laws and regulations limit the types and
amounts of transactions (including loans due and credit extensions from CIT Bank or its subsidiaries to CIT and its other
subsidiaries and affiliates) as well as restrict certain other transactions (such as the purchase of existing loans or other assets by
CIT Bank or its subsidiaries from CIT and its other subsidiaries and affiliates) that may otherwise take place and generally
require those transactions to be on an arms-length basis and, in the case of extensions of credit, be secured by specified
amounts and types of collateral. These regulations generally do not apply to transactions between CIT Bank and its subsidiaries.
During 2015 and 2016, CIT Bank purchased railcars from two non-bank subsidiaries of CIT for an aggregate purchase price of
approximately $540 million. During November 2018, CIT Bank purchased additional railcars from another non-bank subsidiary of
CIT for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $350 million. The aggregate covered value of the railcar transfers to CIT
Bank was approximately $845 million at December 31, 2018. In addition, several other non-bank subsidiaries of CIT have
entered into transactions to sell assets to CIT Bank from time to time. Each of these transactions by CIT Bank with non-bank
subsidiaries of CIT constitute transactions with affiliates and are subject to the volume, asset quality, deal terms and other limits
set forth in Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation W. CIT does not anticipate significant additional
transactions between CIT Bank and its non-bank affiliates in the foreseeable future.
FDICIA requires the federal bank regulatory agencies to prescribe safety and soundness standards, by regulations or guidelines,
as the agencies deem appropriate. Guidelines adopted by the federal bank regulatory agencies establish general standards
relating to internal controls and information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate
risk exposure, asset growth, and compensation, fees and benefits. In general, the guidelines require, among other things,
appropriate systems and practices to identify and manage the risks and exposures specified in the guidelines. The guidelines
prohibit excessive compensation as an unsafe and unsound practice and describe compensation as excessive when the
amounts paid are unreasonable or disproportionate to the services performed by an executive officer, employee, director or
principal stockholder. In addition, the agencies adopted regulations that authorize, but do not require, an agency to order an
institution that has been given notice by an agency that it is not satisfying any of such safety and soundness standards to submit
a compliance plan. If, after being so notified, an institution fails to submit an acceptable compliance plan or fails in any material
respect to implement an acceptable compliance plan, the agency must issue an order directing action to correct the deficiency
and may issue an order directing other actions of the types to which an undercapitalized institution is subject under the “prompt
corrective action” provisions of the FDIA. See “Prompt Corrective Action” above. If an institution fails to comply with such an
order, the agency may seek to enforce such order in judicial proceedings and to impose civil monetary penalties.
If the FDIC is appointed the conservator or receiver of an insured depository institution, upon its insolvency or in certain other
events, the FDIC has the power:
• to transfer any of the depository institution's assets and liabilities to a new obligor without the approval of the depository
institution's creditors;
• to enforce the terms of the depository institution's contracts pursuant to their terms; or
• to repudiate or disaffirm any contract or lease to which the depository institution is a party, the performance of which is
determined by the FDIC to be burdensome and the disaffirmance or repudiation of which is determined by the FDIC to
promote the orderly administration of the depository institution.
In addition, under federal law, the claims of holders of deposit liabilities, including the claims of the FDIC as the guarantor of
insured depositors, and certain claims for administrative expenses against an insured depository institution would be afforded
priority over other general unsecured claims against such an institution, including claims of debt holders of the institution, in the
liquidation or other resolution of such an institution by any receiver. As a result, whether or not the FDIC ever seeks to repudiate
any debt obligations of CIT Bank, the debt holders would be treated differently from, and could receive, if anything, substantially
less than CIT Bank's depositors.
Retail banking activities are subject to a variety of statutes and regulations designed to protect consumers. Interest and other
charges collected or contracted for by national banks are subject to federal laws concerning interest rates. Loan operations are
also subject to numerous laws applicable to credit transactions, such as:
• the federal Truth-In-Lending Act and Regulation Z, governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;
• the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act and Regulation C, requiring financial institutions to provide information to enable the
public and public officials to determine whether a financial institution is fulfilling its obligation to help meet the housing
needs of the community it serves;
• the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed or other
prohibited factors in extending credit;
• the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Regulation V, governing the use and provision of information to consumer reporting
agencies;
• the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by debt
collectors;
• the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, applying to all debts incurred prior to commencement of active military service
(including credit card and other open-end debt) and limiting the amount of interest, including service and renewal
charges and any other fees or charges (other than bona fide insurance) that is related to the obligation or liability, as
well as affording other protections, including with respect to foreclosures;
• the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and Regulation X, requiring disclosures regarding the nature and costs of
the real estate settlement process and governing transfers of servicing, escrow accounts, force-placed insurance, and
general servicing policies; and
• the guidance of the various federal agencies charged with the responsibility of implementing such laws.
• the Truth in Savings Act and Regulation DD, which require disclosure of deposit terms to consumers;
• Regulation CC, which relates to the availability of deposit funds to consumers;
• the Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposes a duty to maintain the confidentiality of consumer financial records
and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records; and
• the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E, which governs electronic deposits to and withdrawals from deposit
accounts and customer' rights and liabilities arising from the use of automated teller machines and other electronic
banking services, including remittance transfers.
CIT and CIT Bank are also subject to certain other non-preempted state laws and regulations designed to protect consumers.
Additionally, CIT Bank is subject to a variety of regulatory and contractual obligations imposed by credit owners, insurers and
guarantors of the mortgages we originate and service. This includes, but is not limited to, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae,
the Federal Housing Finance Agency ("FHFA"), and the Federal Housing Administration ("FHA"). We are also subject to the
requirements of the Home Affordable Modification Program ("HAMP"), Home Affordable Refinance Program ("HARP") and other
government programs in which we participate.
The CFPB is authorized to interpret and administer, and to issue orders or guidelines pursuant to, any federal consumer financial
laws, as well as to directly examine and enforce compliance with those laws by depository institutions with assets of $10 billion
or more, such as CIT Bank. The CFPB has jurisdiction over CIT, CIT Bank, and other subsidiaries with respect to matters that
relate to these laws and consumer financial services and products and periodically conducts examinations.
The CFPB has adopted a number of significant rules that require banks to, among other things: (a) develop and implement
procedures to ensure compliance with a new “ability to repay” requirement and identify whether a loan meets a new definition for
a “qualified mortgage”; (b) implement new or revised disclosures, policies and procedures for servicing mortgages including, but
not limited to, early intervention with delinquent borrowers and specific loss mitigation procedures for loans secured by a
borrower’s principal residence; and (c) comply with additional rules and restrictions regarding mortgage loan originator
compensation and the qualification and registration or licensing of loan originators.
The CFPB and other federal agencies have also jointly finalized rules imposing credit risk retention requirements on lenders
originating certain mortgage loans, which require sponsors of a securitization to retain at least 5 percent of the credit risk of
assets collateralizing asset-backed securities. Residential mortgage-backed securities qualifying as "qualified residential
mortgages" will be exempt from the risk retention requirements. The final rule maintains revisions to the proposed rules that
cover degrees of flexibility for meeting risk retention requirements and the relationship between "qualified mortgages" and
"qualified residential mortgages." These rules and any other new regulatory requirements promulgated by the CFPB could
require changes to the Company's mortgage origination business, result in increased compliance costs and affect the streams of
revenue of such business.
The CRA requires depository institutions like CIT Bank to assist in meeting the credit needs of their market areas consistent with
safe and sound banking practice by, among other things, providing credit to LMI individuals and communities within its
assessment area. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for depository institutions nor does it
limit an institution's discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular
community, consistent with the CRA. Depository institutions are periodically examined for compliance with the CRA and are
assigned ratings, which are made available to the public. In order for a FHC to commence any new activity permitted by the BHC
Act, or to acquire any company engaged in any new activity permitted by the BHC Act, each insured depository institution
subsidiary of the FHC must have received a rating of at least "satisfactory" in its most recent examination under the CRA.
Furthermore, banking regulators take into account CRA ratings when considering approval of applications to acquire, merge, or
consolidate with another banking institution or its holding company, to establish a new branch office that will accept deposits or
to relocate an office, and such record may be the basis for denying the application. CIT Bank received a rating of "Satisfactory"
on its most recent published CRA examination by the OCC.
Incentive Compensation
In June 2010, the federal banking agencies issued comprehensive final guidance intended to ensure that the incentive
compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by
encouraging excessive risk-taking. The guidance, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk
profile of an organization, either individually or as part of a group, is based upon the key principles that a banking organization's
incentive compensation arrangements should (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization's
ability to effectively identify and manage risks, (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management, and (iii) be
supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the organization's board of directors.
These three principles are incorporated into the proposed joint compensation regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act discussed
below.
In the U.S., the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, as amended, imposes significant obligations
on financial institutions, including banks, to detect and deter money laundering and terrorist financing, including requirements to
implement AML programs, verify the identity of customers that maintain accounts, file currency transaction reports, and monitor
and report suspicious activity to appropriate law enforcement or regulatory authorities. In May 2018, the Customer Due Diligence
requirements for financial institutions, issued by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), took effect, clarifying
and strengthening customer due diligence requirements for financial institutions, including banks, to identify and verify the
identity of natural persons, known as beneficial owners, who own, control, and profit from legal entity customers when those
customers open accounts. The Company has implemented policies, procedures, and internal controls that are designed to
comply with all applicable AML laws and regulations. The Company has also implemented policies, procedures, and internal
controls that are designed to comply with the regulations and economic sanctions programs administered by the U.S. Treasury's
Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC"), which administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted
foreign countries and regimes, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, those engaged in activities related to the proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction, and other threats to the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the U.S., as well as
sanctions based on United Nations and other international mandates.
Anti-corruption
The Company is subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), which prohibits offering, promising, giving, or authorizing
others to give anything of value, either directly or indirectly, to a non-U.S. government official in order to influence official action
or otherwise gain an unfair business advantage, such as to obtain or retain business. The Company is also subject to applicable
anti-corruption laws in other jurisdictions in which it may do business, which often prohibit commercial bribery, the receipt of a
bribe, and the failure to prevent bribery by an associated person, in addition to prohibiting improper payments to foreign
government officials. The Company has implemented policies, procedures, and internal controls that are designed to comply with
such laws, rules, and regulations.
Certain aspects of the Company’s business are subject to legal requirements concerning the use and protection of customer
information, including those adopted pursuant to Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”) and the Fair and Accurate Credit
Transactions Act of 2003 in the U.S., and various laws in other jurisdictions in which it may do business. Federal banking
regulators, as required under the GLBA, have adopted rules limiting the ability of banks and other financial institutions to disclose
nonpublic information about consumers to nonaffiliated third parties, requiring disclosure of privacy policies to consumers and, in
some circumstances, allowing consumers to prevent disclosure of certain personal information to nonaffiliated third parties.
Federal financial regulators have issued regulations under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act that have the effect of
increasing the length of the waiting period, after privacy disclosures are provided to new customers, before information can be
shared among different affiliated companies for the purpose of cross-selling products and services between those affiliated
companies.
Other Regulations
In addition to U.S. banking regulation, our operations are subject to supervision and regulation by other federal, state, and
various foreign governmental authorities. Additionally, our operations may be subject to various laws and judicial and
administrative decisions. This oversight may serve to:
• regulate credit granting activities, including establishing licensing requirements, if any, in various jurisdictions;
• establish maximum interest rates, finance charges and other charges;
• regulate customers' insurance coverages;
• require disclosures to customers;
• govern secured transactions;
• set collection, foreclosure, repossession and claims handling procedures and other trade practices;
• prohibit discrimination in the extension of credit and administration of loans; and
• regulate the use and reporting of information related to a borrower's credit experience and other data collection.
Each of CIT's insurance subsidiaries is licensed and regulated in the states in which it conducts insurance business. The extent
of such regulation varies, but most jurisdictions have laws and regulations governing the financial aspects and business conduct
of insurers. State laws in the U.S. grant insurance regulatory authorities broad administrative powers with respect to, among
other things: licensing companies and agents to transact business; establishing statutory capital and reserve requirements and
the solvency standards that must be met and maintained; regulating certain premium rates; reviewing and approving policy
forms; regulating unfair trade and claims practices, including through the imposition of restrictions on marketing and sales
practices, distribution arrangements and payment of inducements; approving changes in control of insurance companies;
restricting the payment of dividends and other transactions between affiliates; and regulating the types, amounts and valuation of
investments. Each insurance subsidiary is required to file reports, generally including detailed annual financial statements, with
insurance regulatory authorities in each of the jurisdictions in which it does business, and its operations and accounts are subject
to periodic examination by such authorities.
Changes to laws of states and countries in which we do business could affect the operating environment in substantial and
unpredictable ways. We cannot accurately predict whether such changes will occur or, if they occur, the ultimate effect they
would have upon our financial condition or results of operations.
Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those
reports, as well as our annual Proxy Statements, are available free of charge on the Company's Internet site at www.cit.com as
soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed or furnished with the SEC. Copies of our Corporate
Governance Guidelines, the Charters of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Governance
Committee, and the Risk Management Committee, and our Code of Business Conduct are available, free of charge, on our
internet site at www.cit.com/about/us/governance, and printed copies are available by contacting Investor Relations, 1 CIT Drive,
Livingston, NJ 07039 or by telephone at (973) 740-5000. Information contained on our website or that can be accessed through
our website is not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K, unless we have specifically incorporated it by reference.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Accretable Yield reflects the excess of cash flows expected to be collected (estimated fair value at acquisition date) over the
recorded investment of Purchase Credit Impaired ("PCI") Loans and Investments and is recognized in interest income using an
effective yield method over the expected remaining life. The accretable yield is affected by changes in interest rate indices for
variable rate PCI loans, changes in prepayment assumptions and changes in expected principal and interest payments and
collateral values.
Assets Held for Sale ("AHFS") include loans and operating lease equipment that we no longer have the intent or ability to hold
until maturity. As applicable, AHFS also includes a component of goodwill associated with portfolios or businesses held for sale.
Available-for-sale ("AFS") is a classification that pertains to debt securities. We classify these securities as AFS when they are
not considered trading securities, securities carried at fair value, or held-to-maturity securities. AFS securities are included in
investment securities in the balance sheet.
Average Earning Assets ("AEA"), is a non-GAAP measure, and is computed using month end balances of Earning Assets. We
use this average for certain key profitability ratios, including return on AEA, and Net Finance Revenue as a percentage of AEA
(Net Finance Margin) for the respective period.
Average Loans is computed using month end balances and is used to measure the rate of return on the loans and the rate of net
charge-offs, for the respective period.
Average Operating Leases ("AOL") is computed using month end balances and is used to measure the rate of return on our
operating lease portfolio for the respective period.
Covered Loans are loans that CIT may be reimbursed for a portion of future losses under the terms of Loss Sharing Agreements
with the FDIC. See Indemnification Assets.
Delinquent Loan categorization occurs when payment is not received when contractually due. Delinquent loan trends are used
as a gauge of potential portfolio degradation or improvement.
Derivative Contract is a contract whose value is derived from a specified asset or an index, such as an interest rate or a foreign
currency exchange rate. As the value of that asset or index changes, so does the value of the derivative contract.
Earning Assets is the sum of loans (defined below) (less the credit balances of factoring clients), operating lease equipment, net,
AHFS, interest-bearing cash, investment securities, securities purchased under agreements to resell, and indemnification asset,
all as of a specific date.
Economic Value of Equity ("EVE") measures the net impact of hypothetical changes in the value of equity by assessing the
economic value of assets, liabilities and derivatives.
FICO Score is a credit bureau-based industry standard score developed by the Fair Isaac Corporation (currently named FICO)
that predicts the likelihood of borrower default. We use FICO scores in underwriting and assessing risk in our consumer lending
portfolio.
Gross Yield is calculated as finance revenue divided by AEA and derives the revenue yield generated over the respective period.
Impaired Loan is a loan that based on current information and events, it is probable that CIT will be unable to collect all amounts
due according to the contractual terms of the agreement.
Indemnification Assets relate to certain asset purchases in which the FDIC indemnified OneWest Bank, prior to its acquisition by
CIT, against certain future losses in accordance with the Loss Sharing Agreements, as defined below.
Interest income includes interest earned on loans, interest-bearing cash balances, debt investments and dividends on
investments.
Lease — capital is an agreement in which the party who owns the property (lessor), which is CIT as part of our finance business,
permits another party (lessee), which is our customer, to use the property with substantially all of the economic benefits and risks
of asset ownership passed to the lessee.
Lease — operating is a lease in which CIT retains ownership of the asset (operating lease equipment, net), collects rental
payments, recognizes depreciation on the asset, and retains the risks of ownership, including obsolescence.
Loans include loans, capital lease receivables, factoring receivables and rent receivable on operating lease equipment, and does
not include amounts contained within AHFS.
Loans and Leases include Loans, operating lease equipment, net, and AHFS, all measured as of a specific date.
Loan-to-Value Ratio ("LTV") is a calculation of a loan's collateral coverage that is used in underwriting and assessing risk in our
lending portfolio. LTV at any point in time is the result of the total loan obligations secured by collateral divided by the fair value
of the collateral.
Loss Sharing Agreements are agreements in which the FDIC indemnifies OneWest Bank against certain future losses on assets
purchased from the FDIC. See Indemnification Assets defined above. The loss sharing agreements generally require CIT to
obtain FDIC approval prior to transferring or selling loans and related indemnification assets. Eligible losses are submitted to the
FDIC for reimbursement when a qualifying loss event occurs (e.g., charge-off of loan balance or liquidation of collateral).
Reimbursements approved by the FDIC usually are received within 60 days of submission. Receivables related to these
indemnification assets are referred to as Covered Loans.
Lower of Cost or Fair Value relates to the carrying value of an asset. The cost refers to the current book balance of certain
assets, such as held for sale assets.
Net Finance Revenue ("NFR") is a non-GAAP measurement reflecting Net Interest Revenue (defined below) plus net operating
lease revenue (rental income on operating lease equipment less depreciation on operating lease equipment and maintenance
and other operating lease expenses). When divided by AEA, the product is defined as Net Finance Margin ("NFM"). NFM is a
non-GAAP measurement. These are key measures used by management in the evaluation of the financial performance of our
business.
Net Interest Income Sensitivity ("NII Sensitivity") measures the net impact of hypothetical changes in interest rates on forecasted
NFR, for our interest rate sensitive assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet instruments, assuming a static balance sheet over a
twelve-month period.
Net Interest Revenue reflects interest and fees on loans, interest on interest-bearing cash, and interest/dividends on investments
less interest expense on deposits and borrowings.
Net Operating Loss Carryforward / Carryback ("NOLs") is a tax concept, whereby tax losses in one year can be used to offset
taxable income in other years. For example, U.S. Federal NOLs generated in tax years beginning before January 1, 2018, can
first be carried-back and applied against taxable income recorded in the two preceding years with any remaining amount being
carried-forward for the next twenty years to offset future taxable income. For U.S. Federal NOLs generated in tax years
beginning January 1, 2018, the utilization of these NOLs is limited to 80% of taxable income. Further, these NOLs may not be
carried-back but may be carried forward indefinitely. The rules pertaining to the number of years allowed for the carryback or
carryforward of an NOL varies by jurisdiction.
New business volume represents the initial cash outlay related to new loan or lease equipment transactions entered into during
the period. The amount includes CIT's portion of a syndicated transaction, whether it acts as the agent or a participant, and in
certain instances, it includes asset purchases from third parties.
Non-accrual Loans include loans greater than or equal to $500,000 that are individually evaluated and determined to be
impaired, as well as loans less than $500,000 that are delinquent (generally for 90 days or more), unless it is both well secured
and in the process of collection. Non-accrual loans also include loans with revenue recognition on a cash basis because of
deterioration in the financial position of the borrower.
Non-performing Assets include Non-accrual Loans, OREO (defined below) and repossessed assets.
Other Non-Interest Income includes (1) fee revenues, including fees on lines of credit, letters of credit, capital market related
fees, agent and advisory fees and servicing fees, (2) factoring commissions (3) gains and losses on leasing equipment, net of
impairments, (4) BOLI income, (5) gains and losses on investment securities, net of impairments, and (6) other revenues.
Other Real Estate Owned ("OREO") is a term applied to real estate property owned by a financial institution. OREO are
considered non-performing assets.
Purchase Accounting Adjustments (“PAA”) reflect accretable and non-accretable components of the fair value adjustments to
acquired assets and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Accretable adjustments reflect discounts and premiums to the
acquired assets and liabilities.
Purchase Credit Impaired ("PCI") Loans and PCI Investments are loans and investments that at the time of an acquisition were
considered impaired, because there was evidence of credit deterioration since origination of the loan and investment and it was
probable that all contractually due amounts (principal and interest) would not be collected.
• Pass — These assets do not meet the criteria for classification in one of the following categories;
• Special Mention — These assets exhibit potential weaknesses that deserve management's close attention and if left
uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may, at some future date, result in the deterioration of the repayment
prospects;
• Substandard — These assets are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the
borrower, and are characterized by the distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if the deficiencies are not
corrected;
• Doubtful — These assets have weaknesses that make collection in full unlikely, based on current facts, conditions, and
values; and
• Loss — These assets are considered uncollectible and of little or no value and are generally charged off.
Residual Values represent the estimated value of equipment at the end of its lease term. For operating lease equipment, it is the
value to which the asset is depreciated at the end of its estimated useful life.
Risk Weighted Assets ("RWA") is the denominator to which CET1, Tier 1 Capital and Total Capital is compared to derive the
respective risk based regulatory ratios. RWA is comprised of both on-balance sheet assets and certain off-balance sheet items
(for example loan commitments, purchase commitments or derivative contracts). RWA items are adjusted by certain risk-
weightings as defined by the regulators, which are based upon, among other things, the relative credit risk of the counterparty.
Syndication and Sale of Receivables result from originating loans with the intent to sell a portion, or the entire balance, of these
assets to other institutions. We earn and recognize fees and/or gains on sales, which are reflected in other non-interest income,
for acting as arranger or agent in these transactions.
Tangible Book Value ("TBV") excludes goodwill and intangible assets from common stockholders' equity. We use TBV in
measuring tangible book value per common share as of a specific date.
Total Net Revenue is a non-GAAP measurement and is the sum of NFR and other non-interest income and used for an
efficiency ratio.
Troubled Debt Restructuring ("TDR") occurs when a lender, for economic or legal reasons, grants a concession to the borrower
related to the borrower's financial difficulties that it would not otherwise consider.
Variable Interest Entity ("VIE") is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or any other legal structure used to conduct
activities or hold assets. These entities: lack sufficient equity investment at risk to permit the entity to finance its activities without
additional subordinated financial support from other parties; have equity owners who either do not have voting rights or lack the
ability to make significant decisions affecting the entity's operations; and/or have equity owners that do not have an obligation to
absorb the entity's losses or the right to receive the entity's returns.
Yield-related Fees are collected in connection with our assumption of underwriting risk in certain transactions in addition to
interest income. We recognize yield-related fees, which include prepayment fees and certain origination fees, in interest income
over the life of the lending transaction.
Strategic Risks
If the assumptions and analyses underlying our strategy and business plan, including with respect to market
conditions, capital and liquidity, business strategy, and operations are incorrect, we may be unsuccessful in executing
our strategy and business plan.
A number of strategic issues affect our business, including how we allocate our capital and liquidity, our business strategy, our
funding models, and the quality and efficiency of operations. We developed our strategy and business plan based upon certain
assumptions, analyses, and financial forecasts, including with respect to our capital levels, funding model, credit ratings, revenue
growth, earnings, interest margins, expense levels, cash flow, credit losses, liquidity and financing sources, lines of business and
geographic scope, acquisitions and divestitures, equipment residual values, capital expenditures, retention of key employees,
and the overall strength and stability of general economic conditions. Financial forecasts are inherently subject to many
uncertainties and are necessarily speculative, and it is likely that one or more of the assumptions and estimates that are the
basis of these financial forecasts will not be accurate. Accordingly, our actual financial condition and results of operations may
differ materially from what we have forecast and we may not be able to reach our goals and targets. If we are unable to
implement our strategic initiatives effectively, we may need to refine, supplement, or modify our business plan and strategy in
significant ways. If we are unable to fully implement our business plan and strategy, it may have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations and financial condition.
We may not be able to achieve the expected benefits from buying or selling a business or assets, or entering into a new
business initiative, which may have an adverse effect on our business or results of operations.
As part of our strategy and business plan, we may consider buying or selling a business or assets in order to manage our
business, the products and services we offer, our asset levels, credit exposures, or liquidity position. There are a number of risks
inherent in purchase and sale transactions, including the risk that we fail to identify or acquire key businesses or assets, that we
fail to complete a pending transaction, that we fail to sell a business or assets that are considered non-strategic or high risk, that
we overpay for an acquisition or receive inadequate consideration for a disposition, or that we fail to properly integrate an
acquired company or to realize the anticipated benefits from the transaction. We acquired IMB HoldCo LLC and its subsidiary,
OneWest Bank N.A., in 2015 and two businesses, NACCO SAS and Capital Direct Group, in 2014. We sold (i) our Commercial
Air business in April 2017, (ii) the majority of our international financing and leasing businesses and our student lending and
small business lending portfolios from 2014 to 2016, (iii) NACCO SAS, our European rail car leasing business in 2018, and (iv)
our Financial Freedom servicing business, including our reverse mortgage portfolio, in 2018.
In engaging in business acquisitions, CIT may decide to pay a premium over book and market values to complete the
transaction, which may result in dilution of our tangible book value and net income per common share. If CIT uses substantial
cash or other liquid assets or incurs substantial debt to acquire a business or assets, we could become more susceptible to
economic downturns and competitive pressures.
Integrating the operations of an acquired entity can be difficult. As a result, CIT may not be able to fully achieve its strategic
objectives and planned operating efficiencies in an acquisition. CIT and any target company typically will have different policies,
procedures, and processes, including accounting, credit and other risk and reporting policies, and will utilize different information
technology systems, which will required significant time, cost, and effort to integrate. CIT may also be exposed to other risks
inherent in an acquisition, including the risk of unknown or contingent liabilities, changes in our credit, liquidity, interest rate or
other risk profiles, potential asset quality issues, potential disruption of our existing business and diversion of management’s time
and attention, possible loss of key employees or customers of the acquired business, and the risk that certain items were not
accounted for properly by the seller in accordance with financial accounting and reporting standards. If we fail to realize the
expected revenue increases, cost savings, increases in geographic or product scope, and/or other projected benefits from an
acquisition, or if we are unable to adequately integrate the acquired business, or experience unexpected costs, changes in our
risk profile, or disruption to our business, it could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of
operations.
When we sell a business or assets, the agreement between the Company and the buyer typically contains representations and
warranties, including with regard to the conduct of the business, the servicing practices, and compliance with laws and
regulations, among others, and the agreement typically contains certain indemnifications to allocate risks among the parties and
may be subject to certain caps and limitations. CIT may also retain certain pre-closing liabilities, including the cost of legacy and
future litigation matters related to pre-closing actions. The terms of any agreement, including any representations and
warranties, indemnifications or retained liabilities, may subject us to ongoing risks after the sale is completed and could have an
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We may incur losses on loans, securities and other acquired assets that are materially greater than reflected in our fair
value adjustments.
When we account for acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting, we record the acquired assets and liabilities at fair
value. All PCI loans are initially recorded at fair value based on the present value of their expected cash flows. We estimate cash
flows using internal credit, interest rate and prepayment risk models using assumptions about matters that are inherently
uncertain. We may not realize the estimated cash flows or fair value of these loans. In addition, although the difference between
the pre-acquisition carrying value of the credit-impaired loans and their expected cash flows (the “non-accretable difference”) is
available to absorb future charge-offs, we may be required to increase our allowance for loan losses and related provision
expense because of subsequent additional deterioration in these loans.
Competition from both traditional competitors and new market entrants may adversely affect our market share,
profitability, and returns.
Our markets are highly competitive and are characterized by competitive factors that vary based upon product and geographic
region. We have a wide variety of competitors that include captive and independent finance companies, commercial banks and
thrift institutions, industrial banks, community banks, internet banks, leasing companies, hedge funds, business development
companies, insurance companies, mortgage companies, manufacturers and vendors. Some of our non-bank competitors are not
subject to the same extensive regulation we are and, therefore, may have greater flexibility in competing for business. In
particular, the activity and prominence of so-called marketplace lenders and other technological financial service companies
have grown significantly over recent years and are expected to continue growing.
We compete on the basis of pricing (including the interest rates charged on loans or paid on deposits and the pricing for
equipment leases), product terms and structure, the range of products and services offered, and the quality of customer service
(including convenience and responsiveness to customer needs and concerns). The ability to access and use technology in the
delivery of products and services to our customers is an increasingly important competitive factor in the financial services
industry, and it is a critically important component to customer satisfaction.
If we are unable to address the competitive pressures that we face, we could lose market share, which could result in reduced
net finance revenue and profitability and lower returns. On the other hand, if we meet those competitive pressures, it is possible
that we could incur significant additional expense, experience lower returns due to compressed net finance revenue, or incur
increased losses due to less rigorous risk standards.
If we fail to maintain sufficient capital or adequate liquidity to meet regulatory capital requirements, there could be an
adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
The Basel III Rule issued by the federal banking agencies requires BHCs and insured depository institutions to maintain more
and higher quality capital than in the past. In addition, the federal banking agencies set minimum liquidity requirements for large
banking organizations, including minimum levels of unencumbered high-quality liquid assets. See “Item 1. Business Overview -
Regulation - Banking Supervision and Regulation - Liquidity Requirements.” Although the enhanced prudential supervision
requirements imposed on large BHCs pursuant to Section 165 of the Dodd-Frank Act no longer apply to CIT, the banking
regulators, pursuant to their regular supervisory process, could require CIT to maintain more and higher quality capital than
previously expected and could limit our business activities (including lending) and our ability to expand organically or through
acquisitions, diversify our capital structure, or pay dividends or otherwise return capital to shareholders. The banking regulators
could also require CIT to hold higher levels of short-term investments, thereby limiting our ability to invest in longer-term or less
liquid assets at higher yields. If we fail to maintain the appropriate capital levels or adequate liquidity, we could become subject
to a variety of formal or informal enforcement actions, which may include restrictions on our business activities, including limiting
lending and leasing activities, limiting the expansion of our business, either organically or through acquisitions, or requiring the
raising of additional capital, which may be dilutive to shareholders. If we are unable to meet any of these capital or liquidity
standards, it may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our Revolving Credit Facility also includes terms that require us to comply with regulatory capital requirements and maintain a
Tier 1 regulatory capital ratio of at least 9.0%. If we are unable to satisfy these or any of the other relevant terms of the Revolving
Credit Facility, the lenders could elect to terminate the Revolving Credit Facility and require us to repay outstanding borrowings.
In such event, unless we are able to refinance the indebtedness coming due and replace the Revolving Credit Facility, we may
not have adequate liquidity for our business needs, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations and financial condition.
CIT’s liquidity is essential for the operation of our business. Our liquidity, and our ability to fund our activities through bank
deposits or wholesale funding markets, could be affected by a number of factors, including market conditions, our capital
structure and capital levels, our credit ratings, and the performance of our business. An adverse change in any of those factors,
and particularly a downgrade in our credit ratings, could negatively affect CIT’s liquidity and competitive position, increase our
funding costs, or limit our access to the deposit markets or wholesale funding markets. Further, an adverse change in the
performance of our business could have a negative impact on our operating cash flow. CIT’s credit ratings are subject to ongoing
review by the rating agencies, which consider a number of factors, including CIT’s own financial strength, performance,
prospects, and operations, as well as factors not within our control, including conditions affecting the financial services industry
generally. See the "Funding and Liquidity — Debt Ratings" section of the MD&A for additional discussion of CIT’s credit ratings.
There can be no assurance that we will maintain or improve our current ratings, which are below investment grade at the holding
company level. If we experience a substantial, unexpected, or prolonged change in the level or cost of liquidity, or fail to
generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our obligations, either as a result of a downgrade in our credit ratings or for any other
reason, it could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Our business may be adversely affected if we fail to successfully expand our deposits at CIT Bank or if our aggregate
amount of deposits decreases.
CIT Bank currently has a branch network with over 60 branches, which offer a variety of deposit products. However, CIT also
must rely on its online bank to raise additional deposits. Our ability to raise deposits and offer competitive interest rates on
deposits is dependent on CIT Bank's capital levels, the size of its branch network, the quality and scope of its online banking
platform, and its ability to attract lower cost demand deposits. Federal banking law generally prohibits a bank from accepting,
renewing or rolling over brokered deposits, unless the bank is well-capitalized or it is adequately capitalized and obtains a waiver
from the FDIC. There are also restrictions on interest rates that may be paid by banks that are less than well capitalized, under
which such a bank generally may not pay an interest rate on any deposit of more than 75 basis points over the national rate
published by the FDIC, unless the FDIC determines that the bank is operating in a high-rate area. Continued expansion of CIT
Bank's retail online banking platform to diversify the types of deposits that it accepts may require significant time, effort, and
expense to implement. We are likely to face significant competition for deposits from larger BHCs who are similarly seeking
larger and more stable pools of funding and from new entrants to online banking. If CIT Bank fails to expand and diversify its
deposit-taking capability, or if CIT Bank's aggregate amount of deposits decreases due to economic uncertainty, a migration of
deposits to the largest banks, or for other reasons, it could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and
financial condition.
CIT is a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiaries, including CIT Bank, and relies on dividends from its subsidiaries
for a significant portion of its cash flow. Federal banking laws and regulations limit the amount of dividends that CIT Bank can
pay to CIT. At CIT, routine payment of dividends from earnings that can be sustained on a recurring basis would not typically
require consultation with the regulators. However, regulatory guidance states that a BHC should consult with regulators in
circumstances where the declaration and payment of a dividend could raise concerns about the safe and sound operation of the
BHC and its depository institution subsidiaries, where the dividend declared for a period is not supported by earnings for that
period, and where a BHC plans to declare a material increase in its common stock dividend. The regulatory framework also
requires that CIT seek approval from the Federal Reserve prior to repurchasing common stock.
The quality of our loans and leases depends on the creditworthiness of our customers, their ability to fulfill their obligations to us,
and the value of the underlying collateral. We maintain a consolidated allowance for loan losses on our loans to provide for loan
defaults and non-performance. The amount of our allowance reflects management's judgment of losses inherent in the portfolio.
However, the economic environment is dynamic, and our portfolio credit quality could decline in the future.
Our allowance for loan losses may not keep pace with changes in the credit-worthiness of our customers or in collateral values.
If the credit quality of our customer base declines, if the risk profile of a market, industry, or group of customers changes
significantly, if we are unable to collect the full amount on accounts receivable taken as collateral, or if the value of equipment,
real estate, or other collateral deteriorates significantly, our allowance for loan losses may prove inadequate, which could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
In addition to customer credit risk associated with loans and leases, we are exposed to other forms of credit risk, including
counterparties to our derivative transactions, loan sales, syndications and equipment purchases. These counterparties include
other financial institutions, manufacturers, and our customers. If our credit underwriting processes or credit risk judgments fail to
adequately identify or assess such risks, or if the credit quality of our derivative counterparties, customers, manufacturers, or
other parties with which we conduct business materially deteriorates, we may be exposed to credit risk related losses that may
negatively impact our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
CIT’s ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of
other financial institutions. Financial institutions are interrelated as a result of syndications, trading, clearing, counterparty, or
other relationships. CIT has exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and it routinely executes transactions with
counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, mutual
funds, private equity funds, hedge funds, and other institutional clients. Defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or
more financial institutions, or the financial services industry generally, could affect market liquidity and could lead to losses or
defaults by us or by other institutions. Many of these transactions could expose CIT to credit risk in the event of default by its
counterparty or client. In addition, CIT’s credit risk may be impacted if the collateral held by it cannot be realized or is liquidated
at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the financial instrument exposure due to CIT. There is no assurance that any
such losses would not adversely affect CIT, possibly materially.
Our Rail business is concentrated by industry and our retail banking business is concentrated geographically, and any
downturn in the rail industry or in the geographic area of our retail banking business may have a material adverse
effect on our business.
Most of our business is diversified by customer, industry, and geography. However, although our Rail business is diversified by
customer and geography, it is concentrated in one industry. If there is a significant downturn in shipping by railcar, it could have
a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Our retail banking business is primarily concentrated within our retail branch network, which is located in Southern California.
Although our other businesses are national in scope, these other businesses also have a presence within the Southern
California geographic market. Adverse conditions in the Southern California geographic market, such as inflation,
unemployment, recession, natural disasters, or other factors beyond our control, could impact the ability of borrowers in
Southern California to repay their loans, decrease the value of the collateral securing loans in Southern California, or affect the
ability of our customers in Southern California to continue conducting business with us, any of which could have a material
adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
We may not be able to realize our entire investment in the equipment we lease to our customers.
Our loans and leases include a significant portion of leased equipment, including but not limited to railcars and locomotives,
technology and office equipment, and medical equipment. The realization of equipment values (residual values) during the life
and at the end of the term of a lease is an important element in the profitability of our leasing business. At the inception of each
lease, we record a residual value for the leased equipment based on our estimate of the future value of the equipment at the end
of the lease term or end of the equipment’s estimated useful life.
If the market value of leased equipment decreases at a rate greater than we projected, whether due to rapid technological or
economic obsolescence, unusual wear and tear on the equipment, excessive use of the equipment, recession or other adverse
economic conditions, or other factors, it could adversely affect the current values or the residual values of such equipment. For
example, as the price of or demand for crude oil, coal, or other commodities goes up or down, it may affect the demand for
railcars used to ship such commodities and the lease rates for such railcars, which could affect the residual values of such
railcars. Further, if certain commodities cause more wear and tear on railcars, such as increased corrosion, it may increase
maintenance and repair costs, which could affect the residual values of such railcars.
Certain equipment residual values, including railcar residuals, are dependent on the manufacturers’ or vendors’ warranties,
reputation, and other factors, including demand and market conditions and liquidity. Residual values for certain equipment,
including rail and medical equipment, may also be affected by changes in laws or regulations that mandate design changes or
additional safety features. For example, regulations issued by the PHMSA in the U.S. and TC in Canada in 2015, and
supplemented by the FAST Act in the U.S., require us to retrofit a significant portion of our tank cars over the next several years
in order to continue leasing those tank cars for the transport of crude oil. In addition, we may not realize the full market value of
equipment if we are required to sell it to meet liquidity needs or for other reasons outside of the ordinary course of business.
Consequently, there can be no assurance that we will realize our estimated residual values for equipment.
The degree of residual realization risk varies by transaction type. Capital leases bear the least risk because contractual
payments usually cover approximately 90% of the equipment's cost at the inception of the lease. Operating leases have a higher
degree of risk because a smaller percentage of the equipment's value is covered by contractual cash flows over the term of the
lease. A significant portion of our leasing portfolios are comprised of operating leases, which increase our residual realization
risk.
Investment in and revenues in foreign jurisdictions are subject to various risks and requirements associated with
transacting business in foreign countries.
We conduct limited business operations in certain foreign jurisdictions and we engage in certain cross border lending and
leasing transactions. An economic recession or downturn, increased competition, or business disruption associated with the
political or regulatory environments in the international markets in which we do business could adversely affect us.
In addition, our limited foreign lending and leasing transactions are sometimes denominated in foreign currencies, which subject
us to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. These exposures, if not effectively hedged could have a material adverse
effect on our investment in international loan and lease transactions and the level of international revenues that we generate
from such transactions. Reported results from our foreign loan and lease transactions may fluctuate from period to period due to
exchange rate movements in relation to the U.S. dollar.
Furthermore, both our domestic and international loan and lease transactions could expose us to trade and economic sanctions
or other restrictions imposed by the United States or other governments or organizations. The U.S. Department of Justice
(“DOJ”) and other federal agencies and authorities have a broad range of civil and criminal penalties they may seek to impose
against corporations and individuals for violations of trade sanction laws, anti-bribery rules under the FCPA and other federal
statutes. Under trade sanction and anticorruption laws, the government may seek to impose modifications to business practices,
including cessation of business activities with sanctioned parties or in sanctioned countries, and modifications to compliance
programs, which may increase compliance costs, and may subject us to severe criminal and civil fines, penalties and other
sanctions. If any of the risks described above materialize, it could adversely impact our business, operating results and financial
condition.
We rely on borrowed money from deposits, secured debt, and unsecured debt to fund our business. We derive the bulk of our
income from net finance revenue, which is the difference between interest and rental income on our loans and leases and
interest expense on deposits and other borrowings, depreciation on our operating lease equipment and maintenance and other
operating lease expenses. Prevailing economic conditions, the trade, fiscal, and monetary policies of the federal government and
the policies of various regulatory agencies all affect market rates of interest and the availability and cost of credit, which in turn
significantly affects our net finance revenue. Volatility in interest rates can also result in the flow of funds away from financial
institutions into direct investments, such as federal government and corporate securities and other investment vehicles, which,
because of the absence of federal insurance premiums and reserve requirements, generally pay higher rates of return than
financial institutions.
Any significant change in market interest rates may result in a change in net finance margin and net finance revenue. A
substantial portion of our loans and other financing products, and a portion of our deposits and other borrowings, bear interest at
floating interest rates. As interest rates increase, monthly interest obligations owed by our customers to us will also increase, as
will our own interest expense. Demand for our loans or other financing products may decrease as interest rates rise or if interest
rates are expected to rise in the future. In addition, if prevailing interest rates increase, some of our customers may not be able
to make the increased interest payments or refinance their balloon and bullet payment transactions, resulting in payment
defaults and loan impairments. Conversely, if interest rates remain low, our interest expense may decrease, but our customers
may refinance the loans they have with us at lower interest rates, or with others, leading to lower revenues. As interest rates rise
and fall over time, any significant change in market rates may result in a decrease in net finance revenue, particularly if the
interest rates we pay on our deposits and other borrowings and the interest rates we charge our customers do not change in
unison, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.
We may be adversely affected by deterioration in economic conditions that is general in scope or affects specific
industries, products or geographic areas.
Weak economic conditions are likely to have a negative impact on our business and results of operations. Prolonged economic
weakness or other adverse economic or financial developments in the U.S. or global economies in general, or affecting specific
industries, geographic locations and/or products, would likely adversely impact credit quality as borrowers may fail to meet their
debt payment obligations, particularly customers with highly leveraged loans. The uncertainty surrounding the terms of the U.K.’s
exit from the European Union (“EU”), or Brexit, could negatively impact markets and cause weaker macroeconomic conditions
that extend beyond the U.K. and the EU that could continue for the foreseeable future. Adverse economic conditions have in the
past and could in the future result in declines in collateral values, which also decreases our ability to fund and collect against
collateral. This would result in higher levels of nonperforming loans, net charge-offs, provision for credit losses, and valuation
adjustments on loans held for sale. The value to us of other assets such as investment securities, most of which are debt
securities or other financial instruments supported by loans, similarly would be negatively impacted by widespread decreases in
credit quality resulting from a weakening of the economy. Accordingly, higher credit and collateral related losses and decreases
in the value of financial instruments could impact our financial position or operating results.
Aside from a general economic downturn, a downturn in certain industries may result in reduced demand for products that we
finance in that industry or negatively impact collection and asset recovery efforts. Decreased demand for the products of various
manufacturing customers due to recession may adversely affect their ability to repay their loans and leases with us. Similarly, a
decline in railroad shipping volumes may adversely affect our rail business, the value of our rail assets, and the ability of our
lessees to make lease payments. Further, a decrease in prices or reduced demand for certain raw materials or bulk products,
such as oil, coal, or steel, may result in a significant decrease in gross revenues and profits of our borrowers and lessees or a
decrease in demand for certain types of equipment for the production, processing and transport of such raw materials or bulk
products, including certain specialized railcars, which may adversely affect the ability of our customers to make payments on
their loans and leases and the value of our rail assets and other leased equipment.
We are also affected by the economic and other policies adopted by various governmental authorities in the U.S. and other
jurisdictions in reaction to economic conditions. Changes in monetary policies of the FRB directly impact our cost of funds for
lending, raising capital, and investment activities, and may impact the value of financial instruments we hold. In addition, such
changes may affect the credit quality of our customers. Changes in domestic and international monetary policies are beyond our
control and difficult to predict.
The market price of our common stock may be volatile, and can fluctuate significantly in response to a number of factors,
including, among others:
• Our operating results and financial condition, including whether our operating results vary from expectations of
management, securities analysts or investors;
• Operating results and stock price performance of our peers;
• Our creditworthiness;
• Developments in our business or the financial services industry;
• Marketplace perceptions of us and/or our competitors;
• Technological developments;
• Regulatory changes;
• Whether we declare or fail to declare dividends on our common stock;
• Changes in executive management;
• Changes in the financial markets or economy; and
• Geopolitical conditions such acts or threats of terrorism or military conflicts.
The market price of our common stock may be subject to fluctuations unrelated to our operating performance. Increased volatility
as a result of these or other causes could result in a decline in the market price of our common stock.
In addition, federal banking law, including regulatory approval requirements, impose significant restrictions on the acquisition of
direct or indirect control over a BHC or an insured depository institution, such as CIT and CIT Bank. These laws may be
perceived by the market as having an anti-takeover effect, and may prevent a non-negotiated takeover or change in control of
the Company. These laws could result in CIT being less attractive to a potential acquirer and/or could affect the price that
investors are willing to pay for our common stock.
Reforms to and uncertainty regarding LIBOR and certain other indices may adversely affect our business.
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority announced in July 2017 that it will no longer persuade or require banks to submit rates for
LIBOR after 2021. This announcement, in conjunction with financial benchmark reforms more generally and changes in the
interbank lending markets have resulted in uncertainty about the future of LIBOR and certain other rates or indices which are
used as interest rate “benchmarks.” These actions and uncertainties may have the effect of triggering future changes in the rules
or methodologies used to calculate benchmarks or lead to the discontinuance or unavailability of benchmarks. ICE Benchmark
Administration is the administrator of LIBOR and maintains a reference panel of contributor banks. Uncertainty as to the nature
and effect of such reforms and actions, and the potential or actual discontinuance of benchmark quotes, may adversely affect
the value of, return on and trading market for our financial assets and liabilities that are based on or are linked to benchmarks,
including any LIBOR-based securities, loans and derivatives, or our financial condition or results of operations. Furthermore,
there can be no assurances that we and other market participants will be adequately prepared for an actual discontinuation of
benchmarks, including LIBOR, that may have an unpredictable impact on contractual mechanics (including, but not limited to,
interest rates to be paid to or by us) and cause significant disruption to financial markets that are relevant to our business
segments, particularly Commercial Banking, among other adverse consequences, which may also result in adversely affecting
our financial condition or results of operations.
