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Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization — MasterCard Incorporated and its consolidated subsidiaries, including MasterCard International Incorporated (“MasterCard International”) and MasterCard Europe sprl (“MasterCard Europe”) (together, “MasterCard” or the “Company”), provide payment solutions, including transaction processing and related services to customers principally in support of their credit, deposit access (debit), electronic cash and Automated Teller Machine (“ATM”) payment card programs, and travelers cheque programs. Our financial institution customers are generally either principal members (“principal members”) of MasterCard International, which participate directly in MasterCard International’s business, or affiliate members of MasterCard International, which participate indirectly in MasterCard International’s business through a principal member.
Consolidation and basis of presentation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MasterCard and its majority-owned and controlled entities, including the Company’s variable interest entity. The Company’s variable interest entity was established for the purpose of constructing the Company’s global technology and operations center; it was not an operating entity and had no employees. In March 2009, the Company discontinued its use of the variable interest entity. See Note 12 (Consolidation of Variable Interest Entity) for further discussion. Intercompany transactions during the periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company follows accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
The balance sheet as of December 31, 2008 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2008. The consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 and as of June 30, 2009 are unaudited, and in the opinion of management, include all normal recurring adjustments that are necessary to present fairly the results for interim periods. Due to seasonal fluctuations and other factors, the results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission requirements of Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and, consequently, do not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP. Reference should be made to the MasterCard Incorporated Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 for additional disclosures, including a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies.
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 165, “Subsequent Events” (“SFAS 165”), issued in May 2009 by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), the Company has evaluated all subsequent events through July 30, 2009 which is the date that the consolidated financial statements were issued.
Reclassification of prior period amounts and recent accounting pronouncements — Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2009 presentation. The amounts reclassified primarily relate to the adoption of certain accounting standards and the reclassification of certain cardholder-related enhancement expenses, which were previously classified as advertising and marketing expenses, to general and administrative expenses. These cardholder benefit program expenses, such as insurance and card replacements, were previously deemed promotional features of the cards and over time have become standard product offerings in certain card categories. Approximately $22,000 and $42,000 of these expenses have been reclassified for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, to conform to the 2009 presentation.
With respect to adoption of accounting standards, the provisions of FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) EITF 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities” (“FSP EITF 03-6-1”) became effective for the Company on January 1, 2009, resulting in the retrospective adjustment of earnings per share (“EPS”) for prior periods. See Note 2 (Earnings (Loss) Per Share) for further detail.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 amends Accounting Research Bulletin (“ARB”) No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements” and establishes accounting and reporting standards that require non-controlling interests, previously referred to as minority interests, to be reported as a component of equity. In addition, changes in a parent’s ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling interest are accounted for as equity transactions, and upon a gain or loss of control, retained ownership interests are remeasured at fair value, with any gain or loss recognized in earnings. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company applied the provisions of SFAS 160 retrospectively in the consolidated financial statements. The adoption of SFAS 160 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations for any periods presented.
The provisions of FASB No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS 161”) became effective for the Company on January 1, 2009. SFAS 161 applies to all entities and requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk related contingent features in derivative agreements. The Company applied the requirements of SFAS 161 on a prospective basis. Accordingly, disclosures related to interim periods prior to the date of adoption have not been presented. Since SFAS 161 relates to disclosures only, it had no impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. See Note 20 (Foreign Exchange Risk Management) for further detail.
Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141(R)”). SFAS 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree; how the acquirer recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in a business combination; and how the acquirer determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. The adoption of SFAS 141(R) did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations as of or for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009.
In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” (“FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1”), which requires public entities to disclose in their interim financial statements the fair value of all financial instruments within the scope of FASB Statement No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” (“SFAS 107”), as well as the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of those financial instruments. The Company has adopted the provisions of FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 by including the required additional financial statement disclosures as of June 30, 2009 in Note 4 (Fair Value). The adoption of FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 had no impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
Also in April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments” (“FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2”), to change the method for determining whether an other-than-temporary impairment exists for debt securities and the amount of an impairment charge to be recorded in earnings. FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 also requires enhanced disclosures, including the Company’s methodology and key inputs used for determining the amount of credit losses recorded in earnings. The Company adopted FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 during the second quarter of 2009 and the adoption had no impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. See Note 5 (Investment Securities) for further detail.
Additionally, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly” (“FSP FAS 157-4”), during April 2009. FSP FAS 157-4 provides additional guidance to highlight and expand on the factors that should be considered in estimating fair value when there has been a significant decrease in market activity for a financial asset. FSP FAS 157-4 also requires new disclosures relating to fair value measurement inputs and valuation techniques (including changes in inputs and valuation techniques). The Company adopted FSP FAS 157-4 during the second quarter of 2009. The adoption of FSP FAS 157-4 had no impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. See Note 4 (Fair Value) for further detail.
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140” (“SFAS 166”), to revise SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities.” SFAS 166 eliminates the qualifying special purpose entity concept, establishes a new unit of account definition that must be met for the transfer of portions of financial assets to be eligible for sale accounting, clarifies and changes the derecognition criteria for a transfer to be accounted for as a sale, changes the amount of gain or loss on a transfer of financial assets accounted for as a sale when beneficial interests are received by the transferor, and requires additional new disclosures. The Company will adopt SFAS 166 upon its effective date of January 1, 2010 and the impact of SFAS 166 will depend upon the nature and significance of future transfers of financial assets, if any.
The FASB also issued SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)” (“SFAS 167”), during June 2009 as a revision to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” to eliminate the exemption for qualifying special purpose entities, require a new qualitative approach for determining whether a reporting entity should consolidate a variable-interest entity, and change the requirement of when to reassess whether a reporting entity should consolidate a variable-interest entity. Pursuant to the provisions of SFAS 167, the Company will assess whether it should consolidate or deconsolidate any variable-interest entities for which it holds variable interests on January 1, 2010 and the impact to the Company will be dependent upon the facts and circumstances related to those variable interests at the effective date.
Finally, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification” and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162” (“SFAS 168”), during June 2009. SFAS 168 establishes the “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification” as the sole source of authoritative GAAP. Pursuant to the provisions of SFAS 168, the Company will update its references to GAAP in its consolidated financial statements issued for the periods ended September 30, 2009 and thereafter. The adoption of SFAS 168 will have no impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
Note 2. Earnings (Loss) Per Share
FSP EITF 03-6-1 became effective January 1, 2009 with retrospective application. Under FSP EITF 03-6-1, unvested share-based payment awards which receive non-forfeitable dividend rights, or dividend equivalents, are considered participating securities and are required to be included in computing EPS under the two-class method. The Company declared non-forfeitable dividends on unvested restricted stock units and contingently issuable performance stock units (“Unvested Units”) which were granted prior to 2009. The Company has therefore calculated EPS under the two-class method pursuant to FSP EITF 03-6-1.
The components of basic and diluted EPS for common shares under the two-class method for the three months and six months ended June 30 are as follows:
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | |||||||||||
Numerator: |
||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to MasterCard |
$ | 349,074 | $ | (746,653 | ) | $ | 716,332 | $ | (299,775 | ) | ||||
Less: Net income (loss) allocated to Unvested Units |
2,273 | (5,863 | ) | 4,960 | (2,162 | ) | ||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to MasterCard allocated to common shares |
$ | 346,801 | $ | (740,790 | ) | $ | 711,372 | $ | (297,613 | ) | ||||
Denominator: |
||||||||||||||
Basic EPS weighted average shares outstanding |
129,743 | 130,073 | 129,689 | 130,750 | ||||||||||
Dilutive stock options and stock units |
375 | — | 359 | — | ||||||||||
Diluted EPS weighted average shares outstanding |
130,118 | 130,073 | 130,048 | 130,750 | ||||||||||
Earnings (Loss) per Share |
||||||||||||||
Total Basic |
$ | 2.67 | $ | (5.70 | ) | $ | 5.49 | $ | (2.28 | ) | ||||
Total Diluted |
$ | 2.67 | $ | (5.70 | ) | $ | 5.47 | $ | (2.28 | ) |
The calculation of diluted EPS for each of the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 excluded approximately 288 stock options because the effect would be antidilutive. The calculation of diluted EPS for the six months ended June 30, 2009 excluded approximately 1 restricted stock unit because the effect would be antidilutive. The calculation of diluted loss per share for each of the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 excluded approximately 1,080 restricted stock units and 835 stock options because the effect would be antidilutive.
The following table compares EPS as originally reported and EPS under the two-class method, pursuant to FSP EITF 03-6-1, to quantify the impact of the new standard on EPS for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008.
Periods ended June 30, 2008 | ||||||||
Three months | Six months | |||||||
Basic - as originally reported |
$ | (5.74 | ) | $ | (2.29 | ) | ||
Basic - pursuant to FSP EITF 03-6-1 |
(5.70 | ) | (2.28 | ) | ||||
Impact of FSP EITF 03-6-1 on basic EPS |
$ | 0.04 | $ | 0.01 | ||||
Diluted - as originally reported |
$ | (5.74 | ) | $ | (2.29 | ) | ||
Diluted - pursuant to FSP EITF 03-6-1 |
(5.70 | ) | (2.28 | ) | ||||
Impact of FSP EITF 03-6-1 on diluted EPS |
$ | 0.04 | $ | 0.01 | ||||
Note 3. Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities
The following table includes non-cash investing and financing information for the six month periods ended June 30:
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
Dividends declared but not yet paid |
$ | 19,671 | $ | 19,684 | ||||
Liabilities assumed related to investments in affiliates |
8,750 | 4 | 20,432 | 3 | ||||
Municipal bonds cancelled |
154,000 | 1 | — | |||||
Revenue bonds received |
(154,000 | )2 | — | |||||
Building and land assets recorded pursuant to capital lease |
(154,000 | )2 | — | |||||
Capital lease obligation |
154,000 | 2 | — |
1 |
See Note 12 (Consolidation of Variable Interest Entity) for further details. |
2 |
See Note 8 (Property, Plant, and Equipment) for further details. |
3 |
Amount due in 2011. |
4 |
Amounts to be extinguished in 2013 and 2016. |
Note 4. Fair Value
Financial Instruments – Recurring Measurements
Pursuant to the provisions of FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, the Company is disclosing the estimated fair values as of June 30, 2009 of the financial instruments that are within the scope of SFAS 107, as well as the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of those financial instruments. Futhermore, pursuant to the provisions of SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), the Company classifies its fair value measurements in a three-level hierarchy (the “Valuation Hierarchy”).