Although we are not subject to the enhanced prudential supervision requirements applicable to banking organizations
over $100 billion in assets, we may still be adversely affected by the increased scrutiny applicable to large regional
banking organizations.
As a BHC with total consolidated assets of less than $100 billion, CIT is no longer subject to the FRB’s enhanced prudential
standards. However, the FRB has stated that it will continue to supervise and regulate financial institutions to ensure the safety
and soundness of individual institutions and the stability of the broader banking system, and the capital planning and risk
management practices of financial institutions with assets of less than $100 billion will continue to be reviewed through the
regular supervisory process. Although the banking regulators have not finalized the scope of requirements applicable to CIT, we
expect that CIT will be required to dedicate significant time, effort, and expense to comply with regulatory and supervisory
standards and requirements imposed by our regulators, either through rulemaking or the supervisory process. If we fail to
develop at a reasonable cost the systems and processes necessary to comply with the standards and requirements imposed by
these rules, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Our business is subject to significant government regulation and supervision and we could be adversely affected by
banking or other regulations, including new regulations or changes in existing regulations or the application thereof.
The financial services industry, in general, is heavily regulated. CIT is subject to the comprehensive, consolidated supervision of
the FRB and CIT Bank is subject to supervision by the OCC, in each case including risk-based and leverage capital
requirements, information reporting requirements, consumer protection laws and regulations, financial crimes monitoring, and
others. Further, CIT Bank is subject to regulation in certain instances by the FDIC, due to its insured deposits, and the CFPB.
This regulatory oversight is established to protect depositors, consumer borrowers, federal deposit insurance funds and the
banking system as a whole, and is not intended to protect debt and equity security holders. The financial condition and results of
operations of a BHC (including its depository institution subsidiaries) that fails to satisfy applicable regulatory requirements and
These laws and regulations may impose significant assessments on CIT. Because our deposits are insured by the FDIC, we are
subject to FDIC deposit insurance assessments. We generally are unable to control the amount of our assessments, and we
may be required to pay higher FDIC assessments in the future than we currently do if increases are required to meet the FDIC’s
designated reserve ratio, or if there is an increase in the number of bank failures. In addition, CIT could be required to pay risk-
based assessments to the Orderly Liquidation Fund if there are future liquidations of systemically important BHCs or non-bank
financial companies. Any increase in our FDIC insurance assessments or any assessments related to the Orderly Liquidation
Fund could adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations. See the “Regulation – Banking
Supervision and Regulation – FDIC Deposit Insurance” and “Regulation – Banking Supervision and Regulation – Orderly
Liquidation Authority” sections of Item 1. Business Overview for additional discussion of FDIC deposit insurance and Orderly
Liquidation Fund assessments.
Furthermore, the FRB and other U.S. banking agencies have broad enforcement powers with respect to BHCs and insured
depository institutions, such as CIT and CIT Bank, including the power to impose cease and desist orders and/or substantial
fines and other penalties. Failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations could subject CIT or CIT Bank, as well as their
officers and directors, to administrative sanctions and potentially substantial civil and criminal penalties. Regulators also have
broad authority to enforce AML and sanctions laws. Failure to comply with AML and sanctions laws or to maintain an adequate
compliance program can lead to significant monetary penalties and reputational damage, and federal regulators evaluate the
effectiveness of an applicant in combating money laundering when considering approval of applications to acquire, merge, or
consolidate with another banking institution, or to engage in other expansionary activities. There have been a number of
significant enforcement actions by regulators, as well as state attorneys general and the Department of Justice, against banks,
broker-dealers and non-bank financial institutions with respect to AML and sanctions laws and some have resulted in substantial
penalties, including criminal pleas. Any violation of law or regulation, possibly even inadvertent or unintentional violations, could
result in the fines, sanctions or other penalties described above, which could have significant reputational or other consequences
and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See the “Regulation –
Banking Supervision and Regulation” section of Item 1. Business Overview for additional discussion of the laws and regulations
applicable to CIT and CIT Bank.
Proposals for legislation to further regulate, restrict, and tax certain financial services activities are continually being introduced in
the United States Congress and in state legislatures. In addition, the agencies regulating the financial services industry
periodically issue new regulations and adopt changes to their existing regulations. In recent years, regulators have increased
significantly the level and scope of their supervision and regulation of the financial services industry. We are unable to predict the
form or nature of any future changes to statutes or regulation, including the interpretation or implementation thereof. Such
increased supervision and regulation could significantly affect our ability to conduct certain of our businesses in a cost-effective
manner, restrict the type of activities in which we are permitted to engage, impact our business strategy (including our ability to
return capital) or subject us to stricter and more conservative capital, leverage, liquidity, and risk management standards. Any
such action could have a substantial impact on us, significantly increase our costs, limit our growth opportunities, affect our
strategies and business operations and increase our capital requirements, and could have an adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
Our Aviation Lending, Rail, Maritime and other equipment financing operations are subject to various laws, rules, and regulations
administered by authorities in jurisdictions where we do business. In the U.S., our equipment leasing operations, including for
railcars, ships, and other equipment, are subject to rules and regulations relating to safety, operations, maintenance, and
mechanical standards promulgated by various federal and state agencies and industry organizations, including the U.S.
Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Association of
American Railroads, the Maritime Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Similar
governmental agencies issue similar rules and regulations in other countries in which we do business. In 2015, the U.S. Pipeline
and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”) and Transport Canada (“TC”) each released final rules establishing
enhanced design and performance criteria for tank cars loaded with a flammable liquid and requiring retrofitting of existing tank
cars to meet the enhanced standards within a specified time frame. In addition, the U.S. Congress enacted the Fixing America’s
Surface Transportation Act (“FAST Act”), which, among other things, expanded the scope of tank cars classified as carrying
flammable liquids, added additional design and performance criteria for tank cars in flammable service, and required additional
studies of certain criteria established by PHMSA and TC. In addition, state agencies regulate some aspects of rail and maritime
operations with respect to health and safety matters not otherwise preempted by federal law. Our business operations and our
equipment financing and leasing portfolios may be adversely impacted by rules and regulations promulgated by governmental
and industry agencies, which could require substantial modification, maintenance, or refurbishment of our railcars, ships, or other
equipment, or potentially make such equipment inoperable or obsolete. Violations of these rules and regulations can result in
substantial fines and penalties, including potential limitations on operations or forfeitures of assets.
The California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) (AB-375) was enacted on June 28, 2018, and becomes effective for certain
companies conducting business in California on January 1, 2020. The CCPA imposes significant requirements on covered
companies with respect to consumer data privacy rights. The CCPA is the first of what may be other state statutes or
regulations designed to protect consumer personal data. Compliance with these and similar regulations could potentially require
substantive technology infrastructure and process changes across many of CIT’s businesses. Non-compliance with the CCPA
or similar laws and regulations could lead to substantial regulatory imposed fines and penalties and/or reputational harm. CIT
cannot predict whether any pending or future legislation will be adopted, or the substance and impact of any legislation on CIT.
Future legislation could result in substantial costs to CIT and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
We are currently involved in a number of legal proceedings, and may from time to time be involved in government and regulatory
investigations and inquiries, relating to matters that arise in connection with the conduct of our business (collectively,
"Litigation"). We are also at risk when we have agreed to indemnify others for losses related to Litigation they face, such as in
connection with the sale of a business or assets by us. It is inherently difficult to predict the outcome of Litigation matters,
particularly when such matters are in their early stages or where the claimants seek indeterminate damages. We cannot state
with certainty what the eventual outcome of the pending Litigation will be, what the timing of the ultimate resolution of these
matters will be, or what the eventual loss, fines, or penalties related to each pending matter will be, if any. The actual results
from resolving Litigation matters may involve substantially higher costs and expenses than the amounts reserved or amounts
estimated to be reasonably possible, or judgments may be rendered, or fines or penalties assessed in matters for which we have
no reserves or have not estimated reasonably possible losses. Adverse judgments, fines or penalties in one or more Litigation
matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
We could be adversely affected by changes in tax laws and regulations or the interpretations of such laws and
regulations.
We are subject to the income tax laws of the U.S., its states and municipalities and those of the foreign jurisdictions in which we
do business. These tax laws are complex and may be subject to different interpretations. We must make judgments and
interpretations about the application of these inherently complex tax laws when determining our provision for income taxes, our
deferred tax assets and liabilities, and our valuation allowance. Changes to the tax laws, administrative rulings or court decisions
could increase our provision for income taxes and reduce our net income.
These changes could affect our regulatory capital ratios as calculated in accordance with the Basel III Rule. The exact impact is
dependent upon the effects an amendment has on our net DTAs arising from NOL and tax credit carryforwards, versus our net
DTAs related to temporary timing differences, as the former is a deduction from capital (the numerator to the ratios), while the
latter is included in RWA (the denominator). See "Regulation — Banking Supervision and Regulation — Capital Requirements"
section of Item 1. Business Overview for further discussion regarding the impact of DTA's on regulatory capital.
In addition, our ability to continue to record our DTAs is dependent on our ability to realize their value through NOL carrybacks or
future projected earnings. Future changes in tax laws or regulations could adversely affect our ability to record our DTAs. Loss of
part or all of our DTAs would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. See the “Critical
Accounting Estimates - Realizability of Deferred Tax Assets” section of the MD&A for additional discussion regarding our DTAs.
Our investments in certain tax-advantaged projects may not generate returns as anticipated and may have an adverse
impact on our financial results.
We invest in certain tax-advantaged projects promoting affordable housing, community development and renewable energy
resources. Our investments in these projects are designed to generate a return primarily through the realization of federal and
state income tax credits, and other tax benefits, over specified time periods. We are subject to the risk that previously recorded
tax credits, which remain subject to recapture by taxing authorities based on compliance features required to be met at the
project level, will fail to meet certain government compliance requirements and will not be able to be realized. The risk of not
being able to realize the tax credits and other tax benefits depends on many factors outside of our control, including changes in
the applicable tax code and the ability of the projects to be completed. If we are unable to realize these tax credits and other tax
benefits, it may have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
Operational Risks
If we fail to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting, it could result in a material misstatement of the
Company's annual or interim financial statements.
Management of CIT is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting designed to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with GAAP. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had identified two material weaknesses in
our internal controls, which were remediated in 2017. As of December 31, 2018, the Company reported no material weaknesses,
as disclosed in Item 9A. Controls and Procedures. However, if we identify additional material weaknesses or other deficiencies in
our internal controls, or if material weaknesses or other deficiencies exist that we fail to identify, our risk will be increased that a
material misstatement to our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Any such
potential material misstatement, if not prevented or detected, could require us to restate previously released financial statements
and could otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
The FASB, the SEC and other regulatory agencies periodically change the financial accounting and reporting standards that
govern the preparation of CIT's consolidated financial statements. These changes can be hard to predict and can materially
impact how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, we could be required to apply
a new or revised standard retroactively, potentially resulting in changes to previously reported financial results, or a cumulative
charge to retained earnings. For example;
• We implemented new guidance on lease accounting (ASU 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842), effective January 1, 2019),
which requires lessees to recognize lease liabilities, and corresponding right of use assets, on their balance sheets, and
may prompt certain of our leasing customers to reconsider whether to lease equipment for their business or to purchase
it outright using the proceeds of a loan, and may have an adverse effect on our leasing business by broadening our
competition from equipment lessors to all equipment lenders.
• We are also reviewing new guidance on the measurement of credit losses (ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit
Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, effective January 1, 2020), or “CECL”,
which introduces a forward-looking “expected loss” model to estimate credit losses to cover the expected life of the
portfolio, rather than the incurred loss model under current U.S. GAAP. CECL substantially changes how we calculate
our allowance for loan and lease losses (“ALLL”). Although we are still evaluating the impact of CECL, and cannot
predict with certainty when and how it will affect our financial condition and results of operations, including our
regulatory capital, we expect that CECL will likely result in an increase in our ALLL upon adoption, which could have a
material adverse effect on our results of operations.
See Note 1. Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Recent Accounting Pronouncements in Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for a discussion of accounting pronouncements that could impact CIT and its
business.
The preparation of our financial statements requires the use of estimates that may vary from actual results.
The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make difficult, subjective or
complex judgments about matters that are uncertain, which include assumptions and estimates of current risks and future
trends, all of which may undergo material changes. Materially different amounts could be reported under different conditions or
using different assumptions or estimates. Because of the inherent uncertainty of estimates involved in preparing our financial
statements, we may be required to undertake one or a number of actions that include, but are not limited to, increasing our ALLL
(and/or sustaining losses that are significantly higher than reserves); recognizing significant impairment charges to goodwill; or
increasing our accrued income taxes. Any of these actions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and
results of operations. See the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of the MD&A for additional discussion of our accounting
estimates.
In particular, our critical accounting estimates include the ALLL and goodwill impairment. The quality of our loans and leases
depends on the creditworthiness of our customers and their ability to fulfill their obligations to us. We maintain a consolidated
ALLL on our loans to provide for loan defaults and non-performance. The amount of our ALLL reflects management's judgment
of losses inherent in the portfolio. However, the economic environment is dynamic, and our portfolio credit quality could decline
in the future.
Our ALLL may not keep pace with changes in the credit-worthiness of our customers or in collateral values. If the credit quality of
our customer base declines, if the risk profile of a market, industry, or group of customers changes significantly, if we are unable
to collect the full amount on accounts receivable taken as collateral, or if the value of equipment, real estate, or other collateral
deteriorates significantly, our ALLL may prove inadequate, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations, and financial condition.
See Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies of Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data and the “Critical
Accounting Estimates” section of the MD&A for additional discussion on the methodology management uses to determine our
ALLL.
Management reviews our intangible assets for impairment in accordance with GAAP on an annual basis, or more often as
warranted by changes in events or circumstances. As of December 31, 2018, we had recorded goodwill of $369.9 million. If
management’s estimates of fair value are inaccurate or change as a result of changes in market or economic conditions, the
Company may recognize an impairment charge to goodwill. Any impairment to goodwill could have a material adverse effect on
our financial condition and results of operations.
See Note 25 — Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets of Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data and the “Critical
Accounting Estimates” section of the MD&A for additional discussion of goodwill impairment testing.
If the models that we use in our business are poorly designed, our business or results of operations may be adversely
affected.
We rely on quantitative models to measure risks and to estimate certain financial values. Models may be used in such processes
as determining the pricing of various products, grading loans and extending credit, measuring interest rate and other market
risks, predicting losses, assessing capital adequacy, and calculating regulatory capital levels, as well as to estimate the value of
financial instruments and balance sheet items. Poorly designed or implemented models or gaps in model risk management
process present the risk that our business decisions based on information incorporating models will be adversely affected due to
It could adversely affect our business if we fail to retain and/or attract skilled employees.
Our business and results of operations will depend in part upon our ability to retain and attract highly skilled and qualified
executive officers and management, financial, compliance, technical, marketing, sales, and support employees. Competition for
qualified executive officers and employees can be challenging, and CIT cannot ensure success in attracting or retaining such
individuals. This competition can lead to increased expenses in many areas. If we fail to attract and retain qualified executive
officers and employees, it could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete or operate our business successfully, or
to meet our operations, risk management, compliance, regulatory, funding and financial reporting requirements.
In the second quarter of 2016, the FRB, OCC, FDIC, and SEC jointly published proposed rules designed to implement provisions
of the Dodd-Frank Act prohibiting incentive compensation arrangements that would encourage inappropriate risk taking at
covered financial institutions, which include a bank or BHC with $1 billion or more of assets, such as CIT and CIT Bank. The
agencies have taken no action on the proposed rules since they were introduced and it cannot be determined at this time
whether or when a final rule will be adopted. Compliance with such a final rule, if approved, may substantially affect the manner
in which we structure compensation for our executives and other employees. Depending on the nature and application of the
final rules, we may not be able to successfully compete with certain financial institutions and other companies that are not
subject to some or all of the rules to retain and attract executives and other high performing employees. If this were to occur, our
business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We and our subsidiaries are party to various financing arrangements, commercial contracts and other arrangements
that under certain circumstances give, or in some cases may give, the counterparty the ability to exercise rights and
remedies under such arrangements which, if exercised, may have material adverse consequences.
We and our subsidiaries are party to various financing arrangements, commercial contracts and other arrangements, such as
securitization transactions, derivatives transactions, funding facilities, and agreements to purchase or sell loans, leases or other
assets, that give, or in some cases may give, the counterparty the ability to exercise rights and remedies upon the occurrence of
certain events. Such events may include a material adverse effect or material adverse change (or similar event), a breach of
representations or warranties, a failure to disclose material information, a breach of covenants, certain insolvency events, a
default under certain specified other obligations, or a failure to comply with certain financial covenants. The counterparty could
have the ability, depending on the arrangement, to, among other things, require early repayment of amounts owed by us or our
subsidiaries and in some cases payment of penalty amounts, or require the repurchase of assets previously sold to the
counterparty. Additionally, a default under financing arrangements or derivatives transactions that exceed a certain size
threshold in the aggregate may also cause a cross-default under instruments governing our other financing arrangements or
derivatives transactions. If the ability of any counterparty to exercise such rights and remedies is triggered and we are
unsuccessful in avoiding or minimizing the adverse consequences discussed above, such consequences could have a material
adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We may be exposed to risk of environmental liability or claims for negligence, property damage, or personal injury
when we take title to properties or lease certain equipment.
In the course of our business, we may foreclose on and take title to real estate that contains or was used in the manufacture or
processing of hazardous materials or that is subject to other environmental risks. In addition, we may lease equipment to our
customers that is used to mine, develop, process, or transport hazardous materials. As a result, we could be subject to
environmental liabilities or claims for negligence, property damage, or personal injury with respect to these properties or
equipment. We may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation,
and clean-up costs incurred by these parties in connection with environmental contamination, accidents or other hazardous
risks, or may be required to investigate or clean up hazardous or toxic substances or chemical releases at a property. The costs
associated with investigation or remediation activities could be substantial. In addition, if we are the owner or former owner of a
contaminated site or equipment involved in a hazardous incident, we may be subject to common law claims by third parties
based on damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination, property damage, personal injury or other hazardous
risks emanating from the property or related to the equipment. If we become subject to significant environmental liabilities or
claims for negligence, property damage, or personal injury, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely
affected.
We rely on our systems, employees, and certain third party vendors and service providers in conducting our
operations, and certain failures, including internal or external fraud, operational errors, systems malfunctions,
disasters, or terrorist activities, could materially adversely affect our operations.
We are exposed to many types of operational risk, including the risk of fraud by employees and outsiders, clerical and
recordkeeping errors, and computer or telecommunications systems malfunctions. Our businesses depend on our ability to
process a large number of increasingly complex transactions. If any of our operational, accounting, or other data processing
systems fail or have other significant shortcomings (including intrusion into or degradation of systems or technology by cyber
attackers), we could be materially adversely affected. We are similarly dependent on our employees. We could be materially
adversely affected if one of our employees causes a significant operational break-down or failure, either as a result of human
error or intentional sabotage or fraudulent manipulation of our operations or systems. Third parties with which we do business,
including vendors that provide internet access, portfolio servicing, deposit products, or security solutions for our operations,
could also be sources of operational and information security risk to us, including from breakdowns, failures, capacity constraints
We may also be subject to disruptions of our operating systems arising from events that are wholly or partially beyond our
control, which may include, for example, electrical or telecommunications outages, natural or man-made disasters, such as fires,
earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, or tornados, disease pandemics, or events arising from local or regional politics, including
terrorist acts or international hostilities. Such disruptions may give rise to losses in service to clients and loss or liability to us. In
addition, there is the risk that our controls and procedures as well as business continuity and data security systems prove to be
inadequate. The computer systems and network systems we and others use could be vulnerable to unforeseen problems. These
problems may arise in both our internally developed systems and the systems of third-party hardware, software, and service
providers. Any such failure could affect our operations and could materially adversely affect our results of operations by requiring
us to expend significant resources to correct the defect, as well as by exposing us to litigation or losses not covered by
insurance. The adverse impact of disasters, terrorist activities, or international hostilities also could be increased to the extent
that there is a lack of preparedness on the part of national or regional emergency responders or on the part of other
organizations and businesses that we deal with, particularly those that we depend upon but have no control over.
Our framework for managing risks may not be effective in mitigating risk and loss.
Our risk management framework seeks to mitigate risk and loss. We have established processes and procedures intended to
identify, measure, monitor, report, analyze, and mitigate the types of risk to which we are subject, including liquidity risk, credit
risk, market risk, interest rate risk, legal and compliance risk, strategic risk, reputational risk, and operational risk related to our
employees, systems and vendors, among others. Any system of control and any system to reduce risk exposure, however well
designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that
the objectives of the system are met.
A failure in our internal controls or our systems or strategies to mitigate risk could have a significant negative impact not only on
our earnings, but also our reputation with customers, regulators and investors, which is critical to our ability to attract and retain
customers and highly-skilled management and employees. Our reputation can be damaged as a result of any number of
circumstances, including, among others, employee misconduct, regulatory action or litigation. Moreover, whereas negative public
opinion once was primarily driven by adverse news coverage in traditional media, the advent and expansion of social media
creates the potential for rapid and widespread dissemination of inaccurate, misleading, or false information that could damage
our reputation and affect our ability to attract and retain customers and employees.
If our risk management framework proves ineffective, we may not be able to effectively mitigate our risk exposures in particular
market environments or against particular types of risk, and we could incur litigation, negative regulatory consequences,
reputational damages or other adverse consequences and we could suffer unexpected losses that may affect our financial
condition or results of operations.
See the “Risk Management” section of the MD&A for additional discussion of our risk management framework and related risks.
We and/or our affiliates are involved from time to time in information-gathering requests, investigations and
proceedings by various governmental regulatory agencies and law enforcement authorities, as well as self-regulatory
agencies.
We and/or our affiliates are involved from time to time in information-gathering requests, reviews, investigations and proceedings
(both formal and informal) by governmental regulatory agencies and law enforcement authorities, as well as self-regulatory
agencies, regarding our customers and businesses. Because our businesses are complex and subject to continuing change, and
because they are subject to extensive regulation by federal, state and foreign authorities, the outcome of any of these requests,
reviews, investigations and proceedings and their impact on us can be difficult to predict. In addition, a violation of law or
regulation by another financial institution may give rise to an inquiry or investigation by regulators or other authorities of the same
or similar practices by us. For example, an event of improper sales practices at other financial institutions, including the opening
of fraudulent customer accounts, has prompted close scrutiny of consumer banking practices by regulators and the media.
Moreover, the complexity of the federal and state regulatory and enforcement regimes in the U.S. means that a single event or
topic may give rise to numerous and overlapping investigations and regulatory proceedings. Such matters may result in material
adverse consequences, including without limitation, adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions or other
actions, amendments and/or restatements of our SEC filings and/or financial statements, as applicable, and/or determinations of
material weaknesses in our disclosure controls and procedures.
There has been a trend of large settlements with governmental agencies that may adversely affect the outcomes for other
financial institutions, to the extent they are used as a template for other settlements in the future. In some cases, governmental
authorities have required criminal pleas or other extraordinary terms as part of such settlements with other financial institutions.
The uncertain regulatory enforcement environment makes it difficult to estimate probable losses, which can lead to substantial
disparities between legal reserves and actual settlements or penalties.
We continually encounter technological change, and if we are unable to implement new or upgraded technology when
required, it may have a material adverse effect on our business.
The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introduction of new
technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions
to better serve customers and to reduce costs. Our continued success depends, in part, upon our ability to address the needs of
our customers by using technology to provide products and services that satisfy customer demands and create efficiencies in
Information security risks, including privacy risk for large financial institutions such as CIT, have generally increased in recent
years, in part because of the proliferation of new technologies, the use of the Internet and telecommunications technologies to
conduct financial transactions, and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists, activists,
and other external parties, some of which may be linked to terrorist organizations or hostile foreign governments. Our operations
rely on the secure processing, transmission and storage of confidential information in our computer systems and networks. Our
businesses rely on our digital technologies, computer and email systems, software, and networks to conduct their operations.
Our technologies, systems, networks, and our customers' devices may become the target of cyber-attacks or information
security breaches that could result in the unauthorized release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of CIT's or our
customers' confidential, proprietary and other information, including personally identifiable information of our customers and
employees, or otherwise disrupt CIT's or its customers' or other third parties' business operations.
In recent years, there have been several well-publicized attacks on various companies, including in the retail, financial services,
media and entertainment, social media, and other industries, and personal, proprietary, and public e-mail systems in which the
perpetrators gained unauthorized access to confidential information and customer data, often through the introduction of
computer viruses or malware, cyber-attacks, phishing, social engineering, or other means. Recently, there have also been a
series of Business Email Compromise (“BEC”) incidents on public companies. In a BEC incident, fraudsters use spoofed or
compromised email accounts to trick an organization’s personnel into effectuating wire transfers to financial accounts controlled
by the fraudsters. Even if not directed at CIT specifically, attacks on other entities with whom we do business or on whom we
otherwise rely or attacks on financial or other institutions important to the overall functioning of the financial system could
adversely affect, directly or indirectly, aspects of our business.
Since January 1, 2016, we have not experienced any material information security breaches involving either proprietary or
customer information. However, if we experience cyber-attacks or other information security breaches in the future, either the
Company or its customers may suffer material losses. While CIT maintains insurance coverage that may, subject to policy terms
and conditions, including significant deductibles, cover certain aspects of cyber risk, such insurance coverage may be insufficient
to cover all losses. Our risk and exposure to these matters remains heightened because of, among other things, the evolving
nature of these threats, the risk that protective measures in place, despite their sophistication, may be defeated, the prominent
size and scale of CIT and its role in the financial services industry, our plans to continue to implement our online banking
channel strategies and develop additional remote connectivity solutions to serve our customers (including on-line and mobile
applications), our geographic footprint, the outsourcing of some of our business operations, and the continued uncertain global
economic environment. As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to
continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and mitigate any information security vulnerabilities. The
inherent limitations in investigating and remediating an information security incident could also further increase the cost and
consequences of such incident. We expect that any investigation of an information security incident would be inherently
unpredictable and that there would be some passage of time before the completion of any investigation and before full and
reliable information is available to us. During such time we may not know the extent of any harm to us or our customers, or how
best to remediate the incident, and certain errors or actions could be repeated and compounded before they are discovered and
remediated.
Disruptions or failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support our businesses and customers, or cyber-
attacks or security breaches of the networks, systems or devices that our customers use to access our products and services, or
a failure to adequately disclose such disruptions, failures, cyber-attacks, or security breaches to our customers, suppliers, or
vendors or to the financial markets, could result in customer attrition, regulatory fines, penalties or intervention, reputational
damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, remediation costs, including preventative costs, and/or additional
compliance costs, any of which could materially adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.
Certain operations are concentrated in Southern California, and changes in the local economy, or natural or man-made
disasters, could adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.
CIT Bank’s branch network and the majority of the Company’s consumer mortgage loans are concentrated in Southern
California. As a result, local economic conditions significantly affect the demand for mortgage loans, the ability of borrowers to
repay these loans and the value of the collateral securing these loans, and changes in the economic conditions in Southern
California could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Furthermore, our consumer mortgage loans are typically collateralized by the underlying property, primarily single family homes.
A natural disaster, particularly wildfires or earthquakes, or a man-made disaster, including acts of terrorism, in Southern
California could adversely affect the value of collateral underlying our mortgage loans or otherwise affect our borrowers’ ability to
repay their loans, or could disrupt CIT Bank’s operations. The severity and impact of earthquakes, wildfires and other natural
disasters are difficult to predict and may be exacerbated by global climate change. Any of these events could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
See the “Business Segments – Consumer Banking” section of Item 1. Business Overview for additional discussion of our
consumer banking business and related risks.
Item 2. Properties
CIT primarily operates in North America. CIT occupies approximately 1.6 million square feet of space, which includes office
space and our branch network, the majority of which is leased.
For more information about pending legal proceedings, including an estimate of certain reasonably possible losses in excess of
reserved amounts, see Note 21 — Contingencies.
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information — CIT's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "CIT."
Holders of Common Stock — As of February 8, 2019, there were 45,749 beneficial holders of common stock.
Dividends — Dividend information is included in the Capital section of Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Shareholder Return — The following graph shows the annual cumulative total shareholder return for common stock during the
period from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2018. The chart also shows the cumulative returns of the S&P 500 Index and
S&P Banks Index for the same period. The comparison assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2013. Each of the indices
shown assumes that all dividends paid were reinvested.
$200
$150
$100
$50
$0
12/31/2013 12/31/2014 12/31/2015 12/31/2016 12/31/2017 12/31/2018
CIT S&P 500 S&P Banks S&P Financials
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans — Our CIT Group Inc. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan
was approved by shareholders in 2016, and replaced the Amended and Restated CIT Group Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (the
“Prior Plan”). The Prior Plan was approved by the Bankruptcy Court in 2009 and did not require shareholder approval. No new
equity awards may be granted under the Prior Plan. Equity awards associated with these plans are presented in the following
table.
Weighted- Number of Securities
Number of Securities Average Remaining Available
to be Issued Upon Exercise Price of for Future Issuance
Exercise of Outstanding Under Equity
Outstanding Options Options Compensation Plans
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders or the Court N/A N/A 4,639,054*
* Excludes 2,159,435 shares underlying outstanding awards granted to employees and/or directors that are unvested and/or unsettled.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities — Details of the repurchases of our common stock during the three months ended
December 31, 2018, are included in the following table:
Total Number of Shares Maximum Number of
Total Number Purchased as Part of Shares that May Yet be
of Shares Average Price Publicly Announced Purchased Under the
Purchased Paid Per Share Plans or Programs Plans or Programs
October 1 - 31, 2018 4,982,338 $ 48.58 4,982,338 —
November 1 - 30, 2018 4,693,162 $ 46.26 4,693,162 —
December 1 - 31, 2018 — $ — — —
Total Purchases 9,675,500 —
During 2018, we purchased $1.6 billion (inclusive of the amount in the above table) of common stock via an equity tender offer
and open market repurchases. The above purchases completed the $750 million common equity capital return approved by the
Board of Directors in June 2018. Securities purchased information is included in the Capital section of Item 7. Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
As disclosed in Note 29 – Subsequent Events to Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, on January 28, 2019,
CIT received a “non-objection” from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to CIT’s plan for a common equity capital return of
up to $450 million through September 2019. The Company’s Board of Directors has approved the capital return.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities — There were no sales of common stock during 2018, 2017 and 2016. There were
issuances of common stock under equity compensation plans and an employee stock purchase plan, both of which are subject
to registration statements.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Quantitative and Qualitative
Disclosures about Market Risk ("MD&A") contains financial terms that are relevant to our business, and a Glossary of key terms
is included at the end of Item 1. Business Overview. Management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures in this MD&A in its
analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measurements" for a
reconciliation of these financial measures to comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
Throughout this MD&A we reference "Notes" to our financial statements. These Notes are included in Item 8. Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data.
The following table summarizes the Company’s results in accordance with GAAP as included in the Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Income. We also provide results that are not in accordance with GAAP, and are reconciled to GAAP in the "Non-
GAAP Financial Measurements" section at the end of this MD&A.
Net income available to common shareholders and net income available to common shareholders excluding noteworthy items1
were down from 2017. While the trends reflected the results from continuing operations described below, the decline was also
affected by the loss in discontinued operations in 2018, compared to income in 2017, which included income from the
Commercial Air business that was sold on April 4, 2017. Net income available to common shareholders in 2017 was up from
2016, due to significant noteworthy items. Net income available to common shareholders, excluding noteworthy items, was down
in 2017 from 2016, reflecting a full year of operating earnings in 2016 from Commercial Air.
Noteworthy items are discussed in various sections of the MD&A. The 2018 noteworthy items are displayed in a following table,
and noteworthy items for all three years are included in the Non-GAAP Financial Measurements section.
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders excluding noteworthy items1 was $480 million, a decrease
of $24 million compared to 2017, reflecting lower net finance revenue and an increase in the provision for credit losses, partially
offset by higher other non-interest income, lower operating expenses and lower tax rate. Period end loans and leases at
December 31, 2018, were down slightly from 2017, reflecting the sales of NACCO and the reverse mortgage portfolio, along with
run-off of LCM and NSP, which were partially offset by increased new business volume.
1 Net income available to common shareholders excluding noteworthy items and income from continuing operations available to common
shareholders excluding noteworthy items are non-GAAP measures; see “Non-GAAP Financial Measurements” for a reconciliation of non-GAAP
to GAAP financial information.
The results per diluted common share also reflect the decline in the average number of diluted common shares outstanding due
to the repurchase of more than 31 million shares during 2018 and more than 71 million shares in 2017.
The following table reflects the impact of noteworthy items on our GAAP results for the year ended December 31, 2018. See
similar reconciliations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 in the Non-GAAP Financial Measurements section.
Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2018 (dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Income from Continuing
Operations Available to Net Income Available to
Common Shareholders Common Shareholders
GAAP Results $ 453.2 $ 3.82 $ 428.2 $ 3.61
NACCO suspended depreciation (18.7) (0.16) (18.7) (0.16)
Gain and other revenues from sale of reverse mortgage portfolio (21.6) (0.18) (21.6) (0.18)
Impairment of LCM indemnification asset 15.5 0.13 15.5 0.13
Release of valuation reserve on AHFS (10.6) (0.09) (10.6) (0.09)
TRS termination charge 52.5 0.44 52.5 0.44
NACCO gain on sale (19.4) (0.16) (19.4) (0.16)
Loss on debt redemption 28.7 0.24 28.7 0.24
Loss on Financial Freedom servicing business - - 13.8 0.12
Non-GAAP Results (certain EPS balances may not sum due to rounding) $ 479.6 $ 4.04 $ 468.4 $ 3.94
STRATEGIES
Our strategies and accomplishments to simplify, strengthen and grow CIT in 2018 were as follows:
Strategies Accomplishments
Maximize Potential • Grow revenues – grow core businesses, enhance fee • 6% average core loan and lease growth3
of Core Businesses revenue, and leverage connectivity among businesses • Divested non-core businesses
• Optimize cash and investment portfolio • New origination volume up 28%
Enhance • Reduce and manage operating expenses
Operational • Invest in and enhance technology • Achieved our $1,050 million operating expense
Efficiency target while continuing to invest in technology
Optimize Funding • Reduce unsecured debt cost • Terminated costly, legacy TRS funding vehicle
Costs • Improve deposit mix to lower cost (relative to index) • Smoothed and extended unsecured maturity profile;
next maturity not until 2021
• Improved credit ratings
• Increased Direct Bank deposits by ~25% and added
over 60,000 new customers
Optimize Capital • Manage, deploy and align capital • Reduced our CET1 ratio from over 14% to 12%
Structure • Target 10-11% CET1 ratio • Repurchased $1.6 billion of common stock
• Increased ordinary dividend by 56%
• Issued Tier 2 capital and further aligned capital
structure with regional bank peers
Maintain Strong Risk • Maintain credit and operating risk discipline • Reduced international and operational risk with
Management divestitures of non-core businesses
• Credit reserves remain strong at 1.59%
• Cash flow lending ~10% of total loan and lease
exposure
2 Net finance revenue is a non-GAAP measure; see “Non-GAAP Financial Measurements” for a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP financial
information.
3 Core loans and leases is net of credit balances of factoring clients and excludes NACCO, LCM, and NSP; see “Non-GAAP Financial
The following chart reflects key performance indicators evaluated by management and used throughout this MD&A, certain of
which are based on Non-GAAP balances as discussed in the Non-GAAP Financial Measurements section:
Capital Management — maintain a strong capital position, while -CET1, Tier 1 and Total capital ratios;
deploying excess capital. -Tier 1 Leverage Ratio; and
-Book value and Tangible book value per share.
Liquidity Management — maintain access to appropriate funding at -Levels of high quality liquid assets and as a % of total assets;
competitive rates to meet obligations as they come due. -Committed and available funding facilities;
-Debt maturity profile and ratings; and
-Funding mix.
Manage Market Risk — measure and manage risk to income statement -Net Interest Income Sensitivity; and
and economic value of enterprise due to movements in interest and -Economic Value of Equity (EVE).
foreign currency exchange rates.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
At December 31, 2018, discontinued operations was comprised of Business Air and residual activity of the Financial Freedom
servicing business (“Financial Freedom”), a former division of CIT Bank that serviced reverse mortgage loans. Financial
Freedom was sold on May 31, 2018 and the economic benefit and risk of Financial Freedom has been transferred to the buyer.
At December 31, 2018, certain assets and liabilities of Financial Freedom remained in discontinued operations, and will continue
to be held in discontinued operations until the required investor consent is received. The sale is described further in Note 2 —
Discontinued Operations.
The Financial Freedom servicing business that was sold included all the operations, mortgage servicing rights and related
servicing assets and liabilities. CIT recognized an after tax loss on disposal of Financial Freedom of $16 million in discontinued
operations, related primarily to indemnification reserves and transaction costs.
The loss in discontinued operations was $25 million in 2018, compared to income of $209 million in 2017, as 2017 income
reflects a gain on the sale of Commercial Air and operations of that business during the first quarter of 2017. We completed the
sale of our Commercial Air business in April 2017 for $10.4 billion and recorded a pre-tax gain of $146 million. The loss from
discontinued operations in 2016 was $665 million, which included losses of $455 million from Aerospace (Commercial Air and
Business Air) and $210 million from Financial Freedom. The loss in Aerospace included an $847 million net tax expense related
to the Company’s decision to no longer assert that it would indefinitely reinvest the unremitted earnings of Commercial Air, while
the loss from Financial Freedom included $191 million after tax of curtailment reserve and other charges.
Business Air loans and leases totaled $54 million at December 31, 2018, down from $184 million at December 31, 2017.
Further details of discontinued operations, along with condensed balance sheets and income statements are included in Note 2
— Discontinued Operations.
The following table presents the average balance sheet and related rates, along with the NFR and NFM.
4NFR,NFM, net operating lease revenue and AEA, and respective amounts excluding noteworthy items are non-GAAP measures. See “Non-
GAAP Measurements” for reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP financial information.
NFR is driven by revenues on loans and leases after considering interest costs, depreciation and maintenance costs on
operating lease assets, and was $1,543 million in 2018, down from $1,606 million in 2017. NFR in both years benefited from the
suspension of depreciation expense related to the European Rail business, NACCO, $27 million in 2018 and $17 million in 2017.
When operating lease equipment is in AHFS, depreciation is suspended, resulting in a benefit to NFR. The impact from
suspended depreciation is further explained later in this section. 2017 also included $23 million in interest expense on
approximately $5.8 billion of unsecured borrowings that had been allocated to discontinued operations but was recorded in
continuing operations following the Commercial Air sale on April 4, 2017, until the redemption of that debt later in the 2017
second quarter. Partially offsetting that cost was $9 million in interest income related to the elevated cash balances for the period
between the closing of the Commercial Air sale and the related liability management and capital actions. NFR excluding the
noteworthy items5 was $1,516 million, down from $1,604 million in 2017, as the increased revenues on average interest earning
assets was offset by lower PAA of $90 million and higher deposit costs.
Compared to 2016, NFR excluding the noteworthy items in 2017 decreased from $1,715 million, primarily due to $83 million of
lower PAA, an increase of negative interest income associated with the indemnification asset (discussed later in this section) and
lower net rental income in Rail, partially offset by higher earnings on the investment securities portfolio.
Revenues generated on our interest-bearing cash and investments are indicative of the rising interest rate environment. The
returns may fluctuate depending on the composition of the investments, interest rates and credit spreads. The average interest-
bearing cash balance and income in 2017 was elevated, reflecting the period between the closing of the sale of Commercial Air
and the related liability management and capital actions.
NFM was down slightly from 2017. NFM excluding noteworthy items4 was down 14 bps, reflecting higher deposit costs from
continued upward market trends, lower PAA and the sale of higher-yielding assets such as the reverse mortgage portfolio,
partially offset by higher interest earned on our loans, cash and investments. NFM excluding noteworthy items in 2017
decreased 11 bps compared to 2016, reflecting the noted drivers of the decrease in NFR and lower gross yields in Rail, partially
offset by an increase in yields on certain loan portfolios and a shift from interest-bearing cash balances to investment securities.
We explain in the Risk Management section that our balance sheet has a moderate amount of asset sensitivity, and it would be
expected that in the rising interest rate environment, we would see the benefit of higher rates on our NFR. However, there are
factors in addition to rising interest rates that have impacted and may continue to impact our NFR, including lower benefit from
declining PAA, rising deposit betas, spread compression, a mix shift in the different types of earning assets, and repricing down
of railcar renewal rates (which are not sensitive to interest rate changes).
AEA decreased from 2017, reflecting the deployment of interest-bearing cash into certain liability and capital management
actions and lower average loans and leases, due to the impacts of the NACCO sale in October, reverse mortgage portfolio sale
in May, and run-off of the LCM portfolio. Core average loans and leases increased 6% during 2018, and declined less than 1%
during 2017.
5 NFR, excluding noteworthy items and NFM, excluding noteworthy items are non-GAAP measures. See “Non-GAAP Measurements” for
reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP financial information.
The composition of our average funding mix reflects increasing deposit funding as follows:
Secured Borrowings:
Structured financings 3% 4% 4%
FHLB advances 8% 7% 6%
These proportions will fluctuate in the future depending upon our funding activities. See Funding and Liquidity section for further
details.
The following table details further the rates of interest bearing liabilities.
Interest-Bearing Deposits and Borrowings — Average Balances and Rates for the Years Ended (dollars in millions)
Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended
December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Average Interest Average Interest Average Interest
Balance Expense Rate % Balance Expense Rate % Balance Expense Rate %
Interest-bearing Deposits
Time deposits $14,075.1 $ 266.5 1.89% $15,413.1 $ 251.1 1.63% $17,981.1 $ 291.1 1.62%
Interest-bearing checking 2,138.7 12.8 0.60% 2,887.7 16.1 0.56% 2,534.8 15.0 0.59%
Savings and online money market
accounts 8,112.0 126.6 1.56% 5,249.4 54.0 1.03% 4,517.4 40.0 0.89%
Other money market / sweeps 4,940.3 54.5 1.10% 5,988.0 52.1 0.87% 6,511.8 48.7 0.75%
Total interest-bearing deposits 29,266.1 460.4 1.57% 29,538.2 373.3 1.26% 31,545.1 394.8 1.25%
Borrowings
Unsecured notes 4,229.3 216.5 5.12% 6,302.3 326.4 5.18% 10,600.5 550.8 5.20%
Other secured and structured financings 1,488.9 61.4 4.12% 2,230.0 75.5 3.39% 4,316.4 144.2 3.34%
FHLB advances 3,332.7 73.1 2.19% 2,675.6 36.8 1.38% 2,865.3 24.1 0.84%
Other credit facilities(1) - 14.0 - - 11.4 - - 19.3 -
Borrowings 9,050.9 365.0 4.03% 11,207.9 450.1 4.02% 17,782.2 738.4 4.15%
Allocated to discontinued operations (226.9) (10.3) (533.9) (105.7) (2,288.6) (380.0)
Total borrowings 8,824.0 354.7 4.02% 10,674.0 344.4 3.23% 15,493.6 358.4 2.31%
Total interest-bearing liabilities $38,090.1 $ 815.1 2.14% $40,212.2 $ 717.7 1.78% $47,038.7 $ 753.2 1.60%
(1) Balance includes interest expense related to facility fees and amortization of deferred costs on unused portions of credit facilities, including
the Revolving Credit Facility and total return swaps.
We remain focused on optimizing our mix of deposits. Compared to 2017, we have increased the percentage of non-maturity
deposits relative to total deposits in conjunction with our strategy to optimize deposit costs through the rate cycle, while working
within our risk management discipline. The table above reflects increased savings and online money market deposits, as we
introduced new products to attract deposits, which contributed to the increased rate. In addition, we reduced sweep accounts
and time deposits in the brokered channel. Along with changes in deposit mix, deposit costs increased due to the impact from
the increases in the market short-term interest rate and competition.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the rate on interest-bearing deposits was up 1 bps from 2016, reflecting our strategy to
optimize deposit costs and improve the quality of our deposits. The change in mix of our deposits reflects our strategy to reduce
the percentage of time deposits relative to total deposits. We increased non-maturity deposits and reduced higher cost other
money market and sweep accounts in our brokered and commercial channels.
See Funding and Liquidity section for tables that reflects period end deposits by type and by channel.
Total Deposits — Average Balances and Rates for the Years Ended (dollars in millions)
Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended
December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Average Interest Average Interest Average Interest
Balance Expense Rate % Balance Expense Rate % Balance Expense Rate %
Interest-bearing deposits $29,266.1 $ 460.4 1.57% $29,538.2 $ 373.3 1.26% $31,545.1 $ 394.8 1.25%
Non-interest-bearing deposits 1,493.3 - - 1,450.0 - - 1,177.5 - -
Total deposits $30,759.4 $ 460.4 1.50% $30,988.2 $ 373.3 1.20% $32,722.6 $ 394.8 1.21%
Borrowing costs increased compared to 2017, reflecting rising rates. The average balance for the unsecured notes was down,
reflecting the full impact of the 2017 redemptions using the proceeds from the Commercial Air sale and the current year
redemptions related to the liability actions associated with the NACCO sale. Borrowing costs in the current year reflected an
increase in FHLB costs, primarily driven by rate increases, and also an increase in the use of this funding source. The weighted
average maturity profile of the combined unsecured senior and subordinated notes is 5.0 years, compared to 3.5 years at
December 31, 2017. The following table presents the significant activity of our unsecured notes in 2018. Amounts reflect par
value:
The following table depicts selected earning asset yields and margin-related data for our segments and divisions within the
segments.
Gross yields (interest income plus rental income on operating leases as a percentage of AEA) in Commercial Banking were up
from 2017. The Commercial Finance increase in gross yields was primarily driven by the benefit of higher short-term interest
rates, partially offset by a decline in PAA. Higher interest recoveries also contributed to the increase. Gross yields in Rail were
down as lease rates continued to re-price lower on average across the portfolio. The Real Estate Finance gross yield improved,
driven by the benefit of higher short term interest rates that more than offset lower PAA and spread compression on new
originations. Gross yields in Business Capital were up, reflecting asset mix.
Gross yields in 2017 compared to 2016 in Commercial Banking were down slightly, driven mostly by the decline in Rail. The
Commercial Finance increase in gross yields was primarily driven by higher short-term interest rates, partially offset by a decline
in PAA. The Real Estate Finance gross yield was down, as the benefit of higher short-term interest rates was offset by lower
PAA. Gross yields in Rail were lower, as lease rates continued to re-price lower on average across the North American portfolio.
Gross yields in Business Capital were up from 2016 due to asset mix.
Consumer Banking’s gross yield was down from 2017, resulting from the sale of the higher yielding reverse mortgage portfolio
and continued run off of the legacy SFR portfolio, both within LCM. Gross yields in the Other Consumer Banking division reflect
the benefit of the higher interest rate environment on new originations and floating rate assets within the portfolio. Gross yields in
LCM were up, due to improved cash flow for PCI loans and lower negative interest income on the indemnification asset, partially
offset by a reduction from the sale of the higher yielding reverse mortgages. NFM in Consumer Banking is higher than gross
yields as this segment receives an interest benefit from the other segments for the value of excess deposits it generates.
Compared to the prior year, the interest benefit increased due to deposit growth combined with an increase in market interest
rates in 2018.
Consumer Banking gross yields were down in 2017 compared to 2016, impacted by lower PAA on mortgage loans in LCM,
some of which is due to ceasing PAA accretion on the reverse mortgages that were transferred to AHFS related to the Financial
Freedom Transaction. The decline in gross yield also reflects higher amounts of negative interest income associated with the
indemnification asset.
The following table displays PAA by segment and division for both interest income and interest expense.
The following table sets forth the details on net operating lease revenues.
Net operating lease revenue, which is a component of NFR, is driven principally by the performance of the Rail portfolio within
the Commercial Banking segment. Net operating lease revenue was down from both 2017 and 2016, primarily due to rail leases
continuing to renew at lower rates and higher depreciation. In 2018 and 2017, net operating lease revenue benefited from
suspended depreciation, $27 million and $17 million, respectively, related to NACCO, which was in AHFS prior to its sale in
October 2018. If the suspended depreciation related to NACCO were included, the operating lease margins would have been
5.70% and 6.14%, for 2018 and 2017, respectively. Suspended depreciation is discussed further below.
Railcar utilization, including commitments to lease, was 98% at December 31, 2018, and improved from 96% at December 31,
2017. Overall lease rates of cars renewing priced down about 15% in 2018 compared to the rates on expiring leases, which,
although better than our guidance, continues to reflect excess capacity in the market. We continue to expect downward
pressure, and anticipate re-pricing to be down 15%-20% on average through 2019, reflecting continued pressure from tank car
lease rates, which are coming due for renewal at a faster pace and at rates that are down from peak levels.
Depreciation is recognized on railcars and other operating lease equipment. Depreciation increases in 2018 and 2017 from the
respective prior year were driven by growth in the non-rail portfolio in Business Capital, which is depreciated over a shorter time
span. Once a long-lived asset is classified as AHFS, depreciation expense is no longer recognized, and the asset is evaluated
for impairment with any such charge recorded in other income. There were no related impairment charges recorded in the
periods presented. Consequently, net operating lease revenue includes rental income on operating lease equipment classified
as AHFS, but there is no related depreciation expense.
See "Expenses — Depreciation on operating lease equipment" and "Concentrations — Operating Leases" for additional
information.
Upon emergence from bankruptcy in 2009, CIT applied Fresh Start Accounting (“FSA”). The most significant remaining discount
at December 31, 2018 related to Rail operating lease equipment ($1.1 billion). The discount on the operating lease equipment
was, in effect, an impairment of the operating lease equipment upon emergence from bankruptcy, as the assets were recorded
at their fair value, which was less than their carrying value. The recording of the FSA adjustment reduced the asset balances
subject to depreciation and thus decreases depreciation expense over the remaining useful life of the operating lease equipment
or until it is sold.
CREDIT METRICS
The following provides information on the provision for credit losses and allowance for loan and lease losses (“ALLL”), as well as
certain credit metrics, including net charge-off and non-accrual loan levels, that management uses to track the credit quality of
the portfolio.
The provision for credit losses was $171 million in 2018, up from $115 million in 2017 and down from $195 million in 2016. The
increase from 2017 reflected higher provisioning for specific loans and the higher level of non-accruals. Asset growth and
changes in portfolio mix, along with portfolio regrading, mostly in the Commercial Finance and Real Estate Finance divisions,
also contributed to the increase in the provision. The decline in 2017 compared to 2016 reflected current market conditions and
net credit benefits from changes in portfolio mix in Commercial Banking, partially offset by charges related to the Financial
Freedom Transaction in 2017. Our assets are primarily commercial and a large part of our consumer loans are carried at a
significant discount, which reduces charge-offs in our LCM division. As a result, the provision for credit losses is primarily driven
by the Commercial Banking segment.
Net charge-offs were $115 million (0.39% as a percentage of average loans) in 2018, compared to $115 million (0.39%) in 2017
and $111 million (0.37%) in 2016. Net charge-offs include $12 million in 2018, $34 million in 2017 and $41 million in 2016
related to the transfer of receivables to AHFS. Absent charge-offs on loans transferred to AHFS, net charge-offs were 0.36%,
0.28%, and 0.23% for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Net charge-offs are discussed and
presented in a table by segment and division later in this section.
Non-accrual loans totaled $282 million (0.92% of loans), compared to $221 million (0.76%) at December 31, 2017 and $279
million (0.94%) at December 31, 2016. Non-accruals are discussed and presented in a table by segment and division later in
this section.
The following table presents detail on our ALLL, including charge-offs and recoveries and provides summarized components of
the provision and allowance:
ALLL and Provision for Credit Losses (dollars in millions)
Years Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
Allowance - beginning of period $ 431.1 $ 432.6 $ 347.0 $ 334.2 $ 339.1
Provision for credit losses(1) 171.0 114.6 194.7 158.6 104.4
Other(1) 3.0 (0.9) 2.2 (9.1) (10.7)
Net additions 174.0 113.7 196.9 149.5 93.7
Gross charge-offs(2) 142.8 137.7 136.6 165.1 126.8
Less: Recoveries 27.4 22.5 25.3 28.4 28.2
Net Charge-offs 115.4 115.2 111.3 136.7 98.6
Allowance - end of period $ 489.7 $ 431.1 $ 432.6 $ 347.0 $ 334.2
Provision for credit losses(1)
Specific allowance - impaired loans $ 21.4 $ (3.3) $ 33.7 $ 18.1 $ (15.3)
Non-specific allowance 149.6 117.9 161.0 140.5 119.7
Total $ 171.0 $ 114.6 $ 194.7 $ 158.6 $ 104.4
Allowance for loan losses
Specific reserves on impaired loans $ 47.4 $ 26.0 $ 33.7 $ 27.4 $ 12.4
Non-specific reserves 442.3 405.1 398.9 319.6 321.8
Total $ 489.7 $ 431.1 $ 432.6 $ 347.0 $ 334.2
Ratio
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans 1.59% 1.48% 1.46% 1.14% 1.83%
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of finance receivable / Commercial 1.90% 1.74% 1.81% 1.44% 1.83%
(1) The provision for credit losses also includes amounts related to reserves on unfunded loan commitments, letters of credit, and deferred
purchase agreements, all of which are reflected in other liabilities. The balances included in other liabilities totaled $42 million, $45 million,
$44 million, $43 million, and $35 million at December 31, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. “Other” also includes allowance
for loan losses associated with loan sales and foreign currency translations.
(2) Gross charge-offs included $12 million, $34 million, $41 million, $73 million, and $43 million of charge-offs related to the transfer of
receivables to assets held for sale for the years ended December 31,2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
See Note 3 — Loans for details regarding the unpaid principal balance, carrying value and ALLL related to PCI loans.
Charge-offs as a Percentage of Average Loans for the Years Ended December 31 (dollars in millions)
2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
Gross Charge-offs
Commercial Finance $ 77.5 0.77% $ 31.3 0.33% $ 62.2 0.57% $ 59.5 0.61% $ 29.7 0.38%
Real Estate Finance 0.2 -% 4.3 0.08% 1.6 0.03% - -% - -%
Business Capital 61.0 0.77% 79.6 1.07% 70.0 1.05% 53.5 0.81% 39.6 0.67%
Commercial Banking 138.7 0.59% 115.2 0.51% 133.8 0.58% 113.0 0.57% 69.3 0.44%
Other Consumer Banking - -% 0.2 -% - -% - -% - -%
Legacy Consumer Mortgages 4.1 0.13% 22.3 0.53% 2.8 0.04% 1.3 0.04% - -%
Consumer Banking 4.1 0.07% 22.5 0.35% 2.8 0.04% 1.3 0.04% - -%
Non-Strategic Portfolio - -% - -% - -% 50.8 5.17% 57.5 2.35%
Total $142.8 0.48% $137.7 0.47% $136.6 0.45% $165.1 0.70% $126.8 0.70%
Less: Recoveries
Commercial Finance $ 4.5 0.04% $ 1.1 0.02% $ 2.1 0.02% $ 3.7 0.04% $ 0.6 0.01%
Business Capital 22.1 0.28% 20.0 0.26% 20.0 0.30% 13.9 0.21% 16.9 0.29%
Commercial Banking 26.6 0.11% 21.1 0.10% 22.1 0.10% 17.6 0.09% 17.5 0.11%
Other Consumer Banking - -% 0.1 -% - -% - -% - -%
Legacy Consumer Mortgages 0.8 0.03% 1.3 0.04% 3.1 0.04% 1.1 0.03% - -%
Consumer Banking 0.8 0.01% 1.4 0.03% 3.1 0.04% 1.1 0.03% - -%
Non-Strategic Portfolio - -% - -% 0.1 -% 9.7 0.98% 10.7 0.44%
Total $ 27.4 0.09% $ 22.5 0.08% $ 25.3 0.08% $ 28.4 0.12% $ 28.2 0.15%
Net Charge-offs
Commercial Finance $ 73.0 0.73% $ 30.2 0.31% $ 60.1 0.55% $ 55.8 0.57% $ 29.1 0.37%
Real Estate Finance 0.2 -% 4.3 0.08% 1.6 0.03% - -% - -%
Business Capital 38.9 0.49% 59.6 0.81% 50.0 0.75% 39.6 0.60% 22.7 0.38%
Commercial Banking 112.1 0.48% 94.1 0.41% 111.7 0.48% 95.4 0.48% 51.8 0.33%
Other Consumer Banking - -% 0.1 -% - -% - -% - -%
Legacy Consumer Mortgages 3.3 0.11% 21.0 0.49% (0.3) -% 0.2 0.01% - -%
Consumer Banking 3.3 0.05% 21.1 0.32% (0.3) -% 0.2 0.01% - -%
Non-Strategic Portfolio - -% - -% (0.1) -% 41.1 4.19% 46.8 1.91%
Total $115.4 0.39% $115.2 0.39% $111.3 0.37% $136.7 0.58% $ 98.6 0.55%
Net charge-offs in 2018 were driven primarily by episodic items within Commercial Finance and Business Capital. The decline in
net charge-offs in Commercial Banking in 2017 reflected lower charge-offs in the energy portfolio, whereas this portfolio
accounted for the increase in 2016 compared to 2015. In conjunction with strategic initiatives, transfers of portfolios to AHFS
elevated net charge-offs in 2017 with charge-offs of $34 million related to transfers to AHFS, of which $20 million related to the
reverse mortgage loan portfolio in Consumer Banking. In 2016, charge-offs of $41 million related to Commercial Finance loans
transferred to AHFS. In 2015, significant charge-offs were recorded on the transfers to AHFS of the Canada and China portfolios
in NSP, along with certain asset sales in Commercial Finance. Charge-offs associated with loans transferred to AHFS do not
generate future recoveries as the loans are generally sold before recoveries can be realized and any gains on sales are reported
in other non-interest income.
The following tables present information on non-accruing loans, which includes loans in AHFS for each period, and when added
to other real estate owned (“OREO”) and other repossessed assets, sums to non-performing assets. PCI loans are excluded
from these tables as the carrying value is based on the estimate of cash flows deemed to be collectible. Accordingly, such PCI
loans are not considered past due or on non-accrual status even though they may be contractually past due.
Non-accrual loans were up from December 31, 2017, driven by various loans across different industries in Commercial Finance.
We did not experience any notable trends in any specific industry or geography. Non-accrual loans in Consumer Banking were
up, reflecting non-PCI loans in LCM, as that portfolio continues to season since its acquisition. Other Consumer Banking non-
accrual loans were up, as that portfolio matures. Non-accrual loans decreased in 2017, reflecting the resolution of Maritime and
Real Estate Finance loans. Non-accrual loans were up in 2016, driven by a $49 million Maritime account and a few other large
accounts in the Commercial Finance division and a large account in Real Estate Finance (all within the Commercial Banking
segment), partially offset by decreases due to portfolio sales of the Canadian and U.K. portfolios in the NSP segment. Our
portfolio is subject to volatility as larger accounts migrate in and out of non-accrual status or are otherwise resolved.
Approximately 58% of our non-accrual accounts were paying currently compared to 52% at December 31, 2017. Our impaired
loan carrying value (including PAA discount and charge-offs) to outstanding unpaid principal balances was approximately 64%
compared to 76% at December 31, 2017. For this purpose, impaired loans comprise principally non-accrual loans $500,000 and
greater and TDRs.
Total delinquency (30 days or more) was 1.3% of loans at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. Delinquency status of
loans and loans held for sale are presented in Note 3 — Loans.
The tables that follow reflect loan carrying values of accounts that have been modified, excluding PCI loans and those in trial
modification.
TDRs and Modifications (dollars in millions)
2018 2017 2016
% % %
Compliant Compliant Compliant
Troubled Debt Restructurings
Deferral of principal and/or interest $ 44.2 67% $ 31.8 95% $ 9.6 99%
Covenant relief and other 43.7 96% 71.7 70% 72.7 95%
Total TDRs $ 87.9 82% $ 103.5 78% $ 82.3 84%
Percent non-accrual 79% 63% 41%
Modifications(1)
Extended maturity $ 43.9 100% $ 35.7 100% $ 95.0 100%
Covenant relief 106.6 85% 260.2 100% 261.1 100%
Interest rate increase 146.7 100% 102.8 100% 138.2 100%
Other 384.4 93% 229.5 90% 216.0 92%
Total Modifications $ 681.6 $ 628.2 $ 710.3
Percent non-accrual 13% 8% 23%
(1) Table depicts the predominant element of each modification, which may contain several of the characteristics listed.
PCI loans, TDRs and other credit quality information is included in Note 3 — Loans.
Rental income on operating leases from equipment we lease is generated in the Rail and Business Capital divisions in the
Commercial Banking segment. Rental income is discussed in “Net Finance Revenues” and “Results by Business Segment”.
Operating lease equipment is presented in Note 5 — Operating Lease Equipment and information specific to our rail portfolio is
presented in Concentrations.
Fee revenues, which include fees on lines and letters of credit, capital markets-related fees, agent and advisory fees and
servicing fees, are mainly driven by our Commercial Banking segment. Fee revenue was down in 2018, reflecting lower capital
market fees in Commercial Finance.
Factoring commissions, which are included in Business Capital, were flat compared to 2017, as higher volumes, driven by an
increase in the technology industry, were offset by a lower average commission rate. Factoring commissions were down slightly
in 2017 compared to 2016 despite an increase in factoring volumes, as a reduction in the mix of higher risk receivables put
downward pressure on pricing.
Gains on leasing equipment, net of impairments corresponded mostly to sales of rail assets, while a majority of the assets sold
relate to equipment in the Business Capital division. The increase in 2018 compared to 2017 reflected higher volume of asset
sales. Asset sales volume was down in 2017 compared to 2016, and 2016 included higher impairment charges.
BOLI income was up, reflecting a full year of income, compared to a little over one quarter in 2017, the initial year that CIT
invested in this insurance.
Gains on investment securities, net of impairments in 2018 were down on less activity. Gains in 2017 mostly reflected gains on
sales of agency mortgage-backed securities acquired with the OneWest transaction that had higher risk weightings, changes in
value of mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) carried at fair value, and to a lesser extent, sales of equity investments that were
received as part of a lending transaction, or in some cases, a workout situation. During 2017, essentially all of the MBS carried at
fair value were sold or matured. 2016 mainly included net gains on agency MBS.
Other revenues included items that are more episodic in nature, such as gains on receivable sales, OREO sales and work-out
related claims, net gains (losses) on derivatives and foreign currency exchange, proceeds received in excess of carrying value
on non-accrual accounts held for sale that were repaid or had another workout resolution, insurance proceeds in excess of
carrying value on damaged leased equipment, and income from joint ventures. Absent the noteworthy items listed below, other
revenues were up in 2018 compared to 2017 due to higher gains on customer derivatives and foreign currency exchange
compared to a loss in 2017. Absent the noteworthy items listed below, other revenues were down in 2017 compared to 2016,
again reflecting a loss on derivatives and foreign currency exchange compared to a significant gain in 2016. 2016 also included
a $22 million equity security sale from a loan workout.
• The Company’s subsidiary, CIT TRS Funding BV, exercised its option to terminate a financing facility structured as a total
return swap (“TRS”) (the “Dutch TRS Facility”) prior to maturity as disclosed in Note 10 – Derivative Financial Instruments,
which required a payment of the present value of the remaining facility fee (the “Optional Termination Fee”). The Optional
Termination Fee and the reduction of the liability associated with the TRS derivative resulted in net pretax charges for the
Company of approximately $69 million in the Corporate segment.
• Impairment charge of $21 million to reduce the indemnification asset (included in other assets) for the amounts deemed
uncollectable within the remaining indemnification period in Consumer Banking. See further disclosure in Note 3 – Loans
(Credit Quality Information section).
• $29 million of income in Consumer Banking related to the Financial Freedom Transaction, primarily a $27 million gain on the
sale of the reverse mortgage portfolio.
• $25 million gain on sale of NACCO in Commercial Banking.
• An $11 million benefit from a release of a valuation reserve related to AHFS in China within the NSP segment.
Noteworthy items decreased total other non-interest income in 2017 by $6 million, all of which is included in other revenues and
as follows:
• A $29 million benefit in Corporate related to the change in accounting policy for LIHTC from the equity method to the
proportional amortization method, which was more than offset in additional tax expense. (See Note 1 — Business and
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies)
• Charges of $27 million, including a $5 million write-down of OREO, a $9 million impairment on reverse mortgage related
assets and a $12 million write-down of the reverse mortgage portfolio that was moved to AHFS, all related to the Financial
Freedom Transaction in Consumer Banking.
• Currency translation adjustment (“CTA”) charges of $8 million, previously reflected in stockholders’ equity associated with
the liquidation of international entities.
Noteworthy items decreased total other non-interest income in 2016 by $207 million, all of which is included in other revenues
and as follows:
• As discussed in Note 10 – Derivative Financial Instruments, CIT Financial Ltd., a Canadian subsidiary of CIT, exercised its
option to terminate a financing facility structured as a TRS (the “Canadian TRS Facility”), which required a payment of the
present value of the remaining facility fee, partially offset by the derivative liability benefit from the reversal of mark-to-
market charges, which resulted in a net pretax charge of approximately $243 million in Corporate.
• Gains on the Canada and U.K. portfolio sales of $46 million in NSP.
• An asset impairment charge of $11 million on assets held for sale and CTA charge of $3 million in NSP.
• A $5 million gain related to the IndyMac venture in Consumer Banking.
NON-INTEREST EXPENSES
Non-Interest Expense (dollars in millions)
Years Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2016
Depreciation on operating lease equipment $ 311.1 $ 296.3 $ 261.1
Maintenance and other operating lease expenses 230.4 222.9 213.6
Operating expenses:
Compensation and benefits 558.4 566.3 585.5
Technology 131.5 127.9 133.7
Professional fees 82.7 132.3 175.8
Insurance 68.3 84.7 96.5
Net occupancy expense 65.6 67.8 71.9
Advertising and marketing 47.6 42.2 20.5
Other expenses 92.0 89.6 137.8
Operating expenses, excluding restructuring costs and intangible asset amortization 1,046.1 1,110.8 1,221.7
Intangible asset amortization 23.9 24.7 25.6
Restructuring costs - 53.0 36.2
Operating expenses 1,070.0 1,188.5 1,283.5
Goodwill impairment - 255.6 354.2
Loss on debt extinguishment and deposit redemptions 38.6 220.0 12.5
Total non-interest expenses $ 1,650.1 $ 2,183.3 $ 2,124.9
Headcount 3,678 3,909 4,080
Net efficiency ratio(1) 54.6% 56.4% 65.5%
Net efficiency ratio, excluding noteworthy items(1) 54.6% 56.3% 57.6%
(1) Net efficiency ratio and net efficiency ratio excluding noteworthy items are non-GAAP measurements used by management to measure
operating expenses (before restructuring costs and intangible amortization) to the level of total net revenues. See “Non-GAAP Financial
Measurements” for a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP financial information and description of the calculation.
6 Other non-interest income excluding noteworthy items is a non-GAAP measure; see “Non-GAAP Financial Measurements” for a reconciliation
of non-GAAP to GAAP financial information.
Depreciation expense is driven by rail equipment and small and large ticket equipment, in the Rail and Business Capital divisions
in Commercial Banking, respectively. Depreciation expense is discussed in “Net Finance Revenue,” as it is a component of our
NFM. Equipment held for sale also impacts the balance, as depreciation expense is suspended on operating lease equipment
once it is transferred to AHFS.
Maintenance and other operating lease expenses relates to equipment ownership and leasing costs associated with the Rail
portfolio and tend to be variable. Rail provides railcars primarily pursuant to full-service lease contracts under which Rail as
lessor is responsible for railcar maintenance and repair. The increase in 2018 from 2017 reflected increased volume from
remarketing cars and pulling cars from storage and sending them into service. Maintenance expenses on railcars in 2017
increased from 2016 on the growing portfolio, with increased costs associated with end of lease railcar returns and higher
Railroad Interchange repair expenses.
Operating Expenses
In 2016, we initiated a plan to reduce expenses and focused on organizational simplification, third-party efficiencies and
technology and operational improvements. As a result of these efforts, we met our goal by the end of 2018 to reduce our annual
operating expense to our target of $1,050 million (before noteworthy items, restructuring costs and intangible amortization) for
2018, as we continue to right-size the organization. We are targeting an additional reduction of at least $50 million over the next
two years, which will be driven primarily by continued organizational efficiencies and digital process automation, along with
rationalization of our real estate footprint. This target reduction does not include the impact from changes in lease accounting
rules.
• Compensation and benefits decreased in 2018 and 2017 reflecting the lower headcount resulting from our strategic
initiatives. See Note 19 — Retirement, Postretirement and Other Benefit Plans in Item 8. Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data.
• Technology costs were up in 2018 as we upgraded various systems. Costs in 2017 decreased from 2016 due to the timing
of anticipated costs. Technology costs in 2016 related to system upgrades and enhancements incurred to integrate
OneWest Bank, charges to write-off certain capitalized IT costs, and the additional regulatory reporting requirements of
being considered a SIFI organization at that time.
• Professional fees included legal and other professional fees, such as tax, audit, and consulting services. In 2017 and 2016,
we incurred third-party costs to assist in improving our capital planning and CCAR reporting capabilities. With the change to
certain regulations in 2018, as discussed in the Capital Management section of “Capital”, CIT is no longer subject to the
same level of regulatory stress testing and capital reporting and planning requirements. The amount in 2016 also reflected
costs incurred for various strategic initiatives, consulting services related to strategic reviews of our businesses, and
continued OneWest Bank integration costs.
• Insurance expenses primarily reflect FDIC costs for our deposits. The decrease from 2017 and 2016 reflected lower FDIC
costs, due to a decline in the assessment base, changes in the assessment variables related to our loan portfolios and the
elimination of the surcharge.
• Net Occupancy expenses were down from 2017 and 2016 as we continued to streamline our operations and closed 6 bank
branches.
• Advertising and marketing expenses include costs associated with raising deposits and marketing programs. The increase
in 2018 and 2017 reflected additional marketing promotions, primarily in Consumer Banking.
• Restructuring costs reflects various organizational efficiency initiatives. Restructuring costs in 2017 and 2016 primarily
reflect strategic initiatives to reduce operating expenses and streamline our operations. The facility exiting activities were
minor in comparison. See Note 26 — Severance and Facility Exiting Liabilities for additional information.
• Intangible asset amortization is disclosed in Note 25 — Goodwill and Intangible Assets, which displays the intangible assets
by type and segment, and describes the accounting methodologies.
• Other expenses include items such as travel and entertainment, office equipment and supplies and taxes (other than
income taxes, such as state sales tax, etc.), and from time to time includes settlement agreement costs, including OneWest
Bank legacy matters. Other expenses were elevated in 2016, which included $27 million of legacy matters (servicing related
contingent obligations and resolution of a pre-acquisition litigation matter) in Consumer Banking.
Our January 1, 2019, adoption of ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), and subsequent related ASUs, will impact operating
expenses in 2019 and thereafter as a result of the following items. Comparative periods prior to 2019 will not be adjusted for
these items.
• On January 1, 2019, we began to record gross operating expenses and other non-interest income for property taxes paid by
CIT as lessor that are reimbursed by the lessees. The gross-up will result in annual incremental operating expenses,
expected to be between $25 million and $30 million, with a corresponding increase in other non-interest income. The annual
impact is dependent on many variables, including, but not limited to, lease portfolio composition, changes in tax rates and
tax assessments, and the terms of our contractual arrangements.
• The new lease guidance has a narrower definition of initial direct costs (“IDC”) that may be capitalized. On January 1, 2019,
we began to expense as incurred certain lease origination costs that were previously capitalized. This will result in increased
operating expenses, estimated to be between $15 million and $20 million annually, caused by lower IDC deferrals, with a
benefit to be recorded to NFR over the life of the lease, as there will be less capitalized costs to amortize. The annual
impact is dependent on many variables, including, but not limited to, lease origination activity levels and the amount of
origination costs incurred.
As a lessee, we do not expect the impact of the new accounting guidance to have a material impact on our non-interest
expenses.
See Note 1 — Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further additional discussion of the new lease
guidance.
Goodwill Impairment
The Company recorded goodwill impairment of $255.6 million in 2017, mostly related to Equipment Finance in the Commercial
Banking segment, and impairment of $319.4 million and $34.8 million in the Consumer Banking and Commercial Banking
segments, respectively, during 2016.
See Note 25 — Goodwill and Intangible Assets in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data and Critical Accounting
Estimates further in the MD&A, both of which discuss goodwill impairment testing.
The losses in 2018 and 2017 related to the tender and early redemption of unsecured borrowings. The losses in 2017 were
driven by the elevated level of redemptions utilizing funds from the sale of Commercial Air. Loss on debt extinguishments and
deposit redemptions in 2016 related to certain secured debt instruments and early redemptions of high-cost brokered deposits.
See the Funding and Liquidity and Note 9 — Borrowings sections for further discussion.
INCOME TAXES
Income Tax Data (dollars in millions)
The Company's 2018 income tax expense before noteworthy and tax discrete items is $178.1 million. This compares to an
income tax expense before noteworthy and tax discrete items of $247.9 million in 2017 and $259.3 million in 2016. The income
tax provision before tax discrete and noteworthy items was lower in the current year, as compared to prior years, primarily driven
by lower statutory income tax rates from U.S. tax reform (21% in the current year compared to 35% in the prior years), partially
offset by a change in accounting policy for LIHTC investments from the equity method of accounting to the proportional method,
and disallowance of FDIC insurance premiums.
The effective tax rate each year is impacted by a number of factors, including the relative mix of domestic and international
earnings, effects of changes in enacted tax laws, adjustments to valuation allowances (“VA”), and tax discrete items. The future
period’s effective tax rate may vary from the actual year-end 2018 effective tax rate due to the changes in these factors.
Included in the tax benefit on noteworthy and other tax discrete items of $13.2 million for the current year was:
• $15.2 million deferred income tax benefit recorded resulting from the release of a VA on deferred tax assets established on
the capital losses generated in the prior year from an equity investment in a wholly-owned foreign subsidiary,
• $14.5 million deferred income tax expense resulting from revaluation of U.S. state deferred tax assets and liabilities as a
result of state tax rate changes,
• $6.9 million deferred income tax expense related to the increase to the deferred tax liability on the Company’s investment in
NACCO, which was sold in October 2018,
• $3.2 million deferred income tax benefit (net of reserve of $1.1 million) recorded for credits recognized related to Research
and Experimentation Expenses,
• $1.4 million deferred income tax benefit resulting from favorable audit resolutions with state taxing authorities on prior year
U.S. state income tax returns, and
• $14.8 million income tax benefit on other tax discrete items and noteworthy items remaining as listed in the “Non-GAAP
Financial Measurements” section.
Included in the tax benefit on noteworthy and other tax discrete items of $315.7 million for 2017 was:
• $177.4 million deferred income tax benefit related to the recognition of a $234.2 million deferred tax asset related to an
equity investment in a wholly-owned foreign subsidiary, partially offset by a $56.8 million VA,
Included in the tax benefit on noteworthy and other tax discrete items of $55.8 million for 2016 was:
• $54.0 million tax expense related to establishment of domestic and international deferred tax liabilities due to Management's
decision to no longer assert its intent to indefinitely reinvest its unremitted earnings in Canada,
• $15.0 million tax expense related to the establishment of VAs against certain international net deferred tax assets due to our
international platform rationalizations,
• $13.9 million tax benefit, including interest and penalties, resulting from resolution of certain tax matters by the tax
authorities related to uncertain tax positions taken on certain prior year non-U.S. tax returns,
• $4.9 million of miscellaneous net tax expense items, and
• $115.8 million tax benefit on the other tax discrete items and noteworthy items remaining as listed in the “Non-GAAP
Financial Measurements” section.
See Business Segments in Item 1. Business Overview for more detailed descriptions of each of the business segments and
divisions therein, and Note 24 — Business Segment Information.
Commercial Banking
Commercial Banking is comprised of four divisions: Commercial Finance, Rail, Real Estate Finance and Business Capital.
Revenue is generated from interest earned on loans, rents on equipment leased, fees and other revenue from lending and
leasing activities and banking services, along with capital markets transactions and commissions earned on factoring and related
activities.
Pre-tax earnings in 2018 included a noteworthy item for the gain on sale of NACCO of $25 million; both 2018 and 2017 included
a noteworthy item for the benefit from the suspension of depreciation expense on operating lease equipment held for sale
related to NACCO of $27 million and $17 million, respectively, while 2017 and 2016 included goodwill impairment charges of
$256 million and $35 million, respectively. Excluding noteworthy items, pre-tax earnings were $493 million, $712 million and
$663 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, reflecting lower NFR in 2018, and higher credit costs compared to 2017.
AEA consisted primarily of loans and leases. AEA was up from 2017, mostly reflecting growth in Business Capital and
Commercial Finance and partially offset by a decline in Real Estate Finance. Rail AEA was flat as new business volume was
essentially offset by the sale of NACCO in October 2018, which consisted of approximately $1.2 billion of leases and loans in
AHFS, including approximately 15,000 railcars. The modest AEA decrease in 2017 from 2016 reflected declines in the
Commercial Finance division, partially offset by increases in the other divisions.
Compared to 2017, new business volume increased, with strong growth in all divisions except Rail. New business volume in
2017 was up from 2016, as increases in Commercial Finance and Real Estate Finance offset declines in Rail and the Equipment
Finance businesses in Business Capital.
Rail serves over 500 customers, including all of the U.S. and Canadian Class I railroads (i.e., railroads with annual revenues of
approximately USD $450 million and greater), other railroads and non-rail companies, such as shippers and power and energy
companies. Our rail portfolio included approximately 116,000 railcars at December 31, 2018, and we had approximately 2,700
railcars on order from manufacturers that had deliveries scheduled into 2020. See Note 20 — Commitments for railcar
manufacturer commitment data and Concentrations for detail on the operating lease fleet.
• NFR in 2018 was down from 2017, reflecting pressure on rental income, as noted below, higher interest expense and lower
PAA, partially offset by the growth in AEA and an increase in interest income from higher interest rates on floating rate
earning assets. NFR in 2017 decreased from 2016, reflecting lower AEA and PAA, partially offset by the benefits from
interest rate increases on the floating rate portfolios and $17 million of suspended depreciation on rail assets held for sale.
• NFM decreased compared to 2017 due to the mentioned decreases in NFR. Pressure on NFM was also driven by continued
lower lease renewal rates on our rail portfolio, as discussed below and in the Net Finance Revenue section earlier in the
MD&A. NFM in 2017 declined from 2016, driven by the NFR declines discussed above.
Consumer Banking
Consumer Banking includes Retail Banking, Consumer Lending, and SBA Lending, which are grouped together for purposes of
discussion as Other Consumer Banking, and LCM. Revenue is generated from interest earned on residential mortgages, and
small business loans, and from fees for banking services.
Pre-tax earnings in each of the years included noteworthy items. Pretax results for 2018 included a net benefit of $8 million in
non-interest income, comprised of a $29 million benefit related primarily to the net gain on the sale of the reverse mortgage
portfolio related to the Financial Freedom Transaction, partially offset by a $21 million valuation write-down to the indemnification
asset for the amounts deemed uncollectable within the remaining indemnification period for certain covered loans in our LCM
portfolio (see Note 2 — Discontinued Operations and Note 3 — Loans). Pretax results for 2017 were impacted by $42 million of
aggregate charges related to the Financial Freedom Transaction ($27 million charge in non-interest income on reverse mortgage
related assets and $15 million of charge-offs in the provision for credit losses related to the transfer of the reverse mortgage
portfolio to AHFS). Pretax results for 2016 reflected a $319 million goodwill impairment charge, a $27 million charge in operating
expenses from the resolution of legacy items assumed with the OneWest Transaction (servicing-related contingent reserves and
resolution of a pre-acquisition litigation matter) and a $5 million gain in other non-interest income due to the sale of loans related
to the IndyMac Venture. Excluding noteworthy items, pre-tax earnings were $136 million, compared to $49 million in 2017 and
$80 million in 2016. Pre-tax earnings excluding noteworthy items were up from 2017, as the increase in interest benefit received
from other segments for the value of excess deposits this segment generated and lower operating expenses offset lower income
following the sale of our reverse mortgage portfolio.
AEA was down compared to 2017 and 2016. The run-off of the LCM portfolio, a decline in the indemnification asset (due to the
reduction in the related estimated contingent liabilities from servicing activities to zero and an impairment charge), and the sale
of the reverse mortgage portfolio, comprised of loans and related OREO assets of $884 million, were partially offset by new
business volume in the Other Consumer Banking division. Average loan growth in Other Consumer Banking was primarily driven
by increases in residential mortgage lending in the retail and correspondent origination channels. LCM made up $3.4 billion of
the current average balance, with a significant portion covered by the loss sharing agreement with the FDIC related to IndyMac
assets. The indemnification period under the IndyMac loss share agreement ends in March 2019, the benefit of which is
recorded as an indemnification asset. See Note 2 — Discontinued Operations and Note 3 – Loans.
Deposits, which include deposits from the branch and online channels, increased from 2017 and 2016, driven by an increase in
savings and online money market accounts, partially offset by a decrease in interest-bearing checking accounts.
• NFR increased from 2017, due to an increase in interest benefit described above, partially offset by the decline in interest
income due to the sale of the reverse mortgage portfolio, lower PAA as assets mature and run-off of the LCM portfolio. NFR
increased from 2016 to 2017 as the larger benefit from the value of the excess deposits generated offset the higher negative
amortization on the indemnification asset that reduced interest income on loans and lower PAA on loans. NFM reflected
similar trends. There was $46 million (including accelerated PAA of $12 million) of net PAA (PAA less amounts of negative
interest on the indemnification asset) in 2018, compared to $73 million (including accelerated PAA of $14 million) in 2017
and $114 million (including accelerated PAA of $14 million) in 2016.
Income before income taxes for each year includes noteworthy items as we executed on our plan to exit international platforms.
2018 reflects an $11 million reversal of a valuation reserve in other non-interest income due to an increase in fair value of certain
assets held for sale in China. In 2017, the loss before income taxes included an $8 million CTA charge in other non-interest
income related to the exit of international businesses. The 2016 results included a $22 million gain from the sale of the Canadian
Equipment and Corporate Finance businesses in 2016, plus a gain of $24 million from the sale of the U.K. Equipment Finance
business, partially offset by $14 million of impairment and CTA charges. Excluding these noteworthy items, pre-tax earnings
were $2 million, compared to $6 million in 2017 and $23 million in 2016.
The loans and leases at December 31, 2018 were all in China.
Certain items are not allocated to operating segments and are included in Corporate and Other. Some of the more significant
and recurring items include interest income on investment securities, a portion of interest expense primarily related to corporate
funding costs, mark-to-market adjustments on non-qualifying derivatives and BOLI (other non-interest income), restructuring
charges, as well as certain unallocated costs and intangible assets amortization expenses (operating expenses) and loss on
debt extinguishments.
Excluding noteworthy items, there was a pre-tax income of $43 million, compared to pre-tax losses of $30 million and $122
million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Total loans and leases were up 1.2% in 2017 from 2016. Growth in Commercial Banking was led by Business Capital, as
factoring receivables were up, as well as the equipment financing portfolios in this division. New originations in Consumer
Banking partially offset run-off of LCM, which included the reverse mortgage portfolio that was transferred to HFS in 2017. The
2017 increase in AHFS from 2016 reflects the additions of the European rail assets and the reverse mortgage loan portfolio in
LCM.
Total loans and leases trends are discussed in the respective segment descriptions in the prior section, “Results by Business
Segment.”
The following table reflects the contractual maturities of our loans, which excludes certain items such as purchase accounting
adjustments, unearned income and other yield-related fees.
Portfolio activities are discussed in the respective segment descriptions in “Results by Business Segment”.
CONCENTRATIONS
Geographic Concentrations
The following table represents CIT’s combined commercial and consumer loans and leases by geographical regions:
Our ten largest loan and lease accounts, primarily lessors of rail assets and factoring clients, in the aggregate represented 4.6%
of our total loans and leases at December 31, 2018 (the largest account was less than 1.0%).
The ten largest loan and lease accounts were 4.4% and 4.2% of total loans and leases at December 31, 2017 and 2016,
respectively.
The following table represents the commercial loans and leases by obligor geography:
The following table summarizes both state concentrations greater than 5.0% and international country concentrations in excess
of 1.0% of our loans and leases:
Commercial Loans and Leases by Obligor - State and Country (dollars in millions)
Cross-Border Transactions
Cross-border transactions reflect monetary claims on borrowers domiciled in foreign countries and primarily include cash
deposited with foreign banks and receivables from residents of a foreign country. At December 31, 2018, there were no cross-
border transactions with borrowers in any country greater than 0.75% of total assets. At December 31, 2017, amounts in excess
of 0.75% were in the Marshall Islands $502 million or 1.0%. At December 31, 2016, amounts in excess of 0.75% were in
Marshall Islands $667 million or 1.0% and France $1.1 billion or 1.7%.
At December 31, 2018 our total operating lease fleet consisted of approximately 116,000 railcars. The following table reflects the
proportion of railcars by type. Approximately 29,000 leased rail assets are scheduled to expire in 2019. We also have
commitments to purchase approximately 2,700 railcars, primarily freight cars, as disclosed in Item 8. Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data, Note 20 — Commitments.
Operating lease Railcar Portfolio by Type
Total Owned
Railcar Type Fleet (%)
Covered Hoppers 41
Tank Cars 26
Mill/Coil Gondolas 9
Coal 9
Boxcars 7
Flatcars 4
Other 4
Total 100
The Rail division included approximately 31,000 tank cars. The fleet has approximately 24,000 tank cars used in the transport of
crude oil, ethanol and other flammable liquids (collectively, "Flammable Liquids"). Of the 24,000 Flammable Liquids tank cars,
approximately 8,000 tank cars are leased directly to railroads and other diversified shippers for the transportation of crude by rail.
The fleet also contains approximately 9,000 sand cars (covered hoppers) leased to customers to support crude oil and natural
gas production.
On May 1, 2015, the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration ("PHMSA") and Transport Canada ("TC")
each released their final rules for transportation of Flammable Liquids. On December 4, 2015, the Fixing America's Surface
Transportation Act ("FAST Act") was signed into law, which, among other things, modified certain aspects of the PHMSA’s final
rules for transportation of Flammable Liquids. These regulations applied to tank cars transporting Flammable Liquids,
established enhanced DOT Specification 117 design and performance criteria applicable to tank cars constructed after October
1, 2015, and required retrofitting existing tank cars in accordance with DOT-prescribed retrofit design or performance standard.
These regulations also require certain new tank cars to be equipped with "thermal blankets", mandate that all legacy DOT-111
tank cars in Flammable Liquids service (including those used in “High Hazzard Flammable Trains”) be upgraded to the new
retrofit standard, and set minimum requirements for the protection of certain valves. These regulations also require reporting on
the industry-wide progress and capacity to modify DOT-111 tank cars.
Based on our analysis of the PHMSA’s final rules, as modified by the FAST Act, our current Flammable Liquids tank car fleet will
require modification with the vast majority due by 2020 or later. Of the 24,000 tank cars, approximately 5,000 of the cars have
already been modified to be compliant with the PHMSA’s final rules, approximately 15,000 more will be modified, and the
remaining tank cars do not require modification. The cost of retrofitting is capitalized and amortized over the life of the car.
Loan concentrations may exist when multiple borrowers could be similarly impacted by economic or other conditions. The
following table summarizes the carrying value of consumer loans, with concentrations in the top three states based upon
property address.
Cash
Cash totaled $1.8 billion at December 31, 2018, compared to $1.7 billion at December 31, 2017, and $6.4 billion at
December 31, 2016. Cash at December 31, 2018 consisted of nearly $1.4 billion at CIT Bank and $0.4 billion related to the BHC
and other non-bank subsidiaries. The lower balance in 2017 compared to 2016 reflected cash used for the early retirement of
unsecured debt, repurchases of CIT common stock, purchases of investment securities, which are an alternative source of
liquidity, and purchases of BOLI.
Investment Securities
Investment securities consist primarily of High Quality Liquid Asset (“HQLA”) fixed income debt securities and totaled $6.2 billion
at December 31, 2018, compared to $6.5 billion at December 31, 2017 and $4.5 billion at December 31, 2016. In addition, we
have $400 million of securities purchased under agreement to resell, up from $150 million at December 31, 2017. See Note 6 —
Investment Securities for additional information on types of investment securities.
Liquidity Monitoring
The Basel III Rule requires banks and BHCs to measure their liquidity against specific liquidity tests. One test, referred to as the
liquidity coverage ratio (“LCR”), is designed to ensure that the banking entity maintains an adequate level of unencumbered
high-quality liquid assets equal to the entity’s expected net cash outflow for a 30-day time horizon under an acute liquidity stress
scenario. Changes in regulatory reporting requirements resulted in CIT no longer being subject to the liquidity risk measurement
regulations. The Company continues to maintain prudent liquidity management and calculates liquidity stress metrics as part of
its risk management.
Funding sources consist of deposits and borrowings. The period end deposits to total funding ratio increased to 79% at
December 31, 2018 from 77% at December 31, 2017. Unsecured borrowings were 10% at both December 31, 2018 and
December 31, 2017. Secured borrowings decreased to 11% from 13% at December 31, 2017.
See Net Finance Revenue section for a tabular presentation of our average funding mix for the years ended December 31, 2018,
2017 and 2016.
Deposits
CIT offers its deposits through various channels. The period end balances are as follows:
The following table details our period end deposit balances by type:
CIT Bank, N.A. offers a full suite of deposit offerings to its commercial and consumer customers through a network of over 60
branches in Southern California and a national online platform. During 2018, we executed on our plan to grow the online channel
and we grew our non-maturity deposits in conjunction with our strategy to optimize deposit costs while working within our risk
management discipline. Deposits increased, as growth in the online channel more than offset the decline in higher-cost deposits
in the brokered channel and higher beta deposits in the commercial channel. During 2017, we shifted the mix of our deposits.
Deposits declined during 2017 compared to 2016, as the decline in longer duration time deposits and higher cost brokered
deposits, as well as a reduction of certain higher beta deposits in the commercial channel was partially offset by an increase in
High Yield Savings Accounts and online money market accounts. See Net Finance Revenue section for discussion on average
balances and rates.
Borrowings
Borrowings consist of senior unsecured notes, subordinated unsecured notes and secured borrowings (structured financings and
FHLB advances), all of which totaled $8.1 billion in aggregate at December 31, 2018, down from $9.0 billion at December 31,
2017, reflecting lower structured financings and unsecured borrowings. The weighted average coupon rate of borrowings at
December 31, 2018, was 3.92%, up from 3.30% at December 31, 2017, reflecting the issuance of subordinated unsecured debt
and a higher rate environment, and down from 4.20% at December 31, 2016.
Periodically, based on market conditions and other factors, and subject to compliance with applicable laws and regulations and
the terms of our existing indebtedness, including the Revolving Credit Facility and secured and unsecured borrowings, we may
repay, repurchase, exchange or redeem outstanding indebtedness, or otherwise enter into transactions regarding our debt or
capital structure. For example, we periodically evaluate and may engage in liability management transactions, including
repurchases or redemptions of outstanding senior unsecured notes funded by the issuance of, or exchanges of, newly issued
unsecured borrowings, as we seek to mitigate refinancing risk by actively managing our debt maturity profile and interest cost. In
Note 9 — Borrowings we discuss the redemption of the Railcar Securitization in October of 2018, and redemptions of senior
unsecured notes in 2018. In Note 10 — Derivative Financial Instruments we summarized events that included the termination of
the Dutch TRS Facility on November 2, 2018.
There were no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2018, the Company was in
compliance with the minimum guarantor asset coverage ratio and the minimum Tier 1 Capital requirement. See Note 9 —
Borrowings for more information on the facility. As discussed in Note 29 — Subsequent Events, we renewed the Revolving
Credit Facility in February 2019.
At December 31, 2018, the weighted average coupon rate of our unsecured senior and subordinated notes was 5.02%, up from
4.81% at December 31, 2017. During this period, we extended the weighted average maturity profile of the combined unsecured
senior and subordinated notes to 5.0 years at December 31, 2018 from 3.5 years at December 31, 2017.