The distribution of the Company’s financial instruments which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis within the Valuation Hierarchy, is as follows:
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) |
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Fair
Value at June 30, 2009 |
|||||||||||
Municipal bonds1 |
$ | — | $ | 497,736 | $ | — | $ | 497,736 | ||||||
Taxable short-term bond funds |
107,620 | — | — | 107,620 | ||||||||||
Auction rate securities |
— | — | 187,000 | 187,000 | ||||||||||
Foreign currency forward contracts |
— | (15,982 | ) | — | (15,982 | ) | ||||||||
Other |
47 | — | — | 47 | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 107,667 | $ | 481,754 | $ | 187,000 | $ | 776,421 | ||||||
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) |
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Fair
Value at December 31, 2008 |
|||||||||||
Municipal bonds1 |
$ | — | $ | 485,490 | $ | — | $ | 485,490 | ||||||
Taxable short-term bond funds |
102,588 | — | — | 102,588 | ||||||||||
Auction rate securities |
— | — | 191,760 | 191,760 | ||||||||||
Foreign currency forward contracts |
— | 33,731 | — | 33,731 | ||||||||||
Other |
17 | — | — | 17 | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 102,605 | $ | 519,221 | $ | 191,760 | $ | 813,586 | ||||||
1 |
Available-for-sale municipal bonds are carried at fair value and are included in the above tables. However, held-to-maturity municipal bonds are carried at amortized cost and excluded from the above tables. |
The fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale municipal bonds are based on quoted prices for similar assets in active markets and are therefore included in level 2 of the Valuation Hierarchy.
The fair value of the Company’s short-term bond funds are based on quoted prices and are therefore included in Level 1 of the Valuation Hierarchy.
The auction rate securities (“ARS”) investments have been classified within level 3 of the Valuation Hierarchy as their valuation requires substantial judgment and estimation of factors that are not currently observable in the market due to the lack of trading in the securities. This valuation may be revised in future periods as market conditions evolve. Pursuant to the provisions of FSP FAS 157-4, the Company has considered the lack of liquidity in the ARS market and the lack of comparable, orderly transactions when estimating the fair value of its ARS portfolio. Therefore, the Company continued to utilize the income approach, which included a discounted cash flow analysis of the estimated future cash flows adjusted by a risk premium for the ARS portfolio as of June 30, 2009, to estimate the fair value of its ARS portfolio. When a determination is made to classify a financial instrument within level 3, the determination is based upon the significance of the unobservable parameters to the overall fair value measurement. However, the fair value determination for level 3 financial instruments may include observable components.
The Company’s foreign currency forward contracts have been classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy, as the fair value is based on broker quotes for the same or similar derivative instruments. See Note 20 (Foreign Exchange Risk Management) for further details.
Financial Instruments – Non-Recurring Measurements
Certain financial instruments are carried on the consolidated balance sheets at cost, which approximates fair value due to their short-term, highly liquid nature. These instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, settlement due from customers, restricted security deposits held for customers, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, settlement due to customers and accrued expenses.
Municipal Bonds Held-to-Maturity
The Company utilizes quoted prices for similar securities from active markets to estimate the fair value of its held-to-maturity securities. See Note 5 (Investment Securities) for fair value disclosure.
Short-term and Long-term Debt
The Company estimates the fair value of its debt by applying a current period discount rate to the remaining cash flows under the terms of the debt. At June 30, 2009, the carrying value on the consolidated balance sheets totaled $20,564 and the fair value totaled $20,635 for the Company’s debt.
Obligations Under Litigation Settlements
The Company estimates the fair value of its obligations under litigation settlements by applying a current period discount rate to the remaining cash flows under the terms of the litigation settlement. At June 30, 2009, the carrying values on the consolidated balance sheets totaled $1,482,590 and the fair values totaled $1,511,016 for these obligations. For additional information regarding the Company’s obligations under litigation settlements, see Note 16 (Obligations Under Litigation Settlements).
Settlement Guarantee Liabilities
The Company estimates the fair value of its settlement guarantees by applying market assumptions for relevant though not directly comparable undertakings, as the latter are not observable in the market given the proprietary nature of such guarantees. Additionally, loss probability and severity profiles against the Company’s gross and net settlement exposures are considered. The carrying value and estimated fair value of settlement guarantee liabilities were de minimis as of June 30, 2009. For additional information regarding the Company’s settlement guarantee liabilities, see Note 19 (Settlement, Travelers Cheque and Other Risk Management).
Refunding Revenue Bonds
The Company holds refunding revenue bonds with the same payment terms and which contain the right of set-off with a capital lease obligation related to the Company’s global technology and operations center located in O’Fallon, Missouri, called Winghaven. The Company has netted the refunding revenue bonds and the corresponding capital lease obligation in the consolidated balance sheet and estimates that the carrying value approximates the fair value for these bonds. See Note 8 (Property, Plant and Equipment) for further details.
Non-Financial Instruments
Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets. These assets are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis; however, they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence of impairment.
The valuation methods for goodwill and other intangible assets involve assumptions concerning interest and discount rates, growth projections and other assumptions of future business conditions. As all of the assumptions employed to measure these assets and liabilities on a nonrecurring basis are based on management’s judgment using internal and external data, these fair value determinations are classified in Level 3 of the Valuation Hierarchy.
Note 5. Investment Securities
Amortized Costs and Fair Values – Available-for-Sale Investment Securities:
The major categories of the Company’s available-for-sale investment securities, for which unrealized gains and losses are recorded as a separate component of other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), and their respective cost basis and fair values are as follows:
Amortized Cost |
Gross Unrealized Gain |
Gross Unrealized Loss1 |
Fair
Value at June 30, 2009 |
||||||||||
Municipal bonds |
$ | 480,549 | $ | 17,826 | $ | (639 | ) | $ | 497,736 | ||||
Taxable short-term bond funds |
104,367 | 3,253 | — | 107,620 | |||||||||
Auction rate securities |
233,750 | — | (46,750 | ) | 187,000 | ||||||||
Other |
90 | — | (43 | ) | 47 | ||||||||
Total |
$ | 818,756 | $ | 21,079 | $ | (47,432 | ) | $ | 792,403 | ||||
Amortized Cost |
Gross Unrealized Gain |
Gross Unrealized Loss1 |
Fair
Value at December 31, 2008 |
||||||||||
Municipal bonds |
$ | 473,746 | $ | 12,771 | $ | (1,027 | ) | $ | 485,490 | ||||
Taxable short-term bond funds |
102,588 | — | — | 102,588 | |||||||||
Auction rate securities |
239,700 | — | (47,940 | ) | 191,760 | ||||||||
Other |
127 | — | (110 | ) | 17 | ||||||||
Total |
$ | 816,161 | $ | 12,771 | $ | (49,077 | ) | $ | 779,855 | ||||
1 |
The majority of the unrealized losses relate to ARS, which have been in an unrealized loss position longer than 12 months, but have not been deemed other-than-temporarily impaired. |
The municipal bond portfolio is comprised of tax exempt bonds and is diversified across states and sectors. The portfolio has an average credit quality of double-A. Municipal bonds in a gross unrealized loss position are not considered other-than temporarily impaired due to their high credit quality.
The short-term bond funds invest in fixed income securities, including corporate bonds, mortgage-backed, and asset-backed securities.
The Company holds investments in ARS. Interest on these securities is exempt from U.S. federal income tax and the interest rate on the securities typically resets every 35 days. The securities are fully collateralized by student loans with guarantees, ranging from approximately 95% to 98% of principal and interest, by the U.S. government via the Department of Education.
Beginning on February 11, 2008, the auction mechanism that normally provided liquidity to the ARS investments began to fail. Since mid-February 2008, all 44 investment positions in the Company’s ARS investment portfolio have experienced failed auctions. The securities for which auctions have failed have continued to pay interest in accordance with the contractual terms of such instruments and will continue to accrue interest and be auctioned at each respective reset date until the auction succeeds, the issuer redeems the securities or they mature. As of June 30, 2009, the ARS market remained illiquid but issuer call and redemption activity in the ARS student loan sector has occurred periodically since the auctions began to fail. During the three months ending June 30, 2009, the Company did not sell any ARS in the auction market but there were some partial calls of ARS.
The table below includes a roll-forward of the Company’s ARS investments from January 1, 2009 to June 30, 2009.
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
||||
Fair value, January 1, 2009 |
$ | 191,760 | ||
Calls, at par |
(5,950 | ) | ||
Recovery of unrealized losses due to issuer calls |
1,190 | |||
Fair value, June 30, 2009 |
$ | 187,000 | ||
Pursuant to the provisions of FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, the Company evaluated the estimated impairment of its ARS portfolio to determine if it was other-than-temporary. The Company considered several factors including, but not limited to, the following: (1) the reasons for the decline in value (changes in interest rates, credit event, or market fluctuations); (2) MasterCard’s belief that it is more likely than not that it will hold and not be required to sell the investments for a sufficient period of time to allow for recovery of the cost basis; (3) whether the decline is substantial; and (4) the historical and anticipated duration of the events causing the decline in value. The evaluation for other-than-temporary impairments is a quantitative and qualitative process, which is subject to various risks and uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties include changes in credit quality, market liquidity, timing and amounts of issuer calls, and interest rates. As of June 30, 2009, the unrealized losses on the ARS were not related to credit quality but rather due to the lack of liquidity in the market. The Company believes that it is more likely than not that the Company will hold and not be required to sell its ARS investments until recovery of their cost basis which may be at maturity or earlier if called. Therefore MasterCard does not consider the unrealized losses to be other-than-temporary. The Company has estimated a 20% discount to the par value of the ARS portfolio. The temporary impairment included in accumulated other comprehensive income related to the Company’s ARS was $46,750 and $47,940 as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. A hypothetical increase of 100 basis points in the discount rate used in the discounted cash flow analysis would have increased the temporary impairment by $24,000 at each period end.