At December 31, 2018, senior unsecured notes outstanding totaled $3.4 billion and the weighted average coupon rate was
4.89%. The reduction during 2018 in the outstanding balance related to $1.8 billion of debt redemptions and repurchases,
partially offset by $1.5 billion of debt issuance. At December 31, 2017, senior unsecured borrowings outstanding totaled $3.7
billion and the weighted average coupon rate was 4.81%, down from $10.6 billion and 5.03%, as of December 31, 2016. The
reduction during 2017 in the outstanding balance related to the tender for and repayment of approximately $6.9 billion of
unsecured borrowings in 2017, which had an average coupon rate of 5.15%.
The following table presents the significant activity of our senior unsecured notes in 2018 and 2017. Amounts reflect par value.
There was no debt issuance in 2017. For the year ending December 31, 2018, debt extinguishment losses of $38.6 million
primarily related to the unsecured debt redemptions. The unsecured debt redemptions in 2017 resulted in loss on debt
extinguishment of $220.0 million for the year ending December 31, 2017. In addition, $252.8 million of our 5.000% senior
unsecured notes were paid in full at the maturity date in May, 2017.
During 2018, CIT issued $400 million of 10-year subordinated unsecured notes with a coupon of 6.125%, which allowed it to
increase the common equity distribution in accordance with the Amended Capital Plan that ended in June 2018.
At December 31, 2018, the weighted average coupon rate of our unsecured senior and subordinated notes was 5.02%, up from
4.81% at December 31, 2017. During this period, we extended the weighted average maturity profile of the combined unsecured
senior and subordinated notes to 5.0 years at December 31, 2018 from 3.5 years at December 31, 2017.
Secured Borrowings
We may pledge assets for secured financing transactions, which include borrowings from the FHLB and/or FRB, or for other
purposes as required or permitted by law. The debt issued in conjunction with these transactions is collateralized by certain
discrete receivables, loans, leases and/or underlying equipment. Certain related cash balances are restricted.
CIT Bank is a member of the FHLB of San Francisco and may borrow under a line of credit that is secured by pledged collateral.
CIT Bank makes decisions regarding utilization of advances based upon a number of factors, including available collateral,
liquidity needs, cost of funds and alternative sources of funding.
FHLB Advances and pledged assets are also discussed in Note 9 — Borrowings.
Other secured and structured financings totaled $0.7 billion at December 31, 2018, compared to $1.5 billion at December 31,
2017, and $1.9 billion at December 31, 2016. The weighted average coupon rate of structured financings was 3.75% at
December 31, 2018, unchanged from December 31, 2017, and up from 3.39% at December 31, 2016 reflecting increases in
benchmark rates and repayment of lower coupon debt tranches.
The Company’s other secured and structured financings were $0.7 billion and $1.4 billion at December 31, 2018 and December
31, 2017, respectively, and were secured by $2.9 billion of pledged assets at December 31, 2018, and $4.0 billion of pledged
assets at December 31, 2017. Driving the decline, in October 2018, we redeemed all of the debt related to the Dutch TRS
Facility of approximately $465 million, which resulted in approximately $775 million of rail assets becoming unencumbered. At
December 31, 2017, secured borrowings and pledged assets of $250.3 million and $421.9 million, respectively, were related to
NACCO. The secured borrowings were either repaid during 2018 or assumed by the buyer of NACCO. See Note 10 —
Derivative Financial Instruments for discussion of the Dutch TRS Facility.
There were no other secured and structured financings at CIT Bank, N.A. at December 31, 2018, and $74 million at December
31, 2017, which were secured by pledged assets of $146 million.
Credit Facilities
At December 31, 2018, we maintained additional liquidity sources in the form of:
• A multi-year committed Revolving Credit Facility that has a total commitment of $500 million, of which approximately $459
million was available to be drawn. See Note 29 – Subsequent Events, which discusses the renewal of the Revolving Credit
Facility in February 2019; and
• Committed securitization facilities and secured bank lines totaled $1.0 billion, of which $268 million was unused at
December 31, 2018, provided that eligible assets are available to serve as collateral for these facilities.
FRB
There were no outstanding borrowings with the FRB Discount Window as of December 31, 2018, or December 31, 2017. See
Note 9 — Borrowings for total balances pledged, including amounts to the FRB.
Debt Ratings
Debt ratings can influence the cost and availability of short-and long-term funding, the terms and conditions on which such
funding may be available, the collateral requirements, if any, for borrowings and certain derivative instruments, the acceptability
of our letters of credit, and the number of investors and counterparties willing to lend to the Company. A decrease, or potential
decrease, in credit ratings could impact access to the capital markets and/or increase the cost of debt, and thereby adversely
affect the Company’s liquidity and financial condition.
Rating agencies indicate that they base their ratings on many quantitative and qualitative factors, including capital adequacy,
liquidity, asset quality, business mix, level and quality of earnings, and the current operating, legislative and regulatory
environment, including implied government support. Potential changes in rating methodology as well as in the legislative and
regulatory environment and the timing of those changes could impact our ratings, which could impact our liquidity and financial
condition.
A debt rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities, and the ratings are subject to revision or withdrawal at any
time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.
Contractual Commitments
Commitment Expiration for the Twelve Months Ended December 31 (dollars in millions)
At December 31, 2018, substantially all our undrawn financing commitments were senior facilities, with approximately 86%
secured by commercial equipment or other assets, and the remainder comprised of cash flow or enterprise value facilities. Most
of our undrawn and available financing commitments are in the Commercial Finance and Real Estate Finance divisions of
Commercial Banking. The top ten undrawn financing commitments totaled $766 million at December 31, 2018.
See Note 20 — Commitments for further detail.
CAPITAL
Capital Management
With the passage of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act of 2018, CIT is no longer subject to
the Enhanced Prudential Standards of the Dodd-Frank Act, including supervisory stress testing and company-run stress testing
under the Dodd Frank Act Stress Test (“DFAST”) or the capital planning requirements of the Comprehensive Capital Analysis
and Review (“CCAR”). CIT’s capital management is discussed further in Item 1. Business Overview - Regulation, subsections
“Capital Requirements” and “Regulatory Expectations for Capital Planning”.
While CIT was subject to CCAR, CIT submitted and received a non-objection to its 2017 Capital Plan (“Original Plan”), which
included common stock repurchases of up to $225 million for the four quarters ending June 30, 2018, including up to $25 million
of common share repurchases to offset dilution from issuances pursuant to CIT's employee stock plans. On February 1, 2018,
the Company received a “non-objection” from the FRBNY to an amendment to the Original Plan (the "Amended Capital Plan").
The Amended Capital Plan included (i) the issuance of up to $400 million in Tier 2 qualifying subordinated debt (which was
completed in March 2018); and (ii) an increase in common equity distribution of up to $800 million for the remainder of the period
that ended on June 30, 2018. On June 28, 2018, CIT announced that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) approved a common
equity capital return of up to $750 million (exclusive of the quarterly cash dividend). The noted capital returns were completed in
their respective timeframes in 2018.
Return of Capital
During 2018, CIT repurchased 31.3 million common shares for a total of $1,625.0 million in common shares, via open market
repurchases (“OMRs”) and a tender offer, at an average share price of $51.86.
Common and Preferred Stock Dividends
On January 23, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.25 per
common share. The common stock dividend is payable on February 22, 2019 to common shareholders of record as of February
8, 2019. On January 29, 2019, CIT announced that it intends to increase the quarterly common stock dividend by 40% to $0.35
per common share, starting with the 2019 second quarter dividend, subject to approval by our Board of Directors.
We declared and paid the following common and preferred stock dividends:
The Company is subject to various regulatory capital requirements. We compute capital ratios in accordance with Federal
Reserve capital guidelines for assessing adequacy of capital. The regulatory capital guidelines applicable to the Company were
based on the Basel III Rule through December 31, 2018. At December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the capital ratios of the
Company and the Bank exceeded all capital adequacy requirements. The December balances in the following table present
amounts in effect as of that period.
In November 2017, the Federal Reserve Board, together with the OCC and FDIC adopted a final rule effective January 1, 2018
to extend the regulatory capital treatment under 2017 transition provisions for certain items, applicable to banking organizations
that are not subject to advanced approaches capital rules (“Transition Final Rule”). These items include regulatory capital
deductions, risk weights, and certain minority interest limitations. There were no items that exceeded the deduction threshold at
December 31, 2018, for CIT and CIT Bank, therefore balances and ratios were the same for the transition basis and fully-
phased-in basis.
The 2018 off-balance sheet items primarily reflect $3.0 billion of unused lines of credit (largely related to the Commercial Finance
and Real Estate Finance divisions), $2.0 billion of deferred purchase agreements (related to the factoring business within the
Business Capital division), and $0.9 billion of other items. The risk-weighted assets for off-balance sheet items as of December
31, 2018 increased slightly from December 31, 2017, mainly due to increases in rail and other purchase commitments. See Note
20 — Commitments.
Book value ("BV") and tangible book value (“TBV”) decreased during 2018 and 2017, primarily reflecting the capital actions
completed. BV per share and TBV per share increased from December 31, 2017 primarily due to the repurchase of 31.3 million
common shares, which offset the lower BV and TBV, while the increase in 2017 from 2016 reflected the repurchases of
approximately 71.6 million common shares in 2017.
RISK MANAGEMENT
CIT is subject to a variety of risks that may arise through the Company's business activities, including the following principal
forms of risk:
• Credit risk is the risk of loss when a borrower or series of borrowers do not meet their financial obligations to the Company,
or their performance weakens and increased reserving is required. Credit risk may arise from lending, leasing, the purchase
of accounts receivable in factoring and/or counterparty activities.
• Asset risk is the equipment valuation and residual risk of lease equipment owned by the Company that arises from
fluctuations in the supply and demand for the underlying leased equipment. The Company is exposed to the risk that, at the
end of the lease term, the value of the asset will be lower than expected, resulting in either reduced future lease income
over the remaining life of the asset or a lower sale value.
• Market risk includes interest rate and foreign currency risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that fluctuations in interest rates will
have an impact on the Company’s net finance revenue and on the market value of the Company’s assets, liabilities and
derivatives. Foreign exchange risk is the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates between currencies can have an economic
impact on the Company’s non-dollar denominated assets, liabilities and cash flows.
• Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company has an inability to maintain adequate cash resources and funding capacity to meet
its obligations, including under stress scenarios.
• Capital risk is the risk that the Company does not have adequate capital to cover its risks and to support its growth and
strategic objectives.
• Strategic risk is the risk of the impact on earnings or capital arising from adverse strategic business decisions, improper
implementation of strategic decisions, or lack of responsiveness to changes in the industry, including changes in the
financial services industry as well as fundamental changes in the businesses in which our customers and our firm engage.
• Operational risk is the risk of financial loss, damage to the Company’s reputation, or other adverse impacts resulting from
inadequate or failed internal processes and systems, people or external events.
• Technology Risk is the risk of financial loss, damage to the Company’s reputation or other adverse impacts resulting from
unauthorized (malicious or accidental) disclosure, modification, or destruction of information, including cyber-crime,
unintentional errors and omissions, Information Technology (“IT”) disruptions due to natural or man-made disasters, or
failure to exercise due care and diligence in the implementation and operation of an IT system.
• Compliance Risk is the risk that the Company is not in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards of
conduct, which may result in fines, regulatory criticism or business restrictions, or damage to the Company’s reputation.
• Reputational Risk is the potential that negative publicity, whether true or not, will cause a decline in the value of the
Company due to changes in the customer base, costly litigation, missed opportunities, or other revenue reductions or
expense increases.
CIT’s Risk Management Group (“RMG”) has established a Risk Governance Framework that is designed to promote appropriate
risk identification, as well as measurement, monitoring, management and control limits. The Risk Governance Framework is
focused on:
The Credit Risk Management group manages and approves all credit risk throughout CIT. This group is led by the CCO, and
includes the heads of credit for each business, the head of Problem Loan Management ("PLM"), head of Quantitative Strategies,
head of Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, and the head of Credit Administration. The CCO chairs several key governance
committees, including the Corporate Credit Committee (“CCC”).
The Enterprise Risk Management (“ERM”) group provides governance and oversight over asset risk, market risk, liquidity risk,
capital risk, operational risk, information risk, model validation, credit review, and compliance risk. ERM is led by the CRO and
includes administrative reporting lines for credit review and the Chief Compliance Officer.
The Model Validation Group reports directly to the CRO, and is responsible for model governance, validation and monitoring.
The Information Risk Group (“IRG”) provides oversight of the information security and business continuity management
programs. The IRG is an independent oversight function over the Chief Information Security Officer (“CISO”), who is responsible
for developing, implementing, and maintaining an effective information security program. The IRG is responsible for the ongoing
monitoring, testing, and measurement of effectiveness of CIT’s information security program and business continuity program,
as well as job-specific training for employees and contingent workers to create awareness of the programs. The IRG reports
directly to the CRO. The CISO and Head of Technology and Operations Risk reports to the Head of Technology and Operations,
and is responsible for cyber threat intelligence, cyber control programs, business continuity planning and disaster recovery, and
technology and operations risk management.
The Policy, Governance and Control Group is responsible for overarching governance and controls within the risk organization
with oversight of policy, risk appetite framework, and risk identification.
Credit Review is an independent oversight function that is responsible for performing internal credit-related reviews for the
Company as well as the ongoing monitoring, testing, and measurement of credit quality and credit process risk in enterprise-
wide lending and leasing activities. Credit Review reports to the RMC and administratively to the CRO.
Compliance is an independent oversight function that is responsible for assisting senior management, the businesses, and the
other control functions in the management of compliance risk and promoting business behavior that is consistent with ethical
conduct. This group is led by the Chief Compliance Officer, and includes the heads of compliance for each business, the Head of
Financial Crimes Compliance, and the Head of Compliance Management Systems. The Chief Compliance Officer chairs the
Compliance Committee and reports to the Audit Committee of the Board and administratively to the CRO.
The Audit Committee of the Board oversees financial, legal, compliance, regulatory and audit risk management practices.
CREDIT RISK
The extension of credit through our lending and leasing activities is core to our businesses. As such, CIT’s credit risk
management process is centralized in the RMG, reporting into the CCO. This group approves the Company’s underwriting
standards, extensions of credit and material amendments to existing credits, and syndication activity, and is responsible to
ensure the portfolio credit grading, and regulatory ratings are correct. In addition, PLM is a centralized commercial workout
function tasked with maximizing recovery of CIT’s most distressed loans. RMG reviews and monitors credit exposures with the
goal of identifying, as early as possible, customers and industries that are experiencing declining creditworthiness or financial
difficulty. The CCO and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) evaluate reserves through our ALLL process for performing and non-
performing loans, as well as establishing qualitative reserves to cover potential losses, which may be inherent in the portfolio.
Once a loan or lease is deemed to be non-accrual, we evaluate our collateral and test for asset impairment based upon
collateral value and projected cash flows and relevant market data with any impairment in value charged to earnings, via a
specific reserve or charge off.
CIT’s portfolio is governed by Risk Tolerance Limits based on individual loan and lease amounts by borrower as well as product,
industry and geography. RMG sets or modifies the underwriting standards as conditions warrant, based on borrower risk,
collateral, industry risk, portfolio size and concentrations, credit concentrations and risk of substantial credit loss. Using our
underwriting policies, procedures and practices, combined with credit judgment and quantitative tools, we evaluate loans and
leases for credit and collateral risk during the credit decision-making process and after the advancement of funds. We set forth
our underwriting parameters based on: (1) Target Market Definitions, which delineate risk by market, industry, geography and
product, (2) Credit Standards, which detail acceptable structures, credit profiles and risk-adjusted returns, and (3) through our
corporate credit policies. We capture and analyze credit risk based on the probability of obligor default (“PD”) and loss given
default (“LGD”). PD ratings are determined by evaluating borrower creditworthiness, including analyzing credit history, financial
condition, cash flow adequacy, current and budgeted financial performance and management quality. LGD ratings, which
estimate loss if an account goes into default, are predicated on transaction structure, collateral valuation and related guarantees.
The PD and LGD of our borrowers is the framework for our ALLL process.
Commercial Lending and Leasing. Commercial credit management begins with the initial evaluation of credit risk and underlying
collateral at the time of origination and continues over the life of the loan or operating lease, including normal collection,
evaluation of the performance, recovery of past due balances and liquidating underlying collateral.
Prior to extending an initial loan or lease, credit personnel review potential borrowers’ financial condition, results of operations,
management, industry, business model, customer base, operations, collateral and other data, such as third party credit reports,
to evaluate the potential customer’s borrowing and repayment ability. Transactions are graded by PD and LGD ratings, as
described above, as well as regulatory ratings. Credit facilities are subject to our overall credit approval process and underwriting
guidelines and ratings are issued commensurate with the credit evaluation performed on each prospective borrower, as well as
portfolio concentrations. Credit personnel continue to review the PD and LGD ratings periodically. Decisions on continued
creditworthiness or impairment of borrowers are determined through these periodic reviews.
Small-Ticket Lending and Leasing. For small-ticket lending and leasing transactions, largely in Business Capital, we also employ
automated credit scoring models for origination (scorecards) and re-grading (auto re-grade algorithms). These are supplemented
by business rules and expert judgment. The models evaluate, among other things, financial performance metrics, length of time
in business, industry category and geography, and are used to assess a potential borrower’s credit standing and repayment
ability, including the value of collateral. We utilize external credit bureau scoring, when available, and behavioral models, as well
as judgment in the credit adjudication, evaluation and collection processes.
We evaluate the small-ticket leasing portfolio using delinquency vintage curves and other tools to analyze trends and credit
performance by transaction type, including analysis of specific credit characteristics and selected subsets of the portfolios.
Adjustments to credit scorecards, auto re-grading algorithms, business rules and lending programs are made periodically based
on these evaluations. Individual underwriters are assigned credit authority based upon experience, performance and
understanding of underwriting policies of small-ticket leasing operations. A credit approval hierarchy is enforced to ensure that
an underwriter with the appropriate level of authority reviews applications.
Consumer Lending. Consumer lending begins with an evaluation of a consumer’s credit profile against published standards.
Loans could be originated or purchased held for investment ("HFI") or held for sale ("HFS"). A loan that is originated as HFS
must meet both the credit criteria of the Bank and the investor. At this time, conventional (Fannie Mae) and FHA loans are
originated for sale. Jumbo loans and purchased FHA loans are held as a HFI product. All loan requests are analyzed by
underwriters. Credit decisions are made after analyzing quantitative and qualitative factors, including borrower’s ability to repay
the loan, collateral values, and considering the transaction from a judgmental perspective.
SFR mortgage loans are originated primarily through retail and correspondent origination channels. We may supplement
originations with closed loan purchases.
Consumer products use traditional and measurable standards to document and assess the creditworthiness of a loan applicant.
Concentration limits are established by the Board and credit standards follow industry standard documentation requirements.
Performance is largely based on an acceptable pay history along with a quarterly assessment, which incorporates an
assessment using current market conditions. Non-traditional loans are also monitored by way of a quarterly review of the
borrower’s refreshed credit score. When warranted an additional review of the underlying collateral may be conducted.
Counterparty Risk
We enter into interest rate and currency swaps and foreign exchange forward contracts as part of our overall risk management
practices. We establish limits and evaluate and manage the counterparty risk associated with these derivative instruments
through the RMG.
The primary risk of derivative instruments is counterparty credit exposure, which is defined as the ability of a counterparty to
perform on its financial obligations under the derivative contract. We seek to control credit risk of derivative agreements through
counterparty credit approvals, pre-established exposure limits and monitoring procedures.
The CCC approves each counterparty and establishes exposure limits based on credit analysis of each counterparty. Derivative
agreements entered into for our own risk management purposes are generally entered into with major financial institutions or
clearing exchanges rated investment grade by nationally recognized rating agencies.
We also monitor and manage counterparty credit risk, for example, through the use of exposure limits, related to our cash and
investment portfolio.
ASSET RISK
Asset risk in our leasing business is evaluated and managed in the business units and overseen by RMG. Our business process
consists of: (1) setting residual values at transaction inception, (2) systematic residual value reviews, and (3) monitoring levels of
residual realizations. Residual realizations, by business and product, are reviewed as part of our quarterly financial and asset
quality review. Reviews for impairment are performed at least annually.
MARKET RISK
CIT is exposed to interest rate and currency risk as a result of its business activities. CIT does not pro-actively seek out these
risks as a way to make a return, as it does with credit and asset risk, however CIT does look to strategically manage this
inherent risk based on various interest rate outlook scenarios while within the CIT Board approved limits. RMG measures,
monitors and sets limits on these exposures, by analyzing the impact of potential interest rate and foreign exchange rate
changes on financial performance. We consider factors such as customer prepayment trends, maturity, and repricing
characteristics of assets and liabilities. Our asset-liability management system provides analytical capabilities to assess and
measure the effects of various market rate scenarios upon the Company's financial performance.
CIT is exposed to the risk that changes in market conditions may affect interest rates and negatively impact earnings. The risk
arises from the composition of CIT’s balance sheet and changes in the magnitude or shape of the yield curve. CIT looks to
strategically manage this inherent risk based on prescribed guidelines and Board approved limits.
Interest rate risk can arise from many of CIT’s business activities, such as lending, leasing, investments, deposit taking and
funding choices. This risk is a result of assets and liabilities repricing at different times as interest rates change. We evaluate and
monitor interest rate risk primarily through two metrics.
• Net Interest Income Sensitivity (“NII Sensitivity”), which measures the net impact of hypothetical changes in interest rates on
forecasted NFR, for our interest rate sensitive assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet instruments, assuming a static
balance sheet over a twelve month period; and
• Economic Value of Equity Sensitivity (“EVE Sensitivity"), which measures the net impact of these hypothetical changes on
the value of equity by assessing the economic value of assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet instruments.
The composition of our interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities generally results in a net asset-sensitive position,
concentrated at the short end of the yield curve, mostly driven by moves in LIBOR, whereby our assets will reprice faster than
our liabilities. Our interest rate sensitive assets generally consist of interest-bearing cash, investment securities and commercial
and consumer loans. Approximately 50% of our loans are indexed to either 1-month LIBOR, 3-month LIBOR, or the PRIME rate.
Our funding sources consist mainly of non-maturity deposits and time deposits generated through a number of sources,
including CIT Bank’s online deposit platform, CIT Bank’s retail branch network in Southern California, deposit brokers and our
commercial business segment, as well as wholesale funding (unsecured and secured debt) and FHLB advances. Our funding
mix consists of time deposits and unsecured debt which are fixed-rate, secured debt which is a mix of fixed and floating rate, and
other deposits whose rates vary based on the market environment and competition.
At December 31, 2018, deposits totaled approximately $31 billion. The deposit rates we offer can be influenced by market
conditions and competitive factors. Deposit beta represents the correlation, or relative rate change, between changes in the
rates paid by CIT Bank to changes in overall market interest rates, with percentages below 100% indicating that CIT Bank’s
rates are changing more slowly than market rates. Since the FRB began to raise rates in December 2015, cumulative deposit
beta on total deposits is 23%. Cumulative deposit beta on total deposits is approximately 45% over the last 12 months.
The market’s view on rate hikes has been shifting, and even if the FRB does not increase rates in 2019, we expect deposit rates
to continue to trend up, reflecting the recent increase in our online savings account rate, as well as higher time deposit costs,
both in response to the competitive landscape and our deposit needs to support balance sheet growth. We are currently
projecting the cumulative deposit beta through 2019 to be 40-50%, with the majority of the increase expected in the first half of
the year. Ultimately, market rates and asset growth will be the key drivers of deposit costs, and we remain focused on optimizing
those costs through targeted marketing strategies and disciplined pricing strategies. Changes in interest rates, expectations
about loan volumes and expected funding needs, as well as actions by competitors, can affect our deposit taking activities and
deposit pricing. In a changing rate environment, we may need to react appropriately to renew maturing time deposits or attract
new deposits. We regularly test the effect of deposit rate changes on our margins and seek to achieve optimal alignment
between assets and liabilities from an interest rate risk management perspective. CIT continues to evolve its deposit strategies
through the interest rate cycle and in response to the competitive landscape. As a result of such changes, management may
periodically revise its deposit modelling assumptions and approaches in accordance with CIT’s governance structure.
The result of an immediate 200 basis point parallel decrease in interest rates as of December 31, 2018 would result in a $179
million decrease from the base case for NII Sensitivity and a $3 million decrease from the base case for EVE Sensitivity. The
result of an immediate 200 basis point parallel decrease was not meaningful for NII and EVE Sensitivity in the prior periods given
the low rate environment prevalent at the time.
The NII Sensitivity and EVE sensitivity results presented above assume that we take no action in response to the changes in
interest rates and includes only impacts from interest rate related influences. NII Sensitivity generally assumes cash flows from
portfolio run-off are reinvested in similar products or cash to keep the balance sheet static. For that reason and others, the
estimated impacts do not reflect the likely actual results but serve as estimates of interest rate risk. NII sensitivity is not
comparable to actual results disclosed elsewhere or directly predictive of future values of other measures provided.
We have modified our presentation in the above table from a percentage of sensitivity in previous periods in order to provide a
more transparent view of the simulation’s impact from rate changes on interest sensitive assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet
instruments. We have also refined the simulation to remove NII sensitivity related to rail operating leases as the re-pricing of
these assets do not exhibit a correlation to the movement in interest rates and instead are primarily driven by other factors that
impact supply and demand of railcars. While rail assets comprise almost 20% of our AEA, this change had a minimal impact on
the dollar sensitivity. See the net operating lease revenue discussion in the NFR section of MD&A for additional information on
rail operating lease re-pricing. The prior period numbers have been conformed to the current period presentation.
As of December 31, 2018, the NII Sensitivity changes from December 31, 2017 (see table above) reflect several factors,
including strategic changes in balance sheet composition resulting from the liability actions associated with the sales of NACCO
and our reverse mortgage portfolio. Other changes include migration of cash to securities over the year and shift in our customer
deposits to savings and online money market accounts as we continue to execute on our strategy to reduce reliance on time
deposits.
Changes in EVE Sensitivity reflect a shift in the composition of our balance sheet primarily from the aforementioned asset sales
and liability actions, as well as the strategic shift in deposit composition towards our newer non-maturity savings products.
Additional changes resulted from modeling refinements during the year which now allow for the identification and measurement
of mortgage convexity.
As detailed above, NII Sensitivity is positive with respect to an increase in interest rates. This position is primarily driven by our
floating rate loan portfolio, which re-prices frequently, and interest-bearing cash. On a net basis, we generally have more
floating/re-pricing interest sensitive assets than liabilities in the near term. As a result, the interest rate risk sensitivity of our
current portfolio is more impacted by moves in short-term interest rates in the near term. Therefore, our NFR associated with the
interest rate sensitive assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet items may increase if short-term interest rates rise, or decrease if
short-term interest rates decline. However, changes would also be impacted by factors beyond interest rates, such as changes
in balance sheet composition, spread compression or expansion and deviations from modelled deposit betas. In addition, re-
pricing of our non-interest rate sensitive assets (in particular the rail operating leases) will impact NFR.
Market-implied forward rates over the future twelve months are used to determine a base interest rate scenario for the net
interest income projection for the base case. This base projection is compared with those calculated under varying interest rate
scenarios to arrive at NII Sensitivity. Though there are many assumptions that affect the estimates for NII Sensitivity, those
pertaining to deposit pricing, deposit mix and overall balance sheet composition are particularly impactful. Management
continually evaluates the impact to its sensitivity analysis of these key assumptions.
EVE Sensitivity supplements net interest income simulation and sensitivity analysis as it estimates risk exposures beyond a
twelve month horizon. EVE Sensitivity modeling measures the extent to which the economic value of assets, liabilities and off-
balance sheet instruments may change in response to a change in interest rates. EVE Sensitivity is calculated by subjecting the
balance sheet to different rate shocks, measuring the net value of assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet instruments, and
comparing those amounts with the EVE in base case calculated using a market-based forward interest rate curve. The
methodology with which the operating lease assets are assessed in the EVE Sensitivity results in the table above reflects the
existing contractual rental cash flows and the expected residual value at the end of the existing contract term.
NII Sensitivity and EVE Sensitivity limits have been set and are monitored for certain of the key scenarios. We manage the
exposure to changes in NII Sensitivity and EVE Sensitivity in accordance with our risk appetite and within Board approved limits.
We use results of our various interest rate risk analyses to formulate asset and liability management (“ALM”) strategies, in
coordination with the Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”), in order to achieve the desired risk profile, while managing our
objectives for capital adequacy and liquidity risk exposures. Specifically, we may manage our interest rate risk position through
certain pricing strategies for loans and deposits, our investment strategy, issuing term debt with floating or fixed interest rates,
and using derivatives such as interest rate swaps, which modify the interest rate characteristics of certain assets or liabilities.
These measurements provide an estimate of our interest rate sensitivity; however, they do not account for potential changes in
credit quality, size, mix, and prepayment characteristics of our balance sheet, changes in PAA, or changes in the competition for
business in the industries we serve. They also do not account for other business developments that could affect NFR, or for
management actions that could affect NFR or that could be taken to change our risk profile. Accordingly, we can give no
assurance that actual results would not differ materially from the estimated outcomes of our simulations. Further, the range of
such simulations does not represent our current view of the expected range of future interest rate movements.
We seek to hedge transactional exposure of our non-dollar denominated activities, which are comprised of foreign currency
loans and leases in foreign entities, through local currency borrowings. To the extent such borrowings were unavailable; we have
utilized derivative instruments (foreign currency exchange forward contracts) to hedge our non-dollar denominated activities.
Additionally, we have utilized derivative instruments to hedge the translation exposure of our net investments in foreign
operations.
Currently, a portion of our non-dollar denominated loans and leases are funded with debt and equity infusions from the parent.
The parent funds the subsidiary by converting U.S. dollars to the local currency debt and equity which, if unhedged, would cause
foreign currency transactional and translational exposures. For the most part, we hedge these exposures through derivative
instruments. RMG sets limits and monitors usage to ensure that currency positions are appropriately hedged, as unhedged
exposures may cause changes in earnings or the equity account.
LIQUIDITY RISK
Our liquidity risk management and monitoring process is designed to ensure the availability of adequate cash resources and
funding capacity to meet our obligations. Our overall liquidity management strategy is intended to ensure appropriate liquidity to
meet expected and contingent funding needs under both normal and stress environments. Consistent with this strategy, we
maintain significant amounts of cash and HQLA securities. Additional sources of liquidity include the Revolving Credit Facility,
other committed financing facilities and cash collections generated by portfolio assets originated in the normal course of
business.
We utilize a series of measurement tools to assess and monitor the level and adequacy of our liquidity position, liquidity
conditions and trends. The primary tool is a liquidity forecast designed to identify movements in cash and collateral flows. We
use a stress testing framework to better understand the range of potential risks and their impacts to which the Company is
exposed. Stress test results inform our business strategy, risk appetite, liquidity buffer, and contingency funding plans. Also
included among our liquidity measurement tools are risk metrics that assist in identifying potential liquidity risk and stress events.
The Company also maintains a contingent funding plan (“CFP”) which details a series of contingency funding actions to be taken
under liquidity stress conditions. We monitor, assess, and maintain an adequate level of liquidity to meet our cash and collateral
obligations at a reasonable cost consistent with our liquidity risk management policy.
Although the Company is no longer subject to certain regulatory supervision rules, the Company continues to maintain prudent
liquidity management and calculates liquidity stress metrics as part of its risk management.
Oversight is provided by the RMC, ERC, ALCO and the Risk Control Committee (“RCC”).
STRATEGIC RISK
Strategic risk management starts with analyzing the short- and medium-term business and strategic plans established by the
Company. This includes the evaluation of the industry, opportunities and risks, market factors and the competitive environment,
as well as internal constraints, such as CIT’s risk appetite and control environment. The business plan and strategic plan are
linked to the Risk Appetite and Risk Tolerance Frameworks, including the limit structure. RMG is responsible for the New Activity
process. This process is intended to enable new activities that are consistent with CIT’s expertise and risk appetite, and ensure
that appropriate due diligence is completed on new opportunities before approval and implementation. Changes in the business
environment and in the industry are evaluated periodically through scenario development and analytics, and discussed with the
business leaders, Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and RMC.
Strategic risk management includes the effective implementation of new products and strategic initiatives. The New Product and
Strategic Initiative process requires tracking and review of all approved new initiatives. In the case of acquisitions, integration
planning and management covers the implementation process across affected businesses and functions.
CAPITAL RISK
Capital risk is the risk that the Company has insufficient capital to cover its risks, including under adverse and severely adverse
market and idiosyncratic stress scenarios, and to support its growth and strategic objectives. CIT establishes internal capital risk
limits and warning thresholds, which utilize Economic, Risk-Based and Leverage-Based Capital Calculations, internal and
external early warning indicators, its capital planning process, and stress testing to evaluate the Company's capital adequacy for
multiple types of risk in both normal and stressed environments. The capital risk framework requires contingency plans be
defined in the event capital risk limits are breached or a preponderance of warning thresholds are triggered.
Oversight is provided by the Board of Directors, RMC, and the Capital Planning Committee.
OPERATIONAL RISK
Operational risk is the risk of financial loss or other adverse impacts resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes and
systems, people or external events. Operational risk may result from fraud by employees or persons outside the Company,
transaction processing errors, employment practices and workplace safety issues, unintentional or negligent failure to meet
professional obligations to clients, business interruption due to system failures, or other external events.
Operational risk is managed within individual business units. The head of each business and functional area is responsible for
maintaining an effective system of internal controls to mitigate operational risks. The business segments designate operational
risk managers responsible for implementation of the operational risk framework programs. The enterprise operational risk
function provides oversight in managing operational risk, designs and supports the enterprise-wide operational risk framework
programs, and promotes awareness by providing training to employees and operational risk managers within business units and
functional areas. Additionally, enterprise operational risk maintains the loss data collection and risk assessment programs.
Oversight of the operational risk management function is provided by the RMG, the RMC, the ERC and the RCC.
TECHNOLOGY RISK
Technology risks are risks around information security, cybersecurity, and business disruption from systems implementation or
downtime, that could adversely impact the organization’s business or business processes. This includes loss or legal liability due
to unauthorized (malicious or accidental) disclosure, modification, or destruction of information, unintentional errors and
omissions, information technology disruptions due to natural or man-made disasters, or failure to exercise due care and
diligence in the implementation and operation of an information technology system.
Technology risks are managed by the CISO and the Technology and Operations Risk Management (“TORM”) function to provide
reasonable assurance that proper detection, protection, and response are in place to preserve the confidentiality, integrity, and
availability of CIT information and information systems across the organization. In order to do so, the CISO and the TORM
functions utilize a variety of techniques to secure CIT’s operations and confidential and proprietary information, including
monitoring networks, testing, instituting access controls, performing ongoing risk assessments of applications, infrastructure
systems, and third party vendors, and retaining dedicated security personnel to ensure the information security and business
continuity management programs are developed, implemented, and maintained appropriately.
The Company has adopted the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s Cybersecurity Assessment framework for
the identification of inherent cybersecurity risk, measurement of cybersecurity maturity based on the risk profile of the Company,
management and deployment of cybersecurity controls, and is an active participant in the Financial Services Information Sharing
and Analysis Center.
Management oversight of the Information Risk function is provided by the RMG, the ERC and the RCC. The RMG reports
periodically to the Board and the RMC on information security issues, including cybersecurity. The Board actively oversees the
Company’s continuous efforts to maintain and enhance its operations resilience. The Board, through its various committees,
reviews and approves information security policies and programs, including those relating to cybersecurity, security risk
assessment, security strategies, disaster recovery, business continuity and incident response plans. The Board, through its
various committees, is briefed at least on a quarterly basis on information security matters. The CISO conducts training and
awareness programs for the Board to ensure that the Board remains aware and informed on information security incidents and
response plans. The Board or the RCC regularly reviews the Company’s cybersecurity practices, mainly by receiving reports on
the cybersecurity management program prepared by the CISO, risk management, and internal audit.
COMPLIANCE RISK
CIT is subject to a number of laws, regulations, regulatory standards, and guidance in the jurisdictions in which it does business,
some of which are applicable primarily to financial services and others of which are generally applicable to all businesses.
Failure to comply may result in governmental investigations, inquiries, and enforcement actions, legal proceedings, monetary
damages, fines, or penalties, restrictions on the way in which we conduct our business, or reputational harm. To reduce these
risks, the Company consults regularly with legal counsel, both internal and external, on significant legal and regulatory issues
and has established a compliance function to facilitate maintaining compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Compliance has implemented comprehensive compliance policies and procedures and employs Business Compliance Officers
who work with each business to advise business staff and leadership in the prudent conduct of business within a regulated
environment and within the requirements of law, rule, regulation and the control environment we maintain to reduce the risk of
violations or other adverse outcomes. They advise business leadership and staff with respect to the implementation of
procedures to operationalize compliance policies and other requirements.
Oversight of compliance, legal and regulatory risk is provided by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and the ERC.
REPUTATIONAL RISK
Reputational risk is the potential that negative publicity, whether true or not, will cause a decline in the value of the Company due
to changes in the customer base, costly litigation, missed opportunities, or other revenue reductions or expense increases.
Protecting CIT, its shareholders, employees and brand against reputational risk is of paramount importance to the Company. To
address this priority, CIT has established corporate governance standards relating to its Code of Business Conduct and ethics.
The Chief Compliance Officer’s responsibilities also include the role of Chief Ethics Officer. In this combined role, his
responsibilities also extend to encompass compliance not only with laws and regulations, but also with CIT’s values and its Code
of Business Conduct.
The Company has adopted, and our Board of Directors has approved, a Code of Business Conduct applicable to all directors,
officers and employees, which details acceptable behaviors in conducting the Company's business and acting on the Company's
behalf. The Code of Business Conduct covers conflicts of interest, corporate opportunities, confidentiality, fair dealing (with
respect to customers, suppliers, competitors and employees), protection and proper use of Company assets, compliance with
laws, and encourages reporting of unethical or illegal behavior, including through a Company hotline. Annually, each employee
is trained on the Code of Business Conduct's requirements, and provides an attestation as to their understanding of the
requirements and their responsibility to comply.
CIT's Executive Management Committee ("EMC") has established, and approved, the charter of an Ethics Committee. The
Ethics Committee is chaired by CIT's General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Its members include the Chief Ethics and
Compliance Officer, Chief Auditor, Head of Human Resources and the Head of Communications & Marketing Relations. The
Ethics Committee is charged with (a) oversight of the Code of Business Conduct and Company Values, (b) seeing that CIT's
ethical standards are communicated, upheld and enforced in a consistent manner, and (c) periodic reporting to the EMC and
Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of employee misconduct and related disciplinary action.
Oversight of reputational risk management is provided by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, the RMC, the ERC,
Compliance Committee and the RCC. In addition, CIT's Internal Audit Services monitors and tests the overall effectiveness of
internal control and operational systems on an ongoing basis and reports results to senior management and to the Audit
Committee of the Board.
Capital Ratios*
At December 31,
2018 2017 2016
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital 13.4% 13.7% 13.2%
Tier 1 Capital Ratio 13.4% 13.7% 13.2%
Total Capital Ratio 14.7% 15.0% 14.4%
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio 11.6% 11.8% 10.8%
* The capital ratios presented above are reflective of the Basel III Rule for December 31, 2016 and 2017, and Basel III Rule and Transition
Final Rule (effective January 1, 2018 to extend the regulatory capital treatment under 2017 transition provisions for certain items) for
December 31, 2018.
Management believes that the judgments and estimates utilized in the following critical accounting estimates are reasonable. We
do not believe that different assumptions are more likely than those utilized, although actual events may differ from such
assumptions. Consequently, our estimates could prove inaccurate, and we may be exposed to charges to earnings that could be
material.
As of December 31, 2018, the allowance was comprised of non-specific reserves of $423.9 million, specific reserves of $47.4
million and reserves related to PCI loans of $18.4 million. The allowance is sensitive to the risk ratings assigned to loans and
leases in our portfolio. Assuming a one level probability of obligor default ("PD") downgrade across the 14 grade internal scale
for all non-impaired loans and leases, the allowance would have increased by $279 million to $769 million at December 31,
2018. Assuming a one level loss given default ("LGD") downgrade across the 11 grade internal scale for all non-impaired loans
and leases, the allowance would have increased by $155 million to $645 million at December 31, 2018. As a percentage of
finance receivables, the allowance would be 2.50% under the hypothetical PD stress scenario and 2.10% under the hypothetical
LGD stress scenario, compared to the reported 1.59%.
These sensitivity analyses do not represent management's expectations of the deterioration in risk ratings, or the increases in
allowance and loss rates, but are provided as hypothetical scenarios to assess the sensitivity of the allowance for loan losses to
changes in key inputs. We believe the risk ratings utilized in the allowance calculations are appropriate and that the probability of
the sensitivity scenarios above occurring within a short period of time is remote. The process of determining the level of the
allowance for loan losses requires a high degree of judgment. Others given the same information could reach different
reasonable conclusions.
Loan impairment is measured based upon the difference between the recorded investment in each loan and either the present
value of the expected future cash flows discounted at each loan's effective interest rate (the loan's contractual interest rate
adjusted for any deferred fees / costs or discount / premium at the date of origination or acquisition) or if a loan is collateral
dependent, the collateral's fair value. When foreclosure or impairment is determined to be probable, the measurement will be
based on the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell. The determination of impairment involves management's judgment and
the use of market and third party estimates regarding collateral values. Valuations of impaired loans and corresponding
impairment affect the level of the reserve for credit losses.
See Note 1 — Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for discussion on policies relating to the allowance for
loan losses, and Note 4 — Allowance for Loan Losses for segment related data in Item 8. Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data and Credit Metrics for further information on the allowance for credit losses.
Realizability of Deferred Tax Assets — The recognition of certain net deferred tax assets of the Company's reporting entities is
dependent upon, but not limited to, the future profitability of the reporting entity, when the underlying temporary differences will
reverse, and tax planning strategies. Further, Management's judgment regarding the use of estimates and projections is required
in assessing our ability to realize the deferred tax assets relating to net operating loss carryforward ("NOLs") as most of these
assets are subject to limited carryforward periods, some of which began to expire in 2016. In addition, the domestic NOLs are
subject to annual use limitations under the Internal Revenue Code and certain state laws. Management utilizes historical and
projected data in evaluating positive and negative evidence regarding recognition of deferred tax assets. See Note 1 — Business
and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 18 — Income Taxes in Item 8 Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data for additional information regarding income taxes.
Goodwill — The consolidated goodwill balance totaled $369.9 million at December 31, 2018, or 0.76% of total assets, which is
the goodwill associated with acquisitions made by CIT and the excess reorganization value over the fair value of tangible and
identified intangible assets, net of liabilities, recorded in conjunction with FSA in 2009.
Goodwill is assessed for impairment at least annually, or more often if events or circumstances have changed significantly from
the annual test date that would indicate a potential reduction in the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying value. We
performed the goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of 2018, utilizing data as of September 30, 2018 to perform the
test, at which time CIT's share price was $47.38 and TBV per share was $50.02.
Impairment exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. Companies can also choose to perform
qualitative assessments to conclude on whether it is more likely than not that a company's carrying amount including goodwill is
greater than its fair value, before applying the quantitative approach. Based on our annual assessment, no impairment existed.
The determination of the impairment charge requires significant judgment and the consideration of past and current performance
and overall macroeconomic and regulatory environments. There is risk that if the Company does not meet forecasted financial
results, such as asset volume and returns and deposit growth and rate projections, there could be incremental goodwill
impairment. In addition to financial results, other inputs to the valuation, such as the discount rate and market assumptions,
including stock prices of comparable companies, could negatively affect the estimated fair value of the reporting units in the
future.
See Note 25 — Goodwill and Intangible Assets in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for more detailed
information regarding the goodwill impairment test, including details regarding the fair value methodology employed and
significant assumptions used.
The accompanying Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk contain certain non-GAAP financial measures. We intend our non-GAAP financial
measures to provide additional information and insight regarding operating results and financial position of the business and in
certain cases to provide financial information that is presented to rating agencies and other users of financial information.
These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with, or a substitute for, GAAP and may be different from or
inconsistent with non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.
1. Total Net Revenue, Net Finance Revenue, and Net Operating Lease Revenue
Total net revenue is a non-GAAP measure that represents the combination of NFR and other non-interest income and is an
aggregation of all sources of revenue for the Company. The source of the data is various statement of income line items,
arranged in a different order, and with different subtotals than included in the statement of income, and therefore is considered
non-GAAP. Total net revenue is used by management to monitor business performance and is used by management to
calculate a net efficiency ratio, as discussed below.
NFR is a non-GAAP measure that represents the level of revenue earned on our loans and leases. NFR is another key
performance measure used by management to monitor portfolio performance. NFR is also used to calculate a performance
margin, NFM.
Due to the nature of our loans and leases, which include a higher proportion of operating lease equipment than most BHCs,
certain financial measures commonly used by other BHCs are not as meaningful for our Company. As such, given our asset
composition includes a high level of operating lease equipment, NFM as calculated below is used by management, compared to
net interest margin (“NIM”) (a common metric used by other bank holding companies), which does not fully reflect the earnings of
our portfolio because it includes the impact of debt costs of all our assets but excludes the net operating lease revenue.
Net operating lease revenue is a non-GAAP measure that represents the combination of rental income on operating leases less
depreciation on operating lease equipment and maintenance and other operating lease expenses. The net operating lease
revenues measurement is used by management to monitor portfolio performance and returns on its purchased equipment.
Total Net Revenue and Net Operating Lease Revenue (dollars in millions)
Years Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2016
Interest income $ 1,890.4 $ 1,835.6 $ 1,911.5
Rental income on operating leases 1,009.0 1,007.4 1,031.6
Finance revenue (Non-GAAP) 2,899.4 2,843.0 2,943.1
Interest expense 815.1 717.7 753.2
Depreciation on operating lease equipment 311.1 296.3 261.1
Maintenance and other operating lease expenses 230.4 222.9 213.6
Net Finance revenue (Non-GAAP) 1,542.8 1,606.1 1,715.2
Other non-interest income 373.8 364.2 150.6
Total net revenue (Non-GAAP) $ 1,916.6 $ 1,970.3 $ 1,865.8
Operating expenses excluding restructuring costs and intangible asset amortization is a non-GAAP measure used by
management to compare period over period expenses. Another key performance metric gauges our expense usage via our net
efficiency calculation. This calculation compares the level of expenses to the level of net revenues and is calculated by dividing
the operating expenses by total net revenue, as presented below. A lower result reflects a more efficient use of our expenses to
generate revenue. Net efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measurement used by management to measure operating expenses
(before restructuring costs and intangible amortization) to total net revenues. We exclude the restructuring costs and intangible
amortization from these calculations as they are charges resulting from our strategic initiatives and not our operating activity, and
exclude noteworthy items due to their episodic nature and size. Due to the exclusions of the mentioned items, these are
considered non-GAAP measures, as presented in the reconciliation below.