Carrying and Fair Values – Held-to-Maturity Investment Securities:
The Company also owns certain held-to-maturity investment securities, which primarily consist of two municipal bonds yielding interest at approximately 5.0% per annum. These bonds primarily relate to the Company’s back-up processing center in Kansas City, Missouri. The Company cancelled $154,000 of short-term municipal bonds related to its global technology and operations center located in O’Fallon, Missouri, called Winghaven on March 1, 2009, as further discussed in Note 12 (Consolidation of Variable Interest Entity). The carrying value, gross unrecorded gains and fair value of these held-to-maturity investment securities are as follows:
June 30, 2009 |
December 31, 2008 |
|||||
Carrying value |
$ | 36,910 | $ | 191,450 | ||
Gross unrecorded gains |
1,179 | 1,913 | ||||
Fair value |
$ | 38,089 | $ | 193,363 | ||
Investment Maturities:
The maturity distribution based on the contractual terms of the Company’s investment securities at June 30, 2009 was as follows:
Available-For-Sale | Held-To-Maturity | |||||||||||
Amortized Cost |
Fair Value | Carrying Value |
Fair Value | |||||||||
Due within 1 year |
$ | 26,460 | $ | 27,014 | $ | 528 | $ | 530 | ||||
Due after 1 year through 5 years |
350,340 | 364,953 | 36,382 | 37,559 | ||||||||
Due after 5 years through 10 years |
106,621 | 107,866 | — | — | ||||||||
Due after 10 years |
230,878 | 184,903 | — | — | ||||||||
No contractual maturity |
104,457 | 107,667 | — | — | ||||||||
Total |
$ | 818,756 | $ | 792,403 | $ | 36,910 | $ | 38,089 | ||||
The majority of securities due after ten years are ARS. Taxable short-term bond funds and foreign equity securities have been included in the table above in the no contractual maturity category, as these investments do not have a stated maturity date.
The table below summarizes the maturity ranges of the ARS portfolio, based on relative par value, as of June 30, 2009:
Par Amount |
% of Total |
|||||
Due within 10 years |
$ | 4,000 | 2 | % | ||
Due year 11 through year 20 |
40,400 | 17 | % | |||
Due year 21 through year 30 |
151,250 | 65 | % | |||
Due after year 30 |
38,100 | 16 | % | |||
Total |
$ | 233,750 | 100 | % | ||
Investment Income:
Components of net investment income were as follows for the three and six months ended June 30:
Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 |
Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 |
|||||||||||||
Interest income |
$ | 13,338 | $ | 27,957 | $ | 30,613 | $ | 62,640 | ||||||||
Dividend income |
4 | — | 4 | 1,221 | ||||||||||||
Investment securities available-for-sale: |
||||||||||||||||
Gross realized gains |
380 | 127 | 516 | 86,473 | ||||||||||||
Gross realized losses |
(92 | ) | (2,399 | ) | (102 | ) | (9,879 | ) | ||||||||
Total investment income, net |
$ | 13,630 | $ | 25,685 | $ | 31,031 | $ | 140,455 | ||||||||
Interest income is generated from cash, cash equivalents, available-for-sale investment securities and municipal bonds held-to-maturity. Dividend income primarily consists of dividends received on the Company’s cost method investments.
Note 6. Prepaid Expenses
Prepaid expenses consisted of the following:
June 30, 2009 |
December 31, 2008 |
|||||||
Customer and merchant incentives |
$ | 415,743 | $ | 397,563 | ||||
Advertising |
34,078 | 45,608 | ||||||
Income taxes |
78,147 | — | ||||||
Data processing |
36,166 | 24,455 | ||||||
Other |
27,270 | 48,081 | ||||||
Total prepaid expenses |
591,404 | 515,707 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses, current |
(284,647 | ) | (213,612 | ) | ||||
Prepaid expenses, long-term |
$ | 306,757 | $ | 302,095 | ||||
Prepaid customer and merchant incentives represent payments made to customers and merchants under business agreements.
Note 7. Other Assets
Other assets consisted of the following:
June 30, 2009 |
December 31, 2008 |
|||||||
Customer and merchant incentives |
$ | 95,636 | $ | 46,608 | ||||
Cost and equity method investments |
36,130 | 12,500 | ||||||
Cash surrender value of keyman life insurance |
21,461 | 18,552 | ||||||
Other |
28,254 | 21,356 | ||||||
Total other assets |
181,481 | 99,016 | ||||||
Other assets, current |
(75,037 | ) | (32,619 | ) | ||||
Other assets, long-term |
$ | 106,444 | $ | 66,397 | ||||
Certain customer and merchant business agreements provided incentives upon entering into the agreement. As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, other assets included amounts to be paid for these incentives and the related liability was included in accrued expenses. Once the payment is made, the liability is relieved and the other asset is reclassified to a prepaid expense.
Note 8. Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
June 30, 2009 |
December 31, 2008 |
|||||||
Building and land |
$ | 388,163 | $ | 216,670 | ||||
Equipment |
270,142 | 250,395 | ||||||
Furniture and fixtures |
53,356 | 51,124 | ||||||
Leasehold improvements |
53,024 | 66,878 | ||||||
764,685 | 585,067 | |||||||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
(307,935 | ) | (278,269 | ) | ||||
$ | 456,750 | $ | 306,798 | |||||
Effective March 1, 2009, MasterCard executed a new ten-year lease between MasterCard, as tenant, and the Missouri Development Finance Board (“MDFB”), as landlord, for MasterCard’s global technology and operations center located in O’Fallon, Missouri, called Winghaven (see Note 12 (Consolidation of Variable Interest Entity)). The lease includes a bargain purchase option and is thus classified as a capital lease. The building and land assets and capital lease obligation have been recorded at $154,000, which represents the lesser of the present value of the minimum lease payments and the fair value of the building and land assets. The Company received refunding revenue bonds issued by MDFB in the exact amount, $154,000, and with the same payment terms as the capital lease and which contain the legal right of setoff with the capital lease. The Company has netted its investment in the MDFB refunding revenue bonds and the corresponding capital lease obligation in the consolidated balance sheet. The related leasehold improvements for Winghaven will continue to be amortized over the economic life of the improvements.
As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, other capital leases of $33,609 and $46,794, respectively, were included in equipment. Accumulated amortization of these capital leases was $21,411 and $36,180 as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
Depreciation expense for the above property, plant and equipment, including amortization for capital leases was $18,828 and $35,404 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively. Depreciation expense for the above property, plant and equipment, including amortization for capital leases was $14,723 and $28,608 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively.
Note 9. Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses consisted of the following:
June 30, 2009 |
December 31, 2008 |
|||||
Customer and merchant incentives |
$ | 482,578 | $ | 526,722 | ||
Personnel costs |
238,752 | 296,497 | ||||
Taxes |
80,929 | 20,685 | ||||
Advertising |
74,909 | 89,567 | ||||
Other |
78,110 | 98,590 | ||||
Total accrued expenses |
$ | 955,278 | $ | 1,032,061 | ||
Note 10. Pension Plans
The Company maintains a non-contributory, qualified, defined benefit pension plan (the “Qualified Plan”) with a cash balance feature covering substantially all of its U.S. employees hired before July 1, 2007. The Qualified Plan experienced a steep decline in the fair value of plan assets for the year ended December 31, 2008, which resulted in a significant increase in the actuarial loss component of accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2008. The increases in net periodic pension cost, shown below, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 versus the same periods in 2008 were primarily due to the amortization of actuarial loss into pension expense. Additionally, the Company has an unfunded non-qualified supplemental executive retirement plan (the “Non-qualified Plan”) that provides certain key employees with supplemental retirement benefits in excess of limits imposed on qualified plans by U.S. tax laws. The term “Pension Plans” includes both the Qualified Plan and the Non-qualified Plan. The net periodic pension cost for the Pension Plans was as follows:
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | |||||||||||||
Service cost |
$ | 4,392 | $ | 4,995 | $ | 8,784 | $ | 9,990 | ||||||||
Interest cost |
3,381 | 3,410 | 6,762 | 6,819 | ||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets |
(3,121 | ) | (4,007 | ) | (6,242 | ) | (8,015 | ) | ||||||||
Amortization: |
||||||||||||||||
Actuarial loss |
2,159 | 418 | 4,318 | 837 | ||||||||||||
Prior service credit |
(571 | ) | (582 | ) | (1,142 | ) | (1,164 | ) | ||||||||
Net periodic pension cost |
$ | 6,240 | $ | 4,234 | $ | 12,480 | $ | 8,467 | ||||||||
The Company made voluntary contributions totaling $17,000 and $31,000 to the Qualified Plan during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively. The Company continues to evaluate the Qualified Plan’s funded status and whether additional contributions will be made during 2009. No contributions were made to the Qualified Plan during the three or six months ended June 30, 2008.
Note 11. Postemployment and Postretirement Benefits
The Company maintains a postretirement plan (the “Postretirement Plan”) providing health coverage and life insurance benefits for substantially all of its U.S. employees and retirees hired before July 1, 2007. Net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the three and six months ended June 30 was as follows:
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | |||||||||||
Service cost |
$ | 434 | $ | 488 | $ | 868 | $ | 976 | ||||||
Interest cost |
906 | 822 | 1,812 | 1,644 | ||||||||||
Amortization: |
||||||||||||||
Actuarial (gain) |
— | (130 | ) | — | (259 | ) | ||||||||
Transition obligation |
53 | 54 | 106 | 107 | ||||||||||
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost |
$ | 1,393 | $ | 1,234 | $ | 2,786 | $ | 2,468 | ||||||
The Company does not make any contributions to its Postretirement Plan other than funding benefits payments.
Note 12. Consolidation of Variable Interest Entity
As discussed in Note 8 (Property, Plant and Equipment), the Company executed a new lease agreement for Winghaven, effective March 1, 2009. In conjunction with entering into the new lease agreement, the Company terminated the original synthetic lease agreement for Winghaven, which included a ten-year term with MCI O’Fallon 1999 Trust (the “Trust”) as the lessor. The Trust, which was a variable interest entity, was established for a single discrete purpose, was not an operating entity, had a limited life and had no employees. The Trust had financed Winghaven through a combination of a third party equity investment in the amount of $4,620 and the issuance of 7.36 percent Series A Senior Secured Notes (the “Secured Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $149,380 and a maturity date of September 1, 2009. MasterCard International executed a guarantee of 85.15 percent of the aggregate principal amount of the Secured Notes outstanding, for a total of $127,197. Additionally, upon the occurrence of specific events of default, MasterCard International guaranteed the repayment of the total outstanding principal and interest on the Secured Notes and agreed to take ownership of the facility. During 2004, MasterCard Incorporated became party to the guarantee and assumed certain covenant compliance obligations, including financial reporting and maintenance of a certain level of consolidated net worth. As the primary beneficiary of the Trust, the Company had consolidated the assets and liabilities of the Trust in its consolidated financial statements.
The original Winghaven lease agreement permitted MasterCard International to purchase the facility after August 31, 2006, upon 180 days notice, and extend the lease structure. On August 29, 2008, MasterCard International exercised its option to extend the lease agreement for one additional ten-year term and notified the equity investor and holders of the Secured Notes of its intent to repay the obligations issued through the Trust. The repayment of the aggregate outstanding principal and accrued interest on the Secured Notes and investor equity was effective March 1, 2009 and the guarantee obligations of MasterCard International and MasterCard Incorporated were terminated. The aggregate principal amount and interest plus a “make-whole” amount repaid to the holders of Secured Notes and the equity investor was $164,572. The “make-whole” amount of $4,874 included in the repayment represented the discounted value of the remaining principal and interest on the Secured Notes, less the outstanding principal balance and an equity investor premium. As a result of the transaction, the $154,000 of short-term municipal bonds originally issued in 1999 were cancelled.
The Trust is no longer considered a variable interest entity and is no longer consolidated by the Company. During the period when the Trust was a consolidated entity within the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, its operations had no impact on net income. However, interest income and interest expense were increased by $6,773 in both the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 and $2,852 and $5,700 for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008, respectively.
Note 13. Share Based Payment and Other Benefits
On March 1, 2009, the Company granted approximately 239 restricted stock units, 155 stock options and 45 performance units under the MasterCard Incorporated 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”). The fair value of the restricted stock units and performance units, based on the closing price of the Class A common stock, par value $.0001 per share, on the New York Stock Exchange on February 27, 2009, the last business day prior to the date of grant, was $158.03. The fair value of the stock options estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model was $69.09. The restricted stock units and performance units will primarily vest on or about February 29, 2012. The stock options vest ratably over four years and expire ten years from the date of grant. Compensation expense is recorded net of estimated forfeitures over the shorter of the vesting period or the date the individual becomes eligible to retire under the LTIP. The Company uses the straight-line method of attribution over the requisite service period for expensing equity awards.
With regard to the performance units granted on March 1, 2009, whether or not the performance stock units will vest will be based upon MasterCard performance against a predetermined return on equity goal, with an average of return on equity over the three-year period commencing January 1, 2009 yielding threshold, target or maximum performance, with a potential adjustment determined at the discretion of the MasterCard Human Resources and Compensation Committee using subjective quantitative and qualitative goals expected to be established at the beginning of each year in the performance period from 2009-2011. These goals are expected to include MasterCard performance against internal management metrics and external relative metrics. These performance units have been classified as equity awards, will be settled by delivering stock to the employees and contain service and performance conditions. Given that the performance terms are subjective and not fixed on the date of grant, the performance units will be remeasured at the end of each reporting period, at fair value, until the time the performance conditions are fixed and the ultimate number of shares to be issued is determined. Estimates are adjusted as appropriate. Compensation expense is calculated using the number of performance stock units expected to vest; multiplied by the period ending price of a share of MasterCard’s Class A common stock; on the New York Stock Exchange; less previously recorded compensation expense.
Note 14. Stockholders’ Equity
In February 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the conversion and sale or transfer of up to 11,000 shares of Class B common stock into Class A common stock. In May 2009, the Company implemented and completed a conversion program in which approximately 10,871 authorized shares of Class B common stock were converted into an equal number of Class A common stock and subsequently sold or transferred to public investors.
Note 15. Commitments
At June 30, 2009, the Company had the following future minimum payments due under non-cancelable agreements:
Total | Capital Leases |
Operating Leases |
Sponsorship, Licensing & Other |
|||||||||
Remainder of 2009 |
$ | 190,078 | $ | 3,543 | $ | 14,833 | $ | 171,702 | ||||
2010 |
195,167 | 4,945 | 21,952 | 168,270 | ||||||||
2011 |
128,028 | 4,165 | 14,021 | 109,842 | ||||||||
2012 |
95,118 | 3,096 | 11,066 | 80,956 | ||||||||
2013 |
52,568 | 36,838 | 7,369 | 8,361 | ||||||||
Thereafter |
23,181 | — | 19,736 | 3,445 | ||||||||
Total |
$ | 684,140 | $ | 52,587 | $ | 88,977 | $ | 542,576 | ||||
Included in the table above are capital leases with imputed interest expense of $7,981 and a net present value of minimum lease payments of $44,606. In addition, at June 30, 2009, $52,236 of the future minimum payments in the table above for operating leases, sponsorship, licensing and other agreements was accrued. Consolidated rental expense for the Company’s office space, which is recognized on a straight line basis over the life of the lease, was approximately $7,807 and $21,532 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively. Consolidated rental expense for the Company’s office space, which is recognized on a straight line basis over the life of the lease, was approximately $10,369 and $20,335 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively. Consolidated lease expense for automobiles, computer equipment and office equipment was $2,311 and $4,168 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively. Consolidated lease expense for automobiles, computer equipment and office equipment was $2,660 and $5,148 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively.
Note 16. Obligations Under Litigation Settlements
On June 24, 2008, MasterCard entered into a settlement agreement (the “American Express Settlement”) with American Express Company (“American Express”) relating to the U.S. federal antitrust litigation between MasterCard and American Express. The American Express Settlement ended all existing litigation between MasterCard and American Express. Under the terms of the American Express Settlement, MasterCard is obligated to make 12 quarterly payments of up to $150,000 per quarter beginning in the third quarter of 2008. MasterCard’s maximum nominal payments will total $1,800,000. The amount of each quarterly payment is contingent on the performance of American Express’s U.S. Global Network Services business. The quarterly payments will be in an amount equal to 15% of American Express’s U.S. Global Network Services billings during the quarter, up to a maximum of $150,000 per quarter. If, however, the payment for any quarter is less than $150,000, the maximum payment for subsequent quarters will be increased by the difference between $150,000 and the lesser amount that was paid in any quarter in which there was a shortfall. MasterCard has assumed American Express will achieve these financial hurdles. MasterCard recorded the present value of $1,800,000, at a 5.75% discount rate, or $1,649,345 for the year ended December 31, 2008 with respect to the American Express Settlement.
In 2003, MasterCard entered into a settlement agreement (the “U.S. Merchant Lawsuit Settlement”) with various U.S. merchants. Under the terms of the U.S. Merchant Lawsuit Settlement, the Company was required to pay $125,000 in 2003 and $100,000 annually each December from 2004 through 2012. In addition, in 2003, several other lawsuits were initiated by merchants who opted not to participate in the plaintiff class in the U.S. merchant lawsuit. The “opt-out” merchant lawsuits were not covered by the terms of the U.S. Merchant Lawsuit Settlement and all have been individually settled. On July 1, 2009, MasterCard entered into an agreement (the “Prepayment Agreement”) with plantiffs of the U.S. Merchant Lawsuit Settlement whereby MasterCard will make a prepayment of its remaining $400,000 in payment obligations at a discounted amount of $335,000 on September 30, 2009. The Company continues to classify the carrying value of its liability related to the U.S. Merchant Lawsuit Settlement as current and non-current liabilities according to the original payment terms, which were legally in effect as of June 30, 2009, pending court approval and finalization of the Prepayment Agreement.
The Company recorded liabilities for certain litigation settlements in prior periods. Total liabilities for litigation settlements changed from December 31, 2008, as follows:
Balance as of December 31, 2008 |
$ | 1,736,298 | ||
Interest accretion on American Express Settlement |
36,359 | |||
Interest accretion on U.S. Merchant Lawsuit Settlement |
13,606 | |||
Payments on American Express Settlement |
(300,000 | ) | ||
Other payments, accruals and accretion, net |
(3,673 | ) | ||
Balance as of June 30, 2009 |
$ | 1,482,590 | ||
See Note 18 (Legal and Regulatory Proceedings) for additional discussion regarding the Company’s legal proceedings.
Note 17. Income Taxes
The effective income tax rates were 35.0% and 39.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and 34.1% and 43.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The difference in the effective tax rates for the periods is due to the effect of the charge for the American Express Settlement recorded in the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008, which resulted in a more favorable mix of pre-tax income (loss) for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2009.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits related to tax positions taken in the current period increased by $6,200 and $17,500, respectively, all of which would affect the Company’s effective tax rate, if recognized.
Note 18. Legal and Regulatory Proceedings
MasterCard is a party to legal and regulatory proceedings with respect to a variety of matters in the ordinary course of business. Some of these proceedings involve complex claims that are subject to substantial uncertainties and unascertainable damages. Therefore, the probability of loss and an estimation of damages are not possible to ascertain at present. Accordingly, except as discussed below, MasterCard has not established reserves for any of these proceedings. MasterCard has recorded liabilities for certain legal proceedings which have been settled through contractual agreements. Except as described below, MasterCard does not believe that any legal or regulatory proceedings to which it is a party would have a material impact on its results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. Although MasterCard believes that it has strong defenses for the litigations and regulatory proceedings described below, it could in the future incur judgments or fines, enter into settlements of claims or be required to change its business practices in ways that could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Notwithstanding MasterCard’s belief, in the event it were found liable in a large class-action lawsuit or on the basis of a claim entitling the plaintiff to treble damages or under which it were jointly and severally liable, charges it may be required to record could be significant and could materially and adversely affect its results of operations, cash flow and financial condition, or, in certain circumstances, even cause MasterCard to become insolvent. Moreover, an adverse outcome in a regulatory proceeding could result in fines and/or lead to the filing of civil damage claims and possibly result in damage awards in amounts that could be significant and could materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Department of Justice Antitrust Litigation and Related Private Litigations
In October 1998, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) filed suit against MasterCard International, Visa U.S.A., Inc. and Visa International Corp. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging that both MasterCard’s and Visa’s governance structure and policies violated U.S. federal antitrust laws. First, the DOJ claimed that “dual governance”— the situation where a financial institution has a representative on the Board of Directors of MasterCard or Visa while a portion of its card portfolio is issued under the brand of the other association—was anti-competitive and acted to limit innovation within the payment card industry. Second, the DOJ challenged MasterCard’s Competitive Programs Policy (“CPP”) and a Visa bylaw provision that prohibited financial institutions participating in the respective associations from issuing competing proprietary payment cards (such as American Express or Discover). The DOJ alleged that MasterCard’s CPP and Visa’s bylaw provision acted to restrain competition.