Other non-interest income serves as a source of revenue for CIT. Management monitors the level absent certain items to assist
in comparability with prior period levels. We exclude the noteworthy items due to their episodic nature and size. Due to the
exclusions of noteworthy items, these are considered non-GAAP measures, as presented in the reconciliation below.
Earning asset balances (period end balances) displayed in the table below are directly derived from the respective line items in
the balance sheet. These represent revenue generating assets, and the average (AEA) of which provides a basis for
management performance calculations, such as NFM and operating expenses as a percentage of AEA. The average is derived
using month end balances for the respective period. Because the balances are used in aggregate, as well as the average, there
are no direct comparative balances on the balance sheet, and, therefore these are considered non-GAAP measures.
Certain portfolios within the segments were being managed but were being either run-off or sold. These include a legacy real
estate portfolio, NACCO, the LCM portfolio and NSP. In order to gauge the underlying level of loans and leases, management
will exclude these portfolios when comparing to prior periods. By excluding these from the total of loans, operating lease
equipment and AHFS balances on the balance sheet, this metric is considered non-GAAP, and is presented only to assist the
reader in understanding how management views the underlying change in these asset levels in aggregate. The following table
reflects the average balances for the respective periods.
Core Average Loans and Leases (dollars in millions)
Years Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2016
Total average loans (incl HFS, net of credit balances) $ 28,644.8 $ 28,281.6 $ 30,233.0
Total average operating lease equipment (incl HFS) 7,738.7 7,685.0 7,222.8
Total average loans and leases 36,383.5 35,966.6 37,455.8
Non-core average portfolio, LCM 3,388.2 4,546.2 5,185.3
Non-core average portfolio, NACCO 937.0 1,012.8 822.4
Non-core average portfolios, NSP 39.3 129.8 943.5
Core average loans and leases $ 32,019.0 $ 30,277.8 $ 30,504.6
TBV, also referred to as tangible common equity, return on tangible common equity (“ROTCE”), and TBV per share are
considered key financial performance measures by management, and are used by other financial institutions. TBV, as calculated
and used by management, represents CIT’s common stockholders’ equity, less goodwill and intangible assets. ROTCE
measures CIT’s profitability applicable to common stockholders as a percentage of average tangible common equity. This
measure is useful for evaluating the performance of CIT as it calculates the return available to common stockholders without the
impact of intangible assets and deferred tax assets. The average adjusted tangible common equity is derived using averages of
balances presented, based on month end balances for the period. TBV per share is calculated by dividing TBV by the
outstanding number of common shares. TBV, ROTCE and TBV per share are measurements used by management and users of
CIT’s financial data in assessing CIT’s use of equity. We believe the use of ratios that utilize tangible equity provides additional
useful information because they present measures of those assets that can generate income.
CIT management believes TBV, ROTCE and TBV per share are important measures for comparative purposes with other
institutions, but are not defined under U.S. GAAP, and therefore are considered non-GAAP financial measures.
To provide further information, management included ROTCE calculations, ROTCE calculations excluding noteworthy items and
adjusted for the previously disclosed return of capital of common equity to stockholders from the net proceeds of the Commercial
Air sale.
Non-GAAP income available to common stockholders (from the following non-GAAP noteworthy
tables) $ 468.4 $ 555.1 $ 709.4
Intangible asset amortization, after tax 17.6 16.4 15.7
Valuation allowance - - 15.7
Non-GAAP income - for ROTCE calculation $ 486.0 $ 571.5 $ 740.8
Return on average tangible common equity, excluding noteworthy items and adjusted for
estimated capital adjustment 8.47% 9.04% 11.95%
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to common shareholders $ 453.2 $ 249.6 $ (182.6)
Goodwill impairment - 222.1 347.4
Intangible asset amortization, after tax 17.6 16.4 15.7
Valuation allowance - - 15.7
Non-GAAP income from continuing operations - for ROTCE calculation $ 470.8 $ 488.1 $ 196.2
Return on average tangible common equity, adjusted for estimated capital adjustment 8.20% 7.72% 3.17%
Non-GAAP income from continuing operations (from the following non-GAAP noteworthy tables) $ 479.6 $ 504.1 $ 384.2
Intangible asset amortization, after tax 17.6 16.4 15.7
Valuation allowance - - 15.7
Non-GAAP income from continuing operations - for ROTCE calculation, excluding noteworthy
items $ 497.2 $ 520.5 $ 415.6
Return on average tangible common equity, after noteworthy items and adjusted for estimated
capital adjustment 8.66% 8.24% 6.71%
Net income excluding noteworthy items and income from continuing operations excluding noteworthy items are non-GAAP
measures used by management as each excludes items from the respective line item in the GAAP statement of income. Due to
the volume and size of noteworthy items, the Company believes that adjusting for these items provides the user of CIT’s
financial information a measure of the underlying performance of the Company and of continuing operations specifically. The
non-GAAP noteworthy items are summarized in the following categories: significant due to the size of the transaction;
transactions pertaining to items no longer considered core to CIT’s on-going operations (e.g. sales of non-strategic portfolios);
legacy OneWest Bank issues prior to CIT’s ownership; and other items described earlier, such as restructuring costs, even
though the respective balance may not have been significant.
Net Income and Income from Continuing Operations, Excluding Noteworthy Items (dollars in millions, except per share data)
After-
Pre-Tax Income tax Per
Description Line Item Balance Tax(2) Balance Share
Year Ended December 31, 2018
Net income available to common shareholders $ 428.2 $ 3.61
Continuing
Operations NACCO suspended depreciation Depr. on operating lease equipment $ (26.5) $ 7.8 (18.7) (0.16)
Gain and other revenues from sale of reverse
mortgage portfolio Other non-interest income (29.3) 7.7 (21.6) (0.18)
Impairment of LCM indemnification asset Other non-interest income 21.2 (5.7) 15.5 0.13
Release of valuation reserve on AHFS Other non-interest income (10.6) - (10.6) (0.09)
TRS termination charge Other non-interest income 69.5 (17.0) 52.5 0.44
NACCO gain on sale Other non-interest income (25.1) 5.7 (19.4) (0.16)
Loss on debt extinguishment and
Loss on debt redemption deposit redemption 38.1 (9.4) 28.7 0.24
Discontinued
Operations Loss on Financial Freedom servicing business 18.7 (4.9) 13.8 0.12
Non-GAAP net income available to common shareholders, excluding noteworthy items(1) $ 468.4 $ 3.94
The provision for income taxes before noteworthy items and tax discrete items and the respective effective tax rate are non-
GAAP measures, which management uses for analytical purposes to understand the Company’s underlying tax rate. Noteworthy
items are presented in item 6 above, and discussed in various sections of the MD&A. The tax discrete items are discussed in the
Income Tax section.
Years Ended December 31,
Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation - Noteworthy items (dollars in millions) 2018 2017 2016
Provision (benefit) for income taxes - GAAP $ 164.9 $ (67.8) $ 203.5
Income tax on noteworthy items 10.9 291.1 57.4
Provision for income taxes, before noteworthy items - Non-GAAP 175.8 223.3 260.9
Income tax - remaining tax discrete items 2.3 24.6 (1.6)
Provision for income taxes, before noteworthy and tax discrete items - Non-GAAP $ 178.1 $ 247.9 $ 259.3
Income from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes - GAAP $ 637.0 $ 191.6 $ 20.9
Noteworthy items before tax 37.3 545.6 624.2
Adjusted Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes - Non-GAAP $ 674.3 $ 737.2 $ 645.1
Effective tax rate - GAAP 25.9% (35.4%) NM
Effective tax rate, before noteworthy items - Non-GAAP 26.1% 30.3% 40.4%
Effective tax rate, before noteworthy and tax discrete items - Non-GAAP 26.4% 33.6% 40.2%
NM — not meaningful
8. Regulatory
Included within this Form 10-K are risk-weighted assets, risk-based capital and leverage ratios as calculated under the Basel III
Rule for December 31, 2017, and Basel III Rule and the Transition Final Rule (effective January 1, 2018 to extend the regulatory
capital treatment under 2017 transition provisions for certain items) for December 31, 2018. Such measures are considered key
regulatory capital measures used by banking regulators, investors and analysts to assess CIT’s (as a BHC) regulatory capital
position and to compare CIT to other financial institutions. For information on our capital ratios and requirements, see Capital
section.
All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual
results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon management’s estimates of fair values and of future
costs, using currently available information. Factors, in addition to those disclosed in “Risk Factors”, that could cause such
differences include, but are not limited to:
• risks inherent in deposit funding, including reducing reliance on brokered deposits, increasing retail non-maturity accounts,
and expanding treasury management services,
• risks inherent in capital markets, including liquidity, changes in market interest rates and quality spreads, and our access to
secured and unsecured debt and asset-backed securitization markets,
• risks inherent in a return of capital, including risks related to obtaining regulatory approval, the nature and allocation among
different methods of returning capital, and the amount and timing of any capital return,
• risks of actual or perceived economic slowdown, downturn or recession, including slowdown in customer demand for credit
or increases in non-accrual loans or default rates,
• industry cycles and trends, including in oil and gas, power and energy, telecommunications, information technology, and
commercial and residential real estate.
• uncertainties associated with risk management, including evaluating credit, adequacy of reserves for credit losses,
prepayment risk, asset/liability risk, interest rate and currency risks, and cybersecurity risks,
• risks of implementing new processes, procedures, and systems,
• risks associated with the value and recoverability of leased equipment and related lease residual values, including railcars,
telecommunications towers, technology and office equipment, information technology equipment, including data centers,
and large and small industrial, medical, and transportation equipment,
• risks of failing to achieve the projected revenue growth from new business initiatives or the projected expense reductions
from efficiency improvements,
• application of goodwill accounting or fair value accounting in volatile markets,
• regulatory changes and developments, including changes in laws or regulations governing our business and operations, or
affecting our assets, including our operating lease equipment or changes in the regulatory environment, whether due to
events or factors specific to CIT, or other large multi-national or regional banks, or the industry in general,
• risks associated with dispositions of businesses or asset portfolios, including how to replace the income associated with
such businesses or asset portfolios and the risk of residual liabilities from such businesses or portfolios,
• risks associated with acquisitions of businesses or asset portfolios, including integrating and reducing duplication in
personnel, policies, internal controls, and systems.
Any or all of our forward-looking statements here or in other publications may turn out to be wrong, and there are no guarantees
regarding our performance. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement for any reason.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of CIT Group Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of
December 31, 2018, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity and
cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements").
In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of
December 31, 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2018, in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in
Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission and our report dated February 21, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
the Company's financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are
required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to
error or fraud. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements,
whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a
test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the
financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have audited the consolidated balance sheet of CIT Group Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31,
2017, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for
each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2017, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the
“consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects,
the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of
the two years in the period ended December 31, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America.
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for Low
Income Housing Tax Credit investments in 2017.
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered
with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect
to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial
statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements,
whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a
test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included
evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Preferred Stock: $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 325,000 shares issued and outstanding 325.0 325.0
Common Stock: $0.01 par value, 600,000,000 shares authorized
Issued: 161,073,078 at December 31, 2018 and 207,628,491 at December 31, 2017 1.6 2.1
Outstanding: 100,919,707 at December 31, 2018 and 131,352,924 at December 31, 2017
Paid-in capital 6,810.8 8,798.1
Retained earnings 1,924.4 1,906.5
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (178.3) (86.5)
Treasury stock: 60,153,371 shares at December 31, 2018 and 76,275,567 shares at December 31, 2017 at
cost (2,936.9) (3,625.2)
Total Common Stockholders’ Equity 5,621.6 6,995.0
Total Equity 5,946.6 7,320.0
Total Liabilities and Equity $ 48,537.4 $ 49,278.7
(1) The following table presents information on assets and liabilities related to Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) that are consolidated by the
Company. The difference between VIE total assets and total liabilities represents the Company’s interests in those entities, which were
eliminated in consolidation. The assets of the consolidated VIEs will be used to settle the liabilities of those entities and, except for the
Company’s interest in the VIEs, are not available to the creditors of CIT or any affiliates of CIT.
Assets
Cash and interest bearing deposits, restricted $ - $ 80.4
Total loans, net of allowance for loan losses - 119.1
Operating lease equipment, net - 763.3
Total Assets $ - $ 962.8
Liabilities
Beneficial interests issued by consolidated VIEs (classified as long-term borrowings) $ - $ 566.6
Total Liabilities $ - $ 566.6
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Accumulated
Other Noncontrolling
Preferred Common Paid-in Retained Comprehensive Treasury Minority Total
Stock Stock Capital Earnings Income (Loss) Stock Interests Equity
December 31, 2015 $ — $ 2.0 $ 8,718.1 $ 2,524.0 $ (142.1) $ (157.3) $ 0.5 $ 10,945.2
Net loss — — — (848.0) — — — (848.0)
Other comprehensive income,
net of tax — — — — 2.0 — — 2.0
Dividends paid ($0.60 per
Common Share) — — — (123.0) — — — (123.0)
Amortization of restricted stock,
stock option and performance
shares expenses — 0.1 45.4 — — (20.8) — 24.7
Employee stock purchase plan — — 2.3 — — — — 2.3
Other — — — — — — (0.1) (0.1)
December 31, 2016 $ — $ 2.1 $ 8,765.8 $ 1,553.0 $ (140.1) $ (178.1) $ 0.4 $ 10,003.1
Adoption of Accounting Standard
Update 2016-09 — — 1.0 (1.0) — — — —
Net income — — — 468.2 — — — 468.2
Other comprehensive income,
net of tax — — — — 53.6 — — 53.6
Dividends paid ($0.61 per
Common Share and $30.29 per
Preferred share) — — — (113.7) — — — (113.7)
Issuance of preferred stock 325.0 — (7.0) — — — — 318.0
Share repurchases — — (9.6) — — (3,422.3) — (3,431.9)
Amortization of restricted stock,
stock option and performance
shares expenses — — 45.1 — — (24.8) — 20.3
Employee stock purchase plan — — 2.8 — — — — 2.8
Other — — — — — — (0.4) (0.4)
December 31, 2017 $ 325.0 $ 2.1 $ 8,798.1 $ 1,906.5 $ (86.5) $ (3,625.2) $ — $ 7,320.0
Adoption of Accounting Standard
Updates 2016-01, 2016-16, and
2018-02 — — — 0.7 (0.5) — — 0.2
Net income — — — 447.1 — — — 447.1
Other comprehensive loss, net of
tax — — — — (91.3) — — (91.3)
Dividends paid ($0.82 per
Common Share and $58.00 per
Preferred share) — — — (115.9) — — — (115.9)
Share repurchases — — — — — (1,626.7) — (1,626.7)
Retirement of Treasury Stock — (0.5) (2,029.1) (314.0) — 2,343.6 — —
Amortization of restricted stock,
stock option and performance
shares expenses — — 38.9 — — (28.6) — 10.3
Employee stock purchase plan — — 2.9 — — — — 2.9
December 31, 2018 $ 325.0 $ 1.6 $ 6,810.8 $ 1,924.4 $ (178.3) $ (2,936.9) $ — $ 5,946.6
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
CIT is regulated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("FRB") and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
("FRBNY") under the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. CIT Bank is regulated by the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency of the U.S. Department of the Treasury ("OCC").
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accounting and financial reporting policies of CIT conform to generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in the
United States and the preparation of the consolidated financial statements is in conformity with GAAP which requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from
those estimates and assumptions. Some of the more significant estimates include: allowance for loan losses and loan
impairment, realizability of deferred tax assets, and goodwill. Additionally, where applicable, the policies conform to accounting
and reporting guidelines prescribed by bank regulatory authorities.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include financial information related to CIT and its majority-owned
subsidiaries and those and those variable interest entities (“VIEs”) where the Company is the primary beneficiary ("PB").
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, all significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Assets held in an agency or fiduciary capacity are not included in the consolidated financial statements.
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued Operations as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, included certain assets and liabilities of (i) the
Business Air business and (ii) the Financial Freedom reverse mortgage servicing business.
Income (loss) from discontinued operations reflects the activities of the Business Air and Financial Freedom businesses for the
years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, and Commercial Air (a component of Aerospace) for the years ended
December 31, 2017 and 2016. We completed the sale of our Commercial Air business on April 4, 2017.
The Financial Freedom servicing business (“Financial Freedom”) was acquired in conjunction with the OneWest Transaction in
2015 and was sold on May 31, 2018. The sale included all the operations, mortgage servicing rights and related servicing assets
and liabilities, although certain assets and liabilities of Financial Freedom were still held by CIT Bank at December 31, 2018 and
will continue to be held until certain investor consents are received. See further discussion in Note 2 -Discontinued Operations.
In conjunction with the sale of Financial Freedom, the Company also sold its reverse mortgage portfolio comprised of loans and
related other real estate owned ("OREO") assets, which was serviced by Financial Freedom and was previously reported in
continuing operations. See further discussion in Note 3 - Loans. Collectively, the sale of Financial Freedom and the reverse
mortgage portfolio is referred to as the "Financial Freedom Transaction".
CIT extends credit to commercial customers through a variety of financing arrangements including term loans, revolving credit
facilities, capital (direct finance) leases and operating leases. CIT also extends credit through Consumer Loans, including
residential mortgages and had a portfolio of reverse mortgages, which was sold on May 31, 2018, and was recorded in Assets
Held for Sale ("AHFS") as of December 31, 2017. The amounts outstanding on term loans, Consumer Loans, revolving credit
facilities and capital leases, along with past due lease payments on operating lease equipment, are referred to as loans. These
loans, when combined with AHFS and Operating lease equipment, net are referred to as loans and leases.
It is CIT’s expectation that the majority of the loans and leases originated will be held for the foreseeable future or until maturity.
In certain situations, for example to manage concentrations and/or credit risk or where returns no longer meet specified targets,
some or all of certain exposures are sold. Loans for which the Company has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable
future or until maturity are classified as held for investment (“HFI”). If the Company no longer has the intent or ability to hold
loans for the foreseeable future, then the loans are transferred to AHFS. Loans originated with the intent to sell are classified as
AHFS.
Loans originated and classified as HFI are recorded at amortized cost. Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs
are deferred and recognized as adjustments to interest income over the contractual lives of the related loans. Unearned income
on leases and discounts and premiums on loans purchased are amortized to interest income using the effective interest method.
For loans classified as AHFS, the amortization of discounts and premiums on loans purchased and unearned income ceases.
Direct financing leases originated and classified as HFI are recorded at the aggregate future minimum lease payments plus
estimated residual values less unearned finance income. Management performs periodic reviews of estimated residual values,
with other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) recognized in current period earnings.
If it is determined that a loan should be transferred from HFI to AHFS, then the loan is transferred at its amortized cost basis on
the date of transfer, which excludes the allowance for credit losses. Prior to the transfer, CIT applies its write-off policy to the
amortized cost basis. If the amortized cost basis exceeds the loan’s fair value at the date of transfer, a valuation allowance is
established equal to the difference between amortized cost and fair value. Once classified as AHFS, the amount by which the
amortized cost exceeds fair value is recorded as a change in the valuation allowance and is reflected as a reduction to other
non-interest income. If it is determined that a loan should be transferred from AHFS to HFI, the loan is transferred at the lower of
cost or fair value on the transfer date, which coincides with the date of change in management’s intent. The difference between
the carrying value of the loan and the fair value, if lower, is reflected as a loan discount at the transfer date, which reduces its
carrying value. Subsequent to the transfer, the discount is accreted into earnings as an increase to interest income over the life
of the loan using the effective interest method.
Operating lease equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Operating lease equipment is depreciated to its
estimated residual value using the straight-line method over the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset. Where
management’s intention is to sell the operating lease equipment, these are marked to the lower of cost or fair value and
classified as AHFS. Depreciation is no longer recognized and the assets are evaluated for impairment, with any further marks to
lower of cost or fair value recorded in other non-interest income. Equipment held for sale in discontinued operations follows the
same treatment, with impairment charges reflected in discontinued operations - other non-interest income. Equipment received
at the end of the lease, which will be sold, is marked to the lower of cost or fair value with the adjustment recorded in other non-
interest income.
Loans acquired are initially recorded at their fair value on the acquisition date. For loans that are not considered credit impaired
at the date of acquisition and for which cash flows are evaluated based on contractual terms, a premium or discount is recorded,
representing the difference between the unpaid principal balance and the fair value. The discount or premium is accreted or
amortized to earnings using the effective interest method as a yield adjustment over the remaining contractual terms of the loans
and is recorded in Interest Income. If the loan is prepaid, the remaining discount or premium is recognized in Interest Income. If
the loan is sold, the remaining discount is considered in the resulting gain or loss on sale. If the loan is subsequently classified
as non-accrual, or transferred to AHFS, accretion or amortization of the discount (premium) is ceased.
For purposes of income recognition, and consistent with valuation models across loan portfolios, the Company has elected not to
take a position on the movement of future interest rates in the applicable model. If interest rates rise, the loans will generate
higher income. If rates fall, the loans will generate lower income.
Purchased credit-impaired loans (“PCI loans”) were determined as of the date of purchase to have evidence of credit quality
deterioration since origination, which make it probable that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required
payments (principal and interest). Evidence of credit quality deterioration as of the purchase date may include past due status,
recent borrower credit scores, credit rating (probability of obligor default) and recent loan-to-value ratios.
Commercial PCI Loans are accounted for as individual loans. Conversely, Consumer PCI Loans with similar common risk
characteristics are pooled together for accounting purposes at the cohort level. Common risk characteristics consist of similar
credit risk (e.g., delinquency status, loan-to-value, or credit risk rating) and at least one other predominant risk characteristic
(e.g., loan type, collateral type, interest rate index, date of origination or term). For pooled loans, each pool is accounted for as a
single asset (i.e., one unit of account) with a single composite interest rate and an aggregate expectation of cash flows for the
pool.
At acquisition, PCI loans are initially recorded at estimated fair value, which is determined by discounting each Commercial
Loan’s or consumer pool’s principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected using a discount rate for similar instruments
with adjustments that management believes a market participant would consider. The Company estimates the cash flows
expected to be collected at acquisition using internal credit risk and prepayment risk models that incorporate management’s best
estimate of current key assumptions, such as default rates, loss severity and prepayment speeds of the loan.
For PCI loans, the discount recorded includes accretable and non-accretable components. The accretable yield is measured as
the excess of the cash flows expected to be collected, estimated at the acquisition date, over the recorded investment (estimated
fair value at acquisition) and is recognized in interest income over the remaining life of the loan, or pool of loans, on an effective
yield basis. The difference between the cash flows contractually required to be paid, measured as of the acquisition date, over
the cash flows expected to be collected is referred to as the non-accretable difference.
Subsequent to acquisition, the estimates of the cash flows expected to be collected are evaluated on a quarterly basis for both
Commercial PCI Loans (evaluated individually) and Consumer PCI Loans (evaluated on a pool basis). During each subsequent
reporting period, the cash flows expected to be collected shall be reviewed but will be revised only if it is deemed probable that a
significant change has occurred. Probable and significant decreases in expected cash flows as a result of further credit
deterioration result in a charge to the provision for credit losses and a corresponding increase to the allowance for loan losses.
Probable increases in cash flows expected to be collected due to improved credit quality result in recovery of any previously
recorded allowance for loan losses, to the extent applicable, and an increase in the accretable yield applied prospectively for any
remaining increase. The accretable yield is affected by revisions to previous expectations that result in an increase in expected
cash flows, changes in interest rate indices for variable rate PCI loans, changes in prepayment assumptions and changes in
expected principal and interest payments and collateral values. The Company assumes a flat forward interest curve when
analyzing future cash flows for the mortgage loans. Changes in expected cash flows caused by changes in market interest rates
are recognized as adjustments to the accretable yield on a prospective basis.
Resolutions of loans may include sales to third parties, receipt of payments in settlement with the borrower, or foreclosure of the
collateral. Upon resolution, the Company’s policy is to remove an individual Consumer PCI Loan from the pool at its carrying
amount. Any difference between the loans carrying amount and the fair value of the collateral or other assets received does not
affect the percentage yield calculation used to recognize accretable yield on the pool. This removal method assumes that the
amount received from these resolutions approximates the pool performance expectations of cash flows. The accretable yield
percentage is unaffected by the resolution. Modifications or refinancing of loans accounted for within a pool do not result in the
removal of those loans from the pool; instead, the revised terms are reflected in the expected cash flows within the pool of loans.
Reverse Mortgages
Reverse mortgage loans are contracts in which a homeowner borrows against the equity in their home and receives cash in one
lump sum payment, a line of credit, fixed monthly payments for either a specific term or for as long as the homeowner lives in the
home or a combination of these options. Reverse mortgages feature no recourse to the borrower, no required repayment during
the borrower’s occupancy of the home (as long as the borrower complies with the terms of the mortgage), and, in the event of
foreclosure, a repayment amount that cannot exceed the lesser of either the unpaid principal balance of the loan or the proceeds
recovered upon sale of the home. The mortgage balance consists of cash advanced, interest compounded over the life of the
loan, capitalized mortgage insurance premiums, and other servicing advances capitalized into the loan.
CIT sold its reverse mortgage portfolio on May 31, 2018. The Company’s former uninsured reverse mortgages in continuing
operations that were determined to be non-PCI were accounted for in accordance with the instructions provided by the staff of
the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) entitled “Accounting for Pools of Uninsured Residential Reverse Mortgage
Contracts.” The insured reverse mortgages in continuing operations that were determined to be PCI were accounted for in
accordance with the guidance in ASC 310-30. As such, revenue recognition and income measurement for these loans was
based on expected rather than contractual cash flows, and the fair value adjustment on these loans included both accretable and
non-accretable components.
Revenue Recognition
On January 1, 2018, CIT adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue Recognition - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606)
and subsequent related ASUs. ASU 2014-09 establishes the principles to apply in determining the amount and timing of revenue
recognition. The core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers control of goods or services to
customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which it expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.
The guidance introduces a five-step, principle-based model, requiring more judgment than under previous GAAP to determine
when and how revenue is recognized. The standard defers to existing guidance where revenue recognition models are already
in place.
"Interest Income" and "Rental Income on Operating Leases", CIT's two largest revenue items, are out of scope of the new
guidance, as are many other revenues relating to other financial assets and liabilities, including loans, leases, securities, and
derivatives. As a result, the implementation of the new guidance was limited to certain revenue streams within Non-Interest
Income, including some immaterial bank related fees and gains or losses related to the sale and disposition of leased equipment
and OREO and requires the Company to apply certain recognition and measurement principles of ASC 606.
CIT evaluated its in-scope revenue streams under the five-step model and concluded that ASU 2014-09 did not materially impact
the current practice of revenue recognition as ASC 606 is consistent with the current accounting policy being applied by the
Company for these revenues. Therefore, no change in the timing or amount of income recognized was identified. CIT also
determined that costs incurred to obtain or fulfill contracts and financing components relating to in-scope revenue streams were
immaterial to the Company.
Non-interest revenue, including amounts related to the sale and disposition of leased equipment and OREO, is recognized at an
amount reflecting the consideration received, or expected to be received, when control of goods or services is transferred, which
generally occurs when services are provided or control of leased equipment or OREO is liquidated.
ASU 2014-09 was adopted using the modified retrospective transition method. CIT elected to apply this guidance only to
contracts that were not completed at the date of the initial application. The adoption did not have a significant impact on CIT's
financial statements or disclosures. No adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings was necessary.
Interest income on HFI loans is recognized using the effective interest method or on a basis approximating a level rate of return
over the life of the asset. Interest income includes components of accretion of the fair value discount on loans and lease
receivables recorded in connection with Purchase Accounting Adjustments (“PAA”), which are accreted using the effective
interest method as a yield adjustment over the remaining contractual term of the loan and recorded in interest income. If the loan
is subsequently classified as AHFS, accretion (amortization) of the discount (premium) will cease.
Rental revenue on operating leases is recognized on a straight line basis over the lease term and is included in Non-interest
Income. Intangible assets related to acquisitions completed by the Company and to Fresh Start Accounting (“FSA”) adjustments
that were applied as of December 31, 2009 (the Convenience Date) to adjust the carrying value of above or below market
operating lease contracts to their fair value. The FSA related adjustments (net) are amortized into rental income on a straight line
basis over the remaining term of the respective lease.
The recognition of interest income (including accretion) on Commercial Loans (exclusive of small ticket Commercial Loans) is
suspended and an account is placed on non-accrual status when, in the opinion of management, full collection of all principal
and interest due is doubtful. All future interest accruals, as well as amortization of deferred fees, costs, purchase premiums or
discounts are suspended. To the extent the estimated cash flows, including fair value of collateral, does not satisfy both the
principal and accrued interest outstanding, accrued but uncollected interest at the date an account is placed on non-accrual
status is reversed and charged against interest income. Subsequent interest received is applied to the outstanding principal
balance until such time as the account is collected, charged-off or returned to accrual status. Loans that are on cash basis non-
accrual do not accrue interest income; however, payments designated by the borrower as interest payments may be recorded as
interest income. To qualify for this treatment, the remaining recorded investment in the loan must be deemed fully collectable.
The recognition of interest income (including accretion) on consumer mortgages and small ticket Commercial Loans and lease
receivables is suspended, and all previously accrued but uncollected revenue is reversed, when payment of principal and/or
interest is contractually delinquent for 90 days or more. Accounts, including accounts that have been modified, are returned to
accrual status when, in the opinion of management, collection of remaining principal and interest is reasonably assured, and
there is a sustained period of repayment performance, generally for a minimum of six months.
The Company periodically modifies the terms of loans in response to borrowers’ financial difficulties. These modifications may
include interest rate changes, principal forgiveness or payment deferments. Loans that are modified, where a concession has
been made to the borrower, are accounted for as Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”). TDRs are generally placed on non-
accrual upon their restructuring and remain on non-accrual until, in the opinion of management, collection of remaining principal
and interest is reasonably assured, and upon collection of six consecutive scheduled payments.
PCI loans in pools that the Company may modify as TDRs are not within the scope of the accounting guidance for TDRs.
The allowance for loan losses ("ALLL") is intended to provide for credit losses inherent in the HFI loan portfolio and is
periodically reviewed for adequacy. ALLL is determined based on three key components: (1) specific allowances for loans that
are impaired, based upon the value of underlying collateral or projected cash flows, or observable market price, (2) non-specific
allowances for estimated losses inherent in the non-impaired portfolio based upon the expected loss over the loss emergence
period, and (3) allowances for estimated losses inherent in the portfolio based upon economic risks, industry and geographic
concentrations, and other factors, not in the non-specific allowance. Changes to ALLL are recorded in the Provision for Credit
Losses.
Determining an appropriate ALLL requires significant judgment that may change based on management’s ongoing process in
analyzing the credit quality of the Company’s HFI loan portfolio.
Loans are divided into the following portfolio segments, which correspond to the Company’s business segments: Commercial
Banking and Consumer Banking. NSP loans are held for sale, therefore do not have an allowance. Within each portfolio
segment, credit risk is assessed and monitored in the following classes of loans: within Commercial Banking, Commercial
Finance; Real Estate Finance; Business Capital and Rail, are collectively referred to as “Commercial Loans”, and within
Consumer Banking, classes include LCM and Other Consumer Lending, collectively referred to as “Consumer Loans”. ALLL is
estimated based upon the loans in the respective class.
For each portfolio, impairment is generally measured individually for larger non-homogeneous loans ($500 thousand or greater)
and collectively for groups of smaller loans with similar characteristics or for designated pools of PCI loans based on decreases
in cash flows expected to be collected subsequent to acquisition.
Loans acquired were initially recorded at estimated fair value at the time of acquisition. Expected credit losses were included in
the determination of estimated fair value, no allowance was established on the acquisition date.
Allowance Methodology
Commercial Loans
With respect to commercial portfolios, the Company monitors credit quality indicators, including expected and historical losses
and levels of, and trends in, past due loans, non-performing assets and impaired loans, collateral values and economic
conditions. Commercial Loans are graded according to the Company’s internal rating system with respect to probability of default
(“PD”) and loss given default (“LGD”) (severity) based on various risk factors. The non-specific allowance is determined based
on the estimated PD, which reflects the borrower’s financial strength, the severity of loss in the event of default, considering the
quality of the underlying collateral, and other borrower specific considerations. The PD and severity are derived through
historical observations of default and subsequent losses within each risk grading.
A specific allowance is also established for impaired Commercial Loans and Commercial Loans modified in a TDR. Refer to the
Impairment of Loans section of this Note for details.
Consumer Loans
For residential mortgages, the Company develops a loss reserve factor by deriving the projected lifetime losses then adjusting
for losses expected to be specifically identified within the loss emergence period. The key drivers of the projected lifetime losses
include the type of loan, type of product, delinquency status of the underlying loans, loan-to-value and/or debt-to-income ratios,
geographic location of the collateral, and any guarantees.
If Commercial or Consumer Loan losses are reimbursable by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) under the loss
sharing agreement, the recorded provision is partially offset by any benefit expected to be derived from the related
indemnification asset subject to management’s assessment of the collectability of the indemnification asset and any contractual
limitations on the indemnified amount. See Indemnification Assets later in this section.
With respect to assets transferred from HFI to AHFS, a write-down of the recorded investment is recognized, to the extent the
carrying value exceeds the fair value and the difference relates to credit quality.
An approach similar to the ALLL is utilized to calculate a reserve for losses related to unfunded loan commitments and deferred
purchase commitments. A reserve for unfunded loan commitments is maintained to absorb estimated probable losses related to
these facilities. The adequacy of the reserve is determined based on periodic evaluations of the unfunded credit facilities,
including an assessment of the probability of commitment usage, credit risk factors for loans outstanding to these same
customers, and the terms and expiration dates of the unfunded credit facilities. The reserve for unfunded loan commitments and
deferred purchase commitments are recorded as a liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Net adjustments to the reserve
for unfunded loan commitments and deferred purchase commitments are included in the provision for credit losses.
The allowance policies described above relate to specific and non-specific allowances, and the impaired loans and charge-off
policies that follow are applied across the portfolio segments and loan classes therein. Given the nature of the Company’s
business, the specific allowance relates to the Commercial Banking segments. The non-specific allowance, which considers the
Company’s internal system of PD and loss severity ratings for Commercial Loans, among other factors, is applicable to both
Commercial and Consumer Loans. Additionally, divisions in Commercial Banking and Consumer Banking segments also utilize
methodologies under ASC 310-30 for PCI loans, as discussed below.
PCI Loans
See Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans in Loans and Leases for description of allowance factors.
A loan is considered past due for financial reporting purposes if default of contractual principal or interest exists for a period of 30
days or more. Past due loans consist of loans that are still accruing interest as well as loans on non-accrual status.
Loans are placed on non-accrual status when the financial condition of the borrower has deteriorated and payment in full of
principal or interest is not expected or the scheduled payment of principal and interest has been delinquent for 90 days or more,
unless the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection.
PCI loans are written down at acquisition to their fair value using an estimate of cash flows deemed to be probable of collection.
Accordingly, such loans are no longer classified as past due or non-accrual even though they may be contractually past due
because we expect to fully collect the new carrying values of these loans. Due to the nature of reverse mortgage loans (i.e.,
these loans do not contain a contractual due date or regularly scheduled payments due from the borrower), they are considered
current for purposes of past due reporting and are excluded from reported non-accrual loan balances.
Impairment of Loans
Impairment occurs when, based on current information and events, it is probable that CIT will be unable to collect all amounts
due according to contractual terms of the agreement. Impairment is measured as the shortfall between estimated value and
recorded investment in the loan, with the estimated value determined using fair value of collateral and other cash flows if the
loan is collateralized, the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the contract’s effective interest rate, or
observable market prices.
Impaired loans of $500 thousand or greater that are placed on non-accrual status, largely in Commercial Finance, Real Estate
Finance, and Business Capital, are subject to periodic individual review by the Company’s problem loan management (“PLM”)
function. The Company excludes certain loan portfolios from its impaired loans disclosures as charge-offs are typically
determined and recorded for such loans beginning at 90-180 days of contractual delinquency. These excluded loan portfolios
include small-ticket loans, largely in Business Capital and NSP, and certain Consumer Loans in Consumer Banking that have
not been modified in a TDR, as well as short-term factoring receivables in Business Capital. Loans that are within the scope of
the accounting guidance for TDRs are all included in our impaired loan disclosures.
Charge-off of Loans
Charge-offs on loans are recorded after considering such factors as the borrower’s financial condition, the value of underlying
collateral and guarantees (including recourse to dealers and manufacturers), and the status of collection activities. Such charge-
offs are deducted from the carrying value of the related loans. This policy is largely applicable in the loan classes within
Commercial Banking. In general, charge-offs of large ticket Commercial Loans ($500 thousand or greater) are determined based
on the facts and circumstances related to the specific loan and the underlying borrower and the use of judgment by the
Company. Charge-offs of small ticket Commercial Loans are recorded beginning at 90-150 days of contractual delinquency.
Charge-offs of Consumer Loans are recorded beginning at 120 days of delinquency. The value of the underlying collateral will be
considered when determining the charge-off amount if repossession is assured and in process.
Charge-offs on loans originated are reflected in the provision for credit losses. Charge-offs are recognized on Consumer Loans
for which losses are reimbursable under loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, with a provision benefit recorded to the extent
applicable via an increase to the related indemnification asset. In the event of a partial charge-off on loans with a PAA, the
charge-off is first allocated to the respective loan’s discount. Then, to the extent the charge-off amount exceeds such discount, a
provision for credit losses is recorded. Collections on accounts charged off post- acquisition are recorded as recoveries in the
provision for credit losses. Collections on accounts that exceed the balance recorded at the date of acquisition or that were
previously charged off prior to transfer to AHFS are recorded as recoveries in other non-interest income.
A review for impairment of long-lived assets, such as operating lease equipment, is performed at least annually or when events
or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of long-lived assets may not be recoverable. Impairment of assets
is determined by comparing the carrying amount to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated. If an asset is
impaired, the impairment is the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the asset. Fair value is based
upon discounted cash flow analysis and available market data. Current lease rentals, as well as relevant and available market
information (including third party sales for similar equipment and published appraisal data), are considered both in determining
undiscounted future cash flows when testing for the existence of impairment and in determining estimated fair value in
measuring impairment. Depreciation expense is adjusted when the projected fair value at the end of the lease term is below the
projected book value at the end of the lease term. Assets to be disposed of are included in AHFS in the Consolidated Balance
Sheet and are reported at the lower of the cost or fair market value less disposal costs (“LOCOM”).
Investments
Effective January 1, 2018, CIT adopted ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and
Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. ASU 2016-01 requires equity investments (except those accounted
for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with
changes in fair value recognized in net income. Under ASU 2016-01, companies are not allowed to classify equity securities as
available-for-sale (“AFS”) securities, and will no longer recognize unrealized holding gains and losses related to equity securities
in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). As a result of the adoption, CIT reclassified eligible equity securities AFS
to Securities Carried at Fair Value with Changes Recorded in Net Income.
CIT adopted this standard with a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the adoption date. The cumulative-
effect adjustment resulted in a decrease in retained earnings due to the reclassification of $1.1 million of unrealized losses from
accumulated other comprehensive loss to opening retained earnings.
Investments in debt securities that have readily determinable fair values not classified as trading securities, investment securities
carried at fair value with changes recorded in net income, or as held-to-maturity (“HTM”) securities are classified as AFS
securities. Debt securities classified as AFS are carried at fair value with changes in fair value reported in AOCI, a component of
stockholders’ equity, net of applicable income taxes. Mortgage-backed securities are classified as either AFS or securities
carried at fair value with changes recorded in net income.
Debt and marketable equity security purchases and sales are recorded as of the trade date.
Credit-related declines in fair value that are determined to be OTTI are immediately recorded in earnings. Realized gains and
losses on sales are included in other non-interest income on a specific identification basis, and interest and dividend income on
AFS securities is included in other interest and dividends.
Debt securities classified as HTM represent securities that the Company has both the ability and the intent to hold until maturity,
and are carried at amortized cost. Interest on such securities is included in other interest and dividends. Upon the adoption of
ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) -Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, in the fourth
quarter of 2017, CIT reclassified all of its HTM debt securities to AFS after evaluating and confirming that these portfolios met
the eligibility criteria. There was no impact to the Consolidated Statement of Income.
Debt securities classified as AFS that had evidence of credit deterioration as of the acquisition date and for which it was
probable that the Company would not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments were classified as PCI
debt securities. Subsequently, the accretable yield (based on the cash flows expected to be collected in excess of the recorded
investment or fair value) is accreted to interest income using an effective interest method for PCI securities and securities carried
at fair value with changes recorded in net income. The Company uses a flat interest rate forward curve for purposes of applying
the effective interest method to PCI securities. On a quarterly basis, the cash flows expected to be collected are reviewed and
updated. The expected cash flow estimates take into account relevant market and economic data as of the end of the reporting
period including, for example, for securities issued in a securitization, underlying loan-level data, and structural features of the
securitization, such as subordination, excess spread, overcollateralization or other forms of credit enhancement. OTTI with
credit-related losses are recognized as permanent write-downs, while other changes in expected cash flows (e.g., significant
increases and contractual interest rate changes) are recognized through a revised accretable yield in subsequent periods. The
non-accretable discount is recorded as a reduction to the investments and will be reclassified to accretable discount should
expected cash flows improve or used to absorb incurred losses as they occur.
Equity securities without readily determinable fair values are generally carried at cost or reflect the equity method of accounting.
Non-marketable securities carried at cost are subsequently adjusted for impairment, if any. Equity method investments are
recorded at cost, adjusted to reflect the Company’s portion of income, loss or dividend of the investee and are periodically
assessed for OTTI, with the net asset values reduced when impairment is deemed to be other-than-temporary.
An unrealized loss exists when the current fair value of an individual debt security is less than its amortized cost basis.
Unrealized losses that are determined to be temporary in nature are recorded, net of tax, in AOCI for AFS securities, while such
losses related to HTM securities are not recorded, as these investments are carried at their amortized cost. Unrealized losses on
securities carried at fair value would be recorded through earnings as part of the total change in fair value.
The Company conducts and documents periodic reviews of all securities with unrealized losses to evaluate whether the
impairment is other than temporary. Under the guidance for debt securities, OTTI is recognized in earnings for debt securities
that the Company has an intent to sell or that the Company believes it is more-likely-than-not that it will be required to sell prior
to the recovery of the amortized cost basis. For debt securities classified as HTM that are considered to have OTTI that the
Company does not intend to sell and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell before recovery, the
OTTI is separated into an amount representing the credit loss, which is recognized in other non-interest income in the
Consolidated Statements of Income, and the amount related to all other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive
income (“OCI”). OTTI on debt securities classified as AFS are recognized in other non-interest income in the Consolidated
Statements of Income in the period determined. Impairment is evaluated and to the extent it is credit related amounts are
reclassified out of AOCI to other non-interest income. If it is not credit related then, the amounts remain in AOCI.
Amortized cost is defined as the original purchase cost, plus or minus any accretion or amortization of a purchase discount or
premium.
Regardless of the classification of the securities as AFS or HTM, the Company assesses each investment with an unrealized
loss for impairment.
• the length of time that fair value has been below cost;
• the severity of the impairment or the extent to which fair value has been below cost;
• the cause of the impairment and the financial condition and the near-term prospects of the issuer;
• activity in the market of the issuer that may indicate adverse credit conditions; and
• the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery.
The Company’s review for impairment generally includes identification and evaluation of investments that have indications of
possible impairment, in addition to:
• analysis of individual investments that have fair values less than amortized cost, including consideration of the length of time
the investment has been in an unrealized loss position and the expected recovery period;
• discussion of evidential matter, including an evaluation of factors or triggers that could cause individual investments to
qualify as having OTTI and those that would not support OTTI; and
• documentation of the results of these analyses, as required under business policies.
As a condition of membership, the Company owns capital stock in both the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of San Francisco
and the FRB. The Company’s ownership of capital stock in the FHLB is based upon its outstanding FHLB advances whereas the
FRB stock owned is based on a specified ratio relative to the Company’s capital. FHLB and FRB stock may only be sold back to
the member institutions at its carrying value and cannot be sold to other parties. For FHLB stock, cash dividends are recorded
within other interest and dividends when declared by the FHLB. For FRB stock, the Company is legally entitled (without
declaration) to a specified dividend paid semi-annually. Dividends are recorded in other interest and dividends in the
Consolidated Statements of Income.
Due to the restricted ownership requirements, the Company accounts for its investments in FHLB and FRB stock at cost, as
nonmarketable equity stock. Purchases and redemptions of restricted stock are reflected in the investing section of the
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Impairment reviews of these investments are completed at least annually, or when
events or circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The Company’s impairment evaluation
considers the long-term nature of the investments, the liquidity position of the member institutions, its recent dividend
declarations and the intent and ability to hold these investments for a period of time sufficient to ultimately recover the
Company’s recorded investment.
Indemnification Assets
In connection with the OneWest Transaction, CIT assumed the shared loss agreements with the FDIC related to its acquisitions
of IndyMac Federal Bank, FSB (“IndyMac”), First Federal Bank of California, FSB (“First Federal”) and La Jolla Bank, FSB (“La
Jolla”). The loss sharing agreements are accounted for as indemnification assets and were initially recognized at estimated fair
value as of the acquisition date based on the discounted present value of expected future cash flows under the respective loss
sharing agreements pursuant to ASC 805.