On October 9, 2001, District Court Judge Barbara Jones issued an opinion upholding the legality and pro-competitive nature of dual governance. However, the judge also held that MasterCard’s CPP and the Visa bylaw constituted unlawful restraints of trade under the federal antitrust laws. On November 26, 2001, the judge issued a final judgment that ordered MasterCard to repeal the CPP insofar as it applies to issuers and enjoined MasterCard from enacting or enforcing any bylaw, rule, policy or practice that prohibits its issuers from issuing general purpose credit or debit cards in the United States on any other general purpose card network. The Second Circuit upheld the final judgment and the Supreme Court denied certiorari.
Shortly after the Supreme Court’s denial of certiorari, both American Express and Discover Financial Services, Inc. filed complaints against MasterCard and Visa in which they alleged that the implementation and enforcement of MasterCard’s CPP and Visa’s bylaw provision violated both Section 1 of the Sherman Act, which prohibits contracts, combinations and conspiracies that unreasonably restrain trade and Section 2 of the Sherman Act, which prohibits monopolization and attempts or conspiracy to monopolize a particular market. These actions were designated as related cases to the DOJ litigation. On June 24, 2008, MasterCard entered into a settlement agreement with American Express to resolve all current litigation between American Express and MasterCard. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, MasterCard is obligated to make twelve quarterly payments of up to $150,000 per quarter with the first payment having been made in September 2008. See Note 16 (Obligations under Litigation Settlements) for additional discussion. On October 27, 2008, MasterCard and Visa entered into a settlement agreement with Discover, ending all litigation between the parties for a total of $2,750,000. The MasterCard share of the settlement, paid to Discover in November 2008, was $862,500. In addition, in connection with the Discover Settlement and pursuant to a separate agreement, Morgan Stanley, Discover’s former parent company, paid MasterCard $35,000 in November 2008.
On April 29, 2005, a complaint was filed in California state court on behalf of a putative class of consumers under California unfair competition law (Section 17200) and the Cartwright Act. The claims in this action seek to piggyback on the portion of the DOJ antitrust litigation discussed above with regard to the district court’s findings concerning MasterCard’s CPP and Visa’s related bylaw. MasterCard and Visa moved to dismiss the complaint and the court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss the plaintiffs’ Cartwright Act claims but denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss the plaintiffs’ Section 17200 unfair competition claims. MasterCard filed an answer to the complaint on June 19, 2006 and the parties are proceeding with discovery. In November 2008, MasterCard and Visa moved for summary judgment on a number of different grounds seeking to dismiss plaintiffs remaining causes of action. On July 1, 2009, the court issued an order denying MasterCard’s and Visa’s motion for summary judgment with respect to one of the defendants’ arguments for dismissal but delayed ruling on the remaining grounds of defendants’ summary judgment motion pending a determination of whether additional discovery is needed before rendering a decision. At this time, it is not possible to determine the outcome of, or estimate the liability related to, this action and no provision for losses has been provided in connection with it.
Currency Conversion Litigations
MasterCard International, together with Visa U.S.A., Inc. and Visa International Corp., are defendants in a state court lawsuit in California. The lawsuit alleges that MasterCard and Visa wrongfully imposed an asserted one percent currency conversion “fee” on every credit card transaction by U.S. MasterCard and Visa cardholders involving the purchase of goods or services in a foreign country, and that such alleged “fee” is unlawful. This action, titled Schwartz v. Visa Int’l Corp., et al., was brought in the Superior Court of California in February 2000, purportedly on behalf of the general public. Trial of the Schwartz matter commenced on May 20, 2002 and concluded on November 27, 2002. The Schwartz action claims that the alleged “fee” grossly exceeds any costs the defendants might incur in connection with currency conversions relating to credit card purchase transactions made in foreign countries and is not properly disclosed to cardholders. MasterCard denies these allegations.
On April 8, 2003, the trial court judge issued a final decision in the Schwartz matter. In his decision, the trial judge found that MasterCard’s currency conversion process does not violate the Truth in Lending Act or regulations, nor is it unconscionably priced under California law. However, the judge found that the practice is deceptive under California law, and ordered that MasterCard mandate that members disclose the currency conversion process to cardholders in cardholder agreements, applications, solicitations and monthly billing statements. As to MasterCard, the judge also ordered restitution to California cardholders. The judge issued a decision on restitution on September 19, 2003, which requires a traditional notice and claims process in which consumers have approximately nine months to submit their claims. The court issued its final judgment on October 31, 2003. On December 29, 2003, MasterCard appealed the judgment. The final judgment and restitution process were stayed pending MasterCard’s appeal. On August 6, 2004, the court awarded plaintiff’s attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $28,224 to be paid equally by MasterCard and Visa. Accordingly, during the three months ended September 30, 2004, MasterCard accrued amounts totaling $14,112. MasterCard subsequently filed a notice of appeal on the attorneys’ fee award on October 1, 2004. With respect to restitution, MasterCard believed that it was likely to prevail on appeal. In February 2005, MasterCard filed an appeal regarding the applicability of Proposition 64, which amended sections 17203 and 17204 of the California Business and Professions Code, to this action. On September 28, 2005, the appellate court reversed the trial court, finding that the plaintiff lacked standing to pursue the action in light of Proposition 64. On May 8, 2007, the trial court dismissed the case.
MasterCard International, Visa U.S.A., Inc., Visa International Corp., several member banks including Citibank (South Dakota), N.A., Chase Manhattan Bank USA, N.A., Bank of America, N.A. (USA), MBNA, and Citicorp Diners Club Inc. are also defendants in a number of federal putative class actions that allege, among other things, violations of federal antitrust laws based on the asserted one percent currency conversion “fee.” Pursuant to an order of the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, the federal complaints have been consolidated in MDL No. 1409 before Judge William H. Pauley III in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. In January 2002, the federal plaintiffs filed a Consolidated Amended Complaint (“MDL Complaint”) adding MBNA Corporation and MBNA America Bank, N.A. as defendants. This pleading asserts two theories of antitrust conspiracy under Section 1 of the Sherman Act: (i) an alleged “inter-association” conspiracy among MasterCard (together with its members), Visa (together with its members) and Diners Club to fix currency conversion “fees” allegedly charged to cardholders of “no less than 1% of the transaction amount and frequently more”; and (ii) two alleged “intra-association” conspiracies, whereby each of Visa and MasterCard is claimed separately to have conspired with its members to fix currency conversion “fees” allegedly charged to cardholders of “no less than 1% of the transaction amount” and “to facilitate and encourage institution—and collection—of second tier currency conversion surcharges.” The MDL Complaint also asserts that the alleged currency conversion “fees” have not been disclosed as required by the Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z.
On July 20, 2006, MasterCard and the other defendants in the MDL action entered into agreements settling the MDL action and related matters, as well as the Schwartz matter. Pursuant to the settlement agreements, MasterCard paid $72,480 to be used for defendants’ settlement fund to settle the MDL action and $13,440 to settle the Schwartz matter. On November 8, 2006, Judge Pauley granted preliminary approval of the settlement agreements. The settlement agreements are subject to final approval by Judge Pauley, and resolution of all appeals. The hearing on final approval of the settlement agreements was held on March 31, 2008 and Judge Pauley reserved decision on final approval. On November 15, 2006, the plaintiff in one of the New York state court cases appealed the preliminary approval of the settlement agreement to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. On June 6, 2007, the appellate court granted MasterCard’s motion to defer briefing until a final settlement is approved in the MDL action. With regard to other state court currency conversion actions, MasterCard has reached agreements in principle with the plaintiffs for a total of $3,557, which has been accrued. Settlement agreements have been executed with plaintiffs in the Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Arizona, New York, Minnesota and Illinois actions, but such an agreement has not been executed with plaintiffs in the Missouri action. At this time, it is not possible to predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of these matters.
U.S. Merchant and Consumer Litigations
Commencing in October 1996, several class action suits were brought by a number of U.S. merchants against MasterCard International and Visa U.S.A., Inc. challenging certain aspects of the payment card industry under U.S. federal antitrust law. Those suits were later consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The plaintiffs claimed that MasterCard’s “Honor All Cards” rule (and a similar Visa rule), which required merchants who accept MasterCard cards to accept for payment every validly presented MasterCard card, constituted an illegal tying arrangement in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act. Plaintiffs claimed that MasterCard and Visa unlawfully tied acceptance of debit cards to acceptance of credit cards. On June 4, 2003, MasterCard International signed a settlement agreement to settle the claims brought by the plaintiffs in this matter, which the Court approved on December 19, 2003. On January 24, 2005, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order affirming the District Court’s approval of the settlement agreement thus making it final. On July 1, 2009, MasterCard International entered into an agreement with the plaintiffs to prepay MasterCard International’s remaining payment obligations under the settlement agreement at a discount. See Note 16 (Obligations under Litigation Settlements) for additional discussion.
In addition, individual or multiple complaints have been brought in 19 different states and the District of Columbia alleging state unfair competition, consumer protection and common law claims against MasterCard International (and Visa) on behalf of putative classes of consumers. The claims in these actions largely mirror the allegations made in the U.S. merchant lawsuit and assert that merchants, faced with excessive merchant discount fees, have passed these overcharges to consumers in the form of higher prices on goods and services sold. MasterCard has been successful in dismissing cases in seventeen of the jurisdictions as courts have granted MasterCard’s motions to dismiss for failure to state a claim or plaintiffs have voluntarily dismissed their complaints. However, there are outstanding cases in New Mexico and California. The parties are awaiting a decision on MasterCard’s motion to dismiss in New Mexico. In December 2008, MasterCard reached an agreement in principle to resolve the California state court actions described above for a payment by MasterCard of $6,000. The parties are negotiating a settlement agreement that will be subject to court approval.
At this time, it is not possible to determine the outcome of, or, except as indicated above in the California consumer action, estimate the liability related to, the remaining consumer cases and no provision for losses has been provided in connection with them. The consumer class actions are not covered by the terms of the settlement agreement in the U.S. merchant lawsuit.
Interchange Litigation and Regulatory Proceedings
Interchange fees represent a sharing of payment system costs among the financial institutions participating in a four-party payment card system such as MasterCard’s. Typically, interchange fees are paid by the acquirer to the issuer in connection with transactions initiated with the payment system’s cards. These fees reimburse the issuer for a portion of the costs incurred by it in providing services which are of benefit to all participants in the system, including acquirers and merchants. MasterCard or its customer financial institutions establish default interchange fees in certain circumstances that apply when there is no other interchange fee arrangement between the issuer and the acquirer. MasterCard establishes a variety of interchange rates depending on such considerations as the location and the type of transaction, and collects the interchange fee on behalf of the institutions entitled to receive it and remits the interchange fee to eligible institutions. As described more fully below, MasterCard’s interchange fees are subject to regulatory or legal review and/or challenges in a number of jurisdictions. At this time, it is not possible to determine the ultimate resolution of, or estimate the liability related to, any of the interchange proceedings described below. No provision for losses has been provided in connection with them.