On a subsequent basis, the indemnification asset is measured on the same basis of accounting as the indemnified loans (e.g.,
as PCI loans under the effective yield method) subject to the lesser of the contractual term of the loss share agreement and
remaining life of the indemnified item. A yield is determined based on the expected cash flows to be collected from the FDIC
over the recorded investment. The expected cash flows on the indemnification asset are reviewed and updated on a quarterly
basis. Changes in expected cash flows caused by changes in market interest rates or by prepayments of principal are
recognized as adjustments to the effective yield on a prospective basis in interest income. For PCI loans with an associated
indemnification asset, if the increase in expected cash flows is recognized through a higher yield, a lower and potentially
negative yield (i.e. due to a decline in expected cash flows in excess of the current carrying value) is applied to the related
indemnification asset to mirror an accounting offset for the indemnified loans. Any negative yield is determined based on the
remaining term of the indemnification agreement. Both accretion (positive yield) and amortization (negative yield) from the
indemnification asset are recognized in interest income on loans over the lesser of the contractual term of the indemnification
agreement or the remaining life of the indemnified loans. A decrease in expected cash flows is recorded in the indemnification
asset for the portion that previously was expected to be reimbursed from the FDIC resulting in an increase in the provision for
credit losses that was previously recorded in the allowance for loan losses. Separate from mirror accounting, the indemnification
asset is assessed for collectability. Management monitors the realizability of the qualifying losses submitted to the FDIC based
on the eligibility requirements pursuant to the terms of the contract. Any amount deemed not collectable from the FDIC is
recognized as an impairment charge within other non-interest income.
The IndyMac transaction encompassed multiple loss sharing agreements that provided protection from certain losses related to
purchased SFR loans and reverse mortgage proprietary loans. In addition, CIT is party to the FDIC agreement to indemnify
OneWest Bank, subject to certain requirements and limitations, for third party claims from the Government Sponsored
Enterprises (“GSEs” or “Agencies”) related to IndyMac selling representations and warranties, as well as liabilities arising from
the acts or omissions (including, without limitation, breaches of servicer obligations) of IndyMac as servicer.
In addition, the Company recorded a separate FDIC true-up liability for an estimated payment due to the FDIC at the expiry of
the La Jolla loss share agreement, given the estimated cumulative losses of the acquired covered assets are projected to be
lower than the cumulative losses originally estimated by the FDIC at inception of the loss share agreement. There is no FDIC
true-up liability recorded in connection with the First Federal or IndyMac transaction. The true-up liability represents contingent
consideration to the FDIC and is re-measured at estimated fair value on a quarterly basis, with the changes in fair value
recognized in noninterest expense.
For further discussion, see Note 3 – Loans and Note 12 – Fair Value.
The Company’s goodwill primarily represents the excess of the purchase prices paid for acquired businesses over the respective
fair value of net asset values acquired. The goodwill is assigned to reporting units (“RUs”) at the date the goodwill is initially
recorded. Once the goodwill is assigned to the RU, it no longer retains its association with a particular transaction, and all of the
activities within the RU, whether acquired or internally generated, are available to support the value of goodwill.
A portion of the Goodwill balance also resulted from the excess of reorganization equity value over the fair value of tangible and
identifiable intangible assets, net of liabilities, in connection with the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy in December 2009.
CIT early adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) as of January 1, 2017. ASU 2017-04 eliminated
the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill (i.e., Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test under current GAAP) to
measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, entities record an impairment charge based on the excess of a RU’s carrying
amount over its fair value (i.e., measure the charge based on today’s Step 1). The one-step impairment test is applied to
goodwill for all RUs, even those with zero or negative carrying amounts. This guidance was applied prospectively to transactions
occurring within the period of adoption. The adoption did not result in any impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Goodwill is not amortized but it is subject to impairment testing for each RU on an annual basis, or more often if events or
circumstances indicate there may be impairment. The Company follows guidance in ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other
that includes the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to
a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a RU is less than its carrying amount before performing the
quantitative goodwill impairment test. Examples of qualitative factors to assess include macroeconomic conditions, industry and
market considerations, market changes affecting the Company’s products and services, overall financial performance, and
Company specific events affecting operations.
If the Company does not perform the qualitative assessment, or upon performing the qualitative assessment, concludes that it is
more likely than not that the fair value of a RU is less than its carrying amount, CIT would be required to perform the quantitative
goodwill impairment test for that RU. The quantitative goodwill impairment test involves comparing the fair value of the RU with
its carrying value, including goodwill as measured by allocated equity. If the fair value of the RU exceeds its carrying value,
goodwill in that unit is not considered impaired. However, if the carrying value exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss shall be
recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that RU. RU fair values are
primarily estimated using discounted cash flow models. See Note 25 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets for further details.
Goodwill and intangible assets relate to acquisitions and the remaining amount from FSA adjustments. Intangible assets have
finite lives, and as detailed in Note 25 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets, depending on the component, are amortized on an
accelerated or straight line basis over the estimated useful lives. Amortization expense for the intangible assets is recorded in
operating expenses.
The Company reviews intangible assets for impairment annually or when events or circumstances indicate that their carrying
amounts may not be recoverable. Impairment is recognized by writing down the asset to the extent that the carrying amount
exceeds the estimated fair value, with any impairment recorded in operating expense.
Other Assets
The Company has investments in limited liability entities that were formed to operate qualifying affordable housing projects, and
other entities that make equity investments, provide debt financing or support community-based investments in tax-advantaged
projects. Certain affordable housing investments qualify for credit under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”), which
requires regulated financial institutions to help meet the credit needs of the local communities in which they are chartered,
particularly in neighborhoods with low or moderate incomes. These tax credit investments provide tax benefits to investors
primarily through the receipt of federal and/or state income tax credits or tax benefits in the form of tax deductible operating
losses or expenses.
The Company invests as a limited partner and its ownership amount in each limited liability entity varies. As a limited partner, the
Company is not the PB as it does not meet the power criterion, i.e., it has no power to direct the activities of the VIE that most
significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and has no direct ability to unilaterally remove the general partner.
Accordingly, the Company is not required to consolidate these entities on its financial statements. For further discussion on
VIEs, see Note 9 - Borrowings.
Tax credit investments that were acquired in the OneWest Bank Transaction, including the commitment to contribute additional
capital over the term of the investment, were recorded at fair value at the acquisition date.
Effective in the fourth quarter of 2017, CIT changed its accounting policy for Low Income Housing Tax Credit ("LIHTC")
investments from the equity method to the proportional amortization method as it was management's determination to be the
preferable method. The proportional amortization method provides an improved presentation for the reporting of these
investments by presenting the investment performance net of taxes as a component of income tax expense (benefit), which
more fairly represents the economics and provides users with a better understanding of the returns from such investments than
the prior equity method. Prior to the accounting change, the existing LIHTC investments represented primarily the acquired
investments from the OneWest acquisition. As the accounting change had an immaterial impact to prior period financial
statements (for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the first, second and third quarter of 2017), the effect of the
change was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2017 with a net income decrease of $8.8 million (increase of $29.4 million in
other non-interest income with a corresponding increase of $38.2 million in provision for income taxes) with a reduction to the tax
credit investments by approximately $10.5 million (within Other Assets) and increase to Deferred tax asset of $1.8 million
recognized in the quarter ended December 31, 2017.
Tax credit investments are evaluated for potential impairment at least annually, or more frequently when events or conditions
indicate that it is probable that the Company will not recover its investment. Potential indicators of impairment might arise when
there is evidence that some or all tax credits previously claimed by the limited liability entities would be recaptured, or that
expected remaining credits would no longer be available to the limited liability entities. If an investment is determined to be
impaired, it is written down to its estimated fair value and the new cost basis of the investment is not adjusted for subsequent
recoveries in value.
These investments are included within other assets and any impairment loss would be recognized in other non-interest income.
Other real estate owned (“OREO”) represents collateral acquired from the foreclosure of secured loans and is being actively
marketed for sale. These assets are initially recorded at the lower of cost or market value less disposition costs. Estimated
market value is generally based upon independent appraisals or broker price opinions, which are then modified based on
assumptions and expectations that are determined by management. Any write-down as a result of differences between carrying
and market value on the date of transfer from loan classification is charged to the allowance for credit losses.
Subsequently, the assets are recorded at the lower of its carrying value or estimated fair value less disposition costs. If the
property or other collateral has lost value subsequent to foreclosure, a valuation allowance (contra asset) is established, and the
charge is recorded in other non-interest income. OREO values are reviewed on a quarterly basis and subsequent declines in
estimated fair value are recognized in earnings in the current period. Holding costs are expensed as incurred and reflected in
operating expenses. Upon disposition of the property, any difference between the proceeds received and the carrying value is
booked to gain or loss on disposition recorded in other non-interest income.
Property and equipment are included in other assets and are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization.
Depreciation is expensed using the straight-line method over the estimated service lives of the assets. Estimated service lives
generally range from 3 to 7 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment and 20 to 40 years for buildings. Leasehold improvements
are amortized over the term of the respective lease or the estimated useful life of the improvement, whichever is shorter.
Property and equipment that are held to be used are assessed for impairment where indications exist that their carrying amounts
are not recoverable. The carrying amount of a fixed asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows
expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset.
Fixed assets are impaired when their carrying amounts are not recoverable and exceed their fair values. An impairment loss is
measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a fixed asset exceeds its fair value. The related asset must then be
written down and its depreciation adjusted prospectively over the asset’s remaining useful life.
Where an impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying amount of an asset will be its new cost basis. For a depreciable
asset, the new cost basis is depreciated (amortized) over the remaining useful life of that asset. Restoration of a previously
recognized impairment loss is prohibited.
Servicing Advances
The Company is required to make servicing advances in the normal course of servicing mortgage loans. These advances
include customary, reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket costs incurred in the performance of its servicing obligation. They
include advances related to mortgage insurance premiums, foreclosure activities, funding of principal and interest with respect to
mortgage loans held in connection with a securitized transaction and taxes and other assessments which are or may become a
lien upon the mortgage property. Servicing advances are generally reimbursed from cash flows collected from the loans.
As the servicer of securitizations of loans or equipment leases, the Company may be required to make servicing advances on
behalf of obligors if the Company determines that any scheduled payment was not received prior to the end of the applicable
collection period. Such advances may be limited by the Company based on its assessment of recoverability of such amounts in
subsequent collection periods. The reimbursement of servicing advances to the Company is generally prioritized over the
distribution of any payments to the investors in the securitizations.
A receivable is recognized for the advances that are expected to be reimbursed, while a loss is recognized in operating
expenses for advances that are not expected to be reimbursed. Advances not collected are generally due to payments made in
excess of the limits established by the investor or as a result of servicing errors. For loans serviced for others, servicing
advances are accrued through liquidation regardless of delinquency status. Any accrued amounts that are deemed uncollectible
at liquidation are written off against existing reserves. Any amounts outstanding 180 days post liquidation are written off against
established reserves.
The Company manages economic risk and exposure to interest rate and foreign currency risk through derivative transactions in
over-the-counter markets with other financial institutions. The Company also offers derivative products to its customers in order
for them to manage their interest rate and currency risks. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for
speculative purposes.
Derivatives utilized by the Company may include swaps, forward settlement contracts and options contracts. A swap agreement
is a contract between two parties to exchange cash flows based on specified underlying notional amounts, assets and/or indices.
Forward settlement contracts are agreements to buy or sell a quantity of a financial instrument, index, currency or commodity at
a predetermined future date, and rate or price. An option contract is an agreement that gives the buyer the right, but not the
obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset from or to another party at a predetermined price or rate over a specific period of
time.
CIT early adopted ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) -Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging
Activities, in the fourth quarter of 2017, effective January 01, 2017, under the modified retrospective approach.
The new hedging guidance better aligns the Company’s financial reporting for hedging activities with the economic objectives of
those activities and simplifies the application of the hedge accounting model. Among other things, ASU 2017-12: (a) expanded
the types of transactions eligible for hedge accounting; (b) eliminated the separate measurement and presentation of hedge
ineffectiveness; (c) simplified the requirements around the assessment of hedge effectiveness; (d) provided companies more
time to finalize hedge documentation; and (e) enhanced presentation and disclosure requirements.
As a result of the adoption, in the fourth quarter of 2017, CIT reclassified all of its HTM debt securities to AFS after evaluating
and confirming that these portfolios met the eligibility criteria. There was no impact to the Consolidated Statement of Income.
The Company documents, at inception, all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as the risk
management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedges. Upon executing a derivative contract, the Company
designates the derivative as either a qualifying hedge or non-qualifying hedge. The designation may change based upon
management’s reassessment of circumstances. Upon de-designation or termination of a hedge relationship, changes in fair
value of the derivative is reflected in earnings.
The Company utilizes cross-currency swaps and foreign currency forward contracts to hedge net investments in foreign
operations. These transactions are classified as foreign currency net investment hedges with resulting gains and losses reflected
in AOCI. For hedges of foreign currency net investment positions, the “forward” method is applied whereby effectiveness is
assessed and measured based on the amounts and currencies of the individual hedged net investments versus the notional
amounts and underlying currencies of the derivative contract. For those hedging relationships where the critical terms of the
underlying net investment and the derivative are identical, and the credit-worthiness of the counterparty to the hedging
instrument remains sound, there is an expectation of no hedge ineffectiveness so long as those conditions continue to be met.
The Company also enters into foreign currency forward contracts to manage the foreign currency risk associated with its non-
U.S. subsidiaries’ funding activities and designates these as foreign currency cash flow hedges for which certain components
are reflected in AOCI and others recognized in noninterest income when the underlying transaction impacts earnings. In order to
manage its interest rate exposure, the Company enters into fair value hedges of its fixed rate debt and the Company presents
the entire change in the fair value of the hedged instrument in the same income statement line as the earnings effect of the
hedged item.
The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts, interest rate swaps, and options to hedge interest rate and foreign
currency risks arising from its asset and liability mix. These are treated as economic hedges.
The Company also provides interest rate derivative contracts to support the business requirements of its customers (“customer-
related positions”). The derivative contracts include interest rate swap agreements and interest rate cap and floor agreements
wherein the Company acts as a seller of these derivative contracts to its customers. To mitigate the market risk associated with
these customer derivatives, the Company enters into similar offsetting positions with broker-dealers.
CIT has both bought and sold credit protection in the form of participations on interest rate swaps (risk participations). These
risk participations were entered into in the ordinary course of business to facilitate customer credit needs. Swap participations
where CIT has sold credit protection have maturities ranging between 2019 and 2034 and may require CIT to make payment to
the counterparty if the customer fails to make payment on any amounts due to the counterparty upon early termination of the
swap transaction.
All derivative instruments are recorded at their respective fair value. Derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting are
presented in the balance sheet at their fair values in other assets or other liabilities, with changes in fair value (gains and losses)
of cash flow hedges deferred in AOCI. For qualifying derivatives with periodic interest settlements, e.g. interest rate swaps,
interest income or interest expense is reported as a separate line item in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Derivatives
that do not qualify for hedge accounting are also presented in the Balance Sheet in other assets or other liabilities, but with their
resulting gains or losses recognized in other non-interest income. For non-qualifying derivatives with periodic interest
settlements, the Company reports interest income with other changes in fair value in other non-interest income.
Fair value is based on dealer quotes, pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques for which the
determination of fair value may require significant management judgment or estimation. The fair value of the derivative is
reported on a gross-by-counterparty basis. Valuations of derivative assets and liabilities reflect the value of the instrument
including the Company’s and counterparty’s credit risk.
CIT is exposed to credit risk to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the terms of a derivative. Losses related to
credit risk are reflected in other non-interest income. The Company manages this credit risk by requiring that all derivative
transactions entered into as hedges be conducted with counterparties rated investment grade at the initial transaction by
nationally recognized rating agencies, and by setting limits on the exposure with any individual counterparty. In addition,
pursuant to the terms of the Credit Support Annexes between the Company and its counterparties, CIT may be required to post
collateral or may be entitled to receive collateral in the form of cash or highly liquid securities depending on the valuation of the
derivative instruments as measured on a daily basis.
Fair Value
CIT measures the fair value of its financial assets and liabilities in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, which
defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and requires disclosures about fair value
measurements. The Company categorizes its financial instruments, based on the significance of inputs to the valuation
techniques, according to the following three-tier fair value hierarchy:
• Level 1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the
measurement date. Level 1 assets and liabilities include debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded
in an active exchange market, as well as certain other securities that are highly liquid and are actively traded in over-the-
counter markets;
• Level 2 - Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in
markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for
substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 assets and liabilities include debt securities with quoted prices
that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments and derivative contracts whose value is determined using
a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by
observable market data. This category generally includes derivative contracts and certain loans held-for-sale;
• Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the
assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments and certain Commercial and Consumer loans
whose value is determined using valuation models, discounted cash flow methodologies or similar techniques, as well as
instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation. This category
generally includes highly structured or long-term derivative contracts and structured finance securities where independent
pricing information cannot be obtained for a significant portion of the underlying assets or liabilities.
Valuation Process
The Company has various processes and controls in place to ensure that fair value is reasonably estimated. The Company
generally determines the estimated fair value of Level 3 assets and liabilities by using internally developed models and, to a
lesser extent, prices obtained from third-party pricing services or broker dealers (collectively, third party vendors).
The Company’s internally developed models primarily consist of discounted cash flow techniques, which require the use of
relevant observable and unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs are generally derived from actual historical performance of
similar assets or are determined from previous market trades for similar instruments. These unobservable inputs include
discount rates, default rates, loss severity and prepayment rates. Internal valuation models are subject to review prescribed by
the Company’s model validation policy that governs the use and control of valuation models used to estimate fair value. This
policy requires review and approval of significant models by the Company’s model review group, who are independent of the
business units and perform model validation. Model validation assesses the adequacy and appropriateness of the model,
including reviewing its processing components, logic and output results and supporting model documentation. These procedures
are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the model is appropriate for its intended use and performs as expected.
Periodic re-assessments of models are performed to ensure that they are continuing to perform as designed. The Company
updates model inputs and methodologies periodically as a result of the monitoring procedures in place.
Procedures and controls are in place to ensure new and existing models are subject to periodic validations by the Independent
Model Validation Group (“IMV”). Oversight of the IMV is provided by the Model Governance Committee (“MGC”). All internal
valuation models are subject to ongoing review by business unit level management. More complex models, such as those
involved in the fair value analysis of financial instruments, are subject to additional oversight, at least quarterly, by the
Company’s Valuation Reserve Working Group (“VRWG”), which consists of senior management and subject-matter experts.
For valuations involving the use of third party vendors for pricing of the Company’s assets and liabilities, the Company performs
due diligence procedures to ensure that the information obtained and valuation techniques used are appropriate. The Company
monitors and reviews the results (e.g., non-binding broker quotes and prices) from these third party vendors to ensure the
estimated fair values are reasonable. Although the inputs used by the third party vendors are generally not available for review,
the Company has procedures in place to provide reasonable assurance that the relied upon information is complete and
accurate. Such procedures may include, as available and applicable, comparison with other pricing vendors, corroboration of
pricing by reference to other independent market data and investigation of prices of individual assets and liabilities.
Certain MBS are carried at fair value with changes recorded in net income. Unrealized gains and losses are reflected as part of
the overall changes in fair value. The Company recognizes interest income on an effective yield basis over the expected
remaining life under the accretable yield method pursuant to ASC 310-30. Unrealized and realized gains or losses are reflected
in other non-interest income. The determination of fair value for these securities is discussed in Note 12 - Fair Value.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future taxation of events that have been reflected in the
consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the book
values and the tax basis of particular assets and liabilities, using tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are
expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce the reported amount of any net deferred tax assets of a
reporting entity if, based upon the relevant facts and circumstances, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax
assets will not be realized. Additionally, in certain situations, it may be appropriate to write-off the deferred tax asset against the
valuation allowance. This reduces the valuation allowance and the amount of the respective gross deferred tax asset that is
disclosed. A write-off might be appropriate if there is only a remote likelihood that the reporting entity will ever utilize its
respective deferred tax assets, thereby eliminating the need to disclose the gross amounts.
The Company is subject to the income tax laws of the United States, its states and municipalities and those of the foreign
jurisdictions in which the Company operates. These tax laws are complex, and the manner in which they apply to the taxpayer’s
facts is sometimes open to interpretation. Given these inherent complexities, the Company must make judgments in assessing
the likelihood that a beneficial income tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities based on the
technical merits of the tax position. An income tax benefit is recognized only when, based on management’s judgment regarding
the application of income tax laws, it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination. The amount
of benefit recognized for those tax positions that meet the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is the largest amount of
tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. The Company
adjusts the level of unrecognized tax benefits when there is new information available to assess the likelihood of the outcome.
Liabilities for uncertain income tax positions are included in current taxes payable, which is reflected in accrued liabilities and
payables. Accrued interest and penalties for unrecognized tax positions are recorded in income tax expense.
Other Comprehensive Income/Loss includes unrealized gains and losses, unless other than temporarily impaired, on AFS
investments, foreign currency translation adjustments for both net investment in foreign operations and related derivatives
designated as hedges of such investments, changes in fair values of derivative instruments designated as hedges of future cash
flows and certain pension and postretirement benefit obligations, all net of tax.
The Company has limited operations outside the U.S., primarily in Canada. The functional currency for foreign operations is
generally the local currency. The value of assets and liabilities of the foreign operations is translated into U.S. dollars at the rate
of exchange in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates
during the year. The resulting foreign currency translation gains and losses, as well as offsetting gains and losses on hedges of
net investments in foreign operations, are reflected in AOCI. Transaction gains and losses resulting from exchange rate changes
on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are included in other non-interest income.
CIT has both funded and unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension and postretirement plans covering certain U.S. and
non-U.S. employees, each of which is designed in accordance with the practices and regulations in the related countries.
Recognition of the funded status of a benefit plan, which is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the
benefit obligation, is included in the Balance Sheet. The Company recognizes as a component of OCI, net of tax, the net
actuarial gains or losses and prior service cost or credit that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net
periodic benefit cost in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
A VIE is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or any other legal structure used to conduct activities or hold
assets. These entities: lack sufficient equity investment at risk to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional
subordinated financial support from other parties; have equity owners who either do not have voting rights or lack the ability to
make significant decisions affecting the entity’s operations; and/or have equity owners that do not have an obligation to absorb
the entity’s losses or the right to receive the entity’s returns.
ASC 810 requires qualified special purpose entities to be evaluated for consolidation and addressed the approach for
determining a VIE’s PB and required companies to more frequently reassess whether they must consolidate VIEs. The PB is the
party that has both (1) the power to direct the activities of an entity that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic
performance; and (2) through its interests in the VIE, the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE
that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
ASU 2015-02 provides guidance on the way reporting enterprises evaluate whether (a) they should consolidate limited
partnerships and similar entities, (b) fees paid to a decision maker or service provider are variable interests in a VIE, and (c)
variable interests in a VIE held by related parties of the reporting enterprise require the reporting enterprise to consolidate the
VIE.
To assess whether the Company has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic
performance, the Company considers all facts and circumstances, including its role in establishing the VIE and its ongoing rights
and responsibilities. This assessment includes, first, identifying the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic
performance; and second, identifying which party, if any, has power over those activities. In general, the parties that make the
most significant decisions affecting the VIE (such as asset managers, collateral managers, servicers, or owners of call options or
liquidation rights over the VIE’s assets) or have the right to unilaterally remove those decision-makers are deemed to have the
power to direct the activities of a VIE.
To assess whether the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that
could potentially be significant to the VIE, the Company considers all of its economic interests, including debt and equity
investments, servicing fees, and derivative or other arrangements deemed to be variable interests in the VIE. This assessment
requires that the Company apply judgment in determining whether these interests, in the aggregate, are considered potentially
significant to the VIE. Factors considered in assessing significance include: the design of the VIE, including its capitalization
structure; subordination of interests; payment priority; relative share of interests held across various classes within the VIE’s
capital structure; and the reasons why the interests are held by the Company.
The Company performs on-going reassessments of: (1) whether any entities previously evaluated under the majority voting-
interest framework have become VIEs, based on certain events, and are therefore subject to the VIE consolidation framework;
and (2) whether changes in the facts and circumstances regarding the Company’s involvement with a VIE cause the Company’s
consolidation conclusion regarding the VIE to change.
When in the evaluation of its interest in each VIE it is determined that the Company is considered the PB, the VIE’s assets,
liabilities and non-controlling interests are consolidated and included in the consolidated financial statements. See Note 9 -
Borrowings for further details.
Consolidated VIEs
The most significant types of VIEs that CIT utilizes are 'on balance sheet' secured financings of pools of loans and leases
originated by the Company where the Company is the PB.
The main risks inherent in structured financings are deterioration in the credit performance of the vehicle's underlying asset
portfolio and risk associated with the servicing of the underlying assets.
Lenders typically have recourse to the assets in the VIEs and may benefit from other credit enhancements, such as: (1) a
reserve or cash collateral account that requires the Company to deposit cash in an account, which will first be used to cover any
defaulted obligor payments, (2) over-collateralization in the form of excess assets in the VIE, or (3) subordination, whereby the
Company retains a subordinate position in the secured borrowing which would absorb losses due to defaulted obligor payments
before the senior certificate holders. The VIE may also enter into derivative contracts in order to convert the debt issued by the
VIEs to match the underlying assets or to limit or change the risk of the VIE.
With respect to events or circumstances that could expose CIT to a loss as these are accounted for as on balance sheet, the
Company records an ALLL for the credit risks associated with the underlying leases and loans. The VIE has an obligation to pay
the debt in accordance with the terms of the underlying agreements.
Generally, third-party investors in the obligations of the consolidated VIEs have legal recourse only to the assets of the VIEs and
do not have recourse to the Company beyond certain specific provisions that are customary for secured financing transactions,
such as asset repurchase obligations for breaches of representations and warranties. In addition, the assets are generally
restricted to pay only such liabilities.
Unconsolidated VIE’s
Unconsolidated VIEs include GSE securitization structures, private-label securitizations and limited partnership interests where
the Company's involvement is limited to an investor interest where the Company does not have the obligation to absorb losses
or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE and limited partnership interests.
Non-interest Income
Non-interest income is recognized in accordance with relevant authoritative pronouncements and includes rental income on
operating leases and other non-interest income. Other non-interest income includes (1) fee revenues, including fees on lines of
credit, letters of credit, capital markets related fees, agent and advisory fees, service charges on deposit accounts, and servicing
fees on loans CIT services for others, (2) factoring commissions, (3) gains and losses on leasing equipment, net of impairments,
(4) bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) income, (5) gains and losses on investments, net of impairments, and (6) other revenues.
Other revenues include gains and losses on OREO sales, gains and losses on derivatives and foreign currency exchange, gains
and losses on loan and portfolio sales, and impairment on assets HFS. In addition, other revenues include items that are more
episodic in nature, such as gains on work-out related claims, recoveries on acquired loans or loans charged off prior to transfer
to AHFS, proceeds received in excess of carrying value on non-accrual accounts HFS that were repaid or had another workout
resolution, insurance proceeds in excess of carrying value on damaged leased equipment, and also includes income from joint
ventures.
Non-interest Expenses
Non-interest expense is recognized in accordance with relevant authoritative pronouncements and includes depreciation on
operating lease equipment, maintenance and other operating lease expenses, loss on debt extinguishments and deposit
redemptions, goodwill impairment, and operating expenses.
Operating expenses consists of (1) compensation and benefits, (2) technology costs, (3) professional fees, (4) insurance, (5) net
occupancy expenses, (6) advertising and marketing, (7) intangible assets amortization, (8) restructuring costs and (9) other
expenses.
The Company incurs certain costs related to rail tank car safety certifications. These certification costs provide a long-term
benefit to the Company as they allow the rail tank cars to comply with government standards and, as such, secure the use of
these assets over future periods. These costs are accounted for as a prepaid expense, are classified within Other Assets and
are amortized over the life cycle of the anticipated benefit of the re-certification (approximately 10 years).
Stock-Based Compensation
Compensation expense associated with equity-based awards is recognized over the vesting period (requisite service period),
which is generally three years, under the “graded vesting” attribution method, whereby each vesting tranche of the award is
amortized separately as if each were a separate award. The cost of awards granted to directors in lieu of cash is recognized
using the single grant approach with immediate vesting and expense recognition. Expenses related to stock-based
compensation are included in operating expenses (compensation and benefits).
CIT purchased life insurance policies on the lives of certain officers and employees and is the owner and beneficiary of the
policies. These policies, known as BOLI, offset the cost of providing employee benefits. CIT records these BOLI policies as a
separate line item in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at each policy’s respective cash surrender value, with changes recorded
as other non-interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common
shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the
weighted-average number of common shares outstanding increased by the weighted-average potential impact of dilutive
securities. The Company's potential dilutive instruments primarily include restricted unvested stock grants and performance
stock grants. The dilutive effect is computed using the treasury stock method, which assumes the conversion of these
instruments. However, in periods when there is a net loss, these shares would not be included in the EPS computation as the
result would have an anti-dilutive effect.
The Company may choose to retire treasury shares that it acquires through share repurchases and return those shares to the
status of authorized but unissued. The Company accounts for treasury stock transactions under the cost method. For each
reacquisition of common stock, the number of shares and the acquisition price for those shares is added to the existing treasury
stock count and total value. When treasury shares are retired, the Company's policy is to allocate the excess of the repurchase
price over the par value of shares acquired to both retained earnings and paid-in capital. The portion allocated to paid-in capital
is determined by applying a percentage, which is determined by dividing the number of shares to be retired by the number of
shares issued, to the balance of additional paid-in capital as of the retirement date.
A liability for costs associated with exit or disposal activities, other than in a business combination, is recognized when the
liability is incurred. The liability is measured at fair value, with adjustments for changes in estimated cash flows recognized in
earnings.
Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents includes cash and interest-bearing deposits, which are primarily overnight money market
investments and short term investments in mutual funds. The Company maintains cash balances principally at financial
institutions located in the U.S. The balances are not insured in all cases. Cash and cash equivalents also include amounts at CIT
Bank, which are only available for the bank’s funding and investment requirements. Cash inflows and outflows from customer
deposits are presented on a net basis. Factoring receivables are presented on a net basis, as a part of change in loans, in the
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, as factoring receivables are generally due in less than 90 days.
Cash receipts and cash payments resulting from purchases and sales of loans, securities, and other financing and leasing
assets are classified as operating cash flows when these assets are originated/acquired and designated specifically for sale.
Activity for loans originated or acquired for investment purposes, including those subsequently transferred to AHFS, is classified
in the investing section of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The vast majority of the Company’s loan originations are
for investment purposes. Cash receipts resulting from sales of loans, beneficial interests and other loans and leases that were
not specifically originated and/or acquired and designated for resale are classified as investing cash inflows regardless of
subsequent classification.
The cash flows related to investment securities and loans (excluding loans held for sale) purchased at a premium or discount are
as follows:
• CIT classifies the entire cash flow, including the premium, as investing outflow in the period of acquisition and on a
subsequent basis, the premium amortization is classified in investing as a positive adjustment, similar to the cumulative
earnings approach.
• CIT classifies the entire cash flow, net of the discount, as investing outflow in the period of acquisition and on a subsequent
basis, the discount accretion is classified in investing as a negative adjustment.
Restricted cash includes cash on deposit with other banks that are legally restricted as to withdrawal and primarily serve as
collateral for certain servicer obligations of the Company. CIT presents restricted cash activity within the net change in cash and
cash equivalents and as part of the beginning and ending balances of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the
Statements of Cash Flows, along with a reconciliation of those balances in the Statements of Cash Flows to those shown on the
Balance Sheet.
Activity of discontinued operations is included in various line items of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and summary
items are disclosed in Note 2 - Discontinued Operations.
During 2018, the Company adopted the following Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) issued by the Financial Accounting
Standards Board (“FASB”):
ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), and subsequent related ASUs establishes the principles to
apply in determining the amount and timing of revenue recognition.
The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on CIT’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. See
further discussion in the Revenue Recognition Section within Note 1, Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
ASU 2017-05, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20) clarifies the
scope of accounting for derecognition or partial sale of nonfinancial assets to exclude all businesses and non-profit activities.
The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on CIT’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. See
further discussion in the Revenue Recognition Section within Note 1, Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities includes amendments on recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. In
addition, this guidance adds a new Topic (ASC 321, Investments - Equity Securities) to the FASB Accounting Standards
Codification, which provides guidance on accounting for equity investments. ASU 2018-03, Technical Corrections and
Improvements to Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10) clarifies certain aspects of ASU 2016-01.
The adoption of these standards did not have a material impact on CIT’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. See
further discussion in the Investments Section within Note 1, Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory requires that the Company
recognize the tax expense from the sale of an asset in the seller’s tax jurisdiction when the transfer occurs, and any deferred tax
asset that arises in the buyer’s jurisdiction would also be recognized at the time of the transfer even though the pre-tax effects of
the transaction are eliminated in consolidation.
CIT adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective approach. The adoption of this standard did
not have a material impact on CIT's consolidated financial statements and disclosures. The balance sheet impact was an
approximately $0.2 million increase to the opening retained earnings due to the adjustment recorded.
Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash payments and Restricted Cash
ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments clarifies how
entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the Statement of Cash Flows. The guidance also clarifies
how the predominance principle should be applied when cash receipts and cash payments have aspects of more than one class
of cash flows.
CIT adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018, using a retrospective transition method. The adoption of this standard did not
have a material impact on CIT’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash requires that the Statement of Cash Flows explain the
change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted
cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included
with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the
statement of cash flows.
CIT adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018, using a retrospective transition method. The adoption of this standard did not
have a material impact on CIT’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business narrows the definition of a business
and provides guidance to assist entities with evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business.
CIT prospectively adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on
CIT’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
Compensation - Retirement Benefits: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic
Postretirement Benefit Cost
ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and
Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost requires employers that present a measure of operating income in their Statement of
Income to include only the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in
operating expenses (together with other employee compensation costs). The other components of net benefit cost, including
amortization of prior service cost/credit, and settlement and curtailment effects, are to be included in non-operating expenses in
a separate line item(s). This standard also stipulates that only the service cost component of net benefit cost is eligible for
capitalization. The amendments related to presentation of service cost and other components in the Income Statements must be
applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The amendments related to the capitalization of the service cost component
should be applied prospectively, on and after the date of adoption.
CIT adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on CIT’s
consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting provides guidance about
which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting.
CIT prospectively adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on
CIT’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefits Plans - General: Disclosure Framework - Changes to the
Disclosure Requirements for Defined Plans
ASU 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefits Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework
- Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Plans adds, removes, and clarifies disclosure requirements related to
defined benefit pension and postretirement plans.
CIT early adopted this guidance in the fourth quarter of 2018 by applying the standard on a retrospective basis to all periods
presented. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on CITs disclosures, as disclosure enhancements are
more qualitative in nature.
Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income: Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income
ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income allows a reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings for stranded tax effects
resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Consequently, the amendments eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting from the
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and improve the usefulness of information reported to financial statement users.
CIT early adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018, by applying the aggregate portfolio approach. Adjustment to opening
retained earnings due to the reclassification of certain tax effects stranded in AOCI was a $1.6 million increase. The adoption did
not have a material impact on CIT’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
Intangibles - Goodwill and Other – Internal - Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a
Cloud Computing Arrangement
ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees
Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement, aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting
arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain
internal-use software. The new guidance provides that costs incurred during the application development stage of
implementation would generally be capitalized, whereas costs incurred during the preliminary project and post implementation
stages would generally be expensed as incurred.
CIT early adopted ASU 2018-15 as of July 1, 2018 by applying the guidance prospectively to all implementation costs incurred
after the date of adoption. Capitalized implementation costs and amortization expense are reflected in "Other assets" and
"Operating expenses" within the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Income,
respectively. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on CITs consolidated financial statements and
disclosures.
Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value
Measurement
The FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure
Requirements for Fair Value Measurement in August 2018. ASU 2018-13 amends ASC 820 to add, remove, and modify fair
value measurement disclosure requirements.
CIT early adopted the removed and modified disclosure requirements and the added disclosure requirements in ASU 2018-13 as
of July 1, 2018, and October 1, 2018 respectively. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and
weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative
description of measurement uncertainty was applied prospectively. All other amendments were applied retrospectively to all
periods presented. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on CIT’s disclosures, as disclosure
enhancements are more qualitative in nature.
The following accounting pronouncements have been issued by the FASB but are not yet effective:
that transfer a good or service to the customer. approximately $260 million in its
The lease component will be accounted for Consolidated Balance Sheets. The
using an approach that is substantially adoption of the new guidance is
equivalent to existing guidance. The non-lease expected to result in a decrease in the
component will be accounted for by lessors in common equity tier 1 capital (“CET1”)
accordance with the revenue recognition ratio of approximately 5-basis-points.
guidance or other applicable accounting
• Lessor accounting: CIT elected the
guidance.
“package of practical expedients”,
• The new standard provides lessors with an which permits the Company not to
operating lease practical expedient, by class of reassess its prior conclusions regarding
underlying asset, to not separate nonlease lease identification, lease classification
components from the associated lease and initial direct costs. The new rules
component if both of the following are met: (i)
did not have a significant impact on
the timing and pattern of transfer of the
classification of leases as finance or
nonlease components and associated lease
operating. Most of CIT’s finance leases
component are the same and (ii) the lease
component, if accounted for separately, would are classified as sales-type leases
be classified as an operating lease. under ASC 842. No gain or loss is
typically recognized at lease
• The new standard also requires lessors to
commencement for new equipment as
record gross revenues and expenses for
there is no difference between
property taxes paid by the lessor which are
equipment fair value and carrying
reimbursed by the lessee as these taxes are
considered to be lessor costs of owning the amount. CIT applied the operating
asset. lease practical expedient to its Rail
portfolio leases and will not separate
• The new standard has a narrower definition of
non-lease components of railcar
initial direct costs, and certain incremental
maintenance services from lease
costs previously eligible for capitalization will be
expensed as incurred. components.
• A modified retrospective transition approach is
required, applying the new standard to all
leases existing at the date of initial application.
• Entities may choose its date of initial
application as either: (1) its effective date or (2)
the beginning of the earliest comparative period
presented in the financial statements.
ASU 2016-13, • ASU 2016-13 introduces a forward-looking • Effective for CIT as of January 1, 2020. Early
Financial “expected loss” model (the “Current Expected adoption is permitted; however, CIT does not
Instruments - Credit Credit Losses” (“CECL”) model) to estimate intend to early adopt the guidance.
Losses (Topic 326): credit losses over the full remaining expected • CIT is in the process of defining methodologies
Measurement of life of the portfolio upon adoption, rather than and processes that will be leveraged to conduct
Credit Losses on the incurred loss model under current U.S. a parallel run process in advance of January 1,
Financial GAAP. Estimates of expected credit losses
2020. The parallel run will initially focus on
Instruments under the new model will be based on relevant
technical functionality of the CECL calculation,
information about past events, current
Issued June 2016 and will then incorporate operational execution
conditions, and reasonable and supportable
forecasts regarding the collectability of reported of the end-to-end process as well as disclosure
amounts. Generally, the new model requires requirements. CIT management has established
that an allowance for credit losses be estimated a project team and a steering committee to
and recognized for financial assets measured provide cross-functional governance over, and
at amortized cost within its scope. make key decisions relating to, the project plan
and the parallel run.
• The amendments in this standard eliminates
existing guidance for PCI loans, and requires • Although CIT is currently in the process of
recognition of an allowance for expected credit evaluating the impact of the amended guidance
losses on financial assets purchased with more on its Consolidated Financial Statements, it
than insignificant credit deterioration since currently expects the ALLL to increase upon
origination (purchased credit deteriorated adoption given that the allowance will be
(“PCD”) loans). required to cover the full remaining expected life
• Loans previously classified as PCI will be of the portfolio upon adoption, rather than the
considered PCD at adoption, with credit related incurred loss model under current U.S. GAAP.
discount reflected in ALLL and loan balance. The extent of this increase is still being
• ASU 2016-13 amends existing impairment evaluated and will depend on economic
guidance for AFS securities to incorporate an conditions and the composition of CIT’s loan
allowance, which will allow for reversals of and lease portfolios at adoption date.
impairment losses in the event that the credit of
an issuer improves.
ASU 2018-17, • The amendments in this guidance for • Effective for CIT as of January 1, 2020. Early
Consolidation (Topic determining whether a decision-making fee is a adoption is permitted.
810): Targeted variable interest require reporting entities to • CIT is currently evaluating the impact of this
Improvements to consider indirect interests held through related standard on its consolidated financial
Related Party parties under common control on a proportional statements and disclosures and does not intend
Guidance for basis rather than as the equivalent of a direct to early adopt this standard.
Variable Interest interest in its entirety (as currently required in
Entities GAAP).
• The guidance also will create alignment
Issued October between determining whether a decision
2018 making fee is a variable interest and
determining whether a reporting entity within a
related party group is the PB of a VIE.
• Entities should adopt this standard
retrospectively with a cumulative-effect
adjustment to retained earnings at the
beginning of the earliest period presented.
The following condensed balance sheet reflects the Business Air business as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. The condensed
statements of income include Commercial Air up to the sale on April 4, 2017, and Business Air for all periods. The Commercial
Air sale price was $10.4 billion, and we recorded a pre-tax gain of $146 million ($106 million after tax), which is included in the
Condensed Statement of Income below for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Income from the discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was driven primarily by revenues on
leased aircraft, while 2017 also reflected the gain on sale of Commercial Air. The interest expense included amounts allocated to
the businesses and on secured debt included in the Condensed Balance Sheet. Operating expenses included in discontinued
operations consisted of direct expenses of the Commercial Air and Business Air businesses that were separate from ongoing
CIT operations.
In connection with the classification of the Aerospace businesses as discontinued operations, certain indirect operating
expenses that previously had been allocated to the businesses have instead been re-allocated as part of continuing operations.
The total incremental pretax amounts of indirect overhead expenses that were previously allocated to the Aerospace
businesses, and that remain in continuing operations, was approximately $19 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Financial Freedom, a former division of CIT Bank that serviced reverse mortgage loans, was acquired in conjunction with the
OneWest Transaction in 2015 and was sold on May 31, 2018. As part of the Financial Freedom Transaction, the sale of
Financial Freedom included all the operations, mortgage servicing rights and related servicing assets and liabilities. During 2018,
CIT recognized a net pre-tax loss on disposal of Financial Freedom of $22 million in discontinued operations primarily related to
reserves and transaction costs. CIT has agreed to indemnify the purchaser for potential loan defects and servicing deficiencies
related to the transferred servicing rights, both of which are capped and subject to time limitations. See Note 1 – Business and
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for a description of the Financial Freedom Transaction.
At December 31, 2018, certain assets and liabilities of Financial Freedom were still held by CIT Bank after the sale, and will
continue to be held until the required investor consent is received to qualify for sale treatment, although the economic benefit
and risk of the business has been transferred to the buyer. At December 31, 2018, assets of discontinued operations primarily
included Home Equity Conversion Mortgage ("HECM") loans. Liabilities included reverse mortgage servicing liabilities, secured
borrowings and contingent liabilities.
The Company, as servicer of HECM loans, is obligated to fund future borrower advances, which include fees paid to taxing
authorities for borrowers’ unpaid taxes and insurance, mortgage insurance premiums and payments made to borrowers for line
of credit draws on HECM loans. In addition, the Company is required to repurchase the HECM loans out of the GNMA HMBS
securitization pools once the outstanding principal balance is equal to or greater than 98% of the maximum claim amount or
when the property forecloses to OREO, which reduces the secured borrowing balance. HECM loan commitments associated
with the servicer obligation to fund future advances totaled $23 million at December 31, 2018 and $34 million at December 31,
2017 (included as part of the Financing commitments table presented in Note 20 – Commitments). Additionally, the Company
services $122.5 million and $140.3 million of HMBS outstanding principal balance at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively,
for transferred loans securitized by IndyMac for which OneWest Bank prior to the acquisition had purchased the mortgage
servicing rights (“MSRs”) in connection with the IndyMac Transaction. As the HECM loans are federally insured by the FHA and
the secured borrowings guaranteed to the investors by GNMA, the Company does not believe maximum loss exposure as a
result of its involvement is material. Upon receiving a required consent from GNMA, CIT shall no longer have this servicer
obligation and related assets and liabilities will qualify for derecognition.
As a mortgage servicer of residential reverse mortgage loans prior to the sale of Financial Freedom, the Company was exposed
to contingent liabilities for breaches of servicer obligations as set forth in industry regulations established by the Department of
Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) and the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) and in servicing agreements with the
applicable counterparties, such as third party investors. Under these agreements, the servicer may be liable for failure to perform
its servicing obligations, which could include fees imposed for failure to comply with foreclosure timeframe requirements
established by servicing guides and agreements to which CIT was a party as the servicer of the loans. The Company had
established reserves for contingent servicing-related liabilities for CIT’s servicer obligation that shall remain in discontinued
operations until the contingency is resolved. Separately, the Company had recognized an indemnification receivable from the
FDIC of $29 million as of December 31, 2017 for covered servicing-related obligations related to reverse mortgage loans
pursuant to the loss share agreement between CIT Bank and the FDIC related to the acquisition by OneWest Bank from the
FDIC of certain assets of IndyMac (the “IndyMac Transaction”). During 2018, the indemnification receivable was reduced to zero
as the contingent obligation for FDIC covered loans was no longer deemed probable pursuant to ASC 450 and related ASC 805.
See Note 3 – Loans for indemnification assets information.
The following tables reflect the combined results of the discontinued operations. Details of the balances are discussed in prior
tables.
NOTE 3 — LOANS
Loans, excluding those reflected as discontinued operations, consist of the following:
As part of the Financial Freedom Transaction, on May 31, 2018, CIT sold its reverse mortgage portfolio comprised of loans and
related OREO assets of $884 million and recognized a net pre-tax gain on the sale of $27 million in other non-interest income.
The loans were included in loans held for sale in the above table at December 31, 2017. See Note 1 – Business and Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies for a description of the Financial Freedom Transaction.
The following table presents loans, excluding loans held for sale, by segment, based on obligor location:
The following table presents selected components of the net investment in loans:
Certain of the following tables present credit-related information at the “class” level. A class is generally a disaggregation of a
portfolio segment. In determining the classes, CIT considered the loan characteristics and methods it applies in monitoring and
assessing credit risk and performance.
Commercial obligor risk ratings are reviewed on a regular basis by Credit Risk Management and are adjusted as necessary for
updated information affecting the borrowers' ability to fulfill their obligations.
The following table summarizes commercial loans by the risk ratings that bank regulatory agencies utilize to classify credit
exposure and which are consistent with indicators the Company monitors. The consumer loan risk profiles are different from
commercial loans, and use loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratios in rating the credit quality, and therefore are presented separately below.