United States. On June 22, 2005, a purported class action lawsuit was filed by a group of merchants in the U.S. District Court of Connecticut against MasterCard International Incorporated, Visa U.S.A., Inc. Visa International
Service Association and a number of member banks alleging, among other things, that MasterCard’s and Visa’s purported setting of interchange fees violates Section 1 of the Sherman Act, which prohibits contracts, combinations and conspiracies that unreasonably restrain trade. In addition, the complaint alleges MasterCard’s and Visa’s purported tying and bundling of transaction fees also constitutes a violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act. The suit seeks treble damages in an unspecified amount, attorneys’ fees and injunctive relief. Since the filing of this complaint, there have been approximately fifty similar complaints (the majority styled as class actions although a few complaints are on behalf of individual plaintiffs) filed on behalf of merchants against MasterCard and Visa (and in some cases, certain member banks) in federal courts in California, New York, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Kentucky and Connecticut. On October 19, 2005, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued an order transferring these cases to Judge Gleeson of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York for coordination of pre-trial proceedings in MDL No. 1720. On April 24, 2006, the group of purported class plaintiffs filed a First Amended Class Action Complaint. Taken together, the claims in the First Amended Class Action Complaint and in the complaints brought on the behalf of the individual merchants are generally brought under both Section 1 of the Sherman Act and Section 2 of the Sherman Act, which prohibits monopolization and attempts or conspiracies to monopolize a particular industry. Specifically, the complaints contain some or all of the following claims: (i) that MasterCard’s and Visa’s setting of interchange fees (for both credit and offline debit transactions) violates Section 1 of the Sherman Act; (ii) that MasterCard and Visa have enacted and enforced various rules, including the no surcharge rule and purported anti-steering rules, in violation of Section 1 or 2 of the Sherman Act; (iii) that MasterCard’s and Visa’s purported bundling of the acceptance of premium credit cards to standard credit cards constitutes an unlawful tying arrangement; and (iv) that MasterCard and Visa have unlawfully tied and bundled transaction fees. In addition to the claims brought under federal antitrust law, some of these complaints contain certain unfair competition law claims under state law based upon the same conduct described above. These interchange-related litigations also seek treble damages, as well as attorneys’ fees and injunctive relief. On June 9, 2006, MasterCard answered the complaint and moved to dismiss or, alternatively, moved to strike the pre-2004 damage claims that were contained in the First Amended Class Action Complaint and moved to dismiss the Section 2 claims that were brought in the individual merchant complaints. On January 8, 2008, the district court dismissed the plaintiffs’ pre-2004 damage claims. On May 14, 2008, the court denied MasterCard’s motion to dismiss the Section 2 monopolization claims. Fact discovery has been proceeding and was generally completed by November 21, 2008. Briefs have been submitted on plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. The court has scheduled oral argument on the plaintiffs’ class certification motion for August 20, 2009.
On January 29, 2009, the class plaintiffs filed a Second Consolidated Class Action Complaint. The allegations and claims in this complaint generally mirror those in the first amended class action complaint described above although plaintiffs have added additional claims brought under Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act against MasterCard, Visa and a number of banks alleging, among other things, that the networks and banks have continued to fix interchange fees following each network’s initial public offering. On March 31, 2009, MasterCard and the other defendants in the action filed a motion to dismiss the Second Consolidated Class Action Complaint in its entirety, or alternatively, to narrow the claims in the complaint. The parties have fully briefed the motion and the court has scheduled oral argument on the motion for August 18, 2009.
On July 5, 2006, the group of purported class plaintiffs filed a supplemental complaint alleging that MasterCard’s initial public offering of its Class A Common Stock in May 2006 (the “IPO”) and certain purported agreements entered into between MasterCard and its member financial institutions in connection with the IPO: (1) violate Section 7 of the Clayton Act because their effect allegedly may be to substantially lessen competition, (2) violate Section 1 of the Sherman Act because they allegedly constitute an unlawful combination in restraint of trade and (3) constitute a fraudulent conveyance because the member banks are allegedly attempting to release without adequate consideration from the member banks MasterCard’s right to assess the member banks for MasterCard’s litigation liabilities in these interchange-related litigations and in other antitrust litigations pending against it. The plaintiffs seek unspecified damages and an order reversing and unwinding the IPO. On September 15, 2006, MasterCard moved to dismiss all of the claims contained in the supplemental complaint. On November 25, 2008, the district court granted MasterCard’s motion to dismiss the plaintiffs’ supplemental complaint in its entirety with leave to file an amended complaint. On January 29, 2009, the class plaintiffs repled their complaint directed at MasterCard’s IPO by filing a First Amended Supplemental Class Action Complaint. The causes of action in the complaint generally mirror those in the plaintiffs’ original IPO-related complaint although the plaintiffs have attempted to expand their factual allegations based upon discovery that has been garnered in the case. The class plaintiffs seek treble damages and injunctive relief including, but not limited to, an order reversing and unwinding the IPO. On March 31, 2009, MasterCard filed a motion to dismiss the First Amended Supplemental Class Action Complaint in its entirety. The parties have fully briefed the motion to dismiss and the court will hold oral argument on the motion on August 18, 2009. On July 2, 2009, the class plaintiffs and individual plaintiffs served confidential expert reports detailing the plaintiffs’ theories of liability and alleging damages in the tens of billions of dollars. The defendants are scheduled to serve their expert reports on November 2, 2009. Briefing on dispositive motions, including summary judgment motions, is currently scheduled to be completed in June 2010. No trial date has been scheduled. The parties have also entered into court-recommended mediation.
On October 10, 2008, the Antitrust Division of the DOJ issued a CID to MasterCard and other payment industry participants seeking information regarding certain rules relating to merchant acceptance, particularly with respect to merchants’ ability to steer customers to payment forms preferred by merchants. The CID seeks documents, data and narrative responses to several interrogatory and document requests which focus on reasons merchants may have decreased their acceptance of certain cards, information on penetration rates by merchant category, co-brand cards and transactions in various countries. MasterCard is cooperating with the DOJ in connection with the CID. In addition, on May 15, 2009, MasterCard received an Investigative Demand from the Office of the Attorney General for the state of Ohio requesting that MasterCard produce to the Ohio Attorney General’s office all documents and correspondence it has provided to the DOJ in connection with the DOJ’s CID. MasterCard is cooperating with the Ohio Attorney General’s office in connection with the Investigative Demand.
European Union. In September 2000, the European Commission issued a “Statement of Objections” challenging Visa International’s cross-border default interchange fees under European Community competition rules. On July 24, 2002, the European Commission announced its decision to exempt the Visa interchange fees from these rules through the end of 2007 based on certain changes proposed by Visa to its interchange fees. Among other things, in connection with the exemption order, Visa agreed to adopt a cost-based methodology for calculating its interchange fees similar to the methodology employed by MasterCard, which considers the costs of certain specified services provided by issuers, and to reduce its interchange rates for debit and credit transactions to amounts at or below certain specified levels.
On September 25, 2003, the European Commission issued a Statement of Objections challenging MasterCard Europe’s cross-border default interchange fees. On June 23, 2006, the European Commission issued a supplemental Statement of Objections covering credit, debit and commercial card fees. On November 14 and 15, 2006, the European Commission held hearings on MasterCard Europe’s cross-border default interchange fees. On March 23, 2007, the European Commission issued a Letter of Facts, also covering credit, debit and commercial card fees and discussing its views on the impact of the IPO on the case. MasterCard Europe responded to the Statements of Objections and Letter of Facts and made presentations on a variety of issues at the hearings.
The European Commission announced its decision on December 19, 2007. The decision applies to MasterCard’s default cross-border interchange fees for MasterCard and Maestro branded consumer payment card transactions in the European Economic Area (“EEA”) (the European Commission refers to these as “MasterCard’s MIF”), but not to commercial card transactions (the European Commission stated publicly that it has not yet finished its investigation of commercial card interchange fees). The decision applies to MasterCard’s MIF for cross-border consumer card payments and to any domestic consumer card transactions that default to MasterCard’s MIF, of which currently there are none. The decision required MasterCard to cease applying the MasterCard MIF, to refrain from repeating the infringement, and not to apply its then recently adopted (but never implemented) Maestro SEPA and Intra-Eurozone default interchange fees to debit card payment transactions within the Eurozone. MasterCard understood that the decision gave MasterCard until June 21, 2008 to comply, with the possibility that the European Commission could have extended this time at its discretion. The decision also required MasterCard to issue certain specific notices to financial institutions and other entities that participate in its MasterCard and Maestro payment systems in the EEA and make certain specific public announcements, regarding the steps it has taken to comply. The decision does not impose a fine on MasterCard, but provides for a daily penalty of up to 3.5% of MasterCard’s daily consolidated global turnover in the preceding business year (which MasterCard estimates to be approximately $500 U.S. per day) in the event that MasterCard fails to comply. On March 1, 2008, MasterCard filed an application for annulment of the European Commission’s decision with the EU Court of First Instance.
On March 26, 2008, the European Commission announced that it has opened formal antitrust proceedings against, and on April 6, 2009, the European Commission announced that it had issued a Statement of Objections to, Visa Europe Limited, under Article 81 of the EC Treaty. The proceedings are in relation to Visa’s multilateral interchange fees for cross-border consumer payment card transactions within the EEA and Visa’s ‘honor all cards’ rule as it applies to these transactions.
The December 19, 2007 decision against MasterCard permits MasterCard to establish other default cross-border interchange fees for MasterCard and Maestro branded consumer payment card transactions in the EEA if MasterCard can demonstrate by empirical proof to the European Commission’s satisfaction that the new interchange fees create efficiencies that outweigh the restriction of competition alleged by the European Commission, that consumers get a fair share of the benefits of the new interchange fees, that there are no less restrictive means of achieving the efficiencies of MasterCard’s payment systems, and that competition is not eliminated altogether. In March 2008, MasterCard entered into discussions with the European Commission about, among other things, the nature of the empirical proof it would require for MasterCard to establish other default cross-border interchange fees consistent with the decision and so as to understand more fully the European Commission’s position as to how it may comply with the decision. MasterCard requested an extension of time to comply with the decision and, on April 26, 2008, the European Commission informed MasterCard that it had rejected such request. On June 12, 2008 MasterCard announced that, effective June 21, 2008, MasterCard would temporarily repeal its then current default intra-EEA cross-border consumer card interchange fees in conformity with the decision. Discussions continued between MasterCard and the European Commission concerning what interchange fee setting methodology MasterCard might employ and what level of interchange fees it might establish in compliance with the decision. On October 17, 2008, MasterCard received an information request from the European Commission in connection with the decision concerning certain pricing changes that MasterCard implemented as of October 1, 2008. MasterCard submitted its response on November 13, 2008.
On March 30, 2009, MasterCard gave certain undertakings to the European Commission and, in response, on April 1, 2009, the Commissioner for competition policy and DG Competition informed MasterCard that, subject to MasterCard’s fulfilling its undertakings, they do not intend to pursue proceedings for non-compliance with or circumvention of the decision of December 19, 2007 or for infringing the antitrust laws in relation to the October 1, 2008 pricing changes, the introduction of new cross-border consumer default interchange fees or any of the other MasterCard undertakings. MasterCard’s undertakings include: (1) repealing the October 1, 2008 pricing changes; (2) adopting a specific methodology for the setting of cross-border consumer default interchange fees; (3) establishing new default cross-border consumer interchange fees as of July 1, 2009 such that the weighted average interchange fee for credit card transactions does not exceed 30 basis points and for debit card transactions does not exceed 20 basis points; (4) introducing a new rule prohibiting its acquirers from requiring merchants to process all of their MasterCard and Maestro transactions with the acquirer; and (5) introducing a new rule requiring its acquirers to provide merchants with certain pricing information in connection with MasterCard and Maestro transactions. The undertakings will be effective until a final decision by the EU Court of First Instance regarding MasterCard’s application for annulment of the European Commission’s December 19, 2007 decision.
Although MasterCard believes that any other business practices it would implement in response to the decision would be in compliance with the decision, the European Commission may deem any such practice not in compliance with the decision, or in violation of European competition law, in which case MasterCard may be assessed fines for the period that it is not in compliance. Furthermore, because a balancing mechanism like default cross-border interchange fees constitutes an essential element of MasterCard Europe’s operations, the decision could also significantly impact MasterCard International’s European customers’ and MasterCard Europe’s business. The European Commission decision could also lead to competition authorities in one or more EU Member States commencing investigations or proceedings regarding domestic interchange fees or, in certain jurisdictions, regulation. In addition, the European Commission’s decision could lead to the filing of private actions against MasterCard Europe by merchants and/or consumers which, if MasterCard is unsuccessful in its appeal of the decision, could result in MasterCard owing substantial damages.
United Kingdom Office of Fair Trading. On September 25, 2001, the Office of Fair Trading of the United Kingdom (“OFT”) issued a Rule 14 Notice under the U.K. Competition Act 1998 challenging the MasterCard default interchange fees and multilateral service fee (“MSF”), the fee paid by issuers to acquirers when a customer uses a MasterCard-branded card in the United Kingdom either at an ATM or over the counter to obtain a cash advance. Until November 2004, the interchange fees and MSF were established by MasterCard U.K. Members Forum Limited (“MMF”) (formerly MasterCard Europay U.K. Ltd.) for domestic credit card transactions in the United Kingdom. The notice contained preliminary conclusions to the effect that the MasterCard U.K. default interchange fees and MSF infringed U.K. competition law and did not qualify for an exemption in their present forms. On February 11, 2003, the OFT issued a supplemental Rule 14 Notice, which also contained preliminary conclusions challenging MasterCard’s U.K. interchange fees (but not the MSF) under the Competition Act. On November 10, 2004, the OFT issued a third notice (now called a Statement of Objections) claiming that the interchange fees infringed U.K. and European Union competition law.
On November 18, 2004, MasterCard’s board of directors adopted a resolution withdrawing the authority of the U.K. members to set domestic MasterCard interchange fees and MSFs and conferring such authority exclusively on MasterCard’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
On September 6, 2005, the OFT issued its decision, concluding that MasterCard’s U.K. interchange fees that were established by MMF prior to November 18, 2004 contravene U.K. and European Union competition law. The OFT decided not to impose penalties on MasterCard or MMF. MMF and MasterCard appealed the OFT’s decision to the U.K. Competition Appeals Tribunal. On June 19, 2006, the U.K. Competition Appeals Tribunal set aside the OFT’s decision, following the OFT’s request to the Tribunal to withdraw the decision and end its case against MasterCard’s U.K. default interchange fees in place prior to November 18, 2004.
Shortly thereafter, the OFT commenced a new investigation of MasterCard’s current U.K. default credit card interchange fees and announced on February 9, 2007 that the investigation would also cover so-called “immediate debit” cards. To date, the OFT has issued a number of requests for information to MasterCard Europe and financial institutions that participate in MasterCard’s payment system in the United Kingdom. MasterCard understands that the OFT is considering whether to commence a formal proceeding through the issuance of a Statement of Objections. If the OFT ultimately determines that any of MasterCard’s U.K. interchange fees contravene U.K. and European Union competition law, it may issue a new decision and possibly levy fines accruing from the date of its first decision. MasterCard would likely appeal a negative decision by the OFT in any future proceeding to the Competition Appeals Tribunal. Such an OFT decision could lead to the filing of private actions against MasterCard by merchants and/or consumers which, if its appeal of such an OFT decision were to fail, could result in an award or awards of substantial damages and could have a significant adverse impact on the revenues of MasterCard International’s U.K. customers and MasterCard’s overall business in the U.K.
Poland. In April 2001, in response to merchant complaints, the Polish Office for Protection of Competition and Consumers (the “PCA”) initiated an investigation of MasterCard’s (and Visa’s) domestic credit and debit card default interchange fees. MasterCard Europe filed several submissions and met with the PCA in connection with the investigation. In January 2007, the PCA issued a decision that MasterCard’s (and Visa’s) interchange fees are unlawful under Polish competition law, and imposed fines on MasterCard’s (and Visa’s) licensed financial institutions. PCA also decided that MasterCard (and Visa) had not violated the law. MasterCard and the financial institutions appealed the decision. On November 12, 2008, the appeals court reversed the decision of the PCA and also rejected MasterCard’s appeal on the basis that MasterCard did not have a legal interest in the PCA’s decision because its conduct was not found to be in breach of the relevant competition laws. MasterCard has appealed this part of the appeals court’s decision because it has significant interest in the outcome of the case. The PCA has appealed other parts of the decision. If on appeal the PCA’s decision is ultimately allowed to stand, it could have a significant adverse impact on the revenues of MasterCard’s Polish customers and on MasterCard’s overall business in Poland.
New Zealand. In November 2003, MasterCard assumed responsibility for setting domestic default interchange fees in New Zealand, which previously had been set by MasterCard’s customer financial institutions in New Zealand. In early 2004, the New Zealand Competition Commission (the “NZCC”) commenced an investigation of MasterCard’s domestic interchange fees. MasterCard cooperated with the NZCC in its investigation, made a number of submissions concerning its New Zealand domestic default interchange fees and met with the NZCC on several occasions to discuss its investigation. In November 2006, the NZCC filed a lawsuit alleging that MasterCard’s (and Visa’s) domestic default interchange fees and certain other of MasterCard’s practices including its “honor all cards” rule do not comply with New Zealand competition law, and seeking penalties. Several large merchants subsequently filed similar lawsuits seeking damages and injunctive relief. The litigations are currently in the written economic evidence phase and are scheduled to go to trial on October 5, 2009. A negative decision in these lawsuits could have a significant adverse impact on the revenues of MasterCard’s New Zealand customers and on MasterCard’s overall business in New Zealand.
Australia. In 2002, the Reserve Bank of Australia (“RBA”) announced regulations under the Payments Systems (Regulation) Act of 1998 applicable to four-party credit card payment systems in Australia, including MasterCard’s. Those regulations, among other things, mandate the use of a formula for determining domestic interchange fees that effectively caps their weighted average at 50 basis points. Operators of three-party systems, such as American Express and Diners Club, were unaffected by the interchange fee regulation. In 2007, the RBA commenced a review of such regulations and, on September 26, 2008, the RBA released its final conclusions. These indicate that the RBA is willing to withdraw its regulations if MasterCard and Visa make certain undertakings regarding the future levels of their respective credit card interchange fees and other practices including their “honor all cards” rules. If the undertakings are not made, the RBA is considering imposing in 2009 additional regulations that could further reduce the domestic interchange fees of MasterCard and Visa in Australia. The effect of the undertakings or any such additional regulations could put MasterCard at an even greater competitive disadvantage relative to competitors in Australia that purportedly do not operate four-party systems, which could have a significant adverse impact on MasterCard’s business in Australia. MasterCard continues to have discussions with the RBA as to the nature of the undertakings that MasterCard may be willing to provide.
South Africa. On August 4, 2006, the South Africa Competition Commission (“SACC”) created a special body, the Jali Enquiry (the “Enquiry”), to examine competition in the payments industry in South Africa, including interchange fees. After nearly two years of investigation, including several rounds of public hearings in which MasterCard participated, on June 25, 2008, the Enquiry published an Executive Summary of its findings. The Enquiry’s full report was made public on December 12, 2008. The Enquiry recommends, among other things, that an independent authority be established to set payment card interchange fees in South Africa and that payment systems’ (including MasterCard’s) respective “honor all cards” rules be modified to give merchants greater freedom to choose which types of cards to accept. The Enquiry’s report is non-binding but is under active consideration by South African regulators. If adopted, the Enquiry’s recommendations could have a significant adverse impact on MasterCard’s business in South Africa.
On October 21, 2008, the South African National Assembly (the “National Assembly”) adopted amendments to that country’s competition laws concerning so-called “complex monopolies” and criminalizing violations of those laws (the “Bill”). On January 29, 2009, the President of South Africa referred the Bill back to the National Assembly for further consideration and, in early February, the National Assembly readopted the Bill. The President has stated that he may submit the Bill to that country’s Constitutional Court for review. If the Bill is ultimately determined to be constitutional and becomes law, it could have a significant adverse impact on MasterCard’s business in South Africa.
Other Jurisdictions. In January 2006, a German retailers association filed a complaint with the Federal Cartel Office in Germany concerning MasterCard’s (and Visa’s) domestic default interchange fees. The complaint alleges that MasterCard’s (and Visa’s) German domestic interchange fees are not transparent to merchants and include so-called “extraneous costs”. MasterCard understands that the Federal Cartel Office is continuing to review the complaint.