Commercial Loans, Including Loans Held for Sale— Risk Rating by Class / Segment (dollars in millions)
Special Classified- Classified-
Grade: Pass Mention accruing non-accrual PCI Loans Total
December 31, 2018
Commercial Banking
Commercial Finance $ 8,637.7 $ 559.5 $ 1,096.3 $ 190.0 $ 4.7 $ 10,488.2
Real Estate Finance 5,023.2 162.2 225.5 2.2 32.2 5,445.3
Business Capital 7,550.1 415.3 299.3 45.7 — 8,310.4
Rail 82.7 0.5 0.6 — — 83.8
Total Commercial Banking 21,293.7 1,137.5 1,621.7 237.9 36.9 24,327.7
Consumer Banking
Other Consumer Banking(1) 446.4 7.1 55.8 0.4 1.8 511.5
Total Consumer Banking 446.4 7.1 55.8 0.4 1.8 511.5
Non- Strategic Portfolios 5.7 1.0 7.4 6.1 — 20.2
Total $ 21,745.8 $ 1,145.6 $ 1,684.9 $ 244.4 $ 38.7 $ 24,859.4
December 31, 2017
Commercial Banking
Commercial Finance $ 8,284.1 $ 640.9 $ 981.9 $ 134.8 $ 10.6 $ 10,052.3
Real Estate Finance 5,228.1 139.9 174.3 2.8 45.1 5,590.2
Business Capital 7,028.6 269.2 228.8 53.2 — 7,579.8
Rail 100.6 2.0 1.2 — — 103.8
Total Commercial Banking 20,641.4 1,052.0 1,386.2 190.8 55.7 23,326.1
Consumer Banking
Other Consumer Banking(1) 378.5 5.9 31.9 — 2.2 418.5
Total Consumer Banking 378.5 5.9 31.9 — 2.2 418.5
Non- Strategic Portfolios 35.7 7.6 10.2 9.8 — 63.3
Total $ 21,055.6 $ 1,065.5 $ 1,428.3 $ 200.6 $ 57.9 $ 23,807.9
(1) Other Consumer Banking loans primarily consisted of SBA loans.
The following table provides a summary of the consumer loan LTV distribution and the covered loans held for investment
balances for single-family residential (“SFR”) mortgage loans. The average LTV for the Total Consumer Loans included below at
December 31, 2018 and 2017, were 64% and 68%, respectively.
Consumer Loans LTV Distribution (dollars in millions)
Single Family Residential
Total
Covered Loans Non-covered Loans Consumer
LTV Range Non-PCI PCI Non-PCI PCI Loans
December 31, 2018
Greater than 125% $ 1.3 $ 105.6 $ 4.9 $ - $ 111.8
101% – 125% 5.3 186.1 4.7 — 196.1
80% – 100% 27.3 446.8 220.3 — 694.4
Less than 80% 1,068.5 916.0 3,032.6 — 5,017.1
Not Applicable(1) — — 0.9 — 0.9
Total $ 1,102.4 $ 1,654.5 $ 3,263.4 $ — $ 6,020.3
The SFR amounts represent the carrying value, which differ from unpaid principal balances, and include the premiums or
discounts and the accretable yield and non-accretable difference for PCI loans recorded in purchase accounting. Certain
consumer SFR loans are “covered loans” for which the Company can be reimbursed for a substantial portion of certain future
losses. Covered loans relate to loans acquired from the OneWest Bank acquisition with indemnifications provided by the FDIC
under the loss sharing agreements for certain future losses.
The loss share agreements with the FDIC relates to the IndyMac Transaction and the FDIC-assisted transactions of First
Federal in December 2009 (“First Federal Transaction”) and La Jolla in February 2010 (“La Jolla Transaction”) with the
indemnification period ending in March 2019, December 2019 and February 2020, respectively. The FDIC indemnifies the
Company against certain credit losses on covered loans based on specified thresholds outlined in the respective loss share
agreement. As of December 31, 2018, covered loans are limited to the LCM division.
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the indemnification asset totaled $10.8 million and $142.4 million, respectively, and a
receivable from the FDIC totaled $6.4 million and $9.2 million, respectively. Apart from the loss share reimbursements from the
FDIC, the decline in the indemnification asset during 2018 reflects the reduction in the indemnification receivable from the FDIC
related to covered servicer-related obligations for reverse mortgages from $29 million to zero (see Note 2 – Discontinued
Operations) and an impairment charge of $21 million and amortization of $40 million, as discussed below.
The recognized indemnification asset is limited to the IndyMac Transaction with excess losses reimbursed by the FDIC at 80%
since acquisition and 95% effective August 2018. No indemnification asset was recognized in connection with the First Federal
Transaction and La Jolla Transaction. The Company separately recognizes a net receivable (recorded in other assets) for the
claim submissions filed with the FDIC and a net payable (recorded in other liabilities) for the remittances due to the FDIC for
previously submitted claims that were later recovered by investor (e.g., guarantor payments, recoveries).
The amount of net amortization recognized on the indemnification asset from the IndyMac Transaction was $40 million, $47
million and $22 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Due to the improving credit quality
of the indemnified PCI loans since acquisition, the decrease in expected credit losses from the indemnified PCI loans results in a
decline in expected reimbursements from the FDIC for qualifying losses. Consistent with mirror accounting, the declines in
expected cash flows from the FDIC result in a higher negative yield on the indemnification asset applied prospectively over the
remaining contract period.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, CIT performed a collectability assessment of the probable losses to be reimbursed
by the FDIC given the significantly shorter remaining life of the indemnification asset in comparison to the weighted average life
of the related covered loans and significant decline in loss share claims filed with the FDIC. Separate from the higher negative
yield to amortize the reductions in expected indemnification asset cash flows due to an increase in expected cash flows on the
covered loans from improved credit performance, CIT recorded an impairment of $21 million in other noninterest income for the
amounts deemed uncollectable within the remaining indemnification period based on CIT’s loan level review of the covered
loans.
Included in the consumer loan balances as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, were loans with terms that permitted negative
amortization with an unpaid principal balance of $382 million and $484 million, respectively.
The table that follows presents portfolio delinquency status, regardless of accrual/non-accrual classification:
Loans Including Held for Sale Loans - Delinquency Status (dollars in millions)
Past Due
30–59 60–89
Days Days 90 Days or Total PCI
Past Due Past Due Greater Past Due Current(1) Loans(2) Total
December 31, 2018
Commercial Banking
Commercial Finance $ — $ — $ 70.3 $ 70.3 $ 10,413.2 $ 4.7 $ 10,488.2
Real Estate Finance 8.9 12.0 5.1 26.0 5,387.1 32.2 5,445.3
Business Capital 146.7 35.4 17.5 199.6 8,110.8 — 8,310.4
Rail 2.8 0.9 1.5 5.2 78.6 — 83.8
Total Commercial Banking 158.4 48.3 94.4 301.1 23,989.7 36.9 24,327.7
Consumer Banking
Legacy Consumer Mortgages 25.9 5.9 37.6 69.4 1,063.5 1,654.5 2,787.4
Other Consumer Banking 25.3 3.1 2.1 30.5 3,716.2 1.8 3,748.5
Total Consumer Banking 51.2 9.0 39.7 99.9 4,779.7 1,656.3 6,535.9
Non-Strategic Portfolios 0.1 1.3 5.8 7.2 13.0 — 20.2
Total $ 209.7 $ 58.6 $ 139.9 $ 408.2 $ 28,782.4 $ 1,693.2 $ 30,883.8
December 31, 2017
Commercial Banking
Commercial Finance $ 4.5 $ — $ 49.3 $ 53.8 $ 9,987.9 $ 10.6 $ 10,052.3
Real Estate Finance 8.7 — 4.1 12.8 5,532.3 45.1 5,590.2
Business Capital 172.2 33.4 19.1 224.7 7,355.1 — 7,579.8
Rail 3.9 1.4 0.8 6.1 97.7 — 103.8
Total Commercial Banking 189.3 34.8 73.3 297.4 22,973.0 55.7 23,326.1
Consumer Banking
Legacy Consumer Mortgages 26.7 7.6 34.8 69.1 2,219.5 1,903.5 4,192.1
Other Consumer Banking 9.6 0.5 0.4 10.5 2,615.4 2.2 2,628.1
Total Consumer Banking 36.3 8.1 35.2 79.6 4,834.9 1,905.7 6,820.2
Non-Strategic Portfolios 1.8 7.7 9.4 18.9 44.4 — 63.3
Total $ 227.4 $ 50.6 $ 117.9 $ 395.9 $ 27,852.3 $ 1,961.4 $ 30,209.6
(1) As of December 31, 2018, the reverse mortgage loans were sold. As of December 31, 2017, due to their nature, reverse mortgage loans
were included in ‘Current’, as they did not have contractual payments due at a specified time. During the first quarter of 2018, an immaterial
error was discovered and corrected relating to the December 31, 2017 ‘Current’ balance for LCM, which was understated by $861 million,
and the ‘Current’ balance for Other Consumer Banking, which was overstated by $861 million. There was no change to the ‘Total Consumer
Banking” ‘Current’ balance. The presentation reflects the revised ‘Current’ and ‘Total’ balances at December 31, 2017 for each class.
(2) PCI loans are categorized separately, as the balances represent an estimate of cash flows deemed to be collectible. Although PCI loans
may be contractually past due, we expect to fully collect the new carrying values.
Non-accrual loans include loans that are individually evaluated and determined to be impaired (generally loans with balances
$500,000 or greater), as well as other, smaller balance loans placed on non-accrual due to delinquency (generally 90 days or
more).
Certain loans 90 days or more past due as to interest or principal are still accruing, because they are (1) well-secured and in the
process of collection or (2) real estate mortgage loans or consumer loans exempt under regulatory rules from being classified as
nonaccrual until later delinquency, usually 120 days past due.
The following table sets forth non-accrual loans, assets received in satisfaction of loans (OREO and repossessed assets) and
loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing.
Payments received on non-accrual loans are generally applied first against outstanding principal, though in certain instances
where the remaining recorded investment is deemed fully collectible, interest income is recognized on a cash basis.
The table below summarizes the residential mortgage loans in the process of foreclosure and OREO:
Impaired Loans
The following table contains information about impaired loans and the related allowance for loan losses by class. Impaired loans
exclude PCI loans. Loans that were identified as impaired at the date of the OneWest Transaction (the “Acquisition Date”) for
which the Company is applying the income recognition and disclosure guidance in ASC 310-30 (Loans and Debt Securities
Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality), are not included in the following table but are disclosed further below in Loans
Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality.
Impairment occurs when, based on current information and events, it is probable that CIT will be unable to collect all amounts
due according to contractual terms of the agreement. For commercial loans, the Company has established review and
monitoring procedures designed to identify, as early as possible, customers that are experiencing financial difficulty. Credit risk is
captured and analyzed based on the Company's PD and LGD ratings. A PD rating is determined by evaluating borrower credit-
worthiness, including analyzing credit history, financial condition, cash flow adequacy, financial performance and management
quality. An LGD rating is predicated on transaction structure, collateral valuation and related guarantees or recourse. Further,
related considerations in determining probability of collection include the following:
• Instances where the primary source of payment is no longer sufficient to repay the loan in accordance with the terms of
the loan document;
• Lack of current financial data related to the borrower or guarantor;
• Delinquency status of the loan;
• Borrowers experiencing problems, such as operating losses, marginal working capital, inadequate cash flow, excessive
financial leverage or business interruptions;
• Loans secured by collateral that is not readily marketable or that has experienced or is susceptible to deterioration in
realizable value; and
• Loans to borrowers in industries or countries experiencing severe economic instability.
A shortfall between the estimated value and recorded investment in the loan is reported in the provision for credit losses. In
instances when the Company measures impairment based on the present value of expected future cash flows, the change in
present value is reported in the provision for credit losses.
The following summarizes key elements of the Company's policy regarding the determination of collateral fair value in the
measurement of impairment:
The Company applied the income recognition and disclosure guidance in ASC 310-30 (Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with
Deteriorated Credit Quality) to loans that were identified as PCI as of the Acquisition Date. PCI loans were initially recorded at
estimated fair value with no allowance for loan losses carried over, since the initial fair values reflected credit losses expected to
be incurred over the remaining lives of the loans. The acquired loans are subject to the Company’s internal credit review. See
Note 4 — Allowance for Loan Losses.
Unpaid Allowance
Principal Carrying for Loan
December 31, 2018 Balance Value Losses
Commercial Banking
Commercial Finance $ 9.0 $ 4.7 $ 0.4
Real Estate Finance 37.7 32.2 8.8
Consumer Banking
Other Consumer Banking 2.3 1.8 —
Legacy Consumer Mortgages 2,440.9 1,654.5 9.2
$ 2,489.9 $ 1,693.2 $ 18.4
December 31, 2017
Commercial Banking
Commercial Finance $ 16.4 $ 10.6 $ 0.7
Real Estate Finance 60.1 45.1 7.0
Consumer Banking
Other Consumer Banking 3.0 2.2 —
Legacy Consumer Mortgages 2,790.7 1,903.5 11.4
$ 2,870.2 $ 1,961.4 $ 19.1
The following table summarizes the carrying value of commercial PCI loans, which are monitored for credit quality based on
internal risk classifications. See previous table Consumer Loan LTV Distribution for credit quality metrics on consumer PCI
loans.
Carrying Value of Commercial PCI Loans (dollars in millions)
December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
Non- Non-
criticized Criticized Total criticized Criticized Total
Commercial Finance $ — $ 4.7 $ 4.7 $ — $ 10.6 $ 10.6
Real Estate Finance 14.6 17.6 32.2 21.8 23.3 45.1
Total $ 14.6 $ 22.3 $ 36.9 $ 21.8 $ 33.9 $ 55.7
Non-criticized loans generally include loans that are expected to be repaid in accordance with contractual loan terms. Criticized
loans are risk rated as special mention or classified.
Accretable Yield
The excess of cash flows expected to be collected over the recorded investment (estimated fair value at acquisition) of the PCI
loans represents the accretable yield and is recognized in interest income on an effective yield basis over the remaining life of
the loan, or pools of loans. The accretable yield is adjusted for changes in interest rate indices for variable rate PCI loans,
changes in prepayment assumptions and changes in expected principal and interest payments and collateral values. Further, if a
loan within a pool of loans is modified, the modified loan remains part of the pool of loans.
Changes in the accretable yield for PCI loans are summarized below.
The Company periodically modifies the terms of loans in response to borrowers’ difficulties. Modifications that include a financial
concession to the borrower are accounted for as TDRs.
A restructuring of a debt constitutes a TDR for purposes of ASC 310-40, if CIT, for economic or legal reasons related to the
debtor’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the debtor that it would not otherwise consider. A concession either stems
from an agreement between CIT and the debtor or is imposed by law or a court of law. One key indicator of a concession is the
lender granting a term or condition that it would not ordinarily consider, such as accepting assets other than cash in partial
settlement of the obligation. Another key indicator of a concession is the lender agreeing to a term or condition that is below
market, such as lowering the interest rate or agreeing to convert scheduled cash pay interest to Payment in Kind (“PIK”).”
A TDR may include, but is not limited to, one or a combination of the following:
• Transfer from the debtor to the creditor of receivables from third parties, real estate, or other assets to satisfy a debt in
full or in part. This includes a transfer resulting from foreclosure or repossession.
• Issuance or other granting of an equity interest by the debtor to the creditor as partial repayment of the debt, unless the
equity interest is granted pursuant to existing terms for converting the debt into an equity interest
• Modification of the terms of a debt, such as one or a combination of the following:
o Reduction (absolute or contingent) of the stated interest rate for the remaining original life of the debt
o Reduction (absolute or contingent) of the face amount or maturity extension of the debt
o Reduction (absolute or contingent) of accrued interest
o Deferral of payments
Modified loans that meet the definition of a TDR are subject to the Company's impaired loan policy.
The following table presents recorded investment of TDRs, excluding those within a trial modification period, and those classified
as PCI as of and during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
TDRs (dollars in millions)
December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Recorded % Total Recorded % Total Recorded % Total
Investment TDR Investment TDR Investment TDR
Commercial Banking $ 70.2 80% $ 86.3 83% $ 70.0 85%
Consumer Banking 17.7 20% 17.2 17% 12.3 15%
Total $ 87.9 100% $ 103.5 100% $ 82.3 100%
Percent non-accrual 79% 63% 41%
There were $6.1 million and $13.4 million as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, of commitments to
lend additional funds to borrowers whose loan terms have been modified in TDRs.
The financial impact of the various modification strategies that the Company employs in response to borrower difficulties is
presented below. Although the focus is on the December 31, 2018 amounts, the overall nature and impact of modification
programs were comparable in the prior year.
Modifications qualifying as TDRs based upon recorded investment at December 31, 2018 were comprised of payment deferrals
(50%) and covenant relief and/or other (50%). At December 31, 2017, TDR recorded investment was comprised of payment
deferrals (31%) and covenant relief and/or other (69%).
• Payment deferrals result in lower net present value of cash flows, if not accompanied by additional interest or fees, and
increased provision for credit losses to the extent applicable. The financial impact of these modifications is not
significant given the moderate length of deferral periods.
• Interest rate reductions result in lower amounts of interest being charged to the customer, but are a relatively small part
of the Company’s restructuring programs. The weighted average change in interest rates for all TDRs occurring during
the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was not significant.
• Debt forgiveness, or the reduction in amount owed by borrower, results in incremental provision for credit losses, in the
form of higher charge-offs. While these types of modifications have the greatest individual impact on the allowance, the
amounts of principal forgiveness for TDRs occurring during years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was not
significant, as debt forgiveness is a relatively small component of the Company’s modification programs.
• The other elements of the Company’s modification programs that are not TDRs, do not have a significant impact on
financial results given their relative size, or do not have a direct financial impact, as in the case of covenant changes.
Allowance for Loan Losses and Recorded Investment in Loans (dollars in millions)
Commercial Consumer
Banking Banking Total
Year Ended December 31, 2018
Balance - December 31, 2017 $ 402.2 $ 28.9 $ 431.1
Provision for credit losses 167.1 3.9 171.0
Other(1) 3.0 0.0 3.0
Gross charge-offs (138.7) (4.1) (142.8)
Recoveries 26.6 0.8 27.4
Balance - December 31, 2018 $ 460.2 $ 29.5 $ 489.7
Allowance balance at December 31, 2018
Loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 47.4 $ - $ 47.4
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment 403.6 20.3 423.9
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality(2) 9.2 9.2 18.4
Allowance for loans losses $ 460.2 $ 29.5 $ 489.7
Other reserves(1) $ 41.4 $ 0.1 $ 41.5
Loans at December 31, 2018
Loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 211.8 $ 35.9 $ 247.7
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment 24,014.7 4,839.8 28,854.5
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality(2) 36.9 1,656.3 1,693.2
Ending Balance $ 24,263.4 $ 6,532.0 $ 30,795.4
Percentage of loans to total loans 78.8% 21.2% 100.0%
Year Ended December 31, 2017
Balance - December 31, 2016 $ 408.4 $ 24.2 $ 432.6
Provision for credit losses 88.7 25.9 114.6
Other(1) (0.8) (0.1) (0.9)
Gross charge-offs (115.2) (22.5) (137.7)
Recoveries 21.1 1.4 22.5
Balance - December 31, 2017 $ 402.2 $ 28.9 $ 431.1
Allowance balance at December 31, 2017
Loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 26.0 $ - $ 26.0
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment 368.5 17.5 386.0
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality(2) 7.7 11.4 19.1
Allowance for loans losses $ 402.2 $ 28.9 $ 431.1
Other reserves(1) $ 44.5 $ - $ 44.5
Loans at December 31, 2017
Loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 172.7 $ - $ 172.7
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment 22,930.9 4,048.9 26,979.8
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality(2) 55.7 1,905.7 1,961.4
Ending Balance $ 23,159.3 $ 5,954.6 $ 29,113.9
Percentage of loans to total loans 79.5% 20.5% 100.0%
(1) “Other” also includes allowance for loan losses associated with loan sales and foreign currency translations. “Other reserves” represents
credit loss reserves for unfunded lending commitments, letters of credit and deferred purchase agreements, all of which is recorded in Other
liabilities.
(2) Represents loans considered impaired as part of the OneWest transaction and are accounted for under the guidance in ASC 310-30 (Loans
and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality).
The following table presents future minimum lease rentals due on non-cancellable operating leases at December 31, 2018.
Excluded from this table are variable rentals, including rentals calculated based on asset usage levels, re-leasing rentals, and
expected sales proceeds from remarketing equipment at lease expiration, all of which are components of operating lease
profitability.
Realized investment gains totaled $16.5 million, $30.0 million and $5.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017
and 2016 respectively, and excludes losses from OTTI.
In addition, the Company had $1.6 billion and $1.4 billion of interest bearing deposits at banks at December 31, 2018 and
December 31, 2017, respectively, which are cash and cash equivalents and are classified separately on the balance sheet.
The following table presents interest and dividends on interest bearing deposits and investments:
The following table presents amortized cost and fair value of AFS securities.
The following table presents the debt securities AFS by contractual maturity dates:
At December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, certain securities AFS were in unrealized loss positions. The following table
summarizes by investment category the gross unrealized losses, respective fair value and length of time that those securities
have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.
In connection with the OneWest acquisition, the Company classified AFS mortgage-backed securities as PCI due to evidence of
credit deterioration since issuance and for which it was probable that the Company would not collect all principal and interest
payments contractually required at the time of purchase. Accounting for these PCI securities is discussed in Note 1 — Business
and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
Changes in the accretable yield for PCI securities are summarized below as of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and
2016 respectively:
As of December 31, 2017, the estimated fair value of PCI securities was $312.5 million with a par value of $387.6 million. As of
December 31, 2018, there was no balance in PCI securities.
Upon the adoption of ASU 2016-01- Financial Instruments on January 1, 2018, CIT reclassified eligible equity securities AFS to
Securities Carried at Fair Value with Changes Recorded in Net Income. As of December 31, 2018, these equity securities were
carried at a fair value of $44.6 million with an amortized cost of $46.9 million and unrealized losses of $2.3 million.
As of December 31, 2017, the fair value and amortized cost of equity securities AFS was $44.7 million and $45.8 million
respectively. The unrealized loss of $1.1 million as of December 31, 2017 was reclassified as a cumulative-effect adjustment to
the balance sheet as of the date of adoption. There were no equity Securities Carried at Fair Value with Changes Recorded in
Net Income as of December 31, 2017.
As discussed in Note 1 — Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, the Company conducted and documented
its periodic review of all securities with unrealized losses, which it performs to evaluate whether the impairment is other than
temporary. The Company reviews the AFS securities with unrealized losses and determines whether the unrealized losses were
credit-related and accordingly, recognizes OTTI losses.
There were insignificant OTTI losses for the year ended December 31, 2018 and the Company recognized OTTI losses of $1.1
million and $3.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 respectively. For AFS debt securities
with unrealized losses that were neither OTTI nor credit-related, the Company believes it is not more-likely-than-not that it will
have to sell such securities with unrealized losses prior to the recovery of the amortized cost basis.
There were no adjustments related to impairment for securities without readily determinable fair values measured under the
measurement exception. There were immaterial unrealized losses on non-marketable investments.
NOTE 8 — DEPOSITS
The following table provides detail on deposit types and maturities.
The following table presents the maturity profile of other time deposits with a denomination of $100,000 or more.
NOTE 9 — BORROWINGS
The following table presents the carrying value of outstanding borrowings.
The following table summarizes contractual maturities of borrowings outstanding, which excludes PAA discounts, original issue
discounts, FSA discounts.
Unsecured Borrowings
In February 2019, the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility was amended. See Note 29 - Subsequent Events. The following
information was in effect at December 31, 2018.
The Revolving Credit Facility had a total commitment amount of $500 million at December 31, 2018. $41.7 million of that
matured on January 25, 2019, with the balance of $458.3 million maturing on February 29, 2020. The applicable margin charged
under the facility is 2.00% for LIBOR Rate loans and 1.00% for Base Rate loans.
The Revolving Credit Facility was amended in February 2018 to lower the total commitments from $750 million to $500 million
and to extend the final maturity date of the lenders’ commitments from January 25, 2019 to February 29, 2020. The Revolving
Credit Facility includes a covenant that requires that the Company maintain a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 9.0%. As of
December 31, 2018, the Revolving Credit Facility was unsecured and was guaranteed by four of the Company’s domestic
operating subsidiaries. In addition, the applicable required minimum guarantor asset coverage ratio ranged from 1.0:1.0 to
1.5:1.0, and was 1.25:1.00 at December 31, 2018.
The Revolving Credit Facility may be drawn and prepaid at the option of CIT. The unutilized portion of any commitment under
the Revolving Credit Facility may be reduced permanently or terminated by CIT at any time without penalty. There were no
outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The amount available to draw upon at December 31,
2018 was approximately $459 million, with the remaining amount of approximately $41 million being utilized for issuance of
letters of credit to customers.
In addition to the notes shown in the above table, there is an unsecured note outstanding with a 6.0% coupon and a carrying
value of $39.8 million (par value of $51 million) that matures in 2036.
The following table summarizes the senior unsecured notes repayment activity during 2018 and 2017. During 2017, the
company repaid the following unsecured notes utilizing the proceeds from the Commercial Air sale.
In addition to the repayments during 2017, there was a maturity of $253 million of senior unsecured notes due May 2017.
The structured financings and unsecured debt redemptions resulted in debt extinguishment losses of $38.6 million, $220.0
million and $12.5 million for the years ending December 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016
respectively.
In March 2018, CIT issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% subordinated notes with a maturity date of March
9, 2028. The notes are subordinated in right of payment to the payment of CIT’s senior indebtedness and secured indebtedness,
to the extent of the value of the collateral.
Secured Borrowings
At December 31, 2018, the Company had pledged $29.2 billion of assets (including collateral for the FRB discount window that
is currently not drawn). The collateral specifically identified and used to calculate available borrowings was $12.1 billion, which
included $11.9 billion of loans, $0.1 billion of cash and cash equivalents and $0.1 billion of investment securities. Under the
FHLB Facility, CIT Bank, N.A. may at any time grant a security interest in, sell, convey or otherwise dispose of any of the assets
used for collateral, provided that CIT Bank, N.A. is in compliance with the collateral maintenance requirement immediately
following such disposition and all other requirements of the facility at the time of such disposition.
FHLB Advances
As a member of the FHLB of San Francisco, CIT Bank N.A. can access financing based on an evaluation of its creditworthiness,
statement of financial position, size and eligibility of collateral. The interest rates charged by the FHLB for advances typically
vary depending upon maturity, the cost of funds of the FHLB, and the collateral provided for the borrowing. Advances are
secured by certain Bank assets and bear either a fixed or floating interest rate. The FHLB advances are collateralized by a
variety of consumer and commercial loans, including SFR mortgage loans, multi-family mortgage loans, commercial real estate
loans, certain foreclosed properties and certain amounts receivable under a loss sharing agreement with the FDIC.
As of December 31, 2018, the Company had $5.5 billion of financing availability with the FHLB, of which $1.9 billion was unused
and available, and $2.3 million was being utilized for issuance of letters of credit related to lease agreements. FHLB Advances
as of December 31, 2018 have a weighted average rate of 2.79%. The following table includes the total outstanding FHLB
Advances, and respective pledged assets(1).
Set forth in the following table are borrowings and pledged assets related to secured (other than FHLB) and structured
financings of CIT-owned subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs. Creditors of these VIEs received ownership and/or security
interests in the assets. These entities are intended to be bankruptcy remote so that such assets are not available to creditors of
CIT or any affiliates of CIT until and unless the related secured borrowings have been fully discharged. These transactions do
not meet accounting requirements for sales treatment and are recorded as secured borrowings. The secured and structured
financings as of December 31, 2018 had a weighted average rate of 3.75%, with rates ranging from 3.49% to 3.75%.
Other Secured and Structured Financings and Pledged Assets Summary (dollars in millions)
December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
Secured Pledged Secured Pledged
Borrowing Assets Borrowing Assets
Business Capital $ 695.3 $ 2,833.7 $ 768.8 $ 2,838.6
Rail(1) (2) 15.1 17.8 772.6 1,272.0
Total $ 710.4 $ 2,851.5 $ 1,541.4 $ 4,110.6
(1) At December 31, 2017, secured borrowings and pledged assets of $250.3 million and $421.9 million, respectively, were related to NACCO,
which was sold in October 2018 and were either repaid prior to the sale or were transferred to the buyer upon sale of that business.
(2) On October 25, 2018, CIT repaid approximately $465 million of secured financings of the Company’s railcar asset backed securitization
vehicle (the “Railcar Securitization”), which was the reference obligation under the Dutch TRS Facility. See Note 10 – Derivative Financial
Instruments. In addition, the termination of the Dutch TRS Facility and redemption of the associated reference obligation Railcar
Securitization resulted in the unencumbering of approximately $775 million of railcar assets.
Not included in the above table are secured borrowings of discontinued operations of $195.0 million and $268.2 million at
December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. See Note 2 — Discontinued Operations.
FRB
The Company has a borrowing facility with the FRB Discount Window that can be used for short-term, typically overnight
borrowings. The borrowing capacity is determined by the FRB based on the collateral pledged.
There were no outstanding borrowings with the FRB Discount Window as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
Described below are the results of the Company’s assessment of its variable interests in order to determine its current status
with regards to being the VIE PB. See Note 1 – Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for additional
information on accounting for VIEs.
Consolidated VIEs
The Company utilizes VIEs in the ordinary course of business to support its own and its customers’ financing needs. Each VIE is
a separate legal entity and maintains its own books and records. The most significant types of VIEs that CIT utilizes are "on
balance sheet" secured financings of pools of leases and loans originated by the Company where the Company is the PB. As of
December 31, 2018 there were no Consolidated VIEs.
Unconsolidated VIEs
Unconsolidated VIEs include GSE securitization structures, private-label securitizations and limited partnership interests where
the Company’s involvement is limited to an investor interest in which the Company does not have the obligation to absorb losses
or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE and limited partnership interests.
Although the economic benefit and risk has been transferred to the buyer in connection with the sale of Financial Freedom in
2018, until the required investor consent is obtained from GNMA, CIT remains the master servicer for the HECM loans and the
GNMA HMBS securitizations. These are VIEs for which CIT is not the PB and which are reported in discontinued operations.
See Note 2 — Discontinued Operations
The table below presents potential losses that would be incurred under hypothetical circumstances, such that the value of its
interests and any associated collateral declines to zero and assuming no recovery or offset from any economic hedges. The
Company believes the possibility is remote under this hypothetical scenario; accordingly, this required disclosure is not an
indication of expected loss.
See Note 1 — Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Company’s 2018 Form 10-K, for the description
of its derivative products and transaction policies.
The following table presents fair values and notional values of derivative financial instruments, which includes the gross amounts
of recognized financial assets and liabilities; the amounts offset in the consolidated balance sheet; the net amounts presented in
the consolidated balance sheet; the amounts subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement that
were not included in the offset amount above, and the amount of cash collateral received or pledged:
Qualifying Hedges
CIT enters into interest rate swap agreements to manage interest rate exposure on its fixed-rate borrowings. The agreements
that qualify for hedge accounting are designated as a fair value hedge. The following table represents the impact of fair value
hedges on the condensed consolidated statements of income.
The following table presents the impact of non-qualifying hedges on the condensed consolidated statements of income
TRS Facility
Two of CIT’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, one Canadian, CIT Financial Ltd. (“CFL”) and one Dutch, CIT TRS Funding B.V. (“BV”),
were each party to a financing facility (the “Canadian TRS Facility” and the “Dutch TRS Facility”, respectively) that were
structured as total return swaps (“TRS”) with Goldman Sachs International (“GSI”). Under each TRS, the amount available for
advances (otherwise known as the unused portion) was accounted for as a derivative financial instrument and recorded at its
respective estimated fair value.
As of December 31, 2017, the total facility capacity available under the Dutch TRS Facility was $625 million with a “notional
amount” of $182.4 million representing the unused portion or derivative financial instrument. On October 5, 2018, BV issued an
Optional Termination Notice (as that term is defined for purposes of that certain Master Agreement) to GSI to terminate the
Dutch TRS Facility. Pursuant to the Optional Termination Notice, the Dutch TRS Facility was terminated on November 2, 2018
(the “Optional Termination Date”).
The exercise of BV’s option to terminate the Dutch TRS Facility prior to maturity required an $85.6 million payment from BV to
GSI representing the present value of the remaining facility fee (the “Optional Termination Fee”). This payment, in combination
with the decrease of the Dutch TRS derivative liability of $13.3 million, contributed to a net pretax charge of $69.5 million in other
non-interest income in the fourth quarter of 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase in the derivative liability of
$2.8 million was recognized in other non-interest income resulting in a derivative liability of $14.1 million being recorded at
December 31, 2017, based on the Company’s valuation.
As of December 31, 2016, in preparation for the sale of the Company's commercial aircraft leasing business, CIT redeemed the
commercial aircraft securitization transaction utilized as a reference obligation in the Canadian TRS, causing the Canadian TRS
to become fully unutilized, which resulted in management’s decision to terminate the Canadian TRS in order to further simplify
the Company's business model. The Canadian TRS had a total capacity of $1.5 billion. As a result, payment was made by CFL
to GSI on December 7, 2016, of the present value of the remaining facility fee in an amount equal to approximately $280 million.
The reduction of liability associated with the Canadian TRS of approximately $37 million resulted in a net pretax charge for the
Company of approximately $245 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.
The Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be
received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement
date. U.S. GAAP also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair
value into three levels. See Note 1 — Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Company's 2018 Form
10-K for a description of its valuation process for assets and liabilities measured at fair value and fair value hierarchy.
Disclosures that follow in this note exclude assets and liabilities classified as discontinued operations.
The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (dollars in millions)
Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
December 31, 2018
Assets
U.S. government agency securities $ 5,225.2 $ — $ 5,225.2 $ —
U.S. treasury securities 251.5 53.9 197.6 —
Other securities 454.6 — 388.7 65.9
Total debt securities AFS 5,931.3 53.9 5,811.5 65.9
Securities carried at fair value with changes recorded in net income(1) 44.6 0.1 44.5 —
See Fair Value of Financial Instruments later in this note for fair value measurements of Debt and Equity Securities Classified as
AFS, Securities carried at fair value with changes recorded in net income and Derivative Assets and Liabilities.
Consideration Holdback Liability — In connection with the OneWest acquisition, the parties negotiated certain holdbacks related
to select trailing risks, which totaled $116 million and reduced the cash consideration paid at closing. As of June 30, 2018, all
holdback obligations were settled with the former OneWest shareholders. As of December 31, 2017, management’s estimate of
the probable amount of holdback to be paid was $46 million. Due to the significant unobservable inputs used, these
measurements were classified as Level 3.
FDIC True-up Liability — Under the La Jolla Transaction, the Company is required to make a true-up payment to the FDIC in
April 2020 in the event that losses, after certain credits related to servicing the portfolio are considered, do not exceed a
specified level by the tenth anniversary of the agreement in February 2020. Based on the losses and servicing credits to date
and the forecast for these through the end of the agreement the Company currently expects that a true-up payment will be
required. The FDIC True-up liability was recorded at estimated fair value as of the Acquisition Date and is measured at fair value
at each reporting date until the contingency is resolved. Due to the significant unobservable inputs used, these measurements
were classified as Level 3.
The following tables summarize information about significant unobservable inputs related to the Company’s categories of Level 3
financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements — Recurring (dollars in millions)
Significant
Estimated Valuation Unobservable Range of Weighted
Financial Instrument Fair Value Technique(s) Inputs Inputs Average
December 31, 2018
Assets
Debt Securities — AFS $ 65.9 Discounted cash flow Discount Rate 6.0% - 6.2% 6.1%
Derivative assets — non qualifying 0.4 Internal valuation model Borrower Rate 3.3% - 5.7% 4.4%
Total Assets $ 66.3
Liabilities
FDIC True-up liability $ (66.9) Discounted cash flow Discount Rate 4.5% 4.5%
Total Liabilities $ (66.9)
December 31, 2017
Assets
Debt Securities — AFS $ 385.8 Discounted cash flow Discount Rate 0.0% – 37.1% 4.6%
Prepayment Rate 2.1% – 22.3% 8.8%
Default Rate 0.0% – 7.3% 3.7%
Loss Severity 0.3% – 72.4% 35.3%
Securities carried at fair value with
changes recorded in net income 0.4 Discounted cash flow Discount Rate 31.1% 31.1%
Prepayment Rate 10.9% 10.9%
Default Rate 2.4% 2.4%
Loss Severity 59.2% 59.2%
Derivative assets — non qualifying 0.1 Internal valuation model Borrower Rate 3.0% - 4.4% 3.8%
Total Assets $ 386.3
Liabilities
FDIC True-up liability $ (65.1) Discounted cash flow Discount Rate 2.9% 2.9%
Consideration holdback liability (46.0) Discounted cash flow Payment Probability 0% – 100% 48.0%
The following table summarizes the changes in estimated fair value for all assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value
on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
Changes in Estimated Fair Value of Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis (dollars in millions)
Securities
Carried at
Fair Value Derivative
with Changes Liabilities- FDIC Consideration
Securities- Recorded in Non- True-up Holdback
AFS Net Income Qualifying(1) Liability Liability
December 31, 2017 $ 385.8 $ 0.4 $ (14.1) $ (65.1) $ (46.0)
Included in earnings 16.8 — 14.1 (1.8) 8.0
Included in comprehensive income (22.7) — — — —
Sales, paydowns, and adjustments (314.0) (0.4) — — 38.0
Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ 65.9 $ — $ — $ (66.9) $ —
Change in unrealized loss for the period included in
other comprehensive income for assets held at the end
of the reporting period $ (1.4) $ — $ — $ — $ —
December 31, 2016 $ 485.5 $ 283.5 $ (11.5) $ (61.9) $ (47.2)
Included in earnings 6.6 23.0 (2.6) (3.2) 1.2
Included in comprehensive income 7.7 — — — —
Impairment (1.1) — — — —
Transfer from Securities-HTM 66.8 — — — —
Sales, paydowns, and adjustments (179.7) (306.1) — — —
Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ 385.8 $ 0.4 $ (14.1) $ (65.1) $ (46.0)
(1) Valuation of the derivative related to the Dutch TRS Facility.
Certain assets or liabilities are required to be measured at estimated fair value on a non-recurring basis subsequent to initial
recognition. Generally, these adjustments are the result of LOCOM or other impairment accounting. In determining the estimated
fair values, the Company determined that substantially all the changes in estimated fair value were due to declines in market
conditions versus instrument specific credit risk. This was determined by examining the changes in market factors relative to
instrument specific factors.
The following table presents assets measured at estimated fair value on a non-recurring basis for which a non-recurring change
in fair value has been recorded in the current year:
Carrying Value of Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis (dollars in millions)
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using:
Total
Gains
Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (Losses)
December 31, 2018
Assets held for sale $ 30.4 $ — $ 1.4 $ 29.0 $ 14.2
Impaired loans 111.5 — — 111.5 (42.6)
Total $ 141.9 $ — $ 1.4 $ 140.5 $ (28.4)
December 31, 2017
Assets held for sale $ 177.8 $ — $ — $ 177.8 $ (15.0)
Other real estate owned 18.8 — — 18.8 (4.4)
Impaired loans 89.1 — — 89.1 (21.9)
Total $ 285.7 $ — $ — $ 285.7 $ (41.3)
Assets of continuing operations that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are as follows:
Assets Held for Sale — See Fair Value of Financial Instruments later in this note for fair value measurements of AHFS. Carrying
value of AHFS with impairment approximates fair value at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
Other Real Estate Owned — Estimated fair values of OREO are reviewed on a quarterly basis and any decline in value below
cost is recorded as impairment. Estimated fair value approximates carrying value and is generally based on market data, if
available or broker price opinions or independent appraisals, adjusted for costs to sell. The carrying value and income statement
impact of OREO assets were insignificant as of December 31, 2018. The range of inputs used to estimate costs to sell were
5.4% to 52.6%, which resulted in a weighted average of 6.5% at December 31, 2017.Significant unobservable inputs resulted in
the Level 3 classification of OREO.
Impaired Loans — See Fair Value of Financial Instruments later in this note for fair value measurements of impaired loans. As of
the reporting date, the carrying value of impaired loans approximated fair value.
The carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments presented below exclude leases and certain other assets
and liabilities, which were not required for disclosure.
The methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments were:
Derivative Assets and Liabilities —Derivatives were valued using models that incorporate inputs depending on the type of
derivative. Besides the fair value of the Dutch TRS Derivative, written options on certain CIT Bank time deposits and credit
derivatives that were estimated using Level 3 inputs, most derivative instruments were valued using Level 2 inputs based on
quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are
observable in the market. See Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for details on significant inputs and valuation
techniques. See Note 10 — Derivative Financial Instruments for notional principal amounts and fair values.
Investment Securities —
Debt securities classified as AFS —Investments in U.S. federal government agency securities, U.S. Treasury Notes, agency
pass-through and supranational securities were valued using Level 2 inputs. See Note 1 – Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies for details on significant inputs and valuation techniques. The market for non-Agency MBS is not active;
therefore the estimated fair value was determined using a discounted cash flow technique. Given the lack of observable
market data, the estimated fair value of the non-agency MBS was classified as Level 3.
Non-marketable securities - utilize Level 3 inputs to estimate fair value and were generally recorded under the cost or equity
method of accounting. FHLB and FRB stock carrying values approximate fair value. Of the remaining non-marketable
securities, the fair value is determined based on techniques that use significant assumptions that are not observable in the
market.
Securities carried at fair value with changes recorded in net income — included equity securities AFS that were reclassified
to securities carried at fair value with changes recorded in net income upon the adoption of ASU 2016-01 - Financial
Instruments as of January 1, 2018. A majority were valued using Level 2 inputs based on published net asset value, with the
remaining securities being valued using Level 1 inputs.
Assets held for sale — as there was no liquid secondary market for most AHFS, the fair value was primarily estimated based on
Level 3 inputs.
Loans — Within the Loans category, there are several types of loans as follows:
Commercial and Consumer Loans — Of the loan balance above, $983.4 million at December 31, 2018 and $624.3 million at
December 31, 2017 respectively, were valued using Level 2 inputs. Commercial and consumer loans are generally valued
individually, while small ticket commercial loans and equipment loans are valued on an aggregate portfolio basis. As there is
no liquid secondary market for most loans, the fair value was primarily estimated using significant Level 3 inputs at both
December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. See Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for details on
significant inputs and valuation techniques.
Impaired Loans — The value of impaired loans was assessed through the evaluation of aggregate carrying values of
impaired loans relative to contractual amounts owed (unpaid principal balance) from customers. See Note 3 — Loans.
PCI loans — These loans were valued by grouping the loans into performing and non-performing groups and stratifying the
loans based on common risk characteristics such as product type, FICO score and other economic attributes. Due to the
significance of the unobservable inputs, these loans are classified as Level 3.
Deposits — The estimated fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as demand deposit accounts, money market
accounts, and savings accounts was the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of time deposits is
estimated using Level 3 inputs.
Borrowings
The Level 2 fair value of borrowings were valued using market inputs and discounted value of the contractual cash flows using
current estimated market discount rates for borrowings with similar terms, remaining maturities and put dates and did not require
significant judgment. These borrowings include:
Unsecured debt — Unsecured debt included both senior debt and subordinated debt, with a par value of $3.8 billion at
December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
Secured borrowings — Secured borrowings included both structured financings and FHLB advances. Of the total estimated
fair value of structured financing, approximately $3.6 billion par value at December 31, 2018 and $4.3 billion at December
31, 2017 were Level 2. The estimated fair value of FHLB advances was based on the discounted cash flow model. The cash
flows were calculated using the contractual features of the advances and then discounted using observable rates.
Secured borrowings — Market estimates were not available for approximately $0.7 billion par value of structured financings
at December 31, 2018, and $1.0 billion at December 31, 2017, therefore values were estimated using Level 3 inputs.
Credit balances of factoring clients — The impact of the time value of money from the unobservable discount rate for credit
balances of factoring clients is inconsequential due to the short term nature of these balances (typically 90 days or less),
therefore, the carrying value approximated fair value, and the credit balances were classified as Level 3.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, CIT repurchased common stock of $1,625.0 million and 31,333,060 shares, which
was comprised of open market repurchases of $1,016.0 million and 20,209,773 shares and an equity tender offer of $609.0
million and 11,123,287 common shares.
The Company retired 48 million common shares in the fourth quarter of 2018, which reduced treasury stock by $2,343.6 million,
with corresponding reductions in common stock ($0.5 million), paid-in capital ($2,029.1 million) and retained earnings ($314.0
million).
Refer to Footnote 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further discussion on treasury stock retirement.
Preferred Stock
On May 31, 2017, CIT Group Inc. issued $325 million of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock,
Series A (“Preferred Stock”). The shares pay at a perpetual dividend rate (non-cumulative) per annum equal to 5.80% from the
original issue date to, but excluding, June 15, 2022. Thereafter, the shares pay at a floating rate per annum equal to three-month
LIBOR on the related dividend determination date plus a spread of 3.972% per annum. Dividends are paid semi-annually in
arrears on June 15 and December 15, beginning on December 15, 2017 and ending on June 15, 2022. Thereafter, dividends will
be paid quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year. The Issuer may redeem the
Preferred Stock at its option, at a redemption price equal to $1,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without
regard to any undeclared dividends, (i) in whole or in part, from time to time, on any dividend payment date on or after June 15,
2022, or (ii) in whole, but not in part, within 90 days following the occurrence of a “regulatory capital treatment event”. Net
proceeds were $318.0 million.
The Company declared and paid dividends on our common and preferred stock totaling $115.9 million during 2018 and $113.7
million on our common and preferred stock during 2017.
The following table details the changes in the components of AOCI, net of income taxes:
The amounts included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income are net of income taxes.
Foreign currency translation reclassification adjustments impacting net income were a decrease of $4.0 million for the year
ended December 31, 2018 and increases of $26.2 million and $4.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016,
respectively. Of the 2018 balance, $(4.0) million was related to the sale of NACCO and were recorded in other non-interest
income. Of the 2017 balance, $16.7 million was a result of the sale of the Commercial Air business and was recorded in gain on
sale of discontinued operations. The changes in income taxes associated with foreign currency translation adjustments were a
decrease of $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and increases of $24.0 million and $3.1 million for the years
ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The changes in benefit plans net gain/(loss) and prior service (cost)/credit reclassification adjustments impacting net income
were increases of $0.5 million, $0.7 million, and $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016,
respectively. The changes in income taxes associated with changes in benefit plans net gain/(loss) and prior service (cost)/credit
were an increase of $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and decreases of $6.2 million and $1.7 million for the
years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Reclassification adjustments impacting net income for unrealized gains/(losses) on available for sale securities were decreases
of $14.1 million and $3.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. There were no reclassification
adjustments impacting net income for unrealized gains/(losses) on available for sale securities for the year ended December 31,
2016. The changes in income taxes associated with net unrealized gains/(losses) on available for sale securities were an
increase of $14.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of $6.9 million for the year ended December 31,
2017, and an increase of $4.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.