In January 2008, the Hungarian Competition Authority notified MasterCard that it had commenced a formal investigation of MasterCard Europe’s domestic interchange fees. This followed an informal investigation that the Authority had been conducting since the middle of 2007. On July 12, 2009, the Authority issued to MasterCard a Preliminary Position that MasterCard Europe’s historic domestic interchange fees violate Hungarian competition law. MasterCard will have the opportunity to respond to the Preliminary Position both in writing and at a hearing and, if a negative decision is reached, to appeal the decision. A negative decision could result in MasterCard and/or its customers being fined, and could have a significant adverse impact on the revenues of MasterCard’s Hungarian customers and on MasterCard’s overall business in Hungary.
On July 15, 2009, the Italian Competition Authority commenced a proceeding against MasterCard and a number of its customers concerning MasterCard Europe’s domestic interchange fees in Italy. If the Italian Competition Authority issues a Statement of Objections to MasterCard in connection with the matter, MasterCard would have the opportunity to respond both in writing and at a hearing and, if a negative decision were reached, to appeal the decision. A negative decision could result in MasterCard and/or its customers being fined, and could have a significant adverse impact on the revenues of MasterCard’s Italian customers and on MasterCard’s overall business in Italy.
MasterCard is aware that regulatory authorities and/or central banks in certain other jurisdictions including Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Israel, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and Venezuela are reviewing MasterCard’s and/or its members’ interchange fees and/or related practices (such as the “honor all cards” rule) and may seek to regulate the establishment of such fees and/or such practices.
Note 19. Settlement, Travelers Cheque and Other Risk Management
MasterCard International’s rules generally guarantee the payment of certain MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro branded transactions between its principal members. The term and amount of the guarantees are unlimited. Settlement risk is the exposure to members under MasterCard International’s rules (“Settlement Exposure”), due to the difference in timing between the payment transaction date and subsequent settlement. Settlement Exposure is estimated using the average daily card charges during the quarter multiplied by the estimated number of days to settle. The Company has global risk management policies and procedures, which include risk standards, to provide a framework for managing the Company’s settlement risk. Member-reported transaction data and the transaction clearing data underlying the settlement risk calculation may be revised in subsequent reporting periods.
In the event that MasterCard International effects a payment on behalf of a failed member, MasterCard International may seek an assignment of the underlying receivables. Subject to approval by the Board of Directors, members may be charged for the amount of any settlement loss incurred during the ordinary activities of the Company.
MasterCard requires certain members that are not in compliance with the Company’s risk standards in effect at the time of review to post collateral, typically in the form of letters of credit and bank guarantees. This requirement is based on management review of the individual risk circumstances for each member that is out of compliance. In addition to these amounts, MasterCard holds collateral to cover variability and future growth in member programs. The Company also holds collateral to pay merchants in the event of merchant bank/acquirer failure. Although it is not contractually obligated under MasterCard International’s rules to effect such payments, the Company may elect to do so to protect brand integrity. MasterCard monitors its credit risk portfolio on a regular basis and the adequacy of collateral on hand. Additionally, from time to time, the Company reviews its risk management methodology and standards. As such, the amounts of estimated settlement risk are revised as necessary.
Estimated Settlement Exposure, and the portion of the Company’s uncollateralized Settlement Exposure for MasterCard-branded transactions that relates to members that are deemed not to be in compliance with, or that are under review in connection with, the Company’s risk management standards, were as follows:
June 30, 2009 |
December 31, 2008 |
|||||||
MasterCard-branded transactions: |
||||||||
Gross Settlement Exposure |
$ | 23,462,978 | $ | 21,179,044 | ||||
Collateral held for Settlement Exposure |
(2,793,069 | ) | (1,813,171 | ) | ||||
Net uncollateralized Settlement Exposure |
$ | 20,669,909 | $ | 19,365,873 | ||||
Uncollateralized Settlement Exposure attributable to non-compliant members |
$ | 166,838 | $ | 56,795 | ||||
Cirrus and Maestro transactions: |
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Gross Settlement Exposure |
$ | 3,193,465 | $ | 3,236,175 | ||||
Although MasterCard holds collateral at the member level, the Cirrus and Maestro estimated settlement exposures are calculated at the regional level. Therefore, these settlement exposures are reported on a gross basis, rather than net of collateral.
Of the total estimated Settlement Exposure under the MasterCard brand, net of collateral, the United States accounted for approximately 45% and 49% at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. The second largest country that accounted for this Settlement Exposure was the United Kingdom, at approximately 9% and 10% at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. Of the total uncollateralized Settlement Exposure attributable to non-compliant members, five members represented approximately 84% and 48% at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
MasterCard guarantees the payment of MasterCard-branded travelers cheques in the event of issuer default. The guarantee estimate is based on all outstanding MasterCard-branded travelers cheques, reduced by an actuarial determination of cheques that are not anticipated to be presented for payment. The term and amount of the guarantee are unlimited. MasterCard calculated its MasterCard-branded travelers cheques exposure under this guarantee as $416,227 and $446,679 at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. The reduction in travelers cheques exposure is attributable to a decision by the Company’s two largest issuers to stop selling MasterCard-branded travelers cheques.
A significant portion of the Company’s travelers cheques risk is concentrated in one MasterCard travelers cheques issuer. MasterCard has obtained an unlimited guarantee estimated at $325,043 and $348,995 at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, from a financial institution that is a member, to cover all of the exposure of outstanding travelers cheques with respect to such issuer. In addition, MasterCard has obtained a limited guarantee estimated at $15,183 and $15,949 at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, from a financial institution that is a member in order to cover the exposure of outstanding travelers cheques with respect to another issuer. These guarantee amounts have also been reduced by an actuarial determination of travelers cheques that are not anticipated to be presented for payment.
Beginning in 2008 and continuing in 2009, many of the Company’s financial institution customers were directly and adversely impacted by the unprecedented events that occurred in the financial markets around the world. The ongoing economic turmoil presents increased risk that the Company may have to perform under its settlement and travelers cheque guarantees. The Company’s global risk management policies and procedures, which are revised and enhanced from time to time, continue to be effective as evidenced by the historically low level of losses that the Company has experienced from customer financial institution failures, including no losses in the last several years.
The Company enters into business agreements in the ordinary course of business under which the Company agrees to indemnify third parties against damages, losses and expenses incurred in connection with legal and other proceedings arising from relationships or transactions with the Company. As the extent of the Company’s obligations under these agreements depends entirely upon the occurrence of future events, the Company’s potential future liability under these agreements is not determinable.
Note 20. Foreign Exchange Risk Management
The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts to manage risk associated with anticipated receipts and disbursements which are either transacted in a non-functional currency or valued based on a currency other than its functional currencies. The Company also enters into foreign currency forward contracts to offset possible changes in value due to foreign exchange fluctuations of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. The objective of this activity is to reduce the Company’s exposure to transaction gains and losses resulting from fluctuations of foreign currencies against its functional currencies. On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS 161. The adoption of SFAS 161 had no financial impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements; SFAS 161 required additional financial statement disclosures. The Company has applied the requirements of SFAS 161 on a prospective basis. Accordingly, disclosures related to interim periods prior to the date of adoption have not been presented.
The Company does not designate foreign currency forward contracts as hedging instruments pursuant to FASB Statement No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. The Company records the change in the estimated fair value of the outstanding forward contacts at the end of the reporting period to its consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of operations.
At June 30, 2009, all contracts to purchase and sell foreign currency had been entered into with customers of MasterCard International. MasterCard’s outstanding forward contracts are classified by functional currency as summarized below:
U.S. Dollar Functional Currency
June 30, 2009 | December 31, 2008 | |||||||||||||
Notional | Estimated Fair Value1 |
Notional | Estimated Fair Value1 |
|||||||||||
Commitments to purchase foreign currency |
$ | 33,297 | $ | 200 | $ | 292,538 | $ | 21,913 | 1 | |||||
Commitments to sell foreign currency |
246,826 | (13,431 | ) | 154,187 | 12,227 | 1 | ||||||||
Balance Sheet Location: |
||||||||||||||
Accounts Receivable |
$ | 333 | $ | 34,227 | ||||||||||
Other Current Liabilities |
(13,564 | ) | (87 | ) | ||||||||||
Euro Functional Currency
|
|
|||||||||||||
June 30, 2009 | December 31, 2008 | |||||||||||||
Notional | Estimated Fair Value1 |
Notional | Estimated Fair Value1 |
|||||||||||
Commitments to purchase foreign currency |
$ | 88,753 | $ | (2,378 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | |||||
Commitments to sell foreign currency |
65,916 | (373 | ) | 66,405 | (409 | )1 | ||||||||
Balance Sheet Location: |
||||||||||||||
Accounts Receivable |
$ | 389 | $ | 290 | ||||||||||
Other Current Liabilities |
(3,140 | ) | (699 | ) |
Amount and Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income |
||||||||||
Three Months Ended June 30, |
Six Months Ended June 30, |
|||||||||
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments |
||||||||||
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts |
General and administrative |
$ | (17,759 | ) | $ | (21,747 | ) | |||
Revenues |
(923 | ) | 3,289 | |||||||
Total |
$ | (18,682 | ) | $ | (18,458 | ) | ||||
1 |
Amounts represent gross fair value amounts while actual balance sheet classification considers master netting arrangements. |
The currencies underlying the foreign currency forward contracts consist primarily of the euro, U.K. pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Norwegian krone, and Mexican peso. The fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts generally reflects the estimated amounts that the Company would receive or (pay), on a pre-tax basis, to terminate the contracts at the reporting date based on broker quotes for the same or similar instruments. The terms of the foreign currency forward contracts are generally less than 18 months. The Company had no deferred gains or losses in accumulated other comprehensive income as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 as there were no derivative contracts accounted for under hedge accounting.
The Company’s derivative financial instruments are subject to both credit and market risk. Credit risk is the risk of loss due to failure of the counterparty to perform its obligations in accordance with contractual terms. Market risk is the potential change in an instrument’s value caused by fluctuations in interest rates and other variables related to currency exchange rates. Credit and market risk related to derivative instruments were not material at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
Generally, the Company does not obtain collateral related to forward contracts because of the high credit ratings of the counterparties. The amount of loss the Company would incur if the counterparties failed to perform according to the terms of the contracts is not considered material.
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