$16.7 million of the reclassification from AOCI during 2017 was a result of the sale of the Commercial Air business and is recorded in gain on
sale of discontinued operations.
The following table summarizes the actual and effective minimum required capital ratios:
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes (dollars in millions)
Years Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2016
U.S. operations $ 471.4 $ 251.9 $ 157.5
Non-U.S. operations 165.6 (60.3) (136.6)
Income from continuing operations before benefit / (provision) for income taxes $ 637.0 $ 191.6 $ 20.9
A reconciliation from the U.S. Federal statutory rate to the Company's actual effective income tax rate is as follows:
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred income tax assets and liabilities are presented below:
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (or TCJA) was enacted on December 22, 2017. The TCJA required management to make certain
adjustments to the Company’s 2017 year-end financial statements for the effects of the law relating to the remeasurement of
deferred taxes, liabilities for taxes due on mandatory deemed repatriation, liabilities for taxes due on other foreign income, and
the reassessment of the Company’s VA. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has reviewed information relating to these tax
law changes and concluded that the procedures and methods utilized in developing assumptions, estimates and judgments
recorded in the financial statements are appropriate.
On July 1, 2018, New Jersey enacted legislation requiring corporations to file their tax returns on a mandatory combined unitary
basis effective January 1, 2019. The Company evaluated the impact of the enacted legislation and determined the deferred tax
impact would increase the tax effects of temporary differences by $11.7 million but would be entirely offset by a DTA of the same
amount created by the deduction of the tax resulting from the change in methodology. The Company will be allowed to take this
deduction over a ten-year period.
As of December 31, 2018, CIT has deferred tax assets ("DTAs") from continuing operations totaling $765.1 million on its global
NOLs. This includes: (1) a DTA of $438.6 million relating to its cumulative U.S. federal NOLs of $2.1 billion; (2) DTAs of $314.4
million relating to cumulative state NOLs of $5.8 billion, including amounts of reporting entities that file in multiple jurisdictions,
and (3) DTAs of $12.1 million relating to cumulative non-U.S. NOLs of $48.0 million.
During 2018, Management updated the Company's long term forecast of future U.S. federal taxable income. The updated
forecasts continue to support no VA on the U.S. federal DTAs on NOLs but the VA of $201.3 million was retained on U.S. state
DTAs on certain NOLs as of December 31, 2018.
During 2017, the Company reported a net $177.4 million U.S. income tax benefit comprised of a gross $234.2 million tax benefit
on a capital loss of $610.5 million realized on the liquidation of a wholly-owned foreign subsidiary partially offset by a $56.8
million charge to establish a VA against the unused portion of the capital loss. As a result of the change in the U.S. Federal
income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent beginning in 2018, the VA against the capital loss carryforwards was revalued to
$39.6 million as of December 31, 2017. The Company maintained a $9.0 million and $1.5 million U.S. federal and state VA,
respectively, on the deferred tax asset established on capital loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2018, down from $39.6
million in 2017. The reduction was attributable to changes in expected capital gains and additional net capital gains recognized
in 2018 in the normal course of business as well as a reduction to the DTA on capital loss carryforward and associated VA. The
Company will recognize the income tax benefit on the remaining portion of the DTA subject to the VA to the extent of additional
capital gains. Capital losses can be carried forward for five years to offset future capital gains but requires a VA until additional
capital gains are identified.
The Company maintained a VA of $18.0 million against certain non-U.S. reporting entities' net DTAs at December 31, 2018,
down from $32.4 million at December 31, 2017. The decrease is mainly related to the write-off of DTAs for certain reporting
entities due to the remote likelihood that they will ever utilize their respective DTAs.
The Company's ability to recognize DTAs is evaluated on a quarterly basis to determine if there are any significant events that
would affect our ability to utilize existing DTAs. If events are identified that affect our ability to utilize our DTAs, VAs may be
adjusted accordingly.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded a net $0.9 million increase in unrecognized tax benefits
("UTBs"), including interest and penalties. The majority of the net increase related to a $1.6 million new tax position taken on
Research and Experimentation Credits.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized $0.6 million income tax expense relating to interest and
penalties on its UTBs. The change in balance is mainly related to the interest and penalties associated with the above mentioned
UTBs taken on certain prior-year U.S. state income tax returns. As of December 31, 2018, the accrued liability for interest and
penalties is $6.9 million. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties on UTBs in income tax expense.
The entire $20.7 million of UTBs including interest and penalties at December 31, 2018, would lower the Company's effective tax
rate, if realized. Management believes that it is reasonably possible the total potential liability before interest and penalties may
be increased or decreased by $10 million within the next twelve months of the reporting date because of anticipated settlement
with taxing authorities, resolution of open tax matters, and the expiration of various statutes of limitations.
During 2017, the Company received notification from the IRS of commencement of a new federal income tax exam for the 2015
tax year. The Company received official notification from the IRS confirming completion of the audit with no changes to the
reported amounts in 2018.
IMB Holdco LLC and its subsidiaries are under examination by the California Franchise Tax Board ("FTB") for tax years 2009
through 2015. The FTB has completed its audit of the 2009 - 2013 returns. The Company, working with its outside advisors, is
currently in negotiations to agree to a final Closing Agreement that would settle all outstanding issues for 2009 through 2013.
The Company expects final resolution and favorable settlement of the issues in 2019. The issues raised by California were
anticipated by the Company, and the Company believes it has provided adequate reserves in accordance with ASC 740 for any
potential adjustments.
The Company and its subsidiaries are under examination in various states, provinces and countries for years ranging from 2009
through 2016. Management does not anticipate that these examination results will have any material financial impact.
Retirement Benefits
CIT maintains a frozen U.S. non-contributory pension plan (the "Plan") qualified under the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”).
The Company also maintains a frozen U.S. non-contributory supplemental retirement plan (the "Supplemental Plan”), and an
Executive Retirement Plan, which has been closed to new members since 2006, and whose participants are all inactive as of
December 31, 2018. In addition, CIT has a frozen non-contributory, non-US retirement plan which covers a small number of
retired participants.
Accumulated balances under the Plan and the Supplemental Plan continue to receive periodic interest, subject to certain
government limits. The interest credit was 2.60%, 2.84%, and 2.61% for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016,
respectively.
Postretirement Benefits
CIT provides healthcare and life insurance benefits to eligible retired employees. For most eligible retirees, healthcare is
contributory and life insurance is non-contributory. All postretirement benefit plans are funded on a pay-as-you-go basis.
The Company amended CIT's postretirement benefit plans to discontinue benefits effective December 31, 2012. CIT no longer
offers retiree medical, dental and life insurance benefits to those who did not meet the eligibility criteria for these benefits by
December 31, 2013. Employees who met the eligibility requirements for retiree health insurance by December 31, 2013 will be
offered retiree medical and dental coverage upon retirement. To receive retiree life insurance, employees must have met the
eligibility criteria for retiree life insurance by, and must have retired from CIT on or before, December 31, 2013.
The following tables set forth changes in benefit obligation, plan assets, funded status and net periodic benefit cost of the
retirement plans and postretirement plans:
The net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized in AOCI consisted of the following:
The net (gain)/loss recognized in OCI for the years ended December 31, 2018, December 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016 are
primarily due to the following factors:
Significant Gains and Losses Affecting the Benefit Obligation (dollars in millions)
2018 2017 2016
Asset (Gains)/Losses $ 42.2 $ (26.9) $ (9.5)
Update Mortality Assumption (0.7) (3.0) (5.7)
Discount Rate Decrease/(Increase) (21.5) 12.7 10.2
Interest Rate (Decrease)/Increase 4.3 (2.2) (2.8)
Amortization Gain/Loss (1.3) (1.5) (2.9)
Other assumption changes 1.9 2.3 2.8
(Increase)/Decrease in AOCI $ 24.9 $ (18.6) $ (7.9)
Assumptions
Discount rate assumptions used for pension and post-retirement benefit plan accounting reflect prevailing rates available on
high-quality, fixed-income debt instruments with maturities that match the benefit obligation.
Expected long-term rate of return assumptions on assets are based on projected asset allocation and historical and expected
future returns for each asset class. Independent analysis of historical and projected asset returns, inflation, and interest rates are
provided by the Company's investment consultants and actuaries as part of the Company's assumptions process.
The weighted average assumptions used in the measurement of benefit obligations are as follows:
The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs are as follows:
Healthcare rate trends have a significant effect on healthcare plan costs. The Company uses both external and historical data to
determine healthcare rate trends.
Plan Assets
CIT maintains a "Statement of Investment Policies and Objectives" which specifies guidelines for the investment, supervision
and monitoring of pension assets in order to manage the Company's objective of ensuring sufficient funds to finance future
retirement benefits. The asset allocation policy allows assets to be invested between 15% to 35% in Equities, 35% to 65% in
Fixed-Income, 15% to 25% in Global Asset Allocation, and 5% to 10% in Alternative Investments. The asset allocation follows a
Liability Driven Investing ("LDI") strategy. The policy provides specific guidance on asset class objectives, fund manager
guidelines and identification of prohibited and restricted transactions. It is reviewed periodically by the Company's Investment
Committee and external investment consultants.
There were no direct investments in equity securities of CIT or its subsidiaries included in pension plan assets in any of the years
presented.
Plan investments are stated at fair value. Common stock traded on security exchanges as well as mutual funds, exchange
traded funds and short term investment funds are valued at closing market prices. Such investments are considered Level 1 per
fair value hierarchy. Investments in Common Collective Trusts and Alternative Investment Funds are carried at fair value based
upon reported net asset values ("NAV"). ASU 2015-7 removes the requirements to categorize investments for which fair value is
measured using the NAV per share as practical expedient from the fair value hierarchy.
There were no transfers of assets between Levels during 2018 and 2017. The tables below set forth asset fair value
measurements.
Contributions
The Company's policy is to make contributions so that they exceed the minimum required by laws and regulations, are
consistent with the Company's objective of ensuring sufficient funds to finance future retirement benefits and are tax deductible.
CIT currently does not expect to have a required minimum contribution to the U.S. Retirement Plan during 2019. For all other
plans, CIT currently expects to contribute $9.6 million during 2019.
The following table depicts benefits projected to be paid from plan assets or from the Company's general assets calculated using
current actuarial assumptions. Actual benefit payments may differ from projected benefit payments.
CIT has a number of defined contribution retirement plans covering certain of its U.S. employees which qualify under section
401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Generally, employees may contribute a portion of their eligible compensation, as defined,
subject to regulatory limits and plan provisions, and the Company matches these contributions up to a threshold. Participants are
also eligible for an additional discretionary company contribution. The cost of these plans totaled $19.2 million, $18.7 million, and
$15.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation
In February 2016, the Company adopted the CIT Group Inc. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "2016 Plan"), which provides for
grants of stock-based awards to employees, executive officers and directors, and replaced the Amended and Restated CIT
Group Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Prior Plan"). The number of shares of common stock that may be issued for all
purposes under the 2016 Plan is (1) 5 million shares plus (2) the number of authorized shares remaining available under the
Prior Plan plus (3) the number of shares relating to awards granted under the Prior Plan that subsequently are forfeited, expire,
terminate or otherwise lapse or are settled for cash, in whole or in part, as provided by the 2016 Plan. At December 31, 2018,
the total number of shares that may be issued under the 2016 Plan was 4,639,054 (excludes 2,159,435 shares underlying
outstanding awards granted to employees and/or directors that are unvested and/or unsettled). Currently under the 2016 Plan,
the issued and unvested awards consist mainly of Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs") and Performance Stock Units ("PSUs").
The fair value of RSUs and PSUs are based on the fair market value of CIT's common stock on the date of grant. Compensation
expense is recognized over the vesting period (requisite service period), which is generally three years for restricted stock/units,
under the graded vesting method, whereby each vesting tranche of the award is amortized separately as if each were a separate
award. Compensation expense for PSUs that cliff vest are recognized over the vesting period, which is generally three years,
and on a straight-line basis.
Operating expenses includes $38.8 million of compensation expense related to equity-based awards granted to employees or
members of the Board of Directors for the year ended December 31, 2018, including $38.4 million related to restricted and
retention stock and unit awards and the remaining related to stock purchases. Compensation expense related to equity-based
awards included $41.9 million in 2017 and $36.6 million in 2016. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested
awards was $22.4 million at December 31, 2018. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.76
years.
In December 2010, the Company adopted the CIT Group Inc. 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"), which was
approved by shareholders in May 2011. Eligibility for participation in the ESPP includes employees of CIT and its participating
subsidiaries, except that any employees designated as highly compensated are not eligible to participate in the ESPP. The
ESPP is available to employees in the United States and to certain international employees. Under the ESPP, CIT is authorized
to issue up to 2,000,000 shares of common stock to eligible employees. Eligible employees can choose to have between 1%
and 10% of their base salary withheld to purchase shares quarterly, at a purchase price equal to 85% of the fair market value of
CIT common stock on the last business day of the quarterly offering period. The amount of common stock that may be
purchased by a participant through the ESPP is generally limited to $25,000 per year. A total of 61,722, 54,684, and 72,325
shares were purchased under the plan in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.
Under the 2016 Plan, RSUs and PSUs are awarded at no cost to the recipient upon grant. RSUs are generally granted annually
at the discretion of the Company, but may also be granted during the year to new hires or for retention or other purposes. RSUs
granted to employees and members of the Board during 2018 and 2017 generally were scheduled to vest either one third per
year for three years or 100% after three years. RSUs granted to employees were also subject to performance-based vesting
based on a minimum Tier 1 Capital ratio. A limited number of vested stock awards are scheduled to remain subject to transfer
restrictions through the first anniversary of the grant date for members of the Board who elected to receive stock in lieu of cash
compensation for their retainer. Certain RSUs granted to directors, and in limited instances to employees, are designed to settle
in cash and are accounted for as "liability" awards. The values of these cash-settled RSUs are re-measured at the end of each
reporting period until the award is settled.
Certain senior executives receive long-term incentive (“LTI”) awards, which are generally granted at the discretion of the
Company annually. During 2018 and 2017, LTI has been awarded 50% in the form of PSUs based on after-tax ROTCE with a
total shareholder return (“TSR”) adjustment factor (described more fully below), and 50% in the form of performance based
RSUs (described above).
PSUs awarded during 2018 and 2017 may be earned at the end of a three-year performance period (2018 – 2020, and 2017 –
2019, respectively) based on after-tax ROTCE, which may be increased or decreased by up to 20% depending on the
Company’s 3-year cumulative TSR results relative to the component companies of the KBW Nasdaq Bank Index for the
performance period. No increase is permitted if the Company’s TSR for the performance period is negative, and the overall
payout for PSUs, including the TSR adjustment factor, may range from 0% to a maximum of 150% of target. Performance
measures for all PSU awards have a minimum threshold level of performance that must be achieved to trigger any payout; if the
threshold level of performance is not achieved, then no portion of the PSU target will be payable.
The fair value of RSUs and PSUs that vested and settled in stock during 2018, 2017, and 2016 was $72.8 million, $59.0 million,
and $52.4 million, respectively. The fair value of RSUs that vested and settled in cash during 2018, 2017, and 2016 was $0.4
million, $0.3 million, and $0.2 million, respectively.
The following tables summarize restricted stock and RSU activity for 2018 and 2017:
NOTE 20 — COMMITMENTS
The accompanying table summarizes off-balance sheet credit-related commitments and other purchase and funding
commitments:
Financing Commitments
Commercial
Financing commitments, referred to as loan commitments or lines of credit, primarily reflect CIT’s agreements to lend to its
customers, subject to the customers’ compliance with contractual obligations. Financing commitments also include credit line
agreements to Business Capital clients that are cancellable by us only after a notice period. The notice period is typically 90
days or less. The amount available under these credit lines, net of the amount of receivables assigned to us, was $318 million at
December 31, 2018 and $190 million at December 31, 2017. As financing commitments may not be fully drawn, may expire
unused, may be reduced or canceled at the customer’s request, and may require the customer to be in compliance with certain
conditions, total commitment amounts do not necessarily reflect actual future cash flow requirements.
At December 31, 2018, substantially all undrawn financing commitments were senior facilities. Most of the Company’s undrawn
and available financing commitments are in the Commercial Banking segment.
The table above excludes uncommitted revolving credit facilities extended by Business Capital to its’ clients for working capital
purposes. In connection with these facilities, Business Capital has the sole discretion throughout the duration of these facilities to
determine the amount of credit that may be made available to its clients at any time and whether to honor any specific advance
requests made by its clients under these credit facilities.
Consumer
The Company sold its reverse mortgage portfolio in connection with the Financial Freedom Transaction on May 31, 2018. Prior
to the sale, the Company was committed to fund draws on certain reverse mortgages in conjunction with loss sharing
agreements with the FDIC from the OneWest acquisition. The FDIC agreed to indemnify the Company for losses on the first
$200 million of draws that occur subsequent to the purchase date (post March 2009). As of December 31, 2017, $134 million
had been advanced on the reverse mortgage loans post March 2009 with exposure for additional draws of $66 million.
Separately, the Company, as servicer, is committed to fund draws on certain home equity lines of credit (“HELOCs”). Under the
HELOC participation and servicing agreement entered into with the FDIC, the FDIC agreed to reimburse the Company for a
portion of the draws that the Company funded on the purchased HELOCs from the OneWest acquisition.
Letters of Credit
In the normal course of meeting the needs of clients, CIT sometimes enters into agreements to provide financing and letters of
credit. Standby letters of credit obligate the issuer of the letter of credit to pay the beneficiary if a client on whose behalf the letter
of credit was issued does not meet its obligation. These financial instruments generate fees and involve, to varying degrees,
elements of credit risk in excess of amounts recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. To minimize potential
credit risk, CIT generally requires collateral and in some cases additional forms of credit support from the client.
A Deferred Purchase Agreement (“DPA”) is provided in conjunction with factoring, whereby CIT provides a client with credit
protection for trade receivables without purchasing the receivables. The trade receivable terms are generally 90 days or less. If
the client’s customer is unable to pay an undisputed receivable solely as the result of credit risk, then CIT purchases the
receivable from the client. The outstanding amount in the table above is the maximum potential exposure that CIT would be
required to pay under all DPAs. This maximum amount would only occur if all receivables subject to DPAs default in the manner
described above, thereby requiring CIT to purchase all such receivables from the DPA clients.
The table above includes $1,895 million and $1,979 million of DPA credit protection at December 31, 2018 and December 31,
2017, respectively, related to receivables which have been presented to us for credit protection after shipment of goods has
occurred and the customer has been invoiced. The table also includes $64 million and $89 million available under DPA credit
line agreements, net of the amount of DPA credit protection provided at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017,
respectively. The DPA credit line agreements specify a contractually committed amount of DPA credit protection and are
cancellable by us only after a notice period. The notice period is typically 90 days or less.
The methodology used to determine the DPA liability is similar to the methodology used to determine the ALLL associated with
the finance loans, which reflects embedded losses based on various factors, including expected losses reflecting the Company’s
internal customer and facility credit ratings. The liability recorded in Other Liabilities related to the DPAs totaled $5.2 million and
$5.3 million at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
CIT’s purchase commitments primarily relate to the Rail and Equipment Finance businesses.
Other Commitments
The Company has commitments to invest in affordable housing investments, and other investments qualifying for community
reinvestment tax credits. These commitments were $98 million at December 31, 2018 and $67 million at December 31, 2017.
These commitments are payable on demand and are recorded in other liabilities.
NOTE 21 — CONTINGENCIES
Litigation and other Contingencies
CIT is involved, and from time to time in the future may be involved, in a number of pending and threatened judicial, regulatory,
and arbitration proceedings as well as proceedings, investigations, examinations and other actions brought or considered by
governmental and self-regulatory agencies. These matters arise in connection with the conduct of CIT’s business. At any given
time, CIT may also be in the process of responding to subpoenas, requests for documents, data and testimony relating to such
matters and engaging in discussions to resolve the matters (all of the foregoing collectively being referred to as “Litigation”).
While most Litigation relates to individual claims, CIT is also subject to putative class action claims and similar broader claims.
In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of Litigation matters, particularly when such matters are in their early
stages or where the claimants seek indeterminate damages, CIT cannot state with confidence what the eventual outcome of the
pending Litigation will be, what the timing of the ultimate resolution of these matters will be, or what the eventual loss, fines, or
penalties related to each pending matter will be, if any. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, CIT establishes
reserves for Litigation when those matters present loss contingencies as to which it is both probable that a loss will occur and the
amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated. Based on currently available information, CIT believes that the outcome of
Litigation that is currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, but may be
material to the Company’s operating results or cash flows for any particular period, depending in part on its operating results for
that period. The actual results of resolving such matters may be substantially higher than the amounts reserved.
For certain Litigation matters in which the Company is involved, the Company is able to estimate a range of reasonably possible
losses in excess of established reserves and insurance. For other matters for which a loss is probable or reasonably possible,
such an estimate cannot be determined. For Litigation and other matters where losses are reasonably possible, management
currently estimates the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses as up to $65 million in excess of any established reserves
and any insurance we reasonably believe we will collect related to those matters. This estimate represents reasonably possible
losses (in excess of established reserves and insurance) over the life of such Litigation, which may span a currently
indeterminable number of years, and is based on information currently available as of December 31, 2018. The Litigation matters
underlying the estimated range will change from time to time, and actual results may vary significantly from this estimate.
Those Litigation matters for which an estimate is not reasonably possible or as to which a loss does not appear to be reasonably
possible, based on current information, are not included within this estimated range and, therefore, this estimated range does not
represent the Company’s maximum loss exposure.
The foregoing statements about CIT’s Litigation are based on the Company’s judgments, assumptions, and estimates and are
necessarily subjective and uncertain. The Company has several hundred threatened and pending judicial, regulatory and
arbitration proceedings at various stages. Several of the Company’s significant Litigation matters are described below.
Banco Commercial Investment Trust do Brasil S.A. (“Banco CIT”), CIT’s Brazilian bank subsidiary, was sold in a stock sale in the
fourth quarter of 2015, thereby transferring the legal liabilities of Banco CIT to the buyer. Under the terms of the stock sale, CIT
remains liable for indemnification to the buyer for any losses resulting from certain Imposto Sobre Circulaco de Mercadorias e
Servicos (“ICMS”) tax appeals relating to disputed local tax assessments on leasing services and importation of equipment (the
“ICMS Tax Appeals”).
Notices of infraction were issued to Banco CIT relating to the payment of ICMS taxes charged by Brazilian states in connection
with the importation of equipment. The state of São Paulo claims that Banco CIT should have paid it ICMS taxes for tax years
2006 - 2009 because Banco CIT, the purchaser, was located in São Paulo. Instead, the ICMS taxes were paid to the state of
Espirito Santo where the imported equipment arrived. A regulation issued by São Paulo in December 2013 reaffirms a 2009
agreement by São Paulo to conditionally recognize ICMS tax payments made to Espirito Santo. An assessment related to taxes
paid to Espirito Santo was upheld in a ruling issued by the administrative court in May 2014. That ruling has been appealed.
Another assessment related to taxes paid to Espirito Santo remains pending. Petitions seeking São Paulo’s recognition of the
taxes paid to Espirito Santo were also filed in a general amnesty program. In the first quarter of 2018, CIT was advised that the
larger of the two amnesty petitions had been granted and dismissal of that matter is pending with the court.
Based on recent rulings of the Hawaii Supreme Court, lawsuits have been filed against CIT in Hawaii alleging technical violations
in non-judicial foreclosures. Similar cases have been filed against other mortgage lenders in Hawaii. The Hawaii Supreme Court
did not establish a clear methodology for calculating alleged damages if a violation is proven and there is substantial dispute in
this regard. In many instances the borrower had no equity in the home at the time of foreclosure. Damages sought in these
cases include any lost equity, compensation for loss of use of the house and, in some cases, treble or punitive damages under
Hawaii's unfair practices law.
In 2009, OneWest Bank acquired the reverse mortgage loan portfolio and related servicing rights of Financial Freedom Senior
Funding Corporation, including HECM loans, from the FDIC as Receiver for IndyMac Federal Bank. HECM loans are insured by
the FHA, and administered by HUD. In addition, Financial Freedom is the servicer of HECM loans owned by third party
investors. Beginning in the third quarter of 2015, the Office of the Inspector General for HUD (the “HUD OIG”), served a series of
subpoenas on the Company regarding HECM loans. The subpoenas requested documents and other information related to
Financial Freedom’s HECM loan origination and servicing business, including the curtailment of interest payments on HECM
insurance claims. On May 16, 2017, CIT entered into a settlement of approximately $89 million to resolve the servicing related
claims. The settlement was within CIT’s existing reserves and included interest to be reimbursed to HUD. CIT has provided
information and documents responsive to the subpoena’s request for information relating to the mortgage originations and does
not currently expect the outcome of the remaining loan origination matter to have a material adverse effect on CIT’s financial
condition or results of operations.
NY Attorney General
In the second quarter of 2017, the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York (“NYAG”), served a subpoena on the
Company regarding HECM loans. The subpoena requested documents and other information related to Financial Freedom’s
HECM loan business in the State of New York. The NYAG subsequently withdrew the subpoena and has requested the
Company’s continued voluntary cooperation with the inquiry. The Company has cooperated with the NYAG’s office and has
produced certain documents. The Company does not have sufficient information to make an assessment of the outcome or the
impact of the NYAG’s ongoing inquiry.
In addition to fixed lease rentals, leases generally require payment of maintenance expenses and real estate taxes, both of
which are subject to escalation provisions. Minimum rental payments include $31.2 million ($14.3 million for 2019) which are
accrued for in the facility exiting liability. Minimum payments have not been reduced by future minimum sublease rentals under
non-cancellable subleases of $26.9 million which are included in the facility exiting liability as an adjustment to the liability for
future rental payments.
On July 10, 2017, CIT Northbridge Credit LLC (“Northbridge”) was formed and extends credit in asset-based lending middle-
market loans. Northbridge is an asset-based-lending joint venture between CIT Bank, N.A. (“CIT Bank”) and Allstate Insurance
Company and its subsidiary (“Allstate”). CIT Bank holds a 20% equity investment in Northbridge, and CIT Asset Management
LLC, a non-bank subsidiary of CIT, acts as an investment advisor and servicer of the loan portfolio. Allstate is an 80% equity
investor. CIT Bank’s investment was $13.6 million at December 31, 2018 and $5.0 million at December 31, 2017, with the
expectation of additional investment as the joint venture grows. Management fees were earned by CIT Asset Management on
loans under management. The joint venture is not consolidated and the investment is being accounted for using the equity
method.
CIT invests in various trusts, partnerships, and limited liability corporations established in conjunction with structured financing
transactions of equipment, power and infrastructure projects. CIT's interests in these entities were entered into in the ordinary
course of business. Other assets included approximately $313.9 million and $247.6 million at December 31, 2018, and 2017,
respectively, of investments in non-consolidated entities relating to such transactions that are accounted for under the equity or
cost methods.
The combination of investments in and loans to non-consolidated entities represents the Company's maximum exposure to loss,
as the Company does not provide guarantees or other forms of indemnification to non-consolidated entities.
CIT's reportable segments are primarily based upon industry categories, geography, target markets and customers served, and,
to a lesser extent, the core competencies relating to product origination, distribution methods, operations and servicing and the
nature of their regulatory environment. This segment reporting is reflective of the Company's internal reporting structure and is
consistent with the presentation of financial information to the chief operating decision maker.
Commercial Banking consists of four divisions. Through its Commercial Finance, Real Estate Finance, and Business Capital
divisions, Commercial Banking provides lending, leasing and other financial and advisory services, primarily to small and middle-
market companies across select industries. Business Capital also provides factoring, receivables management products and
secured financing to the retail supply chain. The fourth division, Rail, provides equipment leasing and secured financing to the
rail industry. Revenue is generated from interest earned on loans, rents on equipment leased, fees and other revenue from
lending and leasing activities, capital markets transactions and banking services, commissions earned on factoring and related
activities, and to a lesser extent, interest and dividends on investments. Revenue is also generated from gains on asset sales.
Consumer Banking includes Other Consumer Banking and Legacy Consumer Mortgages.
Other Consumer Banking offers mortgage loans, and deposits to its consumer customers. The division offers jumbo residential
mortgage loans and conforming residential mortgage loans, primarily in Southern California. Mortgage loans are primarily
originated directly through CIT Bank branch and retail referrals, employee referrals, internet leads and direct marketing.
Additionally loans are purchased through whole loan and portfolio acquisitions. Consumer lending includes product specialists,
internal sales support and origination processing, structuring and closing. Retail banking is the primary deposit gathering
business of CIT Bank and operates through over 60 retail branches in Southern California and an online direct channel. We offer
a broad range of deposit and lending products to meet the needs of our customers, including: checking, money market, savings,
certificates of deposit, residential mortgage loans, and fiduciary services. The division also originates qualified Small Business
Administration ("SBA") 504 loans and 7(a) loans. SBA 504 loans generally provide growing businesses with long-term, fixed-rate
financing for major fixed assets, such as land and buildings. SBA 7(a) loans provide working capital, acquisition of inventory,
machinery, equipment, furniture, and fixtures, the refinance of outstanding debt subject to any program guidelines, and
acquisition of businesses, including partnership buyouts.
LCM includes portfolios of SFR mortgages, certain of which are covered by loss sharing arrangements with the FDIC with the
indemnification period ending between March 2019 and February 2020. Covered loans in this segment were previously acquired
by OneWest Bank N.A. in connection with the FDIC-assisted lndyMac, First Federal and La Jolla Transactions. The FDIC
indemnified OneWest Bank, N.A. against certain future losses sustained on these loans. The Company sold its reverse
mortgage portfolio in May 2018 in connection with the sale of its discontinued operation, the Financial Freedom servicing
business.
NSP includes businesses and portfolios that we no longer consider strategic. The China portfolio was the remaining operation at
December 31, 2018.
Certain items are not allocated to operating segments and are included in Corporate & Other. Some of the more significant items
include interest income on investment securities, a portion of interest expense, primarily related to funding costs (interest
expense), BOLI income and mark-to-market adjustments on non-qualifying derivatives (other non-interest income), restructuring
charges and certain intangible asset amortization expenses (operating expenses), and loss on debt extinguishments.
Geographic Information
The following table presents information by major geographic region based upon the location of the Company's legal entities.
Income (loss)
Total Revenue from continuing
from operations before Income (loss)
Total continuing provision (benefit) from continuing
Assets(1) operations for income taxes operations
U.S. 2018 $ 47,676.3 $ 3,080.7 $ 471.4 $ 344.7
2017 46,825.9 3,046.1 251.9 287.3
2016 53,252.9 2,755.6 157.5 99.3
Europe 2018 38.4 41.8 61.5 47.1
2017 1,424.0 119.6 (34.5) (19.8)
2016 8,575.7 139.7 (189.2) (246.8)
Other foreign 2018 822.7 150.7 104.1 80.3
2017 1,028.8 41.5 (25.8) (8.1)
2016 2,341.6 198.4 52.6 (35.1)
Total consolidated 2018 48,537.4 3,273.2 637.0 472.1
2017 49,278.7 3,207.2 191.6 259.4
2016 64,170.2 3,093.7 20.9 (182.6)
(1) Includes Assets of discontinued operation of $249.8 million at December 31, 2018, $501.3 million at December 31, 2017 and $13,220.7
million at December 31, 2016.
The December 31, 2016 goodwill included amounts from CIT's emergence from bankruptcy in 2009, and its 2014 acquisitions of
Capital Direct Group and its subsidiaries ("Direct Capital"), NACCO, and the 2015 acquisition of IMB HoldCo LLC, the parent
company of OneWest Bank. On January 31, 2014, CIT acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Paris-based NACCO, an
independent full service railcar lessor in Europe. In 2017, we announced that we reached a definitive agreement to sell NACCO,
and transferred the portfolio and approximately $65 million of goodwill within Commercial Banking, including foreign exchange
translation adjustments, to AHFS. NACCO was sold in October 2018.
With respect to the goodwill related to the acquisition of OneWest Bank, prior to the impairment charge of $319.4 million taken
during the fourth quarter of 2016, $362.6 million of the goodwill balance was associated with the Consumer Banking business
segment. The remaining goodwill was allocated to the Commercial Finance and Real Estate Finance reporting units in
Commercial Banking. Additionally, intangible assets of approximately $165 million were recorded relating mainly to the valuation
of core deposit intangibles, trade name and customer relationships, as detailed in the table below.
Once goodwill has been assigned, it no longer retains its association with a particular event or acquisition, and all of the activities
within a RU, whether acquired or internally generated, are available to support the value of goodwill.
The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of each year or more often if events or
circumstances have changed significantly from the annual test date, utilizing data as of September 30 to perform the test.
Accordingly, during the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test. For 2018, we
performed the quantitative impairment test for all RUs with goodwill remaining, including Commercial Finance, Rail, Real Estate
Finance and Consumer Banking, and it was determined that no impairment existed.
Fair Value
Determining the value of the RUs as part of the quantitative impairment test involves significant judgment. The Company used a
combination of the Income Approach (i.e. discounted cash flow method) and the Market Approach (i.e. Guideline Public
Company ("GPC") and, where applicable, Guideline Merged and Acquired Company ("GMAC") methods) to determine the fair
value.
In the application of the Income Approach, the Company determined the fair value of the RUs using a discounted cash flow
("DCF") analysis. The DCF model uses earnings projections and respective capitalization assumptions based on two-year
financial plans presented to the Board of Directors. Beyond the initial two-year period, the projections converge toward a
constant long-term growth rate of up to 3% based on the projected revenues of the RU, as well as expectations for the
development of gross domestic product and inflation, which are captured in the terminal value. Estimating future earnings and
capital requirements involves judgment and the consideration of past and current performance and overall macroeconomic and
regulatory environments.
The cash flows determined based on the process described above are discounted to their present value. The discount rate (cost
of equity) applied is comprised of a risk-free interest rate, an equity risk premium, a size premium and a factor covering the
systematic market risk (RU-specific beta) and, where applicable, a company specific risk premium. The values for the factors
applied are determined primarily using external sources of information. The RU-specific betas are determined based on a group
of peer companies. The discount rates applied to the RUs ranged from 11.25% to 13.25%.
In our application of the market approach, for the GPC Method, the Company applied market based multiples derived from the
stock prices of companies considered by management to be comparable to each of the RUs, to various financial metrics for each
of the RUs, as determined applicable to those RUs, including tangible book or book value, earnings and projected earnings. In
addition, the Company applied a 25% control premium based on our review of transactions observable in the market place that
we determined were comparable. The control premium is management's estimate of how much a market participant would be
willing to pay over the fair market value for control of the business.
With respect to the application of the GMAC method, the Company used actual prices paid in merger and acquisition
transactions for similar public and private companies in the banking industry. The multiples were then applied to relevant
financial metrics of the RUs.
A weighting is ascribed to each of the results of the Income and Market approaches to determine the concluded fair value of
each RU. The weighting is judgmental and is based on the perceived level of appropriateness of the valuation methodology for
each specific RU.
Estimating the fair value of RUs involves the use of estimates and significant judgments that are based on a number of factors
including actual operating results. If current conditions change from those expected, it is reasonably possible that the judgments
and estimates described above could change in future periods.
Carrying Amount
The carrying amount of the RUs is determined using a capital allocation methodology. The allocation uses the Company's total
equity at the date of valuation, which is allocated to each of the Company's businesses, including the RUs, and to the other
areas of the Company not included in the RUs. The allocation is informed by internal analysis and the current target regulatory
capital of the Company, to determine the allocated capital.
Based on the quantitative analysis, as described above, the Company concluded in 2017 that the carrying amount of the
Equipment Finance and Commercial Services RUs exceeded their estimated fair value and thus the Company recorded an
impairment of the Equipment Finance and Commercial Services RUs of $247.0 million and $8.6 million, respectively,
representing the full amount of goodwill assigned to those RUs. In 2018, the carrying values of all RUs with remaining goodwill
were not in excess of their fair value.
During 2016, the Company recorded goodwill impairment of $34.8 million for the Commercial Services RU as the fundamentals
of the factoring business had come under increasing pressure from a challenging retail environment and tighter pricing on
factoring commissions. The remaining goodwill of $8.6 million was impaired during 2017.
Intangible Assets
The following table presents the gross carrying value and accumulated amortization for intangible assets, excluding fully
amortized intangible assets.
The intangible asset balances primarily reflect the intangibles recognized as a result of the OneWest Bank Transaction. The
largest component is related to the valuation of core deposits. Core deposit intangibles ("CDIs") represent future benefits arising
from non-contractual customer relationships (e.g., account relationships with the depositors) acquired from the purchase of
demand deposit accounts, including interest and non-interest bearing checking accounts, money market and savings accounts.
The Company's CDI has a finite life and is amortized on a straight line basis over the estimated useful life, with a remaining life
of four years. Amortization expense for the intangible assets is primarily recorded in operating expenses.
Intangible assets prior to the OneWest Transaction included the operating lease rental intangible assets comprised of amounts
related to net favorable (above current market rates) operating leases. The intangible assets also include approximately $4.4
million, net, related to the valuation of existing customer relationships and trade names recorded in conjunction with the
acquisition of Direct Capital in 2014.
Accumulated amortization totaled $93.1 million at December 31, 2018. Projected amortization for the years ended December 31,
2019 through December 31, 2023, is approximately $23.2 million, $22.8 million, $22.0 million, $13.5 million, and $3.0 million,
respectively.
Severance Facilities
Number of Number of Total
Employees Liability Facilities Liability Liabilities
December 31, 2016 35 $ 3.2 11 $ 15.1 $ 18.3
Additions and adjustments 718 41.5 3 4.9 46.4
Utilization (215) (16.4) (4) (5.0) (21.4)
December 31, 2017 538 28.3 10 15.0 43.3
Additions and adjustments (25) (1.1) — 1.1 —
Utilization (293) (13.4) (5) (7.8) (21.2)
December 31, 2018 220 $ 13.8 5 $ 8.3 $ 22.1
CIT continued to implement various organization efficiency and cost reduction initiatives. The additions for 2017, along with
charges related to accelerated vesting of equity and other benefits, were recorded as part of the $53.0 million provisions for the
year ended December 31, 2017. The severance additions primarily relate to employee termination benefits incurred in
conjunction with these initiatives. The facility additions primarily relate to location closings and consolidations in connection with
these initiatives. There were no new restructuring charges for 2018.
Condensed Parent Company Only Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (dollars in millions)
Years Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2016
Income
Interest income from nonbank subsidiaries $ 113.4 $ 160.5 $ 488.3
Interest and dividends on interest bearing deposits and investments 4.5 7.4 2.7
Dividends from nonbank subsidiaries 31.0 — 399.9
Dividends from bank subsidiaries 218.6 359.0 223.0
Other non-interest income from subsidiaries 81.0 194.0 146.3
Other non-interest income 51.6 (127.9) 21.0
Total income 500.1 593.0 1,281.2
Expenses
Interest expense 222.0 324.7 548.2
Interest expense on liabilities to subsidiaries 40.5 50.3 51.1
Other non-interest expenses 189.9 499.4 565.0
Total expenses 452.4 874.4 1,164.3
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries 47.7 (281.4) 116.9
(Benefit) provision for income taxes (76.5) 163.4 (308.5)
Income (loss) before equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries 124.2 (444.8) 425.4
Equity in undistributed net income of bank subsidiaries 213.6 (55.6) (349.8)
Equity in undistributed net income of nonbank subsidiaries 109.3 968.6 (923.6)
Net income (loss) 447.1 468.2 (848.0)
Other Comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax (91.3) 53.6 2.0
Comprehensive income (loss) $ 355.8 $ 521.8 $ (846.0)
Certain line-items in the following table are changed from the year-ago presentation; all prior periods are conformed.
On February 19, 2019, the Revolving Credit Facility was amended. Changes effected include the extension of the final maturity
date to March 1, 2021 and reduction of the lenders’ total commitments from $458.3 million to $400 million.
The $400 million total commitment amount consisted of an approximately $300 million revolving loan tranche and an
approximately $100 million revolving loan tranche that can also be utilized for issuance of letters of credit. As of February 19,
2019, there were no amounts drawn under the Credit Agreement other than approximately $40 million that was utilized for letters
of credit.
Return of Capital
On January 28, 2019, the Company received a “non-objection” from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to CIT’s plan for a
common equity capital return of up to $450 million through September 2019. The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”)
has approved the capital return.
The Company’s management will determine the timing and nature of any share repurchases or special dividends based on
market conditions and other considerations. Any share repurchases may be effected in the open market, through derivative,
accelerated repurchase and other negotiated transactions, and through plans designed to comply with Rule 10b5-1(c) under the
Exchange Act.
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the
effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated
under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, (the "Exchange Act") as of December 31, 2018. Based on such evaluation, the
principal executive officer and the principal financial officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and
procedures were effective.
Management of CIT, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such
term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by,
or under the supervision of, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions,
and effected by our board of directors to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control
over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable
detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with
authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or
timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the
financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also,
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate
because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management of CIT, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, conducted an evaluation of the
effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 using the criteria set forth by
the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO") in "Internal Control - Integrated Framework"
(2013). Management concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31,
2018, based on the criteria established in the "Internal Control - Integrated Framework" (2013).
The effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 has been audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the
Exchange Act) during the year ended December 31, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially
affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of CIT Group Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December
31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material
respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal
Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheet, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss),
stockholders’ equity, and cash flows as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018, of the Company and our report dated
February 21, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report
on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be
independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all
material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk
that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the
assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our
audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that
(1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions
of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and
expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the
company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or
disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also,
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
Related Stockholder Matters
The information called for by Item 12 is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption "Security Ownership of
Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" in our Proxy Statement for our 2019 annual meeting of stockholders.
2. All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or because the required information appears in the Consolidated Financial
Statements or the notes thereto.
(b) Exhibits
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among CIT Group Inc., IMB HoldCo LLC, Carbon Merger Sub LLC and JCF III HoldCo I
L.P., dated as of July 21, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K filed July 25, 2014).
2.2 Amendment No. 1, dated as of July 21, 2015, to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among CIT Group Inc., IMB HoldCo I
L.P., Carbon Merger Sub LLC and JCF III HoldCo I L.P., dated as of July 21, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to
Form 8-K filed July 27, 2015).
3.1 Fourth Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware on May 17, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed May 17, 2016).
3.2 Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company, as amended through May 15, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to
Form 8-K filed May 17, 2016).
3.3 Certificate of Designation of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A of CIT Group Inc., dated
June 6, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed June 7, 2017).
4.1 Indenture, dated as of January 20, 2006, between CIT Group Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon (as successor to JPMorgan
Chase Bank N.A.) for the issuance of senior debt securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Form S-3 filed January
20, 2006).
4.2 Indenture, dated as of March 15, 2012, among CIT Group Inc., Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, and Deutsche
Bank Trust Company Americas, as paying agent, security registrar and authenticating agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.1 of Form 8-K filed March 16, 2012).
4.3 Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 4, 2012, among CIT Group Inc., Wilmington Trust, National Association, as
trustee, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as paying agent, security registrar and authenticating agent (including the
Form of 5.000% Senior Unsecured Note due 2017 and the Form of 5.375% Senior Unsecured Note due 2020) (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Form 8-K filed May 4, 2012).
4.4 Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 3, 2012, among CIT Group Inc., Wilmington Trust, National Association, as
trustee, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as paying agent, security registrar and authenticating agent (including the
Form of 4.25% Senior Unsecured Note due 2017 and the Form of 5.00% Senior Unsecured Note due 2022) (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K filed August 3, 2012).
4.5 Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 1, 2013, among CIT Group Inc., Wilmington Trust, National Association, as
trustee, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as paying agent, security registrar and authenticating agent (including the
Form of 5.00% Senior Unsecured Note due 2023) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K filed August 1, 2013).
4.6 Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 19, 2014, among CIT Group Inc., Wilmington Trust, National Association, as
trustee, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as paying agent, security registrar and authenticating agent (including the
Form of 3.875% Senior Unsecured Note due 2019) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed February 19, 2014.
4.7 Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 9, 2018, by and among CIT Group Inc., Wilmington Trust, National
Association, as trustee, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as paying agent, security registrar and authenticating
agent (including the Form of 4.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 and Form of 5.250% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2025)
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K filed March 9, 2018).
4.8 Subordinated Indenture, dated as of March 9, 2018, between CIT Group Inc., Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee,
and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as paying agent, security registrar and authenticating agent (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Form 8-K filed March 9, 2018).
4.9 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 9, 2018, between CIT Group Inc., Wilmington Trust, National Association, as
trustee, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as paying agent, security registrar and authenticating agent (including the
Form of 6.125% Subordinated Notes due 2028) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Form 8-K filed March 9, 2018).
4.10 Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 17, 2018 by and among CIT Group Inc., Wilmington Trust National
Association as trustee and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as paying agent, security registrar and authenticating agent
(including the Form of 4.750% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Form 8-K filed
August 17, 2018).
10.1* CIT Group Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q filed November 2, 2018).
10.2* CIT Group Inc. Supplemental Retirement Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective as of January 1, 2008) (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.27 to Form 10-Q filed May 12, 2008).
10.3* CIT Group Inc. Supplemental Savings Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective as of January 1, 2008) (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.28 to Form 10-Q filed May 12, 2008).
10.4* New Executive Retirement Plan of CIT Group Inc. (As Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2008) (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.29 to Form 10-Q filed May 12, 2008).
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this
report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized
CIT GROUP INC.
February 21, 2019 By: /s/ Ellen R. Alemany
Ellen R. Alemany
Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer and Director
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons
on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated below on February 21, 2019.
NAME NAME
Ellen R. Alemany
Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer and John R. Ryan
Director Director
Alan L Frank*
Alan L Frank
Director
* Original powers of attorney authorizing Shannon Lowry Bender and James P. Shanahan and each of them to sign on behalf
of the above-mentioned directors are held by the Corporation and available for examination by the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to Item 302(b) of Regulation S-T.